A/N: I do not own Glee or any of its characters.
So now with free time, I present the continuation of High Tides. Enjoy :) Any mistakes are my own, I'm without a Beta.
I gently rolled from side to side in the wee hours of the morning, flashes of my reoccurring dream still fresh in my head. I have grown tired of this dream but almost welcome it with a comfort, sort of like a Stockholm syndrome for dreams, kidnapped for so many years from my normal subconscious visions, revisiting the near-death experience as a child. I'm not sure why my brain acts as a broken record, to be stuck on repeat of this memory but I am helpless in stopping it from happening frequently.
I glanced at the clock and stared at the blurred luminous red lines until they formed numbers, a quarter to seven, only fifteen minutes until I hear Quinn's alarm clock blaring. She sets it at the loudest setting in order to wake not only her but the whole household. I already know Kurt is up doing his morning facial cleanse routine, every day that boy wakes up at six to have a full hour of exfoliating, moisturizing, and maintaining. I only know this specific order because he reminds us daily.
I slowly sit up and stretch my arms over my head, releasing a big yawn. I rub my eyes and grudgingly make my way to the kitchen to start the coffee. I measured out the coffee beans and prepare myself for the likely roaring the grinder will make. I absolutely despise Kurt for buying it, but you can't beat the impeccable taste of freshly ground coffee beans.
"Morning sunshine." Kurt says walking in with a cheeky smile, to which I give a gruff response.
"I take it someone got a full eight hours of beauty rest?" He asked walking to the refrigerator to pull out some Greek yogurt and fresh berries.
"Not really. Why do you have to be so damn happy in the morning? Who is ever this happy in the morning?" I asked slightly annoyed.
"Well I for one like starting my day-AH!" Kurt yelped dropping the fruit he just pulled out upon hearing Quinn's alarm clock ringing through the house.
"Scared much?" I ask with a chuckle.
"Why does she have that alarm so loud? China could hear it." Kurt replied exasperated with a hand over his chest.
Just then Quinn came in sluggishly, looking particularly disheveled. Her hair was knotted and in a wild mane, her shirt skewed to this side, and remnants of drool could be clearly seen on the side of her face. I hopped onto the counter and merely watched as she continued to drag her feet sloppily into the kitchen, blindly reaching for a coffee mug and pouring herself a cup slowly and turning around to finally peel her eyes open to look at Kurt and I.
"Hi there." I say through giggles. Quinn has never been a morning person, not until after she has had a shower and coffee.
"Mmhmpf." She grumbled in response.
"You've got drool left on your cheek princess." I say point to her cheek. She rather lazily dragged her sleeve across her face in hopes of wiping it away.
"So does anyone know what their schedule looks like for the day?" Kurt asks merrily.
"Can we take the cheeriness down a notch? I know you're part elf but some of us need time to adjust to the morning." I say looking at Quinn, who was staring at her coffee and taking small sips, savoring it.
"Clearly." Kurt said rolling his eyes standing against the counter like Quinn.
"All I know is that we better have nice weather today or else I refuse to do patrol again." Quinn groaned.
"That's up to Sue I guess." Kurt said shrugging his shoulders.
"Which reminds me, I am not standing next to you all day, it would be my luck Sue put me with you again." Quinn said pointing accusingly at me.
"Well don't make it sound like a burden! I know you love that time with me." I reply.
"If today is opposite day then you're completely right." Quinn said sarcastically, grabbing a banana to munch on.
"Well what about Brittany? The doctor never gave any specific instructions to us." Kurt mentioned in a concerning tone.
"It's not like taking care of a dog Kurt." I replied quickly, slightly annoyed.
"He didn't say it was, but someone needs to stay with her to make sure she is okay." Quinn says defending Kurt.
"I will." I offer quickly.
"I don't think Sue would like it if you skipped another day. You had missed most of yesterday staying at the hospital." Kurt reminded me.
"But-"
"No buts San, either Kurt or I will take care of her today and we can play each day by ear."
"Fine." I say peeved.
"Besides maybe all she needs is rest. So there would almost be no reason for us to miss work, you know?" Kurt said.
"Yeah, maybe. But we will see." Quinn replied finishing the rest of her coffee and placing her mug in the sink.
"Is she up yet?" Quinn asked.
"Probably. Most likely from your alarm clock." Kurt pokes Quinn in the ribs while putting his dishes in the sink also.
"It's not that bad." Quinn argues.
"It's awful. But I guess when you have elephantine snores like yourself you need a loud alarm." I quip.
"I don't snore!" Quinn said while her cheeks flushed pink.
"Okay if you say so." I say hopping off the counter and getting my own cup of coffee.
"Ugh whatever. I am going to go shower." Quinn replied walking towards the bathroom.
"No! I am getting in there first! You take forever and then I don't have time to exfoliate my skin!" Kurt yelled anxiously, making a run towards the bathroom, in which Quinn began running too.
"Are you kidding?! You hog the bathroom all the time, I am using the shower first!" She hollered over her shoulder running ahead of Kurt.
If Quinn's alarm clock didn't wake Brittany up then I'm sure the yelling match between those two did. I can imagine what she thinks of our apartment dynamic. I hope we don't terrify the poor girl, or make her feel uncomfortable. How terrible would that be if she had to be stuck in recovery with people she didn't like? It made me stomach uneasy thinking she wouldn't like me.
I leave the kitchen with my coffee and walk towards the guest room where Brittany is sleeping. The door is cracked open in the same fashion I left it the night before. I poke my head in and see Brittany is just starting to wake up, pushing herself in a sitting position and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. I gently knock three times on the door. She looks up surprised but then quickly smiles giving a small wave to me.
"Morning Brittany." I say walking in through the door.
"Good morning." She replied brightly. I didn't mind her delightful manner in the morning. It reminded me of early morning sun, gently warming your skin.
"How did you sleep?" I ask sitting at the foot of the bed.
"Great! I had really interesting dreams. And this bed is so soft!" She exclaims excitedly rubbing her hands across the comforter.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" I asked curiously.
"I dreamt I was flying with seagulls and they would talk to me about humans and what cities looked like. It was interesting." She concluded the brief dream.
"Oh I have had dreams like that before." I say smiling.
"Really?" She questions completely bewildered.
"Yeah, the flying dreams? I always enjoy them. I mean flying on an airplane is fun, but it's in the dream where I can fly through blue skies and enjoy the scenery down below."
I didn't feel like sharing my reoccurring dream that I have had for years, doesn't feel quite appropriate to share such an intimate memory/dream with someone I just met and hardly know. I have only told Quinn and that took me a long time to tell her. Maybe one day I can tell Brittany, but now is not the time.
"Oh right, must be a common thing huh?" she asked with a tinge of disappointment. Disappointment for what, I wasn't sure.
"Yeah, and teeth falling out dreams, but those aren't very much fun." She reached up and placed her hands over her mouth with a worried expression.
"Don't worry I bet your teeth are fine." I say reassuringly to her, giggling a bit.
"Sharks teeth fall out often. It's easier to replace them then repair the damaged ones." She said randomly. I stared questioningly at her for a moment then began laughing, because it was such a random sentence.
"Huh, never really knew that. Cool fun fact though." I say with a wide smile.
We share a look for a few long moments, not saying much, but observing each other with curiosity. I avert my gaze shortly though to avoid looking like a creep and making her uncomfortable. I clear my throat before beginning to speak.
"So I think either Kurt or Quinn will stay home with you today to make sure you'll be alright."
"How come you're not?"
"I have to go back to work, my boss Sue doesn't like when we miss multiple days in a row."
"Oh well that's unfortunate I'm sorry." She replies with a slight frown.
"It's nothing to apologize for silly, just everyday things to do. But I'll be home afterward. Do you have a preference of who stays home with you?" I ask.
"Well if I had the choice you, but I understand you have responsibilities. But Kurt and Quinn are both really nice. I guess I am indifferent." She replied with a smile.
I blushed under her comment and drank my coffee in order to hide it from her. I don't know if she is intentionally flirty or truly a sweetheart and nice to everyone like this. I wasn't about to divulge to her though that I am a closet lesbian. The only people who know are Quinn and Kurt. Quinn figured it out the more she got to know me and Kurt knew the moment he met me, must have been his own gaydar going off.
"Alright well I can make them ram-sham-bo over it." I laugh.
"Make them what?" She says taken back.
"Rock-paper-scissors." I explain.
"I hope that's not violent. I don't like violence."
"Well knowing them they could take it to an extreme level." I laugh again at the idea of them using pillows or something, smacking each other.
"They won't hurt each other right?" She asks concerned.
"Oh no of course not." I reassure her. "We can play a quick two out of three if you want?"
"Alright." She replies apprehensively.
She remains stock still with her shoulders straightened and waiting for something to happen. Her eyes are wide as if she is preparing for a surprise.
"Did you ever play this game as a kid?" I question her disbelievingly.
"No, I suppose not."
"It's simple, hardly any rules. First off you make each attack with your hand." I explain and she stiffens.
I gingerly reach out for her hand, keeping eye contact with her to make sure she is alright. It's strange she is acting this way over a simple game like rock-paper-scissors. Her hand is balled tightly into a fist when I hold it.
"Well you have rock down to a tee." I say pointing out the obvious. She looks down and stares at her hand.
"So like I had said the game is rock" I make a fist. "Paper." Flatten my hand out. "And scissors." Making a peace sign.
"The objective of the game is to defeat each 'attack'. On the count of three we simultaneously make one of the options of rock, paper, or scissors to see what beats what. Does that make sense so far?" She nods her head slowly.
"Okay so for example I do rock and you do paper on the draw of the three, you would win." I explain by readjusting her hand to lay flat over my fist. "Paper covers rock."
"That's it?" She asked almost sounding relieved.
"Yeah. Paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper."
"Can we do it again? For real this time?" She asked enthusiastically bouncing up and down.
"Sure." I reply sitting crisscross-applesauce on the bed directly in front of her.
"Okay, 1-2-3!"
Safe to say she picked up on it quickly and won the two of three matches easily. She was eager to play over and over again and it reminded me of the innocence similar to a child, which in no way was an insult, but rather a compliment. Most people play this game in order to give an annoying task to someone unlucky enough to lose. But Brittany wants to play for the fun of it and joy it brings her. I couldn't help but join her in the pleasant entertainment and laughing loudly.
We were so caught up in the game that time flew and before I knew it Kurt was knocking on the door asking if I was ready to go to work.
"Shit no!" I reply frantically, scrambling off the bed and sprinting towards the door. I stopped in the doorway and turned around to Brittany.
"Thanks for the games, it was fun. I'll see you later okay?"
"Yes ma'am." She responded with a high salute. I gave her a wink before leaving and bumping into Quinn.
"Hey so you're staying with Brittany today?" I asked hurriedly.
"Yes. Now go and get ready before Sue chews your ass out." She replied impatiently.
"Fine, fine. But promise you'll call if anything goes wrong okay?" I holler over my shoulder running into the bathroom.
"Jeez yes. When did you become a mother hen?" she yelled back.
As I wildly rushed around the house getting ready I could only think of one reason: Brittany.
"Any specific reason you decided to deliberately play hooky yesterday Lopez!?" Sue roared in my face.
Upon arriving late Sue decided it was time to chew my ass out for the "misconduct" I had performed yesterday. I made a mistake and now was the time to reap the consequences of it. I knew better than to stay at the hospital but I felt an obligation to stay and make sure Brittany would be safe.
"I wasn't playing hooky sir I was trying-"
"You were trying to get out of patrol! I don't care if there are beached whales of tourists on the shore! You do your job. Save the people, don't get attached, and continue to save more people. Serving to protect the coastline with your life and time."
"Sir, I can assure you that is what I intended to do but-"
"But nothing! Do you even understand the responsibilities of a lifeguard?" She raged.
"Yes." I reply quietly.
"List them now." She demanded taking a seat while I remained standing.
"A lifeguard is vigilant. A lifeguard will prevent accidents. A lifeguard will conduct themselves to bring credit to their organization. A lifeguard will be a good subordinate employee. A lifeguard's appearance will credit themselves to the representation of their organization. A lifeguard will exercise good judgment in emergencies. A lifeguard is trustworthy. A lifeguard is always ready. A lifeguard will be responsible of their own mission. And a lifeguard is progressive." I finished winded.
Sue sat there staring at me, as if mulling over the commandments I recited for her. I take these responsibilities to heart. I understand what they mean not only to me but to the lifeguard community as a whole. It is a brotherhood of understood duty, sworn to protect and serve. And even though this is not the armed forces we understand we help save lives and it isn't a job to be taken lightly.
"Do you know which of those you failed to perform?" I remained silent, knowing a lack of answer is better than saying the wrong one.
"Most of them Lopez." Sue stated calmly. "I understand you wanted to see your mission out to the end, but you were apathetic towards the rest of your obligations. What if something was to happen on the beach and we needed back-up? We would have had no one. How can a team depend on you if you aren't present and don't communicate?" Again I remained silent, not out of fear, but guilt.
"You're lucky you have Quinn and Kurt as such reliable team members, but they will not always be with you. You need to learn how to act as a team player. Otherwise remaining a lifeguard will not be likely in your future. Do you understand?" She asked evenly.
"Yes sir. I understand I was blinded by an emotional experience yesterday on the beach, leading to the abandonment of not only my duties but my team. For this I am deeply sorry and ask for a second chance to show you this will not happen again."
"Fine. One more chance and that's all I will be giving you Santana. Don't make me regret it. Now get out of my office. I'm tired of seeing your face." She said dismissively. I left her office swiftly meeting Kurt in the front of the shack.
"How bad was it?" Kurt asked sympathetically.
"Awful. Enough to make me feel like I have stones in my stomach." I reply with my shoulders low and eyes glimmering with unshed tears.
"Hey it's okay, she didn't fire you so that's a plus." He said encouragingly rubbing my shoulders and giving me a hug.
"It's not that, I left you and Quinn to fend for yourself with disregard of my job's duties. I'm really sorry." I mumbled through a sniffle.
"It's fine Santana, I assure you Quinn and I can handle our own." He said through a smile and shrugging his shoulders.
"Now come on we have patrol duty today and it's a bit wet outside, so grab your raincoat." He motioned behind me on the coat hanger walking outside where I would meet him.
I grabbed my jacket and slowly inched it up over my uniform sweater, staring at the insignia of Lifeguard Patrol. I gave it a small pat before marching outside to join Kurt in the murky weather with a new resolve, patrolling with a new determination and focus.
A/N: A little shorter than what I normally would write, but I felt it was a good place to leave off :) Working on the next chapter currently, will update soon!