Protector ch. 10
I know that I'm in a very tricky situation as I have got out in a sense with one of the parents of a student that I'm currently teaching and if any of the other parents found out especially some of the more… conservative and outspoken ones. I am more than sure that they will say that Quinn is only doing well in class because I'm… 'involved' with her mother but that couldn't be further from the truth as the child is an incredibly bright girl although they won't see it that way. I would never do anything that would put any child's education in jeopardy but I cant ignore the attraction that I feel for the lawyer, thinking back on all the interactions that we had and I guess that it's always been there. Sure, she's made my life a living hell but looking back it, it was her childish way of showing that she might have cared about me more than she would've let on.
If I had known that there was a possibility to explore that side of myself in high school or that I might have had other options than I don't think that I would've been so hung on my ex-boyfriend although who knows. The Latina wasn't always been very open with her feelings and how she reacted if I had try to come on to her back then, it would have been met with a slushy to the face while being yelled at Spanish. Years after high school, we're both different from the girls that we used to be with life taking us in different directions than expected but I think that we might be where we're needed to be. I never thought that I would be sculpting young minds but I find myself enjoying my work more than I thought that I would but a part of me will always wonder what would have happened if I stuck it out. I try to rid myself of those thoughts because I promise myself that I wouldn't dwell on the past, it will only drive me crazy and that's not good for anyone.
Santana might not have been the nicest or the easiest person to get close to in high school but it's quite obvious that she's change and I want to get to know who she is at the moment in her life. Kurt and Blaine live in the city as well and I love to catch on what's been going on in their lives as I miss having my best in my life after not seeing each other for so long as I'm also their son's teacher. Finn is such a sweet boys although a bit slow on the uptake but it seems that Quinn doesn't mind helping him with his schoolwork as they could be seen in the corner, working on homework together as they wait for their parents to arrive. I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that Santana wants to go out with me but after talking and understanding why she did what she did, I understand why the reason behind it. I was telling her the truth when I had forgiven the lawyer for her bullying, wanting to build a relationship with her and even if a romantic one doesn't work out between us, I still want her in my life.
After the clubbing that one night, Unique and Tina have showed up at my place almost every other night with the intention of finding any developments in my love life and I told me about meeting up with the Latina for coffee. The both of them think that I should go for it even after I told them about my reservations about dating a student's parent as the fashion teacher tells me that she's still a better option than Mr. Weston and I couldn't agree more with on that. No matter how many times that I've try telling him that I wasn't interested in dating him or having a repeat performance of the night before I arrive at this school as I'm starting to think of filing a sexual harassment complaint against him. The physical education teacher thinks that he's being charming and that if he keeps asking me out that it will wear me down but it's not going to be the case as the only reason that I slept with him in the first place was because I was intoxicated at the time.
I highly doubt that the sex was even that great as I vaguely remember any of it and it's becoming one of those moments that I'm currently regretting more and more but the night that Santana brought me back to her place, it was perfect. There wasn't a time that I regret it as she made sure that it was something that I wanted, making sure that I was okay during and after and what was even better was that she took care of me when I was hung-over. I could have done without the alcohol coursing through my veins that night as I was about to make another questionable decision with a random stranger but thankfully the lawyer was there to stop me. The Latina has definitely changed since high school and I look forward to seeing what else has changed as I walk down aisle at the local bookstore, looking for something to help to inspire my lesson plan when I hear someone calling my name.
I look up to see Santana, heading my direction as I take in that she's wearing a grey tank top and denim jean shorts that makes her legs look amazing with smooth caramel skin on full display that I just want to reach out and touch. My eyes slowly makes it up her body until they lock with hers to see the smug yet amused smirk, knowing full well that I was checking her out causing me to blush embarrassed before clearing my throat.
"H-Hello Santana, what brings you to the bookstore?" I asked trying to make conversation.
"Q needs some new books because she blew the ones that she already had and I'm hoping that these will last a little bit longer than the last bunch that I brought but with how much and how fast that kid reads, there's no telling" Santana said smiling fondly. "I swear that I'm gonna spend a fortune on books but what about you?"
"I'm hoping to fin some literature to help keep my lessons interesting so the kids will stay stimulating but you will never know with children's rather short attention spans and I'm not sure if these books will actually help me" I said looking at the book in my hand.
"I'm sure that you'll figure it out, I know that Quinn cant stop talking about how fun your lessons are. Whatever you're doing must be working" Santana said nudging my shoulder with hers.
"Thank you for that" I said smiling.
"So I was thinking about our lunch date and there's little spot not too far from here that I wanna take you out. I check the place out and they've got vegan options so you don't have to stick to eating salad the whole night"
"You remember that I'm a vegan" I said surprised.
"Yeah, you kept reminding us in Glee club and unlike that douchey ex boyfriend of yours, I was actually listening to you when you spoke even when you spoke in paragraphs"
"It's nice to know that someone was and Damien wasn't that bad"
"He fed you meat that one time when you told him that you were a vegan since you were eleven and gotten sick because of it. He treated you like shit and I was over the moon when you finally kicked his meathead ass to the curb" Santana said frowning profusely.
Sure, Damien and I had our problems in high school as he was the star quarterback and point guard and he was the first boyfriend that I had, knowing that I was lucky that he had taken interest in the small town girl with the big dreams. A few of my follow Glee club members thought that I could do better with Santana being one of more vocal ones after finding out that he had cheated on me with multiple girls on the Cheerios but I had convinced myself that we were meant to be. I thought we were going to New York together, go college, have all our dreams come true, get married, settle down and have a family but things didn't turn out that way when Damien broke up with me six months before graduation. His acceptance letter to UCLA had came in the mail and he didn't want a relationship, stating that he needed to focus on football and basketball but I knew that he didn't want to be with me anymore as he broke up with me in front of everyone.
It was utterly embarrassing and humiliating to say the least but I pour everything that I had to ensuring that the New Directions made it to Nationals, becoming National champions that year. Seeing how protective Santana of me then was confusing but it felt good that she actually cared about me in a way and seeing that side of her again is great, acting impulsively I kiss her on the cheek as she looks surprised before smiling.
"Cant keep your hands off me, can you Berry?"
"Oh whatever, Lopez" I said rolling my eyes.
Santana was about to said something when a small body running up to her with a small bag to the brim with books, bending down to see what books her daughter had decided that she wants to read. Finn comes trailing behind her with a book or two that I assume that was on sports before the two children notice that I was standing there, I couldn't help finding their shocked expressions funny as I'm sure that seeing your teacher outside of school is rather startling. The avid reader was the first to get over her shock, offering me a bright smile before asking what books would I be getting as the taller friend was staring at me with a shocked look on his face. Santana giggles as she reminds me that Kurt wants to the both of us at his place Thursday night for dinner as the kids looks at us with worried looks on their faces.
"Are we in trouble?" Finn asked concerned.
"Of course not Sweetie, you might not have known this but myself, your dads and Santana went to school together in Ohio. There's where we used to live there our entire lives but it's been a long time since I seen them and good things to say about the two of you if it makes you better" I said placing a comforting on his shoulder.
Finn instantly relaxes although Quinn looks at me hesitant, looking between her mother and I but doesn't say anything, offering me a small smile as she grabs her friend's hand to drag him somewhere in the store. I don't know what to make of that reaction as Santana places a hand on my shoulder, telling me not to worry about it and it's gonna be fine but I'm not so sure as she kisses me on the cheek before following her daughter and her friend. I hope that I'm just worried for nothing because I don't want the avid reader to not like me because of my relationship with her mother but I guess that time will only tell as I gather the books that I intended to get, paying at the register before heading home. I walk home to eat some Thai food and maybe a glass of wine but before I could do that, my phone rings and I see that it's unfamiliar number, pressing the answer button.
"Rachel Barbra Berry speaking, how may I help you?"
"Its nice to see that some things haven't change since high school"
"D-Damien Houghton?!" I said at the sound of my ex-boyfriend's voice.
"Hey Rach" Damien said smiling.
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 10