Hey so the girls are in highschool now. This chapter is pretty fast paced so sorry in advance. please let me know what you think of the story so far thanks:)

Don't own glee.

'How's she doing?' Dr. Lopez asked as he entered his daughter's bedroom and addressed his distressed wife. Without lifting her gaze from her daughter she answered.

'...She's barely holding on, every now and then she will mumble something about Brittany...but...' Maria finally let her head fall into her hands as tears escaped the edges that were keeping them so tightly caged.

Dr. Lopez made his way slowly over to his wife, careful not to startle her in her emotional state that was so rare to be seen from the strong woman. 'Perhaps you should make us some tea...I'll stay with her' he suggested as he placed a gentle hand on her crouched shoulder. The woman nodded, wiping away stray tears before squeezing her daughters limp hand once more and exiting the room. Dr. Lopez took a seat in the recently vacant armchair next to his daughter's bedside. He ran his hands through his thin dark hair as he stared helplessly at the young girl who lay before him. Her chest rising and falling at uneven intervals, tubes sticking out of her arms and running to various machines he had attained from his work.

'What have i done to you sweetheart' He exhaled in a barely audible voice. There was no reply, the girl had long since fallen into a peaceful sleep. His eyes drifted to the pager sitting deathly quiet on the bedside table. He hoped and prayed that he would see a red light flashing and a loud buzz, but there was nothing.

Moments later he felt his cell phone ringing in his pocket. He almost jumped at the sudden noise and quickly pulled it from his suit pants. He looked at the caller ID and immediately accepted the call.

'...' He didn't say a word, he knew the caller could hear his breathing, and he could hear there's.

'Are you with her?' The caller asked.

'...Yes...wait!' Before he could say any more the line was dead.

'San?' Brittany asked as the pair rounded the last corner before they could see the 'Welcome to McKinley High School' sign.

'Yeah Britt?'

'...I'm kind of scared, what if people are mean to me? They might not get me like you do'

Santana reached out and looped her pinkie through the other girl's, just like they had done when she was eight years old. 'There's nothing to be scared about, and i would never let anyone be mean to you, ever.' The blonde smiled back at her friend, instantly feeling safer in her hands. 'Come on, let's go get our schedules.'

XXXXXXXXXX

'Um there must be some sort of mistake here' Santana argued with the student manager as she read over her's and Brittany's timetables. 'Brittany should have calculus with me but instead she has essential math?'

'Yes, well Brittany here unfortunately didn't meet the requirements for calculus.'

'So what are you saying she's not smart enough for a stupid math class? Because let me tell you – ' Santana started before a pale had gently gripped her arm.

'San, it's ok really, i probably wouldn't be able to keep up anyway'

'There's really nothing i can do Miss. Lopez, my hands are tied'

'Fine, then you can revoke my place in calculus as i would like to take essential math instead' Santana stated with a glare towards the woman behind the desk.

'Argh...as you wish, it's your life' the woman said as she typed away on the keyboard in front of her, slightly whispering the last bit.

'San...' Brittany said

'Don't worry Britt, i didn't want to do calculus anyway, and now we have every class together!'

XXXXXXXXXX

The girls left second period Biology laughing as Santana had just explained to Brittany that she had yelled out 'Orgasm!' to Mr. Fretts question when the answer was clearly organism.

'I was kind of close though, i mean it's basically the same word' Brittany explained.

'Yeah, basically' Santana laughed as they walked through the halls, before a strong voice called from behind.

'Hey, young Cameron Diaz and Lucy Lu.'

The girls turned to see a tall blonde woman wearing a striped red tracksuit, glaring down at them like a lioness.

'I'm Hispanic' Santana corrected as she thought over the names.

'Fine, i'll just call you sand bags. Sue Sylvester, now i want you two in the gym at four o'clock sharp tomorrow afternoon. One minute late and i will cut off all your hair to make merkins for horny homeless men with nothing but sexual intercourse to keep them busy from savagely eating each other alive, leaving them with schools of inbred children ready to continue the vicious circle of life as a hobo.'

'What are you even talking about?' Santana asked in confusion.

'Cheerio's tryouts ladies, i'm hoping this year i'll get a girl who doesn't make Betty White look like an Olympic athlete. You girl's might actually have a chance.' Before either could respond the woman was storming back through the crowd of students rushing to lunch.

'Betty White's an Olympic athlete? I bet she does pole vault' The blonde perked as they walked to the lunchroom. 'Do you think we should go?'

Santana thought about this for a few moments. She knew being a cheerleader was instant popularity and more importantly those uniforms created fear for anyone who wasn't wearing them. If they were cheerleaders it would make it so much easier for her to protect Brittany, the red uniforms would be like a stop sign for anyone wanting to hurt her.

'Yeah, we should go, it'll be good for us' She smiled at the blonde.

'But San, what about your heart?' Brittany pouted.

'Look, we have been over this, as long as you're with me i can do just about anything, you're the only one who can calm me down – stop it, i can see you worrying about me, i'll try and take it easy ok?'

The blonde still worried though. The fear she saw in Santana's eyes every time she was having an attack just broke her heart and she always hoped that just like all the times before she would be able to calm her in time. However, she knew there was really no point in arguing with her about anything, when Santana put a plan in motion or set her mind to something, nothing was going to stop her.

'Ok' Brittany sighed as they entered the lunchroom.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The next afternoon the two made their way to cheerio's tryouts. Santana really wasn't worried about Brittany getting in, she knew she was an amazing dancer and was very fit. Santana just hoped her heart could take whatever coach Sylvester was going to throw at it, she had to get in, for Brittany.

'You ok?' Brittany asked the dark haired girl as they took a seat in the stands.

'Yeah...yeah i just really want to do good you know?' the blonde just nodded and squeezed her hand.

'You will be great'

An hour later the tryouts were finished. Brittany had watched anxiously throughout Santana's whole routine, she sat on the edge of her seat ready if anything were to happen. Thankfully though everything went smoothly and the girl was only a little bit out of breath when she sat back down next to her friend.

'That was soooo good' Brittany beamed at her.

'Ok girls' coach Sylvester started as she took to centre stage. 'i saw some alright stuff and i saw some stuff that all the bleach in the world won't be able to scrape from my memory. You will find out which category you fit into tomorrow, there will be a list pinned to the notice board, not on it, then i don't want to see your face in here again. Now get out of my gym.'

Everyone hurried out of the gym and Brittany and Santana began their walk home. Santana always walked Brittany home now because it was on the way to her house. It had been a relatively nice day all day but suddenly it started raining just as they got out of the school gates.

'Omg run!' Santana squealed as she grabbed Brittany's hand. Brittany tried to hold her biology book above her head to shield her from the rain but it was no use, she just tried to keep up with Santana and ignore the tingles in her hand from Santana clasping it so firmly in her own. When they finally made it back to Brittany's house the pair were soaked.

'Quick come inside' Brittany pulled the other girl in before she had time to argue. 'Please stay here until the rain stops, i don't want you getting sick'

'Ok fine' Santana laughed as she bent over forwards and clutched her knees, trying to catch her breath. She could feel her heart pumping faster and faster. The blonde had gone upstairs to gather some towels and didn't notice the other girls state.

'Britt..' Santana called as she still struggled to regain her breathing pattern. She knew this feeling all too well, but the pain never dulled.

'Yeah?' Brittany replied from somewhere upstairs.

'I need you!' Santana called as she collapsed back on the couch, her heart pounding against her rib cage. Brittany heard the desperation in her voice and immediately dropped the towels and rushed down the stairs, almost flying she was moving so fast.

'Omg, San!' she knelt down in front of the girl and took the girls hands in hers. 'San, look at me' Brittany met her brown eyes and saw that fear had returned again. 'It's ok i got you, just breathe, in...and out...in...and out...that's it.'

After about five minutes her breathing was back to normal and Brittany let herself relax. 'Come on, let's get you dry, you can borrow some of my clothes' Santana just nodded as Brittany led her up the stairs and into her bedroom. She sat on the bed as Brittany draped a towel around her shoulders and rubbed her arms up and down.

'Thankyou' She said shyly. She hated it when she had to rely so heavily on her best friend to help her do something as easily as breathe. Most of the time she could manage it herself now but some moments still catch her off guard and she finds herself gasping for air.

'That's ok, here take these.' Brittany said passing her sweats and a shirt.

'Really Britt?' Santana said with a smirk as she held up the shirt with a picture of Donald duck printed on it.

'What? You said you liked ducks'

'I do, thankyou' Santana chuckled as she took off her shirt and pulled the duck shirt over her head.

'It looks cute on you' Brittany smiled. Santana couldn't help but raise a brow at where the blonde's gaze had settled. She could feel the fabric sticking tightly to her semi wet skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.

'I can see you staring at my breasts' Santana grinned. Brittany flushed instantly and suddenly found her feet very interesting.

'What, no, i wasn't, i was just...'

'Britt relax i'm joking' she laughed as she pulled the blonde into a hug.

'Yeah i knew that' Brittany said back as she playfully pushed the other girl away causing her to fall onto the bed, taking Brittany with her. Santana laughed as the blonde landed on top of her. 'You're so clumsy' Brittany giggled.

'I'm clumsy? You pushed me!' Santana laughed. 'Now get off me your clothes are all wet'

'What these clothes?' Brittany asked innocently as she pushed her chest up against Santana's and rubbed her wet clothes all over her.

'No Britt! Stop it!' Santana screamed as she tried to wriggle free, but the blonde had her pinned.

'Oh i'm sorry am i making you all wet?'

Brittany had meant it in an innocent way and Santana knew that , but she couldn't help but smirk at the question. Santana just stared up at her with a cocked eyebrow before she saw it click in the blondes mind. 'Oh, i...'

Before Brittany could finish Santana's lips were on hers, pulling her closer into her body. Santana didn't know what she was doing, she was inwardly cursing herself but as soon as their lips met all the screaming thoughts in her head couldn't make her pull away.

Once the blonde realised what was happening she kissed back just as hard and soon felt arms snaking around her waist and running up her back. Soon after she felt a warm tongue brush against her lower lip and she opened her mouth in response, the tongue eased into her mouth and began massaging slowly against hers. She couldn't stop the moan that escaped from her lips and she felt Santana smile into the kiss.

'Yes' Santana breathed as she broke from the kiss and started sucking down on Brittany's neck, this earned another moan from the blonde. Santana was intoxicated by the taste of Brittany's skin and found she wanted to kiss every inch of her body.

'Yes what?' Brittany asked trying to sort through all the thoughts that were running through her head at that moment. Santana traced kisses up the blondes neck until she reached her ear and bit gently down as she took her ear lobe between her teeth.

'Yes you're making me all wet' She breathed into her ear. This sent an electric current down Brittany's spine and she knew she needed more, she pushed Santana back onto the bed and lifted her legs to straddle her hips. Santana moaned at the close contact of their cores. The blonde shot her tongue back into the girls mouth cutting the moan short, she then began slowly pushing her hips down onto the girls.

'Fuck Britt' Santana breathed as their lips parted. She moved her hands from Brittany's back down to her waist and began pulling the blondes hips down harder and faster. The dark haired girl could feel her breathing picking up again, but she didn't want to stop, Brittany was back on her neck, making her mind spin.

'Brittany dear, are you home?' A voice called from downstairs causing Brittany to jump off the girl.

'Shit that's my mom' she said getting off the bed 'Hey mom i'll be down in a second.'

Santana's eyes widened like she had just seen a ghost. She got of the bed so fast that on any other day she would have been dizzy but her thoughts were already so scattered at the moment that she couldn't focus on anything other than getting out of this house as fast as she could.

'I should go' Santana said as she made her way towards the door.

'You don't have to, you could stay for dinner' The blonde said grabbing her hand before she could walk out the door. Santana sighed and turned to Brittany, looking slightly past her so she didn't have to see the hurt in her eyes.

'It's ok, Mama will kill me if i'm late anyway.' She said with a shrug, Brittany nodded sadly and the two girls made their way downstairs.

'Oh hello Santana, it's so good to see you, i feel like i never see you girls now that you're teenagers' Mrs. Peirce said as she began unpacking the groceries.

'Hi Mrs. Peirce' Santana replied, feeling slightly out of place, a feeling she had never had before in Brittany's home.

'Sharon darling you know that, now are you staying for dinner? We would love to have you'

'Oh no thanks Sharon, i actually should be getting home.' Santana could see the disappointment in her friends face from the corner of her eye and her heart fluttered in pain.

'Oh well ok dear you might want to get a wriggle on then because it looks like it's about to start pouring again soon'

'Will do, thanks for the clothes Britt' Santana said casually before walking to the door.

'That's ok' Brittany said catching her at the door. 'Um...' she looked down at her feet again. 'call me tonight yeah?'

Santana just nodded as she turned back down the footpath. She had to get away. She had to forget about what just happened, and all the feelings which were building up in her chest and settling on top of her heart.

XXXXXXXXX

'Hey you didn't call me last night' Brittany said as the two walked towards the notice board the next morning. Santana winced and decided to play it casual and cool, like she hadn't purposely been ignoring her best friend.

'Yeah sorry, when i got home i helped Mama with dinner and then i guess i just forgot' The girl shrugged. Brittany knew it wasn't like her to just forget about calling, something else must be up.

'Is this about us nearly having sex?' she asked matter-of-factly.

'Jesus Brittany' Santana said in shock as she grabbed Brittany by the arm and pulled her into the nearby girls bathroom. She looked around to see if the coast was clear before she turned back around and started to talk. 'You can't say stuff like that here'

'Why?' Brittany looked confused.

'Well because if people overhear that we have been.. fooling around.. they might start treating us different Britt, and we don't need that ok. We just need to keep last night a secret between us, and everything will be fine.' She said more to convince herself than Brittany.

'San...'

'Yeah Britt?' Santana could sense the confusion in Brittany's tone and she wished she could explain but she just couldn't.

'...Last night...I liked it, and i know you liked it too – '

'Britt...' Santana pleaded as she took her hand.

'No, don't try and lie to me, i can see right through your walls. You liked it too.' Brittany stated firmly with a tone Santana had never encountered before. She was shocked into speaking the first thing which came to her mind.

'Ok yes i did, but i was wrong to kiss you like that, it shouldn't have happened, we're best friends.' Brittany just looked down at her hands with a sad expression, and the weight on Santana's heart gained ten pounds.

Suddenly Rachel Berry walked into the bathroom and was startled to see the girls staring back at her. 'Move it Berry' Santana scowled as she pushed past Rachel. 'Come on let's go see if we made the team' she said holding onto Brittany's pinkie.

'Omg...Britt we made it!' Santana beamed as she looked over the list. Brittany just smiled back at her, she didn't really mind if she made the team or not, but she was so happy that Santana had made it, it seemed like all she wanted was to be a cheerio and get to wear that uniform around all day.

'Congrats girls' A voice spoke from behind them. They turned to see a perfectly poised blonde haired girl wearing a cheerio's uniform staring back at them. 'I'm Quinn, head cheerio'

'Oh Hi, I'm Santana, and this is Brittany'

'I know, I'll see you girls next Tuesday at four for practice, don't be late' Quinn said before turning, swishing her skirt as she did, and made her way back down the hall with her hands placed firmly on her hips.

'We are going to be cheerio's!' Santana smiled as she turned back to Brittany.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Next Tuesday came around fast and Santana was very excited to start. Nothing could wipe the smile off her face when she put on the uniform for the first time and witnessed everyone part like the red sea as she walked the halls.

'Ok ladies, i'm going to break you physically and emotionally one by one, while the rest of you run laps. Curly hair, you're up first. As for the rest of you, knees up' Coach Sylvester called. All the rest of the girls started their laps.

'What are you doing tonight?' Brittany asked as she ran beside Santana.

'Um, nothing just homework i think'

'Did you want to come over and study with me? I could really use some help with my Spanish, Mr. Shue is already on my back about it.'

'Yeah sure Britt' Santana said just as another name was called up by Sue.

'So how are you?' Britt asked

'Um, good?' Santana said a little confused by the question.

'That's good...What class do we have first tomorrow?'

'Um...English' Santana had to think about that one.

'Do you think we will be watching a movie?'

'Doubt it, Mrs. Kindle is such a bitch' Santana scoffed.

'Damn. What's your favourite snack?' Santana looked back at Brittany quizzically.

'You know this, bread sticks'

'Oh yeah, right, What colour should i paint my toe nails tonight do you think?'

'Red' Santana laughed

'Thought you might say that. Do you think Lord Tubbington likes it when i read to him?'

'Sand bags!' Sue called

'I'm up. I'm sure he loves it and...Thanks Britt'

'For what?' Brittany asked curiously.

'I know what you were doing' Santana laughed 'I figured out about half way through all your questions that you were trying to distract me from my running, so thanks, it worked' she said with a smile as she ran over to Sue. Brittany just smiled back, making a mental note to be more sneaky with her questions next time.

XXXXXXXXXX

'Santana' Quinn called as she spotted the dark haired girl at her locker. 'Where's Brittany?' she asked realising there wasn't another figure attached to her hip.

'Saving me a seat in the lunchroom, i had to get my books'

'Ok well i wanted to talk to you anyway.' Santana turned her attention to Quinn.

'Yeah, what about?'

'Do you have a boyfriend?' Quinn asked.

'Um no, why?'

'I was talking to Coach before and she told me she see's great potential in you, she wanted me to help you bring up your rep.'

'Ok?' Santana said confused.

'Well apart from being on the cheerio's, dating a guy on the football team is the best rep boost there is. Now I'm dating Finn so keep your hands off him, but i hear Puck's free game, Maybe you two should go out.' Before Santana could ask any questions Quinn was gone.

Santana stood there for a moment taking everything in. Dating puck? She had been in his class all through elementary school, the only feelings she had towards him was the urge to punch him in the face. But on the other hand it would bring up her rep, maybe Coach would see enough potential in her to put her higher up in the pyramid. But what about Brittany, she was too innocent to send her into the arms of a big stinky boy. Santana thought that maybe if she could bring her rep up high enough, then Brittany just hanging out with her would also bring her rep up. It was a plan.

Almost instantly after deciding this Santana felt her phone vibrate in her skirt.

FromPuck: Hey girl, Quinn told me you were up for some Puckasaurus. Breadsticks tonight at 8?

Santana cursed Quinn under her breath, before she sighed and replied.

ToPuck: Yeah, can't wait.

XXXXXXXXXX

'Are you coming over tonight?' Brittany asked during essential math.

'Um no i can't, sorry' Santana replied as she easily breezed through the work sheet they were assigned.

'You're not going to see him again are you? I've barely seen you outside of school for the past month.' Brittany huffed.

'Look Britt i'm sorry, we will hang out soon ok i promise, i just need to keep this up so Puck doesn't get bored and move on, plus Coach has already moved me up two places in the pyramid, do you know how many girls want to kill me for my spot right now?'

'Ladies' Mr. Arnold said from the front as he wrote on the board. 'Quiet down please'

Brittany was so frustrated with Santana. For weeks Santana had been texting Puck and having late nights at his house, but Brittany had never asked her if they had sex. Most of the time she didn't care because Santana would always come back and sleep in Brittany's bed smelling like cheap scotch and Brittany would hold her until they both fell asleep. They never spoke about it, just accepted that the other would always be there, no judgement, just a safe place within each other's arms. Brittany didn't want to know about their relationship but now it seemed to be eating away at her and she had to find out.

Are you sleeping with him?

The note read, Santana's eyes widened as she looked at the piece of paper. She didn't meet Brittany's eyes as she handed it back.

Yes

Brittany felt her heart closing in on itself. Santana was her first kiss, and her first... love, and now he has come in and taken her away. She wanted so desperately to yell and scream at Santana, to make her see that he was just using her but she couldn't, she didn't want to risk her heart rate rising too much. So instead, she remained quiet, and just smiled at her best friend, as her heart broke slowly and silently inside.

When class was over the two made their way to their lockers in an awkward silence, neither daring to speak for fear of the truth coming out.

'Brittany, Santana wait up' Quinn called as the girls turned around. 'I need help with something and i think you ladies are just right for the job' she smiled.

'What is it Fabray?' Santana asked with more tone in her voice than usual.

'I need you to join glee club with me'

Let me know what you think:)