16 Years Old

"You've got to be kidding me. Britt we're finally the most popular girls in school and you want us to join Glee Club? Are you out of your mind?" Santana yelled, startling the students around her with her boastful tone.

Brittany smiled shyly to the faces around her before concentrating on her friend. "My dad needs twelve people to compete and he only has ten. If you and me join they could really go far in the competition San. I've heard you sing, you're like way better than Rachel Berry," she encouraged.

"Look he may have got blubber boy, preggers, and Puck, but come on Britt. Do you really want a customary Slushy facial that comes with being in that club?" she asked, glaring at the students who walked by trying to listen to their conversation.

Brittany sighed. "Maybe it's time we stop caring about what people think," she argued with more than one meaning.

Santana realized her double statement and shook her head. "What we do does not need to be public knowledge," she whispered firmly.

"Look I never ask you for anything. And my dad really needs us. Can you please just join with me? It won't be the same without you," she whined.

Santana raised her eyebrows. "So you're joining no matter what? Even if I don't?" she asked.

Brittany tried nodding confidently, trying to put her foot down once and for all.

Santana bit her lip in contemplation, watching the eyes she knew so well in front of her. After the hallway cleared out, her expression softened. Brittany always did things for her, even if she didn't want to.

"Alright I'll join," she said, smiling at the look of excitement on Brittany's face. "But you better tell your dad he better not reveal any embarrassing things of my past," she added, knowing Mr. Pierce liked to reminisce.

"Deal," Brittany squealed, jumping in for a hug.

Santana accepted the embrace, feeling something more than friendship. She found herself longing for Brittany's touch, whether it be a simple hug or full on make out session in one of their rooms. The past year had been confusing for her and she didn't like the feelings that were building up inside of her.

"Come on San, let's go tell dad," she said, grabbing Santana's hand.

"Britt did you really make out with Bobby McAlister in the janitor's closet?" Santana asked one night over the phone from her bed. She hadn't seen Brittany since school because she was busy with dance rehearsal and both couldn't go an hour without being around one another.

Brittany laughed. "You're the only one I've made out with in the janitor's closet San," she reminded, not understanding Santana's interest in her hookups. Santana made it perfectly clear that they were not an item. They were just best friends with benefits.

Santana sighed with what seemed like relief. "Well why don't you correct people when they start spreading that shit around school?" she asked.

"I don't care what people think about me. I know me and the people that are important know me so what's to say?" she answered, knowing her dad never believed any of that stuff when it spread. He knew she spent her time at practice, rehearsal, glee and with Santana.

Santana shook her head. "Sometimes I wish I was like you Britt," she said.

Brittany laughed. "Only sometimes?" she joked.

"How was rehearsal?" Santana asked, wanting to get off the subject of hookups.

"Tiring. My recitals coming up so my instructor is really letting us have it. You're gonna come right?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course B," Santana answered.

Brittany smiled.

They laid in a comfortable silence, comforted by the fact that they were connected in some way.

"You're not falling asleep on me are you Britt?" Santana teased, knowing Brittany would be up looking for lost things she only seems to remember are missing in the middle of the night. When they have sleepovers Santana physically holds onto Brittany until she falls asleep so she doesn't get out of bed.

"Do you ever wish things were different sometimes?" Brittany asked, ignoring Santana's comment.

Santana stared at the ceiling in confusion. "Like what?" she asked curiously.

Brittany sighed. "Like I was just like every other kid who didn't need medicine to control how they act. Like you and me kissing were just as okay as a boy and a girl kissing. Like I was already born with all the knowledge I would need so I didn't have to struggle in school," she said, her voice cracking at the end.

Santana's eyes widened. Brittany rarely got serious about things and she could tell by her voice things were getting to be too much for the girl. She sat up, resting her back against the wall. "Britt I love who you are. I love when you get so excited about something that you just have to burst out how you're feeling. Or when you learn something it really sticks and it's all you talk about for days. And I love that you're so comfortable with who you are," she said, the last part softer than the rest.

Brittany smiled at the endearment. "Thanks," she whispered bashfully.

"Get some sleep B," she said affectionately

"You too San," Brittany returned.

"Night Britt."

"Night San,"

And a whisper of I love you was left unheard on both sides.

TBC