CHAPTER 11
Upon realizing that I couldn't really practice my sets at home because of the lack of space and also Sam always trying to talk, I moved my choreographing to Sloppy Babies where Sue allowed me to use the stage when no one else was. I was still a little nervous about showing Quinn or Santana any actual sets yet, but I felt like progress was slowly being made. On one particular Sunday morning, I was practicing extra hard mainly because of how rusty I've been since I haven't been practicing until Sue thought up this new arrangement. I just couldn't see how I could be in any position to teach a group of equally talented dancers, or so they say, anything if I don't look like I know what I'm doing too.
"She wasn't kidding.."
The voice startled me at first since, aside from Puck who always seems to be manning the front door, I was alone but when I realized who it could be, I straightened up.
Though I had known both of them long enough by now that I could tell their voices apart without looking, I kind of hoped it was Santana walking towards the stage instead of Quinn.
"What do you mean?" I chuckled as I scuffled to the edge of the stage and plopped down while Quinn closed the distance.
She tossed me a cold water bottle and shrugged, "You need some fun in your life."
I focused my eyes on unscrewing the cap, "Please don't start listing off places where we could have sex, I'm still trying to recover from Santana's.."
"Wait, what?!"
Realizing what I just said, I quickly took the bottle to my lips, attempting to empty out every last drop so I didn't have to answer her.
Quinn just ran her hand through her choppy blonde hair and shook her head, "That girl, I swear, she can't ever keep it in her pants! But no, that's not what I was going to say.."
"Oh, okay good!" I answered happily and set the bottle down next to me, "What's up?"
"Nothing, I was just in the area and thought I'd drop by to see if you were in here." She replied casually, "And you are, do you have anything planned later?"
Swinging my feet lazily off the edge of the stage, I looked up at the red curtains lining the stage as I tried to remember, "Actually, yeah! Well, sort of. I wanted to see if Santana wanted to go watch a movie with me, but I hadn't asked her yet."
"Ohh, okay nevermi-"
"Do you wanna go too?" I asked, cutting her off, "With the both of us there, she can't say no..especially because it's a scary movie and guessing by how jumpy she is whenever she doesn't hear me come in, I don't think she likes scary movies, but I really really want to watch it." I noted the skepticism in Quinn's facial features and continued on with begging, "Awh, come on Quinn..you guys are always saying I need some fun in my life, right? The movies are fun!"
Quinn just snickered at me trying to work The Pout and sighed, "I guess I could tag along, but I'm bringing Mike!" I wanted to start teasing her about her crush slowly moving up the list to boyfriend but I didn't want to press any buttons, "Besides, I am not trying to be third wheel with you two."
"Wait, third wheel?" I asked, nose scrunched, "How? Isn't that when there's a couple and some random is there too? I don't get it.."
She just squinted her eyes at me and smirked, "I'll look up movie times and I'll text you? You should probably head home and get showered up!"
"Wait, but I haven't even asked San-"
"I doubt she'll say no."
Before I could even reply, she was saying her goodbyes and waltzing out the door. I just shrugged and began to pack up my stuff; a shower sounded really good anyway.
XXXX
Just as Quinn predicted, Santana didn't say no when I asked if she wanted to go with us to the movies. She actually seemed really excited about it until I told her what we were planning to watch; it took a lot of coaxing on my end and a lot of teasing on Quinn's for Santana to finally agree.
Aside from the Wednesday Q-zar visits and the occasional late breakfast at Rory's, I hadn't really done anything fun lately. Sure, working at Sloppy Babies was super fun but that's my job and there's a line drawn between work and play. With that being said, to say I was pumped to go out with the girls (plus Mike) was a bit of an understatement.
"I think your friend is here," Sam called from somewhere in the living room, "Do you want me to buzz her up?"
Checking the time quickly and realizing I was running late, I shrugged on my sweater and practically jumped into my low cut boots, "Yeah, could you?"
"Sure," He answered, his voice monotone as I heard the familiar buzz follow. I ran around the bedroom attempting to fix my hair and double check my outfit for the millionth time, the feeling in the pit of my stomach multiplying as I tried to get myself together. I couldn't decide whether that feeling was excitement or nervousness, but at the sound of the front door opening and closing and the rasp of Santana's voice mixing with Sam's, I didn't think it mattered; the feeling only kept growing. I swept up my hair and tossed it over my shoulder before making my way out into the living room.
There, perched on the arm of our raggedy couch, sat a flawless Santana Lopez. She wore this tight, very form fitting, cream and black dress, the hem so short that it left almost nothing to the imagination, the neckline cut in a low V which showed off just enough cleavage that had me thanking my dad for giving me his height genes, a black leather jacket that clung to her toned arms, black socks that went up to mid-thigh and black, high-heeled combat boots donned her feet.
If it was possible to look completely badass and completely adorable all at the same time, Santana Lopez could do it. Though I doubt the completely adorable part was intentional.
I sort of felt a little underdressed considering what she was wearing compared to my jeans and a sweater look, but I doubt I had any time to do a fourth wardrobe change.
It was then that I realized it, but Santana has never been inside me and Sam's apartment. Sure, there has been a couple times where she has dropped me home or picked me up but other than that, she's never stayed long enough to come up. Suddenly, this irrational need to clean hit me but before I could even pick up one of Sam's dirty flannels Sam was motioning for me.
"Here she is," He said as I ducked out of the shadows of the hallway which previously hid me from Santana's view, "She doesn't usually take that long to get ready.."
And if there was any other time where I've wanted to tell Sam to shut his mouth, it was now.
I felt my cheeks start to flush as I walked further into the living room to find him standing cross-armed in front of Santana and Santana still sitting pretty. They both had their eyes on me, but I couldn't help but chuckle at the not-so-subtle way Santana's eyes seemed to sweep up and down my body. For some reason, that eased my rattling nerves.
"Yeah, sorry..I-uh-I could't find my other shoe." I stammered as I stood between them, the tension in the room growing thick quickly. Santana just snickered and hopped up from her spot on the couch, her hands smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress, while Sam just looked at me then her with a quirked brow.
Noticing the slow grinding gears in his head beginning to churn, I nodded for the door, "Well, we're just gunna go now."
"Wait, is this-" Sam rambled as he looked at Santana and I fleeting with his forehead wrinkled, "Are you guys..you know?"
Santana and I looked to each other, confused, then looked back at Sam expectantly.
"Are we what?" I questioned when Sam still hadn't answered, just stared between us like he was trying to read some invisible writing.
"You know.." He huffed like it was supposed to be some universal answer.
"No, I don't know?"
I was starting to get frustrated with him and it was bringing down my mood, but Santana seemed to catch onto whatever he was trying to say.
"We're not, but if we were, I don't think it would be any of your business." She bit, her tone threateningly low yet the smile on her face showing nothing but sweetness. She nudged the back of my arm with her hand, motioning for me to get the door before she looked back over her shoulder at a dumbfounded Sam and smirked, "Don't wait up, Trouty!"
XXXX
We were sitting in the car, waiting for it to warm up, when Santana's phone started ringing. Since she had it propped up on the dashboard charging, I caught a glimpse of Quinn's picture and guess that it was her calling. If not, that's a weird picture for Santana to have as her background.
There's something about watching Santana talk on the phone to Quinn that I always find so freaking hilarious. It's like they get into an argument, make up, and then tease each other all at the same time. Like right now, I can tell that Santana's feathers are getting all ruffled up by whatever Quinn was talking to her about.
"Oh really now?" Santana asked sarcastically, "Should I have brought flowers too or something because you know what this sounds like to me? It's sounds like I just got suckered into going on a- oh don't even go there Fabray!" There was a short pause where Santana just huffed and rolled her eyes like Quinn could see it through the phone, "God, you're ridiculous. We've talked about this already, let me just-" Then it was like Santana could feel me staring at her as she glanced to her right and looked at me, "We'll see you there." She hung up and set the phone back in its place on her dash and revved her engine a little as she gripped her steering wheel tightly.
"What was that about?" I asked hesitantly, hoping that maybe I've got Santana on a good day where she'd actually talk about things that upset her to me.
"We're meeting Quinn and Mike for an early dinner, they thought it would be a good idea so we wouldn't have to spend much at the movies." Santana shrugged casually as she pulled out onto the main road.
"Ohh, are you not hungry?" I questioned attempting to hide the pang of guilt for wanting to go, "We don't have to go with them if you don't want to."
Her eyes remained fixed on the road but I could still see the hint of a smile pull at her cheek, "I want to."
Smiling widely, I rested back in my seat and gazed out the windshield, "Cool, me too!"
XXXX
We pulled up to some pizza parlor about ten minute later. I waved to Quinn and Mike as Santana and I unbuckled and hopped out to greet them. I couldn't help but grin at how Quinn seemed to cling onto Mike's arm as they led the way to the entrance then motioned for us to walk in while he held the door open.
It didn't take long for us to be seated; our waiter guided us to an open booth at the corner of the restaurant, Santana and I sliding in on one side and Quinn and Mike sliding in other respectively, then took our drink orders promptly while the four of us scanned the menu. By the way Santana and Quinn chatted; it seemed like their previous phone call had never happened which I was thankful for. Nothing's worse than having two best friends feuding during dinner. By the time the waiter came back around with our drinks, we agreed on doing a split pie since Quinn and Santana couldn't agree on one topping and Mike and I were cool with anything.
Dinner had gone smoothly after the pizza came out: Santana sort of apologized to Mike for trying to sell him the first time he came to visit Quinn, Mike seemed to accept the apology, Quinn just remained looking just as smitten whenever he talked, Santana continued trying to tease them, and I was just happy to be amongst such good friends. Even only knowing Mike for such a short time, I could already tell he was good company.
However, when the checks came around things kind of took a wrong turn.
"Huh, looks like he split the bill between us two and you guys." Quinn acknowledged as she nodded to the two black folders at the end of our table.
Santana and I both reached for our folder at the same time, our hands clashing and our eyes shooting up to find each other's.
"What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?"
"This'll be great," Quinn smirked as she rested back against the booth while Mike overlooked their bill. My eyes remained on Santana's though as we both clutched the folder, neither one of us budging to let go.
"I'm paying, duh."
"Oh no you're not, I am."
"But you drove though," I tried persuading, confused as to why Santana was putting up such a fight, "That means I should pay."
"No it doesn't."
"Let go of the bill."
"No, you let go."
"San.."
"Britt.."
"Guys?" Mike's voice cut in as he tried to mediate, but Santana and I still weren't budging.
"You're not paying for it, so just give up now." Santana shrugged as she tugged on the folder a little.
"Not a chance," I huffed and tugged back, matching her determined grin, "Quit being stubborn."
"I'm not, you are!"
"Not-uh!"
"Ladies, please-" Mike tried cutting in again but Quinn tugged him back.
"Shh, it's getting good."
"Damnit, Britt, let go."
"Never!"
"Alright, that's it, give me that." Mike huffed and reached over the empty pizza pan stand and snatched the bill from both our hands, leaving Santana and I both shocked. We watched as he swiftly took our check and set it in the same folder as his and Quinn's then pulled a couple bills from his wallet it and closed it in the folder.
Before either San or I could try and get our check back, Mike had already flagged down the waiter and made him run to cash us out. Quinn just laughed while Santana and I flopped back against our side of the booth, Mike's excuse being: "A gentleman never lets a lady pay."
XXXX
After leaving the pizza parlor and deciding to walk to the movies instead, Santana and I trail behind Quinn and Mike as we weave our way through the crowd.
"What suckers, right?" Santana teased quietly as she nodded to Quinn laughing a pitch or two higher than she usually does while Mike just grinned his charming grin. Quinn's arm looped around his and the sort of bumped their sides together as they walked, both continuing to laugh.
"I don't know, I think they're cute." I shrugged, smiling enviously after them. That smile quickly fell when I caught sight of Santana's scrunched up disgusted face, "What? You don't think they're cute?"
"Hell no," She answered abruptly, "They're dumb if you ask me."
"Well nobody asked you!" Quinn yelled over her shoulder then stuck her tongue out at Santana causing the bartender to scoff.
"Why?" I asked, choosing to ignore Quinn's remark. Santana just tightened her jaw and kept her eyes focused forward.
"Because, it's a waste of time." She finally answered then shrugged, "I lose interest and girls hate when you lose interest in them. Just look at Berry. I rather just skip to the good part." She glanced over at me and wagged her brows seductively causing me to sputter out a laugh though I felt heat creep up the back of my neck.
"There's more than just sex though."
"Is there?" She smirked.
"Of course!" I answered confidently, "I just think you haven't found the right person that makes going on dates fun yet, you know?" She glanced my way again only this time she looked like she was actually considering what I was saying. It was a brief glance, just like every other time we've made eye contact, but I still counted it.
"There's that word again." She sighed as she flicked her eyes back over to Quinn and Mike walking ahead of us.
With brows furrowed, I tried to think back my last sentence and what word she could be talking about but she was already rambling again.
"What about Trouty? Did he take you out on fun dates?" She asked, the word fun falling from her lips like it was something gross tasting.
"He used to, yeah." I nodded surely, "You know, before things got weird."
"Huh." She hummed as her only response. I tried to decipher her facial expression, but Santana was so hard to read sometimes. I'm pretty sure she does it on purpose though.
"Well, dates aren't for me." She huffed and waved the thought away with her hand, "I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, it works for me."
"I'm sure it does," I sighed, a sudden sinking feeling finding its way to my stomach for some reason, "Doesn't that get a little lonely though? Always skipping around like that?"
I watched as she ran the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip slowly before taking it between her teeth like she was going into some deep thought, "I'm not lonely."
"Well, I'd get lonely.." I whispered, afraid that if I talked too loudly I might scare her off.
"I'm just-I don't think I'm made for that stuff." She said, shaking her head, her eyes refusing to find mine.
"But, how do you know when you've never tried?" I questioned and for the second time that night, Santana looked up at me and stared directly into my eyes.
"Who said I hadn't?"
Her eyes flickered between mine, searching almost, like she was daring me to say something different, while she pursed her lips together.
In that moment, she looked so small, so fragile, and I wanted to know who it was that made her give up on dates all together. I wanted to find that person and smack them upside the head for making someone as wonderful as Santana feel like they weren't made to go on dates, like she wasn't allowed to have more than just sex with people, like she couldn't have a normal relationship.
At first I thought about Rachel and how hurt Santana looked when she told the bartender that she was incapable of loving someone. Was it Rachel? But from what Quinn said, Santana's always been this way. So it was someone before Rachel? It had to be.
My lips parted, desperate for an answer, but the voice that came out wasn't mine, instead, it was Quinn's.
"You guys coming or what?" She called after us as she and Mike filed into the line at the ticket booth. Santana just gave a weak smile and nodded to Quinn before walking off and I following after her.
XXXX
The movie ended up being way scarier than I thought it would be. Most of the time, trailers give away the best parts just because they want people to watch, but even with the best parts out of the way, there were still some pretty gut wrenching scenes. I was a little thankful for the distraction, because there was no way you couldn't not focus all your attention on the big screen, but when I glanced over to see how Santana was handling the movie, I kind of felt bad.
She had her legs crossed at her knees so tight that I'm sure she was going numb by now. She held her hands close to her cheeks, mostly covering her mouth in attempt to stifle her cute little shrieks, but occasionally flying up to cover her eyes. Other times, when she was brave enough, she let her hands dangle off the ends of the arm rests like she was trying to regain her dignity, but even then she'd grip at them and squeeze her eyes shut when the crazy axe man sliced up another victim.
Quinn, on the other hand, was enjoying herself fully with being able to hide her face in Mike's shoulder and lean over me to joke Santana's skittish behavior. Between the hiding the both of them did, they slung insults and rude remarks at each other over me.
Really, I couldn't tell which was more entertaining.
At one particular scene in the movie, Santana had been trying to keep her hands on the arm rests instead of covering her eyes, blame Quinn's incessant teasing, when out of nowhere the crazy axe man kicked open the flimsy wooden door letting crack against the cabin wall eliciting a loud smack and a shrill scream that seemed to shake the walls of the theatre.
"Jesus fuck!" Santana shrieked and curled her fingers tightly around my wrist, her blunt nails digging into my skin so hard that it could've drawn blood. I glanced over at her again to find her eyes sealed shut and her head tilted to me like she wanted to what Quinn was doing to Mike. Even though I wanted to scream and hide like most of the other patrons in the theatre, I couldn't help but smile.
Because, in all her badass glory, Santana turned to me for protection.
"Shit, sorry.." she whispered when she realized what her hand was doing and that my wrist wasn't actually apart of the theatre chairs. She slowly let go, her fingers leaving this tingling sensation against my skin, and shuffled back in her chair, this time putting more distance between us than necessary, her arms tucking at her chest like that was supposed to keep her hands from wandering.
I just nodded like it was no big deal and turned back to the movie.
As the movie went on, it seemed that the scenes continued to get more and more graphic. I kept check on Santana out of habit, only to find that her hands were yet again clasped over her eyes and she was sunk so far back in her chair, it was like she was trying to disappear.
I don't know what made me do it, but I was leaning over the arm rest to her before I could talk myself out of it.
"Pssst.."
Santana peeked between her fingers then slowly withdrew them from her eyes when she saw it was just me; then again, who else could it be when there was no one else sitting next to her? I think she was so past being prideful that she was scared that she didn't even try to come up with an excuse for trying to hide. I tried not letting my smile take up too much of my face as I took in how traumatized she looked.
"You're looking a little..scared." I whispered, my leaning in got me close enough that when I spoke, my chin just barely brushed against her shoulder.
"I-I'm not." She stuttered unconvincingly causing me to smirk. She caught that and straightened up in her seat a little more, "What? I'm not." I just nodded along with her, my lips pouted still to keep the growing smile away. She only rolled her eyes and sunk back against her chair again out of defeat, "Okay, this movie is fucking scary. The plot, the fucker that's killing everyone, the creepy music, it's all bullshit. I'm pretty sure I'll have nightmares tonight. There, I said it. Happy?"
At Santana's confession, I couldn't help but snicker.
"Quit laughing, it's not funny." Santana grumbled, folding up her arms again like she was three year old being refused candy.
"I don't know, I think it's pretty funny.." I giggled a little too loudly.
"Hey, shush!" Quinn huffed earning her a scowl from Santana.
"You shush!"
I just shook my head at the two then leaned back over to the bartender, "I might know what can take your mind off it.." I watched as her eyes widened at my voice and she very slowly tilted her head to me.
"Uhh, off what?" She stammered, only this time I don't think it was because of the crazy axe man instilling fear in her.
"The movie," I whispered and leaned in real close again, so close that I could faintly smell the scent of her hair. I didn't want Quinn to hear my super secret plan, so I moved a little closer to the point that I was resting all my weight on the arm rest between Santana and I. I found myself swallowing dryly as the tip of my nose accidently nudged the shell of her ear, but I remained cool, "I know the perfect distraction."
"Y-yeah?" The bartender mumbled breathlessly as she kept her gaze fixed forward.
I just nodded, the tip of my nose accidently grazing the edge of her ear yet again, then whispered, "Oh yeah."
XXXX
"Huh, that's not exactly what I had in mind.." Santana hummed as I dug around in my sweater pocket.
"What did you have in mind?" I questioned as I finally found the crinkled Skittles wrapper and pulled out the bag that was still half full, "Give me your hand." She presented me her hand, palm up, while she just shook her head.
"Not this, that's for sure."
"You sound a little disappointed," I pouted, "Don't you like my idea?"
She just sighed and nodded out her answer before commenting again, "Who even keeps bags of candy like that in their pockets? It's so random."
"No it's not, we were going to the movies." I argued matter-of-factly without taking my eyes off pouring, "You trying to tell me you don't sneak candy into the movies because if you are, I'm calling nonsense." She didn't answer, just gnawed on her bottom lip while I poured the rest of the candies out into her hand then stashed the empty wrapper in my pocket.
"You're all locked and loaded," I noted then glanced over, "Ready Lopez?"
"Now that's hot." Santana smirked, "Say it again." I just rolled my eyes and put on my game face.
"Target acquired?"
"Mhmm.."
"Commence attack."
"…"
"Saan, not me her. Whose side are you on?" I whisper-yelled when I felt a lone Skittle find its way down my shirt. I tried my best to glare at her, but even I couldn't shake off her goofy smile.
"Oops, sorry. Let me get that for you." She grinned devilishly and started shuffling towards me, but I was quick to nudge her back into her seat and swat away her wandering hand.
"You're a mess." I snickered once she was situated in her chair again and the rogue Skittle found its way out of my shirt and onto the floor. Santana just smirked again but kept her eyes focused on the real target.
XXXX
"Is everything okay?"
"Y-yeah, it's just..Mike, are those Skittles?"
"Yeah! You feel them too? I thought it was just me, I don't know where they're coming from!"
"Ow, there's another one.."
"It's probably some punk kid."
"Yeah..or a goofball and a scaredy cat."
"I wonder which one is which.."
"Britt, you're obviously the goofball."
"Damnit Santana, that one almost got me in the eye!"
"Taste the rainbow, bitch!"
"Wouldn't it be see the rainbow though, San? You don't taste with your eyes.."
"I'm shaking my head right now."
"I can't see, it's dark."
"I know, that's why I'm telling you.."
XXXX
After the movie let out, the four of us filtered out of the theatre with Quinn and Mike leaving Skittles scattered all over their seats and the floor beneath them as they stood. Santana and I just giggled as they glared. Well, Quinn glared Mike just chuckled and reached for Quinn's hand. By the way the blonde lit up at the gesture, I'm guessing that was the first time he ever did that.
"Awh, they're cute." I complimented as Santana and I trailed after them much like we did on our walk to the movies earlier. Santana just scrunched her nose and shoved her hands in her pockets, "Don't be jealous of them."
"I'm definitely not." Santana chuckled with the shake of her head.
XXXX
On the walk back to our cars, we ended up taking a detour that led us through the park. I'm pretty sure it was the natural musicians in us, I consider myself a musician my body is totally an instrument, because we found ourselves walking right into a random concert. I wouldn't really call it a real concert, but there was a band set up playing live music and there were a few groups of people around swaying to the beat while others just stood around and watched. The area was lit with those white hanging lights like you'd see in faux-France that dipped from the trees and dipped between the street lamps that surrounded the make-shift stage.
Mike was first to ask Quinn if she wanted to dance, but she politely declined with a blush prevalent on her cheeks. I thought about asking Santana, but she didn't seem too interested in dancing. At least, not the kind of dancing Mike had in mind. I'm sure Santana wouldn't mind dancing with me if we were in some club somewhere, I don't doubt that.
"I'll dance with you," I shrugged then turned to Quinn, "If that's okay?"
"Go right ahead, Britt!" Quinn grinned and waved her hand for Mike and I to take the floor, or gravely pavement. I kind of figured that Mike was an awesome dancer just from watching the way he seemed to move normally. He was always gliding, always so smooth, even when all he was doing was walking with Quinn. Mike totally had moves!
That thought was only validated further when I offered my hand to him and we took our positions. I remember when I first started taking dance classes I'd always get frustrated with my partner because they could never keep up. Well, I guess it wasn't that they couldn't keep up it was more that they couldn't lead. It makes it so much easier to follow when you're following someone who knows what they're doing because someone who knows what they're doing makes dancing fun.
Mike definitely knew what he was doing.
It was kind of shocking to me because he didn't really look like a guy that could swing dance so well. If I hadn't seen him own the bar the night Santana and I tried to auction him off, I would've never guessed that he actually knew how to dance. His form was perfect, he didn't step on my toes not once, and he was a great leader.
Before I knew it, we were twirling about the dance floor effortlessly. Occasionally, he'd spin me and I'd catch a glimpse of Santana and Quinn watching from the sideline. Santana would have her fingers tucked under her jaw, her eyes focused in on us and Quinn would be leaning into her side, smirking, as she talked into her ear. Sometimes I'd see Santana smiling all bashful but other times I'd see her scowl at Quinn and try to elbow her while Quinn just laughed. They were always teasing each other so I'm sure that's what it was.
Within a minute or two, a small group had gathered around to watch Mike and I dance. I guess we both thrive on an audience because now that we knew people were watching, well more people, we incorporated more twirls and dips. The audience clapped and whistled as the song drew to a close while others scampered off to rejoin the bustling city streets.
"You're really good, Brittany!" Mike commended as he wiped his brow and smiled brightly.
"You too," I nodded happily through my ragged breathing.
"You want another dance?" He asked as the band started to pick up again, transitioning into another song that I recognized.
"Yea-"
"Actually," Santana's voice cut in causing my head to swivel; her and Quinn had somehow managed to sneak up behind us. Santana's eyes flickered from mine to Mike's then back to mine as she licked her lips, a bit of hope sparking in my belly, "I-uh-I think Quinn wants her Boy Chang back."
"Ohh, okay." I nodded, surprised at how sad my tone was. It wasn't that I minded, Mike is Quinn's date and all, but I guess I was kind of hoping Santana was going to say something else. I'm not really sure what though.
Well it's a big big city and it's always the same
Can never be too pretty tell me your name
Is it out of line if I were simply bold to say "Would you be mine"?
Because I may be a beggar and you may be the queen
I know I may be on a downer I'm still ready to dream
Though it's 3 o'clock, the time is just the time it takes for you to talk.
I moved to the side so that Quinn could take my position but the other blonde just rolled her eyes at Santana and smiled at me. "I think Santana wants to dance too."
"Q.." Santana hissed but Quinn didn't seem to notice her as she continued to smile.
"She likes this song," Quinn added then turned back to Mike as he led her into some slow swaying that matched perfectly to the beat of the song picking up. I just chuckled and glanced over at Santana who looked a mix of embarrassed and excited.
So if you're lonely why'd you say you're not lonely
Oh you're a silly girl, I know I hurt it so
It's just like you to come and go
You know me no you don't even know me
You're so sweet to try, oh my, you caught my eye,
A girl like you's just irresistible "You like this song?"
"I may have heard it a couple times on Pandora.." She shrugged casually like she didn't want to make a big deal of actually liking something. Or maybe it was admitting that Quinn was right about something? I couldn't decide.
"I like this song too," I replied with a cheerful bounce on my toes then, out of curiosity, I held out my hand to her, "Wanna dance with me?"
To my surprise, she took my hand willingly and let me lead her further into the crowd of dancers that had gathered around us. I tried not getting too excited about it though, I'm still trying really hard not to scare her off.
Well it's a big, big city and the lights are all out
But it's as much as I can do you know to figure you out
And I must confess, my heart's in broken pieces
And my head's a mess
"Hey, you're pretty good!" I complimented as we rounded the make-shift dance floor for the first time without anyone stepping on each other's feet. I was used to switching between leading and following, sometimes there weren't enough boys in dance class and sometimes girls just preferred dancing with other girls because they were better leaders, so our arrangement didn't really bother me.
"I try," She smiled coyly with the flutter of her lashes before she started giggling, "I'm no Mr. Suave over there but I know how to follow. I just shook my head and continued to sway with her, my hand resting firmly at her hip, hers clutching just to the side of my shoulder, while my other pressed at her warm palm as I guided her around. We still kept a pretty good distance, but even that was the closest we've ever been to each other when there wasn't any obnoxious flirting or life/death situation going on.
"Following is important," I replied as I lifted my hand and pushed her under it carefully, executing our first spin, "You're pretty good at that too."
And it's 4 in the morning, and I'm walking along
Beside the ghost of every drinker here who has ever done wrong
And it's you, woo hoo
That's got me going crazy for the things you do
"Awh, look at them San.." I cooed when I caught a glance of Mike and Quinn smiling their dopy grins, "They're so-"
"Cute." She finished for me with a snicker causing me to look back at her, hoping to catch sight of chocolate brown eyes. They flickered away quickly though, like our eyes were on the same side of a magnet.
I don't know if you've heard, but opposites attract, not similarities.
Then again, I think similarities bring people together too! Santana and I wouldn't be dancing together right now if we both didn't like the song playing, but who am I to defy the laws of gravity? Or is that physics? Whatever.
So if you're crazy, I don't care, you amaze me
Oh you're a stupid girl, oh me, oh my, you talk
I die, you smile, you laugh, I cry
And only, a girl like you could be lonely
And it's a crying shame, if you would think the same
A boy like me's just irresistible
It was beneath the tacky hanging lights, bodies swaying casually around us to the steady rhythm of drums and a couple guitars, a cool Spring breeze rustling guys' ties and ladies' skirts, and the sound of taxis whizzing by just barely overheard above the lead vocals that I really saw Santana.
I look at the bartender all the time, sometimes when I don't even realize it, but there's a difference between looking at someone and actually seeing them. I'm not sure what the difference is just yet, but I'm pretty sure it's important and I'm pretty sure I'm doing it now.
I thought back on our previous conversations had earlier in the night and noted what had Santana walling herself up and what didn't. I knew I was getting somewhere with her and I was proud of our growing friendship, but as the song went on, I found myself listening to the words more than just swaying along to the beat and I couldn't help but notice something.
There isn't a song that's more fitting for the bartender than this.
So if you're lonely, why'd you say you're not lonely
Oh you're a silly girl, I know I hurt it so
It's just like you to come and go
And know me, no you don't even know me
You're so sweet to try oh my, you caught my eye
A girl like you's just irresistible
As the song ended, my hands dropped from her frame carelessly while she took a tiny step back, mirroring my stance. I tried to ignore the tingling sensations she left at my shoulder and in my palm, similar sensations I felt earlier when she grabbed my wrist in the theater. I was just amazed that even through my thick sweater I could feel the warmth she emitted.
"Thanks for that," I smiled bashfully before realizing how hard I was actually smiling, "For the-uh-dance, I mean. Thanks for the dance."
"Yeah," She nodded, matching my smile before she let it falter, "Sorry I couldn't do any of those fancy spins that Chang got you to do."
I just shook my head and waved her apology away, "I don't care about fancy spins."
"No?" She questioned like she didn't believe me, "I'm sure it's boring dancing with someone who can't match your skill level."
It's funny because she's right, it is pretty boring. But it's Santana, nothing about Santana is boring. I think reading books are boring but I'm sure if I were to read one with Santana, I wouldn't find it so boring anymore.
"It is," I answered honestly with a lift of my shoulder, "But dancing with you is different."
"A good different?" She asked, her tone verging on a whisper.
I just grinned and let myself nod only once, "Yeah, I think so.."
A/N Song used: Whistle for the Choir by The Fratellis
