Suddenly Brittany stood up and made her way quickly off the stage. I tried to follow, but Puck took forever to move and by the time I'd gotten out of the booth she was gone.
Making my way to the back of the stage where I figured she'd have gone, I was suddenly stopped by a bouncer.
"Can't go back there, ma'am." he said whilst crossing his tree trunk arms.
"Please, I just need to see someone" My voice sounded close to begging, something I never did, but I couldn't lose her. Not again.
"It's 50 bucks for a private dance. You can pay at the bar." He pointed to the barman.
Without thanking him I moved quickly to the bar, pulling out my wallet on the way.
"I need a dance. With the blonde that was just on." I said pulling out all my money, which only made up $20. Crap. Telling the barman to hold on I raced back to the booth.
"Puck, give me your wallet" I demanded. Holding out my open palm.
He scrunched up his face, I could see a 'no' forming on his lips, but just as I was about to release a torrent of abuse, he handed his wallet to me. He was so whipped.
I rifled through it and pulled out a $50 bill. More than I needed, but whatever, might as well take full advantage of his kind nature. Making my way back over to the bar I handed over the money. He told me Desire was busy at the moment. But she'd be out soon. I ordered myself a beer and waited.
My thoughts trailed back to that night 12 years ago.
"San, please I need to go, they're waiting for me. Just let me in so I can say goodbye." Brittany pleaded through my bedroom door.
I looked up from my place on the floor against the bed; I could barely see my room through the tears pouring out of my eyes. I needed to open the door to say a proper goodbye, but my feet wouldn't move. Saying goodbye meant it was the end. And I couldn't accept that she was leaving. That I'd probably never see her again. Sure we'd promised to call, write, even take trips out to see each other during the holidays. But I think we both knew we were kidding ourselves. This was it. Her parents were waiting out in the car, growing impatient if the horn sounds were anything to go by.
"Please, San. I don't want my last memory of you to be your door."
So she knew it was the end too. She'd always been the more optimistic of the two of us. Always looking for the bright side of life. But her voice sounded strained and I could tell she was crying too. That thought broke my heart, and my resolve, so I slowly got up and made my way to the door, wiping my face on the way, not that it did much good as new tears quickly replaced the old.
I unlocked the door, moving back as it was flung open. Arms were suddenly wrapped around me tightly. I immediately rested my head in the crook of her neck. We held each other tight, not speaking. Just taking in each other. Finally squeezing me one last time she began to pull away, but not before whispering that she loved me in my ear. I gripped at her shirt, a last desperate attempt to keep her from leaving. I stared into her red-rimmed eyes, seeing the same pain I was sure were in mine.
"Please don't go" I begged.
Gripping so hard to her shirt I could feel my nails digging into my skin. But I didn't care. The only thing I cared about was her moving to the other side of the country and leaving me behind.
"You know I have to. I love you, Santana. You're my best friend and you always will be. I don't know a lot. But I know that. I love you, okay?"
I nodded, trying to get the words 'I love you too' out, but was stopped when she leaned in and placed a small chaste kiss to my lips, before pulling away, easily prying apart my vice like grip.
I stood in shock, watching as she turned around and walked out of my life, taking my first kiss and my heart along with her.
I couldn't believe she was here. Stripping no less. I mean she'd always been an incredible dancer, but the thought of Brittany having to take her clothes off for money made me feel sick to my stomach. It had been ten years since I last saw her, but my protectiveness over her came rushing back.
Reaching for my beer, I suddenly felt a hand on my arm. Looking up I was met with the most beautiful blue eyes. I held her gaze as I felt her hand move down my arm leaving goose bumps in its trail; finally reaching it's destination and grasping my hand.
She then carefully guided me from my stool and towards the back of the stage. Although I wasn't really paying attention, what with the soft warm hand grasping mine. She led me into a small room with a chair in the center and a table to the side, which housed a CD player.
Setting me down in the chair she moved over to the table pressing play and then moved back to straddle my legs. She placed her hands over my shoulders, holding onto the back of the chair. Then began gracefully rocking her hips back and forth in time to the music. I could feel a tingling shooting straight down my body. Licking my lips to try and clear my head I stared into her eyes with a questioning gaze. She looked away immediately, continuing with her gentle grinding. As much as my body was enjoying this, my brain finally kicked in telling me this was wrong.
"Wait." I croaked out.
Brittany stopped and looked at me with confusion in her eyes, waiting for me to speak.
"Britt" I breathed, reaching up to touch her cheek. But before it got to its intended destination, she slapped it away
"No touching" Suddenly she was standing up and walking to the CD player. Switching it off, she turned and leaned against the table, crossing her arms whilst looking down to the floor. I stared at her in shock. I was so sure she'd recognised me from her reaction on stage. But maybe she didn't remember me at all and thought I was just some creep trying to cop a feel. With that thought I decided to try again.
"I'm sorry. I just, it's a shock seeing you. But I shouldn't have done that."
She didn't take her eyes off the floor, but I heard her murmur a quiet 'okay'.
I took in her appearance; she looked completely different than I remembered. But I guess she'd barely had boobs the last time I saw her. Now she was a fully-grown woman, with an incredible body.
She must have felt me staring because suddenly her arms wrapped tighter around her as if hugging herself. A complete change from the confident seductive blonde on stage a few moments ago. I was now seeing a self-conscious and timid young girl. It took everything in me to not get up and hug her. But considering how she'd just reacted to my touch, I kept in my chair.
"How are you?" I asked. It was a simple question, but one I needed to know the answer to. I'd needed to know for 12 years.
I could see Brittany's shoulders rise as she took in a deep breath. After a long moment she looked up, a newfound confidence in her eyes. Her posture now matching that of her stage persona. The transformation was quite extraordinary.
"Hope you enjoyed the dance." And with that she left the room without so much as a backwards glance.
Leaving me speechless for the second time in my life.