A Helping Hand

"Okay class, for your last assignment as juniors, we have one last writing assignment….

If you could have one thing….whether it be a person or an item, what would it be?"

Miss Holiday asks, quickly scanning her routy junior class. As the bell rings signaling the end of the school day, class empties and assignments are haphazardly tossed into a basket on her desk.

Organizing said papers, she exhales looking at the clock, after closing the door she turns up the small portable speaker on her desk. Grading papers was not normally her favorite part of teaching but ever since she was reassigned to the junior English class, she's changed her tune. Quickly realizing that the students of Mckinley wouldn't talk to each other face to face but they would express all of their feelings and thoughts through writing assignments.

Clever, cleverstudents.

Snacking on carrots and some hummus, she laughs to herself reading a few lost causes but then she stumbles across one she can't seem to put down

.

If I could have anything in this world, it would be to have my best friend finally see me the way I've always seen her. You see, we met in fourth grade. My knight in shining armor as she defended my honor, when a certain mohawked boy thought he could disrespect the shy, very timid new student. Big mistake, she was easily half his size, in both height and weight but that didn't stop her. I almost think she welcomed the challenge. During recess, she marched right up to him, jabbed her pointer into his chest and said "Listen up jackass, I don't know if you were raised by wolves, dogs or just plain idiots but if you think I'm going to stand by and just let you to talk to her like that, think again pendejo!"

She and I became best friends shortly after that and even had lunch together everyday.

It didn't take long for me to learn that she absolutely loved animal crackers so everyday up until 8th grade, I would bring them just for her. Everything seemed to change for me freshman year, puberty seemed to hit both of us like freight trains and it was like seeing her through new eyes, sadly she didn't seem to see me the same way. I was determined not to let it ruin our friendship, instead together we ruled the school and while she was dreaming of a different blonde, I was dreaming of her.

Now, this might seem lame because I know a lot of students, if not all students would say they wanted riches, fame and girls. Don't get me wrong, those are all acceptable ambitions for some but not me. All I've wanted since fourth grade was for the raven haired beauty that I call my best friend, to finally see me.

The real me.

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The English teacher smiles exhaling as she circles the grade at the top before moving on to the next. Her eyebrows furrow when she notices the next paper. Quickly returning to the previous to make sure this wasn't a 2 page submission she's missed, she nods, once more returning to read the new paper.

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If I could have anything in the world (And trust me I've definitely thought about this before, ALOT) It would be to stand a chance with someone who doesn't even know I exist.

I know, it's strange to think that me being who I am, there is someone out there who doesn't know I'm interested in them.

Everyone sees my exterior and of course it's a hot exterior but believe it or not, there is so much more to me than that. But enough about me, let me tell you about this perfect, perfect person.

She is...everything but we've been friends forever.

I actually defended her against some asshole in fourth grade

(Wait, can I say asshole? Oh well, sorry not sorry).

It's something I still have to do almost daily because he is delusional to think he still stands a chance with her then again, that could be said of all men, right?

Right.

Anyways! We were inseparable up until about the end of 8th grade. She walked through the corridors freshman year and my world was turned upside down. Sadly that same year, she joined the celibacy club but luckily we both had Cheerios and the glee club together. While I expressed my interest in girls, she seemed to be interested in boys. So I set my sights on someone else, but I never ever forgot her. I often think since we will both be Seniors next year, maybe it will be the year I tell her. But let's be honest, that has been my plan since sophomore year and every year I puss out.

It's strange because I can talk to anyone at any time but put me next to her and I become a completely different person. She makes me want to do better, she has all these awesome life goals, these ambitious plans and all I have is a dream and hope of someday.

Someday

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Miss Holliday smiles, cementing the grade once more before scanning around the room wondering which students these are and if they are talking about each other? What would the odds be. She's always a sucker for a teenage tragic love story and that gives her an idea.

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The next day as the bell rings, students begin to take their seat as papers are handed back

"You all blew me away with this assignment guys, some more than others."

.

As the students talk amongst themselves comparing grades, she watches them.

Almost on cue, one student's eyebrows furrow and her hand begins to raise in confusion but quickly moves over her mouth as she reads further. The teacher tilts her head as the other students' mouth drops open and her eyebrows practically shoot up to the ceiling. This Holliday and the student now make eye contact and her face fills with fear, she quickly looks a few desks to her left.

The brunette's eyes have not left the paper as she smiles tracing her finger gently over the spilled confession. Looking back at her teacher, Miss Holiday winks and mouths, assuring the girl that it's okay.

As she continues her class, the blonde smiles studying the paper in front of her, reading and re-reading the words silently hoping they're from the one person that she's dreamed of since fourth grade.

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The bell rings and the students collect their things. The blonde is the last to leave the classroom, clutching tightly to the paper, she crosses the threshold before her backpack is pulled back.

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"AHHHH" She yells as her back hits the lockers.

Quickly turning, ready to obliviate whoever was stupid enough to think they could touch her, her breath hitches.

"Did you mean this?" The brunette stands holding a familiar pierce of paper

Shrugging the blonde pulls her backpack tighter

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Don't give me that shit Lucy, I know your handwriting"

Exhaling the blonde nods "Fine, I meant every word, San"

"Why didn't you say anything during oh I don't know, the million times we've hung out since fourth grade!"

"Why didn't you?" Quinn smirks holding up the brunettes paper

"Who...Who said it was about you, Fabray?" Santana says crossing her arms, the blonde carefully unfolds said paper ready to read her favorite line when it's snatched from her grasp

"Don't be a bitch Luce. We both suck, okay?"

.

As both girls walk to their cars the silence is almost maddening

"What do we do about it, San?"

Tossing her backpack in the car, Santana shrugs "Well, what do you wanna do about it?"

"You have my paper, you should know what I want and where I stand, Lopez"

The brunette smirks nodding "And you have mine, Fabray"

"Meet me at breadsticks 7pm" Quinn winks driving away

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A Year Later

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KnockKnock

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"Miss Holliday?"

"Santana!" The teacher says standing from her chair, wrapping the latina up in a hug

"It's so good to see you sweetie, what are you doing here?"

"We're all on winter break so we decided to come home for the holidays"

Teacher and former student take a seat as they catch up

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"How's Columbia?"

"It's great and Quinn really loves Yale"

"She always was destined for greatness, you both are"

Santana smiles "I just wanted to come back and thank you. Had you not mixed up our papers junior year, we might not have ever ended up together"

The teacher puts her hand up "Let me stop you right there. First of all, I didn't mix anything up, I knew you each wrote those, I just wanted to help the two of you figure it out.

And secondly you two most definitely would have ended up together. I saw the way you looked at each other in class, there was never any doubt in my mind."

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"There's another reason I stopped by today," Santana smiles shyly before opening her bag and handing her former teacher an envelope.

.

The teacher's eyes water "Oh My God, Santana! I can't believe you're getting married!

Both women stand embracing as she whispers "I am so happy for you, both!"

"Thank you Miss Holiday, for everything"