A/N: Sorry for the delayed update. I had writer's block, then got over that, then my computer broke when I was dying to write, and then finally fixed it and school has started. But I haven't been able to stop thinking about this story and I have to write it before I got nuts.
But I wanted to thank everyone that left a comment, followed, or favored this story, I can't tell you how much it encourages me to write.
Warnings :Language. All mistakes are my own.
PS. Made it extra-long to make up for the slow update ;)
I could feel the sun's rays sprawling across my face as it crept in past my blinds, normally this would put me in a bitchy mood but this morning I didn't wake in the grumpy fashion I usually do. With a dreamless sleep my body felt rejuvenated and recharged, something it hasn't been in a long time. The sun's rays weren't the only thing giving me warmth though. I gently opened my eyes prepared for my retinas to be seared but instead found a sight rather endearing.
There tucked into my side was Brittany, softly mumbling incoherent nothings with her lips slightly upturned. I haven't had the pleasure of knowing anyone smiling before the afternoon, but I guess that's what makes Brittany special, among other things. She can be naïve, which if it were anyone else I would murder before they had the chance to ask obvious questions. But with Brittany it's almost like watching a puppy run through snow for the first time, except she isn't a dog nor is it snowing.
God that sounds cheesy... Quinn would call me a sappy idiot if she ever heard me say that. But would probably blame it on my lack of creativity.
Her bangs gently swayed back and forth in front of her face with each puff of air she blew out, tickling her nose in the process. I just simply watch as her nose scrunches and wiggles to get rid of the tickling sensation, but it continues. I giggle a bit thinking of a rabbit and how it twitches it nose.
I reach forward ever so slowly and brush her hair to the side, tucking it behind her ear. I tenderly cup her cheek and brush my thumb over her rosy cheeks. I count the number of freckles dotting across her nose and smile thinking of what a younger Brittany must have looked like, suddenly having a moment of déjà vu.
I stare at her longer, really concentrating on her facial features, scavenging my brain for any memory I have of a little girl that shared the same characteristics… vaguely does a figure surface to the front of my mind. Maybe a kid I babysat for? No, there was a blurred image of a little girl creeping up slowly, but it was too foggy.
I was so concentrated on recalling a familiar face that I hadn't noticed Brittany's breathing had changed and my thumb hadn't ceased its soft caress of her cheek. I yanked my hand back in fear. How awkward would it be to have a stranger intimately close in your personal bubble?
Sometimes I need a brain filter for my actions.
"Mhm, don't stop. That felt good." Brittany pouted groggily.
I didn't say anything in fear of rambling word vomit, so I tentatively cupped her cheek in my hand again and repeated my earlier action. I hadn't bothered looking at the time, I only knew that laying here in a comfortable silence with Brittany was timeless and felt fulfilling. Who knew doing nothing could feel so productive. We stayed like that for a while, Brittany blissfully leaning into my touch with her eyes shut enjoying the close contact, but I couldn't complain either. Her skin was soft and smooth, smoother than mine, and I took a great deal of pride in skin maintenance.
"Tell me about yourself." Brittany said quietly interrupting the silence.
"Huh?" I asked, too mesmerized with her skin to hear what she asked.
"I was just thinking about you and thought I didn't know much." She chuckled. "But I can tell you're not a morning person."
"I can be, in the right circumstances." I replied smiling, deciding to run my fingers along her arm and shoulder.
"Mhm." She hummed in appreciation.
"What was your question now?"
"I wanted to know something about you."
"I'm boring though." I said sticking my tongue out. She poked me hard in the stomach and looked up at me.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Everyone has a story. Even someone who lived under a rock is interesting. Like crabs or hermit crabs, they're really fun to hear stories from." She replies laying back down on my chest.
I tilted my head in confusion and squinted down at her. "How do you hear stories from them?"
"You talk to them." She responded as if it was the most obvious thing.
"Ah, I must have missed that in biology when they explained how to speak crab."
She wrapped her arms around my stomach and held me with a tight grip, clearly showing she wasn't going anywhere until I told her my story. I still wasn't 100% comfortable with how touchy-feely she was. I mean I loved it just because I have the world's biggest crush on her, but it shouldn't be this fast for cuddling , right? My biggest fear is I'll do something stupid… like tell her I have a crush on her or try to kiss her. I took a deep breath before answering her previous question.
"Well I grew up in Ohio, moved here to California. See boring." I shrug.
"That was vague." She poked me again, not as hard as last time though.
"Okay, tell me a specific thing you wish to know."
"How about favorite color? Or colors?"
"I prefer red above all else. But I really enjoy oranges and yellows too."
"Why's that?" she asked playing with my t-shirt.
"The sunset. Each night it sets and paints the skies brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow. Some are vivid and intense, streaking the skies in violent explosions of color, but others are mellow and calm and plainly beautiful. Each one is unique and mysterious. Some nights it doesn't seem real."
Brittany gazed up at me with a wide smile on her face and stared at me with amusement.
"What?" I ask feeling my face heat up under her stare.
"I can understand that, the sky is magnificent. I think I prefer the sunrise though over sunset." She replied sitting up and lying on her stomach, using her elbows to support her weight.
I sat up in bed against the headboard and folded my arms, looking down at her.
"Why's that?"
"Because sunsets are the endings to a day, but sunrises have the potential to be a greater day than before, washing away the darkness with light, giving hope for something more to the day." She finished explaining.
"I've never thought of it that way. Guess I will have to go check out a sunrise sometime."
"Oh, we should! It's wonderful." Brittany exclaimed excitedly.
I smiled widely just thrilled with the idea of sharing a sunrise with Brittany that I hadn't thought to continue the conversation, but stare adoringly instead.
"So, what are your favorite colors then?"
"I really love the colors blue, green, and purple."
"Hey we complete the rainbow!" I said excitedly.
"A rainbow?" She asked confused.
"Yeah, you know the thing that shows up in the sky and you can follow it towards the end to find a pot of gold with leprechauns guarding it?
"What?" She asked even more confused.
"A rainbow is when water droplets hit rays of light, emitting the spectrum of light in the sky." I explain.
"Wow, you sound really smart. But I haven't seen one before." She replied dejected.
"Don't worry, maybe you will today since the rain is clearing up as we speak."
"Hopefully." She says with a smile.
I twiddle my thumbs around and mess around with the sheets in my bed, nervous that she will want to get ready for the day and stop the conversation now. I'm really enjoying spending time with her and I know I will have to get ready for work myself, but can't seem to tear myself away this second.
"You forgot to explain your favorite colors?" I said playfully.
"Oh oops, sorry. " She smiled at the innocent apology for forgetting. "I love the variation of blues and greens the ocean has. Sometimes when the sunlight hits the ocean just right, you can see streaks of purple in a sea of luscious blue water and sparkling green flecks."
"Are you sure you aren't talking about a fish?" I ask with a smile.
"I'm sure of it. It happens sometimes, but only if the conditions are right." She explains happily.
"So you go swimming in the ocean a lot?"
"Um… yeah, I would say so."
"Like snorkeling or deep sea diving?"
"Uh, a little of both." She replied while avoiding my eyes.
"We should go sometime, I would love to see it." She met my eyes then and I saw a glint in them that only showed pure joy and excitement.
"It would be my pleasure to show you, it's quite wonderful." She whispered.
Again we shared a prolonged eye contact that left us tunneled vision and unwavering in observing the stretching smiles on both our faces. I made a small cough to break the tension, but found she was still staring at me and again my face flushed knowing she was unabashed at staring at me, similar to how I was earlier.
"Why did you become a lifeguard?" She asked randomly. This wasn't helping redirect the attention away from myself.
"I wanted to wear one-pieces for the rest of my life." I quip, hoping to get off the topic. She simply raised one eye brow skeptically.
"Fine." I huffed. "You want me to be honest?"
"Yes please." She replied eagerly sitting up and crossing her legs in front of me.
She's too good at breaking down barriers I thought I made invincible, I guess I never took into account serene, blue eyes that could penetrate any person's heart and soul.
"I had a near death experience as a kid." That came out a lot more blunt than I intended.
I paused waiting for her to pour out all sorts of pity on me, but saw that she was waiting patiently and attentively for me to continue before saying anything. I wasn't sure how she would react to my near death experience, but I'm glad she is simply listening.
"I nearly drowned in the ocean, survived though." I chuckled. "My family and I took a vacation every summer to the Californian coast to enjoy a couple days of sand, ocean, and bonding. I loved jumping waves, it was always what I was most excited for. My dad was watching me jump waves from a distance until he had walked away for a moment to take a call. It only took a moment before a rip current dragged me out to sea and I began gagging on salt water."
Brittany remained wide-eyed and silent waiting for me to continue, except I could feel a lump forming in my throat. It was tough retelling this memory, it felt like I was reliving it all over again if I thought too much on the details of the ordeal. But since Brittany asked I wanted to be honest with her, let her know I can be open with her and vice versa.
"I remember my throat feeling raw, as if I sandpaper scraping the insides of my throat. I remember feeling helpless and hearing distant yells from my parents. The fear of being so close to shore, to survival and yet so far terrified me to death. I was so small and I couldn't fight the current at all…" I trailed off, hesitant to continue.
Brittany took a hold of my hand and squeezed it. I looked up and she reached across to swipe her thumb under my eye. I hadn't realized silent tears began to slide down my face. I sniffed rather loudly, feeling humiliated. I didn't like crying in front of people, especially strangers. I never wanted them to see my weaknesses and insecurities.
"You don't have to continue you know? I didn't want to upset you." She said pulling me towards her for a hug.
"It's okay, it's just an old wound being reopened." I mumble into her shoulder.
"I'm really sorry." She sounded genuinely apologetic, and even though I didn't want to tell Brittany the rest, I felt I should finish, just because most people would pester to know what else happened but she was considerate enough to see how much it hurt to relive it.
"I just don't want you to think I'm crazy or anything." I try and laugh it off. My go-to for escaping serious talks, snark or comedy.
"I would never think that, believe me." She replied releasing me from the hug. I paused momentarily thinking how was the best way to continue.
"After I made it out alive, I hated anything to do with water and it took time for me to love it again, and once I did I decided then and there I wouldn't want anyone else to feel the pain and fear I had when nearly drowning. So I trained to be a lifeguard and here I am now." I wrapped up quickly.
"That's incredible of you Santana, truly. See I told you no one has a boring story."
"Thanks, maybe I could get a book deal out of it." I chuckle quietly.
"Hey Santana?"
"Yeah?"
"How did you make it out of the sea?" She asked curiously.
This is where I thought twice on explaining this to her. Do I lie and tell her it was a miracle that a small and fragile girl had managed to drift with the current towards shore or tell her of the mysterious person or thing that rescued me that day? The one thing my parents reiterated was it was a miracle and my imagination or coping mechanism is what clouded what really happened to me because of shock, but to me it was as real as the water that filled my lungs. I never even told Quinn of the extra detail from my memory.
"You wouldn't believe me." I said taking a chance, hoping I wouldn't be shot down.
"Try me. I have a pretty open mind you know?" She challenged me playfully.
"I was pretty out of it when I realized I was being rescued…"
"By who? Your mom or dad?"
"No, it was a little girl, maybe close to the same age I was. She seemed to have swam with such grace and strength, it didn't seem real. She glided through the water with me in her arms and it was mere minutes before I found myself on the warm sand."
I paused looking at Brittany for even a crack of a smile suggesting she thought I was joking, but instead she remained focused and patiently waited for me to continue.
"Maybe the girl was just a talented swimmer?" Brittany said questionably.
"That's the thing I wasn't 100% sure it was a girl." I say ever so quietly, almost not at all.
"What do you mean?"
"When I woke up, I was dazed and confused, I couldn't comprehend what had happened. I laid on that beach coughing up the incredulous amounts of water my lungs absorbed until my head was throbbing. When I finally paid attention to my surroundings I finally noticed who or what rescued me."
"And? What was it?"
"The little girl had a-"
"RISE AND SHINE PRETTIES! TIME TO WORK!" Quinn yelled effectively interrupting me and leaving Brittany speechless.
"Quinn, really must you be that obnoxious in the morning?" I ask irritated.
"Well only if insist on sleeping in so late, which leads us to showing up to work late, and that means Sue is gonna be angry!" She sing-songed while jumping around the room pulling out my uniform and towel for a shower.
"If I didn't know better I would say you're my mom." I huffed. Brittany just watched on in amusement.
"Oh that reminds me, your mom called and said she will be visiting sometime next week." She replied over her shoulder rummaging through my dressers for what I assumed was socks.
"What? When? What day and time?" I asked frantically.
"I have no clue, you need to call her yourself mija. Now get ready, or else I will come back and drag you out to the car looking like that hot mess." She said pointing up and down at me.
"Leave!" I hollered throwing a pillow at her.
"Come on Brittany I'll make you breakfast." Quinn ignored me and directed her attention to Brittany.
"Oh, okay. Would you like me to help? I make a wonderful seaweed wrapped coral."
"Where did you learn that? At a sushi place?" Quinn asked interested.
"Actually my mom and dad, they emphasized how important it is to fend for yourself." She replied standing up and walking over to Quinn.
"I don't think we have either of those, but we can always stop by the farmer's market and see what they have. Join us when you're done Satan." Quinn turned on her heel and left the room.
"We will talk later, yeah?" Brittany asked with a sweet smile, leaning against the door frame.
"Sure, sounds good." I said returning the friendly smile.
She left marching in the same direction Quinn had gone, leaving me in my room to stare at my rambunctious hair and smiling face in the mirror.
"It's nothing that special." Kurt said shrugging his shoulders.
"What's not that special?" I asked walking into the kitchen and grabbing an apple, plopping down next to Brittany and bumping her shoulder, giving her a subtle wink.
Quinn was sitting at the table across from me while Kurt was occupying himself in the kitchen cleaning the countertops, putting dirty dishes in the sink to be washed. Typical he would want to super clean before we have to leave for work.
"Our job. Brittany wanted to 'see us in action'." Quinn said using air quotes then continued to sip on her coffee.
"Today may be a busy day, I mean just look how beautiful it is outside." Kurt said pointing towards the windows.
He was right. It was a cloudless, blue sky with the sun shining brightly. A perfect day for the beach, which meant an active day for us. Even Sue would join us on the beach.
"I pray there is no one that thinks they can cross the ocean again. That was a disaster last year." I sigh.
"That's because he was overheated, the sun cooked his brain."
"Can it actually do that?" Brittany asked horrified.
"Possibly, but you just need to take good care of yourself." Kurt piped in.
"Don't worry we'll keep an eye on ya and keep you hydrated." I said with a sheepish smile.
"So I can come with you guys to work?" Brittany asked excitedly.
"If you really want to, you could bring a towel and a book to keep yourself entertained." Quinn said indifferently, picking up a magazine and flipping through it.
"Oh I love reading! What kind of books do you have?"
"Well Kurt has facial cleansing and gardening books, so grandma status. Quinn has kinky things such as the sappy romances and whatnot. I have a wide variation of genres if you want to see?" I asked, to which Quinn and Kurt both scoffed and rolled their eyes at me.
"Surprise me. I'm sure I'll like it."
I went to the living room and pulled off the first book I always read when I am bored. My mother had bought it for me a few years ago. As I sat down next to Brittany I handed her the book and waited to see her facial expression. I hoped she liked it, if not I guess I could grab one of Quinn's books if she was more into that.
"The Origin of Myths & Legends?" Brittany said confused.
"Yeah, it's a good read and fascinating to hear the explanations of different culture's common myths and legends."
"So Santana is a nerd." Quinn said without tearing her gaze from her magazine.
"Am not!" I reply defensively.
"I know where you hide that batman doll in your room Santana." Kurt said with a smirk.
"It's not a doll! It's an action figure." I retorted feeling my cheeks flush.
"Aw, you're so cute when you blush." Brittany purred as she pinched my cheeks, which further made me blush.
"Okay, are we going to work or what?" I said standing rather quickly.
"Yeah, let's go before you get your panties in a bunch. Wouldn't want to have a mini Sue running around the house." Kurt giggled following me towards the car.
"Who's the Barbie?" Sue snapped the moment we stepped into the shack.
"Oh! I'm Brittany. Brittany Pierce ma'am." Brittany strode over to Sue grabbing her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. Sue stared down with a face that looked like she just smelled something rotten.
"Right, the girl Dora the Explorer found on the beach." She said nodding towards me.
"I'm pretty sure her name is Santana ma'am." Brittany innocently corrected with a confused expression.
"Don't call me ma'am. I'm not that old." Sue deadpanned, pulling her hand away from Brittany's still-excited hand shake.
"Alright ma'am, oh uh, I mean sir." Brittany fumbled.
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to see what all the hype was about being a life protector."
"You mean lifeguard?" Quinn asked next to me.
"Oh, yeah that. Sorry." Brittany blushed and tucked some hair behind her ear and stepped back to stand next to me, clearly feeling embarrassed.
"Has this girl ever seen Baywatch?" Kurt said striding towards his locker, Quinn following behind him towards hers.
"I've watched the bay before, from afar though…" Brittany trailed off looking around the shack.
"Alright then! Now that we know what Barbie does on her spare time."
"Brittany." Brittany corrected Sue under her breath.
"Right, Brittany." Sue said irritably. "Quinn and Santana will cover the North shore while Kurt and Barbie will cover the South shore. "
"Do you think she has a memory of a jellyfish?" Brittany leaned over and asked me, I couldn't contain the giggle that erupted in my throat.
"Is there something funny J. Lo?" Sue snapped.
"No, nothing at all."
"Good. Then get out there." She commanded and stormed back to her office, slamming the door harshly.
"Jeez, you would think someone like that would have a piece of coral up their butt." Brittany huffed but instantly looked relieved, turning to face me, smiling brightly.
"Santana are you ready to go?" Quinn asked with a hint of impatience.
"Yeah, just give me a minute and I'll meet you outside?"
"Please don't take too long. I hate waiting." She said opening the door and walking out.
"So do I get to see why you love your job so much?" She asked poking me in the stomach.
"Well for the first half of the day you'll be with Kurt, which will most likely be a bore. So crank out a few chapters while you're with him then lunch we'll hang."
"I'm sure he is just as exciting as you."
"Do I seriously have to compete how exciting I am over porcelain?" I ask in mock disbelief.
"Nah, I'm sure you know how you stand up." She gave me a wink before turning on her heel and walking to Kurt towards the lockers.
She looked over her shoulder once to look at me, which I gave her a smirk and a wink back and turned to stride out but not before my hip connected to the table that somehow I managed to not see. I growled in frustration and held my hip for a moment, feeling like I got shot. I don't even need to turn my head to hear her delicious giggles fill the air. If being a foolish idiot makes her laugh, then I will be her personal jester.
"God, you're worse than my grandma." Quinn complained when I finally gained feeling in my hip again, walking across the sand to meet her by the ATVs.
"Says the woman who spends her free time knitting and watching Little House on the Prairie." I retort.
"It's a good skill to have, and don't you dare bash on that show. It's a classic."
"So what? You're gonna knit yourself a whole wardrobe and travel the world selling your knitted goods?" I quip.
"Whatever. At least I have hobbies." Quinn replied punching my arm hard before riding ahead of me.
"I have hobbies!" I holler over the wind, catching up to Quinn.
"Drooling over Brittany doesn't count." She said keeping her eyes ahead of her.
"I do not." I reply in a leveled voice.
She slowed her ATV before turning to face me. "I know you have a crush on her, no use in hiding it now."
"Fine." I huff in agitation.
"Ha! I knew it! So have you told her? Does she have any clue? Don't you think it's a little soon, what with her only being at our house and all for a week?"
"Okay Nancy Drew, let's try to keep the questions to one at a time shall we?" I ask irritated.
"Yeah, but we should probably hop off and lock these up first, we won't be getting far down the shore with considering the amount of people out today." Quinn said pulling towards the left, drawing closer towards the boardwalk.
Quinn was right, it was as if a hurricane came in and unloaded hundreds of people over night onto the beach. People littered the beach left and right with blankets and umbrellas all closely packed together for miles down the beach. Quinn and I zig-zagged in order to avoid hitting them, which I teased wasn't any fun. But who could blame these people for wanting to be outside at a gorgeous beach and swimming in amazing water. I fantasized about surfing and how cool the waves would feel crashing against me. But I shook myself out of my daydream and parked the ATVs, locking them up at one of the lifeguard posts Sue made for this kind of thing.
"So, are you going to tell me or do I need to torture you in order to get you to talk to me?"
"You would never make it in the Mob." I said walking back down on the beach towards the water.
"You're changing subjects. Spill."
"I don't know. I just have this draw to her, she's something else."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Like she is the most incredible person I've met and I have only begun getting to know her. But I feel like she is the kind of person I would never get bored with."
"Wow, I didn't know you turned into a tree, you're looking a little sappy there San. I never knew you were the squishy type with feelings." Quinn said poking me all over.
"Stop it!" I roared with laughter. "You know I'm ticklish…" I said timidly.
"Okay, I'll stop." She said ceasing her poking assault. "So does she know?"
"Maybe? I really can't tell." I shrugged.
"Have you asked her? Or even maybe told her you like her?"
"Hell no! I don't want to freak her out. I don't even know if she swings that way."
"Again, have you asked?" Quinn mentioned off-handedly.
"What? No. Who asks that shit up front?" I asked shocked.
"You never know, she seems pretty open about everything else, minus the fact she hasn't said a lot about her family."
"How do you know she's mentioned family?"
"I overhead your conversation the other night. Maybe something with her home life just isn't right and she can't yet go back." Quinn suggested.
"Maybe. I just hope she feels comfortable at our place." I say kicking a rock a few feet in front of myself, watching as it rolls repeatedly before stopping suddenly in the sand.
"She does. Otherwise she would have been gone by now."
We both scanned the beach momentarily, making sure everyone was on their best behavior and acting appropriately on the beach, this including guys getting too frisky, girls with their tops off, and drinking too heavily. Just because it was the morning didn't mean people weren't going to drink, especially in a family friendly zone, some people just can't handle their alcohol.
"Whatever you choose San, just make sure you don't do anything stupid with Brittany. I can tell you two are good together, whether that is being friends like now, or if she happens to swing that way, then together-together as well." Quinn said with a warm, supportive smile.
"Thanks Q. So how's your love life going?"
"What love life? It's nonexistent, which I am okay with for now. I quite enjoy being single."
"It has its' perks." I agreed.
"When I'm ready for a relationship, it will show up unexpectedly."
"Yep. That's usually how it always goes." I said looking at the expanse of the sea, reminding me of a certain blonde with the same color of blue eyes.
"Why does it have to be so damn hot?!" I complained loudly walking into the shack, where I was met with blissful shade and chairs.
"For a Latina, you don't handle heat very well do you?" Quinn asked plopping down beside me, chugging her water down in one gulp.
"Tell me, how can you handle the heat princess?" I asked agitated.
"Who's a princess?" Brittany questioned animatedly.
Brittany and Kurt walked into the hut with sweat above their brows. Kurt looked wiped out and exhausted but Brittany seemed just as awake as this morning, chipper as ever.
"Quinn here." I said in a lighter tone pointing to Quinn.
"My sisters and I are all Princesses! What province do you have guidance over?" She settled down, dragging her chair towards Quinn until she was in front of Quinn's face, resulting in Quinn pulling her body back at the sudden invasion of personal space.
"Province Bitch-A-lot. It's new on the block." Kurt replied bemusedly sitting down opposite of us.
"They are my servants." Quinn said getting up to grab more water, and probably put distance between her and Brittany.
"Weird. I haven't heard of any news of humans ruling a Province before?" Brittany said in a confused, quiet tone. Talking more to herself than the rest of us.
"How long did you have her out in the sun Kurt?" I whispered quietly to Kurt.
"Not that long, same time as you guys. But we talked for a while before I got preoccupied with handling a bridesmaid party that got out of hand. So she took a seat in the sand and started reading." Kurt stated indifferently.
I looked over at Brittany and she had a content smile spread across her face as if again her choice of conversation wasn't odd, but everyday talk such as weather and dinner plans. Speaking of which…
"Hey Britt, you have a preference on dinner tonight?"
"I would love to learn something new?" She asked timidly.
"I'm sure we can whip something up for all of us tonight." Kurt smiles genuinely.
"Cool." Quinn replied sitting back down among us, running her hand through her hair.
We continued talking about how our shifts went and before we knew it a our break was over. We divided back up, Kurt and Quinn together while Brittany and I were paired up. I couldn't be more excited to hang out with her alone and best of all show her my favorite parts of the beach.
"So we'll see you two after our shift and talk about dinner ideas yeah?" Quinn asked.
"Yep, sounds like a plan." I reassured her.
"Don't worry Brittany, we'll save you from any horrible food Santana cooks up." Kurt whispered to Brittany before giving her a wink.
"I bet she can't be that awful." Brittany giggled.
"She basically stocked up the cabinets with bomb shelter food the first few months of living with her. All she had was canned soup and veggies."
"What?" Brittany asked shocked.
"Oh hush and get out of here." I chased them away like annoying hens.
"Whelp, that was awkward, I promise I got out of that phase and can actually cook now, semi-decently."
"I have no doubt in that for some reason." She smiled widely at me.
"I mean I sometimes over or under cook chicken, depending on what I'm trying to do." I said embarrassed, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Chicken? Is that like a type of fish?"
"Uh… no." I replied completely confused.
I proceeded to walk out of the shack with Brittany following shortly behind me, I was hesitant to ask why she even remotely thought a chicken was a type of fish. I mean evolutionary speaking fish evolved from amphibians, then into a reptile which then a bird evolved from. But that's near dinosaur ages, so I guess she technically could be right? I shook my head for thinking too hard about the simple question.
Brittany cracked open the book I had given her early and walked with me down the beach in a comfortable silence. She seemed deep in thought reading the book and I couldn't contain the smile from watching her cute curiosity as she turned the page with enthusiasm.
I scanned the beach and searched for any odd behavior and didn't find anything alarming. My view of the beach changed though when I noticed Brittany wearing short shorts and a snug tank top, borrowed from Quinn's closet. Even though it was hot outside, I could feel a new wave of heat rush over me. My heart was beginning to speed up and I needed to calm myself before Brittany realized I was staring at her. I couldn't deny she was beautiful, which proved harder for me to keep my eyes from leering.
"Hey! I'm loving this book you let me borrow by the way." Brittany said, nudging me in the shoulder.
"Oh yeah, it's super cool." I said after clearing my throat. I was still somewhat preoccupied with the fact her legs stretch as long as the beach.
"I really enjoy the pieces explaining the origin of the earth and all things in it, ranging from a tortoise's' back to a giant man holding it on his shoulders. What really strikes my fancy though is the mer-"
"Hold that thought Brittany." I interrupted rudely, noticing a brawl starting over by the beach volleyball court.
"I need to handle this really quickly, do you mind staying here for a minute or so?" I asked apologetically.
"No, I don't mind. I'll be here reading." She replied cheerily.
I gave her a curt nod before jogging quickly over to the men throwing fists and kicks at each other, hollering like baboons.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Break it up!" I yelled loudly while putting myself between two large brutes.
"You asshole! The ball was clearly within the court, which means it's our point so we win!" Yelled the man on my right, shoving me forward trying to get to the other guy.
"That's bullshit and you know it! The ball was a mile over the line!"
Both men we being restrained by their friends, but neither would have it. I had both my arms stretched out and it clearly wasn't helping either. Next thing I know I see a fist flying in my direction and it strikes me across my cheek. I hiss instantly in pain and have had enough of these boys. I grabbed my whistle from around my neck and blew a sharp breath into it. The whistle was enough to pull both men out of their infuriated daze and look at me.
"Both of you are leaving my beach now. Neither one of you are allowed on this beach for the remainder of this weekend due to disturbance of peace and striking a lifeguard. If I even see your toe on this sand, there will be hell to pay. Do you understand?" I rant glaring both of them down.
"Yes." They simultaneously grumble and walk feebly away.
I rub my cheek and stretch my jaw, feeling the bruise begin to form. For some reason I know Sue was going to give me a hard time about this. I took a heavy sigh and returned to where I left Brittany, feeling grouchy.
I squint under the bright afternoon sun in order to see Brittany in the distance. I do a double take though when I see a guy standing next to her. He looks vaguely familiar… and it isn't until I get closer do I recognize his blazing red board shorts and slicked back dark hair.
Jesse St. James, one of the few visitors of the beach that manages to get many complaints filed against him each day, mainly from sexual harassment or inappropriate jokes. I could feel my blood boil just thinking of whatever smooth lines are spewing from his mouth to sweet talk Brittany.
I feel my fists ball up and I gain a pep in my step nearly power striding over to Brittany and Jesse, who seem to be having a pleasant conversation.
"So what do you think Bertha?" I heard him ask in a disgustingly charming tone.
"First of all it's Brittany, not Bertha. Does she look like a cow?" I snap, successfully interrupting the conversation.
"Now, now, no need to get snarky with me. I was just asking a simple question." Jesse said holding his hands up.
"I suggest you take a walk before I escort you off the beach, again." I reply fiercely, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Okay, well I will be seeing you around Brittany, it was pleasant to meet you." He says looking around me towards Brittany.
And with that he walked away with a smirk on his face, giving Brittany a quick wink and then proceeding towards a hoard of girls tanning. I scoff and roll my eyes and turn to Brittany, who looks utterly confused and almost frustrated.
"Why would he call me a sea cow?"
"What?" I asked annoyed.
"He called me Bertha, which would be a name for a sea cow. Why?"
"Because he is an idiot." I say quickly. I didn't know if it was my dislike for the guy or the fact I may have been jealous that got me so irritated.
"Well he seemed nice to me. He asked if I wanted to go house and see his slippery dick."
"WHAT?!" I holler out of pure shock.
"Which is stupid because I don't think slippery dicks can breathe out of water?" Brittany reasoned with me.
My brain was trying to interpret what the hell she was talking about and why she wasn't more appalled by his request. All scenarios in my head are going down hill quickly and no where does "slippery dick" sound like a misunderstanding.
"Brittany will you please explain what you're thinking." I say in a slow, calm voice.
"Slippery dicks are beautiful and iridescent. I wouldn't know how he would get tropical fish like that up here, they wouldn't be able to handle to cold current, poor things." My mouth hung open in disbelief.
"Brittany! Are you seriously that ignorant! He was asking for some sort of sexual encounter with you. Why can't you be more aware of what's going on!?" I exploded and threw my arms in the air.
I immediately regretted every word I said judging by the look of hurt on Brittany's face. Before I had the chance to say anything more, she turned on her heel and walked briskly away from me, before turning into a jog. She dropped her book and I picked it up, looking at where she folded the page to book mark her place. Mermaids: The Myth Unraveled. Good chapter, I thought.
I closed the book after scanning through the chapter. I let out a heavy sigh and sat on the beach momentarily, frustrated. I understand Brittany can be naïve at times which makes me relieve the curiosity I once had as a child, but ignorance isn't always bliss. Brittany looks about my age, she must have learned a few things about guys hitting on her and dating. I just don't understand how she can be clueless when a guy is clearly coming on too strong. I took a deep breath, releasing slowly and deciding that not everyone goes through the same experiences growing up, so I need to be more understanding and acceptable of how Brittany handles situations. But that doesn't mean I won't watch out for her personal safety.
With that resolved, I stood up and looked in the direction Brittany took off in, realizing she was headed toward the tide pools. I glanced down at my watch and saw that I still had another hour and a half before my shift was transition tides right now. So I quickly took off to find Brittany.
It was ten minutes later that I arrived to a more secluded area of the beach where multiple tide pools lay scattered along the broken rocks and coast line. I could see Brittany sitting near a smaller tide pool, only a few inches deep, poking at a sea anemone sadly. I approached slowly, sitting across from the tide pool, watching Brittany play with the sticky green arms of the sea anemone.
"Do know what is the greatest thing about sea anemones?" She asked after a few minutes.
I remained silent, afraid I would say the wrong thing and upset her again. She looked up at me for a short moment before returning her gaze to the shallow waters.
"They get to experience the best of both worlds. They have the ability to live in the ocean where things are constantly moving and full of life. Then when the tide goes out, they see the beauty in the world above them, experiencing the warmth of the sun and feel of the wind."
I continued to stay quiet, not wanting to interrupt Brittany's train of thought. I saw the corner of her mouth turn up for a small moment before turning back into a frown. At that moment, I wanted to reach out and say something, anything, but I didn't know what I could say.
"The only problem with that is they are stuck. Hardly moving to see what else goes on around them." Brittany finished looking at me with a stern look.
She stared at me with a hard look for a few more minutes, It was difficult for me to keep my eyes locked on hers because I felt that there was much more meaning behind her words than I could interpret. I finally broke eye contact though and needed to say something.
"Look Brittany, I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have acted that way, it was immature and rude."
"I have a hard time trying to understand why you became so angry?" Brittany asked disappointingly.
I mulled over what exactly to say to her. I could make up excuses and say it was because I had been hit in the face moments prior or heat makes me grumpy. I know the true reason for it, I was jealous she was talking to someone else, on top of that, the biggest douche on the beach.
"We should go back to the shack and talk about it on the way there. High tide is coming in." I said pointing towards the waves crashing against the rocks just behind her.
"The water will not hurt us." Brittany replied offhandedly.
"I guess I would feel more comfortable." I say. But she just gets up and starts moving towards a high row of rocks that overlook the water below.
"Sometimes we need to be taken out of our comfort zone to learn something new about ourselves." Brittany responded, balancing herself along a narrow strip of rocks, bounding from one to the next.
"Brittany, I get that. But this isn't funny, we should head back the tide is coming in quickly." I say frantically trying to keep up with her along the rocks.
"Come on Santana, you can't always hide away from- augh!"
"Brittany!" I called out watching as a rather large wave came crashing over her, knocking her off the rocks and into the water. The water looked rather deep where she fell, I can only hope there is a large drop off so she could avoid the rocks.
"Fuck." I curse as I jump into the water.
I'm instantly hit with cold water running up my spine and the sweeping tide. I cut my leg on a jagged rock before coming up for air. The waves rush over me as the tide continues to come in strong and fast.
"Brittany!" I yell cupping my hands around my mouth. "Brittany!"
I swim around what feels like circles searching for Brittany. I don't see anything around me and start to panic. What if she hit her head? What if she can't swim? Maybe this is what happened when I found her on the beach that one day? A day of fun tide pooling gone wrong?
It was then I noticed a fin swim underneath me and brush past my leg. I gasp loudly and frantically move away to see what it was. The water is too dark to see what it was and I internally start to panic.
"Keep calm Santana, it is probably more scared of you then you are of it." I mumble to myself, while still searching for whatever brushed up against me.
I feel it again and let a small cry out as I feel my heart rate picking up faster and faster not knowing what's around me. I get even more scared thinking about whatever this thing is and getting Brittany.
"Brittany! Brittany!" I call out more worried than ever.
I can see glimpses of green and blue shimmering underneath the water, something I've never seen before. I think nothing more of it than seaweed, but it moves too rapidly for the calm sway of seaweed. It continues to touch my legs and I try my best to stay still, hoping whatever it is will get bored with me.
"Santana." I hear a voice behind me.
I spin around so fast and in surprise I don't even register it's Brittany, still as a statue in the water. I'm treading water and breathing heavily due to the cold and adrenaline of what's beneath us. Brittany couldn't look more composed.
"Please, I don't want you to be scared." She says sweetly, coming closer to me, without using her arms to tread whatever, which I stare in disbelief.
"I have something I need to tell you." She finishes, then looking to her right and seeing the tips of fins break the surface, showing brilliant blue and green scales. I follow the scales attached to a rather large fin and see it connects to her lower abdomen. It takes me a moment to realize what exactly she means and I try to scream and nothing come out. I can feel my body getting weaker and the edges of my vision go black as my body becomes limp.
"Oh Santana." Is the last thing I hear before feeling arms wrap around my torso.
A/N: I'm incredibly sorry for the longest update ever. I hate waiting for stories to update because I can't wait to see what happens, so I will do my best to update once a week, if not every other week.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and leave a review and tell me what you think :)