The first day of school was bound to be uneventful. I thought it would just be sorting out timetables and catching up with friends from the long summer. Nothing interesting would happen.

Unfortunately, as it turned out, life isn't that simple.

Things hadn't really changed with classes – but I had double Spanish first thing and I knew what that meant.

A class with Santana.

We used to sit beside each other. I wondered if that would change now, seeing as she hated me or something. But I was more than determined to confront her about it, because I needed some kind of explanation. Nothing made sense.

When I walked in, she was sitting at the same desk that we sat at last year – but she didn't look up as I walked past her and sat down. The anger boiled inside of me because she wasn't even acknowledging my presence anymore.

It hurt.

But I had to be strong, and carry through my plan.

'Santana.'

She looked up at me, and I saw fear there. Like she knew what was coming, and had been expecting it.

I sat down beside her.

'What's been going on?'

'What do you mean?'

'You know fine well what I mean,' I said, hardly concealing my rage. 'You never replied to my texts when you were in Spain. I phoned you, no answer. I haven't spoken to or seen my best friend all summer.'

She looked away, possibly unable to look into my sincere eyes.

'Listen, Brittany,' she began, looking down. 'I just was really busy and stuff.'

'That is not a decent explanation, okay,' I said, feeling tears stinging my eyes. 'All I know is, I told you...'

I lowered my voice before continuing.

'I told you I loved you. Santana, that hasn't changed. What's changed with you?'

'Nothing, I just –'

'Well clearly something's wrong, or you would have been paying attention to me. I can't deal with you not being around. I thought you felt the same way.'

I was beginning to get hysterical.

'Brittany, I missed you, of course I did, but...'

'But what! Am I not your best friend anymore? Does nothing that's happened mean anything to you? I'm...'

I leaned in closer and placed my hand on top of her's on the desk.

'I'm nothing without you, Santana.'

She looked into my pleading eyes, full of tears, and for a second the urge to kiss her almost overpowered me. But, just as suddenly, she looked away, and the magic in the moment was gone. She pulled her hand away from mine and placed it on her lap.

'I can't be with you, Brittany.'

'Why not,' I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

'I... I haven't come out to anyone at this school yet. And...'

'And?' I pushed.

'And, I'm seeing someone.'

My jaw dropped.

'You're... what?'

'I'm seeing someone, Brittany. A girl.'

I couldn't breathe.

I began to shake my head slightly, pleading with her to say it was a joke.

But her gaze remained firm.

'Who,' I managed, my heart breaking in my chest.

'Her name's Jamie,' she said, not looking at me. 'We met on holiday.'

I paused, trying to fight back the tears. Was this really happening? How? So many questions filled up my mind and I had no answers.

'Why, Santana? I was here, I love you, I waited for you. Why was it not good enough?'

'Brittany, I just couldn't,' said Santana. 'I loved you too, I just... I can't be with you like that. It scares me.'

I felt my heart crumble at the past tense of 'loved'.

But she couldn't really mean that.

'Be brave, Santana,' I pleaded, 'I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in this world. Remember?'

'Of course, Britt. Please, I can't do this. I can't be with you.'

I looked away, inhaling deeply to try and keep calm.

'Okay.'

She looked up, her eyes full of sorrow.

'I'm sorry.'

'It's okay.'

'No, it's not,' she said.

'No, you're right, it's not,' I agreed. 'But you know what? I'm not giving up. I will get you back, Santana.'

I looked down at my Spanish work, which I hadn't started yet.

The first noun to translate was piedras, meaning stones. Was Santana made of stone? Did she not feel anything anymore?

I loved her.

But, for whatever reason, it wasn't enough.

The first Glee Club meeting was bound to be fun. They always were, except when Rachel got to sing five solos in front of us.

But apart from that, I really enjoyed them.

Santana sat on the other edge of the room, and I hesitated before I walked over and sat beside her.

She stiffened, but otherwise ignored my presence. Again.

'Welcome back, guys,' said Mr Schue. 'Listen up, because this is important.'

Mike stopped kissing Tina to look round.

'We have a new student joining us this year. He just transferred from Dalton Academy.'

Everyone looked at Kurt, already knowing who it was, having been informed many times.

'So everyone please welcome, Blaine Anderson.'

Blaine walked in, waving, and we all cheered.

We'd had good times with Kurt's boyfriend, and we all welcomed him as part of the crowd.

He immediately sat beside Kurt, giving him a brief hug as he went. I couldn't help but wish me and Santana had that – to be so open, and no one even minded.

'So,' said Mr Schue, 'I've got an idea for you all. Seeing as Rachel and Finn's duet last year – although very good – did kind of lead to our downfall at Nationals, I've decided to have another duets competition.'

Much excited muttering broke out.

'However, this time, you guys aren't voting. I am.'

Everyone looked at Mr Schue.

'Why?' asked Kurt.

'Because, this competition will have a great effect on who I choose for the duet at Sectionals. So, I will choose the winner.'

'What does the winner get this time?' asked Tina.

'That will be decided later. Also, there's just one more thing – you don't get to choose who you're singing with.'

'What? That's crazy, Mr Schue,' Rachel began. 'I for one believe that we know who our voices go well with. I think we should choose.'

She gave Finn a sideways smile.

'No, Rachel,' he said firmly. 'The point of this task is to challenge you all – I will put an unlikely pairing together, and you two have to try and work out a way to make your voices go together. Let's think of it as a kind of... experiment.'

'So, when will we find out who we're going with?' asked Mike.

'Soon,' he replied. 'Just as soon as I've worked it out. Probably tomorrow.'

Excited, we all left. I wondered who Mr Schue would put me with – it was unlikely to be Santana, he knew how close we were. Maybe someone completely different.

Santana might end up with Rachel, I thought, amused. Now that would be a sight to see.

I walked into the parking lot where I was getting picked up, and scanned the area for Santana. I spotted her in the distance – getting into a car I didn't recognise, which seemed to be filled with people. I squinted to try and see who was in the front, but the windows were tinted and it was impossible.

I thought I knew who it was, but I didn't want to believe that Santana's new girlfriend would live close enough to pick her up from school.

Maybe it's her mum's friends, or something, I thought. Yeah, that must be it.

Not entirely believing my own theory, I saw my mom in her car and walked over, getting in.

'Hey, Brittany,' she said, smiling. 'How was your first day as a senior?'

'Fine,' I replied bluntly, screwing up my eyes to hide the tears that I could feel building.

She frowned at me through the mirror.

'What's up?'

'Nothing. It's just Santana.'

'Still not talking to you, huh?'

She looked concerned. After all, me and Santana had grown up together, we had spent entire summers together, never leaving each other's side. Hell, we were never alone from one another. We even showered together most of the time.

It was like losing a huge chunk of myself, when she was gone.

'Baby, don't worry,' my mom said consolingly. 'I'm sure she'll come around. Give it time.'

'I don't think she will, mom,' I said, trying to explain. 'You don't understand.'

'All I know is, you two are both daughters to me. And I know Santana almost as well as I know you. She won't last long without you. Trust me.'

I sighed deeply, and nodded.

'Okay, mom.'

'Don't worry. I'm sure the situation will get better. How was Glee Club?'

'It was good,' I said, smiling. 'We get to do a duet with someone. Mr Schuester is choosing, though.'

'I see,' she said.

It was nice that my mum actually cared about what happened in my life. I knew from experience that Santana's family neither knew nor cared about her school life. They just wanted her to get good grades, which she usually did.

But it was hard for her.

As soon as I got home, I ran upstairs to my room. I had to text Santana.

My hands shook as I typed the words.

I know you won't reply to this, San. But I need you to know I will wait for you. However long it takes, I will be there. I need you, and I will fight for you until the end.

My trembling fingers hovered over the send button, and I pressed down.

As soon as it had sent, I fell back on my pillows, thinking.

She was probably with Jamie right now, doing the things we used to do, convincing ourselves we were just friends when deep down we knew we were so much more than that.

But home? Home is where the heart is. And my heart was with her. She was where I was home.

And I would win her back, because I needed her. More than anything.