It really didn't take long for Brittany to see the mysterious woman again.
To her pleasant surprise, the brunette was there on the following day. It had been Brittany's second 10 hour shift, and she had come even earlier than usual, just in time to see the woman coming in to work and they exchanged pleasantries.
The smile didn't leave the blonde's lips for the rest of the morning.
Even if Santana didn't show up during lunch hour, they met each other as she left at seven. Brittany noticed right away Santana was more talkative at the end of the day; probably because she didn't have a job to do. Brittany managed to not look like a complete blushing fool as she was finally able to start the least amount of small talk, commenting pointlessly about the weather. Lucky for her, the weather was acting strange. Winter in LA felt odd. It still hadn't rained but the temperature had dropped on the last few days.
"What happened to your watch?" Santana changed the subject, catching Brittany off guard as she pointed to the blonde's bare wrist with a frown. Brittany hopelessly tried to fight the inevitable blush that was already creeping into her face and shrugged, trying to act cool.
"Too bad. It was cute." the brunette smiled up at her. And Brittany couldn't help but think Santana might just be the sweetest.
That night Brittany went to sleep thinking about Santana.
The next day she wore the robot shaped watch.
She thought Santana might have given her a knowing smile. But she might be wrong.
The job had been a lot more exciting since Santana. Brittany now watched the monitors more carefully after every rush hour in the hopes of seeing her. Only in days she had an extended 10 hour shift she would see Santana in the morning and evening. She might have talked to Mr. Lynn to get her later shifts, since Hudson was usually late for the night shift anyway. Brittany didn't even try to convince herself that she didn't do it for Santana. This way, she would be able to see the brunette everyday as she left in the evening. She hoped that it wasn't too stalkish though.
It was funny to Brittany how she treated Santana on a first name basis and still called Ryder by Mr. Lynn; Puck reminded her the other day what his name was.
But Mr. Lynn didn't greet her with the same smile or twinkle in his eyes, like Santana. Or laugh at Brittany's lame attempt at a joke. Or even noticed the book Brittany was reading on her spare time and took the time to talk to Brittany about it. Santana didn't mock, like her mother or told her to grow up. Instead she got excited about it, when Brittany disclosure it was her favorite book.
"So they just got to Neverland?" She asked enthusiastically, her face brightened up.
Brittany was having a hard time forming words and not staring; Santana's dark hair was down today, and it just cascaded in soft curls over her shoulders and the blonde might have thought she looked angelic.
So Brittany just nodded.
Santana smiled. That tender and kind smile that made Brittany's heart flutter. The blonde wasn't used to someone paying such close attention to what she said, and with that much interest. Brittany felt she might just be falling for this girl already.
She might have been staring for a while now, but she really didn't really care. Though Santana's low voice caught her attention.
"Can I tell you a secret?" She whispered leaning forward, out of the car's window.
Brittany didn't think her grin could get any bigger as she nodded eagerly to Santana, leaning in as well.
Santana giggled at her reaction and whispered "Alice is my favorite book."
Brittany was surprised, but her smile only got bigger. "Awesome."
Santana looked from side to side before bringing a finger to her lips. "But don't tell anyone."
"It will be our secret." Brittany whispered, her face beaming. She felt a welcome warmth spreading through her at the thought that Santana would share a secret with her, regardless of what it was.
She bit her lip in thought. What she really wanted to do was share her own secret. She liked Santana. As simple as that. All she wanted was to just hop in Santana's car and drive into the sunset.
Their moment was broken when Santana gasped at the time.
She bid her farewell quickly, but was still so sweet.
When Brittany looked at her robot watch after seeing her off, she realized how late it actually was. They had been talking for nearly an hour.
She found herself smiling like an idiot as the Avalon drove off.
"What's this?" Brittany looked curiously at the package Santana just handed to her.
Santana ducked her head slightly and it was possibly the first time the brunette had faltered in her confidence so far, and Brittany was absolutely certain that it was the cutest thing. She thought she saw a shade of red on her cheeks, but it might have been just wishful thinking.
It took a few seconds for her to process the fact Santana was giving her something. She was giving Brittany a gift. And it wasn't even her birthday.
Brittany tore the package open in excitement not wanting to waste anymore time; her stomach feeling as if ducks were flapping its wings and flying in circles.
Her heart warmed at the sight of her gift.
"The other day you said you never read it before, just saw the movie. So I thought you might like it." Santana looked small as she carefully watched the blonde's reaction.
As if Brittany wouldn't like a gift from Santana. She inwardly laughed. But she was genuinely happy with her gift.
"I love it." Her voice softer than usual as she reassured the brunette, holding with the utmost care the copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in her hands. Though the book looked amazing with its fancy lettering and size, it also looked rather expensive. Perhaps too expensive. She could tell it was a special edition.
"Santana, I can't take this." The smiled that was on Santana's face after Brittany's first statement disappeared and was replaced by confused scowl.
"It's too…" Brittany didn't quite know how to phrase it. She didn't want to offend Santana or reject her gift, but said gift probably cost more than her current food quota of the week; which was just 50 bucks, but still too much. "It's too much."
"Please, Britt." Santana looked right into her eyes with her deep brown, they seemed so pleading that Brittany didn't have much choice. The fact Santana that just called her by a nickname might have something to do with it as well.
"Okay, I'll take it." Brittany relented with a roll of her eyes but her beaming smile showed how she truly felt.
"But!" She said stopping Santana's mid celebration. "Only on one condition."
"Yeah?" Santana smirked at her and lift her eyebrow curiously.
Brittany fought the urge to just lean in and kiss that smirk off her face and continued her plan.
"I'll tell you that tomorrow."
The noises in the kitchen woke Brittany from slumber. She rubbed at her eyes trying to understand the yelling that followed. It seemed Puck and Cassandra had gotten into a fight again. Brittany flopped on her bed with a huff. She was really having a good dream; that might have involved a certain brunette with beautiful eyes, before those two had ruined it.
She glanced at the clock and since it was almost time for work, she might as well get up and stop the violence in the kitchen.
Cassandra was shoving a finger in Noah's face and he had his arms folded defensively as Brittany walked out of her bedroom. She ignored the two standing by the table and went straight to the kitchen cupboard to pour some cereal. The blonde walked pass them again and sat comfortably on the couch; Puck had stayed over, so she just kicked his covers to the side.
Brittany noticed the sudden silence that followed and glanced at her roommates. They were both staring at her, looking puzzled.
"Wha-aa?" Brittany said with a mouthful of cereal.
Cassandra twitched her nose at the sight, before speaking at the same time as Puck.
"You didn't say anything."
"Are you okay?"
They glared at each other for speaking over the other. They did have certain similarities, Brittany thought.
She noticed Puck looked slightly concerned. But she guessed her plan was working. They weren't fighting anymore. Brittany usually would step between them, and tell them to 'Stop the Violence' but it wasn't always effective as of late. So she just had to change tactics.
"I'm good." She kept eating, her face inexpressive.
Puck took a deep breath and grabbed his cup of coffee as Cassandra muttered a 'whatever' his way. She made sure to only say goodbye to Brittany as she left the apartment.
Brittany watched in the corner of her eye as Puck took a seat next to her.
"You sure you're good, B?" He said taking a sip of his mug.
"I'm great." Brittany smiled, rather mischievously. "And now, you're not fighting anymore."
Puck stared at her for a few seconds until he caught on to it, bumping his friend on the shoulder.
Brittany finished her breakfast and went to the kitchen to wash her bowl. Puck noticed the skip to her steps.
"You look happy today. Had any dreams about your girl?" He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Puck!" Brittany turned around abruptly.
"Ohh, is that a yes?" Brittany's blush was enough of an answer. So his laughter was inevitable. She concentrated in washing her dishes until he stopped his annoying laughing fit.
"She is not my girl though." She mumbled sadly a few moments later as she sat back down on the couch.
"Do something about it, and she will." Brittany scoffed at his suggestion. He looked confused but brushed off her odd behavior.
"Gonna see her today?" He turned to her, and watched as she stared dreamily into space mumbling a quiet 'I hope so.'
"Then do it. Ask her out. You have been giddy for this girl for more than a week, Brittany." He encouraged his friend. Truthfully, he hadn't seen Brittany acting like this in a long time, if ever.
"Do you really think she would go out with me?" The blonde looked up from her knees, and Puck frowned. Brittany had never been like this either. She was usually pretty confident; she knew she was hot and had a smoking body. So her newfound shyness and insecurity was unsettling to him.
"Pierce, you were never like this. Where's the confidence?" He noticed how she fumbled with her hands in her lap, and his frowned deepened. "What's the matter, B?"
She shrugged, trying to play it off. But Puck didn't give in, sitting fully on the couch to stare at Brittany's side until she cracked.
His gaze was making her uncomfortable so Brittany relented, rolling her eyes at his lame but effective method.
"She works at a fancy company, Puck. She must have a fancy job. I'm just a nobody." She mumbled, never meeting his eyes.
"She would be a fool not to date you." He brushed his shoulder against hers in support. "And if she is as amazing as you have been yapping about, then she will."
"Thanks, Puck." She finally met his gaze, returning his previous gesture with her shoulder.
Puck got up from the couch and grabbed his backpack from the floor. "I gotta go, B."
She frowned, looking up at him.
"I won't be back for a few days. I'll call as soon as I get back, ok?"
Brittany jumped up from her seat and hugged him tightly for a few seconds. She had almost forgotten that Puck was going to Europe because of his work for a little while. He would be back, but she still was going to miss him.
"Take care, Nic." He pulled back and headed for the door. Brittany laughed at the silly nickname from when they were kids.
"Alright, Raccoon!" She said his nickname back, in reference to his ridiculous hair style during their teens that looked more like a dead raccoon at the top of his head than anything else.
And just like that, she was left alone in the apartment at the shut of the door.
Brittany didn't take long to get ready and drive to work. The traffic was bad, but she managed to get there on time.
She was excited as she sat on her station for her later shift. Her small conversations with Santana were easily the best part of her day. The blonde was eager for the end of the day already. She couldn't wait to see her.
And this time, she planned on doing something about it.
Her talk with Puck gave her that push she needed. Brittany wanted to maybe buy her some flowers, or buy her a book to continue her plan, but her paycheck was only in a couple days so she would have to improvise.
She waited for the lunch hour to pass. She was so giddy she even stopped by the lobby to greet Mafalda and share a turkey sandwich.
She waited. She watched and she waited.
But that day. Santana didn't come.
Brittany had been sad and worried through the rest of the previous day; both because Santana didn't show up, and because she couldn't even talk to her best friend about it. She was uneasy and concerned when she realized that Santana's car was in the overnight list. The blonde made an extra round before she left just to check if it was for real.
She couldn't help that she missed Santana already. And now she was worried about her.
She didn't know exactly what the brunette did in the company, but she guessed it wasn't normal for her to miss work. The fact Santana had left without her car and still hadn't come today to pick it up only worried her further.
Brittany was just staring at her favorite book, which she had just finished, with a frown on her face. She wished she had more things to do, and now she was stuck worrying over a certain woman for the rest of the day, and she still had two more hours of work. Santana hadn't left her mind all day; to be completely honestly the brunette was never far from her mind for some time now.
She saw movement in the corner of her eye and checked the monitor. To her surprise, it was the familiar black Avalon. She couldn't help and feel giddy again; automatically leaving her worries behind. Maybe Santana had just come in later for work today. She did want to ask the brunette what happened on the previous day, but she didn't know if she should.
Santana's car pulled up on the corner, and Brittany got even more excited. Her grin couldn't get any bigger when she saw the window roll down, only to have it ripped from her face when she noticed; it was not Santana but a man.
"You're not Santana." She blurted out before she could control it. To her wonder, the man gave her a bright smile, his teeth showing and Brittany noticed the presence of a familiar dimple in his cheek.
He had mirth in his eyes when he replied "No, I'm not."
She thought he sounded almost flirty, even if she had to admit he was quite handsome, somehow it only annoyed her. She was really looking forward to seeing Santana after seeing the Avalon; she hadn't seen the brunette on the previous day and she was already missing her as pathetic as it sounded it.
Brittany really wanted to question why this stranger was in Santana's car, and driving it for her. But she couldn't overstep her job. More importantly she wanted to ask what happened to Santana. She was about to ignore the rules and question him, when he handed her his parking documentation.
He didn't falter his smile at any moment.
She wished he had handed some sort of real identification, but there was only Santana's usual electronic permit and a weird blue visitor's ID. She checked on the computer to see if the number was validated and the special ID valid and everything seemed perfectly fine. Even as she checked, she could feel his eyes on her. Why was he even smiling so much?
Brittany extended the documents back to him, she really wanted to ask for Santana but he just grabbed his things back and winked at her before exiting the parking lot.
She just stood there, not knowing what to do.
Her brain was a spiral of thoughts and questions. Too many questions that she didn't know the answer to. Where did Santana go? Was she alright? Why would she even leave her car? And have someone picking it up?
She could already feel a migraine forming. It really upset Brittany that this handsome stranger had full access to Santana's life, or so the blonde believed, even her car and she couldn't even ask about it. She had no right to even feel this way. She didn't know Santana. She was not her friend, she was nobody.
She told herself it was just a crush. It's better if she thought it was a useless crush. But it was clear, she was already passed that point.
The taste of bile filled her mouth as she thought of the man again. Who knows who he was? Or what might be his relation to Santana. He clearly was not Santana's father. He was far too young. Maybe a sibling or friend, a very close friend who she trusted her car with; who was Brittany kidding there was a high possibility this man was Santana's boyfriend, or worse.
She swallowed the large lump on her throat. This really sucked, now she just knew the hours would drag by until her shift was over.
To make things worse, when she got to her apartment later that day, Cassandra informed her the heat was broken.
Author's Note:
Disclamer: This is a work of fiction and not canon, like at all. And Brittana does not belong to me.
Here you go! Another chapter! I was baffled by the amazing response to the story. So I'm definitely going to continue uploading it here. Thank you so much for the support and amazing reviews.
(I edited and changed small parts of the original draft if anyone is wondering.)
Also, all mistakes are mine.
I would love to hear what you guys thought of this chapter and everyone in it.
Ducks.