Brittany pulled into a spare parking space in the schoolyard. People stopped, raised eyebrows and stared as Brittany waited to turn off the ignition so that she could finish singing along to 'Monster Mash.'
"First day of school," Brittany sighed, turning to Lord Tubbington who lounged in the passenger seat. Brittany turned off the ignition and reached for her bag as the song ended.
"Now," she said. "You be a good cat and remember that 'every time you don't have a cigarette, you increase your willpower.'"
Lord Tubbington meowed lazily in reply as Brittany stepped out of her red ute.
"Hey."
Brittany turned as someone approached.
"Who are you?"
"My n-n-name's Tina. Tina C-c-c-cohen Chang."
Brittany studied Tina. Her hair was long and dark, decorated with electric blue streaks. Her eyeliner was dark and heavy to match the rest of her Gothic outfit.
"Sorry," said Brittany. She pushed past Tina and headed towards the school. "I don't make friends with sad people."
Tina blinked. "I'm j-j-just the … the welcoming c-c-c-c-committee. I was s-s-sent to show you a-a-a-around."
Brittany turned on her heel to face the stuttering Tina. "So … you show me around?"
Tina nodded shyly.
"Well then, show me where I can try out to be a cheerleader."
"Y-y-you w-w-w-want to be a cheerio?"
"No. A cheerleader."
"Ok," Tina said while trying to hide her smile. "Follow m-m-m-me."
"Please don't smile. It's really scary."
Tina frowned and started towards the gym with Brittany following behind. She hummed the tune to 'Monster Mash' as they walked.
Tina opened the door to the gym and Brittany stepped inside.
"O-M-G! Who are they?" Brittany pointed towards two girls in the red and white cheerleading uniforms, who were executing perfect 'round-offs' with unnatural elegance and skill.
"The blonde one's Quinn F-f-f-f-fabray, and the h-h-hispanic one … that's S-s-Santana Lopez."
"S-s-Santana," repeated Brittany. She was mesmerised. Santana was beautiful; her silky dark hair was pulled back into a perfect ringlet, framing her angelic face. Her short 'Cheerios' uniform complimented her slight figure and her eyes were midnight black and pupil-less – the same deep black as Quinn's eyes.
"Are they sisters?"
"Yeah … a-a-adopted though," stuttered Tina. "Dr Finn and his w-w-wife Rachel adopted a-a-all these kids … except they're all kinda g-g-going out with each other… It's g-g-gross."
"Are Quinn and Santana...?"
"N-n-n-n-no. Quinn's with Sam," said Tina and Brittany's heart was filled with so much joy that she let out a high-pitched squeal. "A-a-a-and Kurt – the guy in the g-g-grey poncho up in the bleachers – is with Blaine."
"Ok girls!" Quinn stepped forward so that she was in the centre of the gym. "Coach Sylvester isn't here today, so we'll be judging the tryouts." Quinn motioned to herself and Santana, who stood behind her staring intently at Brittany. Brittany smiled shyly and blushed when she met Santana's eyes. A hint of a smile shadowed Santana's lips.
"S-s-see you later," interrupted Tina, and she waved as she left the gym.
"Whatever," replied Brittany.
"Ok. Let's start. First up is Missy Gunderson."
Missy stepped forward and with overwhelming enthusiasm announced, "I'm Missy and I'm ready to cheer, cheer, CHEER!"
Brittany watched Santana out of the corner of her eye through out Missy Gunderson's routine to 'Star Ships.' Santana cringed throughout the performance, not caring for Missy's feelings while Quinn tried unsuccessfully to hide her disgust with Missy's talentless routine.
"Thank you," her voice as smooth as honey.
Brittany watched as Santana marked an 'X' next to 'Missy Gunderson.'
"Next up is Brittany S. Pierce."
Santana straightened up and looked intently at Brittany as the song 'Disco Duck' began to play. Throughout the routine Santana didn't take her eyes of Brittany and Quinn smiled at her flawless routine.
Brittany waited over to the side as the other hopeful; 'Cheerios' performed their routines.
"Thank you girls for trying out today," said Quinn. "We appreciate your enthusiasm…" Santana rolled her eyes and Brittany tried to hide a giggle. "… but we have decided to welcome Brittany S. Pierce into the 'Cheerio' team." Santana stepped forward and handed Brittany a red and white jacket. As Brittany went to accept the uniform, her hand brushed against Santana's. The touch sent shivers up Brittany's spine – shivers of pleasure that made Brittany blush… but Santana's skin was ice cold …
"I like you shirt," said Santana suddenly. Brittany paused and looked down at her 'I Heart Unicorns' shirt.
"I like your legs," said Brittany and she smiled as she met Santana's dark eyes. Santana smiled. Brittany's heart raced. Santana leaned forward. Brittany leaned forward. Santana scowled – Scowled!
Santana stood up quickly and left the gym as the bell rang.
Brittany spent the next period of Spanish class thinking of Santana; she'd never seen anyone so beautiful, if only Santana didn't hate her so much. Thinking of Santana scowling depressed Brittany. Why did Santana hate her? There was nothing more that Brittany had ever wanted more, than to walk down the corridor in a Cheerio uniform next to Santana as people stared in awe.
Brittany slept for the rest of the lesson as she waited for the bell for lunch to ring; only food could cheer her up now.

Brittany stood in the lunch line in the busy cafeteria. She had decorated her tray with an assortment of 'Tots' and Donuts, but she was craving apples, as those are a unicorns' favourite food. She picked a bright red apple; she danced on the spot impatiently as she waited for the line to progress. Santana spotted Tina sitting with a tall boy who was kissing her on the cheek and whispering in her ear. Brittany quickly cut the line and headed towards Tina and her apparent boyfriend.
Suddenly Brittany was knocked forward by a heavy boy in a red and white letterman jacket with the name 'Karofsky' written across his shoulders. Tots spilled onto the floor and the apple rolled from Brittany's tray. Brittany groaned in annoyance as the apple fell towards the ground. Bending forward to pick it up she ignored a "Sorry babe" from Karofsky when suddenly the apple bounced back into her eye.
Brittany cried out in pain and confusion and fell to the ground; she looked up from the ground to see Santana. "Wait," groaned Brittany. "Did the apple just bounce off your foot?"
Santana went to speak, but a sandy haired boy in a leather jacket rushed forward towards Brittany.
"Do you need help?" He asked, inspecting her eye.
"I got it." Santana pushed the boy out of the way and taking hold of Brittany's hand led her out of the cafeteria and into the parking lot.
"Thank you," said Brittany as Santana stopped by a stylish and obviously expensive car. "Is this yours?" asked Brittany in admiration.
Santana nodded.
"Promise me you won't get hurt again," said Santana suddenly. "Please promise," she added in earnest when Brittany just smiled.
"I pinkie promise," said Brittany and she held out her pinkie.
Santana raised an eyebrow at Brittany's outstretched hand but linking pinkies with her anyway.