Hello! Boy I'm in such a great mood. I watched Tangled Wednesday and it was absolutely awesome. It kind of inspired me to write this next chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews of the last chapter. I'm so pleased so many of you are enjoying the story so far.
Summary: When moody, guarded Santana Lopez meets perky blind girl Brittany Pierce, she is forced to learn that seeing and loving are the same thing! You just have to open your eyes to a world of possibilities. AU.
Disclaimer: Glee isn't mine. Not one bit of it. Not even a smidge. Nope. Zilch. None.
Chapter 2 – Need
Santana surveyed her almost dead class from behind the comfort of her desk, amused and a little annoyed. It was a Friday afternoon, a slow day in general when dealing with teenagers who weren't really interested in anything other than who was dating who, and what big events were coming up in the social calendar. She flipped through the pages of the book they were studying and tried to focus on dictating notes but all she could think about was the pretty young blonde who would be waiting for her in the park after school.
Brittany certainly made it difficult for her to concentrate on pretty much anything at the moment. Santana wasn't head over heels in love with her or anything (she's known her two days) but she had noticed how beautiful the blonde was and it was those very blue eyes, that blonde hair that muddled the Latina's thoughts to bedlam!
Shaking her head, she forced herself back to reality. She sat up straighter and looked over her class with a domineering glower. She was a badass teacher, often able to render her students speechless in fear and no quirky blind woman was going to change her.
"Mr Harper, 'she barked at the young man slumped over his desk in the front row to her left, "stay awake when I'm teaching boy or so help me God I'll cello tape your eyes open."
The boy jolted awake and smiled anxiously, "sorry Miss Lopez." He mumbled.
Standing, she strutted around the room, feeling empowered again, forgetting Brittany, "because you seem to know enough that you can drop off to sleep during my class and still expect to pass Mr Harper, I'd like to test your knowledge. I want a 1,000 word essay on the themes of love and heroism in Arms And The Man on my desk by Mondays lesson."
"But I have late football practice tonight an extra credit assignment to do over the weekend. I won't have time to do it." The young boy, Harper, whined like a child.
"Then I suggest you make time." Santana hissed.
Harper leapt up, surprising all the class as he pounded his fist onto his desk in anger, "this is a load of shit. You can't make me do it."
Santana paused and turned around to face him, a wicked smile gracing her attractive face, "oh I believe I can, 'she chuckled, "and I will. I don't care how shit you think your punishment is, I'm the teacher and I say you do it, and if you don't, you'll get detention and you'll keep getting detention until I'm satisfied!"
Harper slumped back into his chair, sighing unhappily. Perching herself on the edge of her desk, she said, "and for the appalling amount of disrespect I have received today, you will all write the essay, 'she rose her voice over the moans and groans and gasps of incredibility, "1,000 words! On my desk bright and early Monday morning."
Before anyone else could complain, the final bell chimed and it was time to go home. The classroom was filled with the scraping and screeching of students leaving their chairs. Santana set her book down on her desk and watched as they escaped McKinley High for another weekend.
"Don't forget to re-read Act 2 of Arms And The Man, we will be discussing it on Monday and there will be a big pop quiz coming up on Wednesday, 'she said loudly, "have a good weekend everyone."
The final student piled out and the anxious brunette could not help but feel relieved herself that another school week had come to an end. Her stomach was already aching with the desire to get to the park. Grabbing her things, she slung her bag over her shoulder and snatched her car keys up from the side of her desk, twitching with excitement. She closed her classroom door behind her and strolled down the empty corridor, the echoing of her footsteps bouncing off the walls and lockers as she hurried along.
She tried to ignore it but somehow it was impossible. Her mind was alive with anticipation and the returning notion that soon, she would see Brittany.
..GLEE.
Having just strolled around the lake for the umpteenth time in a row Santana was starting to get tired. It was 3:30pm and there was no sign of Brittany anywhere. There were plenty of times when the Latina had mistaken someone for Brittany only to discover after grabbing them by the shoulders or calling out so much her throat hurt, that it was in fact, a completely different person.
Where was she? She said she was coming. Glancing at her watch and tapping it, she wondered whether she'd gotten the wrong time. Then again they hadn't suggested when they should meet. The pair had simply said they'd meet at the park. What if Brittany had meant a completely different time to what Santana had assumed.
Running a hand anxiously through her hair, she decided she would walk the perimeter one more time before calling it a day. She couldn't deny that she was disappointed. She kind of liked Brittany and her brimming optimism and because of that day when they'd met and how wrongly she'd treated Brittany, she wanted to make it up to her. Perhaps that was the problem. Perhaps karma was getting the better of her after the ice cream incident. She deserved it more than anything. It hadn't been Brittany's fault when she'd bumped into her and yet she was more than ready (even when knowing it was an accident) to give the blonde a piece of her mind.
Too miserable to contemplate further, Santana tucked her hands into her pockets and headed back for her car, ignoring the jingle of the spare change she had brought with her to buy Brittany an ice cream.
..GLEE.
Driving home was a depressing experience. Santana felt empty and cold, gripping onto the steering wheel for her dear life; frightened that if she left it go she might never take hold of it again. She was foolish to believe she could ever redeem herself. She was Santana Lopez! Bitchy high school teacher with no life, and friends who only stuck with her out of fear of getting beat if they left! She'd had two solid relationships in her life. The first was Tom Rhodes, her high school sweetheart and the last boy she ever really found attractive. The second was Anna Blackman, her girlfriend of two years ago. They'd been with each other for quite some time, nearly a full year, but Santana had started freaking out when Anna kept asking her to move in. When she continued to refuse with no real explanation, Anna decided to call it a day. Santana had been alone ever since with the odd one night stand here and there to keep her warm. Looking back on it now, she realised how lonely she was and her heart ached with the desire to be held by someone she wouldn't desert in the morning.
The welcoming sight of a coffee shop caught her eye as she rounded yet another corner. Smiling gently, she pulled into an empty parking space and unclipped her seatbelt before opening her car door and letting herself out.
Heading inside, she approached the main counter, "hi, can I get one cappuccino to go please, extra foam?"
The server, a 17 – 18 year old girl, covered in acne and sporting vivid pink braces, tapped the price into the cash machine and smiled brightly, "anything else?"
Santana eyed the creamy cakes and selection of muffins and felt her chest buzz with hunger, "I'll take a slice of apple pie too."
"That'll be $4.00." The youngster said.
Santana had just placed her hand in her pocket to retrieve the correct amount of money when a breathless ageing man threw open the cafe door and cried, "someone please help. Someone's been mugged."
"What?" The girl behind the counter sounded surprised.
"Just hurry. My wife and I don't know what to do, 'he wheezed, " the poor girls blind. We don't know how to help. Please."
"Brittany!" Santana cried and she darted out of the shop, shooting past the old gentlemen like a bullet from a gun.
She couldn't be sure that it was Brittany (there were plenty of people who were blind) but it seemed to be the most feasible explanation, what with Brittany not turning up to the park and all.
There was a small gathering of people up ahead, crowding about and muttering darkly. Santana shoved past them, ignoring their complaints and broke into the circle of the group. Her heart almost juddered to a complete stop as she gazed down at the woman on the ground. Brittany looked exhausted, trying to get up as the stranger, who was trying to assist, kept pushing her back down, telling her that she should stay still and relax. Anger bubbled up in the Latina's stomach and with a growl; she shoved the young man to the ground out of Brittany's way.
"Hey. I'm just trying to help."
"Yeah well beat it." She spat.
"Santana, 'Brittany whimpered weakly, she was reaching out for her now, a relieved smile lighting up her pallid face, "is that you?"
Santana cupped her cheeks, delighted she'd remembered her name, "uh huh, 'she said softly, "what happened Brit?"
"I was running late, 'Brittany mumbled, sitting up, "and I tried to hurry but before I knew it, I took a wrong turning...I'm usually good at remembering the way...I...someone jumped out at me. They...they took my purse and my jewellery, 'she reached for her neck, practically clawing at her skin, "I tried to stop them but they kept hitting me."
"Shush now, 'Santana crooned. She pulled the terrified blonde close and smiled gently when she noticed how well Brittany seemed to fit against her, "its over. You're safe."
"Should we call an ambulance?" Someone asked.
Brittany panicked, struggling in Santana's embrace, "no, please don't. I'm fine. I'm fine. Please, I'm fine."
"It's alright; I've got you, 'she promised her quietly before telling the crowd, "no emergency services will be necessary. I'll take you to the hospital myself." She added, leaning toward Brittany.
"I don't need to go." She answered shaking her head.
"I'd rather you have a check up. You look like hell."
"Is everyone looking at me?" Brittany sniffed.
Santana looked around them, catching the eyes of the bystanders who were gathered around like lions to a carcass, "thank you for your concern, 'she told them all, "but I've got it from here, 'no one moved and her anger growing ever stronger. Enraged, she cried, "leave! Now!"
The assembly dispersed swiftly and smiling triumphantly, Santana lifted the startled blonde to her feet and attempted to guide her to her car.
"I honestly don't need to go to the hospital." Brittany said in a reassuring tone of voice.
Santana was about to argue but ironically, Brittany stumbled forward and cried out in pain, her beautiful face twisting as tears filled her bold blue eyes, "on second thought...maybe I should."
They reached the car and Santana helped support Brittany into the passenger seat. When she hopped in on her side, Brittany had already buckled herself in. Santana started the engine and off they went.
"Do you want to call anyone? A friend maybe? A family member? A...uh boyfriend?" She queried.
Brittany shook her head, "I don't have a boyfriend, 'she replied, "and I'll call my mom after I've been checked out."
"It must've been a shock, 'Santana said, "are you alright? Can I do anything for you?"
"I'm fine. It's happened before and no doubt it'll happen again." Brittany sighed.
Santana was appalled. How could anyone want to deliberately hurt Brittany?
"You've been mugged before?" She gasped.
"It happened a few years back, 'Brittany said, sounding incredibly calm and collected, "but I don't really get it. I don't have any mugs and yet I get mugged."
Santana blinked in confusion, "I don't understand. What do you mean, you don't have any mugs?"
"You know, the cups you put tea and coffee in. Mugs." She answered.
It didn't make much sense to Santana who was beginning to wonder if Brittany's mind was all that mature at all.
"Umm...it doesn't work like that, 'she explained hesitantly, "it doesn't matter if you have a mug on your person or not. Being mugged is having your money stolen from you, your expensive possessions."
Brittany seemed to think about this for a moment, biting down on her bottom lip as she mused on the information Santana had just fed her, "oh, 'she said, "now I understand why they took my purse."
Fixing her gaze on the road, Santana tried not to laugh and focused on getting Brittany to hospital where she'd be safe and cared for.
..GLEE.
After a two hour wait to be seen by a Doctor because apparently their case wasn't an 'emergency,' Brittany was finally taken into a medical room to be examined. Santana sat outside, twitching nervously in her seat as she anticipated her friends return. The hospital ward was pretty busy with doctors, nurses and consultants darting here and there as they went about their daily business.
Spying a vending machine opposite, she stood and came to stand in front of it. There was a singular packet of salted chips inside and she was very hungry. Pulling the correct change from her pocket she inserted it into the machine and pressed the code that would release the snack. The machine beeped and the chips teetered forward for a second before it finally plummeted to the bottom with a rustle.
Bending down, she reached into the machine and pulled out the bag. Just over her shoulder, she heard a sweet little voice cry, "there's no more left Mommy."
She turned and found a little girl and her mother standing directly behind her, the little one was peering around her to look into the vending machine, her eyes wide with sorrow. Her arm was plastered up, obviously broken.
"It doesn't matter, 'the mother said, already turning to lead her child away, "maybe we'll find another."
"Oh no, it doesn't matter, 'Santana said quickly, stepping forward to stop them. She knelt down to the little girl's level and said very gently, "broken arm huh?"
The little girl looked to her mother for permission, who nodded, and replied, "I fell off my bike."
"Bummer." Santana sighed.
"Why are you here? Have you broken your arm too?" The little one asked innocently.
"Nope, 'she said, shaking her head, "my friend has hurt herself so she's being checked out to see if she's okay, 'glancing up at the child's parent, she asked, "have you been waiting long?"
"She's just been fixed up but yeah, 'the woman laughed, sounding relieved to be going home, "we've been here a couple of hours."
Santana laughed sympathetically, "sounds intense, 'she turned her attention back to the little girl and held out the packet of potatoes chips, "here." She said.
The little girl hesitated.
"It's alright, 'the brunette said reassuringly, "take them."
"We couldn't, 'the mother said, frowning and looking anxious, "you've just bought them."
"I can wait a little longer; my friends already getting checked out and you've been waiting for some time. Please, I insist, 'she gestured to the daughter, "she'll be doing me a favour. I need to watch my weight."
Laughing, the mother accepted the snack with a nod, "thank you very much. Say thank you sweetie?" She handed them to the little one.
"Thank you."
"No problem, feel better kid." She waved as they walked away, feeling damn well good about herself all of a sudden.
"Santana."
She turned to find Brittany walking towards her, being escorted by the Doctor. Hurrying forward, she set her hands on Brittany's arms, rubbing up and down in a manner that was meant to be caring.
"Are you alright? What's the diagnosis?"
"I'm fine, 'Brittany chuckled, "just some nasty bruises is all."
"Miss Pierce has been very lucky indeed, 'the doctor said cheerfully, patting Brittany's back, "not many can say they've been mugged and come out in such great shape."
"I'll bet." Santana replied grinning.
"I've given her some painkillers to help ease some of the pressure, there is a lot of bruising around her ribs and from what I can tell, some damaged tissue around the bottom of her spine but yes, she's good and well." The Doctor explained.
"Thank you very much sir." Santana said shaking his hand.
"No problem at all, 'he nodded, "wishing you a fast recovery Brittany."
"Thanks." Brittany said and the Doctor left them alone in the reverberating hustle and bustle of the hospital ward.
"So, how about I take you home?" Santana asked her.
Brittany nodded, "that would be great." She held out her arm expectantly and Santana stared down at it blankly for a few seconds, hardly taking in what the blonde wanted, before she hesitantly wrapped her hand around Brittany's arm and guided her down the corridor.
..GLEE.
"I'm fine Mom, 'Santana ventured a glance at Brittany who was sitting beside her looking anxious to say the least, "please don't worry. I'm on my way home now."
Santana could hear Mrs Pierce's voice loud and clear, "well thank heavens for that and who in the name of God is bringing you? I'm not in any predicament to come and fetch you myself and –"
"My friend is bringing me home, 'Brittany exclaimed brightly, "you'll like her. Santana is really nice."
Santana couldn't help but smile, swelling with pride that Brittany thought that much of her.
"I don't even know this Santana! She could be an axe-murderer for all I would know." Mrs Pierce cried.
Brittany looked across at Santana, wincing. Her mother obviously didn't care about whether or not Santana could hear her. Offering the fidgety blonde a reassuring smile, she focused her attention back on the road.
"Please stop worrying so much, 'Brittany said softly, leaning her head against the window as though the conversation had exhausted her, "the doctor has given me some painkillers and suggested I get some rest."
"Well I'd better find you doing just that when I get home from work tonight, okay?"
"Okay." Brittany replied.
"Oh my silly girl, I don't know why you can't listen and just stay close to home, 'Mrs Pierce sounded terribly upset, "all I want is for you to be safe."
"I know and I appreciate that, 'Brittany told her, "but I can't stay in one place all the time. It suffocates me."
Santana heard the woman huff on the other end of the line, "we'll talk when I get home."
"Fine, 'Brittany sighed, "bye."
"Bye."
Silence filled the car, harsh and cold. Santana didn't know how to strike up a conversation, especially when Brittany was looking so dejected and lost.
It was Brittany who broke the tension first, laughing uncomfortably, "I'm sorry about my mother. She's lovely when she wants to be but...she's overprotective of me."
"It's alright, 'Santana answered, "what kind of mother would she be if she didn't worry."
"My mother and I have different opinions on how I should live my life, 'Brittany said. She was playing with the material on her shirt, biting on her bottom lip uneasily, "I want to be worldlier, she wants to keep me close to home."
"Well every bird has to fly the nest some time during their life." Santana said.
Her companion looked confused, "what has a bird got to do with it?"
Santana chuckled under her breath and decided to change the subject before she confused Brittany even more, "so, you live with your Mom?"
Brittany nodded, "and my little sister. I know it sounds really embarrassing for a twenty five year old to still be living with her parents but I never got around to leaving, what with being blind and all."
"Don't worry about it, I'm twenty six and I didn't leave home until I was twenty two." Santana told the blonde.
"But you left nonetheless." Brittany replied, sounding negative.
"Only because my parents were so sick of the sight of me they kicked me out!" Santana teased.
Brittany went quiet, looking innocent and miserable. She held onto her cell phone like a child would clutch a security blanket. Santana contemplated reaching over to take her hand but she wasn't sure if she would be overstepping the mark.
"So, 'she said in an attempt to ease Brittany's anguish by changing the subject again, "you have a sister?"
"Yeah, Hallie. Younger than me. She's nearly sixteen years old." Brittany told her.
"Are you close?" Santana asked.
"As close as we can be, 'Brittany answered, "she's the smart sister." There was pride in her voice as she spoke of Hallie and Santana could tell that Brittany truly, truly loved her little sister, "do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Nope, 'Santana said, "only child and glad to be one too if I'm quite honest. I don't think I could handle a kid running around after me all the time."
"You get used to them. I didn't think I'd ever be able to deal with Hallie but after a while it was like nothing had changed. I couldn't imagine life without her now." Brittany said.
"Where to now?" Santana queried, for Brittany was meant to be giving her directions.
"Where are we?" Brittany asked.
They passed by a street sign and the Latina answered, "Prescott Avenue."
"Wow, what a coincidence, 'Brittany chuckled, "this is my street."
Santana slowed down, focusing on the houses around them as though she'd just be able to pin-point which was Brittany's by just looking at it, "Cool. What number?"
"44, 'the blonde exclaimed, "we've got a big yellow swing set in the front garden, 'as though she could sense Santana's confusion at how she could know such a thing, she replied, "blind I may be, but I do know when I'm actually sitting on a swing set...except that time when I was sitting on a pig...but it felt like a swing set."
Ignoring this sudden craziness, Santana pulled in as the blur of yellow apparatus came into her view in a large garden with the gate marked '44.' Santana turned off the engine and turned to Brittany with a gentle smile.
"Here we go, home." She said cheerfully.
"Thank you Santana, 'Brittany crooned, "I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't been there to save the day."
"Ah it was nothing. I'm just glad your well." Santana replied.
Brittany opened her side of the door and unclipped her seatbelt. She turned to Santana and there was an almost fretful desperate glinting in her eyes, "would you like to come in? I could make you something to eat?"
Santana hesitated. She really wanted to go with Brittany, to see what kind of world she had been brought up in but she couldn't. Sighing, she answered, "sorry, I can't. I'm heading home to get some work done."
"Oh, 'Brittany looked disappointed, "okay."
"It's not that I don't want to, 'Santana said quickly, "I really want to, but your Mom told you to get some rest and I'd only be in her bad books if I was keeping you from that."
"I know, 'Brittany whispered. She reached out for Santana's hand, feeling until she reached it, "you're a good person and nothing will ever express how grateful I am to you."
"You could make it up to me if you'd like, 'Santana said squeezing Brittany's hand, "do you know the restaurant Breadstix?"
Brittany nodded eagerly, "I love that place."
"Well why don't you join me there for lunch tomorrow?" It wasn't going to be a date but at least she'd get to spend more time with Brittany.
"I'd love to." Brittany said softly, "what time?"
"Let's make it early. Say 2:00pm? I could pick you up if you'd like." Santana offered her.
"No I can get there myself. 2:00pm is great." The bubbly blonde agreed. She turned and stepped out of the car, wobbly on her feet as she shut the door behind her and waved to Santana through the glass. Santana waved back and then felt stupid because Brittany couldn't see her. At least the young woman would never see her make such a fool of herself. She watched as Brittany hobbled down the path into her garden, fiddling with her keys as she inserted them into the door to let herself in. The blonde turned back one final time and smiled before she went into her house, the door shutting behind her.
Santana must've sat outside for at least another four to five minutes before she actually drove away.
..GLEE.
The dark shadows of her apartment were not the most comforting sight to Santana as she got in that evening. Her muscles ached and twitched as though she were the one who had been mugged and her head spun with fatigue. It had been a long day indeed and only now did she feel as though she were coming down from some sort of big adrenaline rush.
Setting her keys on the windowsill she kicked off her shoes and pulled off her coat, hanging it up before making her way into the kitchen to fix herself something quick to eat. She opened the fridge and found some butter, cheese and pickles and set them onto the counter. She flung open the cupboard and pulled out the bread, fixing herself a quick sandwich and pouring herself a glass of ice cold water as she did so.
With her sandwich in one hand and her water in the other, she made her way through into the living room and flopped down onto her sofa, switching on the television before tucking into her food and feeling her body tingle in response as it revived her after a hard day.
The silence had never been something that comforted Santana. She hated it. She hated coming home to the quiet. Sometimes, because it got to her, she'd pop over to Quinn's and Pucks house, making some excuse to see them and staying late so they'd eventually tell her to spend the night. She couldn't help herself. She just missed interacting with people. The evening meant loneliness. It meant coming home to nothing and no one. An empty home. An empty bed. An empty heart.
Tonight felt somewhat different. Easier.
Amidst all that loneliness was something else, someone else. Tomorrow she would get up and know that Brittany was waiting for her as they day drew on. The very thought warmed her. Those blue eyes, the glossy curls, that kind smile. Maybe she needed Brittany and maybe, just maybe, Brittany needed her too.
Wow. This was a long chapter. Just over 11 pages long. I think I've worn out my poor fingers for one writing session. :) I hope you're all still reading and I hope you'll review. Reviews = updates! x