6 Years Old

When the Pierce's got to their cottage, it was a struggle to get their daughter out of the car and when she did, she ran down to the water without looking back. Her father was hot on her heels, making sure she didn't get hurt.

"What's wrong squirt?" Brittany was practically in tears as she looked at the other large cottage. "Oh, I see. How about we go back up to the cottage, unpack and then we can make some food, I know you're hungry. After that then maybe we can take the boat out?"

Brittany nodded and took her fathers hand as he led them back up to their cottage. Normally she'd already be in the water having fun with Rachel but things this summer were going to change and she knew it, even at her young tender age.

A few hours later the Lopez's arrived at their new summer cottage. "What do you think San?" Sofia asked. Santana huffed and refused to get out of the car. "How about we eat and then go swimming?" Santana gingerly exited the car and looked around.

"What are you doing pumpkin?" Eric asked as he picked his daughter up.

"Oh nothing, just looking for bears, deer, anything that can eat me alive." Eric laughed and carried her inside.

Pierce Cottage

"Brit, Rachel isn't coming back, please try to have a little fun this summer." Brittany shook her head and ran out the back door. Her mother went to go after her when the girls father stopped her. "What are you doing? You go after her then, she's 6 years old not 16."

"You know where's she's going and I'll give her five minutes and then go."

Lopez Cottage

"So Santana what do you think?" Sofia asked her daughter as they sat around the table eating.

"I think I'd rather be home with Quinn."

Julie put down her fork. "It really won't be that bad, it's just going to take some getting used to."

"I don't wanna get used to it, take me home now!" Both her parents just looked at her, so she decided to get up and storm off outside. Once she closed the back doors behind her she started to run.

Dock

Brittany sat on the edge of the dock with her feet dangling over the side, not long enough to reach the water. She wasn't normally one to cry but she really missed her best friend, the summer was their time and even though she had only been there for a few hours she already missed her. As young as she was she really didn't understand the reason as to why Rachel wasn't coming back.

Santana didn't know where she was running to but she knew her parents would probably be hot on her heels. Tears streaming down her face she found her way to the dock where she seen someone at the end of the dock looking out over the water. Not knowing who it was she stopped dead in her tracks.

Hearing someone come running her way Brittany turned around and was face to face with a dark haired brunette. The two girls stared at each other for awhile before one of them said anything.

"Got a staring problem? Maybe you should go to the doctor." Brittany was not in the mood for any company and although she was typically friendly with everyone today was not her day.

Santana swallowed the lump in her throat. "I don't have a problem, so I don't need a doctor, do you?" Brittany turned back around, tears still glistening in eyes. "Why are you crying?" Normally Santana wasn't one to comfort anyone but she felt the need to ask.

"Why are you crying?" Brittany asked her right back.

"I asked you first." Santana retorted.

"Do I look like a kid that cares? I dun think so."

Being stubborn as she was, Santana walked to the end of the dock and sat down next to Brittany. "What are you looking at then."

The blonde girl huffed. "The water."

"Just the water, isn't that boring?"

"No, do you always ask so many questions, I'm not always good with those?" Santana shook her head no.

The girls sat in silence for what seemed like forever but in reality it was only about a minute. They were unaware of their parents standing behind them, introducing themselves, and hoping the girls would become at the very least get along and hopefully become friends.

"I take it you're the new girl around here?" Santana nodded. "Got a name, or am I gonna hafta call you new girl or I can make a new name up for you."

"Santana, what about you?"

"Brittany S Pierce."

"Isn't that a singers name?" Santana raised an eyebrow. "You definitely are not Britney Spears."

Brittany rolled her eyes. "It's not the same but close."

"So you got a nickname kid?"

"I'm not telling you that, you'll call me that then and then I won't remember what my full name is and I'll get argevated?"

Santana shook her head. "That's so like not a word."

Brittany thought for a minute. "Is now." She shrugged as the girls went back to their silence.

"So what is it?"

"I'm not telling."

"Please?"

"No.""

"Ice cream?"

Brittany thought for a second. "No, I'm not telling you."

Santana thought of something else she could give the girl. "Tell me and I won't…I won't push you in the water."

Brittany looked over and let out a small laugh causing Santana to look down, both girls knew that there wasn't going to be any pushing of anyone in the water. For her part Santana didn't understand why the other girl wouldn't give in, all the kids at home always gave in because she intimidated them but not Brittany.

"You're really not going to tell me?"

Brittany shook her head. "Nope."

"Gonna tell me why you were crying then?"

"Will it shut you up?"

Santana looked down, and felt tears starting to build in her eyes again, she really wanted Quinn right then. Normally no one ever stood up to Santana and made her feel small but when they did Quinn was there to put them in their place.

"I'm sorry, I just miss my best friend. Is it your fault she's not coming back? You bought her cottage right?"

Santana nodded. "I think my daddy did, I'm sorry."

For some reason unknown to little Brittany, that statement was all she needed. She still missed Rachel terribly but she couldn't be mad at this new girl for some reason, even though she was really trying.

"It's okay, not your fault. Why were you crying then?" Santana shrugged. "I told you so you have to tell me now, that's the rule."

"Since when is there a rule?"

Brittany thought for a minute. "Since…right now so out with it."

"I miss my best friend and I'm mad my parents made come here to the boonies, where bears, dear and evil rabbits can eat me alive." Her statement made the other girl start to burst into laughter. "What's so funny?"

"You, you big monkey head."

"It's not funny I'm scared." Santana crossed her arms as she started to get defensive.

Brittany rolled her eyes. "Don't worry I guess I could protect you."

"Really?" The blonde girl nodded. "Want to tell me your nick name now? Everyone has a nickname." The blonde looked at her. "Okay, sorry I'll give it up."

"Good."

The summer had gone by quicker than either girl had realised and even though they weren't best friends they used each other to miss their best friends less. It was now time for them to get back to their lives. Little did they know what they had started that summer or how much they would miss each other. After spending practically every waking moment with each other it was going to be harder than either thought.

They had their share of fights, being young kids but they had made up within seconds. Both families were now packed and ready to leave.

Pierce Cottage

"Can I go say bye to Santana again mom?" Her mother smiled and nodded. "I hope their not gone yet." The girl said as she raced out the door.

Lopez Cottage

"Santana, come on let's go, stop looking out the window." Sofia said walking into her daughter's bedroom.

"Before we go can I say bye to Brittany?"

"I thought you already did that sweetie? We're going to be late for dinner at the Jones'." Santana looked down and pouted. "Okay, fine let's go say goodbye."

Dock

Both girls stopped in their place when they seen each other walking towards them.

"I was coming to say bye to you." They said in unison, both mothers smiling.

The two girls hugged each other, and said that they'd miss each other. "You're coming back next summer right?" Brittany asked not wanting to lose another friend.

Santana wasn't sure of her answer so she looked at her mother who nodded. "Mhmm, I'll be back cause you protected me and didn't let the bears eat me."

"Don't forget about the deer and evil rabbits." Brittany started laughing to herself before realizing no one else was laughing. They stood there for a minute not sure of what to do next.

After a minute Brittany gave Santana a hug and Santana didn't complain so Brittany hugged her tighter. Both mothers took their daughters hands and said goodbye to each other. Just as the Lopez's were out of sight, Brittany realized she had forgotten to tell Santana something. So she took of running towards the Lopez cottage, calling out to Santana while her mother ran after her.

By the time Brittany got there she ran around to the front to see Santana getting into the car. "Santana!" The girl was already in the car with her seatbelt on though.

"Daddy wait." Just as she said that Brittany ran up to the side of the car, and Eric rolled the window down for her.

"Brittany, Britt." Brittany said out of breath as her mother caught up. "But don't you dare call me that, or else I'll get really confused." Santana nodded.

"Okay, Britt-any." She purposely made it sound like she was going to say the girls nick name. Eric rolled the window back up as the two girls waved goodbye to each other, both hoping next summer would come sooner rather than later.