A/N: okay guys! sorry for the inconsistency, im settled into my new apartment and schools slowing down so i'll be more frequent. also, i changed the kids arrival to the next day, it just seemed better that the counselors have an extra day to get to know each other. Suggestions and requests welcome!
The next morning comes abruptly for Santana, leaving her trying to piece together things from the day before. she remembers the spider, running with brittany and sleeping a lot, probably through the rest of the day by the tell tale signs of sunrise. despite her being well rested, today was the day she feared. Her palms were clammy and she glanced around nervously to check if Mercedes and kitty were up yet. They weren't. She slowly while carefully avoiding any noise, gets up from her bed and puts on a black v neck shirt, black shorts and ties her hair into a pony tail. satisfied with her appearance from what she can see in the mirror reflecting the early dawn she leaves the cabin.
Once she steps out into the misty air, she looks around and spots the dip leading towards the lake and makes her way down. Making sure no one was around she sits on the grass that isn't completely wet with dew and stares out into the lake. Once again she's faced with her longing to go back home and a deep exhale brings the smell of forest and camp fire to her lungs, easing her up from the slow irritation that was beginning to make its way through. She thinks about a booty call she had gotten back home from a closet cheerleader named Amber. The girl was pretty hot and Santana hoped she was still up for the fun once she got back home. Completely lost in thought she misses the squeak of sneakers as someone makes their way down the dip.
"Hey" a soft voices reaches Santana's ears as she jerks her head towards the disturbance. Her expression softens a tiny bit when she sees Brittany making her way down the slippery hill gracefully plopping down next to Santana. The shorter girl remembers with slight embarrassment how she had to slowly and cautiously make her way down the dip without falling and Brittany just does it like the ground wasn't a death trap waiting to take its first victim. She looks at her Savior from the day before and sends a teeny tiny smile. Santana still didn't know what brittany was capable of, if she wasn't scared of the spider, what is there left to fear?
"Couldn't sleep?" Brittany asks, her attention out on the misty surface of the water. Her hair is braided, cascading down her shoulder and contrasting against the red t-shirt and blue shorts she has on, combined with a pair of flip flops (another hazard with the slippery death grounds). Santana nods, not sure if the blonde girl can see but hears her hum in agreement.
"Today's the day we get the campers." She resurfaces Santana's fears and smiles softly. "i'm so excited." Santana stares at the girl in disbelief and shakes her head slightly.
"i hate kids." She states, a bored expression crossing her features as she turns back out to the lake.
Brittany glances sideways and studies the dark haired girl closely. Her eyes roam the curve of her cheeks and the sunlight shining softly through dark locks, they slowly make their way downwards and stop at the plump lips set in a slight pout. She watches one side curve up as Santana smirks and points out to the lake. Brittany chuckles as she looks at the spot the hand is aimed at. Two ducks angrily flap their feathers and loudly quack at each other, disturbing the quiet morning and disregarding the rest of the forest. The two birds quickly settle their argument and end up swimming next to each other as though they were lovers. Brittany giggles and Santana smiles widely. She thinks Brittany's giggle is the cutest thing she's ever heard.
"So, why did you choose to come here if you hate kids?" Brittany asks genuinely curious. She looks at the brunette and waits for an answer.
"i uh, i promised my friend Quinn, i would come with her." she shrugs and looks at Brittany for a moment. Both girls are silent as the sun crawls its way to the sky and they become aware of the silence that has fallen over them, not awkward, but peaceful. Brittany wears a soft smile as she contently hums and slowly observes the landscape. She watches with wonder as tiny birds and squirrels move around and remembers why she couldn't sleep. She had been unable to fall asleep the night before because she was so unused to the feeling of not being home and surrounded by constant animals noises and wanted some fresh air. It was only luck that she got out the cabin a few minutes after Santana left hers. She had watched the dark haired girl take a deep breath and make her way to the lake. Brittany thought about how pretty she was and how much she wanted to be her friend. Turning to look at Santana she finds dark brown eyes already on her curiously. Santana looks away and clears her throat, looking behind her where the cabins were.
"i think they're starting to wake up. i know everyone's dying to meet their kids" she rolls her eyes and starts to get up.
"but, we've only been out here for like, 20 minutes." Brittany says longingly before looking out to the lake, feeling as though she wont have this chance to share the morning with Santana again like this. The thought is silly, since they're going to have the whole summer to become friends. The blonde huffs and reaches her hand up, silently asking for help. Santana smirks as she grabs the outstretched hand and pulls her up in one quick motion. Britt stumbles up and her eyes widen in surprise as she realizes how strong her tiny new friend is. The brunette turns around and walks towards the cabins without another word to the blond and has a small smile on her face while she walks. Brittany catches up and they walk together, both girls looking opposite ways while Brittany swings her arms and whistles a cute little song. When they reach Santana's cabin, which is right before Brittany's, the shorter girl turns to face her door after smiling gratefully at Brittany for walking her right to the door. She's about to open it when it flings out and whacks her in the face.
"owwwwww! fuck fuck damn it" Santana rubs her head while squeezing her eyes shut. Mercedes gasps and rushes to embrace santana.
"San! i'm so so so sorry. i was just coming out to look for you! i didn't see you in bed so i thought you probably went out to pee and some big bear came and took your skinny ass with him." She rushes out and kisses the spot the door hit hardest. Santana mumbles that it doesn't hurt and opens her eyes to find Brittany trying to hold back a giggle a few feet away, obviously she had seen the whole thing and now santana could not feel more stupid. She squeezes out of mercedes' grasp and moves inside to find kitty lounging on her bed with a wide smirk at the whole exchange. Santana rolls her eyes and sits on the edge of her bed. The three girls sit mostly in silence while mercedes keeps laughing at the red mark on her friends forehead while they wait for the breakfast bells over the camp center loudspeaker. After ten more minutes the bell rings and they move out. Santana spots Quinn when she walks out and practically makes a mad dash towards the other girl.
"Q ohmygod. finally. i missed you so much" she dramatically breathes out. Quinn laughs and hooks her arm through her best friends.
"calm down san. it's only the first day. well, the first real day." she raises a perfect eyebrow when the brunette's face twists into a tortured expression. Brittany walks behind them, enough to not be able to hear but can see the whole exchange. She watches how comfortable Santana is around Quinn. Her curiosity only gets deeper when she watches Quinn kiss santana's cheek and pat her butt when they part ways to split up into cabin groups.
The doors to the mess hall open as the boys all walk in looking exhausted and the girls chat animatedly with each other. They all eat and laugh as puck uses his pancakes as pillows for extra sleep. Will walks in and clears his throat, waiting for everyone to look at him. He smiles warmly and santana rolls her eyes as he winks at emma.
"Good morning everyone! i hope you all had a good night and are ready for the first official day at camp Trouty Mouth!" He says enthusiastically. "Today the campers are arriving and will be separated into two different groups. the campers in the same cabins will be on different teams. As will their counselors. This way, everyone will get to know everyone and no one will just stick to their own group." He pulls out a piece of paper and begins calling out the conselors that will work together. "now, just because you're on the same team doesnt mean you'll be sleeping in the same cabin." He explains and everyone blankly stares back, waiting for the arrangements. "Girls with girls and boys with boys"
"wanky" santana mouths at Quinn and the blonde giggles.
"Quinn, Kitty, and Tina. Rachel, Mercedes, and Marley" Will smiles "those are the girls teams." he keeps reading down the list. "-Santana, Brittany, and sugar." Will reads them off as the last ones and Santana feels her stomach flip. She doesnt listen to the boys team because shes watching the leggy blonde make her way over with a huge smile.
"awesome" she breathes and only looks at the latina. Sugar sits and smiles brightly at both of them.
"We're gonna have a way better team than the other girls" Sugar squeals and claps her hands a little bit. Santana smirks and Brittany smiles. All three girls sit together for a while, getting to know each other more before the campers arrive.
"mmkay, favorite colors?" Sugar looks at the two expectantly. "mine is pink and cheetah" she states.
"cheetah isn't a color, sugar" Santana explains "mine is red" she looks at Brittany, who looks deep in thought. Sugar only pouts at santana's words.
"uhm. i guess, i would say white. Because in physics its all of the colors put together and it doesnt exclude any colors. so yeah. white." She says and looks at the two girls who look at each other and shrug.
"boyfriends?" Brittany asks and Sugar squeals. She glances over to the boys tables and giggles. "Joe's kinda cute. But not sure if he's boyfriends material. It doesn't matter anyway, i have a boytoy back home. His name's Rory" She practically purrs. Santana holds in a gag at the direction this conversation is heading. Before they can finish the door opens and Will walks back in. Sugar looks to both girls and frowns.
"we'll finish this later, for sure." She threatens.
"alright guys! the first campers are here and ready to go!" Will claps his hands together and smiles. He glances around and his eyes land on Santana, Brittany and Sugar. "You girls get the first campers" He beings to turn around and looks back thoughtfully. "Be nice Santana." He threatens and walks out. The three girls look and each other and get up. Santana takes a deep breath and wipes her hands on her shorts, looking for a way to get back home in time to actually enjoy her summer. She thinks about breaking her leg for a moment. Maybe falling on the wet grass or the dock. Maybe kitty will do it for her (she's sure she would). Walking back and finding a way home isn't an option since that's real exercise. Santana doesn't hear Brittany cough but feels the reassuring hand on her arm and looks up.
"you'll be fine. There a group of 9 and 10 year olds, whats the worst they can do?" She says confidently. Santana shrugs puts on a brave face. Maybe for the kids, maybe for the Blonde next her who feels the need to reassure badass snixx lopez.
"SANTANA NO" Brittany lunges for the shorter girls midsection and wraps her arms tightly around her.
"UNGH JUST LET ME GO" Santana whisper yells. She huffs and drops her arms.
"She's adorable really." Sugar says while looking at Santana, earning a threatening look from Brittany.
"She's a tiny version of Kitty. That should have been a red flag." the brunette looks thoughtful for a moment. "a big, huge, bright, blood red flag" She states, as if confirming her own mind about how red the flag is. She tries to move around and realizes Brittany's still holding her. The blonde smiles when she feels a poke at her arm. Santana turns her head and Brittany realizes this too. She laughs and blushes as she releases Santana who looks towards Sugar.
"What's the activity for today?" She asks impatiently. Sugar looks at the paper in her hands.
"Team naming and a welcome campfire." Sugar says cheerfully. Brittany feels excited for the team naming, she loves naming stuff.
"How many of them are there?" Santana asks hesitantly, glancing towards the camp center where groups of kids are laughing and waiting for their counselors. Brittany answers this time.
"six, Naya, Heather, Dianna, Jenna, Amber, and Lea" She counts off in her head. Sugar gasps in awe.
"you already know their names?! we haven't even met them"
Santana snorts "Britts came here ready for this" Brittany grins at the new nickname given to her by the anger-concentrated brunette. They being walking to the camp center and Santana increasingly feels herself curling away from booger infested 10 year olds that feel the need to scream about everything they say. She can feel the blank stares of some of the lesser sociable kids and decides those are her favorite because they don't talk. She glances at Brittany who smiles and greets all of them. Some kids even run up to her and start blabbing about nothing. Brittany listens and even contributes her own theories when one Red headed boy talks about the evil demons hiding in the trees.
"i believe that slenderman only takes bad kids and destroys the monsters that hide in the trees." Brittany explains. She glances at Santana who's watching with an amused expression before continuing. "I also believe he takes the prettiest girls in the forest" She looks at the brunette and Santana swears she can see a twinkle in her eyes before she can roll her own. Brittany can see her fighting the smile forming on her lips. But she still goes on. "I guess you can call him..Tenderman" She stares off into the distance and her face breaks into a wide smile for the Red head boy who stares blankly at her. The blonde shrugs and keeps walking towards the group of girls Sugar is talking animatedly to. She spots the two walking towards her and her eyes cry for help.
"LOOK your other two counselors girls! Britt and Santana" She rushes behind the other girls. Santana looks at Brittany, who's already stepping forward.
"Okay so. i'm glad you all made it tooooo..." She looks around excitedly and drum rolls on a tree trunk. "CAMP TROUTY MOUTH! yay" She looks around once more. "Our first activity is to make a team name and get ready for tonight's campfire. We have all afternoon to talk and think of a way better name than all the other teams will probably come up with" The girls giggle and nod excitedly. Sugar and Santana follow the group as Brittany starts walking to lead them to a private group space, all the while talking to the girls and asking questions about everything.
"What are your favorite colors?" Brittany asks the girls. Each tiny human looks at each other to see who will answer first.
"PINK" a brunette with a huge mouth pipes up and sends an encouraging smile to the others.
"thank you Lea." Brittany smiles warmly. "Please say your names too so we all can make awesome nicknames for each other." The other girls hesitate, Rachel seems to be the loud one. Santana snorts.
"My name is Quinn and i love green." a short haired blonde smiles and looks at the girl next to her.
"I'm Amber and i like purple, it brings out my inner diva." The cute dark skinned girl shrugs.
"i'm Jenna, i like blue i guess." the asian girl mumbles, as if she's asking for confirmation.
"Hi my name is heather and i have no favorite color." a blue eyed blonde girl says and she smiles warmly. The girl next to her frowns.
"you have to have one, everyone does." she states. Heather looks at her.
"well, i don't. i like all colors so." She shrugs
"so you like rainbows?" The nameless girl questions.
Heather thinks for a moment. "yeah i guess."
"cool. i'm Naya and i like the color black" She says to heather instead of the group.
"Awesome." Heather grins.
Santana watches them and smirks. Baby gays.
After everyone talking for a bit and learning things about each other, and a long argument between Dianna and Lea about which mean girl character santana would be (Lea: Regina, Dianna: No, Gretchen, Heather: Why can't she be a nice girl instead?) They sit in a circle and wait for the next direction. Brittany smiles and stands in the middle of the circle with sugar while Santana sitting with the girls on the side.
"O-kay." Brittany grins "Team names! Shoot"
"Cannonballs." Lea yells.
"No, that sucks." Amber frowns
"how about a mix of all our names?" Heather suggests
"Namberennannlea?" Naya tries out
"Heyaleamberennia!" Jenna giggles
"Diamberayennahe" Diana practically wheezes out. The girls are in hysterics and even santana can't help but chuckle at the way the names sound. Like diseases or weird middle earth lands. The girls calm down after a moment and look at their counselors. Amber looks up quickly.
"How about after our counselors? so they know who they are and where our loyalties lie since we're not in the same cabin." She shrugs. Brittany smiles widely and looks at the counselors mischievously.
"Sugrittana?" Sugar frowns "that sounds gross" she looks at santana.
"Sanugarit?" Santana tries.
"Brittanugar!" Brittany squeals. "It sounds savage and awesome and super intimidating." She breathes and looks at the kids for support, they all nod their heads vigorously. Santana and Sugar look at each other before the Brunette looks away to the Blonde. Brittany pouts and Santana knows that it's all over.
"Brittanugar it is." Brittany squeals and Santana knows she would name her firstborn Brittanugar if she got a hug like the one she gets from the blonde every time.
Thanks for reading! i'll be working on the next chapter. suggestions?