Chapter 14 – Venice part 1: Friend
"We should get you something to eat, babe" I said, breaking our kiss. We were still lying in the little piece of paradise, lazily kissing and cuddling, the sun baking down on us. I felt her stomach rumble beneath me. I grinned and moved my legs to sit up, straddling her.
"But then I'd have to get up." She complained, trying to pull me down again. I chortled and got up, trying to pull her with me. She crossed her arms and huffed, rolling her eyes.
"Don't wanna" she said. "Come back down here, San." She said and tugged at my arm.
"No, I think I'm leaving. If you stay here you won't get sweet lady kisses, but if you-" she was already up, grinning at me and towing me close by the arm until my body collided with hers. I smiled cockily up at her and pressed my lips to hers for a second, making her grip on me slack and giving me a chance to lure her out of the garden. In my opinion there was nothing better than to just kiss, but she was hungry and I didn't want that. She whined at the lack of contact and tried to catch me. With a yelp I hurried to the other end of the park where my purse had been carelessly dropped. With one swift movement I jumped past her, laughing, and lured her towards me and the exit of the park.
"Why are you being so mean?" she asked with evident dismay.
"Because you're starving" I said and let her take my hand. I tangled our fingers and pulled her with me back towards my apartment.
"I don't care" she mumbled, but her stomach growled audibly now and I giggled at her.
"Clearly" I teased and smiled.
"What do you say we have a pre-date-date tonight and eat out?" I asked.
"Sure, but wouldn't that mean that we'd have to separate to change?" she asked puffing her lip at me. I shrugged and nodded. I didn't like having to be not around her, but at the same time, I really wanted to eat somewhere nice while we had the chance. I knew that everything would be different once we got back home, I knew me. I'd become a coward on the whole PDA thing and I needed to show her that it wasn't going to be like that all the time, that there was going to be a time where we would be just like any couple. I had to show her, I just had to.
"How about we meet back here in half an hour? Then we'll go to that Atmospheria you've been talking about?" I asked and smiled.
"I'd love to!" she said and pulled me into a tight hug. I chuckled and sighed into her hair tightening my arms around her neck. When she giggled into my ear I felt a shudder down my spine. She let me go and looked down at me excitedly.
"See ya" she said and leaned down, pecking me gently. I tried to make it into a real kiss, but she had already pulled back and skidded away. What had I gotten myself into; something that evidently made me very happy, if I was to judge by the grin on my face, the pounding of my heart and the fluttering in my stomach. I let out a low giggle and spun on the spot, trying to get some of the excitement dealt with.
"What the hells' got you giggling like a teenager?"
I spun again to see Mercedes standing with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face. I tried to scowl but it was faded by a blush and a girlish chuckle.
"Oh it's nothing" I chimed happily, turning my eyes towards the sky dreamily.
"So it didn't have anything to do with the fact that you've been mackin' on Britt for the last … three hours?" she asked. I turned crimson and my smile faded.
"Wha- h…" I tried.
"I walked by the park around five and I saw you. Of course you had your tongue too far down Britt's throat to notice anything." She said with a huff.
"Well…" I started.
"Whatever, I'm happy for you guys. But don't you think it's a bit soon? I mean she just broke things off with her boyfriend" Mercedes said a skeptical look.
"To be with Santana, yes" a voice said behind me. I didn't even got to spin around to face Britt before her arms surrounded me from behind as she pulled me into her. I smiled up at her, the best I could and then looked at Mercedes. She looked confused.
"But you were so sad about it?"
"Yeah, because he cheated on me; I was afraid that I'd never be in a relationship where they were honest to me"
"But you trust Santana, of all people, you trust her?" I looked warningly at Mercedes. Britt didn't have to know that part of my past just yet.
"I do, I trust that she won't hurt me." Britt said and pressed her lips to my cheek. I blushed and bit down on my lip to prevent from giggling girlishly. Mercedes crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, looking at us, still with distrust. She looked like she was going to continue to protest, but she didn't; luckily for her. She then just sighed, shook her head and shrugged, turning to walk off. I turned around in Britt's arms and held her close, looking up at her.
"Shouldn't you be changing?" I asked and stood on my toes to brush my nose lightly against hers. She scrunched hers and smiled.
"You have my key in your purse" she said.
"That's right, I do" I said slowly in a teasing manner. She narrowed her eyes at me. I let go of her and snaked out of her embrace.
"Where are you going?" she asked as I started to strut off.
"If you want it," I incited and waved at her with my purse, grinning wickedly "come get it."
"Ugh, you-" she began but then started sprinting after me. I let out a loud laugh and had her chase me back into the garden. I knew that I should just give her the purse because she was hungry and we really should eat, but I liked teasing her. Wanky. No but really, just goofing around with her was so much fun. I ran around the park howling with laughter until she finally tackled me. She grazefully spun as we fell and I fell on top of her with a loud "Oompf" but the minute she had regained control she flipped us and crouched over me, a devious smirk curling on her lips. I smiled innocently up at her.
"Give me the purse, Santana" she said warningly as she moved her legs to straddle me. I felt my lips spread into a wide grin as I hid the purse beneath my back. She let a growl rumble in her throat and then leaned down to catch my lips in hers. I knew that she was trying to get me properly distracted, and I let her. I instantly leaned into the kiss and moved my lips against hers as I flung my arms around her neck, breathing in through my nose sharply. She giggled and mumbled something garbled that sent little trembling sensations through my lips. I felt her hands wiggle under me and snatch my purse. I took the opportunity and arched into her, letting her grab the purse and retrieve it easily. I kept clinging to her and kissing her, peppering little pecks on her lips causing her to break into a fit of giggles and collapse on top of me, my purse now in her hand. I let out a sharp breath do to the weight now on me, but was silenced and breathless as she pressed her lips to my nose. I smiled up at her. Suddenly she was gone, had stood up and was looking down at me.
"Half an hour" she said and winked at me before strolling out of the park, leaving me on the grass staring after her from an odd angle, my head twisted upwards and sideways as she left the park. My purse lay beside me and she was waving the key between her thumb and index finger. I slumped back and smiled goofily at the sky. I couldn't get over it. I had spent almost the entire day just kissing her. Okay, maybe a little more than kissing, but I had been. I swear she killed me the first time I felt her tongue swipe across my lip. I'd never had that fireworks experience, ever. It had to have been some kind of soul-mate fairy tale thing, but here I was remembering every spark and explosion of color behind my eyes as her lips had moved against mine. It was a fairy tale though. Well, maybe not in the same way – but it still was.
I looked smoking. I had saved my red dress for Venice, but I still liked my attire. A tight deep green strapless shirt with a black zebra pattern and a pair of dark was skinny shorts cut from normal jeans. Stylish and hot without it being too formal. Also – I really wanted to use that red dress in Venice. I walked out to stand by the stairs. Maybe I could get a sneak peek on that Brittany strut in a dress – most likely. I smiled as I opened the door caught in my own thoughts. I almost didn't notice her until she shifted against the railing. My head snapped up to take in her face. She was smiling timidly at me, her eyes glistening and her hair arranged in delicate large ringlets around her shoulders. She was clad in a white slip dress with blue embroidering that made her skin look even tanner than it already was. I returned her smile warmly. She looked unsure for a moment, then pushed herself forwards towards me until we were standing as close as possible without any part touching. I felt a flutter in my stomach as I smiled up at her, letting out a shaky breath.
"Hi…" she whispered.
"Hey" I said quietly. My breath caught as she cupped my cheek and brought her face to mine, placing one tender kiss on my lips. That was enough to effectively take my breath away. I heard a giggle under her breath as she drew back. She let her thumb stroke across my cheek before letting it slide down my neck, leaving goose bumps in its wake. She ghosted her fingers over my shoulders and down my arms until she took my hand in hers and tangled our fingers. I felt as nervous as any girl on her very first date. Given – this wasn't my first date, but I was just as nervous. It was our first date. Good impressions were important. Hey, why hadn't I asked her properly? Ugh, I was the worst ever. I am very bad… NOT the time for that kind of thoughts! Not now. No, I'm serious; keep a freaking PG mind right now. I kept scolding myself as Britt looked at me. I felt how piercing her gaze could be and I wasn't even returning it right now. I swallowed thickly due to the thoughts I was having right now, and looked up at her. She was smiling coyly at me.
"Ready to go?" she asked and tugged lightly at my hand. I nodded and let her drag me down the stairs. She walked beside me, holding my hand all the way to the restaurant. There were a few people waiting for a table, but not a lot. It was supposedly the best restaurant in town. It certainly looked great from the amount of people there. I just hoped that we wouldn't see anyone we knew – we didn't need any interruptions or things making this awkward.
"Due?" a waiter asked when it was finally our turn.
"Sì, grazie" I said with a courteous nod. He gestured at a table that was being cleaned as we spoke. I lead Brittany between two rows of tables. I loosely kept her hand in mine as she wiggled around me to sit opposite me. I smiled and sat down myself.
"So, how did you like our first date?" I asked.
"Hm, was this a date?" she asked with a mischievous smirk.
"Of course – I paid for your shrimp didn't I?" I asked and swung our hands between us. She giggled as she let her toes dig into the soggy sand. We were walking along the almost deserted beach. The sun had gone down about an hour ago and now the only light was from the moon reflecting down on us. The soft roar of the sea accompanied us as we walked; only interrupted by the distant sound from the funfair.
"We should probably get home, you're getting cold" Britt said and let a hand trail up my arm. She stopped and spun me around to stand close to her. I smiled and nodded as goose bumps trailed after her touch. I was a little cold actually. It wasn't nearly as warm as the other days had been. I leaned up, standing on my toes, and pressed a kiss to her nose. She smiled and leaned forwards capturing my mouth with hers. I let my shoes fall from my hand to lean closer to her, melting under her touch as she held me. It didn't take long until my tongue was battling hers, delving in her mouth. I clawed at her back, pulling her impossibly close as she leaned into me. She drew back as I slurped my tongue back, a faint blush creeping over my cheeks.
"Home, you're getting really cold" she said.
"Yeah? I thought things were starting to heat up a bit" I said slyly. She blushed and averted her gaze slightly. I reached down and took my shoes in one hand, grabbing hers gently in the other. With a squeeze of my hand she walked back with me.
We walked in comfortable silence all the way home. She had told me all about her sisters and her parents and I had told her more stories about Marco. She had laughed at me when I blushingly told her about my first crush being his girlfriend because they'd been dressed as Batman and Cat Woman for Halloween.
When we reached her place I had almost expected her to turn around and kiss me goodnight, but instead she pulled me with her up the stairs. I smiled timidly. This was definitely not first date material. To my surprise Britt actually had her key and unlocked the door, placing the key on the table. I placed my purse there as well. She then turned to me and smiled.
"Britt…" I said as she tugged me closer.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna jump you" she reassured quietly. I giggled nervously into her neck. It wasn't that I didn't want to, I mean, have you seen her? She's got the perfect body and she's a dancer. She had to be rockin'. But I had done that one-date-'n-sex thing way too many times. It wasn't going to be like that with Britt. I wanted this to be right. Take it slow, yanno?
"Come on" she said silently when I didn't respond by word. She dragged me into her bedroom and closed the door silently after us.
"Sugar's probably already sleeping" Britt explained. I nodded. There was a slight hesitation before she let go of my hand and opened her closet. Not long after was I attacked by the giraffe shorts and my shark shirt.
"I thought I took that home with me" I said.
"You did, but I took it back for the possibility that you might be sleeping here" she said with a timid smile. I smiled and stood with the clothes. I had been frozen by her. Right there in the middle of the room she wiggled out of her dress and let it pool at her feet. I swallowed thickly, letting my eyes roam her perfect body. It wasn't much different than when she wore a bikini, but somehow this had my heart pounding twice as hard. She was wearing a light rosy bra with black dots and black boyshorts. I took a deep calming breath as she grabbed a shirt from her bed, leaning over – in my opinion purposefully and painfully – slow. The minute she started to draw back I remembered that I had to change too. I fumbled clumsily with the button of my shorts, cursing under my breath. Finally they fell to the floor and I stumbled slightly as I pulled on the shorts. With a preparing intake of breath I tugged my shirt over my head and hurried to throw on the t-shirt. I managed to slip off the bra-straps from under the t-shirt and snap it up. I carefully placed my clothes in a pile in the corner, hiding the bra. When I looked up I saw Brittany sitting crossed legged on the bed, looking at me shamelessly.
"Cute bra" she said innocently. I choked on air trying to comment and felt my cheeks tint. She patted on the bed and gestured for me to sit next to her. I bit my lip as I crawled onto the bed, closing the distance. She reached out as if to pull me closer but then she shoved me back against the bed tickling my stomach. I squirmed and laughed loudly under her hands, trying to get her to stop. I knew why she was doing it – breaking the tension. She giggled and leaned in to press a kiss to my jaw, making me shiver and squirm at the same time. Why did I have to be so ticklish? I usually wasn't ticklish at all. Maybe it was because her touch set me on fire and froze me at the same time.
We were so caught up in our own laughter that we didn't hear the sound of steps. Our tickle-war ended abruptly though when the front door slammed violently.
"Was that…" I asked cautiously. Britt was laying under me as I straddled her hips, my hands on her stomach.
"Yeah, I think so" she said defeatist. I sighed and rolled off her.
"Sorry… Should we go find her?" I asked halfheartedly.
"She's probably at Sam and Mercedes'. I'll talk to her tomorrow. I just, it's not going to be any use trying to reason with her tonight." Britt said. I wondered why she wasn't going to go look for Sugar like Sugar had done for Britt last week, but what did I know? Britt had known Sugar for a long time and if she said that she'd be okay, then she would be.
"We should probably get some sleep" I mumbled, sitting up and letting a hand ruffle through my hair. Britt sat up as well and nodded. She crawled across the bed and slid under the covers. I walked around to crawl in next to her. I sighed contently as she wrapped her body around me, letting my forehead rest against the crook of her neck. She leaned back slightly, making me look up at her.
"No goodnight kiss?" she asked. I chuckled and leaned up, pressing my lips chastely to hers. She leaned in and deepened it shortly before sighing tiredly and nuzzling her nose in my hair. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her back, forcing us as close as possible.
"Today was perfect by the way. I'm so glad you told me that story. It made me trust you.." she said.
"How so?"
"You told that girl straight out that you didn't like her. You are true, even if it means you come off as slightly bitchy sometimes. That makes me sure that it's real, that you really like me" she said.
"I really do. I like you so much" I mumbled and pressed my lips to her collarbone. I felt her breath hitch slightly.
I woke the next morning by a gentle force repeatedly brushing against my forehead. I blinked several times before realizing that Brittany was hovering above me, pressing kisses to every inch of my forehead. She was straddling me shamelessly, leaning on her arms and gently weaving through my hair.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked, sitting back on my legs. I propped myself up on my elbows and nodded.
"No nightmares. You?"
"Not a single one"
"I think I woke better than I slept though" I said with a smirk. She tried to stifle a laugh.
"You're being really cheesy you know that?"
"I know, now will you let me make out with you or what? I've waited a week and a half for that chance, now let me" I said and tried to catch her. Of course, she had already left the bed and was on her way out the door to the balcony. I grumbled and flew after her.
"What are you…" she asked but I just caught her wrists and pulled her towards me.
"Let me…" I whispered into her ear. "Please"
She chuckled and leaned back. With a sly wink she leaned in and let her eyes flutter closed as she met my lips. I melted and let go of her hands. We fit perfectly together, every kiss better than the last, ever soar of butterflies in my stomach bigger than the last. I pulled her closer by the hips as she tightened her arms around my neck.
"If I had known you were such a good kisser even when I was sober, I would've tried that the day I met you" she said as she pulled back.
"Well if you stopped talking then maybe you could get to kiss me longer"
"Like it's not you who's begging for kisses"
"Shut up" I grumbled as I reattached my lips to hers. She hummed something unintelligible but then sighed contently as I swiped my tongue over her bottom lip. She gave in immediately and let me delve my tongue into her mouth. I let out a moan as she started to battle for dominance.
A loud wolf-whistle pulled us back to reality. I snapped back, slurping back my tongue and looked for the cause of the sound, blushing wildly. Brittany made sure I didn't go too far by pressing kisses to the almost faded hickeys she had given me a week ago. They were almost gone now. I felt how she pressed open-mouthed kisses to my neck as I suddenly saw Sam staring at us from his apartment which was almost across from Brittany and Sugar's. I turned bright red and tapped Brittany's side.
"I know, I don't care" she whispered in my ear, making me shiver and tilt my head slightly to give her more access.
"Let him see" she husked and began nibbling on the side of my ear. I let my eyes flutter closed and tucked her closer as she took my earlobe between her teeth and tucked slightly.
"God…" I whispered under my breath and felt like my knees would give up any time. I think Britt felt it because she backed me up and heaved me onto the table stepping between my legs and letting little mouse-kisses trace from behind my ear to my jaw and back to my lips. I sighed and gave up trying to protest.
"Brittany and Santana sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g" he sang loudly. I felt how Brittany's arm loosened and I peeked sideways just in time to see Brittany sticking her middle finger at him, still moving her lips against mine. I locked my legs around her, trying to get her full attention back to me. I heard Sam laugh distantly but then Brittany's hand tangled in my hair and I forgot everything.
"Breakfast?" she asked between kisses.
"Hmmr.." was all I was able to say.
She giggled and drew back. "I'll get it. Just stay here" I sighed and let her go, crossing my legs and dangling them slightly.
"Hey Santana!" I heard Sam yell. I looked over at him, scowling slightly. "I heard you two had become something more, but I didn't believe it until now. Can't believe how quickly you won her over." He said loudly. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, not answering.
"Oh hi Britt!" he said and waved. I turned around and looked as Britt walked out with two bowls of cereal and somehow also two glasses of orange juice. I took the cereal from her and saw her body sigh in relief as she put down the orange juice. She let her nose brush against mine in passing as she sat down.
"San, eat by the table, not on it" she said and smiled. I huffed and hopped down, sitting in the chair beside her instead of opposite her. I didn't want to have to catch Sam's eyes every five seconds.
"So I was thinking, since we're going to Venice tomorrow, that I'd have to pack and clean today, to be ready and stuff. I don't really wanna pack and clean all night before going home" I said as I shoved cereal into my mouth. Beside me Brittany sounded like she choked on her breakfast.
"You what? But… But you said at least two weeks, don't you remember?" she looked at me like I had kicked her puppy or something
"Britt, I have to go home." I said sadly, taking her hand. She looked confused.
"Why? Can't you just stay here with us? There's plenty of room and I… I don't want you to go" she said miserably, looking at me pleadingly.
"Britt, I have to be out of my apartment by Wednesday, I need to help Quinn and Marco move out." I apologized. She pursed her lips and looked down, her shoulders slumping slightly as she realized that I really couldn't stay, however much I wanted. I wanted nothing more than to spend another week in this paradise and then… Then what? Then I'd have to face reality. Right there, I'd be faced with the reality that yes I was a lesbian and yes I'd now have to tell everyone. But Britt was worth it. Wasn't she? She was. She most definitely was. I'd just need some time to adjust. But for now, I'd still have a few days of Brittany and paradise.
"But I promise, we'll Skype just as often as you want and it's only a week, right?" I asked and took her hand in mine. She looked at me and nodded solemnly.
"Promise, though" she said and held up her pinky. I broke into a grin and took it with my own, shaking it slightly. She giggled and leaned her head onto my shoulder. "I'm going to miss you"
"We still have today, and tomorrow, and all night before I leave – if you want" I added.
"W-what?" she raised her head, her face red.
"Um, oh. Oh, no, I didn't mean like. I um, I just meant that we could stay up all night and talk or go into town or to the beach or something like that. Not … that" I said, turning redder by the second. She swallowed a giggle at my flustered rambling.
"I know babe" she said. My cheeks reddened another tone. She focused her attention to her cereal again and started eating, keeping my pinky linked with hers. I smiled and ate myself. If time could ever stop, now was the moment I wanted to lengthen. Just sitting on a balcony in northern Italy with a girl I hadn't known for two weeks, a girl whose voice made my heart flutter, whose smile made my own lips curl up in a smile, who I cared so much about and liked so much that it seemed impossible in such short time.
"Tell me again why you've brought this much clothes?" Brittany asked as she folded my shirts into the open suitcase on the bed.
"You never know how much you'll need" I said with a shrug as I quickly took the undergarments and hid in a bag before hiding them safely in my suitcase. I heard Brittany snort laughingly letting me know that I hadn't been as subtle as I'd wanted too.
"Hey, no shame babe. I'm gonna learn all about those someday" she said and wiggled her eyebrows at me. I scowled blushingly. "See, aren't I becoming much better at the flirting thing?" she asked as she folded the last of my shirts and put them all into my suitcase.
"It seems more real now, I must admit" I said hesitantly. To tell the truth the difference was that she was able to make me blush even more than before.
"Well that," she said and caught me around my waist and pressed into me from behind "is because I'm only flirting with you now" she whispered the last part into my ear and placed a kiss on my shoulder, making me sigh and fall into her grasp. She giggled and rocked us from side to side, peppering feather-light kisses from my shoulder to behind my earlobe. I blushed deeply when a low moan of satisfaction escaped my lips as she took my earlobe between her teeth and pulled gently. She giggled into my neck before releasing me.
"Goof" I said and tapped her nose before getting my bras. I didn't really bother to hide them this time. I was actually enjoying the gawk Brittany gave at the sight and how her eyes bulged slightly as she stared. I purposely swayed my hips and let one fall to the floor. With a slow movement I picked it up by the strap and swung it playfully. This was so awkward, or at least it would've been it she hadn't been the one flirting so much about it. Her cheeks were pink and she looked slightly misplaced in the middle of the room with empty hands. I winked playfully at her and proceeded to put the bras in my suitcase.
"So, I just need to get the rest of my clothes and then clean up everywhere. Oh, I have like a million things on the dining table." I said and peeked into the living room. The table was filled with water bottles, maps, printed directions, bags and bread. Britt didn't say anything but brushed past me silently as I giggled. How was it that she was the flirty one but she was so easily flustered? Oh well, just meant that I had an effect on her – which I appreciated very much.
"I'm really going to miss you, San." Brittany whispered after about five minutes of silence. We were laying in my bed face to face. I didn't move, curious to hear some of the late night confessions people tended to have. Somehow darkness gave all sorts of comforts to a person who was afraid to say things.
"Sugar slept here last night. I talked to her while you showered. She was really upset, felt like I had abandoned her. I told her not to break into your house again, and she promised not to. But I promised we'd spend at least half the day tomorrow with her. Not just for her, but for Sam and Mercedes too. Lord knows they'd need a good romantic day, they've been fighting a lot. I guess Mercedes doesn't really fight that much, but Sam's really sad all the time now and I don't know why, and Mercedes is getting more grumpy and getting more of her Diva back. I just wish I could be there for Sam and Mercedes and Sugar and you all at the same time" she sighed and leaned forwards to kiss my forehead. I bit my lip and then moved upwards to press my lips to hers gently.
"I'm sorry, I've been stealing you" I whispered. I felt her heart rate increase under my hand which I had placed above her heart, as she realized that I had heard.
"You haven't. I chose to be here, didn't I? I chose you. I want you" she said against my lips. I sighed and pressed into her shortly before leaning back and tugging her head beneath mine to rest above my heart. She shook slightly but then calmed down, wiggling a little to press her ear close to my heart.
"Your heart's racing" she whispered almost inaudibly.
"Hm.." I mumbled and tugged her closer. She let one leg crawl up to hover above mine. I smiled sighed into her hair.
"Sleep, baby girl" I said and began drawing circles on her back. She leaned up and pressed one tender kiss the crook in my neck before sighing. I held a hand over her heart, making sure that the rhythm of her heart steadied as she glided into sleep. When she murmured slightly and shifted, her heart slow and steady, I let myself drift off as well.
"Why the hell don't you people know how to set an alarm, we're freaking late"
That was my alarm clock; Sugar Motta. Brittany still tucked into me, sleeping but stirring as if she was waking up. I growled at Sugar, looking up.
"Why are you always here? Have you never heard of a thing called privacy?" I asked when I was sure that Britt had woken. I was sure because she pressed little kisses to my collarbone, silently letting me know that I could talk with her still pretending to be asleep.
"Britt, I know you're awake, get up!" Sugar said and then our sheets were pulled from around us. Sugar stood triumphantly with the sheets in her hand while Britt groaned and clung to me.
"Get out Motta. We'll be there in ten minutes, I promise. Just get the hell out" I said warningly, stroking Britt's hair. She hummed happily and snuggled closer. Sugar let out a snort and waltzed out letting our sheets fall to the floor in the doorway
"You don't live with her, do you?" I asked Britt. She chuckled and shook her head.
"I've already moved back with my folks for the summer. I'm gonna take over some dancing classes at a summer camp in Ohio.
"Really? That's awesome, I'm moving back home too" I said. I felt her smile into my neck before disentangling herself from me. I flopped into the place she had been lying when she got up.
"I don't have my stuff here-"
"Which is a total mistake" I interjected. She poked my back, making me squirm.
"I don't have my stuff here so I'll have to go home and change." She said and leaned down. I still had my nose bruited in the pillow, but I felt her lips graze my shoulder before hearing her bare feet walk across the wooden floorboards.
In order to get ready as fast as I could, I rushed through all my steps for getting ready. I stood in the bathroom in my seamless shorts and my red bra, with the toothbrush caught between my gums, my hair half combed and my make-up half-done. The bowl of cereal was standing on the sink and I took a large spoon-full every once in a while. I almost tipped over the bowl of cereal, while reaching for a hairpin. This would have been a good time to have multiple arms or something so I could do everything at once.
Somehow I was out the door only eight minutes after having woken up. I ran towards the car and saw Sam and Sugar leaned against the trunk, all of the doors wide open of the green car, trying to extinguish some of the heat.
"Hey, where're Britt and Mercedes?" I asked, walking towards them and leaning against the trunk next to Sam. He nudged me playfully as a greeting.
"Mercedes had weave problems." Sugar explained.
I huffed slightly, waiting for them. The three of us stood waiting for them for another minute or so before I spotted Mercedes. She was hissing something at Brittany who just grinned in return. When she saw us – or me I hope – she lit up and dragged Mercedes along as fast as she could. Mercedes seemed a little more reluctant but walked to stand beside me anyway. Brittany had already stepped towards me and pushed flush against my body, letting her arms fall around my shoulders. Instinctively I placed my hands on her hips.
"You two are not sitting beside each other in the car. Seriously, you're worse than honeymoon couples" Sugar complained.
"You ain't my mom" I said.
"No, but I don't wanna watch you and Britts getting your 'mack on' every two minutes. Sorry, Asperger's. No, you know what, not Asperger's. Just don't wanna watch that" Sugar said with a huff gesturing at us. She climbed into the car and sat in the middle of the backset. Britt huffed in disapproval, gave me a lingering kiss and climbed in behind the driver seat. I climbed in on the other side of Sugar, dropping onto the seat and puffing a hair out of my eyes.
We spent most of the trip in silence, but the backseat wasn't uncomfortable. Every once in a while one of us jabbed Sugar in the side. The silence in the front however was much difference. I had noticed it for a while – them going a bit hot and cold. Sam kept sending angsty glances at Mercedes who was being pretty cold. I wondered why, mostly because she was the warmest and most caring person ever.
"Look, it's so pretty!" Sugar exclaimed excitedly. Both she and Brittany were leaning across the railings looking at a two-story waterbus. It was almost empty. We were all huddled together in a big lump of people, estimated around 150 people wanting to get on the bus. Luckily our group had been in good time and was almost at the front. I was standing with my hand right next to Britt's our pinkies linked. She'd chuckled at that but I liked it.
"Sugar, it's a boat" I said flatly. She scowled at me, but I just shrugged. I felt Brittany tug warningly in my pinky. I smiled apologetically at her, to which she rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling back. I turned my attention to the white and green ship as it docked. One of the shipmates tied a rope around the three massive wooden poles beside the dock and then around the metal pole to fasten the ship to the dock. A pull door was opened and the man permitted us to enter. Sugar dragged Brittany, and therefore me too, onto the first floor out on the open part of the ship. The two-person benches were placed so they faced each other in pairs. Sam and Sugar took one side and Mercedes sat on the other. I was just going to sit on the floor between the two benches as Brittany sat down, but instead she tugged at me and pulled me onto her lap. I leaned against her as she fastened her arms around my waist.
"Hey, look" I said and pointed towards the horizon where the outlines of Venice were visible. Everyone but Brittany looked, giving me time to peck her without the others seeing. It wasn't because I didn't want them to see, I just didn't want to be a constant source of complaints and really it was annoying that they seemed disapproving of us. Britt grinned and turned to look at the horizon.
"Mommy come on let's go" I turned to look at the little British boy who'd said it, pulling his mom to the edge of the ship. The boy was maybe five or six, wearing a cap with Union Jack. I turned back to Brittany.
The ship ride was about half an hour. Britt shivered when I told her about the island to our left around 20 minutes in. It was a tiny island whose only purpose was to be a graveyard.
"That has to be so haunted. I wonder if that's where they keep all of the Italian zombies" she whispered gravely. I chuckled and let my fingers ghost across her knuckles. I felt her breathing calm.
"So we're gonna get off here at Giardini, and you guys go to San Marco and we'll meet back at San Marco at 2.30 PM, right?" Sam asked as he and Mercedes got up.
"Yup" Brittany said "Have fun guys" she said. I made to scoot off Britt's lap to sit beside her, but she hummed in dissatisfaction and clutched my waist tighter. I giggled and relaxed in her arms. Sugar waved once more at Sam and Mercedes before they disappeared down the stairs. The bus hit the dock with a hard collision causing Britt to tighten her grip on me. She scooted towards the 'window seat' and leaned against the inner railing, letting her fingers stroke my stomach. I noticed the Sugar looked kind of misplaced. Okay, one nice thing couldn't hurt, right? I patted on the space beside us and gave her the most genuine smile I could muster. She pursed her lips but then shifted and sat beside us. She looked kind of nervous, until I actually – and I did this with no idea why – reached down and took her hand.
"Come on, three friends in Venice, that's awesome right?" I asked her, indicating that I considered her my friend. Britt nudged me.
"Okay, so two girls with the hot's for each other and their friend" I asked. They both laughed. Brittany released my waist with one arm to place her hand above mine and Sugars.
"We're kind of friends?" Sugar asked.
"Yeah. But don't tell anyone" I said and winked at her. She smiled genuinely. Maybe she just wanted friends. Maybe she really did have Asperger's. Who knew? Maybe she was just freaking happy most of the time and didn't know how to control herself.
"But can you at least hold back on the tongue tying until after 2.30?" I let out a snort of a laugh but nodded none the less.
"We can always try" I said.
"Wait, starting from when? When we leave this boat, right?" Britt looked shocked as I looked back at her.
"Why?"
"I haven't made out with you all day!" she said exasperatedly. I blushed and smiled.
"Okay, two minutes, that's it" Sugar said and pulled her hand back, crossing her arms.
"No, we can wait" I said carefully. Britt looked at me oddly. I shook my head. I wasn't exactly used to acting on my gay, let alone talk about it in public. It wasn't just a one day turnover. She'd just have to be patient until I'd drag her to some corner of a side street and kiss her senseless, once Sugar'd gone off with Mercedes and Sam.
Somewhere along the way we seemed to forget where we had to get off.
"Hey, wasn't that San Marco? Wasn't that our stop?" she exclaimed pointing at a big overcrowded open space with churches around it. That was definitely San Marco.
"We'll just get off at the next stop and walk back there" Brittany said unworriedly. I slumped back against her and tangled our fingers. She was right; we'd just get off at the next stop.
"Look, a bridge. Let's get off at that stop and we can just walk across the bridge and then keep going right and we'll get to San Marco in no time" Sugar said. She got up as the bus started to dock. Brittany let me get up and I pulled her with me. Getting off was slightly difficult, but we managed. There were a lot of people and we kept losing sight of Sugar. When suddenly she was right beside us, I grabbed her hand and pulled both girls with me. Together we walked up on the bridge. It was a wooden bridge called 'Accademia' and it was one of the four bridges in the 'Canal Grande' which was the main canal around the city. I noticed that everywhere on the steel mesh there hung little locks with writing on them. Some said "Love you forever" with initials and some said "Our everlasting love" some had "Amor" or "Mi amor" or "Te Amo" and other variations of love on them. I looked at the initials, trying to see if anyone coincidentally had B+S on them, but there were none.
"B; should we buy one of those?" I asked and pointed at one of the street-sellers selling locks. I noticed a pink one immediately thinking Britt might like it.
"One of what?" Britt asked, caught up in a conversation with Sugar. I pointed toward the pink key and then gestured around us. Her eyes went wide as she sat down and examined it.
"E vecchia storia dice che se si scrive le proprie iniziali su un blocco come quello il tuo amore non morirà mai" the street vendor said in Italian.
"Quanto vuoi per il blocco rosa?" I asked as Britt examined it with sparkling eyes.
"Due" he said and smiled at me. I nodded and looked in my wallet, handing him a two-euro coin. He lent us a thin magic marker.
"Devi scrivere reciproche iniziali" the man explained.
I was handed the lock from Britt and wrote as pretty as I could in fairy-tale style "B" and gave her the magic marker. The salesman took both things from her and I almost hissed, but stopped when I saw him drawing the '+' sign. He was acting as the one tying us together. I blushed slightly, feeling that it was almost something marital like. He then handed Brittany the lock and the magic marker. She took it and I noticed the rosy tint on her cheeks as well as she scrunched her nose in concentration. I smiled as she wrote "S" and then turned it around. She wrote "Dolphin" and gave it to me. I stared at it for a second before remembering how she'd explained that thing about dolphins and gay sharks. I smiled and wrote "Unicorn" above "Dolphin". She grinned and I think we both reminisced.
"What are you thinking about B?" I asked, lazily interlacing and disentangling our hands. We were lying on my bed in a mess of the clothes that we had only managed to pull out of the closet.
She smiled. "Unicorns."
So that wasn't at all the answer I had expected, but it was Brittany, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I tugged at our hands to get her to look up at me. She had been curled into my side, resting her head above my heart.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I think you're becoming one."
"If this is your attempt to talk dirty, I don't think we're gonna work" I said with a chuckle. She swatted me.
"It's not! But just for that, I'm not gonna talk dirty to you for a long time" she said with a wicked smirk. I groaned and pouted at her. She leaned up and pressed her lips to my jaw, making me melt.
"So, why am I becoming a unicorn?" I asked, trying to take things seriously.
"Well, a unicorn is a person who knows they're awesome and isn't afraid to show it. Like, believing in your own magic. I think you're making me a unicorn too. You make me believe in my own magic" she said calmly. I felt her cheeks heat up against the skin of my neck.
"You are magic Brittany. You are the unicorn" I said and nudged her. She lifted her head and pressed her lips to mine. We didn't do much packing for the next twenty minutes. Unless packing is just macking with an m. Then we were sort of packing.
"There" I said and drew a heart. She beamed at me and we got up. Sugar was patiently waiting for us and even took a picture as Britt and I put the lock on the bridge. She then stepped between us and linked her arms with ours. I would've preferred to walk around with Brittany but Sugar seemed kind of on a high from having me call her a friend. It was kind of sweet and really annoying at the same time.
"What the hell do you mean you don't know where we are?!" I roared at Sugar. We were in the middle of a side street, which was really dark and really small and we had no idea where we came from or where we were supposed to go. Sugar had taken over leadership to get us back to San Marco, but as you can hear; that went beyond bad.
"These windows look like prison cells" Brittany noted with slight fascination, flicking her fingers against the steel bars outside a window. I shuddered and looked around nervously. I hated being lost and I hated being here. It was so freaking spooky.
"See San, you can almost imagine the old people in there having been trapped for-"
"Shut up!" I whined panicky. Britt looked up with a bemused expression. She then tilted her head slightly and took me in. My arms were clenched tightly across my chest and I was looking around nervously.
"San, are you scared?" she asked.
"No!" I protested but quivered none the less. With a panicky shriek I jolted up and sprinted towards Brittany throwing my arms around her for protection. Something had definitely brushed against my leg, and whatever it was, I didn't freaking like it. Brittany chuckled and heaved me into her arms. I looked ludicrous and I knew, but that thing was freaking scary. Sugar broke into laughter and I looked to see that she was sitting on her knees brushing the fur of a small red striped cat. It meowed in satisfaction and looked like it was purring even though I couldn't hear from here. Brittany giggled and kissed my temple before setting me down. I grumbled and kept close, staring at the cat suspiciously. Seriously, in these streets anything might transform into a 40 feet tall lizard and kill me. I trusted nothing, not even a freaking cat.
"Okay, let's follow the cat, huh?" Sugar suggested.
"No, cats don't often go near water. I think we should see where it goes and go in the opposite direction" Brittany objected. I looked at her.
"Well you are the cat whisperer" Sugar acknowledged. Britt leaned down and pet the cat for a short minute then got up and shushed at it. It looked very judgingly at her, whacked its tail and strutted off. With a grin Brittany took my hand and lead me and Sugar in the opposite direction.
We walked in silence, in and out of side streets, one smaller than the next when finally we reached a place where water was visible.
"Oh thank god, it's freaky in here" I said breathlessly and broke into a run. The sun heated my face the minute the tall buildings weren't providing shadow, and I looked into the small waves.
"You were scared!" Britt giggled and snaked her arms around my waist.
"Lunch?" Sugar asked cheerily, nudging me with her shoulder. I looked over at her and smiled. She hadn't teased me once about the cat and the dark jail windows. Maybe she wasn't bad after all. Maybe I even cared about her a little. Only a little.
A/N - So I know this chapter and the next two are going to be super-fluffy slightly sappy and really macky, but there's a purpose! Enjoy it while you can, I warn you! While you can!
I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but shit's really hit the fan in my life right now. I haven't finished the 17th chapter yet, because of a writers block, but I didn't wanna leave you hanging and I have got a few extra chapters for situations like this. Maybe I'll be able to update once more before leaving for USA. I'll do my best. Until then...! Love you guys!
If you ever feel like saying hi, DO SO! Please. I beg you. Nothing motivates me or makes me more happy than to hear from you guys. So send me an IM, I'll be your frieeeeend~. No, not an IM. Either send me one here or on Tumblr (elainemathers . tumblr . com). I just wanna talk :'3. Also - please review ^^. That makes me really happy too. and a happy Ellie means more chapters quicker! 8D?
Italian sentences:
And old tale says that if you write your initials one a lock like that one your love will never die
How much for the pink lock?
You have to write each other's initials
Song for this chapter. "That's Amore - Dean Martin" /watch?v=XHtdGJfVd2w