Quinn POV

Lately, I have been worrying about the plan Brittany and I worked out to get Santana out of the closet. It's just, I don't get why San hasn't spoken with Brittany yet. I mean come on, it has been almost two months already and I know that Brittany is getting scared that we're losing Santana. Even I'm getting scared that we aren't going to be able to move past this and rekindle our friendship.

Even though I would have expected some results by now, I know that the only reason that our plan is going this slow is because Santana is incredibly stubborn. What other reason could there be?! It's not like Santana is dating someone else, otherwise I would have known that since I'm still her best friend. The only change that I can think of is that she's hanging out more with Berry, at least if I can believe what Puck has told me. Plus I saw them together last week at Tim's party.

However I'm not that worried, because in school Santana still avoids the midget at all costs and she doesn't do anything when somebody else insults her. And that somebody would be me, because Puck pointed out to me that I should be there for Santana like Berry, who is trying to be friends with Santana. I don't think that she's succeeding, but you never know. So that's why I'm making more fun of her now, and she has become my number one target.

Anyway right now I'm sitting in math class, and I notice that San is sitting next to the midget. That's odd because they never sit next to each other. Normally Santana sits next to Puck or next to me, but not next to that loser. So maybe Puck didn't lie about them hanging out together all the time. I should probably check that after school, because I don't want that hobbit to screw up the plan that Brittany and I made.

I don't think that Berry knows about the break-up, but if she does then she could seriously mess up our plan. She could give Santana advice or tell her to move on, and that's not what's supposed to happen. But I shouldn't get ahead of myself, she probably knows nothing and Santana isn't really a talker when it comes to her feelings. So I think we're safe, but I really need to keep an eye on that.

Before I can continue thinking about other possible ways this plan could work out, I hear the bell ring. I'm waiting for Santana to head out together, because we have cheerleading practice. When I step back into the classroom – to see what's taking her so long – I notice something odd. She's talking to Berry, and it must have been something funny because that troll is giggling like a fucking retard. I hate Berry so damn much, first she tries to steal my boyfriend and now she's trying to steal my best friend, who the hell does she think she is?!

Santana POV

Convincing Rach to come with me to my cheerleading practice wasn't easy. But like always I used my incredible Lopez-charm, which made her give in. Of course, I know that she doesn't like to be surrounded by all of the cheerleaders, since those are the ones who are the cruelest to her in school and torment her on a daily basis. But that's going to change from now on, and that's why I needed her to come with me.

I need her to be there when I tell my squad that Rachel's off the list and that she needs to be treated like one of us. Plus if there are some people who can't accept that, then I'm kicking them off the team. I don't need bitches on my squad; I need loyal cheerleaders who follow their leader without questioning everything I do or order.

I look to my right, and I notice that Berry is extremely nervous at the moment. She's fumbling with her hands, and I can feel that her guard's up. Today that's going to end, because I want my best friend to feel safe all the damn time. She shouldn't have to pull her walls back up, because Rach is such a good person and she doesn't deserve to be treated like she's horrible. Just because she isn't a cheerleader doesn't mean that she isn't beautiful or isn't talented. I try to calm her down by holding her hand in mine, and she interlaces our fingers. Somehow it feels natural holding her hand in mine, and I enjoy it. Maybe I like it more than I should, but I don't really question it because it feels right.

When I look to my left, I see a very pissed looking Quinn. Seriously, she's giving Rach all kinds of death glares. But I give Quinn an equally threatening look that tells her that she needs to back off, and luckily for her she does.

When we reach the field, where we practice five times a week, I notice that all my cheerleaders are already there. Even Brittany's already there, and she's giving me this sad look, which makes my heart ache. Honestly, it hurts me to see her as well, and I know that she wants to talk to me but I can't. That would hurt too freaking much, even though I know that I can't avoid her forever. I'm just not ready yet for a confrontation.

Anyway, since everybody's waiting for my instructions, I decide to start my little speech, "Okay, everybody listen up, because I have something important to say to all of you. Most of you are probably wondering why I brought Berry with me today, aren't you?"

I take a deep breath and see everybody nodding their heads, and giving Rachel confused or angry looks. And Rach just looks at me with pleading eyes, because even she doesn't know what she is doing here, surrounded by the people she fears. She looks at me, to avoid the gazes from the others, and I continue my little speech, "That's what I thought. Well, she's here because she's one of us. No matter what you think or have heard, she isn't a loser. In fact, she's pretty damn awesome."

There are all kinds of reactions; most of them are pretty negative. I hear a few gasps, but I ignore them and go on with my little speech, "As I was saying, she's one of us and deserves to be treated like that. Rachel is in my after-school dance class, like some of you know, and I can tell you that she's an excellent dancer. So just because she isn't a cheerleader, doesn't mean that she hasn't got any moves. And if some of you doubt that, then we would do a dance battle, Berry and I against anyone who thinks that she can dance better than us. Any volunteers?"

Everybody starts shaking their heads; even Quinn is shaking her head in defeat. Even though I know that deep down Q really hates Rachel. But I don't care because Rach is my friend and Q will just have to accept that.

Some of them gulp, and I know that they won't start rebelling. I kind of feared that they would all work together and stand up to me, but they didn't and I'm grateful for that. Because without my spot as head cheerleader, I would lose all my popularity and my reputation. Therefore I wouldn't have any social power at our school, which I need if I want to protect my friends. High school is a cruel place, and I need this reputation to survive it.

Anyway, I continue my little monologue, "That's right, none of you would be able to beat me and Rachel, and you'd better remember that!"

Before I can continue, Stacey interrupts me, "Yeah, we couldn't beat the two of you together because you would dance with her. Me against her wouldn't even be a fair fight; it would be a piece of cake for me."

Some of the other cheerleaders are nodding their head in agreement, which pisses me off big time. I snap, "I wouldn't be too sure of that. But because of your big mouth, you can leave. And when I say leave, I mean don't come back. You're off the squad, Blondie!"

Stacey starts getting tears in her eyes, but I don't care. I have wanted to get back at her for kissing Brittany when we were still together (even though she didn't know that). So she had it coming a long time ago. She yells, "What?! You can't do this?"

"Newsflash, yes I can. Tough luck, that I'm the captain of this cheerleading squad. Now go! Or do I need to humiliate you some more, before you actually get the point."

And just like that she's gone with the wind. All the other cheerleaders are looking at me in pure shock and fear, terrified that I will do the same to them if they don't listen to me. Only, when I notice Quinn, Brittany and Rachel looking at me like they're disappointed, I start feeling bad. Especially Rach, because she has got such a pure heart and I never meant to be a bitch to anyone in front of her, because I know how much she hates that. But now, I can't take it back anymore. I guess, I'll make it up to her after school. God I'm so whipped and we're not even dating or anything.

I sigh, "Sorry, you guys, but we're a team and people that can't accept that the others are equals, have to leave. So try not to make the same mistake as Stacey, and you will keep your spot on the team. Am I making myself clear?"

The whole group nods in agreement and I decide to say what I had originally planned on saying, "Okay, what I actually meant to say earlier was that I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I have been such a bitch to most of you. But I have been an even bigger bitch at school to people who we call losers, nerds, outsiders, just because they aren't jocks or cheerleaders. And that was wrong, I realize that now."

I take a small pause, and when I notice that everybody is listening carefully, I continue, "Over the last few weeks, I have had a hard time for some personal reasons and for some reason, Rach was the one who helped me through it. We have all put her through so much crap; I even let it happen when she already was my friend. And I hate myself for that, so I'm going to make a change. We're all going to do that, and start treating Rach the way she deserves to be treated. When we say degrading things to people, sometimes we cross a line and really hurt that person. Sometimes, you even scar them for life and I don't want to be a person who does that anymore. Yes, there will be days that I'm still a bitch, but Rome wasn't built in one day. So I expect all of you, to at least try and make a change. That's it, that's all I wanted to say. So now, everybody can run two miles as a warm-up and then we can officially start this practice."

I look to my right, and I see that Rach is about to cry. But before I can even ask her what's wrong, she pulls me into a tight hug and thanks me for standing up for her. You can't believe the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders, knowing that Rachel has started to forgive me for all my mistakes. She told me that she forgave me a while ago, but I can only start feeling better about this if I really make a change like this and try to fix them.

When I pull back from the embrace, I notice Quinn's death glare into the back of Rachel's head and I also see the way Brittany's looking at me. She looks so broken, and I can tell that she misses us as well. Maybe, she just misses being best friends, because we have always known each other and have been inseparable. But now I haven't talked to her for weeks, and it's killing both of us. Talking about it could help, but I'm still not ready for that. Only time will be able to help me, but now the wound is still too fresh.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews!