Chapter 14 – New opportunities

Brittany…

She kind of knew that an intervention was coming although she had hoped that her loved ones would just let it be. Apparently they cared a whole lot more than she knew whether or not she'd graduate from high school.

There was no way around and when the day came, Brittany did her best to hold back tears. It had been a long time that she felt that lump in her throat but when she came home from school one afternoon to find Blaine, Quinn, Santana and even aunt Patty sitting on plastic chairs outside of the trailer with concerned looks on their faces – it took everything not to start crying right then and there.

Everyone said something about how they wanted her to be happy and make something of her life instead of giving up on herself. Aunt Patty said some pretty cool things that hit home. She told them how she and Brittany's mom would always dream of going away together and make something of their lives. They had plans to go to New York and become Broadway stars or to travel the world and visit every single country. Aunt Patty wanted nothing more than going back in time and trying harder to fulfill those dreams but somehow she lost that passion along the way.

Brittany missed her mom a lot in that very moment. She would have understood more than anyone how Brittany felt… she never finished high school and she would have understood that it wasn't because Brittany didn't want to but because she simply didn't know how to do it better. How to magically get what the teachers were talking about during physics or math.

"Brittany…" Quinn said at one point with the gentlest voice. "You don't have to do everything on your own. I know it might seem impossible, but you can do this. With our help you'll get better and you'll pass those exams. It's ok to accept the help. We want to help, we really do. You just have to let us."

She looked very cute and so pregnant. Brittany really appreciated that she came here in the first place. Lately it had gotten very difficult for Quinn to walk longer distances. The baby was going to be there in just a couple short weeks. Quinn was always feeling hot and she had to pee every three minutes but she was there just to let Brittany know that she cared.

When Brittany's eyes met Santana's, she nearly lost it. The brunette hadn't said too much but her eyes were spilling a whole lot. Brittany graduating high school meant that they wouldn't get to spend every single lunch time together anymore. They wouldn't get to sneak glances in the hallway when Santana stood by her locker and Brittany passed by to get to her next period.

No more driving home together on their bikes or in the old truck. Brittany simply couldn't imagine the fact that their ways were possibly going to separate. It was too painful to imagine. They all had grown incredibly close.

But Santana… Brittany wanted to get up from her plastic chair and take Santana in for a tight hug and kiss her face. That might have required some explaining but it was everything she wanted at that moment.

"You should take some time to think about everything, Brittany. Just know that you're not alone. I'll take some extra shifts at the shop so you can have the trailer all to yourself to study. Anything you need." Aunt Patty said with a wink before she got up and excused herself to head to work.

Blaine also needed to leave and hugged Brittany tightly when saying goodbye. He promised to sit next to her in every single class they shared and explain everything she didn't understand.

Brittany smiled when she watched him leave and once Quinn got picked up by her mom, it was only Brittany and Santana left. Like so many times in the recent past… they somehow always managed to be the last ones without it being obvious.

When Brittany slumped into the chair right next to Santana, she felt a hand on her cheek only seconds later.

"I'm sorry we surprised you like that." The brunette apologized. "It was Blaine's idea and we tagged along because it actually seemed like a good idea. I'm still sorry. I hope you don't feel like I did something behind your back."

Brittany hummed when she leaned into Santana's touch. It had sort of become their thing. To touch gently when no one was looking.

To kiss tenderly behind closed doors or whenever they went to their favorite spot.

Or to make out heavily in aunt Patty's truck when Brittany dropped Santana off late at night… to throw secretive looks during recess whenever Quinn was busy with a book in her hands.

"No…" Brittany whispered and took Santana's hand into her own. "Everything you said was true. I'm glad I have you guys."

She meant it when she said those words but they hurt incredibly much. She was so lucky to have found these people. She didn't know how she deserved them. The thought of not being around her friends every day was scary. She always knew that it was going to be reality sooner or later. Nothing lasts forever…

"What do you say – ice cream at Schuester's? My shift starts in twenty minutes." Santana cheered her up. It always worked, even today. Schuester's ice cream was just too good not to say yes.

Santana pulled Brittany up on her legs and led the way to aunt Patty's truck. That had also become one of Brittany's favorite things. Giving Santana a ride to the bar, only to sit at the counter for another hour and watch her do her job. She just looked so good with her apron and the pink uniform, her hair up in a bun.

When they arrived at the parking lots only minutes later, Santana made sure no one was outside before she leaned in to give Brittany a kiss on the lips.

Brittany's heart fluttered. She had to hold back not to beg for another kiss that lasted a little longer.

That had also become a thing. To peck each other on the lips when they said goodbye or hello. Only if they were alone of course. Brittany kind of loved it and was sad whenever they didn't get the chance.

It was still new. That thing that was happening between them. It was something she couldn't quite put a finger on. If she had to explain it to someone without mentioning it was them, she'd have said that they liked each other more than normal friends. Because normal friends didn't make out with each other every chance they got. They also didn't feel those butterflies all the time.

But what made her insecure at the same time was the fact that they didn't really talk about it. It had also become a thing. To make out, say goodbye and then act like nothing was different whenever they were surrounded by friends or family members. Then they were back to being friends.

Brittany didn't know… maybe it was for the best. Because if she told Santana what she felt inside whenever they were together or when they were apart – she feared that the brunette would have pulled away from her.

The fact that she always seemed to look out whenever they weren't somewhere completely safe gave Brittany that impression.

The only time Santana was all relaxed was when they went to their spot and nobody else was there. When Santana watched Brittany dance or when they leaned against the hood of the truck later, their lips eventually finding each other underneath the sparkling sky.

/

Santana…

It was a couple days before the baby's due date when Santana and Brittany went to watch one of Jake's football games. Quinn wanted to be there, too but it simply would have been too exhausting so it was just Brittany and her in the audience.

They cheered loudly whenever their team scored and they exchanged a funny look when the cheerleaders danced suggestively in front of them in their short uniforms.

Santana couldn't help but grin when Brittany winked at her and their hands brushed against each other.

It was shortly before the halftime show when Santana went to grab them something to drink. Once she returned to the stands, she found Brittany standing at the end of their row with three of the cheerleaders talking to her animatedly. Santana approached them and realized that they were desperately trying to get Brittany to do something she was obviously hesitant about.

"What's going on?" Santana wanted to know when she was on the same level. The three cheerios didn't even look at her because they were busy babbling things towards Brittany who seemed terrified.

"They want me to do the halftime show with them." She said with a shaky voice and raising her shoulders.

"What?" Santana gasped. She had no idea what Brittany was talking about but it seemed to be urgent as the girls were already trying to pull Brittany with them.

"One of the girls sprained her ankle and they need a replacement." Brittany tried to explain, pure horror written across her face. Santana quickly stepped towards her.

"Do you know the routine?" She asked. Brittany shrugged but the other girls said that they still had time to show her the most important steps. "Do you want to do it?" Santana tried to get Brittany's attention back to her by putting a hand on her arm. It worked and their eyes locked right when the audience burst into cheering and screaming again.

Santana could see in Brittany's eyes a certain excitement. There was a sparkle that Santana always saw when Brittany danced for her or when she told her about a new routine that she and Blaine were working on. On the other hand there was also doubt and insecurity.

"Britt…" Santana managed to ignore the three girls next to them for a couple seconds. "You can do this. If you feel comfortable and if you want to, then I have no doubt you can do it." Brittany's pleading eyes almost made Santana want to lean in and press a reassuring kiss against her lips. Instead she squeezed her arm. With a whisper she went on: "Imagine it's just me watching. Like always at our spot."

Apparently that was everything Brittany needed. She nodded determinedly and let the girls know that she was going to try her best.

The cheerleaders screamed with excitement and the next thing Santana knew was how Brittany got pulled away.

For a moment she didn't know what to do. She cleared her throat and looked around. Everybody was yelling or laughing, cheering on the teams on the field. Then Santana made her way to the front row because she knew that she didn't want to miss the first time that Brittany was going to dance in front of a whole audience.

/

About twenty minutes later Santana couldn't believe her eyes. The halftime show had started and if she didn't know that Brittany had just learned the choreography, she would have had no idea that this was a last-minute rescue. Brittany fitted into the group so perfectly with her wavy blonde hair and the pompons in her hands.

It was like the red and black uniform had been waiting just for her. She rocked it like a pro when she did a twist and a jump right at the same time as all the others.

Santana couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Brittany had learned a complete choreography within minutes. She had no idea how the blonde did it. She was beyond talented. She lived it. It was her truest passion and Santana could see it happening right in front of her eyes. Brittany was doing what she loved the most and finally so many others could see it, too. It was too good to just be seen by the stars out in the desert and one pair of eyes.

Santana was so proud to witness Brittany dance for the whole crowd. She could have watched her all night instead of the game.

"Do my eyes deceive me or is this Brittany in a cheerios uniform?"

Santana turned her head in surprise to find Blaine Anderson right next to her. She nodded proudly.

"She filled in for a girl who sprained her ankle. Can you believe she's doing it after only finding out a couple minutes ago?"

Blaine shook his head in awe.

"I mean I always knew she had talent but this is insane… she's definitely going to be on the team after this. They have to take her!" He yelled. Santana could only agree. Brittany would have made a perfect cheerleader. Not because she was so girly – she wasn't. But because the moves looked so easy when she did them. No one in the crowd seemed to be able to tear their eyes away from her. She was… magic.

When Brittany's blue eyes caught Santana's gaze for two seconds, she swallowed painfully. It was like the earth stood still momentarily. Everything lapsed into silence for this one instant where Santana had a vision of an older Brittany on a stage. The crowd cheering for her. Her face beaming with pride and her chest heaving because she had just danced a two-hour show. But this time Santana wasn't in the crowd and joining the applause. She was somewhere else watching Brittany from afar.

"This girl is going to get asked out on a regular basis from now on." Blaine's voice brought Santana back to the present where she was standing in the first row, her hands holding on to the drink in her hand.

She threw a look to her side to see Blaine's face. He seemed to be so happy for Brittany. It was hard to think he could be wrong. Brittany was definitely going to be remembered by everyone in the audience and on the field tonight.

The thought of her getting asked out by all the guys was… upsetting. She didn't know why she felt that way because it was only logical. Brittany was a beautiful girl. The guys at their school weren't blind. It was a miracle she hadn't been asked out before. Or maybe she had and Brittany just never told her and Quinn.

The idea of Brittany telling them that she was going to go out with a guy made Santana almost feel sick to her stomach. She was surprised about the way she felt right at that moment. She had never quite thought about it before. There wasn't really time… next to taking care of Iker, doing homework, working at Schuester's bar and housekeeping, she spent her free time with Brittany and Quinn.

Whenever she and Brittany were alone, they didn't really use the time to talk about how they felt because they were busy doing other stuff… talking about their newfound physical closeness would have meant finding answers about what it meant. She didn't know if she was ready for that. She was scared that Brittany would say how it was all just… nothing. Silly experimenting.

She didn't think that Brittany would actually say that. But she simply didn't know. What if Santana was the only one who felt them in her heart? The times they kissed on the lips or exchanged those glances during lunchtime?

The thought of being the only one was so unsettling that her heart almost felt sore.

She tried to push those thoughts aside for the rest of the evening. She didn't want to be all flustered when Brittany came back. So she put on a smile when Blaine said something else and watched the rest of the show in silence.

/

A couple hours later Santana was lying in her bed and staring up at the ceiling. Iker was talking in his sleep but that wasn't the reason she had trouble falling asleep.

In her head she kept replaying the way the night ended earlier…

She and Baine had waited for Brittany at the school's parking lots after the football game. When she came back she was still wearing her uniform and surrounded by a bunch of cheerleaders. They were giggling and talking animatedly about how their performance and the game went. Their team won so everybody was happy as well as in the mood to celebrate.

Blaine and Santana watched how all the cheerleaders came to thank Brittany for her spontaneous help. They hugged her and let her know that they were looking forward to seeing her at school the following week.

Then two of the football players came and picked Brittany up. They carried her over to where everyone else was standing and celebrating the win. Santana and Blaine exchanged a wordless look. Blaine's look said 'told you' and her own look probably read something like 'jealous'.

Because she was. She didn't like the way they just grabbed her. She tried her best to not show though because when Brittany eventually said goodbye to everyone and ran towards Santana and Blaine with a huge smile on her face, she wanted to be happy for her.

Brittany told them all excitedly about how the coach of the cheerleaders offered her to be on the team, so Santana couldn't help but join her giggles. She had never seen Brittany like this. All inspired and motivated for something new. It was contagious.

"I really want to graduate" Brittany's voice sounded in her ear when they hugged. "The coach of the cheerios came to talk to me after our show. She said I'm really good." Brittany's gentle laugh made Santana feel all content. "Maybe I can get a scholarship and actually go to a dance school."

Santana nodded. She squeezed Brittany's hands when they loosened their embrace and stood face to face. Blaine joined their little bubble of joy and hugged them both at the same time. After that Brittany drove them home. Since Blaine lived quite near Santana, he got off at her place, too and she didn't get to kiss Brittany goodnight. It was ok though… the happiness written across Brittany's face was enough for her when they waved at each other.

Santana stared into the darkness of her room. She had no idea how the rest of the school year was going to be or what was going to happen next. She just knew that if Brittany was happy then she'd be happy, too. It was more important to her than finding out what this thing between them meant. Even more than that she didn't want to stand in Brittany's way.

She was going to enjoy the remaining time they had together. After that she'd let her go and nothing had to be complicated or this mystery to solve. It was too hard for her anyway. She wasn't used to having romantic feelings. Maybe she wasn't meant for stuff like that.

She was good at taking care of her brothers and studying for exams. Those were the things that mattered at the moment anyway. Because her family needed her and Brittany needed a future out of this town. She wasn't even supposed to be there in the first place so everything was good.

Everything was exactly as it was supposed to be.