A/N: Look at me updating so quick! *0* Okay, so I think I've got my shit figured out, we'll see *shrugs*

Also, holy crap, over 150 followers for this?! That's so awesome! I didn't expect such a great following, thanks so much to everyone!

So, for those of you that hate all things Matt, this chapter will not be your fav but his end is near, no worries.

Guest- Thanks for the yays, I try my best to write competently ;)

Guest- I was having trouble bridging together the segments of this story that I have already written and planned but I'm feeling a lot more confident in filling the spaces lately. There will be no abandonment I promise!

ambirrd- Thanks! I didn't want to waste a lot of time on the whole "No I'm straight, I don't want to be gay" spiel, so I kinda skipped over it. As for what happens next, you'll just have to wait and see ;)

sidspa- I understand, no hard feelings lol

. .fullestx- I'm glad you're happy with the speed. I wasn't sure at first what would be too fast or too slow.

Brittana4Lyfe- Thanks so much for the complements! Don't worry about being late to the party there's plenty more fun to be had :)

rg521- Welcome and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far :)

Disclaimer (in DJ Kahled voice: another one): I don't own Glee

Chapter 10:Party People & Pom Poms

My mother tried three times this morning to change my mind about going to school today. Telling me several times that I could try again on Tuesday if I wanted. I managed to continue to get ready to leave while avoiding her attempts. When it came time to head out the door I nearly had to fight my way to my new car, a silver Mustang this time. Despite my mom's interference, I managed to make it to school without being late.

Before getting out of my car I checked my makeup and hair in the rear-view mirror, wanting to show up looking as hot as ever. When I did step out of my car it was with confidence.

Confidence that wavered slightly when I noticed the number of stares I was receiving as I entered the school.

Rose had left the house early for a student council meeting or something so I was on my own. I tried my best to make it to my locker without gaining any more attention.

Rounding the corner and looking towards my locker I found Brittany leaning against it. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty when I saw her. All day yesterday I had to make a conscious effort to keep myself from going crazy with thoughts about my "newly discovered" sexuality. I wasn't sure where I was at with everyone around me. It felt like a big secret, so I should be keeping it that way right? I had finally made the decision last night, as I lay in bed wide awake, that I would continue to keep up with my charade of a relationship with Matt for at least a while longer. Until I remember what happened at the party anyway.

Matt had made it pretty clear that we were intimate the night of the party. We didn't hook up but he made it sound like we were getting there. So what was that about? Had I been drunk or just having a lapse in judgement? I needed to find out more.

Brittany hadn't been at the party but maybe I had said something before would help me understand a little better.

Coming up on my locker now, Brittany spots me and smiles. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail and my eyes are immediately drawn to the way her long legs extended for miles beneath her short, red Cheerios skirt. I pull my gaze back to her face, the feeling of guilt settling heavier in my stomach now. I offer her the most confident smile I can muster.

"Hey you." She grins and steps back to allow me to open my locker.

"Morning, Britt."

"Excited to be back today?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it just feels weird right now. Kinda like I've been gone for weeks and am just now getting back."

"Well don't worry about classes. We have first hour together so I can totally help you in there, no worries. Quinn has Calculus with you after that, then we all have History before lunch. After that you'll be on your own though, sorry. But I'm sure all the teachers will take it easy on you as far as catch up work, because of the situation and all." She added quietly.

"First hour is French, right?" I double check.

"Oui, c'est vrai." Britt tells me.

"I'm going to nod and pretend I know what that means." I laugh and she does as well. "Was I supposed to wear my uniform today?" I ask, giving myself an excuse to check out her legs again before looking at my own jean-clad legs.

"We're supposed to wear them on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, something to do with invoking school spirit, but Sue told us that the doctor hasn't cleared you to cheer yet so I suppose it's okay for today that you don't." Brittany shrugged. "I'm sure Sue would have yanked you out of the hall by now if she was really mad about it."

"So far so good then. I'll be at practice today though. I'm not allowed to participate but I figured I should still come to watch, being a captain and all."

"Good! Alyssa has been totally eyeing your captaincy while you were gone. Quinn has been holding her off fine for now but she keeps trying to lead stretches."

I rolled my eyes. Of course Alyssa would be all over my spot. The bitch couldn't stand the fact that she wasn't on top of the pyramid.

"I take it you remember Alyssa, then?" Britt suggested.

"How could you tell?"

"You always roll your eyes whenever you hear her name." She observed.

It then occurred to me that, being my best friend, Brittany could no doubt read my facial expressions quite well. I blushed at the thought of her noticing the way I had ogled at her legs just moments ago.

Good thing my tan hides my blush. I sent a quick thanks to my Hispanic ancestors.

"Hey baby!" A deeper voice cut in and suddenly a body was sliding between us.

I look up to find Matt, smiling down at me as if he didn't even notice Brittany talking to me.

His arms were around me in a hug before I could even reply.

I shot Britt an apologetic smile over Matt's shoulder.

Brittany stepped around Matt to stand to the side.

"Hi, Matt."

"It's good to have you back at school, babe. I've been missing you."

I offered the most convincing smile I could muster. Not only was I lying to Brittany, I was lying to Matt too.

"Good morning, Matt." Brittany introduced her presence dryly.

"Oh, hi Brittany." Matt replied in the same tone.

Is it my imagination or do these two not get along? I wondered as I watched the icy interaction between the two of them.

"Anyway, I was really excited to see you this morning because I have a surprise for you." Matt's eyes sparked.

"Oh, um, okay."

Matt reached into the pocket of his letterman jacket and pulled out with a closed fist. He reached for my wrist and I allowed him to take it.

"Close your eyes." He requested.

I did and soon felt a cool pressure on my skin.

Upon opening my eyes I found a silver bracelet encircling my wrist with a heart charm hanging off.

How...traditional. Was my first thought.

"Surprise! Remember this? The bracelet I gave you for your birthday? You brought it to me a while ago because the clasp had broken, so I got it fixed see." Matt pointed out.

"Wow, yeah. It's-it's really nice, Matt. Thank you."

The boy leaned forward slightly, as if to collect his reward. Awkwardly I kissed his cheek. He pulled back disappointed but I pretended not to notice.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Brittany standing there with obvious discomfort. Her jaw clenched tightly.

"San, we're going to be late to first hour." She mentioned. Her tone clipped short.

"I'll walk you." Matt hurried to offer, puffing his chest out to better portray the role of a chivalrous boyfriend.

I didn't miss the look Brittany gave him. Her eyes narrowed and practically shining with irritation.

"That's okay, I don't want you to be late for your class." I told him.

He visibly deflated but I turned to Brittany to avoid any further insistence from him.

"Ready to go, Britts?" I asked her. I reached for her with only my pinkie finger extended.

It just felt like a natural thing to do I guess.

She grinned and linked her pinkie with mine.

Distracted for a moment by the familiar warmth of her finger around mine, I allowed Brittany to lead me down the hall, towards class and away from Matt's disgruntled frown.

As I watched our hands swing together on the way to class I felt myself drawn into a haze.

"Tonight." I spoke firmly to the blonde in front of me. Her eyes looked up from the floor at my tone. "I'm doing it tonight. No more waiting."

Brittany stepped closer. Her eyes were a cobalt mixture of hope and hesitation.

"San, I didn't mean to push you. You don't have to-"

"Yes. I do, Britt." I reached out to hold her hands. "Pushing or not, you were right. I can't let this keep dragging on. It's not fair to anyone."

Brittany's lips pulled back in a shy smile. I couldn't blame her for any doubts she was having. I'd said this before and hadn't had the nerve to follow through. In a show of commitment I held up my pinkie.

"I promise." I told her softly. She lifted her own hand and wrapped her smallest finger around mine.

"I'll see you later tonight then?" I could tell she was doing her best to keep the anticipation from her voice.

"You will." I vowed. "Pinkie promise."

I jerked to a sudden halt just outside the classroom door when I came out of my haze. Brittany, who had been just a step ahead of my turned back to look at me curiously. Before she could say anything though, a white-haired woman with a pair of round glasses perched on her nose neared the doorway.

"Santana Lopez, how wonderful to see you back." She greeted me. From the tone of her voice I could tell she hadn't really meant that statement.

I brushed off the haze and stepped over the threshold. Upon entering the classroom, the woman, whose name I remembered to be Mrs. Baudin, didn't waste any time in welcoming me back to the class with a full-page list of vocab words from the previous week, letting me know that I could take the quiz I had missed before or after school any day this week.

"I thought you said the teachers would be understanding?" I whispered to Britt as we took our seat at the table that I recognized to be our usual spot in the back row, where Mrs. Baudin's older eyes couldn't make out our cell phones on the table.

"Did I say all teachers? I meant all except Mrs. Baudin, who still has it out for you. Don't stress over the quiz, I'll help you study for it." Brittany offered.

"Thanks, Britt."

"Mrs. Lopez! I understand you've just got back into the swing of things here but I expect you to listen when I'm talking." Mrs. Baudin's sharp voice announced.

"Sorry Mrs. B." I recovered.

The teacher sent me a warning glare but went back to lecturing about the conjugations of verbs.

Throughout class Mrs. B targeted me with questions that there was no way I could have answered. I was too preoccupied replaying my flashback over and over in my head. When had that happened? What was our conversation about? Fortunately, Brittany fielded them all for me. By the time the bell rang I could see that having Britt's help to study would be a godsend. The girl appeared to be a genius.

As soon as I made it out of class and into the hall an arm slung its way over my shoulders and pulled me to the side.

"How was class?" Matt asked casually. Like he hadn't just yanked me out of a crowd of students like I was on a leash.

"Uh- it was fine. How was yours?" I replied, busy looking over my shoulder to see what had happened to Brittany.

I found her following a few steps behind us. Her face pinched in displeasure.

"Boring as fuck." Matt shrugged and came to a stop near a locker bay.

"Oh, well- I have to get to Calculus, I'm already a week behind-" I try to excuse myself.

"What's the hurry? You always hang with me during passing time."

That's a lie. I know. Because I usually hang with Brittany. I remember.

"It's our make out time." He points out ever so gracefully.

"Okay…well I'm not really in the make out mood right now." I take a step away from him. His hand lands on my arm quickly.

"Hey, what's your problem lately?"

I stare at him for a moment.

Is this guy for real right now?

"You're still ignoring me all the time. I texted you like seven times last night and you never replied."

"Yes I did. I told you I was going to bed." I correct him.

He opens his mouth but I cut him off. "Look, Matt. I think we need some space. I'm still piecing things together right now. And you're not exactly helping. This is hard enough as it is without you breathing down my neck." I tell him.

His eyes widen and he reaches out to grab my other arm as well.

"No, San. Don't say that. I'm sorry! I'm being an ass, I know! I just can't help it, everyone around here thinks I'm losing you." He explains, glancing to the side to see if those passing by are paying us any attention.

You never really had me. I think about how much of a lie this relationship is. I can't help but feel sorry for lying and leading him on. What reason did I have to construct this cover up? I didn't feel ashamed of who I am. Unless I didn't know I was gay when I started dating him? Is that even possible?

"Please, don't break up with me. I love you." He adds, breaking me out of my thoughts with his plead.

"I didn't say break up. I just think we should leave each other to do our own things for a while." I relent.

"But-" He stops when I step away from him. "It's for the best." I say and rejoin Brittany.

I can hear Matt cussing under his breath as we walk away.

"What was that about?" Brittany asks, concerned.

I shake my head. "I can see why I thought he was clingy." Is all I tell her.

Brittany chewed at her lower lip. She wants to tell me something. I recognized. I'm about to ask her what's on her mind but in the same instant Quinn comes up on my other side and links her arm through mine so that the three of us are walking side-by-side-by-side down the middle of the hall.

"That's better. After the party last week me and Britt had to walk down the hall without you and the underclassmen didn't give us as much space as they do when you're with us." Quinn sighed, observing how the hall seemed to clear before us. "Of course, Puck settled that for us with a few dumpster visits."

"The party?" I found myself saying out loud. "You were there?"

Quinn nodded. "Santana, we're on the top of the Cheerios pyramid, of course we were both at the party. The whole squad was there." Quinn clarifies. "The parties that the football team puts on are the social events of the year."

"So Puck was there too?" Again I spoke out loud with meaning to.

"Is your memory coming back at all? What party has Puck ever missed?" She raised an eyebrow.

"If I recall correctly, he skipped out when we were invited to the Rachel Berry's bar mitzvah." Brittany pointed out.

"Correction: What party that involves alcohol has Puck ever missed?" She countered.

"But you didn't come Brittany?" With Brittany also being on the Cheerios shouldn't she have been there too?

The taller blonde opened and closed her mouth before Quinn's voice cut in. "You said you were sick. That's why you were going to stay home." Quinn stated. Brittany sucked in her lips and nodded. "Yeah, I was feeling really ill that night, threw up and everything." She added.

I tried not to let my confusion show on my face. But I was supposed to go to Brittany's house after the party? Would she have wanted me to hang out with when she felt bad enough to puke? I studied her face for a minute. Something about the way she looked back at me told me she knew that I had caught her fib. What is going on?

"Don't worry about what happened at the party, you didn't do anything like last time." Quinn offered, noting my silence.

"Last time?" I prompted.

"It's better if you don't remember it, but if you really want to know, the last party we went to you took way too many shots and then started sobbing in the middle of the living room. But that was like a month ago, I don't think anyone remembers. Anyway, you didn't perform any drunken antics last week. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think you even had anything to drink that night." Quinn mentions, frowning as if she was struggling to fathom it. "But then again, I only saw you at the beginning of the night and after that I got loaded, so you can't really take my word for it." She shrugged. "Puck was my designated driver."

I made a mental note to talk to Puck whenever I got the chance.

It wasn't until I was on my way to my last class of the day when the chance presented itself. I caught sight of Puck in the hall just outside my English class.

"I'll never understand why you're at school today and not at home milking your concussion for all its worth. That's what I would be doing if I were you." He said in lieu of a greeting when I walked up to him.

"Do you remember seeing me at the party last week?" I opted to skip the small talk and go straight for it.

"Yeah? It hasn't come back yet?" He frowned.

"Not much of recent things have yet. I was hoping that if I tried working backwards from the night of the party it might help." I explained.

"Oh. Well yeah, I did see you come in at the party. I was with Quinn, you know, keeping an eye on her in case any guy tried to get to handsy. You know how Quinn gets flirty when she drinks, I didn't want her to do anything she would regret. You asked me where Matt was right away. I told you he was probably in the kitchen, supervising the liquor. You went off to find him and a couple minutes later I saw you two heading upstairs. The guy looked half way wasted, tripping up the steps." He chuckled. "Your boy started drinking pretty early that night."

I tried not to cringe at the words your boy.

"I never saw you come back down though, so I don't know how long you were up there." Puck shrugged. "I had to get Quinn home before she started puking up her alcohol."

"Good to know. Thanks Puck." He nodded to me and wandered off.

So far, I hadn't learned anything new about what had happened at the party. I racked my brain, trying to recall what had happened after I had gone upstairs with Matt. Nothing came back. I sat down at my desk and half-listened to my teacher ramble on about our upcoming book report.

By the end of the day my backpack was weighed down with homework assignments.

Hopefully Brittany can help me with the rest of this too. I thought as I spun the combination for my locker.

I grabbed the books I would need for homework tonight and quickly ran it all out to my car before heading out to the field to observe cheer practice. The squad had already gathered at the bleachers and Quinn hustled over to me before I could join the rest of them.

"Hey, I wanted to talk to you first before I give the announcement but I was thinking it would be a good idea to have a squad sleepover this weekend. I don't know if Brittany told you but Alyssa has been trying to squirm her way up the ranks and its been causing a little tension between some of the girls. Nothing that painting each others' nails won't fix." Quinn told me quietly. "I can host it Friday after the game. But if you don't think you'd be up for it we can think of something else."

"No, that sounds like a perfect idea, I'm in." I agreed.

"Okay, good. Come on then, you can still help me lead stretches right?" She leads me over to the girls and we begin the practice.

Two hours later I could tell some of the girls were having trouble remaining upright on their wobbling legs. Maybe three miles had been too much? Quinn and Brittany had handled it just fine. Having four years of experience has conditioned the three of us to handle the extreme cardio routines that Sue created. I joined Britt and Quinn and head into the locker room with the squad. I waited around the lockers for Brittany to shower, hoping to ask her to help me get started on my load of assignments tonight.

The question flew right out of my head when I looked up to find her wrapped only in a towel, stepping out of the shower steam. My throat dried up and I was suddenly hyper aware of how warm the locker room was. I tried not to let my mouth hang open like a freak as I watched water droplets roll down her perfectly smooth shoulders. It wasn't until I noticed that Brittany was looking straight back at me that I could form a thought.

Definitely gay.

"Um, I was wondering if you wanted to get together tonight and help me with that French?" I covered for my staring. I looked away as Brittany turned to change.

"Oh, sure. Do you want to go to my house or yours?" She offered with her back still to me.

"Whatever works for you, I guess."

Looking back at Brittany I froze up again. The only clothing she had put on so far was a pair of panties and a matching bra. Oh my God. My eyes traced over the exposed skin like they were trying to memorize the image, connecting the dots of the few dark freckles that were on her back.

"Santana?" Brittany suddenly turned around and I'm met with the front of her lace bra.

"What?" I croak, snapping my eyes up to her face.

"I said how about your place?" She raised an eyebrow.

"My place. Yes. That'll work. Uh- I think I left my Calc book in my locker. I'll meet you at my house." I stood quickly and nearly tripped making my way to the door.

I didn't even catch her reply as I power-walked my way out of the school. I had blatantly lied. I knew for a fact that I had grabbed everything I needed out of my locker. I took a breath and let the air cool my heated cheeks as I came out to the parking lot. I would need the head start I had on Brittany to cool down before she came over.

A/N: Wanted to get this half out to you guys, the next chapter will be a continuation of this ;)

Hmmm, what do you think went on at the party? Do all the pieces add up?

The next chapter is already in the works, so the next update should be nearly as quick as this one (fingers crossed). It helps that I have some more free time and inspiration to write lately.

Hope you enjoyed! Please review! I know there are 150 people out there reading this, yet less then 50 reviews? It doesn't have to be anything in depth, just say hi lol xD