Ch. 10 Foot In The Door
When I cracked open my eyes to read the clock on my bedside table, I mentally cheered at the digital numbers staring back at me. It was a new day, Friday! finally Friday and I would have a reprieve from being in school. No more being on a constant edge because of Sue and her stalking, no more teasing from Quinn about Brittany and I... just no more anything.
Oh yes... I just have to get through this afternoon and I'm free for three days, thanks to a teacher planning day on Monday.
With a sense of purpose, I scramble out of my bed to brush my teeth and take a quick shower. It practically takes me all of five minutes to get cleaned up and another ten to get dressed; without further ado, I head downstairs. I don't hear my grandma moving about or smell coffee brewing so I frown. I make my way to the kitchen with a mild expression slowly turning itself into an accepting look once I note my breakfast is just a pop tart left on the table. Next to it lies a few twenty dollars bills with a note stuck underneath it. I pick up the silver package and tear at the top so I can eat the sugary pastry as I read over the note with my grandma's legible scrawl on it.
Cara de Basura,
I was in too much of a rush to make breakfast so I left you one of your pop tarts you force me to buy but never eat.
I snort to myself just imagining the scowl that must've been on her face as she wrote that first sentence. Her hate for pop tarts had always tickled my side and though she complained about the pastry, it never stopped her from buying them for me. She just complained to complain sometimes and I endured it because I knew she was all bark and no bite...
Anyway, I left some money because I wont be home for dinner as well. Please do not buy only junk food. Eat something sustainable or take your blonde friend to Breadstix ;) I'm sure that's where all the stupid teens take their crushes to.
I gaped at what I saw and blinked a few times because I couldn't believe what I was reading. I rubbed my eyes irrationally and reread the line to make sure I wasn't seeing things but nothing changed. The winky face did not disappear. My grandma was definitely implying I take Brittany on a date and going so far to draw a winky face to boot!
Really abuela...
I found myself blushing hotly and I had to sit down on the stool next to me lest I die of embarrassment where I stood. I groaned in mortification just thinking about my grandma's evil grin that was probably plastered on her face as she wrote this letter. My earlier amusement about the pop tarts had all but diminished, and just so I could hurry to school, I quickly skimmed through the rest of the note so I could get on with my day.
Finishing up my makeshift breakfast, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and promptly left my house. I walked one block and halted at the stop sign. Brittany was patiently waiting at the crosswalk on the other side of the road and with a slight wave, I made my way to her. She was dressed in her usual cheerio uniform and a sunny smile adorned her face. Said cheerleader grinned ecstatically in my direction as we finished the walk to school together.
"Did you sleep well", Brittany queried once we pulled up to the school gates and I shrugged.
"I guess it was okay", I answered before glancing up to the blonde then quickly looking away. "You?", I questioned and Brittany looked absolutely devious.
"I dreamt of you", she stated impishly and I flushed hotly.
"Why does everything you say have to be sexual", I grumbled in embarrassment and Brittany simply laughed.
"You're so cute, I can't help it", she whispered and I blushed even more so. I tried to walk away from the blonde entirely but the cheerleader kept pace with me as she chuckled. "Okay okay okay, I'll stop messing with your head", she conceded. "...Coach wants to see the squad early anyway", she admitted and I instantly relaxed. There was only so much of Brittany's extrovert personality I could take in one sitting.
"I'll find you later on in the day?", I asked timidly and Brittany shook her head. The taste of rejection went down badly.
The blonde swung her backpack around so she could unzip the small pocket in the front. She dug around inside for awhile before pulling out a red permanent marker. She gestured for me to give her my hand and I skeptically narrowed my eyes at her for a few moments before handing over my hand.
Please don't draw hearts on my hand, that is going to be a pain to explain again...
Brittany didn't, instead she wrote numbers and I stared at my hand oddly. I looked up to the blonde but she was capping the pen and putting her red marker back into her backpack. I waited for her to look at me and once she did she snorted.
"No need to look so perplexed Santana, its my number. We're in the twenty first century we don't need to aimlessly look around for each other. Call me if you want me... anytime", she practically purred and I flushed again before turning on my heel. I ignored Brittany's taunting laughter as I made my way through the halls to get to my classroom early.
Not funny... I am definitely not taking her out on a date ever! She'd just tease me the entire time...
I don't know why I thought I'd go home Scott free. Like all the other days, when school lets out; Brittany insists on walking me back home. I don't fuss because I like the company, and she stays serenely quiet because I hold her hand the entire seven minute walk to Lima Heights Adjacent. When we do finally reach my abuela's quaint home, its like an unspoken rule that Brittany has to stay over for awhile before leaving. So I invite the sunny cheerleader in and like the past few days, she begins lecturing me on my powers.
"Santana, you have to focus!", she commands and I feel a bout of irritation well up.
"I am!", I snip and Brittany snorts.
"Yes too intently", she points out as she removes herself from my personal space and points to the now very still television picture across the room. I scowl and Brittany rests a calm hand to my shoulder. "Focus less on me and what I'm doing and more on what you're feeling", she instructed much to my irritation.
"My powers feed off my emotion, wouldn't focusing on it be detrimental to what I want to achieve", I snip and Brittany cocks her head to the side with a thoughtful expression.
"What ARE you trying to achieve", she questions and I suddenly look at her as if she's grown another head.
Was she serious?
"I thought WE established that I needed better control", I deadpanned and Brittany crossed her arms.
"Essentially yes, but then I was thinking yesterday, how do you expect to control something you don't even understand the origins of", she answered simply and I floundered.
"My grandfather!--"
"Yes, your grandfather taught you the way HE coped but what did YOU personally learn", she asked calmly and something within me didn't appreciate what she was insinuating. Brittany rose her hands in defense when she noted my severe displeasure. "Look, I'm not putting his way down. I just want you to find your own way", she explained and I relaxed.
Ugh... she was right though, I never really tried to see past what my abuelo taught me...
I stayed quiet for a long moment and Brittany didn't pester me. She waited for me to come to my own terms. I crossed my arms petulantly and with a nonverbal response I conceded with my eyes that she was right. Brittany hooted and leaned in my personal space, her eyes glimmering.
"We understand that your abilities are based on your emotions right?", she asked just for clarification and I nodded my head.
"Yes"
"Okay so what do you feel when you purposefully want time to stop?", she questioned simply and I shrugged. "Come on Santana what do you feel?", she probed and I closed my eyes to think to myself.
"I... I sort of level out my emotions and focus on willing time to stop", I admit and Brittany only probes more.
"So its a conscious decision?", she asks and I open my eyes and glance over to the blonde.
"Most of the time, yes", I concede and Brittany rubs her chin.
"Interesting...", she mumbled more to herself before a glint entered her gaze. "...Oh my gosh!", she exclaimed. "...if you're making a conscious decision to stop time maybe you can just alter time all together!", she stated excitedly and I scoffed as the cheerleader began beaming. "Like with practice you could make time go really slow like the matrix or even speed it up or! time travel!", she babbled and I rolled my eyes.
Ridiculous...
"-Brittany have you been watching Doctor Who again?", I questioned and Brittany looked slightly peeved.
"The Doctor has nothing to do with this", she argued petulantly but I was sure that that was where she was getting her outlandish theories.
All her outlandish theories were admittedly from science fiction movies and television series. She thought everything on tv had a slice of truth to it, no matter how utterly ridiculous or unbelievable they were.
"You can't tell me you don't think its just the slightest bit plausible Santana? you cannot write off your powers entirely. You don't even know your abilities origins", she pointed out yet again and I huffed.
Point taken.
"I could always find out", I retorted petulantly and Brittany sniggered.
"Oh?", she challenged and I narrowed my eyes at her mischievous grin.
"Yes".
"Okay...", she gave in and I huffed again.
Nope nope nope. I will not take her on a date...
"I'm hungry", she speaks up and I roll my eyes.
"You're always hungry", I say with a snort.
In retaliation, Brittany leans over my shoulder and puts all her body weight onto my back. I plant my feet firmly onto the floor and grip her sides so I can steady myself.
"Brittany get off", I huff but Brittany just leans even more so onto my back. I sway dangerously and peek over my shoulder to glare at the grinning blonde.
"Feed me", she whines childishly and I roll my eyes again.
"Feed yourself", I respond just as childish as her and before I can stick out my tongue like a five year old, a set of teeth presses dangerously on the the column my neck. I yelp in surprise and try to get away but Brittany holds me tight to her body.
She releases the patch of skin from her hold and tuts disappointingly. "Ah ah ah no squirming, you said to feed myself", she taunted and I rolled my eyes for a third time.
"You're a cannibal", I scoff and Brittany hugs me even tighter.
"You're beautiful", she counters just as easily and I can't stop the smile that blossoms on my face.
"Smooth".
"Un-huh...", she hums into the crook of my neck and I twitch at the feel of it.
I hear and feel Brittany chuckle at my reaction before her mouth latches onto the part where my shoulder meets my neck. I hiss in surprise and before I can turn to wave off the impish cheerleader, she holds my waist in place. Her amorous attentions do not stop and soon I find myself being walked towards the couch.
"Brittany...", I question lowly and the blonde finally lets me maneuver myself to face her. I stare at her with an inquisitive look in my eye and she merely shrugs.
"I'm horny now", she admits mischievously and I snort.
"You're ravenous", I tell her simply and Brittany shrugs again before pushing me down to the seats. I flail a little bit at the abrupt shove but before I can glare at the blonde, my eyes catch Brittany's red spanks falling to my living room floor, followed by some nice lace panties.
Oh shit...
My eyes trail up long bare legs before settling on the cheer skirt still in place. I open my mouth to say something along the lines of 'Strip' but Brittany straddles me. My eyes instantly snap up to the smug dark blue eyes looking down at me and I gulp.
"I don't know about you but the thought of me riding your fingers in my Cheerios uniform is really revving my engines right now".
Holy...
I don't say anything intelligible. A random and very embarrassing choked noise comes out of my mouth instead and I blush furiously at how stupid I sound to even my own ears. Brittany mercifully doesn't comment on my slip and takes my left hand, kissing it soothingly.
"Uh...", I try again but my mind blanks when Brittany takes my hand to her lips.
I inhale a ridiculous amount of air when she parts her lips, then practically die as she stares at me whilst sucking my finger. She takes her time bobbing up and down on my finger and I just stare frozen.
Can she get any hotter?
As if she heard my thoughts, Brittany changes tactics. My breath pretty much tumbles out in a choked gasp as her tongue wraps around two of my fingers for a couple of seconds before releasing the digits with a wet pop. Brittany grins at my flabbergasted expression and all I can do is continue to look shocked, gape, and stare stupidly at my glistening fingers.
"Touch me", Brittany husks into my ear and she lifts up her skirt.
"Down there?", I ask and Brittany nods enthusiastically. I furrow my eyebrows. "You sure I can touch you", I question further. "You're not going to take over like every other time are you?", I ask for clarification and Brittany nods her head again.
"Yes yes yes, just touch me", she demands.
Alright I got this!
I slip my hand underneath her upturned skirt and cup her tentatively. Brittany groans and leans forward and I have to look over my shoulder to see if shes alright. Her breathing is stilted but she looks fine so I continue my exploring. I poke and prod to see what gets better reactions and enjoy the breathy moans Brittany produces. When I start rubbing firm strokes on her clit Brittany hisses.
"Ugh... fingers, fingers... Use your fingers", she directs and I trail my hands lower.
I stop when I get to my intended destination since I'm sort of intimidated by the whole ordeal, but I hear Brittany chuckle. She leans up, takes my hand, and enters herself without pause. I gasp in time with Brittany but for a total different reason then her.
Jesus she's so warm...
Its still dark when I wake up. I'm sore in odd places and it takes a minute of me stretching like a feline to get the kinks out. With a yawn, I silently creep around my room to make my way to the hallway. I am as quiet as possible, conscious of the fact that my abuela is finally getting some sleep that she deserved and most importantly; thinking that she'd have my head if I went around stomping all over the house like an elephant at five in the morning.
I pull on my hoodie that's draped over the couch and when I aim to pull it over my head, I feel an odd feeling wash over me. My mind suggests I'm paranoid so I ignore the rising feeling and in a blink of an eye, I'm outside sprinting down the streets.
My legs were running on their own accord. It was night out and my feet seemed to be on their own mission, so I focused my gaze forward. I looked around at the rows of houses, noting the neighborhood seemed to be sound asleep as I ran effortlessly. The only thing keeping me company were the street lights illuminating me.
I noticed my feelings were out of control and it was like I was desperately searching for something. A blue house barely lit up by a light post caught my attention but I ran past it. I willed my head to look back but try as I might, I couldn't. I frowned, thinking intently to myself.
They say the best way to tell if you're dreaming or not is to read a clock. In a dream there isn't any actual proof of time sitting around and if there is, you cannot read it properly; in fact, you cannot read correctly at all. Your vision distorts and develops this sort of unclear fuzziness that usually does not exist in the real world. You don't have control of your actions most times and if you do, the action is most likely done mindlessly without little conscious thought. So, from the second my conscious mind caught up to what was happening, I realized I was dreaming. My mind argued otherwise but I just knew that without even reading anything that I was in a dream.
So my feet continued on its path to what? I'm not sure. I kept on running and running and running and before I knew it, I passed the ominous blue house again and again and again as if I were stuck in a loop repeating a pattern. Something about the house just kept setting off alarms in my mind. Something within me was just screaming that the structure was somehow important and very prudent for me to get to but for the life of me, I could not stop my dream self long enough to get even a look.
I wished with all my might to stop at the blue house but my feet didn't listen. I screamed inwardly to wake up, if nothing else to maybe understand what was the point of going in circles.
Was I trying to find myself? Did the house symbolize something important?
I didn't wake up though, my frantic pace did not waver in the slightest so I watched for signals, I watched for some sort of clue. The few seconds I could glimpse of the blue house I tried to focus on some significant feature on the structure but I was moving too fast. I growled out in irritation, cursing myself mentally for not being able to see anything the way my dream self's pace was set up.
Slow down! Jesus Santana slow down!
A bout of irritation came over me and I knew if I kept getting more frustrated at this rate I'd probably combust. I took a deep breath as I ran along the endless street. I thought about what Brittany had said to me prior. How instead of containing everything in, I should try to let things flow, and I saw the blue house coming up again. I relaxed my nerves and willed myself to Slow. Down. And like a latch being unlocked, I felt my pace ease but less than a second later, instead of running, I was back in bed. I blinked awake and when I saw my deceased grandpa at the foot of my bed, I pushed off the bed with a start and fell over the side. Tensing for the inevitable impact of the floor, I clenched my eyes shut. When no pain reached me, I noticed I was still falling.
What the fuck...
I shot out my hands to catch myself and as I did, I woke up with a gasp. My head whipped up to see if my abuelo was still there but nothing stood at the foot of my bed. I was really awake this time, so I fell back onto my sheets with a relieved sound but after a few minutes of trying to calm my racing heart, I decided to start my day.
I rolled out of bed with no sound and like clockwork, made my way into the bathroom, closing the door with a small click. I mindlessly went about undressing myself once I flipped on the lights. Once I was free of my pajamas, I looked into the mirror and saw some nice dime sized bruises littering my torso. I blushed furiously thinking about exactly how I got the hickeys and after awhile I had to turn away in embarrassment. I scratched my head sheepishly before heading to the tub to turn on the right nozzles for the shower. Once the water heated up, I stepped in. I let the water fall over my hair and seep through the roots and I finally relaxed.
I thought of my odd dream and what it all meant because I mean... Could I really slow down time?
I looked at my very normal hands and wondered did I have the ability to do more? And of course my mind argued that I was very much normal but why did I feel different? Why did I feel like I was made anew? Why did I have these powers that practically bent the truths of the world like science fiction.
I pressed my head to the cool tile of the wall as the warm water cascaded down my back. My thoughts ran rampant with nothing but questions and theories and no matter how bad I wanted to shove all my curiosity back into the box I buried years ago, I couldn't. I couldn't unsee my dream or unthink my thoughts that practically drowned my common sense. I moved away from the wall, my eyes trained on a droplet sliding down the tile of the wall in front of me. I took a breath to relax like I had in my dream, I let myself take in all my surroundings and willed the world to slow down.
Slow... Down...
The droplet stilled from its quick descent and I sighed. I knew it was too good to be true but I had to try. I took another breath to release my hold on time but noticed how the frozen drops of water rolled down at a snail like pace. The sound of the water falling over my head was still going on, except it sounded distorted. I turned to see the water slowly raining down like little crystals, one shimmering drop at a time.
Oh shit...
"When I gave you my number and said you could call anytime, I did not think you would take my words so literally. In fact I didn't think you'd call at all", was what the blonde said when I opened the door to let the haggard cheerleader in. I motioned for her to be quiet and she just yawned into her hand before nodding her head in understanding as she stepped into my house for a third time this week.
We easily made it into my room without so much as a noise and I made sure I locked the door just in case my abuela did come my way. Brittany yawned again before slipping into my bed without permission.
"Hey!", I hissed and Brittany waved me off.
"Santana its really early and you made me come over here so urgently. I'll give you all the awesome sex in a few more minutes", she stated bluntly and I flushed hotly.
"That is so not the reason why I called you over", I defended myself quietly and Brittany snorted. "I didn't!", I whisper-yelled indignantly. "Just... just look okay?", I ordered as I fished in my pocket for a lighter and Brittany sat up in my bed.
Her eyebrow rose in question but I looked away and focused on the zippo in my hand. I took a breath and let it ease out before rolling my thumb quickly over the strike wheel. Nothing happened at first but slowly like a tiny little fireworks display at my fingertips, sparks appeared. Tiny, molten wisps of steel jumped up and exploded in mid-air.
I heard Brittany exhale loudly and slip out of the bed to get closer but I focused all my energy on keeping the time flow slowly. I watched in fascination as the sparks burst all over the place, and the button under the strike wheel opened a valve. The liquid butane in the lighter evaporated and rushed out to join the sparks, then the flying globs of molten steel heated up the gas enough for it to break down and rebond with oxygen, and finally the flame appeared like a miniature phoenix.
Then as quick as I could, I released the hold on time and the slowly forming flame, roared to life at a usual pace before I let it die altogether. I stared back at Brittany and she was still gaping.
"Tada", I joked quietly and that seemed to snap the awestruck blonde out of her stupor. Brittany squealed excitedly much to my dismay and pounced on me, knocking the lighter out of my hands as I scrambled to grasp the amorous blonde. "Brittany!", I whisper-yelled with a laugh but the blonde merely held me tight.
"You did it", she praised me and I shrugged. "I knew you could", she mumbled and I felt warmed. In that moment I knew I'd do anything she wanted me to.
"Yeah I did it..."
For you...
Brittany kissed my neck before pulling away and staring into my eyes with pride? ...I'm not really sure what the emotion was but I liked it. It filled my soul to the brim and I just had to smile.
AN: Miss me? I haven't forgotten about this story. I was just brainstorming and piecing together a decent plot that isn't so cliche lol but eh... still a work in progress. Let me know what you think okay?
-Tatter