Disclaimer: Definitely not mine. If they were mine, Glee would be all about Brittana, trust me.
Author's Note: This is an AU fix, based on some of the things that happened around the end of Season 2. Enjoy!
~2011~
"Can I ask you a question?", Brittany S. Pierce asked as she leaned against the locker, facing Santana Lopez. "We used to be really close and I really miss being your friend," she said shyly as her best friend, or ex best friend, avoided her gaze.
"Still waiting for the question," Santana replied dryly, not really feeling like talking to her right now. Or anytime soon for the matter.
"Did I do something wrong?" Brittany asked innocently. She really couldn't figure out exactly what had happened. She didn't understand why, after saying she loved her, Santana was acting so mean and cold.
"I honestly don't know what I was thinking," Santana said, almost as if she had read her thoughts at that exact same moment. Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had voiced the question out loud.
Those words hurt more than anything Brittany had experienced before. She had been so happy when Santana had declared her love, even though she couldn't be with her at the moment. It didn't seem fair to hurt Artie like that. He had been a really nice guy to her and he didn't deserve it, that's why she couldn't do anything, not because she didn't love Santana back. It just wasn't the right moment.
Days passed and things were still weird between them. Brittany tried many times to reconnect with Santana, but she only kept pushing her away. The few times she got her to really talk about what had happened, it only ended up making things worse. Brittany didn't know what to do anymore.
One day, she heard Santana being interviewed. It was a day that marked the before and after of their friendship.
"So, you two are in looove?" Jacob asked her, referring to her relationship with Karofsky. "Soul mates so to speak?"
Santana was aware Brittany was listening to every word she said. She replied, looking at her straight in the eyes. "Yeah," she answered, "I'd say that was accurate," she finished as she walked away, not looking back.
Brittany felt that same pain again, deep in her. It hurt her stomach, she felt a lump in her throat and all she wanted to do was get away,
From that day on, things were never the same. They started to grow further and further apart, leaving that beautiful friendship they once had behind. And so, their last high school years went by and by the end, as each took their own paths to continue with their lives, they didn't even say goodbye.
Twelve years later ~2023~
Santana Lopez sat at the back of a taxi, looking around at the buildings that surrounded her. She had been living in New York City for about a year now and she still didn't get used to it. It was definitely different from where she had grown up.
After high school, she ended up studying and successfully graduating from Law School. It was a surprise to most of those that knew her back then, but it turned out she was darn good at it. Her persistence and character helped her become one of the best lawyers out there, reason why she had been hired by one of the most famous law firms in the States. That's how she ended up living in New York now, something she enjoyed but still had some hard time getting used to.
"Hello?" Santana said as she answered her phone, placing it on her shoulder as she exited the taxi and closed the door behind her. "Yeeees," she replied, rolling her eyes, "I'm getting there. I told you I'd pick her up today, don't worry," she said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I'm about to go in," she said as she looked up and read the sign that indicated she was in the right place. "I'm here. I'll see you tonight." She paused. "I love you too. Bye."
Santana put her phone back in her pocket and entered the dance studio, looking around to find the right class. She approached the room that seemed to have 4 to 6 year olds in it and stood by the door, looking for Sasha. She finally spotted her, dark hair and light skin moved around the room, picking up her things. She had made it just in time.
She smiled as she admired the little girl, laughing as she ran away from another girl, not a care in the world. She heard a few claps coming from the teacher, whose back was at her, trying to get them all to calm down to say some last words before the session ended.
"Alright kids, great job!" she said, and Santana's heart stopped. She could recognize that voice right away. She took a better look at the teacher's back and slowly started recognizing the figure. Blonde hair in a ponytail, perfect curves in the right places, toned arms and a firm… Santana stopped her thoughts, trying to figure out what to do. She had to get out of there. She turned around quickly, ready to leave when she heard a voice from behind call her name.
"San!" Sasha screamed, excited to see her there. Santana had to stop in her tracks, it was too late. She slowly turned around, hoping nobody had payed any attention to the little girl screaming. Too bad it wasn't the case.
She placed a fake smile as her eyes met the little girl's, who was already running towards her with her arms open. Santana had no other option but to kneel down and wait for her with arms wide open as well. She looked up just as she hugged her, and her eyes met with one's she hadn't seen in a while. In a long, long while.
"Santana?" Brittany asked, surprised. "Is that really you?" she said, a huge smile on her face.
Santana stood up slowly, feeling her knees getting weak but not able to let them fail her, since she was holding Sasha in her arms at the moment. "H-hi," she stuttered, probably not loud enough.
"You know her?" Sasha asked, excited, "How cool!"
Brittany approached, the smile still on her face. "Yeah, we do," she said as she ran her hand through Sasha's hair, "we used to be friends back in school." She explained, which caused Santana to look away, shifting uncomfortably.
Sasha wrapped her little arms around Santana's neck, beaming at her, "It's so cool you know her, San! She's the best dance teacher ever!"
Santana smiled at the little girl's enthusiasm, still unable to look at Brittany straight in the eyes. "Yeah? That's good to hear. Now, it's time that we go home," she said, wanting to get away from that place as fast as possible. Definitely first and last time she offered to pick Sasha up.
"You don't have to go so fast," Brittany said, hope in her voice. She really wished she would stay a bit longer. She had wondered for so long how Santana was and if she was doing ok. From the looks of it, she was. "You guys can stay a bit longer."
"Yeah!" Sasha screamed, trying to get off of Santana's arms. "Can we stay for a little while? Please?" She asked, giving her 'the look', the one she knew Santana could rarely resist.
"I don't know, Sasha, your mom's gonna be home soon. I promised her we would be there when she did," she explained, trying to make it sound like a good excuse.
The girl's face turned sad. "Oh…"
Santana sighed, not really wanting to give in. She did not want to be in that room right now. She didn't want to face Brittany again. She didn't want all those memories coming back again. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Maybe next time you and your mom can stay for a bit longer."
The little girl just lowered her shoulders and went to get her things.
"I'm sorry you can't stay a bit longer," Brittany said, meaning every word.
"Yeah, her mom's really…" Santana trailed off, even words failing her.
Brittany nodded. "Maybe we can grab some coffee sometime soon?"
"Um… I… Err-" What was wrong with her? Santana usually could come up with the best words in front of a judge in a trail, but she couldn't say anything coherent in front of Brittany? Come on, it's been years! "I can't. I'm only here on a visit, I leave, um, tomorrow." Really, Santana? Is that the best you can come up with?
Brittany nodded once again, sadness crossing her face. Santana's heart skipped a beat, remembering that same look on her face years ago.
"I'm really sorry, I-"
Brittany shook her head, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I understand," she said, smiling at her again. That smile… "It was great seeing you anyway. I hope everything goes great for you."
Santana nodded, her mind telling her to get out of there, her heart telling her otherwise. "Yeah, you too. Take care, Britt."
Sasha came back with her things, ready to leave. "See you, Miss S."
"Bye Sasha, say hi to your mom."
Sasha nodded and grabbed Santana's hand, walking away. Santana hailed a cab and got inside with Sasha, both looking back at the dance studio. Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she saw Brittany standing by the doorway as the taxi drove away.
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this first chapter. Hopefully it was worth it!