In Lima, Ohio where they grew up, Brittany Pierce and Santiago Lopez were inseparable, their bond formed long before either of them could understand what friendship meant. The deep, unshakable bond between their mothers, Whitney Pierce and Maribel Lopez, intertwined their lives. Whitney and Maribel had been best friends since high school, the kind of friends who knew every secret, shared every joy and weathered every storm together. It was only natural for their children, Brittany, Ashley, and Santiago, to grow up side by side as if destiny had decided that their lives would always be linked.
From the outside, the Pierce and Lopez families seemed like the perfect suburban families. They lived just a few streets apart, close enough that the kids could run from one house to another without supervision. It was a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, where weekends were spent hosting barbecues and block parties, and the smell of freshly cut grass and charcoal lingered in the air. The children's laughter echoed in the spacious backyards, where they built forts from old blankets, climbed trees, and spent hours playing make-believe games.
Whitney was a stay-at-home mom, dedicated to raising Brittany and her younger sister Ashley in a warm and loving environment. She was the kind of mother who always had time for baking cookies, organizing craft projects, and ensuring every scraped knee was met with a bandage and a kiss. Her calm and patient demeanor comforted the children, and Brittany adored her. On the other hand, Maribel was a hard-working dentist, managing her practice in town. Though her career kept her busy, she always made time for family, and her sharp sense of humor and no-nonsense attitude brought a different kind of energy to their gatherings.
Brittany and Santiago spent most of their time together, blissfully unaware that their idyllic childhood was the product of their mothers' longstanding friendship. They didn't think about how rare it was for two families to be this close. It simply was. The familiarity of it wrapped around them like a blanket, warm and comfortable. From the earliest years, Brittany and Santiago were each other's constant companions, and their families often joked that they were like brother and sister born only a month apart - though secretly, both mothers harbored hopes that their children might grow up to be more.
Brittany was a bright-eyed, curious child who adored animals and had an early fascination with books. Santiago, in contrast, was a whirlwind of energy. He had dark, tousled hair and a wide smile that could brighten any room. Where Brittany was calm and introspective, Santiago was always on the move, jumping into new games and adventures without hesitation. He loved the outdoors and could often be found climbing trees or racing his bike down the street, challenging Brittany to keep up. Despite their differences in temperament, their bond was undeniable. They balanced each other in ways neither could articulate but instinctively understood.
These moments were the foundation of Brittany and Santiago's childhood, a time when life was simple and carefree. The two of them were always together, whether they were swinging on the playground, riding their bikes down the street, or sitting at the kitchen table with their families for Sunday dinners. Their bond felt as though it had been written in the stars, unshakable and eternal, the kind of friendship that would last a lifetime, there was no indication that anything could ever come between them.
As Brittany and Santiago entered eighth grade, the natural ease of their childhood friendship began to shift, ever so slightly at first, but enough for both of them to feel the subtle strain in their bond.
Brittany had grown into a thoughtful, slightly introverted girl. Her golden hair, which she still wore in a neat ponytail, framed a face that had matured, though her bright, curious eyes still held the innocence of childhood. Brittany had always been a sensitive soul, deeply empathetic, and drawn to the quiet comforts of nature and animals. She spent hours at the local animal shelter after school, volunteering to care for abandoned pets. The animals became her refuge, offering a sense of peace and connection that she often struggled to find in her interactions with people.
At school, she was an exceptional student. Her natural intelligence, combined with her diligence, placed her at the top of her class. She excelled in subjects like biology and literature, finding solace in the structured world of academics where everything had a clear answer. But her love for learning and her quiet demeanor made her stand out in ways that weren't always positive among her peers. While her teachers admired her, the other students didn't quite understand her. Brittany wasn't interested in the latest trends, nor did she care for gossip or the social games that many of her classmates seemed to thrive on. Instead, she was content to sit at the edge of the playground, reading a book or sketching animals in her notebook, her thoughts far from the boisterous world around her.
Santiago, on the other hand, was growing into a very different kind of teenager. He was all charm and energy. His dark hair had grown wilder, his frame had begun to fill out with the early signs of athleticism, and his smile seemed to draw people to him effortlessly.
He had become one of the most popular boys in middle school. He excelled in sports, particularly Football, where his speed and agility made him a standout on the field. His athletic prowess earned him admiration from his peers and attention from the girls, who giggled and whispered about his good looks whenever he passed by. Santiago, always quick with a joke or a smile, reveled in the attention. He wasn't vain, but there was a part of him that enjoyed the recognition. After all, being admired for something came with its own set of rewards—praise, friendship, and a sense of belonging that felt good after the turbulent changes in his home life.
Despite their growing differences, Brittany and Santiago remained friends. The history they shared, built on years of shared experiences and a deep understanding of each other, hadn't disappeared. They still spent time together, though not as much as before. Santiago would still defend her if someone made a snide comment about her quiet nature or her love for school, but the dynamics between them were shifting, and both of them knew it. The teasing from other boys about Brittany being "nerdy" or "weird" started to get louder, and while Santiago brushed it off, something about it stuck with him in a way it never had before.
At lunch, Brittany would often sit with her book, while Santiago sat at the table with the other boys from the Football team. He would glance over at her from time to time, remembering how just a few years ago, they had eaten together every day, sharing their food and laughing at inside jokes no one else understood. But now, the table where Brittany sat seemed so far away, not just in distance but in the new reality they were living.
Brittany, too, felt the distance. She noticed how Santiago had started to walk ahead of her in the hallways, how he seemed preoccupied with his new friends and the attention they gave him. It wasn't that Santiago was ignoring her, but the connection they had always shared so effortlessly now seemed like something they had to work for. When they talked, the conversation felt strained, as though they were grasping for the words that once came so easily.
For Brittany, this shift was painful. She missed her Santiago who would race her home from school, the one who would tease her in a way that made her feel special, not small. But she also knew that something was changing in him, and it scared her. Santiago's new friends were louder and more brash, and they didn't understand Brittany the way Santiago did. They saw her quietness as strange, her intelligence as something to mock. To them, she was just the nerdy girl who didn't belong in their world of sports and social popularity.
Santiago never outright joined in on their teasing, but he didn't stop it either. Peer pressure, subtle and insidious, began to take root. He knew, deep down, that Brittany didn't deserve to be teased, but standing up for her meant risking his newfound status. There was an unspoken code among the boys—stick together, don't show weakness. And defending Brittany, in their eyes, would have been a sign of weakness. So instead, Santiago let the comments slide, laughing them off or changing the subject when the teasing went too far. He hated himself a little for it, but he didn't know how to stop.
Brittany woke up one morning to the soft glow of early January light filtering through her bedroom window, casting a gentle gold hue on the walls. She stretched under the warmth of her blanket, savoring the extra few minutes of coziness before the world demanded her attention. It was still early, and the house was quiet.
Slipping into her favorite pair of fuzzy slippers, she made her way downstairs, the familiar creak of the wooden steps signaling her arrival to anyone in the kitchen. As she turned the corner, the scent of cinnamon and sugar greeted her before she even saw her mom. The kitchen was warm and inviting, the air rich with the smell of French toast. A large banner hung above the doorway that read, "Happy Birthday!" in bold, glittery letters, and colorful streamers hung from the ceiling, swaying gently in the light morning breeze coming through the open window.
Her mom stood by the stove with a smile already on her face. She turned as Brittany walked in, wiping her hands on a dish towel before rushing over to pull her daughter into a hug. "Happy Birthday, sweetie!" Whitney said, her voice full of warmth. "I made your favorite—French toast! Extra syrup, just how you like it."
Brittany hugged her mom back, feeling the familiar comfort of her embrace. Birthdays had always been simple in their house but filled with love, and that was enough for Brittany. "Thanks, Mom," she replied, smiling as she sat down at the table, where a small stack of presents waited for her. She wasn't one for material things, but she knew her family had gone out of their way to make the day special.
"Your sister will be down soon," Whitney added, turning back to the stove to flip another piece of French toast. "She wanted to help with the decorations, but I told her it would be more fun for you to wake up to a surprise." As if on cue, Ashley, bounded down the stairs, her excitement almost palpable. She ran straight to Brittany, flinging her arms around her neck.
"Happy birthday!" Ashley squealed, bouncing on her toes. "I helped pick out your presents. You're going to love them!" Brittany laughed, "I'm sure I will."
After breakfast, they spent the morning in the living room, where Brittany opened her gifts. Ashley watched with wide eyes as Brittany unwrapped a cozy new sweater, a pair of boots she'd been eyeing for months, and a collection of books about marine life that her dad had chosen for her.
"These are amazing," she said, looking up at her mom and dad, who had joined them in the living room. "Thank you."
"Thought you'd like that," Ashley said with a grin. "Maybe you can tell us some fun facts at dinner tonight." Brittany nodded enthusiastically, already planning on reading the books during any spare moment she had that day.
The morning passed quickly, and soon it was time for Brittany to head off to school. Ashley walked with her, their footsteps crunching through the snow that had fallen overnight. It was cold, but the fresh air felt crisp and invigorating, the perfect contrast to the cozy warmth of their home.
As they approached the school, Brittany spotted her friends waiting by the entrance, and she felt her heart lift at the sight of them. Rachel was the first to notice her, breaking into a wide grin before rushing over and enveloping Brittany in a tight hug. "Happy Birthday, Brittany!" Rachel exclaimed, squeezing her tightly.
"Thanks, Rachel," Brittany said, laughing as Tina, Mercedes, and Kurt followed behind, each taking turns to hug her as well. There was a comfort in these friendships, the kind of bond that had grown stronger over the years.
"You're officially a year older now," Mercedes said with a wink. "Anything special planned for tonight?"
"Just dinner with the family," Brittany replied. "And probably reading some of the new books I got. You know me."
"Of course!" Kurt said, laughing. "Books and animals. That sounds exactly like you."
As they stood in a circle, chatting and laughing, the moment was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice. Santiago Lopez, flanked by his friends Puck and Dave, pushed through the group with a confident swagger. The dynamic between Brittany and Santiago had grown more complicated in recent months, and his presence immediately shifted the mood.
"Move out of the way, troll," Santiago said, directing his comment at Rachel with a smirk as he shoved past her. His tone was playful, but there was an edge to it that Brittany couldn't ignore. Rachel rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, stepping aside with an annoyed sigh. Kurt, however, couldn't resist making a jab.
"How were you two ever friends?" Kurt asked Brittany with a sarcastic laugh. His voice was light, but there was an underlying curiosity. Brittany could sense the question hanging in the air. She smiled weakly, "I don't know," Brittany said, trying to keep her voice casual. "We used to get along."
The hallways after lunch were always a little louder, and a little more chaotic. Students were making the most of the few minutes of freedom before the next class began. Brittany stood at her locker, carefully gathering her books for her upcoming class. Beside her, Kurt was talking animatedly, "...and I swear, if Mrs. Turner assigns one more group project, I'm going to lose it. Group projects are the worst. Don't you think, Britt?" Kurt said, hands gesturing dramatically as he leaned against the lockers.
Brittany nodded absentmindedly, half-listening, her mind elsewhere. Her thoughts, however, were drawn to a scene unfolding across the hallway. Just beyond Kurt's shoulder, Santiago, Puck, Finn, and Dave stood in a tight circle. Their voices were louder than the usual hallway noise, their faces tense, bodies leaning toward each other as if an argument was brewing. There was a dangerous energy around them, something that made Brittany uneasy. She couldn't quite make out the words, but she could see the shoves and aggressive gestures. It wasn't playful roughhousing—there was real anger there.
"Do it!" Dave's voice cut through the air, loud and commanding, as he shoved Santiago in the chest. Puck and Finn watched, waiting for something to happen. Santiago stood in the middle, his expression hard, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
"Brittany?" Kurt's voice broke through her thoughts. He had stopped talking, noticing her distraction. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Sorry, Kurt," she said quickly, turning back to her locker. "I just... I think something's going on with Santiago." Kurt rolled his eyes, following her gaze to the group of boys. "Of course, something's going on with Santiago. He's always getting into something these days." Kurt leaned closer, dropping his voice. "Honestly, Brittany, I don't know how you ever put up with him. He's such a jerk now."
Brittany sighed. Kurt wasn't wrong. As she turned to close her locker, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She barely had time to process what was happening before Santiago was standing in front of her, his gaze locking onto hers. For a split second, the world seemed to be still, and the noise of the hallway faded into the background. Brittany felt her heart race, unsure of what he was going to say or do.
"Happy birthday, Britt," Santiago said, his voice low but not unkind. There was something almost apologetic in his eyes, but before Brittany could respond, something cold and wet slammed into her face.
It took a moment for her brain to catch up with what had just happened. The world went red—literally. A bright, sticky red substance covered her face, her hair, and her clothes. The overwhelming coldness made her gasp for breath, and the sugary sweetness of the slushie stung her eyes and nose. It wasn't just cold - it was painful.
Brittany stumbled back, her hands flying to her face as she tried to wipe the slushie from her eyes. "I can't breathe!" she managed to shout, panic rising in her chest. "I'm dying!" The sticky, suffocating mess made it hard to catch her breath, and the sensation of being completely covered in something so cold and thick only made it worse.
Around her, she could hear the hall erupt in laughter—students cheering, jeering, or simply standing by in shock. But through the chaos, she felt someone grab her arm, pulling her out of the spotlight.
"Brittany, come on! Let's get you cleaned up," Rachel's voice said urgently. She appeared at Brittany's side, her hand gripping Brittany's wrist as she led her toward the nearest bathroom. Brittany could barely see through the thick, sticky slushie that dripped into her eyes, but she trusted Rachel's guidance, stumbling along as they made their way out of the hall.
"I can't see," Brittany said, her voice weak and shaky. The slushie continued to drip down her face, blurring her vision and making it hard to open her eyes. It felt like the entire world had turned into a sticky, red haze, and Brittany fought the rising panic in her chest.
"I've got you," Rachel reassured her, her voice soothing despite the clear frustration she felt. They pushed open the door to the girls' bathroom, and Rachel immediately guided Brittany to the sink.
"Hold still," Rachel instructed, grabbing a handful of paper towels and wetting them in the sink. She worked quickly, gently dabbing at Brittany's face and hair, trying to clean off as much of the slushie as possible.
Brittany leaned over the sink, her hands gripping the edges as she tried to steady her breathing. Her heart was still racing, and the coldness of the slushie had seeped into her clothes, leaving her shivering.
"That idiot Santiago," Rachel muttered, her voice thick with disgust. She continued to wipe the slushie from Brittany's face, her movements gentle but firm. "He's such an a-hole. I can't believe he did that."
Brittany didn't respond right away. She wasn't even sure what to say. The shock of what had just happened was still settling in, and part of her couldn't believe that Santiago, her Santiago, had been the one to throw the slushie in her face, on her birthday. She had expected cruel comments from his friends, maybe even some teasing, but this? It felt like a betrayal on a level she hadn't been prepared for.
"I'm sorry, Britt," Rachel said softly, her voice breaking through Brittany's thoughts. "You didn't deserve that. He's a jerk, and so are all his friends."
Brittany swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as Rachel wiped the last of the slushie from her eyes. The sting was still there, but her vision was finally starting to clear. She looked at herself in the mirror and winced at the sight. "I don't understand why he did it" Brittany whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of confusion and hurt. She turned to face Rachel, her eyes searching her friend's face for answers that she knew Rachel couldn't provide.
Rachel sighed, tossing the soaked paper towels into the trash. "I don't either, but it's not your fault. Santiago's just... he's changed. And not for the better." The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and the start of their next class, but Brittany didn't move. She couldn't. All she could do was stand there, staring at her reflection and wondering when everything had gone so wrong between her and Santiago.
Brittany's hands trembled as she typed out a quick text to her mom, wiping away the last remnants of slushie that clung to her hair. Her fingers felt stiff, and her chest was heavy with an aching sadness that seemed to have settled deep in her bones.
"Can you pick me up?" she typed, her thumb hovering over the send button for a moment before finally pressing it. Within seconds, her mom responded with a simple, "On my way."
Brittany let out a shaky breath, clutching her phone tightly. The slushie had been washed off, but the coldness lingered, both on her skin and in her heart. The sting of embarrassment still clung to her, and the betrayal from Santiago was even harder to shake.
Rachel gave her a small smile as they stood outside the school. "Are you sure you don't want to talk to someone? Or stay for the rest of the day? We can go see the nurse." Brittany shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to go home."
Rachel nodded, giving her one last hug before Brittany's mom pulled up to the curb. Whitney Pierce smiled through the windshield, her face full of concern as she saw Brittany standing there. Brittany swallowed the lump in her throat, took one last deep breath, and headed toward the car.
The moment she slid into the passenger seat, she could feel the weight of her mom's gaze, heavy with unspoken questions. Whitney's brow furrowed as she took in her daughter's appearance, still slightly disheveled, hair a mess from the hastily wiped slushie, and eyes red and puffy from the tears she had tried so hard to hold back.
"What happened, Brittany? Are you okay?" Brittany felt her mom's gentle hand on her arm, but the touch was too much, too tender. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, avoiding her mom's eyes. "I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled, her voice tight with emotion. "I just want to go home and take a shower."
Whitney's concern deepened, but she didn't push. She could see the pain etched across Brittany's face and knew her daughter would tell her when she was ready. She gave a small nod and turned the car toward home, the rest of the ride filled with an oppressive silence.
Once they arrived home, Brittany made a beeline for the bathroom. She stood under the hot shower for what felt like forever, trying to wash away not just the physical remnants of the day, but the emotional ones as well. But no matter how much soap or water she used, she couldn't scrub away the humiliation or the gnawing hurt that had taken root inside her. The more she thought about it, the more the tears came, and she let them, allowing herself to cry quietly where no one could hear.
When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her skin pink from the hot water and her eyes swollen from crying, she found her mom sitting on the edge of her bed, holding out a fresh set of clothes. Whitney gave her a small, encouraging smile, but Brittany couldn't return it. "Your dad and I thought we'd take you out for your birthday dinner tonight," Whitney said gently. "I know it's been a rough day, but maybe it'll be a nice distraction."
Brittany nodded wordlessly. She didn't feel like going out, didn't feel like celebrating anything, but she also didn't want to disappoint her parents. She knew they had probably been looking forward to this all week, planning it as a special birthday treat. So she got dressed, even if the thought of putting on a happy face felt exhausting.
By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Brittany's mood had sunk even lower. She stared out the window during the drive, the streets passing by in a blur as she tried to mentally prepare herself for what was supposed to be a fun evening. As they walked through the restaurant's front doors, Brittany's eyes immediately landed on the familiar faces waiting at a table near the back, her heart sank even further. The Lopez family. Maribel stood first, smiling widely as she spotted Brittany.
"Happy Birthday, Brittany!" Maribel called, standing up to give her a warm hug as soon as they reached the table. Brittany stiffened in her embrace, the sudden closeness making her feel even more fragile. The last thing she wanted was to be here, to sit at a table with the Lopez family, to have to see Santiago again after what he did. But there was no escaping it now.
As Maribel released her, Brittany's eyes flicked to Santiago, who sat awkwardly at the table. He couldn't meet her gaze. His hands were fidgeting with his napkin. The sight of him made Brittany's stomach churn, and all the anger and hurt she had tried to push down bubbled back to the surface.
"Did you have a good day?" Maribel asked cheerfully as Whitney and Stephen exchanged pleasantries with Antonio. Before Brittany could answer, her mom chimed in. "Well—"
"It was fine," Brittany interrupted quickly, forcing a tight smile as she took a seat at the table. She couldn't bear the thought of her mom recounting the events of the day. She didn't want anyone to know, especially not Maribel or Antonio. "It was school, you know. Same old, same old."
Dinner dragged on, every minute feeling like an hour. The conversation at the table flowed easily among the adults, but Brittany remained quiet, barely picking at her food. At one point, Maribel turned to Brittany with a concerned frown. "You're quiet tonight, Brittany. Everything okay?"
Brittany forced another smile, this one even more brittle than before. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess." Maribel gave her a sympathetic look, but thankfully, she didn't push the issue. Brittany was grateful for that small mercy. She didn't know how much longer she could keep pretending everything was fine when all she wanted was to go home, crawl into bed, and forget this day had ever happened.
Maribel's cheerful voice suddenly cut through Brittany's thoughts, jolting her back to the present. "Oh, before I forget!" Maribel reached under the table and pulled out a small stack of brightly wrapped presents, placing them in front of Brittany with a beaming smile. "We got you a few things for your birthday."
Brittany blinked in surprise as Maribel pushed the gifts toward her, her smile never faltering. "Santiago helped pick these out for you," she said, her voice filled with warmth as she glanced at her son. "Didn't you, Santiago?" There was a brief pause before Santiago nodded, his eyes still fixed on the table. "Yeah," he mumbled, barely audible.
She reached for the first gift, a small card attached to the top of the box. The handwriting was neat, delicate—Maribel's, no doubt. Brittany opened it, glancing at the brief message from Maribel and Antonio: "Happy Birthday, Brittany! Wishing you a year full of happiness, love, and success! We're so proud of the young woman you've become. Love, Maribel, and Antonio"
It was a sweet message, and she appreciated the sentiment, even if it felt a little hollow at the moment. She placed the card aside and picked up the next one, her fingers brushing against the envelope addressed simply: "Brit."
The handwriting was different this time—familiar, though shakier than she remembered. She opened it carefully, unfolding the card and scanning the brief message inside. "Happy Birthday, Brit. Hope you have another great year being the smart and intelligent person you are. One day you'll take over the world, and I can't wait to see it. – Sanny."
She sighed softly, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions as her fingers trembled slightly as she set the card aside and reached for the first gift. She unwrapped it slowly, peeling back the brightly colored paper to reveal a giant stuffed whale. Its soft, plush body was a deep ocean blue, with a wide smile stitched across its face. Brittany stared at it for a moment, her lips twitching into a small, bittersweet smile. She had always loved marine animals, whales especially. "Do you like it?" Maribel asked, her voice full of hope. Brittany nodded, hugging the whale to her chest. "Yeah," she said quietly. "It's really cute. Thank you"
Next, she unwrapped a few books—classic novels that she had mentioned in passing months ago, books that she had been meaning to read but hadn't gotten around to yet. She ran her fingers over the covers, appreciating the thoughtful selection, though the ache in her chest only deepened.
And then, the last gift. As she tore away the wrapping paper, she found herself holding an envelope with a small stack of tickets inside. She pulled them out, her brows furrowing in confusion for a moment before she realized what they were.
Zoo tickets.
Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up at Maribel, who was watching her expectantly, her smile wide and bright. "Maybe you and Santiago could go together?" Maribel suggested, her voice full of enthusiasm. "You always loved going to the zoo together when you were kids."
Brittany's stomach twisted at the suggestion. The idea of spending any more time with Santiago right now, after everything that had happened, felt unbearable. But Maribel didn't know that. She didn't know about the slushie, about the way Santiago had humiliated her in front of everyone at school. She didn't know that the boy sitting beside her wasn't the same boy who used to hold Brittany's hand as they ran through the zoo, laughing at the monkeys and watching in awe as the dolphins swam gracefully in their tanks.
Brittany forced a smile, nodding slightly. "Yeah, maybe," she said, though the words tasted like a lie. She could feel Santiago shifting uncomfortably beside her, his gaze still fixed on the table. He hadn't said a word, hadn't even acknowledged the suggestion. He was silent as if the idea of spending time with her was just as difficult for him as it was for her.
Eventually, dessert arrived, and Brittany's mom insisted on a slice of cake with a candle for her. The small flickering flame felt almost mocking, a symbol of a birthday she no longer felt like celebrating. She made a wish as she blew it out, though—something simple, something quiet: for the hurt to go away, for everything to go back to the way it had been before.
The ride home from the restaurant was shrouded in silence. The streetlights outside blurred past the windows, casting fleeting shadows across Brittany's face as she sat in the passenger seat, staring at the stuffed whale on her lap. She ran her fingers absently over its soft fabric, It had been a long day.
Whitney finally broke the silence, her voice gentle but probing. "So, are you excited about the zoo?" After a long pause, Brittany nodded, but there was no enthusiasm in the gesture. She shrugged slightly, her voice flat. "Yeah, I guess."
Whitney glanced at her, sensing something more beneath the surface. "You guess?" she repeated, trying to gauge what was bothering her daughter. "I thought you loved the zoo."
Brittany felt a lump form in her throat. She did love the zoo—just not with him. She sighed, her fingers gripping the stuffed whale tighter as she finally turned to look at her mom. "Not with him, though." Her words hung in the air, sharp and heavy. Whitney furrowed her brow, confusion flickering across her face. "What do you mean? With who?"
Brittany's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to find the right words. She didn't want to get into it—not here, not now. But after the day she'd had, she couldn't hold it in anymore. "If Santiago's going, then I'm not going."
The silence that followed was thick, punctuated only by the sound of the car's tires rolling over the road. Whitney didn't respond immediately, and Brittany could feel the weight of her mother's confusion and concern. It was clear that Whitney had no idea what had happened between her and Santiago, no idea about the humiliation Brittany had suffered that afternoon.
Her younger sister, sitting in the back seat, finally broke the silence, her voice puzzled. "Why? I thought you guys were like, best friends?"
Brittany clenched her jaw, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and sadness. She glanced at her sister in the rearview mirror, her eyes flashing with frustration. "We were."
Whitney slowed the car slightly as though the heaviness in the atmosphere was physically weighing down the vehicle. "Britt, what's going on? Did something happen between you and Santiago?" Her voice was calm but laced with concern.
Brittany didn't want to explain, didn't want to relive the humiliation of that afternoon. But the words were bubbling up inside her, too strong to keep bottled up any longer. She could feel the sting of the slushie against her skin, the jeers of Santiago's friends, and the way Santiago had just stood there, watching it all unfold without a hint of remorse.
"Santiago Lopez is an asshole." the words coming out with more passion than she had intended.
Her parent's eyes both widened slightly in surprise, and her sister blinked, clearly shocked by the venom in Brittany's voice. "Brittany," her mom said, her voice soft but firm, "language."