A/N: I feel on top of it now… no more long waits! Lost some readers along the way, but I'll live. Call it a cliffhanger if you want to, but I left you off at what song it was. I listened to ideas, really did, but found the perfect song. Title says it all. I looked up, it's called "All the Things I Should've Known" by K-Ci and JoJo. Sort of a love song, but other than that, it's great. Anyway, on with the story…
Setting: The Pierce Household, Wednesday, October 26th, 2011, 6:30 P.M.
Brittany poked at her spaghetti with her shiny silver fork. She flipped it over and over, twisting the long noodles around it, and then untwisting it. She stared at her feet and looked around at her family.
Her eight year old sister Jessica was talking proudly about how she made the winning goal in her soccer game. She laughed, "The other team was full of wimps. It's no wonder we won."
Brittany rolled her eyes and frowned. Charity looked up at her from under the table and gazed with her shiny brown kitten eyes, begging for food. Brittany sighed and picked up a few pieces with her fork. She placed the noodles onto the palm of her hand and lowered it down so Charity could lick it off.
"Brittany, you seem upset. What's wrong?" Mrs. Pierce knew why, very well. But she was a mother, and it was her responsibility to make sure her daughter was okay.
"Oh nothing, mom." Brittany picked up Charity and put her on her lap.
"Honey, I know you're sad about Jason. We all are. This week is very upsetting for all of us." Brittany's mom wiped the tears that were starting to trickle down from her eyes with the back of her hand.
Jessica started to cry, too. Truthfully, she didn't know what was going on, but she felt sympathy and fear.
"Can you guys tell me some stories about him before bed? I really like hearing about the boy I was named after. It means something to me. Like in the Because Of Winn-Dixie movie when Opal's dad told her 10 things about her mother. Can you do that for me?" Jessica's eyes were now puffy and glazed with tears and her face was red and splotchy. She felt a connection to Jason.
Mrs. Pierce sniffled. "Sure, Jessie. When I tuck you in I'll tell you all about him, okay?"
Brittany felt like she was going to be sick. She sniffled and coughed so much in that last minute that it was almost inevitable that she would vomit. She choked back her heavy tears and put on the happiest face she could, masking her fear and depression. "Umm, I'm going to go to my room."
She ran upstairs, her face covered with hot and heavy tears. It was happening again. She felt dizzy. But this time she tumbled and fell onto her bed. Hopefully she was just falling asleep.
Setting: William McKinley High School, Thursday, October 27th, 2011, 2:20 P.M.
Brittany looked messed up. Really messed up. She looked like a zombie, like she had never slept. Her hair was in a messy, tangled high ponytail to the side of her head, and she had raccoon eyes with eyeliner dripping down her face and thick bags under her eyes. She wouldn't look anyone in the eye because she looked like a monster out of a horror film. She felt just as bad as she looked.
"Brittany, you look awful!" Santana gasped.
"Gosh, San. Thanks. Thanks a lot."
"Well you look like a mess… I just want to make sure you're doing alright." Santana frowned.
"Oh, it's okay. I'm just crabby today. Sad. Angry. Upset." Brittany gasped, choking back tears. She was surprised by the fact that her body didn't run out of water for tears to cry. She was crying so much that it was ridiculous. More than ever. If someone put all the tears she cried on land the puddle of tears would be larger than the Atlantic Ocean.
Kurt had a little grin on his face. "Well…"
Rachel wouldn't let him hold it in. "WE'RE SINGING A SONG FOR YOU!"
Mercedes looked at her feet. "And… um, here's a sorry card."
Brittany smiled a little more. Artie suddenly noticed something. At that very second, her face lit up like a light bulb. Suddenly, her "zombie eyes" became shining. Her hair glistened in the sunlight peeking through the window. He realized it. She was beautiful. Just beautiful.
"Um, thanks, but you spelled sorry wrong, guys. It's one "R" and "EY"." Brittany smirked, feeling triumphant to correct them when everyone thought her to be stupid.
"Uhh… no, Britt, we spelled it right, honey." Santana tried to be as sympathetic as possible, but it was hard, her being, well, Santana.
"Anyway, would you guys like to perform the song?" Mr. Schuester wanted to avoid tension.
"Let's go!" Mercedes cheered.
"If I had been there to wipe your tears
then no one else would be around
If I had been there to cradle your fears
We'd still be together now
Wish I could be there to share your dreams
I wish that I could still be down, baby
But you are gone and I'm here alone
And I sure do regret it now
Oh yes I do
Said I really do
Oh I'm missin' you
Oh I'm missin' you
Baby I, should've known
I should've cared just a little bit more
I shouldn't have listened to a word from the fellaz
I shouldn't have let my sweetie go
Baby I, and I want you to know
If I could take it back you that I would
I'd give anything to get things back
Now that I know
All the things I should've known
Should've been there with my baby every night
Been kissin' you and holding you so tight
How I wish that I could be with you right now
I'd give anything to see your smile
But I'm all alone and all the should'ves in the world
They won't bring you back and I'm the one to blame
I didn't know how to act or save the love
And I sure do regret it Lady, lady lady lady
Baby I, should've known
I should've cared just a little bit more
I shouldn't have listened to a word from the fellaz
I shouldn't have let my sweetie go
Baby I, and I want you to know
If I could take it back you that I would
I'd give anything to get things back
Now that I know
All the things I should've known
I promise I won't ignore you
Never ever ever be alone
Just lean on me and my shoulder
Girl I promise you, I won't let you fall
Yes I do
I'm missin' you
I'm missin' you
Baby I, should've known
I should've cared just a little bit more
I shouldn't have listened to a word from the fellaz
I shouldn't have let my sweetie go
Baby I, and i want you to know
If I could take it back you that I would
I'd give anything to get things back
Now that I know
All the things I should've known"
"Aww, thanks guys! I loved it!" Brittany was crying. But it wasn't tears of angst and sadness. It was tears of joy.