Author's note: I am sorry for the lack of updates. I recently started a new job. This COVID-19 surge has got my team super-busy. I am trying to get used to a new routine. Thanks to those that have favorited, followed, and/or left a review. Your reviews make me smile.
With a knock on the door, Brittany quickly checks out her outfit. She is a mustard yellow short overalls with a white knit top under them. Her hair is loosely curled. Unable to decide on whether or not her royal blue beanie looks good with her outfit or not, she leaves it on.
Quickly, she breathes in, releases her breath slowly, and opens the door.
"Hey, Santana," she says, greeting her with a hug.
Brittany smiles into the hug as Santana's arms wrap around her to return the unexpected hug. They hold on a little longer than customary hugs are, but neither says a thing.
"Come on in," Brittany says as she pulls away, stepping to the side and gesturing Santana to enter her dorm.
As planned, the two made plans for an interview for Brittany's YouTube series, Fondue For Two. Since their Fall break had started, both were available.
Brittany has an assortment of vegetables and protein, along with some fruits and bread spread out around a pot of cheese fondue on a coffee table. The lights and cameras were set up facing the studio with two comfortable chairs. The wall is decorated with a large picture of a giant cartoon cat poster and a few other posters on the shelf next to it. A neon sign in yellow reads, Fondue For Two is placed between the two chairs.
Brittany is nervous as Santana looks around her room. She's never been self-conscious about having people in her room. Brittany wants to impress Santana.
"Wow," Santana exclaims, "When you mentioned your YouTube show, I was not expecting a professional set. This looks amazing,"
Brittany's smile grows.
"Thank you. My subscribers are the reason I am able to afford all this."
"Speaking of, I thought you were a small-time YouTuber. I found your channel. Britt, you are just full of surprises."
Brittany can't help but blush. Santana had called her Britt. If butterflies hadn't been invading her stomach, they certainly were now.
"I hope you found it entertaining. I try to interview people from all walks of life."
"Are you kidding? After watching the one with Patches, I subscribed. Every person has a story. Most never get to share it."
"Exactly," Brittany says, feeling so lucky that Santana understands her content. "Let's start," she adds as she gestures for Santana to sit across from her.
"Welcome back to another episode of Fondue For Two. You may know tonight's guest as only that girl with the girl who likes yeast in her bagel but not in her muffin. Let's give it up for Santana Lopez. Santana Lopez is a small-time celebrity here on my campus. She is currently in two commercials for Yeast-I-Stat."
—-
The interview turns out to be one of Brittany's favorites. She learns more about Santana and her past, like how Santana, as the cheer captain, led her cheerleading squad to national victories every year, her outing, and her first commercial for a mattress company. She also learns more about her Abuela and how much Santana admires the woman that has inspired her.
"Wow, you are an amazing person. Thank you for coming on my show today," Brittany says to Santana before turning to the camera, " Thank you for tuning in for another episode of Fondue For Two. If you enjoyed the show, and want to see more, click here," She says as she points to the right. "Please give this video a thumbs up and share. If you are new here, subscribe. Remember to hit the bell to get notifications of all my future videos. See you next time," Brittany finishes off with a wink.
After Brittany turns the camera off, Santana moves to retrieve her phone from her purse.
"I can't believe you got outed because of that boy named Finn," Brittany says.
She has no idea why she feels so strongly about the issue. It had happened many years ago, Santana had said, but something about the whole thing sat wrong with Brittany. She didn't know this Finn guy, but she wanted to find him and tear him a new one.
"It sucked," Santana says as she put away her phone, "Especially when he tried to make up for it by singing lady-loving songs to me all week with my friends. That said, I forgave him. Not doing so would mean that I am letting that control my life. I refuse to let my past hold me back."
Santana sits down on her desk chair. It's things like that that leave Brittany stunned and speechless. Santana is so captivating, so attractive, and so new. Every little thing she learns about her has her wanting more, more, more.
Brittany is consumed by all things Santana, and she can't be mad about that.
Brittany swallows, not realizing she's been staring into Santana's eyes intensely. Once she realizes it, she can't help but feel like everything else around them has disappeared. The distance included. Santana seems to have gotten closer. Santana is so close she can smell the intoxicating perfume. The same perfume that has been haunting her dreams as of late. Her eyes wander to Santana's lips. She has dreamt of kissing those lips as of late, too. Brittany would love to kiss those full, luscious lips. She licks her lips at the thought. She is sure they are softer in reality than her dreams.
"So," Santana says, breaking their moment.
Brittany is shaken out of her thought as Santana reaches past her.
"I take it you haven't been studying," Santana asks as she holds the serán wrapped book.
Brittany blushes in embarrassment after being found out.
Santana chuckles and unwraps it.
"You need that chip on your shoulder. Let's show them how badass you can be. I am going to help you,"
Brittany watches as Santana opens the book, "Define malum prohibitum," she hears Santana say.
Before she knows it, the two of them make plans to spend every day of their fall break studying together. A month ago, Brittany would have hated the mere suggestion of studying on her break, but now, she can hardly wait to spend so much of her time with Santana. There is no denying that she has a crush on Santana. There is something between them. Her smile only grows as Santana smiles at her without saying a word. She hopes that Santana feels it too.
—-
Weeks turn to months, and Brittany learns to love law. Her confidence grows when her professors no longer have that condescending look on their faces when they call her. She would be lying if she didn't admit that she loves the look of shock on her peers' faces. She was still unable to get a study group, but she was studying every chance she got.
With the new confidence, Brittany wants to help Paulette, her nail technician turned friend, to get her beloved dog back. Paulette isn't too excited at having to talk to her ex, but she wants her fur baby back, and Brittany was determined to make it happen today. It's the reason she even drove to this part of town.
She closes the door and quickly rejoins Paulette.
Brittany watches as Paulette knocks on the metal door of the beat-up trailer before a tall ball-headed man comes out. His arrogant smirk, beer belly, and stained wife eater make Brittany grimace in disgust.
"You just thought you could come here and show me what I'm definitely not missing?
She wonders for a second what could have possibly attracted Paulette to this man but determines very quickly that she lucked out when he ended things because Paulette can do better.
"That's not why I came by."
"Hey, Paulette, how many times are you gonna come over here, begging me to take you back? Huh?"
"I was, um-I."
"Dewey Newcomb?" Brittany says with authority in her voice.
"Who's asking?"
"I'm Brittany Pierce, Miss Bonafonte's attorney, and I'm here to discuss the legal situation at hand."
Dewey looks at her with a bewildering look on his face.
"Come again?'
"Do you understand what subject matter jurisdiction is?
"No,"
"Yeah, I didn't think so. Well, due to habías corpus, you and Miss Bonafonte had a common-law marriage, which heretofore entitles her to what is legally referred to as equitable division of the assets."
"Come again?"
"Due to the fact that you've retained this residence, Miss Bonafonte is entitled to full canine property ownership and will be enforcing said ownership right now."
"Huh?"
"Tell him, Paulette?"
"I'm taking the dog, dumbass!"
Not long after, Brittany, Lord Tubbington, Paulette, and Rufus were on their way. Brittany was still buzzing with the adrenaline coursing through her body. She is all smiles as she drives. Hearing Paulette laugh and seeing her smile was the cherry on top. Brittany had no idea law could be far more rewarding for her than solving math problems.
—-
"Well, according to Swinney v. Neubert, Swinney, who was also a private sperm donor, was allowed visitation rights as long as he came to terms with hours set forth by the parents. So, if we're sticking to past precedent, I mean, Mr. Latiar wasn't stalking. He was clearly within his rights to ask for visitation."
"But Swinney was a one-time sperm donor, and in our case, the defendant was a habitual sperm donor who also happens to be harassing parents in his quest for visitation.
"Well, yeah, but without this man's sperm, the child in question wouldn't exist."
"Now you're thinking like a lawyer."
The Brittany from a few months ago would not have raised her hand, but ever since she's built her confidence, the new Brittany raises her hand to comment on the case at hand. Although she had to admit that Sam made a great argument, Brittany disagreed.
"Yes, Miss. Pierce?"
"Although Mr. Evans makes an excellent point, I have to wonder if the defendant kept a thorough record of every sperm emission made throughout his life."
Brittany hates that the giggles and laughter that break out in the room get to her.
"Interesting. Why do you ask?"
"Well, unless the defendant attempted to contact every single one-night stand to determine if a child resulted in those unions, he has no parental claim over the child whatsoever. Why now? Why this sperm?"
"I see your point."
This gives Brittany the confidence to continue.
"And for that matter, all masturbatory emission where his sperm was clearly not seeking an egg could be termed reckless endangerment."
"I believe you've just won your first case."
Brittany couldn't stop the smile that formed on her face at the words. It doesn't leave her face for the rest of class. Her day only gets better when Professor Shue asks her if she has turned in her resume for his scholarship. She hasn't, but she gets it out of her big tote bag and hands it to him. She'll have to thank Santana for the next time she sees her for the advice to carry one at all times all those months ago.
"Here it is."
"It's written in crayon."
"Oh, and it's scented. I think it gives it a little extra, don't you think?"
She smiles at the lack of response, "Okay, I will see you in the next class," she says before she dismisses herself.
Mr. Shue calls Santana over and asks, "Do you think she woke up one morning and said, "I think I'll go to law school?"
"Well, I think that lacks some judgment. I think she has a lot of potential," Santana says as they watch Brittany take a turn down the hall, "Here is the Motta file."
"Smell this," Mr. Schue says, handing Santana Brittany's resume.
Santana takes the document and smells it, "What's that?"
"It's her resume."
"Chanel No. 5. It smells good," Santana says with a smile knowing Brittany had to have bought it after asking her what perfume she wore on the plane months ago.