It started out with a letter. Dani had always received letters from fans, but this one was different. She had been exchanging letters back and forth with this woman for almost a year now. Every week she would wait in anticipation of her manager bringing the fan mail on the tour bus. When she got them, she would quickly sift through trying to find the one with the bold heart next to the woman's name. She felt oddly attached. She did not know much about this girl, but from what she could tell she was very guarded.
DANI'S POV
"Dani! Fan mail is here!"
"Thanks Jason!"
He gives me a knowing smile as I quickly grab the stack of letters and find the one with the heart in the top left corner. Scanning the envelope I see the heart with her name next to it and I can't help but smile.
Santana Lopez.
I open the letter and start reading.
Dani,
I'm glad you are having fun on tour, I can imagine that it is extremely exciting yet exhausting at the same time. Lucky you though, you get to travel the world while I am stuck in this mundane life at NYU. The highlight of my week was going to your concert. It was amazing and I can't wait to do it again some time. I was going to write you about it earlier, but I didn't think that you would want to meet me. So, maybe next time you are in New York we could meet up. Just a thought. Here's my number: (212) – 555 – 0176.
Yours truly,
Santana Lopez
I dropped the letter in utter shock. A picture had fallen out of Santana taking a selfie at my concert just a couple days ago. I didn't know she lived in New York.
I quickly pull out my macbook and google map NYU's campus. Come to find out he school is less than two miles from where I was performing that night.
I quickly punch her number into my phone and send her a text message.
To Santana 7:51 p.m.
Hey! I got your letter. I didn't know you were from NY. How come you didn't tell me sooner? I would have loved to meet you.
After hitting send I get off my bed and head towards the bathroom to take a shower and get ready to relax. I'm very thankful that the tour is over. It has been a long 5 months and I am just ready to get back to LA and start writing and recording for the new album. Touring is so much fun, but it just takes a toll on my body.
I am even excited to get back to my weekly meetings with my therapist. Being on the road challenges me mentally and physically, and I really need to get back on track with my progress.
Before I know it the water in the shower has turned cold. I hop out and start drying off. I my clothes on and hop into my bed. I pick my phone up off the nightstand.
Santana 8:11 p.m.
1 New Message
Hey. I think I know who this is, but just is case… who is this?
I quickly type back a response.
To Santana 8:23 p.m.
It's Dani. You know…you only gave me your number in the latest letter. ;)
From Santana 8:27 p.m.
That's who I thought you were, if you aren't busy you should give me a call. It's hard to text and walk at the same time. lol
I pick up my phone and look at the time. It's 8:45. I don't want to make her run into anyone while she is walking so I hit call. My heart starts fluttering at the thought of hearing her voice. The phone beings to ring.
SANTANA'S POV
I cannot believe that Dani Taylor texted me. It was a shot in the dark giving her my number. I definitely did not think she would use it, especially that quickly.
I am a 20-year-old studying pre-law at NYU. As one of my assignments for class we had to draft a letter to anyone that we wanted. I had always admired Dani, her music especially. I know that she comes from a rough past, but so do I. Which is why I was drawn to her. I the first letter never thinking I would hear back, but I did. The communication had been going on for almost a year. Oddly enough I feel comforted by writing her, it's nice to have someone who is actually interested to hear about your days.
I am walking along the streets of Manhattan, hands shoved in my pockets looking down to avoid the snow blowing around. I am continually thinking about that text message I sent Dani. Maybe it was too forward.
As I am walking around the corner to my apartment my ringtone alerts me to an incoming call.
Like the legend of the phoenix.
All ends with beginnings.
What keeps the planet spinning?
The force of love beginning.
I look down and see the name Dani flashing across the screen. I can't help but smile to myself.
"Hello?"
"Hey Santana! How are you?"
"I'm doing well, thanks. You?"
"Great. Especially now that the tour is over."
Silence overtakes the phone as I am fumbling to get my keys into the lock. I finally make it in and see my roommate, Rachel, staring at me. I walk right past her and into my bedroom. I am the first to break the silence.
"So, what are you going to do now that the tour is over?"
"Maybe travel a bit. I really don't know, other than writing and recording, I have nothing set in stone."
"That's cool. Where are you at now?"
I hear some rustling on the other end of the line.
"From what I can tell, it looks like we are in Pittsburgh. The bus is stopping for the night and I am going to catch a plane in the morning back to LA."
I sigh, "Ok. Well I should get going I've gotta start reading for my classes tomorrow."
"Alright. Quick question."
"Yeah?"
"When I am in New York next would you like to meet up?"
"Yeah. Sure. Depends when it is, but yeah."
"Awesome. Well goodnight Santana. I'll text you later!"
"Bye Dani."
I hang up the phone and throw it on to by bed. I pull out my bag searching for my books. I pull out the right one and open it up to read the cases for tomorrow. I get about half way through the first case when I hear a knock on my door.
"Come in."
The door squeaks open and Rachel walks in. She just stands there staring at me.
I glare back at her, "Can I help you hobbit? I'm trying to do my homework."
She chuckles, "Don't act like you hate me, Santana. I know you don't."
Silence.
"So, Santana, who were you talking to when you came in?"
I turn around to look at her and laugh, "Really, Rachel? That's what you came in for?"
She looks at me and sits on my bed. She pats her hand at the spot next to her. I sigh and make my over to the bed sitting next to her.
She smiles and says, "So who was it?"
I take a deep breath, "Remember that letter I had to write last fall for that class?" She nods, so I continue, "Well it was to Dani Tay-"
She gasps, "Oh my gosh! Santana! Did she respond, what did she say? What does this have to do with who you were talking to?"
"She is the one who I was talking to. We have been exchanging letters back and forth for the past 9 months. In the most recent one I sent her I gave her my number. She texted me. I asked her to call because I was walking home."
I hear a buzz from the other side of the bed. I grab my phone.
Dani 9:51 p.m.
1 New Message
Hey Santana, hope your homework is going well! I just wanted to say hey. Maybe if you aren't busy tomorrow we could chat and set something up for me to visit NYC. :)
A small smile forms on my lips. Rachel looks over and reads the message and starts to squeal.
"SANTANA! Do you like her?! Oh my gosh!"
I look at her incredulously, "Rachel. I haven't even talked to her much. I don't even know if she is gay." I didn't want to admit to her that I may have a tiny crush on Dani, but that can figure itself out later. I haven't even met her in person yet, but she wants to. I am so conflicted. I don't know what to do. I want to let her in, but how do I know that she isn't going to just walk away like everyone else has.
Rachel interrupts my thoughts "Well I am going to hop in the shower and head to bed. Keep me updated!"
"Will do, Rach."
She walks out of my room and shuts the door. I lean back on my bed and sigh heavily. I don't know what to do. I want to get to know her. But, I don't want her to walk out on me like everyone else did when they found out I was gay. I don't even know if she is. I don't understand why someone like her is talking to someone like me. I grab my phone and type back a response.
To Dani 10:14 p.m.
Hey. Homework is going ok, a little distracted. Thanks. And yeah, you can call me anytime after 330 tomorrow. I should be home from class by then. I'm gonna head to bed though, it's been a long day. Night.
I put my phone on the charger and head to the bathroom to do my nightly routine. I get back into my room and notice a new text message.
Dani 10:17 p.m.
1 New Message
Alright! Look forward to it. Goodnight! :D
With that I sigh and let my mind wander as the dreams take over. What have I done?
AN: Hey guys! This is a new story. Still a work in progress, if anyone is interested in helping out with it that would be wonderful! Please leave reviews and let me know how it was or if you have any suggestions. I and in law school and I am a very busy person, I will do my very very best to update once a week. If you want: tweet me suggestions M4NDYP4NDY or message me or simply leave a comment! Thanks! :)
