Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm still playing with the background for the OC, so work with me, as her personality is liable to change. The OC kinda just jumped into the chapter for no reason at all… I'll have to beat her later.
I don't know if you noticed this but the main character is Santana, this will change for a couple chapters later (but I have a hard time writing Brittany no matter how OCC she is).
Ah yes, a short note on ages. Santana at this point in time is 16 (sophomore), Brittany is 17 (in junior year but currently not attending school will repeat year if she goes back). TG (the OC – aka Jake?) is 15 but is in one class with the sophomores due to scheduling issues (this isn't relevant at the moment).
And just because Brittany's blind doesn't mean she DOESN'T BLINK.
{Bleh bleh bleh} = sign language
Chapter 13 December 20-23
It was late morning before either of the two sleepers stirred. As usual, Santana was the first to wake. Looking over at the sleeping blonde, she brushed a stray strand of hair out of Brittany's face. It was almost a shame that she had to leave later today. Sighing, she got out of bed and headed to the kitchen to preset the ingredients for breakfast. As she left, the dreamer stirred restlessly.
Brittany had been having a good dream. She was standing under the shade of a beautiful tree, the flowers in full bloom, watching a young girl maybe five or six playing in the park. In some dreams you just know and that was how she knew that child chasing the dog was her daughter, even though she was unable to make out the features. She moved toward to join the fun, when she was engulfed from behind by strong arms. Warmth spread from the contact to the rest of her body as she relaxed into, what could only be Angel's touch. As Brittany turned to see Angel's face, she felt contact disappear. It was like a bad fork in the road knowing no matter what you did, both paths would lead you to pain, and unable to go back because the path had disappeared. Even so, she reached out to catch the hands that were just holding her as they faded into blackness. She found herself still reaching out toward where the phantom arms had disappeared even as she started to wake. Although she was no longer quite asleep, she knew it was a dream now, one that was rapidly fading from her memory. The feeling that had been there lingered as she felt relief when she found warm contact of another body. She held on and hugged the warmth tightly, even as she forgot why she was so reassured by the proximity of the other.
"Well, it's good to see you're so eager to start the day." Santana told Brittany after she had been released from Brittany's embrace, "because you're going to help me cook breakfast." She ignored the terrified look spreading on the blonde's face; she dragged her toward the kitchen. She maneuvered the resisting girl in to the counter where a bowl, fork, and eggs were sitting. From there, Santana put an egg into Brittany's hand and showed her how to gently crack and open the egg into a bowl. Brittany managed to get it down by the third egg, which was impressive, considering she was blind and had never worked in the kitchen before. Twenty minutes later, they ate. Fifteen after that, Santana broke the news of having to leave for the grocery store.
"We need supplies and you can't come because there's not enough room. Will you be ok here?" Brittany wasn't thrilled with the idea of having to stay alone in the house again, considering what happened last time. But she gave in, logically knowing they couldn't survive without something to eat.
"I'll be back as soon as possible," assured Santana. "Try to avoid the basement. There are some dangerous things down there. I don't want you to get hurt. If you're really curious I'll take you down there later. You're sure you're ok? I could probably figure something out." Brittany assured the shorter girl that it was fine.
"I'll see you in an hour or two," Santana moved toward the door. "So, don't worry." With that she left.
xxxxx
Santana walked through the aisles carefully choosing what she could and couldn't buy because there wasn't enough room on her motorcycle. Ugh, and she had to do presents. At least Jean was always easy to please; any present would put a smile on her face, but Santana had been thoughtful and had gotten her the soundtrack to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But Sue, Sue was harder. What to get Sue? As Santana pondered the question browsing the store for an appropriate present; she spotted a familiar black T-shirt and slacks turning the corner. Abandoning her cart, she caught up to the figure, quietly congratulating herself. She was getting better spotting her.
"Hey TG."
{Hey} This kid never changed, if she was someone she was uncomfortable with or in a public space, TG used sign language because she refused to speak, mostly because she was embarrassed by the fact that she couldn't quite speak right, the only time it disappeared was when she was imitating someone singing, and that was weird anyway.
"Could you do something for me?" Santana asked. The look she received was an obvious "Again?" face. "Well you are the tech genius aren't you?" TG rolled her eyes. "Now, now. Don't be like that." Said Santana moving closer to the shorter girl, to anyone else it looked threatening, but this was perfectly normal for their interactions.
{What would you like this time?}
"Karaoke."
{Karaoke?} The Asian's eyebrow rose.
"Karaoke." Santana confirmed. "Sue's present. Think you can whip something up by the 24th?"
{Easily. Sue's the Madonna fan right? I'll have to re-adjust some tracks from my current project. I assume you need the hardware too,} signed TG. Santana snickered, Sue's sign in TG's language was a variation of "crazy bitch".
"How much will it be?"
{Don't worry about it. I can tweak it tonight and get it to you by the 23rd on my way out of town}
"See you then." Santana told the girl letting go of her and moved away.
{Wait}
"What?"
{I can} TG paused and looked around before continuing. {I can drive you home. If you need to get more shit.}
"You know for being younger you sure have quite a mouth on you. But yeah, that'd be convenient, truck right?" A nod. "Be there in ten. Here, catch." She threw the keys at the Asian. "Get my bike in the back while I finish." Now she didn't have to worry about space, damn, that meant she didn't have to leave Brittany.
By the time Santana got to the car, TG already had it warmed up and the bike securely in the back. After putting the groceries in the backseat, Santana buckled herself in. TG drove in the direction of Santana's house.
"So, you're still performing for the New Year's celebration right?" The slightly slurred question came from TG.
"What made you think otherwise?"
"Well considering someone doesn't have a cell phone, and rarely checks their e-mail, we never got an answer back from this person," TG said pointedly. "Maybe I should make that a requirement. All people who work for me henceforth, must obtain a cell phone, legally or otherwise, so that they can be contacted at my whim."
"Not happening, kid. I like my privacy."
"I'll get you one anyway."
"I'm not using it."
"Yeah you will."
"Not."
"Will."
"Not."
"Will."
Santana came up with an idea, "Say, I'll get a cell phone, the day you tell me where you live."
"Pfft" was the response.
Santana smirked, "Yeah, didn't think so."
"So, I'm working on this new SC move, takes two people, you free?" asked TG changing the subject.
"After the 27th, except for the gig."
"Since we know you're gonna be doing it now. Here," TG reached back and pulled out a CD. "You should memorize these songs, just in case."
"I don't understand how you have time for all this."
"Talent."
Santana laughed, and TG smiled.
xxxxx
Brittany was staring at the ceiling, or at least she would have been if she could see the ceiling. For the past two hours she had tried to keep busy; wandering the house, while dutifully avoiding the basement, with that exception, she now knew all the nooks and crannies of the house. She had turned on the radio, but she had felt no urge to dance. Wistfully, she had sat by the door waiting for it to open to signal Angel's return. Eventually, she just got up and laid back into the bed, drifting in and out of consciousness until she heard the door open, followed by the sound of Angel's laughter. As she approached the entryway, it became apparent that her friend wasn't alone.
"That's not funny," said the foreign voice seriously. "Besides, it's not like you haven't done anything worse."
"But you," Angel laughed. "You tripped over a sleeping bag, while dancing and broke your hand. How is that even possible? You're shorter than me."
"By an inch!" came the indignant reply.
"Still shorter," Angel laughed again. Brittany, now knowing exactly launched herself at Angel and engulfed the girl in a warm hug.
"You know-" the unknown voice cut off.
xxxxx
TG stopped talking at sight of a girl jumping on Santana, {Why didn't you tell me you had a guest?} TG signed angrily.
"You never asked. And I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice."
{Right. Like I wouldn't be able to notice a blonde in your house. One that is, can I point out, currently hanging on you. Thanks for your faith in my ability to be oblivious.}
"Anytime," Santana chuckled. "TG this is Brittany, Brittany the brat that isn't talking is TG. She doesn't talk to other people well; I'm trying to fix that. TG stop signing, Britt's blind and can't see what you're doing."
{You can translate}
"In your sweet dreams, I'm not your personal translator."
{Well, fuck you too} signed TG, but she stuck out her tongue to show her good faith.
Santana laughed again, "You sure do have quiet a mouth on you, now if you will excuse me I'm going to put these away." She headed toward the kitchen leaving the other two awkwardly standing there. Hopefully it would force TG to at least talk.
For the next few minutes, they just stood there abandoned by what seemed to be their only means of willing communication. Brittany unsure what to do, shuffled her feet, while TG examined Brittany, before she looked in the direction Santana had left, then back at Brittany. She had seen the way Santana had leaned into that hug. TG cocked her head to one side thinking, 'No, way.' In spite of that though, she moved forward and shook Brittany's hand in as a friendly gesture. After all, if this girl was Santana's friend then she must be ok too. Unknown to the mute, Brittany was thinking the same thing. An unseen message passed between them as they both headed toward the kitchen where Santana had finished putting everything away.
"You staying for lunch?" Santana asked the Asian.
{No, I've got to get back to work}
"I'd be a terrible host if I didn't at least walk you back to the door." Santana said grinning as she headed out of the kitchen "and made sure you left." TG rolled her eyes.
Santana stood by the door, as TG put her shoes back on. "We'll see you in a couple days."
A noise of agreement came from TG, Brittany now sure of where this person was came forward and hugged the girl. Now it was Santana turn to be surprised, as the younger girl hugged the blonde back. The kid hated hugs after all unless she was the one who initiated them.
Before letting go, TG took this opportunity to say one thing to Brittany quietly, "Don't be scared it's only love, that you're falling in." Before leaving she handed Santana a bracelet. {Give that to Brittany over there as a Christmas present from you, after all you did make it. Just in case, I suppose you get the mad idea that you should invite her to come one day. I suppose… this} she gestured at Brittany, {means I should start giving you ballads.}
Santana gave TG a look that basically said "What?" before recovering and opening the door. "Get out of here ya brat."
{As you wish mi'lady} signed TG quickly running off, kind of hoping Santana knew what she had just signed.
Santana closed the door with a sigh. Turning to Brittany, "Good kid, weird ideas, but good. Come on lets go make lunch. Sandwiches again if that's ok, then we can get started on preparing for Christmas Eve." Lunch was simple and relatively quiet with the small sounds of pencil scratches and muttering as Santana wrote down the food that needed to be prepared.
"Ham, vegetables, Sue's a healthy nut, I should give her nuts. Potatoes, mashed maybe? Hey Britt, how do you feel about apple pie?"
Ten years ago Brittany would have drooled, and said "apple". But even at age seventeen, she couldn't hide her love for apples. Santana grinned, 'bingo' and wrote down apple pie, underlining it for emphases. "Ever make gingerbread houses?" she asked, hoping to get a similar reaction. Brittany hesitated, before shaking her head. Santana added that to the list.
"You'll have something to look forward to then, it'll be fun." Santana stretched, "well that's all we can do for the day. Now, how about those dancing lessons?"
It was Brittany that led the way, she had decided while Angel was gone to start with something to figure out how good her friend was. Like Beyoncé's Single Ladies, that would be a good place to start. The problem was how to tell if the other girl was getting the moves right. She discovered this problem after the she first demonstrated the first part broken down, and was unable to confirm if anything was correctly executed. She sat down and tried to work this out.
Santana stopped herself from helping Brittany, she knew that Brittany could solve this on her own; it was well within the blonde's capacity and if she helped then, well, she'd be the teacher not the student. Suggesting this was killing three birds with one stone, it gave her a chance to learn dance other styles than her usual, the possibility of Brittany gaining confidence in herself, and it let them enjoy the time they spent together doing something Brittany obviously loved.
Brittany jumped up excitedly, she knew the answer. She had been thinking about not being able to see, and then she remembered the five bodily senses. Sight, she lacked, but she could still do the other four. Brittany had momentary thought about smell and taste before dismissing those from the list, she didn't want to know where her mind could go with that and banished any thoughts before it could go anywhere. She could use her hearing to figure out if her friend was getting the right rhythm, but how to find out if the moves were right. She would feel the movement of Angel's body for this to work, they could go slow and then, then when she was sure it was right, they could speed it up. She explained her plan to Angel, who agreed that it was probably the best "course of action". Their positions were reversed from this morning, this time Angel was in front while Brittany was behind.
Angel, Brittany realized, could dance well for someone who claimed to have no formal training and, she was very flexible. Brittany's face flushed, she had been successful in keeping her feelings hidden since the realization that she had them. But since TG had left, and had pointed out what she was feeling, she couldn't hide the feeling of electricity that flowed from Angel's body to her own.
"Britt? Brittany?"
Brittany blinked, she must have spaced out.
"I think we should stop for the day, you're looking tired and flushed. Are you ok?"
Brittany felt a hand on her head, "I'm fine."
"Come, I'll heat up some food and we can go to bed."
That night, Brittany didn't dream.
xxxxx
The next two days went by quickly, Brittany learned how to work in a kitchen, Santana improved her dancing skills. At night, while Santana slept exhausted from the daytime activities, Brittany lay awake next to her unable to get TG's words out of her head.
The girl had more or less sung the words in her ear, which made it easier to remember, but what was she trying to tell her? Was she supposed to stop being scared of love? How was she supposed to let Angel know how she felt? Wouldn't that break all the friendship that they had built over the past month, had it really been that short of a time? And if Angel's friend was telling her to tell Angel, what did that mean? If there had been any clues, maybe she just couldn't see them. What could she do? What should she do? Unable to stay awake, even with her worries and thoughts plaguing her, Brittany fell into a fitful sleep.
xxxx
It was early morning when TG came by to drop off Sue's present.
{Sorry for coming by so early. I got a call late last night and they're having technical problems that they haven't encountered before. I'm the DJ for the party, so what's a couple hours? Give me a call if anything goes wrong… or explodes} Without even a goodbye the girl left.
Santana stretched lazily and turned to Brittany who had gotten up because of the noise, "Well since we're up. Let's go make the gingerbread so it's ready for tomorrow."
Taking out the ingredients, Santana lined them up and showed Brittany what and where each one was. Together, they mixed the batter and rolled it out. They cut it into pieces and put it in the oven to bake. Santana started to clean up the kitchen when a small movement caused her to pause. "What are you doing?" Brittany just smiled mysteriously. Santana moved to get a better view and saw that Brittany was rolling up the leftover dough into a small ball. When it seemed like she was satisfied with the size, she walked over to Santana and put the rounded ball on the end of the Latina's nose.
"Uh… Britt?"
"I'm making you Rudolph," stated Brittany as if that explained everything.
"Brittany, I hate to tell you this. But I'm not a reindeer."
"Course not. You're human."
"So, how am I Rudolph?"
Brittany shifted uneasily unsure what to say, she wasn't prepared for what did come out, "because you light my way." Silence, and then Brittany felt something being spread across her chin and under her nose, she breathed in and sneezed, it was flour. Now it was her turn to be confused.
"If I have to be a reindeer, you have to be Santa. Now hold still, I'm not done yet. Ok, done. You really should see yourself, I just made a masterful piece of art." Santana bit her lip "You know, Britt –" The shrill sound of the timer cut off the rest of Santana's sentence.
xxxx
That night Brittany couldn't help but wonder, what Angel was going to say. After the timer had gone off, Angel had gotten strangely quiet and had barely spoken for the rest of the day. Earlier, Brittany had attributed the silence to the fact that they were very busy decorating the house and the small Christmas tree that apparently Angel's friend had forgotten to mention she had dropped off in the yard. This was the third night in a row Angel slept soundly, Brittany supposed that she could get up and the other girl wouldn't even notice, but she felt no urge to move from the bed. Brittany heard someone shout "Merry Christmas", which meant that it must have just turned midnight. She should sleep.
"Merry Christmas," whispered Brittany into Angel's ear before joining the other in the land of dreams.
A/N: I hope it's kind of obvious when it changes POV (point of view), even if it's all in 3rd person (but 1st person context, whatever it's called). Also, the song Falling In by Lifehouse was probably recorded in 2009 as the album was just delayed, so… TG may have known it by using illegal means, or alternatively they released the album on time in this world.
Another note: yes some speech impediments can be fixed by singing, that doesn't mean we like to do them all the time. Sounding like your singing all the time confuses people, but it does help for speeches (as evidenced in the movie The King's Speech) and some of my friends.
Videos (these are Brittana videos although Not Over You is probably the best one, I swear I'm not lazy ., just take out the spaces)
Not Over You www . megaupload . com /?d= OQQ49DR0
Miss Independent www . megaupload . com/ ?d= G1TNUW8B
To Reviewers:
Wkgreen – thank you, I got one, now the problem is getting word onto it.
Verena R – here's the chapter XD. Thanks for the review.
Thieee – XDDDDD
Kaede Shinomori – Thank you, I'm glad you like it. Hopefully I didn't ruin with the OC.