It was a Wednesday lunchtime at school, and Santana and Brittany were sat on a table filled with all of their cheerleading friends. They were near the end of high school, had great friends around them, were on track to win nationals, and they were 2 of the most popular girls in school. Something Santana felt heavily accomplished for, as she knew the work she did in middle school to prime them, had secured their high school popularity.

These last few weeks were about spending time together before saying goodbye and heading off separate ways, but not for Brittany and Santana who were of course both going to New York. Santana looked around and sighed, she really would miss everyone. Still at least they had Senior Prom to come, one last night to celebrate altogether. Suddenly a hand tapped her, distracting from her thoughts.

"Hey Santana, can I grab you for just a sec?" it was Noah Puckerman. The school bad boy, and newest addition to the football team, known affectionately as Puck. Puck had transferred from another school for his senior year, rumour has it he was kicked out, and McKinley High was his 5th High School. Something about his bad reputation was incredibly appealing to Santana, this was the kind of footballer she wanted to date, not someone squeaky clean like Finn. Puck would add edge to her rep.

"Sure" Santana smiled, walking off with the mohawked boy.

Brittany watched as Santana and Puck chatted excitedly. She couldn't help noticing how much Puck kept touhing her, and how every time he did, Santana would blush. She giggled like a little girl around him, it was obvious she liked him. Brittany sighed. Ever since they had kissed, her feelings for Santana only grew deeper, but Santana's reaction the morning after pretty much told her everything she needed to know.

All she could do was carry on as normal and try and forget about Santana and find somebody else, she would just have to be happy to have her as a best friend. Her mom had always told her about how love is selfless, and how you truly know you love someone when you want their happiness, and if their happiness isn't with you then you love them enough to let them go. Brittany thought this was both painful but beautiful.

Brittany headed towards her locker, ready for next period. Her thoughts were distracted by Santana returning next to her as she reached into her locker for her books. She looked coy and excited, and Brittany prepared to put on a brave face and be the 'excited best friend' that Santana deserved.

"What did Puck want San? You look happy"

"He asked me to prom." Santana let out a shy smile, looking down at her hands

"What did you say?" Brittany cursed inwardly for the over enthusiastic shriek in her voice, she was sure it would be a dead giveaway, but Santana seemed not to notice.

"I said no silly! I'm going with you." Santana smiled, before holding out her pinkie for Brittany to link. Brittany smiled, 13 years on and they still had the tradition.

Brittany was about to speak when Sam walked past with a smile, doing his best Darth Vader impression. Sam was the king of impressions, and while Brittany found them hilarious, they made Santana cringe and she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Honestly Brit, he almost tripped over his tongue staring at you just then, but I guess he must be used to it from all the times he's tripped over his gigantic balloon lips"

That's what gave Brittany her brainwave, as she remembered her mom's words about true loving being selfless.

"He asked me to prom you know" this caught Santana off guard as she turned to Brittany.

"Oh…you never said before"

"Well I figured there was no need since you and I were going together, but now Puck's asked you, and Sam's asked me, we may as well both go with them, right?"

"I mean…if you want, yes"

"Do you want to go with Puck?" Brittany checked. She hoped Santana would turn around and say no. No of course she didn't want to go with him, she wanted to go with her as planned. She never even liked Puck, it was all just a front and really, she was masking true feelings for Brittany, they'd go to Senior Prom as a couple then off to New York together to live their happy life together. She of course knew this would never come out of Santana's mouth.

"Well…yeah he's hot, I've fancied him for ages. But as long as you're sure. Do you want to go with Sam?" Santana asked. She was really looking forward to going with Brittany, she was her best friend and her favourite person, and no boy could ever change that. But Brittany didn't seem too bothered, if she wanted to go with pillow face, who was Santana to stop her? She wanted her best friend to be happy.

"Yeah Sam is so nice! I've got to know him quite well recently. I think he'd be a great date".

"Well…that's settled then" Santana smiled. "I suppose I better go and tell Puck the good news".

Brittany watched her best friend walk away happily, she walked with a slight spring in her step that made her Cheerio's ponytail bounce behind her. Her own demeanour was a complete juxtaposition as she bit her lip in an attempt to stop the tears from falling.

Santana is happy. Loving someone is letting them go, if it means they will be happy.

It was then that Brittany realised, she didn't just have feelings for Santana, she was in love with her.

It was the week before prom and Santana was staying over at Brittany's house. Brittany's house and childhood bedroom were so familiar and comforting to Santana, she loved the sweet smell of coconut and jasmine that wafted through the house. Every time she smelt coconut or jasmine, she would smile and think of Brittany. Brittany felt the same comforting feeling at Santana's house. They were each other's 2nd home.

They were laying on the bed with their hips touching. Santana's arm was lazily sprawled on Brittany's stomach, and Brittany was tickling up and down it, the way Santana loved. Santana was deep in thought.

"Brit?"

"Yes San?"

"What are you going to do about the whole prom night sex thing?" Santana wasn't sure why she was so nervous about this question. Her and Brittany talked about everything.

"What do you mean?"

"Well…are you going to follow tradition and sleep with Sam on prom night?"

Brittany was caught off guard, not expecting the question.

"I don't know. Maybe. I don't think it's necessary too though. It's a silly idea to say everyone needs to be hooking up on prom night, it's not what the night is about".

At this Santana relaxed a little, as she put her head on Brittany's shoulder. She was attracted to Puck sure, but she wasn't sure she wanted to take that big next step yet. Santana was easily influenced from those around her, and she knew most of her cheer friends would be handing over their v cards that night, at least they said they were. Some had even lost their virginity already and would talk openly about 'how great sex is'. Santana just…wasn't that bothered yet, and she was glad that Brittany was on the same page. She didn't want to be the odd one out.

"You know, I'm not that bothered about losing my virginity yet, maybe it's something we can do in college" said Santana, turning to Brittany with a smile.

At this Brittany froze, and looked down guilty, avoiding Santana's deep brown eyes. She let go of Santana's arm and started fiddling with her own hands, causing Santana to look at her probingly.

"Well I…I erm…sort of already lost my virginity"

Santana couldn't help the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she sat up to look at her best friend properly.

"What!? When!?"

Brittany sat up also, but didn't raise her head to meet Santana's eyes, she continued playing with her hands. She could feel Santana's questioning gaze burning into her, and it was making her even more nervous.

"2 weeks ago." Brittany admitted sadly.

Santana was lost for words. How could she not know this? How could Brittany not tell her? They told each other everything. Now it felt like Brittany had kept her biggest secret from her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Santana spat out.

Brittany sighed; she couldn't answer. Truth be told she didn't know why she hadn't told Santana. She hadn't planned to sleep with Sam, it had just happened. They had been casually dating in the past few weeks, which Santana did know, and one night when she went back to his house it had just happened. She didn't feel particularly excited about it after it, but she didn't feel bad either. It was, what it was.

"I'm guessing it was with that dumb trouty mouth?" Santana scoffed, causing Brittany to finally look at her.

"San, don't be mean about him please, he's not a bad guy he…"

"You know what Brittany, if you want to spend the night gushing about pillow face and his 'amazing sexual skills', maybe you should call one of the other girls to come over, since you're all part of a secret club now. One that I'm not involved in." said Santana, as she stood up from the bed and started packing her things up.

Brittany sat in silence, with tears threating to spill at any moment. Santana never got mad at her like this.

With that, Santana turned to look at Brittany with one last icy glare, before heading out the door and back to her own home. She was grateful her parents were out on a date night when she returned, because she was hysterically crying. She couldn't fully put her finger on why she felt so betrayed by Brittany, but it hurt, a lot.

Despite Brittany calling and texting, Santana had ignored Brittany all weekend. For the 1st time in her school life since her 1st day of Kindergarten, she had felt nervous about going into school this morning. Just as she had thought, Santana had ignored her all day, choosing to swap seats so they weren't sat by each other. Brittany knew her classmates were questioning it, as they never ever fell out.

At the end of 4th period, Brittany was walking past the lockers when she noticed Santana there alone, and suddenly her body was heading towards Santana before she had a chance to back out.

"Hey" Brittany smiled at the girl, who was acting like Brittany wasn't there, continuing to busy herself by fiddling with her locker key.

"Can I ask you a question?" Brittany tried "We used to be really close and I really miss being your friend".

Sure, it had only been a couple of days, but it felt like a lifetime to Brittany.

"Still waiting for the question" Santana said coldly, still fiddling with her locker key and refusing to look at the blonde girl.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No look I don't know, did you?" Santana shrugged, finally turning to Brittany "All I know is we used to tell each other everything, but suddenly you're hiding big secrets from me. Ever since you started hooking up with groover mouth, I've been nothing but a 2nd thought to you. We were supposed to go to Senior Prom together, but you blew me off to go with him. It's fine, it's your loss, because now I get to go with Puck."

Brittany's face fell. She had no idea Santana had felt like that. Santana had no idea she felt like that either, until just now. It had all come rambling out like she had wanted to get it off her chest for weeks. She knew she was being harsh, Brittany hadn't ditched her, but she just couldn't help but feel so jealous and hurt. Like she was losing her best friend.

Brittany continued to stare at Santana with glassy eyes. She had thought encouraging Santana to go to prom with Puck would be what she wanted.

"Look can you stop staring at me!? I can't remember my locker combo" Santana snapped.

With that, Brittany turned around and walked away as the tears began to fall. She had never felt so alone. It felt like she had lost everything.