Thank you for the reviews, alerts, and favs. Much appreciated. Like I said, not your typical Brittana story, but glad you are enjoying it.
I hope that you all enjoy this chapter. I'm going to move things a bit quicker after this!
I own nothing. Just borrowing to tell this story.
The next few weeks flew by. Santana had taken over the Cheerios without a hitch. Sue still came to practice every day and shouted her insults to the members of the squad, but it was Santana's crew now. Their new routines had a hip hop flare and if possible, they had an even bigger following than before. Santana was even able to talk BJ into letting them perform at half time of the girl's games. The combination of a winning basketball team and a championship cheer squad didn't leave many empty seats in the gym these days.
Thanksgiving came and went. BJ didn't have any plans to go home to visit her family because of the holiday tournaments they were participating in, but Santana managed to talk her into spending the day with her and her family. BJ was grateful for her friendship with Santana. Holidays were tough enough, but spending the day entirely alone would have just been pathetic. She had met Mr. & Mrs. Lopez after one of the basketball games. They came to watch Santana's squad perform and ended up becoming new basketball fans as well. The Lopez's were thankful for the friendship that had formed as well. Her mother commented that Santana seemed a little happier these days and thanked BJ for being such a good friend. Mrs. Lopez had no idea how important Santana had become to BJ as well.
There was just a week left before Christmas break. Today, they would have their final staff meeting of the year. BJ and Santana joined Coach Beiste and Mr. Schue at a table near the front of the teacher's lounge. After exchanging pleasantries, Figgins began the meeting by announcing that everyone could pick up their Christmas Turkey bonus after school in the main office on Friday. He then announced that there would be some changes taking place in the next semester. It was announced that Will would be going on sabbatical for the remainder of the year as he traveled to New York to fulfill some of his dreams working on stage. In his absence, they would be opening up a position to take over the Glee Club. The person clearly must be able to sing, teach music, and choreograph. If the position was not filled in the coming weeks, the duties would be split among the qualified staff, which, Santana new at this point, would fall on her shoulders. That would also mean that Sue would come back to work with the Cheerios. It's not like she doesn't still work here anyway. I did love Glee. It might be fun to get involved with it again. Santana thought to herself.
The meeting ended and everyone went their separate ways. BJ noticed the look on Santana's face during the meeting. She also knew someone that might be qualified for that position. She just had to put some pieces together and find a way to carry out her plan.
A couple weeks ago BJ had stopped into one of the local shops at the mall to try and get a little Christmas shopping done. A kind, middle aged woman helped her pick a few things out for her mother. BJ noticed something about the woman. She had distinct features. She'd seen them somewhere before. The women engaged her in small talk and she knew that BJ was the girls basketball coach at McKinley. She mentioned that her youngest had just graduated a couple of years ago. Her oldest was a McKinley grad too, but had spent the past few years traveling for work. She was in California now, but would be coming back soon. The younger woman could sense how happy this mother was to have her daughter coming home. They talked a bit more while the older woman gift wrapped the presents that BJ had purchased. She still couldn't help but wonder why this woman looked so familiar. It was clear to her that this was their first meeting, but there was just something about her. After the woman had finished the wrapping and BJ had paid her, the younger woman noticed a small picture frame near the register. There were four of them standing in front of Madison Square Garden below a "Beyonce I Am World sign." "Is this your family?"
The woman nodded and her smiled beamed with pride. "You have a beautiful family ma'am."
"Please, call me Susan. I'm not old enough to be a ma'am yet." The woman chuckled.
BJ smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your help! I'll definitely be back!
"You're welcome. Best of luck Coach!"
"Thank you! Happy Holidays!"
BJ walked out of the shop and turned back to look at the name of the place. Pierce's Puzzles & Such. Brittany's mom. So Brittany's coming home for Christmas. She knew what she was going to get Santana for Christmas. She made up her mind then and there that she was going to get the two of them in the same room somehow, someway.
Santana and BJ had spent quite a bit of time together the past few weeks. They had been watching each other's practices when possible and Santana was obviously at all the home basketball games. BJ never got to watch the half time routines so that's why she took in the practices each week. She didn't mind being there. She loved hip hop after all and she had been able to provide the inspiration for a couple of their routines. She even showed the Cheerios a couple dance moves that they incorporated. Santana had no idea she could dance until she busted a move while making a suggestion for their routine. The two had become each other's biggest supporters.
Santana had slowly let her walls down and BJ had learned quite a bit about her in a fairly short period of time. On the other hand though, BJ hadn't shared much and it was frustrating at times for the Latina. She couldn't help but think that there was so much that she didn't know about her friend yet. She wondered why BJ was so guarded. There hadn't even been a hint. It was like a mystery that she just had to solve.
Santana typically left the building about forty five minutes after practice, but tonight she got her own workout in and after she had showered, decided to wait for BJ to finish running her own practice. She sat up in the corner of the bleachers out of the way so she wouldn't be a distraction to anyone. As she hugged her knees into her chest, she found herself really paying attention to the little things as basketball practice on this night. Making mental notes, the cheer coach noticed how Coach Eckles focused on the minor details. How important they were to the big picture. The hoops coach corrected foot work, screening angles, floor positioning, and taught her players to read defense so that they were able to make the correct cut to get open. She taught them to communicate with each other and not just to shout random terms that all teams "communicate" with. She taught them what and how to communicate and why. The results so far had been a winning season. However, what impressed Santana the most was the way practice ended.
"Bring it in!" The team circled up at half court. "You see girls, all these little things that we spend so much time on each afternoon are not just about us learning how to win basketball games. Basketball is just the tool that I'm using to teach you about life. You have to pay attention to the details. The details are what make life so exciting. Most people do just enough to get by and think that that is success, but those that pay attention to the little things and don't coast, are the people that are truly successful. Remember, you can't read the defense if you play too fast and you can't read a book if you flip through the pages too fast. Slow down. Pay attention. Make the right decision. It's the little parts that make the whole possible."
The group of girls circled around the coach had hung on every word and all nodded with understanding. Santana herself had hung on to every word as well. "Great practice today! Now get showered and get home. Hit the books and remember to thank you parents." The team broke their huddle with the word "family."
BJ was wise for her age. Her words made Santana think about her own life as well. The past few years she hadn't paid much attention to the details. She hasn't exactly coasted either, but those words stayed with her. Still hidden up in the corner of the bleachers, Santana was so impressed with the way BJ connected with the team and how effectively she was able to get her message across. She only hoped that she could have a similar effect on her team. The gym had cleared out and BJ must not have ever noticed Coach Lopez enter during practice. She tried to make herself even smaller up there in the corner as she felt like she was interrupting something private.
BJ did a quick scan on the court to make sure all the girls had left. She grabbed a ball off of the rack and took a deep breath. This game had always been her release. Over time, it became her torture as well. Well, not the game exactly. The position. That was the real torture. She rubbed her hands over the leather sphere in her hands. The court was where she always felt at home. It's where she worked her way through her thoughts. It's where she learned to cope. She took another deep breath and went to work.
For thirty minutes straight, Santana watched BJ shoot shot after shot and watched them fall through the bottom of the net. She watched her run sprints, handle the ball with ease, and break down imaginary defenders. It was almost like to was arguing with herself, an internal battle of sorts. Whatever it was, Santana sat enthralled in what was happening before her. Then, after what seemed like the one thousandth shot, BJ just stopped. Drenched in sweat she stood there, breathing heavily, eyes closed, and hands on her hips for a minute or more. Santana watched her mumble something softly and then she grabbed the ball, put in on the rack and headed towards her office.
Santana didn't know what to do. So, quietly, she slipped down the bleachers and to her office in the Cheerios locker room. She had no idea what she just witnessed, but she was more curious than ever. She gathered her thoughts and then her things and made her way back to the basketball office.
BJ , fresh out of the shower, looked up and then to her watch. "Here a little late tonight aren't you?"
Santana shrugged. "I just wanted to go over a few things. " There was silence. "Are you ok?"
Without looking up, BJ nodded. "Couldn't be better." Silence again.
"Dinner?" Brief silence.
"Uh, sure. I've got to make a stop first though. Is eight too late?"
"No, it's perfect. I've got to swing by my folks first anyway."
"OK. I'll walk out with you. I'm done here for the night." They walked in silence to their cars. It was seven o'clock and dark as can be already. "Alright, well… I'll see you at the Pub in a bit ok?"
"OK." Santana replied. She didn't hide the concern in her voice very well.
BJ arrived at the mall and headed straight for Pierce's. She was on a mission.
"BJ! You're back!"
Laughing, BJ said, "I told you I would be!"
"So what brings you in tonight?"
"Well, I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk? I wanted to ask you a few questions and see if you could help me with something- another Christmas gift of sorts."
"There is no greater gift than serving others. Now, sit. What can I help you with?"