As they pulled up at the side of the river bank Santana began putting her boots back on, she lent down to grab her case and backpack but Brittany was already picking the case up and placing it on dry land, Daniel was tying the ropes to the side and the boy, who Santana now knew was called Spencer and indeed was Brittany's brother was standing at the steps of the boat with his arm held out gesturing for Santana to step forward and off the boat.
She heard Brittany giggle besides her and turned to see her watching Santana with a smirk on her face.
"It seems you have two fans already,"
Santana raised her eyebrow and proceeded to step off the boat with the help of Spencer.
"Thanks little man," she replied, giving him a small smile. Just then Daniel called Spencer and Brittany over to help carry things up to the camp.
Santana took the time to survey her new surroundings, to the right of where the boat was parked there was a white building with charts and maps painted on the side, it had a hatch at the front and she could just see inside enough to tell that someone was working in there, talking into a radio.
"They keep track of the boats on the water from there, the lake is pretty huge, it spans out in each direction for miles," a voice said from the side of her, before she turned she knew it was Brittany's.
"Brittany, why don't you take Santana to meet Mrs Motta and help her get settled in," Daniel suggested.
"Awesome," Brittany replied and stepped forward to lead the way up the track.
Santana followed behind, carrying her case as it was too muddy and bumpy to wheel it, Brittany was humming a song under her breath and Santana was trying to place the tune when Brittany turned with her signature smile and pointed towards a sign. There were 3 arrows all pointing in different directions, pointing up a head it said 'campsite,' the one pointing to the left said 'high point' and the one pointing to the right said 'kitchen.'
"We stay in cabins, not tents, right?" Santana spoke out.
"You can do either, it depends what you've been signed up for." Brittany replied.
Santana mulled this over as she prayed hard her father would of booked her into a single cabin, she wondered what the likely hood of that was as they continued the walk up through the trees, Santana watched her step, looking out carefully to avoid any creepy crawlies. Brittany on the other hand seemed to glide effortlessly, also bouncing as she walked, Santana watched the muscles in her back and arms work as she carried a box her father had given her from the boat.
Soon they came to an opening in the trees, just as Spencer sped passed them making the sound of a lion, Brittany joined in and dropped her box and began chasing him, Santana awkwardly watched the two as Brittany tackled him to the ground and began tickling him.
"Don't mind them dear, they are always so playful, you must be Santana," the small women offered out her hand, which Santana took, balancing her bag on the floor.
"Welcome to our camp, my husband funds this island whilst I run it with a great team of people, you have obviously met Dan and his two kids, come over and let me introduce you to some other people."
Santana gritted her teeth and followed Mrs Motta over towards a table, noticing that Brittany was already at the table talking to a short skinny brown haired girl.
"Oh here is Sugar, my daughter," Mrs Motta said motioning to the girl Brittany was talking too.
"Hi," Sugar said, looking from Brittany to Santana.
"Hi," Santana smiled, she then turned to Mrs Motta, "can you just show me where I'm staying; I could really do with getting a shower."
"Certainly dear, but where you are staying is still a few minutes walk to the showers, most luxury's are not given straight away here." She smiled as she grabbed a key from around her neck. "Girls'" she called to Brittany and Sugar, they both turned round, "can one of you show Santana to her room, it's hut 124…"
Before she could finish Brittany was already grabbing the key and shouting that she would do it.
"Great, thank you Brittany" Mrs. Motta replied.
"This way," Brittany sang as she walked ahead of Santana, "here let me take your case," she offered, but Santana refused and carried on following her. "hut 124, is just a couple down from me you know, so we'll be almost neighbors," she grinned turning round to gage Santana's reaction.
"Do you bunk with anyone?" Santana asked
"Occasionally Sugar, but her boyfriend arrives tomorrow so I'll doubt I'll see much of her after that, but sometimes I love nothing more than getting a tent and pitching it way up on the hill and spending the night there."
"What? Why?" Santana asked
"You know what you were talking about before on the boat? About quiet time and being alone with your thoughts, well that's my special place to go to think, it's so peaceful, well except for all the wildlife noises but I find that totally comforting," she smiled.
Santana thought about it for a minute, then replied "what do you have to get away and think about? You seem so happy and perfect,"
Before she realized what she said Brittany had stopped and was beaming at her, "you think I'm perfect?" she blushed.
"Well, erm, you're, erm, twisting my words."
"I'm just kidding San," Brittany replied poking her in the arm.
Santana felt her own cheeks blush at the sound of the nickname but tried not to let it show.
As they came to an opening of huts, Brittany turned to Santana, "I have lots to think about San, but what's the point in letting it bother our everyday life, there are certain ways to look at things, I just choose to store them away and designate time to them, then the rest of the time, I try to be happy." She shrugged her shoulders like it was the simplest explanation.
Santana watched the different emotions etch across Brittany's face as she spoke. It was the first time she had seen anything remotely sad cross her face. So instead of a snide remark like she usually would, Santana reached out and squeezed her arm gently. Brittany looked up and smiled.
Stepping back Brittany led the way to hut 124 and took the key out of her pocket and opened the door, the hut was dark green on the outside and there were about 12 huts scattered around, Santana's was on the edge on the left hand side. Brittany pushed the door open and stepped to the side to let Santana through, Santana dragged her case through the door and let it drop to the side as she looked around the room, it was a large space with a single bed pushed up against either side wall, with a large window in the back wall, there were also two desks and two wardrobes, there was a sink with a mirror above it to the right of the door, the floor was bare except from a rug in the shape of a bear. Luckily neither bed was occupied so Santana had the choice, she dumped her bag down on the left bed and sat down.
"Who will I have to share with?" Santana asked
"I don't know, maybe no-one, but people turn up everyday and just get allocated beds, if you really don't want a roommate you could tell Mrs Motta, I'm sure she'd do her best to help you."
"Yeah maybe, I just like my own space, you know?"
"Sure, anyway I'll leave you to unpack and get settled if you want," Brittany replied, not making eye contact.
"Yeah sure, erm thanks Britt, you know, you showing me here and being nice, I've not exactly been forthcoming with my charm or anything, I'm just, just not used to it I guess,"
"It's cool honestly and if it helps, I think you are totally charming," she smiled
"really, how so?"
"Well you wouldn't let me help you carry your case for starters and you have rainbow socks on which is totally unicorn,"
"huh," Santana replied confused, "what is it about rainbows, unicorns and ducks anyway?"
"How do you know I like ducks," Brittany replied without missing a beat, "are you magic too?"
"What? No," Santana laughed "and who else is magic?"
"Oh, never mind" Brittany sounded disappointed.
Laughing Santana replied, "I saw the ducks on the side of your dad's boat, I guessed they were your input,"
"San, that's really smart, are you like a detective?"
"ha, no, but actually I could totally rock that look," Santana smirked
Santana watched Brittany blush as there was a minute of silence, whilst it was clear Brittany was trying to picture it.
"Ok well, if you could just point me in the direction of the restrooms, that would be great," Santana asked, getting up off the bed, which she noted was actually quite soft.
"Umm sure," Brittany added as she stepped outside the hut with Santana following her, "see the big white building over there, behind those logs," Santana nodded, "they're in there, girls to the right, boys to the left, or the other way around, I sometimes get mixed up," she said frowning, "it's always best to look at the pictures on the doors."
Santana looked up at her amused by her playful behavior. Brittany was now playing with a stone with her foot, she was scrunching up her nose again like on the boat, which Santana had put down to concentrating but actually looking at her now it seemed nervousness, Santana watched her for a minute and then realized she was starring, so she coughed, to clear her throat….
"okay, great, listen thanks for showing me up here and everything," Santana said, rummaging in her bag for her shampoo.
"Any time," Brittany responded looking up, "I'll let you get showered," Then she did something Santana was not expecting, she walked over and hugged her, tight, it was brief but Santana still felt her whole body tensing under the grip of Brittany, Brittany stepped back and smiled shyly and turned to go, as she did Santana watched her go back towards the trees.
"Brittany," she shouted before she knew what she was doing, Brittany turned round. "Which one is your hut?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," she smirked
Santana stammered as she thought of a retort, all she could think about was the truth, "I just wondered if I could knock for you on the way to dinner," she replied shyly.
"I'll knock for you in two hours" Brittany said, starring at her watch, she looked up and continued, "bring a jacket, I want to show you something afterwards."
And in the first time in as long as she could remember, Santana smiled a genuine smile that made her dimple pulse.
"I can't wait" she replied to herself as she closed and locked her door and headed to the restrooms.