A/N: I didn't know how to start this because most of these start with dialogue in my head and I didn't want to do that for all of them and yeah...

Also, just assume Santana and Brittany never started dating for this, k? K.

Hope ya like it!

Rachel stood at her locker collecting her books on the first day back from the holidays. Everyone around her was moping and grumbling but she couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face. She had obviously enjoyed Hanukkah with her family and her break altogether but, being back was nice as well. Aside from seeing more of her friends, New Directions would be jumping right back in to rehearsing, and that meant they'd be that much closer to winning Regionals. And that much closer to success.

Toying with the binding of one book, a crooked smile on her face, a voice brought her back to the present.

"Where're your new earrings?" The voice almost sounded accusatory and when she turned, she was shocked to see a slightly defensive looking Santana standing before her, arms crossed.

She fumbled a moment. "Wha-How did you know I-"

"You're not wearing them." She was cut off. Santana was stern and almost... searching. What was happening?

Deciding to just answer the question in hopes of receiving her own after, she said, "I decided to return them and give the money to those in need."

Santana's shoulders eased a bit, gaze softening a degree. "Oh." There was a pause in which Rachel tried to rationalize the odd behavior of her fellow glee member. Nothing came of it. "That's cool, I guess."

Brow furrowed, body leaning toward the other as if a closer proximity would aid in her comprehension, Rachel waited for the girl to say more.

"Well," Santana glanced off to the side, hiding the conflict within. "See ya, Berry."

Rachel watched as Santana spun and started down the hall, utterly confused. It took her a second to snap into action, close her locker, and chase after her. "Wait! Santana!" Once at her side, Santana not slowing in the slightest, Rachel once again looked up at the girl. "How did you know Finn got me earrings?"

Eyes flickered down to her before fixing ahead once more. "He didn't tell you?" her voice sounded irritated, her grip on her own biceps tightening.

Rachel was silent as she thought. Tell her? Would would he have to tell her? Had he spoken with Santana at some point over the holidays? That didn't make much sense. Her confusion only deepened.

A frustrated breath accompanied an eye-roll. "Of course he didn't. The selfish... I helped- No. Fuck that. I picked out those earrings for you." Santana had halted her steps to turn back to Rachel, eyes burning with something Rachel couldn't quite decipher. It was a bit daunting.

"You-?" Quirking her head to the side, she studied Santana. "Why?"

Santana huffed in annoyance but Rachel saw she was hiding something. "I felt like being charitable. The oaf was clueless."

But why would she care?

Another uneasy huff and Santana was pulling back. "Look, glad you went and did some good shit for the world. I've got to get to class."

Without really knowing why, Rachel's hand snapped out to grasped the darker wrist. Santana stopped, turned, and looked down at the contact. Her dark eyes were shifting and, when she looked back up to Rachel, a bitchy glare had fallen perfectly into place. Rachel didn't flinch.

"Thank you," she said softly, earnestly. "They were lovely."

Santana's features jumped in surprise for half a moment, before she got them into a somewhat indifferent expression. "Yeah, whatever," she replied with a shrug.

Squeezing the wrist gently, Rachel ducked her head to make sure she kept eye contact with the girl before her. "I mean it. I loved them."

Quietly, Santana watched Rachel clear of any cold expression or bitchy stare. She was open and searching. A soft nod and Santana slipped out of Rachel's grip and continued down the hall.

A shaky breath left her as she watched the retreating form once more. Thoughts churning, she recalled the beautiful gift she'd believed to be from her boyfriend. Stunning, bright, perfect. Why hadn't Finn told her? Why did it matter so much to her? Why was her chest feeling so... heavy? Gaze distant and fingertips tingling, Rachel started to see what had been hidden to her.