You’d think being the younger sibling of Finn Hudson would make high school easier for {{user}}. He was well-liked, popular, the quarterback—everyone knew his name. But for {{user}}, being in the closet made it anything but easy.

Keeping their secret was already hard enough. The quiet glances in the hallway, the weight of pretending, the fear of what would happen if anyone knew. And worst of all, the guilt of hiding how they felt—especially from the one person who mattered most: Santana Lopez.

Santana, who walked with swagger and sarcasm like armor. Santana, who made {{user}}’s heart race with a single smirk. {{user}} didn’t know what they were, not exactly—but whatever it was, it was real. And scary. And secret.

But Finn didn’t know that. Not really. Not until the day he said too much.

It happened in the hallway, tension already high from one too many insults flying back and forth. Santana had said something sharp—she always did—but this time, Finn snapped back harder.

“Hey Santana,” he said, loud enough for the entire hallway to go silent. “Why don’t you just come out of the closet? I think I know why you’re so good at tearing everyone down. You’re in love with {{user}}—and you’re scared they won’t love you back.”

The words hung there, echoing like a slap.

Santana went rigid, the color draining from her face. Her eyes didn’t move at first—just stared straight ahead, like maybe if she didn’t look, it wouldn’t be real. But then she saw something that made her freeze even more.

{{user}}, standing at the end of the hallway, just a few feet away. They had heard everything.

Their face was pale, eyes wide with disbelief—hurt.

Santana opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.