My first conscious thought in the morning is that I'm thirsty. Like, really thirsty. And there's a weird taste in my mouth. I think it's what woke me up. I open my eyes and I'm met with a face full of wild blonde curls. Brittany's hair tickles my eyelids and I blink it away. She's lying next to me with her back to me and my arms are wound around her middle. Her hands are limp over my own; she must still be asleep. I smile to myself at our position. Brittany and I were friends in middle school but being in high school and Cheerios over the past few weeks has brought us a lot closer recently. I've never really had a "best friend" before but it strikes me now that she's probably the closest thing I've got.

I'm so comfortable nestled against her that I could probably stay here forever if it wasn't for the fact that I feel more dehydrated than I ever have in my entire life. I retract my arms and roll away from her. She stirs and draws her limbs into her body a little as if missing my warmth, but she doesn't wake up. I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and start to stand up. I abruptly sit back down though when my head starts spinning uncontrollably and I almost lose my balance. "Woah…" I mumble, putting a hand to my head. I take a deep breath, trying again more slowly and manage to stay up this time. My body is heavy and my head feels sensitive as I drag myself to Brittany's bathroom, shutting the door quietly behind me. I pour myself a cup of cold water and drink the whole thing in one. I immediately feel better, and fill another one, sipping at it while I look in the mirror across from me. I've definitely looked better. I never took off my make-up before I went to bed so it's smudged slightly around my eyes, which look kind of red. My hair hangs limply around my shoulders and it smells like beer. I lean down and wash my face with cold water as I remember the events of the previous evening. I think of the way I rambled on to that guy that dropped us off at Brittany's and cringe slightly. I'm not too concerned though, because some people really embarrassed themselves last night. Compared to them I was on my best behavior. I think of the Cheerio who drank too much beer and threw up all over the quarterback on the couch. I smirk at the memory.

I pick up my cup and step back into Brittany's room. She's sitting up now, rubbing at her face. "Morning, Sunshine," I say, heading over to perch on the end of the bed. My voice sounds hoarse and scratchy. She peers blearily back at me and smiles in greeting.

"Is that water?" she croaks. I nod and hand it to her, careful to make sure she doesn't spill it all over her sheets. She gulps it down, finishing it in one like me and places the empty cup on her nightstand. "Last night was fun," she says, turning back to me and smiling.

"Sure was. Can't wait for the next one," I reply, lying down and propping my head up on my elbow to look at her.

"Totally." Her eyes widen suddenly and she giggles. "Oh my god, do you remember kissing all those boys in Spin the Bottle?"

I smirk and say, "Yupp. They're lucky guys." She grins. "Saw you getting your mack on with that jock on the dance floor too," I tease her, punching her knee lightly.

"I was just copying you," she laughs. "I think I like making out. I'm totally good at it too." I raise my eyebrows but don't comment.

We spend the morning lying around in her room in our pajamas gossiping and reminiscing about the party. Eventually Quinn calls and invites us over so we get dressed and head downstairs. Brittany's dad greets us and asks us how the party went. We exchange a quick glance and reply that it was fun, trying not to laugh. I don't think Brittany's parents quite grasp what kind of thing goes on at these house parties, otherwise I doubt they'd ever have let her go. I just told mine I was sleeping over at Brittany's and they assumed we'd spend the whole night tucked up in bed watching movies and braiding each other's hair.

We head out and over to Quinn's place. Her house is practically a palace. Her mom greets us at the door and directs us up the two flights of stairs to Quinn's bedroom. "Quinnie's just upstairs in her room. Let me know if you girls need anything," she says, giving us a painfully sweet smile. Now I know where Quinn gets it.

Quinn is sitting at her vanity desk, curling her hair when we enter. We flop down on her bed, crossing our legs. "Well," she says, spinning to face us, "you two are looking a lot better today than I expected." She smirks at us. I simply laugh off the comment and Brittany smiles, apparently accepting it as a compliment.

"Please," I say, "We were fine. We were having a good time is all." I wave my hand dismissively. "What happened to you anyway? Disappear with Finn, did you?" She smiles knowingly and turns back to her mirror.

"He walked me home. But we just talked, that's all." She pauses. "He asked me out." I almost laugh, then I see her delighted expression. "I said yes." I look at Brittany, who looks just as grossed out as me. Who knew Quinn Fabray was such a sap?

"So," I laugh in disbelief, "you actually like the teen giant?" She narrows her eyes at me.

"Think about it, Santana. Finn is by far the most talented freshman on the football team, and he's set to become quarterback next year for sure. And if I'm dating him, I'll be untouchable. We'll be McKinley's power couple." She smiles. "And then I'll be head cheerleader."

I fold my arms and glare at her. "No way will Coach make you head cheerleader. You're too young." She just keeps that smug look on her face as she applies her lip gloss.

"We'll see." She says quietly. I narrow my eyes at the back of her head. So the real reason she's trailing after Finn Hudson is so she can rise to the top of the high school food chain and earn a spot on top of the pyramid. Normally the suggestion would be downright stupid, but I'm not so sure. Coach Sylvester definitely has a soft spot for the blonde and if Quinn plays her cards right, she might just give her the title she's after. I fall silent as Quinn bores us with the details of her and Finn's blossoming relationship.

Later, when we're alone, Brittany brings it up again. We're walking down the street, having just left Quinn's. "Why does Quinn want to date Finn Hudson?" she asks me suddenly. "He's like, so not hot." I chuckle.

"I know, right? It's because he's popular. She thinks that if they're together, she'll be more popular too." I pause, shrugging. "She's probably right." Brittany makes a face.

"Gross."

"Totally," I agree. "But, whatever. If Q wants to do things her way I couldn't care less. Personally I'm not too worried about either of our reputations." I link our pinkies and grin at her. "I'll make sure we stay on top." She smiles back at me, swinging our linked arms.

"Awesome."


As freshman year continues, things just get better. The Cheerios' training continues and we take first place at sectionals easily. Quinn, Brittany and I are officially the top bitches of freshman year, and people start calling us "The Unholy Trinity." It's fitting. Coach Sylvester has us acting as her minions in her insane schemes and running errands for her left and right. I take every opportunity I can to remind the other students who's in charge. Every so often, I see that dwarf, Rachel Berry, and never fail to insult whatever hideous ensemble she's turned up to school in that day.

In January Quinn finally starts dating that idiot, Finn Hudson, and she hangs off his arm like a prize as they walk through the hallways.

We get invited to all the cool parties, showing up in our Cheerios uniforms and flirting with all the right people. By the time February rolls around I think I've made out with just about every single boy on the football team and the same goes for Brittany. Except for Finn of course, he's off-limits. Although Quinn's so frigid I doubt she's even kissed him yet.

One Saturday night in March, we're in some jock's house surrounded as usual by football players desperate for some action. Quinn is sitting across the room in Finn's lap, innocently sipping a drink. Brittany and I nod and smile as the boys tell us their stories, each more loud and boastful than the one before. I'm drunk, as usual, so it's not difficult to zone out and pretend to be listening.

"Mmm, yeah totally," I say as the guy opposite me finishes talking and grins at me. Eventually I get bored and head to the dance floor. It doesn't take long before someone grabs me and he's kissing me forcefully against the wall. It might be the same guy from a minute ago. I smile into it and run my fingers through his curly hair, the alcohol I've drunk boosting my confidence. He seems to like it, and he slides his right hand up my torso, squeezing my breast over my Cheerio's top. I'm surprised and I consider stopping him, but decide against it. I knew something like this was bound to happen sooner or later anyway; I might as well go with it. He presses his hips into my leg and I can feel his hard dick, pressing into my thigh. He grinds into me and I don't object. After a few minutes I pull away and give him my sexy smile. He grabs my hand and takes me upstairs.

I don't know if this is his house or not, but he pulls me into a dark, empty bedroom and shuts the door behind us. I sit on the bed and he pushes me down, kissing me hard again. As he crawls on top of me and moves us back, I decide to let it happen. It was always going to be like this, I think. I'm not like Quinn who seems to think losing the big V is some magical experience which should be saved for marriage. I just want to get it done and see what all the fuss is about. I smirk up at the guy above me who's breathing heavily all over my face, and reach down under my skirt to slide my Spankies down to my ankles. He looks like he can't believe his luck. He gets up and undoes his pants as fast as he can, taking out his wallet and unwrapping a condom. I wait patiently as he fumbles to get it on and get's back on the bed hovering over me.

"You've done this before right?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah course, babe." He grins cockily and pushes his lip back onto mine roughly. I reciprocate and soon I feel him position the tip of his dick where he thinks is the right place. I roll my eyes and reach down, pushing it down a little so he doesn't miss. Without a warning he lunges forward, plunging into me. All the air goes out my lungs. It hurts. Like, it really hurts. It takes all my will power not to cry out in pain. I feel like I'm being stabbed with something sharp inside my stomach. I barely have time to adjust before he yanks out and thrust back in again, causing another sharp stab of hot pain. I try to control my breathing and get used to the sensation of him pushing mercilessly in and out of me. After a while the pain dulls and I close my eyes. I scrape my fingernails up and down his back, wrapping my legs around his hips. He seems to like this and pounds harder, panting. I wonder if this is supposed to feel good. It's probably just because it's my first time that it hurts so much. I find myself kind of wishing it was over already. I kiss his neck and dig my fingertips into his lower back. Eventually he grunts, thrusting in quickly a few times, before slowing. "I just came," he says, as if it isn't obvious. "You done, baby?" Is he serious? No, but I doubt there's anything you can do about it, I think to myself, but I smile sweetly up at him as he pulls out and say,

"Yeah. Thanks for that."

He grins and says, "No problem," before pulling up his pants. I reach for my Spankies and yank them up. I slide off the bed and go to open the door, light spilling in from the hallway.

"See you around," I mutter before slipping out. I stand in the hallway, not really sure what I'm supposed to do now. After a couple moments I head to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. The place between my legs hurts like hell, I feel like someone stuck a sword down there. I find some drops of blood as well, after some investigation. I feel sobered up, so eventually I head back out and downstairs to get another drink. I join Brittany who's still chatting to some football players. She grins drunkenly at me.

"You look serious. Here, have some tequilaaa!" I grin back as she hands me the bottle. I can't stand the stuff but I drink some anyway to take my mind off what just happened. I don't know why it's even bothering me. I just thought it would be more fun...or something. I guess I'm just disappointed.

Before I know it I'm back to my old self, thanks to a few shots of the tequila. I laugh at myself for being so silly before, and Brittany laughs with me and the night goes on as usual.


Later, after we've finally fallen into her bed like we always do at the end of the night, my mind returns to what I did with that guy earlier. "Britt?" I'm not sure if she's asleep or not but I lightly shake her shoulder anyway.

"Mmm?" she murmurs sleepily, turning to face me.

"I need to tell you something," I whisper loudly. I'm still drunk and the words come out in a rush. She blinks back at me waiting. I suddenly feel nervous.

"Um…well tonight I was making out with this guy…" She nods, waiting for more. "..and then we went upstairs and made out and then we like….went all the way," I finish. She frowns. "We had sex," I mumble.

"Oh!" Her eyes widen and she giggles. We've briefly discussed this a few times before and we both agreed that sex wouldn't really be a big deal. I know she's still a virgin. "And? How was it? With who? Tell me everything!" Her eyes sparkle in excitement. I laugh, and shrug.

"Some football player. He's older, not a freshman." I pause, not really sure what to say next. "It was…" I say hesitating, "…okay, I guess," I finish uncertainly. I realize how bad that sounds and I say, "It was good. Anyway, it was my first time. It can only get better from here right?" I smirk at her. She's nodding unsurely. There's a short silence.

"Are you okay?" she asks me after a moment. For a second I want to tell her no, I'm not and cry to her about much it hurt and still does. Then I tell myself to suck it up and stop being such a baby about it, and just smile like I have no idea what she's talking about.

"Totally. Why wouldn't I be? It's not like it's a big deal." I don't meet her gaze.

"Okay," she says, after looking at me for a moment. Then she gently reaches forward and pulls me in close so my head rests just underneath hers. As she tucks me in to her body I snake my arms around her middle and bury my face in her neck, breathing in her scent. It's comforting and I feel myself relax. I forget all about that stupid boy from earlier and eventually drift off to sleep.