I'M BACK! After abandoning this story for so long (long story, I had to get my stuff together.. life is better now), I've decided to continue. THANK YOU everyone for your kind words, encouragement, reviews, follows, likes.. etc. It means a lot to know that people are reading and are interested. Also, still no beta so all mistakes are mine LOL.
The van came to an clumsy stop almost hitting a large trash receptacle resting on the curb. Brittany quickly dug her cell phone out her pocket and sighed when she saw the Caller ID flashing "Mommy".
"Hi, Mom. Yeah, we just pulled into the parking lot. No, everything is fine. No, we didn't get into any accidents. I'll call you after orientation. Any word on... on Santana? Okay. I love you too." Two months and still no word.
Brittany opened the car door, found her footing, and stretched. After eight days cooped up in an overfilled van with Quinn it felt good to know they've arrived. They made several stops in the strangest of places just to see things like the biggest cup of yogurt and biggest ball of yarn. They purchased little trinkets on the way - funny bumper stickers, oversized cow boy hats, keychains, you name it. They spent the majority of the time admiring the changes of scenery, playing eye spy, and talking. Conversation was easy and they talked about a variety of things, everything but the disappearance of the Lopez's and how they were suppose to make the trip to Los Angeles with Santana.
At every stop, Brittany couldn't help but search for Santana. Every brunette made her take a second glance. Any brunette with the full figure she knew by heart made her heart stop. She knew it was hopeless, but no matter where she went a part of her was always searching for Santana. Brittany was thankful that Quinn didn't say a word, but she knew Quinn was concerned.
"We're here. It's so different here.. so.." Quinn trailed off.
"So busy," Brittany giggled. Along with Santana they were literally able to finish each other's sentences.
"That it is. I'll never be able to get over the fact that we're just minutes away from the ocean! Let's go tomorrow?!"
Brittany smiled, "I'd love to go to the beach with you tomorrow. Let's just make sure we unpack our things first. What time is your car getting here?"
Quinn shrugged, "Hopefully before tomorrow."
After emptying out the van, Quinn and Brittany were pleasantly surprised to see that they were able to downsize their dorm room last minute. It made no sense to pay the fortune of living on campus in a three person dorm room without the third member of the Unholy Trinity. It was a perfect situation that both girls were thankful for; familiarity was good and they both didn't have to deal with the discomfort of sharing their living space with someone they didn't know or trust.
They spent three hours unpacking and personalizing their sides of the room. Brittany decorated her wall with pictures of their high school friends and posters of cats and sunsets. Quinn put up her book shelf and cork board lined with pictures of friends and family and inspirational quotes. After they had put away their cloths, they both flopped down onto their beds. The silence was comforting.
"I miss her too." Quinn whispered. "We were suppose to do this together."
"Thanks, Q. We're doing this together and I wouldn't have it any other way." Brittany took a deep breath. She reached over to her shoulder bag and pulled out a frame. She stared at the picture of her and Santana and placed it on her bedside table. "Not a day goes by where I don't think about her."
Quinn saw the pain in Brittany's face and replied, "I know it's the same for her" and offered her a genuine smile. She couldn't help but feel both sad and very proud of Brittany for being so brave.
"Can you find where the bathrooms are? I want to shower." Brittany's voice was shaky. She begged herself to hold it together, she didn't want anyone to see her cry again.
Quinn nodded and told Brittany she would be back. Once she closed the door behind her she pulled out her cell phone. She dialed Santana's cell number... "I'm sorry, the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service." Before moving down the hall to search for the communal bathrooms, without a doubt she heard the sound of a scream being stifled by a pillow. She stopped, contemplating entering their room, but decided that it would be best to give Brittany some space.
Months past and it was one week until Winter Break. Brittany had submerged herself in her school work and spent countless hours in the dance studio. She decided to focus on contemporary dance because she felt that more than anything, her body was able to say things her words couldn't. She quickly made a name for herself as a brilliant dancer in the Arts Program. Quinn will never be able to explain how Brittany's recent dance number left everyone's heart so heavy and how there was not a dry eye in the theater. Every soul packed into the auditorium that night who came to see the student's showcase their talent felt Brittany's pain and sadness through every flexed muscle, out stretched arms, and extension.
Brittany tried her best to stay busy but always remembered that she had to keep herself tethered to reality. Thank Quinn for that! Brittany couldn't be more thankful for her best friend who insisted on baking cake every 15th of the month to celebrate Santana and Brittany's anniversary date. It sounds a little morbid, but Quinn declared that it was necessary to keep the great memories they had of Santana alive. Though it was getting a little easier for Brittany to sleep at night, she would sometimes cry out after having nightmares about Santana. Where was she? What was she doing? Why hasn't she heard from her? Quinn was always quick to comfort Brittany with little reminders of how she and Santana had found love and had fun size packs of Skittles, Brittany's comfort food, ready at any moment's notice.
December 15
Brittany and Quinn laughed so hard their stomachs hurt. They had just finished their slice of cake and were talking about how Santana had threatened to cut a boy with razor blades that were hidden in her hair. Classic.
It was almost midnight and both had an early wake up call. Even though Los Angeles was so amazing they were both ready to go home for the holidays. Their flight was for 7:00am. They'd have to be up by 5:00am just to make it to LAX on time for checking in. Damn the LA traffic and maze of highways!
Brittany's phone rang and danced around the table as it vibrated. "Mommy" was flashing on the screen. She picked up and blurted with excitement…
"Mom! Can't wait to see you tomorrow! Remember, we'll be arriving around 9:30am your time."
"Brit, honey…" there was a long pause from Courtney. "I don't know how to say this, but it's Santana. I called as soon as she walked through the door."
Update, 06/07, 5:40 PM Pacific Standard time... working on the next chapter as we speak. Let's see if this works.. a few reviews for a promise to post tonight? LOL