Chapter 9
Brittany's POV
I am meeting with Santana and Quinn at the restaurant today. I'm really nervous about the meeting. Not about meeting Santana's friend. I actually haven't thought much about that. I'm nervous about seeing Santana again. It's been two whole weeks since we went camping.
I'm sitting at a booth at the restaurant waiting for them to show up. I look around the room nervously. It's not too busy right now, but that could change. I don't know if I prefer if it were busy or not when Santana and her friend show up.
I picked a booth because I thought it would be easier to meet Santana's friend that way then if we were all sitting in a row at the counter. I really want to sit at the counter just because I always sit there and would feel more comfortable there. But, I'm guessing that I won't be too comfortable with a lot of things that happen today.
"Hey, Brittany." I look up and to my left where someone is standing. It's not who I excepted. "What brings you in here today?" The waitress, Sally, asks.
"Oh." I look around the room hoping to spot Santana. "I'm meeting with Santana and her friend Quinn. She's in town for- I don't know how long actually. But, meeting her friend Quinn for the first time today."
"Oh." Sally makes a face.
"What?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing. Just-"
"What?" I blurt. Now is no time for Sally to be evasive.
"Just that Santana was talking about it the other day when I worked with her. She said she was excited to be seeing you again but also that she was nervous at the same time. I should have known when I first saw you, that's what you were doing here. It all makes sense now."
I nod. So, Santana is excited to see me. I don't know if that makes me more nervous or less. Probably more.
"Can I get you something to drink while you wait?"
"Yeah, can I have a Dr. Pepper, please."
"Sure thing." Sally nods and promptly turns to go.
Usually I would have water. Cuz water's the best for you but today isn't a usual day. I think I'm gonna need at least a little caffeine.
It happens as I'm waiting for Sally to return with my drink.
The door swings open and a blonde woman, who I don't recognize, with short hair enters the restaurant. But, it's who follows her that makes my breath catch. Santana comes in behind the blonde. She is talking to the woman in front of her and I watch as she points out something over by the cash register. The blonde nods and then Santana looks around the restaurant. When she spots me and our eyes meet and she smiles, but it's reserved, close-lipped. She gives a little nervous wave with her hand at her side. It's endearing. I smile and wave her over to the booth.
Santana grabs the blonde by the elbow and leads her over in my direction. I get up out of my seat just as they get to the booth.
"Quinn, this is Brittany." Santana says. I extend my hand for Quinn to shake. Quinn looks down at my hand and then back up at my face. I smile as genuinely as I can. My nerves have the best of me and I hope I don't look like a fool.
A second passes before Quinn reaches out and takes my hand giving it a few pumps before letting go. "It's nice to meet you, Brittany."
"Likewise." I say and slide back into my seat.
Quinn takes a seat across from me and slides into the booth to make room for Santana, who sits down after her.
Before we can all get situated, Sally returns. "Oh, hello girls." She says at the new additions to the booth.
"Hi, Sally." Santana greets. "This is my best friend, Quinn."
"Hello, Quinn." Sally puts my Dr. Pepper down on the table top. "What can I get you to drink?"
"I'll just have water." Quinn says politely.
"What about you, Santana?"
"Um, I'll have coffee, please."
We all order something to eat too and Sally writes that down on her little pad and leaves. I see that Quinn is looking at Santana funny, like she is waiting for her to say something, or is asking her a silent question.
"What?" Santana squeaks. "I didn't sleep too great last night."
It makes me feel bad. I feel bad that Santana lost sleep. I hope it wasn't because of our meeting today. I hope I didn't have anything to do with her poor nights sleep.
I watch Quinn as she nods but doesn't say anything. They share a look and it makes me feel like I'm looking in on something that I shouldn't be. Like I'm intruding on a private moment between friends.
Feeling anxious I start the conversation. "Quinn, is Santana showing you around the area and being a good hostess?"
"Yeah right." Quinn laughs. "She showed me this place and that's about it. I had to find my own way to the grocery store yesterday when I needed to pick up a few things. I have no idea where I am around here most of the time. Good thing I have GPS."
I chuckle lightly. "That is a good thing. You said yesterday, is that when you got here or have you been here for a few days?"
"No, I got here on Thursday evening. So, I've been here like a day and a half."
"Did you and Santana do anything fun yesterday?"
Quinn nods. "Yeah, actually, we went to Sturgeon Bay and went shopping. They have all of those little shops downtown. They have so many little specialty shops with unique items and little knick-knacks. It's great. It's a great place to go and visit."
I turn to Santana to ask my next question. "Is that the only place you guys went. You didn't do anything else while you were in that area?" One of the state parks that I mentioned for Santana go to and camp is just outside of Sturgeon Bay. I was hoping that if she was in the area that maybe she would have stopped at the state park - even if it wasn't to camp. There are other things to do at the state park then just camp.
Santana nods. And then I nod. I guess she didn't take my advice and visit the state park. I know it's not shopping and it's more of an outdoorsy activity, but I was hoping she would go at least once this summer. If not to camp then to just go for a day or a half day and hike the trails and stuff.
I catch Quinn looking at me and I scrunch up my face. Did I say something wrong? Why is she looking at me like that? She looks away from me when I make eye contact. She turns her attention back to Santana.
I slump back in my seat. "Okay. Well, you guys should do some other fun things while Quinn is here. You should go to the tip of Door County. Visit all the little tourist towns on the way." I suggest. Santana should bring Quinn somewhere that is fun. They should have a good time.
"NO!" Santana nearly jumps out of her seat. She bolts forward and leans over the table top.
"What the hell, S?" Quinn puts a hand on Santana's arm and pulls back in her seat. "It's just a suggestion. It actually sounds like fun. What's there to do there?"
I think for a second before I tell Quinn. "You could go to all the little tourist towns and do some shopping. Or window shopping. There are a lot of cool little shops. You could also go to the state park and go up in the observation tower and look out over the land and water. You can see for miles. You could tour a lighthouse, those are really cool. You guys could even go to the point and take the ferry across the straight and explore Washington Island or Rock Island. I never been to the islands but they're on my list."
"Wow. That sounds cool. I'm totally not the outdoor type but one day won't kill me. What do you think, San? We could go tomorrow or Monday."
Santana has her arms crossed over her chest and very determined scowl on her face. I don't know why she looks so agitated and it bothers me. She doesn't respond to Quinn.
"What the hell, Santana? This girl just gave us some fine suggestions and you look like a little kid who just got told Santa isn't real and that they aren't getting any Christmas presents anymore." There's a little bit of roughness or irritation in Quinn's voice when she speaks.
Santana stands up and starts walking away from the table. "I have to go to the bathroom." She mumbles as she walks away from us. I watch as she goes into the restaurant restroom.
I slump further down in my seat. This is great increasingly more awkward.
"What wrong with her?" Quinn asks and it directs my attention to her.
I smile sadly. "I think I know. I probably shouldn't talk about suggestions for things for you guys to do."
Quinn nods but I don't think she really understands what I'm saying. "I'm sorry. You seem like a great friend to Santana, but this is getting weird. I don't want things to be weird, I just want things to be normal, easy. And they aren't. I think I might just go. You and Santana have a good time while you are here. It was a pleasure to meet you, Quinn." I push out of the booth seat and stand up. I pull some cash out of my pocket to pay for my meal, that I haven't gotten yet, before I go.
"Stop." Quinn says from behind me. I turn back to her and wait. "Don't go. Just- just stay. Trust me." There is a certain definition in her voice. Something strong, confident. "Let's just eat. Let's not talk about plans or anything. I'm only here tomorrow and Monday and then I leave Tuesday morning and Santana has to work Monday afternoon, I think, so that only leaves tomorrow. But, I don't care if we don't do anything else. I was just giving Santana crap before about not showing me around the area." Quinn points to the spot across the table from her. "Sit."
I'm not sure. I really don't want to make this meeting worse than it already is, but Quinn seems so sure about me staying. I could stay and just keep my big mouth shut for the rest of the meal. That way I won't say anything to cause any more of a ruckus.
I shrug and return to my seat. "I guess I could stay." I tell Quinn with a nod.
Not even a minute later Santana returns to the table. "Sorry." She says as she slides into the booth. Our food comes shortly after.
There is a silence between all three of us at the table as we eat. I try to keep to myself and not look over at Santana too much, but curiosity gets the best of me- as it always does. I look up from my plate and get a glimpse of Santana. She is dipping a French Fry into her ketchup and then brings it to her mouth. Her lips open and she slips the fry inside, sucking on the tips of her fingers as she pulls them out. Her eyes shift to me and catch mine. I look away quickly and gulp down the large lump in my throat.
The rest of the meal I look at anything and everything in the restaurant that isn't Santana. It's hard, like really hard, cuz she's sitting directly across from me.
A couple times I glance over in Quinn's direction. The first time I do, she is eating her meal and minding her own business. But, the second time, well, that's different. I look over at the blonde and she is looking back at me. I quirk an eyebrow in her direction asking her a silent question. She ignores it though. She turns her eyes away from me and looks next to her to Santana and then back to me. She smiles. I look over at Santana who is oblivious to whatever it is that Quinn is doing. When my eyes find Quinn again she is still smiling. She nods her head to her right, in Santana's direction. I shake my head. I don't know what she wants or means. I don't know what Quinn is getting at. She shakes her head with that same slightly giddy smile on her face.
She finally breaks the silence. Quinn clears her throat and then speaks. "Santana." She says and Santana perks up at her name and turns to look at Quinn. "Why don't you just put all this nonsense to rest and tell Brittany already."
Santana glares at Quinn, I've never seen her look so angry.
"Tell me what?" I say.
"It's nothing." Santana huffs.
"It's not nothing." Quinn snorts.
"Quinn." Santana growls at her.
I look behind Santana and Quinn while they stare at each other. My eyes finally rest on Quinn, looking for answers. It's seems that whatever Quinn wants Santana to tell me, Santana doesn't want to say for herself.
Quinn breaks her stare-off with Santana and shakes her head. She looks over to me and then back to Santana. "God, you're so ridiculous, Santana." She throws her hands up in the air in exasperation. She turns to me as if Santana isn't even there. "She broke up with her boyfriend." Quinn says with a smug smile and looks back to Santana. Santana just rolls her eye, annoyed with Quinn.
My eyes widen. "What?" Did she just say what I think she said.
Quinn shrugs. "Yeah. Santana called me up and told me about it the other day. I'll admit I was surprised but the way she talked about you afterwards was like you crapped gold or something." She chuckles.
"Stop." Santana squawks.
Quinn ignores Santana and continues. "She broke up with him so she could see if something could happen with you."
"Really?" I find myself saying. I'm astonished right now. I don't know if I can believe what's happening.
"Yeah. Right, S?"
Both Quinn and I turn to Santana for her answer. Santana, in turn, looks down at her hands in her lap but she nods once. "I broke up with Puck." She says in a small, timid voice, just above a whisper.
My reaction surprises myself. "You shouldn't have. I never wanted for that to happen. That's why I was giving you space. I never wanted you to break up with him. We can just be friends. I can do that. You don't have to break up with him because of me. I never meant to ruin your relationship. I'm sorry."
She looks so, so small. I want to reach out and touch her hand but they are both in her lap. Santana won't even look at me. She looks like she is about to fall apart into a million little pieces. I look to Quinn to see what to do. She's Santana's friend, she will know what to do more than I will.
Quinn sits there staring at me with her mouth agape.
"What?" I ask self-consciously.
Quinn just shakes her head. I stare at her trying to figure out why she looks so stunned. And she looks at me, just the same, trying to figure me out.
I don't notice until I hear footsteps that Santana has gotten up from the booth and is headed into the bathroom again. "Fuck." I mumble under my breath. I should have just left when I wanted to and none of this would have happened.
Quinn sighs. "She didn't break up with him because of you. She broke up with him for you."
Quinn's word take a second to sink in and when they do realization passes over me. "Oh." I say dumbly.
Quinn starts to slide out of the booth. "Wait." I stop Quinn before she can get to a standing position. "I'll go." I get up with a nod of my head. Quinn smiles and slides back into the corner of the booth. I wipe my hands over the front of my shirt, flattening it out unnecessarily, nervously.
With a deep breath I push the bathroom door open and what I hear breaks my heart. The sound of Santana crying comes from one of the two bathroom stalls. I go over to the one with the door closed and knock on the door.
"Santana, it's Brittany. Can you open the door?"
I get no response so I keep knocking lightly. "Please, Santana. Come out and talk to me. I don't like it when you are sad. Please, just open the door." I wait for an answer from Santana or for her to open the door but neither happen.
I stop knocking and press both my palms to the door and place the side of my face against the cold metal between my hands. "Santana, please." I beg. "I just want to make sure you are alright. Come on out so we can finish lunch." My voice is gentle and quiet. I wonder if she can even hear me over the sound of her crying.
"Santana." I say a little louder, so that she can hear me this time.
Suddenly, the door swings open. I jolt a little and take a half step to keep from falling forward. Good thing too, because as soon as the door is open Santana falls into me. Literally, her body crashes into mine. I have to take a half step backwards to keep from falling back now.
I catch her and immediately wrap my arms tight around her shuddering body. I hold Santana tight around her middle and with one hand rub gently circles into her back. She clings tightly to me, too. Her hands are fisted in the material of my shirt, at my back, near my shoulders. I shift my hand from rubbing circles and raise it to cradle the back of her head where it lays upon my shoulder, holding her cheek to my shoulder.
"Please, just stop crying." I beg. I can't stand it when other people cry. It's even worse when it's someone I care about. "Shh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I- I-" It's even worse that Santana is crying because of me and the things I said. "I'm sorry."
She shifts. Santana's lifts her head from my shoulder and looks up at me. I look into those sad, big, brown eyes. The whites of her eyes are red and tear tracks stain her cheeks. She looks so sad. Her eyes search my face and then she licks her lips. I think she's about to say something but she doesn't. She sniffles and rests her head back on my shoulder. I kiss the top of her head and start rocking back and forth gently.
Santana slowly stops crying. She sniffles every now and then but the tears have stopped. I can tell without even having to see her face. I hold her for as long as I need to - for as long as she needs me to.
I think about everything that's happened in the last ten minutes. It feels like a lifetime ago that Santana and Quinn entered the restaurant and I met Quinn for the first time. So much has happened during this little lunch meeting and lunch isn't even over yet. But- what happens now?
Eventually, Santana calms down. Her fists loosen in my shirt and she flattens her hands out against my back. I take that as my sign. "Are you ready to go back out?" I ask and look down at her.
She lifts her face from my shoulder and nods. She still looks so sad but something almost twinkles behind her eyes.
I want to ask why she was crying- I think I know the reason- but I don't want her to shed any more tears.
Santana clears her throat. "Just go ahead. I'm gonna wash my face."
I nod. "Okay." I kiss her on the forehead and let her go. She goes over to the sink and I go to the door. I look back over my shoulder, in her direction, and give her a tiny smile. She smiles back and it makes me feel a little better. I grab the door handle and pull it open.
We are going to need to talk about a lot of things after this. I'm not even sure what right now, but I know that we need to talk. I need to know some things and I need to tell Santana some things.
I walk back to the table and slide into the booth seat. Immediately, Quinn starts asking questions. "Is Santana alright? Is she coming back? What happened in there? Why is your shoulder all wet?"
I nod. "Yeah, she'll be back in a minute."
Quinn narrows her eyes at me, skeptical. "Okay."
A few seconds later Santana returns to the booth.
I look up from my plate as Santana slides into the booth and as she takes her seat. Santana smiles back then tucks her napkin into her lap.
"What the hell happened in there?" Quinn asks looking between Santana and I.
I shrug but don't say anything about anything. Santana doesn't say anything either and returns to her plate of food. Quinn groans as both Santana and I return to eating.
We eat in relative silence the rest of the meal. I eat a little and then sneak a little peek at Santana and then eat a little more. A few seconds later, I steal another look just to catch Santana sneaking a little look back. I smile and duck my head, getting back to my food.
"Well, that was a very good meal." Quinn comments and puts her napkin on the top of her empty plate.
"It was." Santana agrees.
"I like this place." Quinn says.
"Good. I do too." Santana says with a smile.
"Alright, ladies. I'll take care of this and then we can get out of here." I grab the check and wave it in the air.
"Okay." Quinn says with a nod.
"NO. Brittany you don't have to pay for mine and Quinn's lunch. Let me pay for it. At least, let's split the check." Santana argues.
"Just let me." I insist. "It's the least I could do. Just think of it as me celebrating meeting Quinn for the first time." I wink at Quinn and she grins. "But, I will warn you, the next time that I share a meal with you Quinn, you are paying for your own food."
"Hey, what?" Quinn squeals and slaps her palms on the table.
Santana laughs. "Haha, Quinn. Does that mean you will pay for my food next time?" She asks with a dopey little smile.
"Hmm." I bring my hand up to my chin and rub over it with my fingers mocking intense thought. "I don't know. That depends." I tell her.
"On what?" Santana asks.
I stand up from my seat. "On the situation." I say and throw a five on the table for a tip. Santana looks a little stunned. I spin on my heels and walk over to the cash register.
Quinn laughs from behind me as I go. "Get out of the booth, you dweeb." She says to Santana.
I pay the check and Santana and Quinn wait by the door for me to finish. We all walk outside together and go over to Santana's car.
Santana stops at the front of the car and I stop in front of her so that we are facing each other. "So?" She says.
"Soooo?" I say back, mocking her.
Santana rolls her eyes at me. "When will I get to see you again?"
I shrug. I don't really know. That's a very good question. "After Quinn leaves maybe." It seems most likely at this point.
Santana whines. "I don't want to wait until Tuesday or later to see you again." She huffs and pouts. God, she's so cute sometimes.
"Okay. What about tomorrow? What are you doing tomorrow?" I amend. It's the only opportunity that I have in the next five days.
"I don't know." She shrugs.
"How about you call me when you figure out what you are doing?" I suggest.
Santana nods. "Okay."
"Maybe we could just hanging out at your house- on the beach or something like that." I add.
"But, my mom and dad and brother are there."
"So?"
Santana knits her brow together. "You don't care?"
I hold out my hand palm up in between us and wiggle my fingers. Santana sets her palm in mine. I slide my hand down hers palm and curl my fingertips. I hook fingertips with hers and swing our hands back and forth slowly, gently.
I shake my head, no. "Plus, I already know your dad."
Santana's eyes go from calm and smiling to bugged out in about point five seconds. "What? How do you know my dad?"
"I think you are forgetting few things." Santana cocks her head to the side. "Like, how I am a landscaper and I do all the work at your house."
She ducks her head in embarrassment. "Oh. Right."
"Yeah, I've talked to your dad a few times. Mostly about yard work and stuff but he's seems like nice guy."
"He's the nicest guy." Santana adds.
There is a pause before Santana says more. We stand there for a while just looking at each other. My eyes flicker over Santana eyes, her face, taking in every part of her. "So, you don't mind if my family is there?" Her question returns my eyes to hers.
I shake my head. "Not at all."
"Even my annoying older brother." Santana asks.
I lift my left arm up at my side- the one not holding onto Santana's fingers- and flex my muscles. "I think I can handle him." I joke.
Santana laughs. Mission accomplished. It's been a while since I've heard that full hearty laugh from her. It feels good to finally hear it again.
"I will let you know about tomorrow then." She says once she's finished laughing.
"I'm not getting any younger." Quinn yells from where she is sitting in the passengers seat with the car door open.
Santana rolls her eyes and I giggle. We stare at each other some more.
I lean in closer to her. So close and whisper. "I would kiss you right now but Quinn is watching." I nod over Santana's shoulder to the car behind her at the girl sitting there watching our every move.
"So?" Santana says to my surprise.
I pull away from her creating more space between us again. I lick my lips. It's very tempting. I could just lean in and kiss those perfect, plump lips. But-
"I don't want her to think that I'm just trying to get in your pants."
Santana lets go of my fingers and smacks my on the arm. "Brittany." She chides.
I rub at my arm in mock hurt. "Owww. That hurt. What was that for?"
"You know what."
"Okay. Okay." I raise my hands in the air in surrender. "I'll let you go before Quinn starts the car herself and drives off without you."
Although, now that I think about it that wouldn't be so bad for me. I would be alone with Santana and probably have to bring her home because she wouldn't have a ride. Maybe I should just let Quinn drive away.
Santana nods. "I'll call or text you tomorrow."
"Okay." Then I yell over Santana shoulder. "It was very nice to meet you, Quinn."
"Likewise." Quinn says with a nod and then slams her car door shut.
I giggle and turn my attention back to Santana. "Can I get a hug?"
Santana nods with a tiny little smile.
I open my arms nice and wide and Santana steps into them. She puts her arms around my waist and I wrap her up with my arms around her back, over her shoulders. I put my cheek to hers and hear Santana sigh. Her whole body relaxes in our embrace. I relax too.
"We have a lot to talk about." I whisper in Santana's ear. She nods and squeezes at my waist. After a few more seconds, I loosen my grip. "Okay." Santana lets go, too, ending our hug.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." I tell her.
"Okay, bye, Britt."
I smile at the nickname. Santana rounds the front of the car and opens the driver's side door before sliding into her seat. I follow her over to her side. She starts the car and rolls down the front windows.
I lean over and put my forearms on the window frame, ducking my head into the car. "Bye, Quinn." I smirk at her.
"Bye, Brittany." She says back.
"And Bye, Santana." I smile my biggest, happiest smile for her.
"Bye." She mumbles and puts the car in gear.
I take a step back and wave as they drive out of the parking lot.
Things are definitely different then when I arrived here. A lot has changed over the last hour or two. I am happy, for the most part. A little nervous, too. But, I think things are looking up. It seems that there are happy days to come. A lot of smiles, and fun, and good times. I am excited about the possibilities. Santana and I have some things to discuss but after that- anything's possible.
