Protector ch. 7
When I try to open my eyes but instantly closed them because how bright the room is as it wasn't helping with the throbbing headache that I have while my body slightly aches all over. I roll onto my side that was facing away from the window to notice that I'm not in my room in my apartment but in a room that belong to someone else as I silently curse myself for going home with a complete stranger. Now I have to figure how to sneak out without my latest conquest finding out as I attempted to sit up but my body protested to the suddenness of it while I'm hit with a wave of nausea, quickly run to the bathroom to empty the content of my stomach. I'm vaguely aware of someone holding my hair back while rubbing my back smoothly until I finally stop throwing up to flush the toilet as they gently picks me up, bridal style to carry me back into the room.
I'm place back on the bed, covering me in blankets as they move around the bed to close the blinds to notice the very feminine shape of their body to realize that my partner this time is a woman but not any woman, Santana Fuckin' Lopez. My eyes begin to get heavy as I slowly drift off to sleep but not before hearing the Latina kiss me on the temple, quietly asking for me to not to hate her when I wake, leaving me to wonder what could she have meant by that. My dream was rather vivid as the night before begins to play behind my eyelids to reveal that not only did the mother of one of my student not only protect me from some random guy from taking advantage of me but also I initiated us sleeping together. I woke up with a start to notice that this time I wasn't naked as I'm covered with a baggy sleep shirt and sweats pants that are a bit long on me but it doesn't matter as I look at the alarm clock on the nightstand to realize that it's nearly two in the afternoon.
Everything is a bit groggy as my head is still throbbing but it's not as bad as it was earlier before climbing out of the bed to walk into the bathroom to splash some water on my face to wake myself up a bit. I look at myself in the mirror to see that my face's free of the makeup that I was wearing last night before noticing that there's a brand new toothbrush as I smile softly that lawyer left it for me to use as I'm sure that my breath smells right now. I brush my teeth and gurgling some mouthwash before it spitting into the sink as I walk out of bathroom to smell something rather delicious wafting in from the kitchen to follow it to find Santana over the stove, placing waffles on two plates. She looks up from what she's doing as she pauses for a second, her eyes roaming over my body appreciatively before looking me in the eyes as something shy and hesitant flashes before it's gone as quickly as it came.
The Latina sets the plates on the table before going back in the kitchen to grab two glasses fill with orange juice as I look down at the plate to see that it's fill with waffles, eggs, sausage, and small bowl of freshly cut fruit as it does look delicious. I know that it's been awhile since the last thing that either of us have seen each other as I don't expect her to remember that I'm vegan but it's sweet that the Latina went through so much trouble for me. I thought that she would be freaking out that she had slept with me as if I remember correctly that her and Brittany were dating or something as bad feeling sets into my stomach and I know that it has something to do with the alcohol that I consumed. Not only did I sleep with the parent of one of my students but someone else's sufficient other as I consider myself to be someone with values and morals and sleeping with someone who is committed to someone else goes against everything that my fathers taught me.
Santana walks back into the dining room with two Advil as she puts them in my hand before looking at me with a confused look on her face before looking down at the food, letting me know that everything's vegan friendly shocking me out of my trance.
"Santana, where's Brittany?" I asked tactless.
The look on her face goes from sad to blank over the course a two seconds as she runs her hand through her hair before asking me to eat something then she'll explain everything to me. It feels like I just unintentionally hurt the almost seemingly invincible woman in front of me as we pick at the food which is really good as I wonder how Santana even knows how to make vegan food. The lawyer pushes away the half eaten food as she turns to look at me fully before explaining everything that has happen over the last six to seven years since graduation including Brittany's death and Quinn coming in her life recently. To say that I'm shocked would be understatement but by the time that the Latina had finished her story, she was near tears as she tries to get her emotions under control but knowing that she's not one for showing emotions very often.
I doubt that she had a chance to properly grieve as I stood up, moving to take the incredibly strong woman in my arms which causes the floodgates to open up as she holds onto me like I was her last lifeline. I hold onto Santana for as long as she needed me to while letting her know that I got her and that it's okay to cry because I wouldn't know what it's like to lose someone that you care about as my heart goes out to my student who lost her mother so early on. The Latina's sobs quiet down to the occasional whimper as she pulls away to discreet wipe away her tears but I pretend not to see as I know that she's a rather prideful person but I want her to know that I'm here for her. The dancer and the lawyer have been together their entire lives, knowing each other inside and other, emotionally and physically as I was sometimes jealous of what they had as no matter what they went through, they somehow manage to find their way back to each other.
I know that I'll never be able to compete with that but a small part of me is hopeful that Santana would be open to seeing what this could be although I think that it might be best that we don't. I mean I am her teacher and if the other parents find out that we were dating then they'll assume that it's the reason that Quinn's doing so well in my class which is the furthest thing from the truth. Even with the tear streaks and puffy red eyes, the Latina's looks breathtaking as without thinking, I wipe away a stray tear as she looks at me with something in her eyes that I couldn't put my finger on. She wraps her hand around my wrist as she stands up, looking straight in the eye and before I knew what was happening, she pulls me into a hug with her face buried into my shoulder as I couldn't help the warmth that enclose my entire body. For a moment I allow myself to believe that could mean something until someone knocks on the door as the lawyer reluctantly lets me go and I find missing the warmth of her body to see Kurt standing on the other side of the door.
His eyes widen comically as he looks between Santana and myself, slowly piecing things together before rubbing his temples as he walks fully into the apartment then smiles slightly, pulling me into his arms. It's been a long time since the last time that I seen him as I heard that he was doing well for himself on Broadway after graduating from NYADA as he pulls me onto the couch as we talk about what's been going on in our lives but I could feel the Latina's eyes on me. I try to ignore how it makes me feel but I excuse myself because I still have to get my lesson plans ready for the students but the fashionista makes promise to hang out some time during the week. I miss my best friend and I really do want him in my life again so it'll be an easy promise to keep as I gather my things as I call an Uber to take me home. I make it all the way to the sidewalk when someone calls my name as I turn to see that it's the lawyer walking down the steps.
"What can I do for you, Santana?"
"Yeah, you could go out for coffee with me" Santana said scratching the back of her neck nervously. "I'm not expecting anything from you but maybe just talk a little"
"I don't know, Santana. I-"
"Rachel, it's okay. You don't owe me an explanation and I can take a hint" Santana said smiling sadly, turning around to go inside.
"Santana wait" I said gently grabbing her wrist. "I'm sure that maybe grabbing a coffee or something wouldn't hurt"
Santana smiles softly when my Uber driver honks to get my attention as she kisses me on the forehead which catches me off guard before stumbling into the backseat as the car drives off.
"Leaving from your girl's place, eh?" My driver asks wriggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"I'm not exactly sure what we are" I said slumping into my seat.
"But you want her to be?" She inquires. "I'm Ashley by the way"
"A part of me does but it's a bit more complicated than that" I said biting my lip.
"If you don't mind me saying but it's only as complicated as you make it to be and from what little interaction I saw, she's obviously interested as I suggest that you should take things slow and feel things out" Ashley offers. "If you both think that it's not going anywhere then break it off so there's no harm, no foul"
"Maybe but I'll have to think about it" I said sighing quietly. "Thank you for the advice"
"You're welcome and I'm sorry if it seems like I'm getting all up in your business"
"No, you were actually helpful and maybe I just needed someone that doesn't know the both to make me see things from a different angle" I said as Ashley pulls up in front of my apartment.
"No prob and if you ever want some more unsolicited advice, here is my number" Ashley said scribbling her number on a piece of paper.
"Thanks" I said stepping out of the car.
I walk up to my apartment to get start on my lesson that I know that I should've started sooner but life has a funny way of throwing a wrench in your plan as I found it a little difficult to focus after finding out what I know now. I unlock my phone to see that I have a few unanswered calls from Tina and Unique inquiring where I am and if I'm okay as I decide to call the to let them know that I'm fine while finding out that they got home safely. They tell me that they want all the details of where I disappear to after the club which I do need someone to talk to about what happen between Santana and myself because I don't think that I'll be able to keep this to myself. Am I making a good decision by having coffee with Santana?
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 7