Hello everybody!
Gosh, I don't know where to begin. First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for the amazing reviews for the first chapter of I See You. I was quite stunned with the supportive response which has only fuelled me to continue writing.
Second, my updates won't always be as frequent as this (don't worry, I won't leave it too long) but I assure you that it will be worth the wait lol.
Finally, this story will lack couples such as Faberry. I've never been a Rachel and Quinn fan as I tend not to support couples who are nonexistent so I hope that's alright.
Anyway, I'd better get on with the story before you all turn into an angry mob lol.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, if I did, Brittana would be huuuugggeee. :D
Chapter 1 - Watching and Waiting
"Hi there Santana! Mind if I sit with you?"
Santana didn't need to look up from her coffee and book to know that Rachel Berry was standing over her, waiting patiently with a cheesy smile and her paper lunch bag cradled against her chest primly.
Rachel didn't need a reply because she knew she would never get one. Santana heard the scraping of the chair beside her and a moment later, the faint outline of a blue shirt and starry blue tie came into her line of sight. Not evening wishing to acknowledge the woman, she flipped a page and continued to read, albeit, not as well as she had been before the drama queen had arrived.
"How has your day been?" Rachel said cheerfully, rummaging through her bag and pulling out a rosy red apple that could put that of Snow Whites step-mother to shame.
"Okay." Santana answered bluntly.
"Well I myself have had a simply wonderful day, 'Rachel enthused as though Santana had returned the question, "there is something so fulfilling in educating is there not? To see a young mind merely grasp something you've spent years illustrating still leaves me breathless."
Santana inhaled her coffee and began to choke on her own laughter. She coughed and wheezed uncomfortably, smirking as she did so. Rachel, who looked genuinely concerned, leaned forward and patted her back gently.
"Are you alright Santana?"
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Santana nodded, "couldn't be better." She spluttered and she took another sip of her coffee to ease the dryness in her throat.
As though the heavens had been answering the Latinas prayers, an obscenely tall man with brown hair and kind brown eyes walked by, drawing Rachel's attention away from her. Santana watched as Rachel flattened her clothes and fussed with her hair, blushing profusely as she gazed up at the handsome football coach, Finn Hudson.
"Oh hey Santana, hey Rachel." He smiled a goofy smile, "what's up?"
"Not much, 'Santana answered. She reached across the table to grab her lunch partner's apple, taking a bite before handing it back to the stunned brunette who didn't even notice, "just having lunch. Talking about educating young minds." She added, her voice laced with sarcasm which Rachel seemed to miss.
"That's what I like so much about football, 'Finn chortled, "doesn't need much thinking." Santana could understand this. The guy was a brainless giant!
"I beg to differ Finn, 'Rachel exclaimed brightly, surprising both Santana and Finn, "sport is like performing, okay, Santana couldn't quite see where this was going but she was willing to give big mouth a chance, "you have to work out a routine, a strategy, and without it, catastrophe would arise."
Finn and Santana shared a "what the hell" kind of look. Rachel appeared to take this as a negative response. She looked embarrassed, and standing, she fussed with her hair some more, muttered a few incoherent words and stumbled out of the room before Santana could half-heartedly stop her.
"She's something huh?" Finn laughed, shaking his head.
"She's too much." Santana said, glaring at the empty doorway.
Standing, she gathered up her book and her coffee and smiled, "I'd better head off. The bells about to ring."
Finn nodded and said her goodbye. She didn't return the gesture.
...GLEE.
Santana was deliberating turning back and running for the hills when she reached the gates of the park. How was it possible to feel so claustrophobic in such an open area? The scene looked much like yesterdays, with the ducks wading through the water, the trees humming to the wind, children darting here and there, the tinkling of the ice-cream truck.
Stepping hesitantly all the way, Santana wandered throughout the park, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blonde whom she had taken such an interest in. It wasn't Brittany's inability to see that had Santana so star struck (there was no pity involved) but the fact that even after the brunette had gone crazy with anger, she'd not returned the emotion. Why had she only been concerned? Where was the rage? Where was the confrontation?
Huffing tiredly, she settled beside the lake, leaning back on her elbows to relax. Hmm, I should've brought some bread, she mused as a pair of ducks swam by, or a book. Being Latina, most would assume that Santana's subject of teaching was Spanish but in all honesty, it was the very opposite. Santana was an English teacher! She loved books and the stories they presented to the world. She loved the characters and the way they framed each word with their dialogue and personalities. Books were easier than people! Nicer even.
Santana heard Brittany before she saw her. It was her laughter, so infectiously bright, echoing through the crisp warm air. She looked happy, sitting at a bench with a bag full of bread. She was dressed beautifully in a soft red summer dress, her hair pulled back with a matching red hair band.
Santana watched as she dipped her hand into her bag and pulled out a large slice of bread. She broke a little off and threw it to the floor. There were no ducks on the grass and Santana almost felt sorry for her, throwing her bread to nobody. Standing, she made her way over and watched as Brittany continued to pull little bits of bread from the bag and fling them to the floor. It seemed almost impossible that Brittany's eyes, focused on nothing because she could focus nothing, were so full of life, so bright.
Something caught Santana's eye when she was a mere metre away from Brittany. A small creature with green and brown feathers was approaching the blonde. It quacked a greeting and hurried forward, snatching a small piece of bread and devouring it in seconds. Brittany heard it and the smile that spread across her face was enough to take Santana's breath away.
The Latina reached her and feeling anxious, she perched herself on the edge of the bench, being as quiet as possible. More appeared after that, duck after duck after duck, each quacking and cooing as they swallowed great mouthfuls of bread. Brittany was absolutely elated, laughing and tossing the food about, encouraging the ducks forward. Santana watched, utterly absorbed.
"Would you like some bread?" Santana nearly jumped out of her skin. Brittany had turned her head towards her and was smiling in a friendly way, "go on, 'she encouraged holding out a small piece, "take it."
Santana obeyed, retrieving what she was offered, "how...how did you know I was here?" She asked timidly.
"I heard you." Brittany answered.
"But I was being pretty quiet." Santana was in awe. She had heard once that the loss of one sense could help develop another but it was completely different now she was experiencing it.
"You're the girl from yesterday, aren't you?" Brittany said, tossing another piece of bread to the duck.
Santana nodded and then realised that the blonde couldn't see her, "yes, 'she replied, 'I guess you recognised my voice huh?"
Brittany chuckled, "you can probably tell my hearing is better than others, 'she turned her gaze to the ducks again and was quiet for a moment, as though thinking before she said, "dogs are good at hearing. Bats too. I'm like a bat." She said cheerfully. Santana frowned and bit back a chuckle. Okay, so that was a little vague and ambiguous but she didn't really know what kind of person Brittany was or how she chose to communicate.
"Would you like some more bread?" Brittany presented her with another piece of bread.
Realising she was still holding the piece Brittany had first given her, she replied, "uh, no thanks, 'before throwing it to a duck who was sitting tolerantly by her side, waiting, "look, I want to apologise for the way I behaved yesterday."
"Oh that's alright, 'Brittany exclaimed, "you don't have –"
"No, I want to, 'Santana cut her off, "I was really ashamed of myself and I am so sorry for making you feel, 'she made wild gestures with her hand, trying to find the right word. The blonde laughed, even though she couldn't see what Santana was doing, "I just...I'm sorry, okay?"
Brittany nodded, "awkward apology accepted." She teased.
"Thanks." Santana muttered.
She was surprised when Brittany got to her feet. The young woman turned and with a bright smile, held out her hand, "well, I'll be seeing you, 'she paused, realising what she said and chuckled, "or maybe not."
Santana took her hand and shook it, "wait, you don't have to go just yet, do you? I...I could buy you an ice-cream or something?"
"That would be nice, 'Brittany answered, "but maybe another day."
"Tomorrow?" Santana offered eagerly.
Brittany grinned, "tomorrow." She said. They were still holding hands, a fact noticed by both of them. Santana was the first to pull back, shuffling nervously as she watched Brittany begin to walk away.
She was pleased with how things had turned out. Brittany had accepted her apology whole-heartedly but from what Santana had deducted, she seemed like the kind of person to easily forgive. Stepping through the ducks, who were all still munching away happily on their feast of bread.
"Brittany?" She called out.
The blonde turned instantly, her eyes not quite finding Santana.
"I'm...I'm Santana Lopez, 'she said. She felt silly for calling back just to tell Brittany her name, "just to let you know." She added helplessly.
"Santana, 'Brittany rolled the name around on her tongue thoughtfully, "goodbye Santana."
Santana walked away, feeling pretty damn good about herself.
...GLEE.
A few hours later found Santana in her favourite bar with a few of her friends. It wasn't often that she would have a drink for it wasn't really her scene but every now and then she enjoyed a beer or even a glass of wine.
Puck was amongst her company (Quinn had declined the offer to come out) and with him were Mike and Tina Chang and Mercedes Jones. As friends, they were okay. Santana liked them well enough though she often treated them indifferently and pretended she didn't care for them. They had learnt to take her as she came.
"Just hurry up and shoot before I ram this pool cue so far up you're –"
"Whoa there tiger, 'Tina chuckled, grabbing Santana's arm and pulling her backwards, away from the pool table where she and Mike were partaking in a not-so-friendly game, "I would like my husband to return home with me in one piece tonight."
Santana laughed, glancing at Mike who easily pocketed a red ball. Mike and Tina were high school sweethearts. They were an odd couple, proud of their Asian heritage. Tina wore dark clothes and resembled that of a Goth. She was often shy but every now and then an assertive side came out that was quite overwhelming to witness. She was an intelligent young woman and worked as a clothes designer with another of Santana's friends, Kurt Hummel. Mike was handsome and boyishly childish. He took to wearing a lot of checkered shirts and was an accomplished hip-hop dancer. It was a surprise indeed when he didn't take the dance on as a career. He worked in the same mechanic shop as Puck.
"Who's winning anyway?" Puck asked, taking a swig of his beer.
"Can't you see?" Mercedes tittered.
Santana grinned, "I'm whipping his ass."
"Hey, I resent that, 'Mike glowered grudgingly, leaning against the pool table, waiting for Santana to make her move, "I'm building it up for a dramatic victory."
Santana snorted, "is that what you call losing these days?"
The group jeered at her daring. She turned to analyse the table before leaning forward and pocketing her own red ball.
"Where's Quinn?" She asked, turning her attention to Puck.
"She's visiting her parents, 'Puck murmured. It was well known amongst the friends that Mr and Mrs Fabray, Quinn's parents, did not think much of their son-in-law. In their opinion he was too bold and arrogant for their little princess. Their stereotyping of her mohawked friend enraged Santana, "I wasn't invited." Puck looked put out.
"Didn't Quinn want you to come?" Santana asked.
"Sure she did. She begged me to come but I refused. Last time I went I nearly killed her Dad." Puck told her.
Santana nearly choked on her own beer. Mercedes and Mike's reactions were the same.
"How?" Tina asked quietly.
"It wasn't on purpose, 'Puck said defensively, "we were making our way into the garden for lunch and I kind of tripped him up, 'the group burst out into raucous laughter. Puck smiled timidly, "he hit his head and was knocked out for half an hour."
Santana wiped a tear from her eyes, giggling hysterically, "no wonder they don't like you very much."
"Quinn thought it was funny, 'Puck exclaimed, "or at least afterwards."
"Daddy's little princess would never laugh in his company." Santana said, maybe a little harshly.
"Shut up Lopez, 'Puck shoved her, "anyway, where were you earlier? I tried calling but got no answer."
"I was at the park." She replied.
"Why?"
"It's a long story." Santana rolled her eyes and watched the ball Mike targeted roll just outside its pocket.
"We've got time." Mercedes offered.
"Honestly, 'the Latina said, shaking he head, "it's not –"
"Just tell us Santana." Puck demanded.
Santana huffed, glaring, "fine," she sighed, and so she began to tell them all about her hard day at school and her desire to get out and go to the park. She told them all about Brittany and how she'd knocked her over and how her own anger had gotten the better of her and she'd shouted at the blonde quite cruelly. When the gang found out that Brittany was blind they looked sorely apologetic. Santana explained that the blonde hardly seemed phased at all by it, that it was simply who she was. She then admitted, blushing as she did so, that she'd gone back that day to see Brittany and had arranged to see her the next day. The friends all stood, grinning broadly at her embarrassment.
"Sooo, 'Mercedes teased, "Santana's got herself a girlfriend."
"Oh puh-lease, 'Santana barked, "I just want to make it up to her." The friends knew Santana was open about her sexuality and none of them were homophobic, after all, Kurt himself was gay.
"You like her huh?" Tina giggled.
"I've only known the girl two days." Santana replied back in a sing-song voice.
"But you still like her." Tina repeated.
Groaning, Santana turned and focused her attention to her nearly empty bottle of beer. She'd need another soon.
"Why not take a picnic tomorrow?" Mike suggested.
Puck snorted, "some candles, a bed."
"Keep that up and I'll make sure you never work in your own bed again." Santana threatened darkly to shut him up.
"Okay, okay, 'Puck laughed holding up his hands in defeat, "so what are you going to do? Just keep running into her?"
Santana shrugged, "I'm not sure, 'she replied, "all I know is that I kind of want to."
Oh heavens. She already knew that when it came to the blonde, she was in big trouble! After all, she was already looking forward to tomorrow.
Another chapter done and dusted. Review and I will update. xx