Title:You dropped your towel
Author:Leiram
Pairing:Santana Lopez & Brittany S. Pierce
Rating:PG-13 / R
Spoilers:None. Doesn't follow the Glee storyline
A/U:Life two years after college graduation.
A/N:My first attempt on a brittana literary piece. Your comments are highly and definitely encouraged. Thank you for checking this out.
Synopsis:After a falling out, they find themselves facing each other once in a rather compromising situation, again. Panic and confusion in their eyes and a damp towel between them, for the second time.
Disclaimer:All characters herein mentioned are under the ownership of 20th Century Fox's Glee, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Ian Brenann. All contents pertaining to such characters, and then some are products of my imagination.
Chapter 1
Santana Lopez, the upcoming next big thing in the world corporate advertising decided to skip work today, calling in sick wasn't really her thing but it'd have to do. She's feeling a little lazy today. She went out on her yard for a walk and a quick dip in the pool; she wanted a day alone just to get things out of her mind. It was a hot day; the humidity reminded her of summer long ago. She let out a little laugh, she heard herself and was surprised, it wasn't what you'd call a happy summer but in some ways it could've been, maybe it did, and maybe it was.
It was a hot and humid summer break, today was no different. Clear skies, not a cloud in sight, the heat wave's getting worse. It's the hottest summer they've ever been in. This particular summer was harsher for them, especially for her best friend, Brittany. It was a bad time for her, her mom just passed away. They said the heat compromised her recovery; she just had a triple by-pass and was well on her way for a good recovery, until the heat waves came. They thought of moving to Vermont for the rest of the break but it was too late. Her mom was deteriorating rapidly. Nothing could be done. She kept to herself after that. She rarely went out and spoke little. She refused food and locked herself to her room. She had no one else. She was sad and angry and alone.
"Brit? Are you there? Hey, open up. It's me. Open up Brit."
There came a knock on her door, then another one. Then it started to sound a little louder. She was banging on her door.
"B, c'mon. Open up. I'll knock this door over, you know I can and I swear I will."
She heard a sliding sound and then a crisp click of the bolted door. Santana opened the door and burst in, closed the door behind her and then faced where Brittany sat. Her room was in order, Santana was expecting it to be in a mess, like the usual but it was clean. She saw Brittany sitting by the edge of her bed, looking out the window, her back facing Santana. She could hear her sobs. Santana looked down, avoided the scene, she hated seeing her hurt. It was alien to her, she usually giggling at everything, bouncing up and down, always with that bright smile on her face. Seeing her like this twisted her insides.
"Hey, Brit. I came as soon as I heard. I'm sorry." Santana stayed where she stood. Her back against the door, she dared not come close, not yet. "I came looking for you. Your dad said you locked up. I brought food, he said you haven't eaten anything after, after..." she couldn't bring herself to say the words. "Anyway, I, I was looking for you." Santana said. "Everyone is." she continued.
"Of course you were." came the reply, her voice was near inaudible, probably because she hasn't had anything, not even a sip of water. "Everyone kept apologizing, San. But that wouldn't change anything now would it?" Brittany turned and looked at her, her eyes piercing through; Santana saw tear stains on her face, her eyes swollen and puffy. The usual bright blue wasn't there, but was replaced by bluish gray. Her lips chapped and dry. Santana couldn't bear just standing there; she raced to her bed, and stood in front of Brittany. She knelt and hugged her.
"No it wouldn't, Brit, neither will locking yourself inside your room and trying to be like those zombies in that lame movie. Santana cupped her cheeks, wiped the tears gushing out of her eyes then kissing them shut. "Now you keep 'em shut Brit. I'll get some ice to keep the swelling down. Stay there ok?" Santana ordered while leading Brittany to lie down, kissed her forehead before going downstairs. Brittany touched her forehead were Santana's kiss burned her skin, a small smile tugging the corners of her mouth, the first time since her mom passed. When she got back to Brittany's room she was sitting up again, her eyes still shut. Santana entered the room, quietly staring at her bestfriend. "San?" Brittany asked. "Yeah, I'm here B." she replied. "Didn't I tell you to lie down?" Santana said sitting next to Brittany. "I wanted to hear you come up my room. I like the sound your feet makes." she answered. Santana smiled, "Lay down will you."
The swelling finally went down; Brittany lay down on her bed, just as Santana told her. Her eyes still closed, her hands searching for Santana s.
"I'm here." she said touching Brittany's hand. "Do you need anything?" she asked her as Brittany took Santana's hand. "Not really San, but do you mind staying for a while?" Brittany pulling her close. Santana reluctantly followed and sat on her bed leaning on the headboard. "Yeah, sure B." she said to her. Brittany feeling Santana close, she turned and put her head on Santana s lap, Santana then gently stroked Brittany s hair to help her sleep, then after a while she herself slept.
"San?" She stirred at the sound of her voice; Santana slowly opened her eyes and turned towards the voice. "San." She heard it again. "Brit?" Santana replied. "What's wrong? Are you feeling ok?" she asked. She found herself lying next to her, Brittany's arms around her waist. "Brit, hey." she looked at her, Brittany was crying again. It pained her seeing her best friend like that. "I dreamt about mom again." she said. "I miss her San. I really miss her." Brittany said with tears rolling down her cheeks. Santana put her arms around Brittany and pulled her close to her. She doesn't know what to say to her. She kissed her forehead, wiped her tears then hugged her close again, Brittany buried her head on Santana s chest and wrapped her arms around her waist, she was crying hard again. No words came from either of them. Santana pulled Brittany for a cuddle. She could see the tear stains on her cheeks, fought the urge to kiss them but failed. "San?" Brittany said surprised. Santana was caught with strange emotions. Stuttering she tried to talk, "I, I just wanted to make the pain go away. I, my mom used to do that whenever I hurt myself." Santana said looking away.
They stayed like that for a while, just basking in the comfortable silence. Brittany smiled, "Thanks San." Santana smiled feigning sleep. Brittany planted one on her best friend before closing her eyes and stirring back in her sleep but leaving Santana wide awake. She bit her lower lip, contemplating that seconds ago her bestfriend s lips were on them, she then looked at Brittany, who she thought was sleeping already. She was trembling, confused stunned and then smiling at the same time. She s at loss of words and barely knows what to do next. unknown to her a slight tug on the corners of her mouth. Deep warmth engulfed her whole being. She looked at the girl in front of her, the girl she calls her bestfriend for as long as she could remember. She looked at the only girl, the only person she loved more than herself. She moved in closer, hands entwined their foreheads touching, nose rubbing against each other; lips daringly close, separated by only a breadth of hair. They slept snugly and with contented peace.
"BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!" the doorbell rang, cutting her from her reminiscing.
Brittany was caught in traffic, she was going to be late and it was her first day. The heat wasn't helping either, people around her are shouting at each other. Road rage everywhere. Even her cab driver's on a short fuse. She was getting worried. "Excuse me, Mister?" Brittany said. "Eh, wadd'ya wan' lady?" the driver snapped. Brittany moved back a little, cautious not to engage in a disagreement. "Can you let me out right here mister, I'll just walk it out." she said letting out a small smile. The driver looked at her, softening up a bit. "You sure? I'sa smeltin' ot out there righ' now lady." the cab driver said without the harshness she found earlier. "I'll be fine mister. Thank you. How much will it be?" Brittany said. "Tha'll be 4.56 missy." the cabbie said. Brittany passed the bill then went out, started towards the Fifth at Sax. She still has a lot of walking to do. She glanced at her watch, "The long dude is up near 10 already, I'm not gonna make it." she said, then started to run.
She was late for a good thirty minutes; she was asked to go to meeting room. Brittany started to panic. "The meeting room? It's my first day, what am i supposed to be doing there?" thoughts of getting fires in her first day started prancing in. "I'm screwed. Ugh!" she said. Her foot tapping the well tiled floor, her knees still trembling from all the running.
"Miss Pierce." a stranger said. "Yes!" Brittany sat up straight, startled by the voice. "They're ready for you now" the man looked at her studying her. Brittany stood up then went to where the man pointed. She opened the door, went in and disappeared behind it.
A group of men wearing suits were seated, busily talking among themselves. She went in unnoticed and stood by the corner. She stood there for a good while until the lone woman noticed her. She looked at her, motioned her to come closer to the panel.
"Miss Pierce I assume?" the woman in power suit said. Thank you for volunteering, I understand you're a new employee? She asked.
"Volunteer? Um, yes ma'am it's actually my fir-." Brittany stated but got cut. "Good, it's nice to have employees showing initiative. Now Miss Pierce, we're kind of in a tiny pinch. We're about to close a deal, a very big, big deal but we kind of, what do you youngsters call it? Snag? Yes, we kind of hit a snag. So, we need your help. I need your help." the woman stood imposing. Brittany listened well; it could help her save this job. "I need you to go to this address and deliver this envelope, I will need you to stay there until these are signed, then come back. It's most important that these papers are signed, ok?" the woman looked at her intently. Brittany nodded her head without saying anything. "Good. Now off you go." the woman patted at her shoulder then returned to her seat. Brittany stood then went out as quietly as she went in. she started walking towards the elevator and read the address. "Oh, what did i put myself into? Well, at least I wasn't fired." Brittany thought to herself.
She was at the lobby waiting for the taxi the company called for her, one of the perks of working for a huge ass advertising company as this. She was sitting down, still thinking about how she managed to save her job. "But I haven't, well not yet..." she thought to herself. "Miss Pierce, your cab's here." the doorman said. She stood up and raced to the door. "You be careful now." said the doorman. "Thank you, mister." her reply. Brittany sat inside the cab and gave him the slip of paper with the directions. The cab sped down the curb and disappeared. Brittany thought it was going to be a long drive. She was right, the last thing she thought she saw was a man trying to climb the empire state. "That s silly." she said to herself before drifting to memories of long ago.
Her back felt sore during the long drive, she wanted to sleep but her bestfriend always warned her that she d wake up in a strange place without a way back if she did. So she kept herself awake, wandering what has become of her. She last saw her by the bleachers back at Columbia. She leaned back and drifted away back almost 3 years ago.
Ugh, what is it now? her condescension was apparent on her tone. Santana went out of the pool and started towards the door; she clutched a towel hanging by the lounge recliners and tried to wrap herself with it. Another ring on the door reverberated which caused her to be more irritated. Yeah, yeah. I m coming! she shouted clutching the towel with one hand and trying to support herself while skimming through the wet floor with the other. Before the third buzz went off she opened the door ready to banter with whoever this unlucky person is on the other side.
What do you want? came the indignation to the stranger out her door, she hasn't even checked through the peephole. She was caught in a visceral excitement of shoving off this unwanted visitor. The door on a full swing caught the visitor off guard, but not so much as the one who opened it. Through her surprise she unconsciously let go of the towel she was once clutching with her hand which was now on her mouth, covering what seems as amazement, or panic, or both.