Brittany's face erupted into a small smile when she saw Santana. It has been years since she last saw her. Eight years to be exact. Eight long years.

Santana looks the same yet different. For one she's a lot taller, her dark hair which was slightly wavy had grown pass her chest; her once scrawny stature had matured into a slender body, soft and curvy, at the same time strong and determined and so full of confidence that made Brittany's knees weaken in awe. She's much more beautiful than Brittany last remembered too. Even with the small bump protruding on Santana's forehead. And even when Santana had dropped that breadstick that was hanging from her mouth. Even then, Brittany thought the girl was beautiful.

She bites her lips to stop herself from smiling too much when she sees the look in Santana's face. She would have thought it was adorable, especially when the brunette had scrunched her face in confusion, if it weren't for the way her heart was beating fast. Too fast that she couldn't clearly focus on anything. All she knows is that she wanted to close the gap between them and engulf Santana in a sweet warm hug, maybe burry her head in the crook of the girl's neck and whisper, "I've missed you so much San." Because maybe, just maybe, her heart wouldn't feel like it was close to jumping out of her chest.

But she didn't do any of that. Instead she stayed rooted in place admiring her childhood friend from the small distance between them as her chest beats unsteadily away.

In truth she was nervous about seeing Santana again. Who was to say that things would be the same? It's not like it's a game were she could easily pause it and pick it up from where she had left off.

No. This is real life and it's a lot more complicated than that.

Sure back then they were inseparable. They use to play around and spend all afternoons together. They were Brittany and Santana. There was not one without the other. It's was just them. Just always Brittany and Santana.

That is until she had to move to LA due to her dad's job. She remembers the sad and painful look Santana had the day she was leaving. She had ran all the way to Santana's house that morning, a few hours before her flight, just so she could see her one last time. They didn't say anything. They never have to. They somehow both knew what they wanted to say. They just both automatically reached for each other -clutching each other like their life depended on it. Within those arms they found their refuge as the world around them slowly dismantled. And for a few moments it felt like they had forever.

She didn't know how long the hug lasted. It felt like a minute but it couldn't have been because the morning light had already risen, telling her that at least an hour had gone by.

She wondered if coming there was a good idea because now it's going to be twice as painful to let go. But the warmth of the arms surrounding her, the hands that clutches her shirt almost gripping -begging- her to stay, and the way Santana buried her head into her neck that she could smell the girl's shampoo, made her think that the pain that would soon follow would be worth it. Because how long again till she's able to feel this?

So she savoured every moment of it. She tries to memorize how it feels, the warmth and security, the scent that surrounds her -enveloping her into a certain familiarity she never realized she's gotten so accustomed to. She hopes she could carry this memory with her to comfort her on days when she'd miss Santana the most.

She hasn't even left yet and she already misses Santana. She felt helpless from the sharp pain throb that had resided in her chest and the only thing she could do was clutch Santana just a little bit more tightly. She didn't want to let go. Letting go means she's leaving her best friend and she knows Santana knows that too. Especially in the way the brunette was clinging on to her like she's the only thing keeping her from breaking part. It felt like they were on a piece of thread, and as soon as she releases her hold and took a step back, she felt the thread being pushed and pushed further apart until it finally broke.

It was almost impossible for Brittany to see anything with her blurry teared eyes and the painful throb that had set inside her chest. But she saw it. The look Santana had. It was like Santana was physically gasping for her last breath of air. Brittany feels her stomach drop. She thinks she might throw up because there was something painful in the way she watches her best friend breaking down in front of her and she knows she can't do anything more than to stand a few feet away. She almost wish she hasn't seen the look in Santana's face, maybe then her heart wouldn't have felt so broken that day.

But now she's back in Lima, back in the place where she spent her younger years. The past seems almost too long ago but somehow she could still feel its lingering moments as if she didn't spend the last 8 years of her life in LA. So you couldn't blame her for wanting to see how her childhood friend had turned out. Back in LA she sometimes would wonder how Santana was doing or if Santana would have liked this or that. It was crazy but it had become a routine for her that she had almost perfected until years had gone by and missing Santana became just a small painful throb.

So as soon as they moved back, which coincidentally turned out to be the house next to her dearest friend, she headed straight to the house next door in hopes to see Santana. She couldn't fight off the excited butterflies that had somehow flew around in her belly when she walked up to the door and rang the all too familiar doorbell. She was however disappointment when she realized no one was home.

"Hey!"

Brittany heard a sleazy voice beside her. She didn't look towards the voice instead she continued grabbing her books for her next class, hoping whoever is leaning down besides her locker is talking to someone else.

"So Brittany, is it you or is it hot here?"

Okay, this guy is definitely talking to her. She had to hold the inner cringed that was dying to come out at how lame this guy sounded. She heard pick up lines way better than that. Plus it didn't help how she almost wanted to pinch her nose from the musky cologne the guy was wearing. She was about to let the guy down when she was surprised to see a familiar face.

"Puck?"

Puck seemed to be in a similar state as he looked at her up and down almost disbelievingly. "Well fuck me. If it isn't Brittany Pierce."

Brittany grinned seeing a face from the past. "How've you been?"

"The usual. Causing trouble." Puck shrugged after recovering from his shock.

Brittany shook her head. Puck was always in trouble. He would always bug her and Santana to no end, even if he always ends up crying over how Santana had punched him. "You always know where to find trouble."

"Well I have a rep to maintain," Puck said smugly giving Brittany a wink. Damn, he thought. For once the rumours were right. New girl Brittany is a real hottie. When he saw the new girl by her locker, he sauntered over with every intent to hit on her. He was liking what he saw: blonde hair, long legs and lean toned body. What more could he ask for? But surprise surprise blonde girl with legs turned out to be someone from his past. He didn't connect the dots when he found out the new girl's name who use to live here was Brittany. To say he was surprise would have been an understatement. He couldn't believe how much Brittany had grown. He looks at her up and down, his smirk growing. He definitely like what he sees.

"And does that rep of yours also include being a creep?" Brittany asked amused when she felt Puck's eyes running up and down her body.

"Just checking out the goods." He hold up his hands defensively.

"Well these goods are off limits," she smiled almost amused before closing her locker and walking away as another guy came up and approached her, in which she instantly turned down.

People were coming over to talk to her. Suppose it was because she was the new kid from the big city but she's sure it would all die down as soon as they realize how unexciting she really is. But for now she appreciated the friendly welcome. She swears she had met everyone in her senior year and even a few sophomores and juniors. She even met the school janitor, Mr. Kidney. He was something.

The whole day had went by slowly with her meeting new people and reacquainting with others. It really made her happy but she couldn't shake off that feeling that something was missing. Deep in her heart she knew the reason, but she didn't want to admit it yet. Perhaps because she was scared that the lack of Santana could mean that the girl had moved away and then she would never see her friend again. Her chest grew heavier from that thought.

She release a small breath trying to regain focus. Right now, she needs to concentrate for her Cheerio's audition on Monday, two days from today.

She had always wanted to be a Cheerio along with Santana. It was one of her and Santana's many childhood promises to each other. They would often sneak after school to watch the Cheerio practice out in the football field. Sometimes they would watch for a couple of minutes and sometimes they would watch the whole day. One time they had lost track of time and when their parents eventually found them, after hours of looking, it was already dark out. They both got into a lot of trouble that night and they were forbidden to ever go back there again. They still went back though. They were amazed and impressed by it all. For her, she wanted to be on top of the pyramid because she thought it would make her one step closer to the sky. She remembers telling that to Santana one day when they were out watching the Cheerio execute another perfect routine. Santana smiled at her with a look full of admiration like she had just said the best thing ever. Then ever so softly Santana whispered, "I'll be the one to carry you up."

And in that day she told herself she'll definitely become a Cheerio along with Santana.

That's why right now she needs to focus. She stretches for a bit before turning on the audio system deciding to settle for a more slow relaxing song to warm up to. She doesn't really need to audition. This morning on her way to her second class, she was suddenly pulled inside this room filled with trophies by this lady wearing a blue all around track suit.

Of course she knew who it was. From the countless of times she and Santana had sneaked off to watch the Cheerio practice she was bound to know her. She was the ruthless Sue Sylvester, a renowned Cheerio coach. She was shocked to see she was still there though, after all it had been years.

Sue practically demanded her to wear the Cheerio's uniform which was already fitted to her size. She was surprise at how Sue even got her measurements. But she didn't dare question it. She had heard way too many stories that she knew what the wrath of Sylvester would bring. She did however declined the offer and told Sue she'd rather try out for a spot than having it freely given to her. For a second, she thought she was about to face the gates of hell. But Sue simply muttered, face displeased, for her to be ready Monday afternoon in the football field.

So after school she decided to head to the auditorium, which she surprisingly found empty. But she guesses it was because it was Friday, people would be rushing to leave class, glad for the weekend, as soon as the last bell rings. They probably have better things to do than stay in after school.

Finding the switch for the lights she slowly stepped on stage allowing the music to take over her body. This was her element. She loves dancing. It comes natural to her as breathing and with every executed steps she feels herself get lost in moment.

"You're really amazing Britt-Britt. I bet one day you'll be dancing in front of thousands of people," a small Santana clapped excitedly after watching her friend's dance number.

"I'm just okay San," Brittany mumbled feeling shy. "I still need to practice a lot."

"Then you'll be even more amazing than you already are. You'll have tons of fans and people would flock just to see you," Santana grinned handing Brittany a bottle of water.

Accepting the bottle and smiling with thanks, she met Santana's adoring gaze that was shining with admiration, "Will you also flock just to see me?"

"Duh. I'm your number one fan. I'll be at the front row cheering you on."

Her memory was disrupted when the music had stopped and she was transported back to reality. She would sometimes get random memories of her childhood, more often than not it involves Santana. Memories like that always makes her feel lightheaded.

She was inhaling deeply trying to even out her breathing when she realizes she wasn't alone. Raising her eyes up to the other side of the auditorium, she saw a girl.

It took her a few seconds but she knew instantly. Despite the fact that it had been years since she last saw her, Brittany still knew the girl across the room was Santana. Somewhere in her heart she just knew. The dark hair, the tanned skin and those dark eyes. It was unmistakably Santana. And just like that she felt like she has lost her breath again.

She was about to say hi when the brunette had hurriedly turned around and mistakenly assumed the wall for a door. Everything went too fast and before she knew it, she was kneeling beside a passed out Santana.

She would have taken the girl to the nurse but it was after school hours and the nurse was long gone. Maybe the hospital, she thought, but she immediately tossed that idea aside, remembering that Santana's dad works there. She's not too sure if he'd like to see his pass out daughter smelling like whiskey. It also didn't pass her that Santana reeks of cigarettes. Although she did smell a whiff of vanilla and the same shampoo that Santana use to wear which made her smile softly when she carried the brunette. She clutched Santana just a little closer to her body, quickly convincing herself that she didn't want to drop the brunette and cause anymore damage than necessary. Santana was now close to her that she could smell the shampoo a little more strongly. She smiled just a little bit more.

She was grateful that the Lopez has yet to discover her and brunette's secret way to open the back door or else she wouldn't have gotten Santana in. They have both spent countless of time sneaking in and out of the house using that back door trick. Wiggle, turn the knob right, wiggle again and then lift it up a bit then turn the knob left then right then viola she's inside maneuvering her way around the familiar house.

She brushed Santana's hair tucking it gently on the girl's ear after laying her down. Santana's hair had grown in length which serves to remind her of how long it really had been since she last saw her.

Being this close to her friend reminded Brittany of the little Santana that she used to watch sleeping in the mornings before the girl wakes up. She loves those mornings when she could secretly and freely admire her friend when no one was looking. Thinking about it now it might have been a little creepy but when Santana would scrunch her face a little too cutely, or snore faintly she couldn't help but watch her just a little longer.

It seems more like an accident when she first stumble upon it but it soon became a habit that she had enjoyed and looked forward to.

It started that one morning when she woke up earlier than she normally does. She was about to wake Santana, who was sleeping beside her, when she heard a few incoherent mumbles coming out of her friend's mouth which stopped her from doing so. Santana was on the side with her face and body facing her. Her soft dark hair were sprawled everywhere which partly covered her face. Brittany gently brushed it away and the girl scrunch her face from the action. She automatically soothe the frown that had developed liking the way Santana suddenly looks relaxed.

She releases a smile that had been tugging on her lips when she sees a small drool coming out of her friend's mouth. Santana was just too cute. Especially with the way the girl was softly clutching the side of her pillow or how just two seconds ago, Santana had snuggled her face closer towards her with a small curve in her lips. It almost made her think that Santana was awake but the girl's soft even breathing tells her otherwise.

She absently brushed Santana's cheeks with her thumb admiring how soft it was. She'll ask Santana how she got it so smooth when she wakes her up but for now she'll look at her sleeping friend just a little longer. When Santana incoherently mumbled something again, she immediately halted her movement while she giggles softly careful not to wake the girl. She was enjoying this little morning secret she had just discovered. She guesses she'll have to start waking up earlier than normal just so she could have this opportunity again.

She didn't realize how long she had been watching her friend sleeping until the gradual morning light that trickled from the window had highlighted the entire room telling her it was time to get up.

She both hates and loves this part.

She loves it as it always makes her smile just a little bit wider because under the soft threshold of light, Santana looks absolutely beautiful. At the same time she hated it because she knows, her morning secret would soon come to an end. She would usually push it to the very last second, enjoying and soaking every moment until the last. And when she thinks she had pushed it as far as possible, she would softly kiss Santana's forehead and she swears Santana's lips would curl just a little bit more.

"Wake up San."

And the brunette would scrunch her face cutely in a way that seems to struggle between reality and her dreams. It was endearing and even back then, when Brittany was a kid, she loves that exact moment.

She kinda forgets how a second ago she hated this part. She would often wonder why she had waited a bit longer to wake her up because she's suddenly filled with so much excitement.

But if she has to be really honest, her absolute favourite part in the morning was that moment after Santana would slowly wake up. In that span of a few seconds, she would hold her breath almost preparing herself in some ways. Santana would blink slowly, confuse at first, but then slowly and surely, her soft brown eyes would find hers, like it was some sort of magnet that seems to pull their gazes towards each other. And in that exact moment when the soft brown eyes meets hers she feels all the air she's been holding leaves her body. And she knows nothing could be better than that.

But she's wrong.

Because not a second after, when all the sleepy haze leaves Santana. Her brown eyes would instantly shine in way that makes Brittany feel like Santana sees something beautiful in her. She doesn't understand it because at that moment in the midst of waking up, no one looks more beautiful that Santana Lopez.

And even if she's tired and sleepy from waking up earlier than normal, she doesn't mind it because the slow rumbling feeling of happiness that erupts through her, cascading and pulsating throughout her body, kinda makes everything worth it. Plus, just knowing that she was the first person Santana laid her eyes on makes her mirror the soft lazy smile her friend was giving her.

Maybe that's why she had acted on impulse and leaned down and kissed the girl on her forehead just like how she used to.

Although the act was familiar it all felt different. She wasn't prepared for the quickening beats of her heart or the churning that had started well within her stomach.

For the first time she was thankful that the brown eyes had not fluttered open to stare back at her. She doesn't think she could handle it.

She gently touched her lips noting how her lips feels like it was burning. Not the bad kind. But the soft soothing kind that she feels on the cold winter days when she's wrap in her favourite sweater and she's sitting by the fireplace. For a few minutes, she sat on Santana's bed staring blankly into space.

She releases a deep sigh realizing how silly she's acting. It was just her nerves acting up on her. It was just the mere fact that Santana, her friend she had been wanting to see, was close to her. Anyone would have reacted the same way.

Anyone.

Plus Santana always had these weird effect on her. She is just not use to it anymore. So having Santana close to her, it was only natural for the feelings to come back and shocked her. She was just surprise that's all.

With that in mind she allowed herself to scanned the familiar room where she spent countless of nights sleeping over. She could still remember the softness and warmness of Santana's bed. And how super comfortable she felt being wrap around in Santana's presence. Being back in this room once more allowed old memories she thought she had forgotten to resurface.

"I wish it could always be like this," Brittany sighed looking at the silhouette of her companion. It was already night time and they were both exhausted from playing all day.

There was no reply and Brittany thought Santana had gone to sleep but after a few moments, Santana's soft soothing voice cut through the silence. "Someday when I become an adult, I'll make us a really big house where we could have a sleepover every night. It would even have a dancing room so you can dance all day."

"Can we bring Lord Tubbington with us?"

"Of course Britt. Maybe we'll get some dogs too so Lord Tubbington won't be too lonely," Santana smiled catching her eyes in the darkness.

Brittany smiled back already imagining the future. Just her, Santana, Lord Tubbs and a couple of dogs. It would be perfect. And suddenly she couldn't wait for the future to come.

"Promise?"

She could see Santana shuffle for a bit before she felt a small tender finger clutching her pinky.

"I pinky promise it."

However, looking at the room now, a deep pang of sadness rushed through her. The room was dark and empty. Nothing compared to what it was years ago. There were no pictures that use to loiter around the wall. In fact, looking around the room, there were nothing of any significant personal relevance. The once brightly coloured room was now painted dark. The room just felt so bare and Brittany would have thought that no one uses it if it weren't for the few clothes littered on the floor.

Grabbing her bag she took some of her cooling patches she thankfully always has with her being a dancer and all. It kinda made her a bit happy of her past injury that made her ensure that she would always carry those patches. At least now she could use it for Santana.

Brushing another flock of hair that had once again fallen on Santana's face, she carefully placed a cooling patch around the girl's forehead.

She stayed till it was dark watching over the slumbering brunette. She would occasionally brushed Santana's cheeks when the girl would mumble something. The action was so familiar that she painfully wishes that she had never left Lima. Maybe then the sensation around her fingers wouldn't feel like thousands of ants had crawled into her.

It wasn't till her mom had called her that she went home leaving no trace of her presence except a glass of water and some Advil.

Sleep didn't come early for her that night. She kept thinking of Santana and soon her chest would start pounding. Just nerves, it was just nerves she chanted like a mantra until it had finally lulled her to sleep.

As soon as she woke up, she immediately showered and had gotten ready to head to the house next door hoping to see the brunette that had been plaguing her mind. She was surprised however when another brunette had opened the door. She did recognize her though.

Rachel Berry.

Rachel had immediately greeted her and she was happy at the warm welcome. Rachel was always too happy and full of energy that Brittany is sure the girl inhales at least 30 cups of coffee every morning.

As Rachel called or more like shrieked for Santana, she felt all the familiar feelings she felt last night coming back to her. Once more, she convinces herself it's because she hasn't seen Santana in a while, at least in a state were her friend is conscious. And this time around she'll be seeing Santana and would actually be talking to her. So having a pulse that felt like she had just ran a mile was totally normal.

A warm smile took over her face when she heard Santana's footstep coming closer and closer and when she finally saw her, she kinda wished she didn't or at least had a mental count down in her head to prepare herself for it. It's funny because she feels like she's been having a mental countdown ever since she had left Lima. But somehow she doesn't think any amount of preparation could fully prepare her for it because seeing Santana right in front of her after so long was just something she thinks she can never fully recover from.

For so long she had wanted to see Santana and now the very said girl was just a few steps away from her and all she could do was stare as her breath gets stuck on her throat.

She can feel Santana's eye scanning her, almost reading her and when Santana's eyes met hers, she was reminded of all the time their eyes acted like magnets. She didn't realize how much she had miss those soft brown eyes looking back at her.

She could see Santana's eyes widen a bit and in that moment she instantly knew the brunette had recognized her. And with that she smiled fully, forgetting all these nerves and excitement she's been getting.

"What are you doing here blondie?"

Her smile dropped a bit.

Okay. That definitely wasn't the reaction she thought she would get. She was thinking more along the lines of a hug or a hi. A small smile at the very least but this, this was unexpected.

"I just wanted to see if you're okay," she bit her lower lip, unsure of the unfriendly welcome.

"Well I'm good as you can see so adios," Santana said waving Brittany off. On the corner of her eyes, Santana could see Rachel's eyes bulging in surprise. It almost made her laugh if it weren't for the way she feels like she's seconds to having a heart attack. In all honesty, she didn't know why Berry looks so shocked. She had always been rude. Just because she used to play frolly with blondie here when they were younger doesn't mean anything. Besides that little girl was long gone. She was completely a different person. The sooner blondie knows that the better. So excuse her if her defences are full on functional, with laser beams and all, because she's not gonna let another person in her past destroy her.

Brittany frowned when she saw an annoyed looking Santana. Had she done something wrong to piss the girl off? For a second, Brittany started panicking thinking Santana had caught her kissing her forehead yesterday. But no, she was sure Santana was out cold, especially from the soft even breathing that she had long unawarely memorized which indicated that the girl was still deep in sleep. "Is your forehead any better?"

"Well what do you think blondie?" Santana rolled her eyes pointing to her forehead looking like she's had about enough.

"It's Brittany," Brittany muttered annoyed. She didn't know why she even said that because she knew Santana knows her. She knew Santana recognizes her.

"Awee..Does it annoy you that I call you that blondie?" Santana smirked. Her smirk growing wider when she sees Rachel's arm not so subtly waving around, signalling her to stop. It was amusing. But she almost dropped her smirked all together when she sees the annoyed look Brittany was sporting. It was the first time that she had been in the receiving end of it. It made her a bit uneasy but she was a cold-hearted bitch so she kept her charade on, urging for the blonde to be pissed off at her enough to leave her the hells alone.

Brittany was definitely annoyed. She wanted to wipe that smirk off Santana's face. She never thought that she could feel this annoyed at her friend. From all their years of friendship not once had she felt anything but deep admiration to Santana. Despite the irritation, Brittany just shrugged her shoulders hoping an indifferent attitude would make the girl think it doesn't bother her.

Apparently not getting the answer she wanted, Santana swiftly turned around walking back to the direction she came from.

So with every ounce of irritation Brittany had for the girl, she used it to throw the box of cooling patches, she almost forgot she had with her, directly at the retreating brunette. It hit Santana's head pretty loudly. What can she say? She has power and aim.

"Ow what the fuck?" Santana glared back at the culprit while rubbing the back of her head. "That fucking hurts."

Rachel looked flabbergasted. And for once she was lost for words and that was saying a lot. For gosh sake she was Rachel Berry, she always had something to say. But she was so surprise right from the very start when Santana opened her mouth and decided to be rude to her supposedly childhood friend. What surprised her even more was when Brittany had chucked that box right at Santana with every power she had. She had never seen a box fly that fast.

"What the fuck was that for?" Santana wailed clutching the back of her head.

Brittany just shrugged looking way too innocent for someone who just catapulted a box at an incredible speed.

"Fucking hell," Santana muttered scowling, as she feels around the back of her head. "Great now I have three huge bumps in my head. No thanks to you."

"Well if you weren't so rude I wouldn't have thrown it at you."

"That thing could have killed me," Santana bellowed pointing evilly at the box that was laying on the floor. A sense of dread came over Santana. Oh god this must be her punishment for dropping that breadstick. She should have just asked for forgiveness, lit up some candles and gave some offerings as soon as she had dropped it.

"Stop being a baby. I didn't even throw it that hard." Brittany rolled her eyes at how Santana was exaggerating things. Although she did feel a little bad about it. She really has a powerful throw.

"I'm not a baby."

"Right," Brittany snorted amused at the way Santana was dividing her glare between her and the box, which she noticed was pretty much dented. Okay maybe she may have thrown it really hard, with full power, but Santana was annoying her.

"Whatever blondie. I don't need this kind of abuse," Santana huffed doing a double take to make sure Brittany was empty handed and had no small object close within her reaching range that she could grab and throw towards her.

Before things could get worse. Rachel voice distracted Brittany from her heated glare with Santana. She almost forgot the other short brunette was there. "So Brittany, how are things with you? Has the first day of school treated you well?"

"Things have been good. Everything ran smoothly when we moved in. And school was nice. Almost everyone has been nice to me," Brittany answered ignoring the scowl Santana was giving her.

"That's good to hear. If you like I could show you around school," Rachel offered. "I personally would like to welcome you back here in Lima."

"That would be great. Puck showed me around yesterday but I'm sure I could still use another tour."

Santana ears perked up when she heard the familiar name. Of course Puckerman would be the first person to show blondie around. Whatever not her problem. She doesn't even know why she's still standing there when she best be on her way to do something more productive. Which is nothing but whatever. It still beats standing around listening to the two babble on about some shit she doesn't care about. So she turned around hoping this time she wouldn't be hit by another flying object. God knows how many bumps her head could take.

On the corner of her eyes Brittany could see Santana's retreating back. She didn't know why but the sight of it causes a heavy uneasiness to grow inside of her. Before she had a chance to explore those feelings, Rachel had gently squeeze her arm distracting her from her thoughts. Rachel must have notice Santana's exit too as she gave Brittany a sad smile once the brunette was completely gone.

"Sorry about her," Rachel apologized. "She's just…She's just tired that's all. She had a crazy day yesterday. Just give her time."

"You don't have to apologize on her behalf." She shook her head. "But thanks. I guess I better go." She rubbed her neck feeling suddenly exhausted.

Today was unexpected. She finally met and talked with her childhood friend that she has been looking forward to seeing only to realize her "friend" held no similar excitement.

"Make sure you patch her forehead up." She stop halfway down the porch only to turn around and look back. "And don't forget the one I just gave her."