I quickly ran to the bathroom, much to my own frustration, checking my appearance again. "Why do I care so much?" I asked myself. A knock on the door made me jump and rush to the living room. Before the door was open entirely, a pair of arms were wrapped around me, the scent of vanilla overwhelming me slightly. I tried not to think of her half naked body as my hands felt her defined back muscles. I took a deep, calming breath and let go.
"Let's go," I said. She took my hand and dragged me to the elevator the moment I had the door locked behind us. When we got into the elevator I expected her to drop my hand but instead she locked her pinky with mind and smiled widely.
"This is going to be the best day ever!" she said in her infectious, bubbly tone.
"I think you're right Brit," I replied as she squealed and hugged me one more time. This time I let myself relax into the embrace.
We headed out the doors, the sunlight refreshing our skin as we walked pinky in pinky, down the block.
"I guess this is our neighborhood," she said seriously. "The diner is a cool spot, we usually hang out there."
"We?" I asked nervously, not sure if I was ready to meet a bunch of new people.
"When you are ready," Brittany started, noticing my slight hesitation, "there are some people I'd like you to meet." I nodded and followed her along and pushed my insecurities into the back of my mind for now. A couple blocks down we made our way into a small park with a tiny pond. "I love ducks!" she quipped from my side. She released my pinky and skipped over to the edge of the water and sat down on the bench there, giggling at the splashing animals. Smiling fondly, I made my way over and sat next to her.
After a surprisingly comfortable silence the blonde turned her head towards me with a curious look on her face.
"Where are you from, San?" she asked interestedly.
I felt myself go rigid at the simple question. I knew this conversation would come up eventually but it didn't make me feel any more at ease. A quick look at Brittany for reassurance and a deep breath I began.
"I'm originally from Lima, Ohio. I'm here with my aunt now," I started, voice slightly shaking. Brittany, again, noticed my hesitation so she locked her pinky in mine. I felt a little more at ease as I continued. "A few weeks into the summer my parents were in an accident," I began explaining, for the first time, out loud. I was uneasy that I was telling this stranger my story but was calmed again when I felt her squeeze my pinky slightly. "It was a drunk driver, they were killed on impact," I finished quietly.
"Oh San," Brittany said quietly, wrapping her arms around me. "I'm sorry."
I pulled back from the embrace and hated the look of sadness I saw on her face.
"It's okay," I continued, "I know they're watching over me," I finished. I wasn't in denial or anything, I have come to terms that they were gone. I got that resilient quality from my mother.
"Of course they are," Brittany agreed.
I gave her a small smile before she delved into easier topics like hobbies, school and friends.
"So you're telling me your cheerleading coach was pretty much a monster?" Brittany asked in disbelief.
Laughing loudly I nodded. "I learned a lot from Sue Sylvester," I admitted.
"Whatever you say, San," she said jokingly. "Do you miss Quinn?" she continued.
"Yeah," I affirmed sadly, "she's my best friend, one of my only true friends," I said, explaining my hesitancy when it comes to letting people in.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed talking about my life in Ohio.
"Wow," I said, trying to turn the conversation away from myself. "Who knew I had such an exciting life," I said sarcastically.
"I like getting to know you," Brittany replied earnestly. "Let's go get lunch," she stood and put her pinky out toward me, "my treat."
"Then it's your turn to spill, blondie," I said half menacingly. Brittany just laughed heartily and locked her pinky with mine as we headed to the diner.
We ended up sitting in a booth in the corner of the diner for most of the afternoon. I learned that Brittany loved to dance and had been dancing since she was a little girl. She was a senior like me and she and her friends were part of her schools' Glee club.
"So you can sing and dance? Is there anything you can't do?" I thought to myself.
She tried her best to describe her friends but I was having a hard time following. Apparently she has a robot friend named Artie or something?
"You'll just have to meet them," she finished seriously with a small pout on her face. I reluctantly agree nut the huge smile on Brittany's face made my decision a little easier to handle.
After lunch we made our way back to the apartment so we could figure out what we were going to do about meeting her friends. After a half an hour of her vigorously texting, which was just adorable by the way, she clapped excitedly. I looked up at her nervous and expectant.
"We're going bowling!" she sang out. I groaned internally because of course she'd choose something I suck at. "Don't worry," she started, "it'll be fun!" Unable to stop the giant grin forming on my face at her excitement, I found myself agreeing.
"It's a date!" she finished, getting up and dancing over to the stereo, turning it on full blast. I sat, frozen. Date? I watched as she moved fluidly- about the room, singing along. I was impressed with her voice. It wasn't imposing or grand but it just fit perfectly with the blonde, it didn't even matter.
Once again, I found myself hypnotized by the dancing girl. Thinking back to my totally non-creepy peeping tom incident before, I felt my skin begin to warm. To my surprise, she pulled me up and began dancing around me, dipping and turning. Noticing my stillness, she grabbed my hands and spun me around with a goofy look on her face. We giggled like little girls until the song changed.
A slow song came on and instead of letting my hands go, she once again surprised me by pulling me close and swaying slightly to the music. For what felt like the millionth time, I was captivated by gorgeous blue eyes. I glanced down at her lips as she moved closer so I could feel her warm breath on my lips. We were so close to touching but once again a sound broke us apart. I stepped back so quickly I almost tripped reaching for my phone that was blaring from my mattress.
I looked at Brittany sheepishly before answering, "Hello?"
"Mija," came my aunt's voice from the other end, "how's your day going?"
I cleared my throat, "Uhm fine, just hanging out with Brittany."
"That's good," she continued, "I just wanted to let you know I might be late coming back from work."
"That's fine," I said, smiling at Brittany's silent exploration of the rest of my room. "Brit is taking me bowling. She's going to introduce me to a few of her friends I guess."
"Oh Santana," my aunt replied enthusiastically, "that's great to hear. I was worried you were going to be a lonely."
"Aw shucks, Tia," I joked, "you're such a softie," I finished, smiling brightly at the sound of Brittany's giggle from beside me.
"Shut the hell up!" she replied laughing, "I'll see you later tonight. I love you sweetheart."
"Love you too," I replied as I ended the call.
A small silence hung in the air before Brittany broke it.
"Wanna get ready?" she asked, pulling me to my feet before I could even answer. I couldn't help but grin as she led me to the closet.