CHAPTER 9

BRITTANY

Her hands are so soft and delicate. My heart pounded uncontrollably against my chest as she tightened her grip on mine.

I want to protect Santana with everything I've got. "Are you okay?" I asked as I heard her breathe raggedly.

"I'm okay." she croaked.

I turned towards her, "We can't stop running San, I'm sorry." I said, feeling sorry for her. Artie is still running towards us, taking pictures and all.

"I know." she said as she run along beside me.

We reach the end of the stairs when I stop and turn towards her. "Run towards that way. If you bow your head and not meet anyone's eyes, no one will recognize you. Hurry up and go."

Santana nods her head. "Thank you." she said.

I nod in acknowledgement.

Then I went to the opposite direction so I could distract the pesky reporter.

"Brittany!" Artie called.

But I didn't bother to stop running away from him.

I really hope no one will recognize Santana.

"Brittany! Stop running away from me!" Artie called out again.

"Why does he have to be persistent! Damn it!" I breathed.

I turned right at the corner of the hallway and I was met by no other than Rachel Berry wearing the same outfit Santana wears. Santana gave the dress more justice though.

"Hey! What happened? Who are you running from?" Rachel asked.

Before I could answer, Artie came with his damn camera. "Just as I suspected. Rachel Berry and Brittany S. Pierce. You really look good as a couple."

Rachel smile widened. "I know, right?" she said that I winced.

"I guess this is better." I whispered softly. "Take care of this yourself. I have an interview to catch on."

"What?" she asked.

I smirked. "Just act like you normally do. Do a good job. Bye!" then I ran again, leaving Rachel and Artie.

"Brittany!" I heard Artie called.

Then I heard Artie asked Rachel, "Why did you two ran away upon seeing me?"

"Huh?" Rachel asked dumbly. "What are you talking about?"

I shook my head and never look back at them.

I arrived just in time for the interview. Sue Sylvester is giving her thank you speech when she saw me making my way at the stage. Her eyebrows furrowed.

"Where is Santino?" she asked as I sat beside her.

"He left." I answered.

"What?"

"Just pass all the questions for him to me, I'll handle it." I said, dismissing any kind of argument.

The interview went well, I was able to handle everything even if my mind is drifting somewhere.

We were inside the AN JELL van when Sugar spoke, her voice filled with sadness. "So, Santino's mom is dead? The one he's looking for. That's why he's crying."

I didn't answer, neither Quinn.

So Sugar continued, "Did you both knew that he didn't have any parents? Is that why you were so good towards him?"

Quinn and I were still silent.

Then Sugar's voice turned softer, "I'm so stupid to make silly assumptions."

That got me curious. What silly assumptions Sugar is referring to?

"I feel bad for Santino." Sugar continued. "I want to hug him tight right now."

I closed my eyes and all I could picture was Santana crying. I also want to hug her.

SANTANA

My heart is shattering into pieces as I listened to my aunt telling me the story of what had happened.

"I tried to find you, you and your sister but I wasn't successful. Before your father died, he told me to take care of you and your twin, he also told me that your mom met a terrible accident. And that she didn't make it."

My tears were unstoppable but I really want to know the truth. "Could you at least tell me her name?" She doesn't even know her mom's name. All she knows is that their mom was a famous singer.

Her aunt looked at her directly into her eyes. "I've never met her. I only heard that she was a singer. And since she was already dead, how would I supposed to find her?" then her aunt caressed her cheeks. "For me, meeting you is the happiest moment of my life. I'm really sorry Santino."

I nod my head and she wrapped me in a warm embrace.

The search is over.

This will definitely break my twin brother's heart as much as it broke me.

"Santana, I'm so sorry." William said in a soft voice, breaking the silence. We were already on our way home and I'm already physically and emotionally tired.

I just nod at him. I'm emotionally drained that I can't even speak. I was so sad. I won't be able to meet our mom anymore.

"Should I tell your brother then?"

"It will break his heart." I murmured. I don't want him to know but I just can't hide the truth from him. "We will tell Santino when he gets back." I said.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him nod.

"By the way, your performance earlier was so great. Holly told me that in the interview, the media were looking for you and were already smitten by your superb performance. You played the role of Santino too well. They all want to congratulate you."

"Really?" Well, that made me smile. I gave my best performance in there. I don't want to disappoint my bandmates especially Brittany.

I blushed as I recalled what Brittany's reaction upon seeing me dress like a girl. I can say that she was surprised. And when she grabbed my hand, my heart flutters. She really has that effect in me.

I shook my head. I shouldn't think about this kind of things. I can't be involve with Brittany. It will only give problems. Lots of problems.

William continued, "From now on… you just have to-"

I frowned. "I should stop."

I didn't received any response from William because he knew what I was talking about. I need to stop being Santino.

With slumped shoulders and red eyes, I opened the door.

But then I was surprised because Sugar wrapped me in her arms.

My tears fell again as I felt her warm embrace. She didn't even utter a word but her hug spoke a thousand words.

Quinn joined in and I felt completely satisfied. I'm lucky to have them. No, erase that. Santino is lucky to have them.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Brittany coming out of the kitchen, she acknowledged me with a simple nod and a smile.

I can't help but to smile at her as I mouthed the words, "thank you."

"Come on Britt. Let's have a group hug." Sugar suggested, grinning from ear to ear.

Brittany snorted. She crossed her arms, showing her stubborn self.

I smiled at her, I'm positively sure that my cheeks are red as soon as our eyes met.

"Alright. Let's do this group hug thing." she said, after a while, not meeting my eyes.

And when I felt her warm embrace, my heart hammered inside my chest. I blushed furiously. I hope Brittany wouldn't notice her effect she has on me.

BRITTANY

I heard Santana and Sugar playing video games as soon as I stepped inside the house. I can't help but smile as I heard Sugar teasing Santana for not being able to beat her.

But then I heard Quinn's voice. "Come San. We're going to beat Sugar."

I frowned when I saw Quinn settled at the back of Santana as she guides her into playing the wii console. I felt a pang of jealousy as I noticed how close they were.

I shouldn't be jealous. I don't even have the right to become jealous.

Brittany S. Pierce. Stop being jealous!

"Wow!" Santana exclaimed. "We did it!" she squealed in joy and my blood boils when she hugged Quinn.

Yes. I am jealous! Damn it!

Before I could stop myself, I walked towards them and stubbornly grabbed the console from Santana. "That's not the way to play this. Let me show you how." I smirked.

Santana smiled at me but I was so jealous that I can't help but frown at her. Serves her right for being so close to Quinn.

Oh my god. I am really jealous.

Snap out of it, Brittany. She's not your possession.

But I am really jealous and it's killing me.

"Let's play double tennis." Sugar said, clearly enjoying this. "Britt and I will be partner and we're gonna crushed you both." she said in a confident manner.

Quinn just laughed as she took Santana's hand. My eyes narrowed at the sight in front of me.

"We're going to do this. We're not gonna lose." she said.

Santana frowned at her. "But I'm not good at this."

I can't help myself as an idea popped in, "San and I will be partners. I'm the champion at this and I'm going to teach you the right technique." I told Santana and I saw her eyes lit up. I can't help but to give a smug look at Quinn as I noticed her frowning.

I pulled Santana towards me and started teaching her the basics.

I can feel daggers coming out from Quinn's eyes but I don't care.

Brittany=1, Quinn=0

I smirked triumphantly.