The next day I showed up to school on time, dressed in sweats and my hair thrown up in a sloppy pony. After my random confession to Santana last night we spent hours on the phone, chatting and catching up. So today I was a little tired from staying up but it was defiantly worth it. I was happy again, despite the rough news I received yesterday. I almost began to forget about it.

As I pulled into the parking lot of McKinley High School I noticed Sam standing with Ryder and Artie by his car. He caught my gaze before I could look away and offered me a small smile. Oh yeah, that's what I was forgetting. I gave him a small smile back before getting out of my car, keeping my eyes down. Sam must have excused himself from the other guys of Glee club because I recognized his footsteps as he crossed the pavement closer to me.

"Hey, babe." He cooed, leaning in for a kiss. I squinted secretly as his plump lips touched to my temple. I whispered a hello back, glancing up at him for only a moment before regretting it instantly and turning back to looking at my sneakers. Sam noticed the action and reached up to rub my lower back.
"Everything okay?" He whispered, slowly caressing my spine. The touch was meant to me calming but it only made my heart heavier. My chest tightened and I tired to coil away from his touch, putting on a fake smil

"Yeah, just peachy." I smiled a little wider, my face hurting as I forced it. I turned to face Sam, pulling away from his touch as I talked. "But, hey, I have to get to class. I didn't finish the homework in English and I need to copy off Kitty before the bell rings. So I'll see you around later, okay?" I skipped away backwards as I talked, not giving him the chance to reply.

After getting a good distance away I turned back and began walking normally. I reached in my pocket for my phone and began pounding frantically at the screen.

To Santana:
I can't do it.

My phone buzzed in reply a second later.

From Santana:
Courage, Britt. I'm here if you need me.

I took a deep breath and nodded at the screen before putting my phone away. I went to first block and sat in the back of the room, in my normal spot. As the class went on I didn't really pay attention, I scribbled absent-minded in my notebook as I tried to think of a plan for breaking up with Sam.

The day seemed to drag on and between classes I tried to avoid Sam as much as I could. I hadn't yet decided how to break it to him but I knew I needed to soon. The lunch bell rang and I got up from class and walked towards the cafeteria. Sam found me on the way and walked beside me in the hall. I kept my eyes down, failing at keeping up any effective small talk on the way.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

From Santana:
You've got this.

Santana had perfect timing it always seemed. I inhaled a slow breath and turned to look at Sam, halting my steps and causing him to stop walking as well. He glanced up at me in curiosity, raising his eyebrow and beginning to say something but I cut him off.

"Come outside with me real quick?" I smiled slightly, nodding in the direction of the glass door in the hall that lead to the student-section outside. He nodded, his smile more convincing than my own.

"Sure." He hummed and lead the way. I followed along quietly until we were outside and alone. We sat down at a wooden picnic table, the kind you would find at a city park.

After a short moment of silence and looking at each other from across the table he cleared his throat. "So, what's up?"
I winced at the question, taking in another breath to steady myself before breaking the news.

"Sam, we need to talk. I called Santana yesterday after I found out all of that stuff and it made me realize something." I pursed my lips together slowly, trying to think of how to continue. "This . ." I gestured between the two of us. " . . it's . . not working. I still like San. I always have and I thought dating you would be something that would help me get over her but it didn't. I thought that it would be good for me to be with you because I do like you but now I've come to realize that it's not in the way that I want. You're great but, you're . . not her." I sighed heavily, slowly looking up to him.

Sam's face changed: content, to sad, then to calm again. He slowly smiled before nodding, showing that he understood. I shook my head slowly, frowning. "I'm sorry."

He only smiled wider, reaching across the table to rub my upper arm. "It's okay. I understand, you love me but it's different. She's your true love. Anyone can see that." I stopped frowning and looked to him, curiosity shinning in my own eyes. "I always knew that it was different. I always could tell that the way you looked at me was never the way I saw you looking at her. You love her, Brittany. And she loves you. You're good for each other."

I could only smile, a real smile this time. I got up from the seat at the table and walked over to Sam, stretching my arms out wide until he stood too and embraced me in a tight hug. My breath came lighter then, like the weight had been lifted from my chest. I smiled more, my head still rested against him. "Thank you." I whispered into his shirt and Sam patted my hair tenderly.

"You're welcome, Britt." He sighed back.