Rachel sagged against Brittany's car, trying to control her breathing. Granted, she didn't have a lot of experience with interpersonal relationships of the teenage variety, but she couldn't believe that she had misjudged Finn so badly. Why had he said those things? She knew he wasn't happy that she liked Noah, but they were still supposed to be friends. Friends didn't humiliate each other in the middle of a restaurant full of people.

Several feet away, Britt and Matt were speaking in hushed tones.

"What do you mean he isn't answering his phone? Why not?"

"Dunno, it's going straight to voicemail. Must be off."

"Why would he have his phone off?"

"Fuck, Britt, I don't know, I'm not his babysitter. Besides, he didn't answer earlier when I…"

"When you what? Did you call him? I told you-"

"I know, I know, but dude…"

"Fix this Matt. Now."

Rachel knew eavesdropping was rude, but she hadn't been able to help herself. It had been quite obvious what they were discussing. She didn't want Brittany fighting with Matt because of her, the poor couple had enough problems as it was.

"Guys, really… it's okay. I'll be fine. I think I'll just go home."

Brittany stomped her foot. "No, you won't. Matt is going to go get Puck and we're all going to have a fantastic time playing Putt-Putt."

The corners of Rachel's mouth turned up slightly. "I'm not sure anyone has a fantastic time playing miniature golf. " Her smile faded when she saw that Matt was shifting from side to side, and looking around nervously. "What's wrong, Matt?"

"Look… it's… ah… I mean, I know Puck likes you, really likes you, but…"

Brittany crossed her arms over her chest. "But what? What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything! Well not really… I mean, I sent him a picture of Rachel," he flinched when Brittany smacked him on the arm. "What? You didn't say anything about picture mail. Anyway, I sent him a picture and told him he needed to get his ass down here."

Rachel swallowed hard and pinched her eyes shut. "When?"

"Uh… yeah… almost two hours ago. Look, he must not have gotten the message or something."

Rachel shook her head. She wanted to believe that, but deep inside, she just couldn't. "It's fine," her voice cracked as she tried to steady herself, "Britt, can you please just take me home?"

Brittany nodded slowly, "I'm so sorry Rachel, I never meant…"

Rachel held up her hand. "It's not your fault."

"Hey, are we going, or what?" Mike called out from across the parking lot. "Finn said he'd meet us there."

Rachel groaned, and sank further towards the ground. What had she done to deserve this? Although she knew that the probability of an earthquake occurring in Lima, Ohio was virtually zero, she prayed that the pavement would open up and swallow her whole. Maybe she could change schools. She could probably convince her dads that a transfer would be beneficial to her future career.

Brittany gripped her by the elbow. "Stand up straight." Turning toward Matt, she said, "Go get Puck. We'll meet you there."

"But Britt…"

"You know he'll kick your ass if you let Rachel be embarrassed like this. Go."

Matt opened his mouth, but Brittany stared him down. "Fine," he muttered. Walking away, they could hear him grumbling. "…Black lace…Better be worth it…Puck…Jackass…"

Rachel stared slack jawed at Brittany."I can't… No, I just want to go home."

"You are not going home, you are going to stand up straight and smile, and prove to everyone what an idiot Finn Hudson is."

"Britt, I really… I really can't." She could feel her hands shaking.

"Rachel Berry, I'm ashamed of you."

"Huh?"

"I thought you wanted to be a Broadway star… isn't that what you're always saying at Glee?"

"Yes, but-"

"No buts. Suck it up and pretend. It's called acting. You, of all people, should know that."

Rachel couldn't believe this was happening. Before today, the last person in the world she would have expected to come to her rescue was Brittany. Yet here she was, doing just that. The question was why? It didn't appear that Brittany had anything to gain by helping her, in fact she was likely to suffer a horrendous backlash from Quinn and Santana. Her actions were completely illogical, and seemed to be a disproportionate response given the brevity of the friendship. Rachel was normally willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, but really, where had that gotten her? Stuck in the parking lot of the local pizza joint, facing utter humiliation, that's where.

"Rachel?"

Britt's voice broke into her thoughts. "Um, yeah… sorry… What were you saying?"

"I was telling you to get in the car."

"Why?"

"Duh… so we can go to the Putt-Putt place."

"No, I mean why are you doing this for me?"

"Doing what?"

"Helping me, making Matt help me. Is it just because you're afraid of Puck?"

Brittany laughed. "Afraid of Puck? Hardly."

"Then why?"

"Why not? You're my friend."

"Am I? I mean really, we've never even really talked before today."

Brittany's face fell. "I thought…"

Rachel felt horrible, she hadn't meant to imply that she didn't like Brittany. "No, I've really enjoyed today, it's just that, well, it seems strange… you're friends with Santana and Quinn, and they hate me…"

"So you assume that I do too. Seriously Rachel, do you think this a big trick or something? Or are you just saying that I couldn't possibly have my own opinions? Which is it?"

"Neither, I'm sorry…" Oh God, she'd really messed up, Brittany looked furious. "I'm just not sure what to think about anyone any more. Every time I think I know someone, it turns out I'm wrong."

"Funny," Brittany said, looking down her nose, "I feel the same way right now."

"Look, Britt-"

"No, really, it's okay Rachel, I understand. Get in the car, I'll take you home."

"But what about Matt… and Puck?"

"They'll be fine, I'll handle it."

Rachel's heart sank. She'd just blown the once chance she had at making a real friend. Her lack of a social network hadn't bothered her so much before today, but she guessed it was hard to miss what you'd never had.

"Come on," Britt said, "I don't have all night."

With a sigh of resignation, Rachel got into the car. They spent the short ride in silence, and when Brittany dropped her off in front of her house, she didn't even said goodbye. Rachel sat on her front steps, hugging her knees. Her dads would pepper her with questions the minute she stepped inside, and she needed a moment to gather her thoughts.

It was funny, with the exception of family, she'd been alone most of her life, and yet, tonight was the first time she felt truly lonely.