After my little pep talk with Santana, I finally made my way downstairs and told my parents. Surprisingly enough, my Mom and Dad were very supportive and not at all shocked. In fact, my Dad seemed more relieved than anything, probably because he wouldn't have to worry about me getting knocked up by some pre-pubescent boy.

During my conversation with my parents, the thing that kind of shocked me is what happened after Santana went home. Like Santana, my parents were curious if there was a particular girl that I was interested in that would further explain why I decided to come out now. When I said no, my Mom seemed like she was expecting a different answer, but ultimately settled for the one I gave her.

It wasn't until I was going to bed and overheard my parents talking in the living room that my mother's earlier reaction made sense.

"I thought for sure she was gonna say that she and Santana were dating," my Mom states.

I'm immediately taken back by her casual statement.

"Right?! That's exactly what I was thinking," my Dad replies. "Those 2 have been attached at the hip since the Lopezes moved in."

"I know..." my Mom responds. "I love Santana to death. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that our Brittany finds a girl that's just as good as her."

"Agreed," my Dad concurs. "I just hope the kids at school don't mistreat Brittany once they find out. I would seriously hate having to punch a kid in the throat in my daughter's honor…"

"Oh, James... I love it when you get all over-protective," my mother says in a lower tone than normal.

As my Mom scoots closer to my Dad and I see her hand start rubbing my his leg, I decide to skip the "goodnight's" and head straight to my room before I see something that will scar me for life.

As I lay in bed replaying my parents' conversation, I can't help but think about what they were saying about Santana. Don't get me wrong... Santana is amazing and definitely possesses a lot – if not all – of the qualities I would want in a potential girlfriend.

But... Santana's not gay.

Santana is my best friend and that's all we'll ever be. Besides, even if there was the slightest possibility that she might be into chicks, I doubt that I would even be on her radar. I'm just grateful that she graciously accepted me for who I am, not who I date. The last thing I would want to do is make her feel uncomfortable by making it seem like I'm hitting on her every time we hang out now.

The next day at school, I met my friends in the quad before homeroom. I didn't feel as anxious or nervous about telling them like I was with Santana or my parents. As expected, everyone was very warm and receptive.

"That's awesome Britt!" Sam exclaims, giving me a high five. "We can totally be each other's wingmen at parties!"

"Yeah, sure... that's exactly what I was hoping for," I say with a faux excitement. I catch Santana's eye behind him. She's grinning like a Cheshire cat. I guess Sam must've caught on to my sarcasm. "Haha... very funny guys. Excuse me for trying to be a supportive friend."

Sam's kicked puppy expression sends everybody over the edge as we all double over from laughter.

"There there, Sammy boy... everything's going to be alright," Santana mocks as she pats him on the back. In return, Sam turns away from her.

"Well, can I just say that this is wonderful news Brittany!" Rachel says excitedly while clasping her hands together.

"Thanks Rach," I respond back.

"This calls for a musical number!" Rachel exclaims.

"NO RACHEL!" everyone says in unison.

Leave it to Rachel to be more excited about my gayness than me.

"Honestly Britt, that's great news. I hope you find your Mrs. Right soon," Mike says.

"And you let us know if any of those cheerleader bitches give you a hard time," Mercedes says with her classic head bob and finger snaps. "Me and Satan will take care of them."

"Please don't call me that, Mercedes... I've asked you repeatedly not to call me that," Santana mumbles out as she pushes her glasses further up on the bridge of her nose. She's so cute when she does that.

I know Mercedes doesn't mean anything by her comment and really just does it to give Santana a hard time; I, on the other hand, find it absolutely hilarious. Santana is like the complete opposite of a hard ass. In fact, I don't think she would be able to hurt a fly. She's just the sweetest person ever. I guess that's just the norm in our group; we all give each other a hard time, but it's simply out of love.

"Thanks guys, I really do appreciate all of your support..." I begin, "no matter how odd or overzealous it might be. I'm just really thankful to have great friends like you."

Honestly, without friends like them, I don't know how I would make it through high school in Lima. Sure, there's a good possibility that I might lose my ranking in the social hierarchy at McKinley, but y'know what... I don't really give a rat's ass. The most important thing to me is making sure that I stay true to myself. If other people around here don't like it, then to quote Santana… fuck 'em! As long as I have the support of my family and my real friends, I will always persevere.

"I gotta go meet with my coach real quick so I'll catch up with you guys later," I say to the group. "See ya in homeroom, San!" I saw with wink and a simultaneous finger pistol.

Is it lame... yes. But that's just how we roll.

"So... Brittany's into the ladies," Mercedes states to no one in particular. "That's cool. It's about damn time this place got some diversity."

"What are you even talking about?" Mike questions. "You're black, I'm Asian, Rachel's Jewish, and Santana's Hispanic... you can't get much more diverse than that."

"I'm just saying... I don't think it's a coincidence that most of the diverse people in this school happen to hang out with each other," Mercedes retorts. "I mean, think about... everyone else in this school is a rich little white girl or boy."

"Mercedes, do you always have to resort to some type of racial stereotype with every situation?" Rachel inquires.

"Of course... you guys cast me to play the part of the bitchy black girl in your little group," Mercedes answers. "How could I possibly hold up my end if I didn't make at least one racially motivated remark per day?"

"She does have a point there," Santana responds. Mercedes reaches over and gives a fist bump to the Latina.

"So Specs, how are you holding up with this new found information?" Mercedes questions. "I'm assuming that Britt already told you ahead of time based on your lack of reaction when she told all of us."

"Yeah, she told me last night," Santana responds.

"And?" Rachel asks giddily.

"And what?" Santana responds with a questionable look as she glances around the table at her friends.

"How do you feel about it?" Sam asks.

"Um... I feel fine?" Santana answers. When she receives skeptical looks from her friends, she continues. "Like seriously, I feel like you guys are trying to get at something here without saying the actual words. Could someone please just tell me what's going on?"

"Well, I guess what everyone is so subtly not trying to say is... did something happen between you and Brittany?" Mike finally says.

"Something like what?" Santana ponders.

"Oh, c'mon... you know what he means!" Mercedes exclaims.

"Actually, I don't... and you guys are really starting to freak me out," Santana states as she stands up from the table. "I'll see you guys later, y'know... when you're acting less weird."

As Santana heads to class, the rest of the group remains at the table.

"So... did anyone else think that in addition to coming out, Brittany was also gonna announce that her and Santana were an item?" Sam asks the group.

"Thank God I wasn't the only one who was thinking that!" Rachel agrees. "I mean, it's so painfully obvious that they're perfect for each other."

"Yeah, I mean... even Helen Keller could see that shit," Mercedes claims.

"Mercedes!" Mike scolds.

"What?! I was trying to further drive Rachel's point home," Mercedes defends.

"I think you may need a sensitivity course or something," Mike suggests.

"Naw... I don't think you guys would like me as much if I got too soft," Mercedes states.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Sam responds.

"So, do you guys think something will happen between them... eventually?" Mike asks.

"I don't know," Sam answers. "I mean, we know now that Brittany is attracted to the ladies. But what about Santana?"

"Who knows... I've never seen or heard her talk about anyone she's been attracted to," Rachel explains.

"Well, I guess only time will tell," Mercedes says. "I'll keep my fingers crossed for those 2 though."

"Aww, see guys... she does have a heart," Mike jokes.

"You all can kiss my big black ass," Mercedes responds.

"Oh Mercedes..." Rachel says as everyone else shakes their heads at the resident bad ass of their group.

A few minutes later in homeroom...

"So, what did Coach Washington want to talk to you about?" Santana asks.

"Well..." I draw out for suspense, "she officially wanted to tell me that she's making me Captain of the team!"

"No shit?! That's awesome Britt! Congrats!" Santana squeals as she attacks me with a bear hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks San! I'm pretty excited about it," I respond. "I just hope that I don't get shit from the 3 seniors on the team when coach tells everyone at practice today."

"So what if they do... you deserve this Britt!" Santana declares. "There's no one who works harder than you. If the seniors can't handle it, then maybe they should step their game up."

"Maybe. Ya know, you're pretty athletic San... maybe you should think about coming out for the team," I casually state.

"Nah, volleyball is your thing," she replies. "Besides, if I'm on the team, how can I cheer you on and make obnoxious comments from the stands?"

"You do raise a good point, Madame Lopez," I state with a posh accent. Santana giggles in response.

"I'll just see Coach Washington when swim season is back in," Santana begins. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you're just trying to get me to undress in front of you..." she poses.

"What?! No... that's not what I was saying at all," I reply, beginning to panic a little.

"Britt, I'm totally just fucking with you," Santana says in between laughs.

"Fuck, that's not funny San!" I exclaim as I slap her arm. "Do you know how many girls at this school are probably gonna be wondering that same thing once word gets out about me?"

"I'm sorry, Brittany... you know I didn't mean anything by it," Santana apologizes. "I was just kidding. Please don't be mad."

I take a moment to gather myself before I look back at Santana.

"I'm not mad..." I finally respond. "I'm just really worried about how everyone else is gonna react. As far as I know, I'm the only gay kid at this school... well, the only one that's out. The last thing I need to hear is my best friend making those kinds of comments or wondering about those types of things."

"I really am sorry, Britt... I was just trying to joke around with you to let you know that things are still the same between us."

"I know... I'm sorry I over-reacted a little," I sympathize. "I'm also sorry I hit you so hard... I saw you wince."

"It's okay, I deserved it," Santana responds as she rubs her arm. "How bout we meet up for milkshakes after you're done with practice?"

"Sounds good," I reply. "Oh, and Santana..."

"Yeah?"

"I can see you half naked anytime I want to..." I whisper softly into her ear. "I just have to come to one of your swim meets," I state with a wink as our teacher gathers everyone's attention to start class.

The "deer caught in headlights" look that is plastered on Santana's face is more than enough for me to feel victorious.

Pierce 1, Lopez 0...

Author's Note:

So... I lied. As you can see, this is not an update for Recipe for Disaster. My bad. I promise that I have been working on it… it's just taking longer than expected, trying to figure out exactly how I want to end it. Hopefully this will curb your appetite for now :)

As always, you guys are amazing!

-Kris

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING!