Chapter 3: Showdown
"Thanks for the ride, Quinn."
"Sure, Britt." Brittany flashed her friend a dazzling smile before opening the car door and making a run for it. It was still raining and weather forecast says that it will continue to do so for another couple of days.
"Mom, Dad! I'm home!"
"I'm in the kitchen, dear!" Brittany practically bounced to the kitchen. She was starving and the thought of food may just be a piece of heaven for her right now.
Mrs. Pierce chuckled at her daughter's eagerness. She wiped her hands on her apron and turned to slide a plate of food to Brittany on the counter as the blonde planted herself on a stool. Before the plate could even reach her, Brittany was already digging in, sighing in relief.
"Is dad home yet?"
"Nope. Not until later. Something went wrong with a check a client gave the bank so he has to fix that." Brittany nodded, feeling confident that her dad can work things out.
While Brittany dug in, Mrs. Pierce took this as an opportunity to observe her daughter. Over the past few months, she looked somewhat downcast and she was guessing it had something to do with the frequency of Santana's visits. Until a week ago, Santana came to have dinner with the Pierces and then help Brittany with her homework. Now, however, she hasn't seen the girl at all. Brittany definitely looked like she was crying herself to sleep every night and she was worried about the two of them.
"I haven't seen Santana lately." She looked out at the pouring rain, a small smile playing on her lips. "I remember she would make you hot cocoa during days like this."
"Yeah. . ."
"Did something happen between the two of you?" Brittany had stiffened as soon as she heard Santana's name and suddenly, her food didn't seem to be so good anymore.
"Mom?" Mrs. Pierce looked at her.
"Hmmm?"
"Can you be in love with two people at the same time like how I love ducks and dancing at the same time?"
"Ducks and dancing are things you love. But you're not in love with them."
"Oh." Brittany pulled on a very convincing understanding look. Her mom knew better.
"When it's with people, you can't be in love with two at the same time. Loving someone means that you care about them like how you care for me and your dad. Being in love with someone is different. You can't live without that person. Being with them is better than anything else in the world and when you hurt that person, you feel like you've hurt yourself too. They make you super happy and treat you like you're the only person they see. You're sad when you're away from that person and you feel like dying when you lose her." Brittany pondered over what Mrs. Pierce said. Her food long forgotten, she looked at her mom who was patiently waiting for her.
"What does it feel like to be in love?"
"Well, it's like you've got a funny but good feeling in your stomach. Your heart feels like -…"
"…like it's trying to jump out of your chest?" Mrs. Pierce smiled.
"Exactly."
Brittany got up from her stool and went to hug Mrs. Pierce.
"Thanks, mom."
"Anytime, dear. You and Santana will be okay, I promise."
Brittany let her go and flashed a smile before hurrying up to her room to do her homework. Mrs. Pierce watched her daughter go as she hoped and prayed that things will indeed be alright in the end. God knows no one can teach Brittany schoolwork aside from Santana.
In her room, Brittany was in the process of digging out her test paper. She knew she had to at least try to understand something.
"Aha!" She exclaimed triumphantly as she pulled out a test paper. Brittany's grin faded as she caught sight of the name on the test paper.
Santana Lopez.
The test paper was filled with ducks and suddenly everything seemed to make sense. It was way better than Artie's explanation of transpotion or trainition or whatever it was. On the bottom of the paper in letters so small, Brittany had to squint, is a note from Santana.
Hey. I hope this helps. I miss you. I'm sorry.
There was no 'I love you' but Brittany knew better. A small smile began to appear on the blonde's face and tears began to build up in her eyes. Even though Santana wasn't there with her, she could feel the love and care that Santana so rarely shows. Suddenly, she wished it was enough.
She wished that Santana loved her enough to not care what people have to say about them. She wished that it didn't hurt her when she saw how much Santana hurt after she chose Artie. She wished she knew how to set things right.
Brittany cried herself to sleep.
Santana walked through the hallways of McKinley looking like she was about to pass out and fall asleep before she can even hit the ground.
"Lopez!" She turned to see Puck running towards her. He looked at her from head to toe as he skidded to a stop in front of her.
"You look like hell."
"Thanks."
"Got any sleep last night?"
"None."
"Well, shit."
"Yup." Santana turned on her heel and began walking to the direction of her first class. Contrary to what she was hoping for, Puck followed her.
"You ready for later?"
"Hell, yeah." She felt like puking at the thought of glee. Puck smirked, noticing how she paled.
"Shut it, Puckerman before I kick your sorry ass into next week." Puck laughed as Santana glared at him.
"Don't worry, babe. We're gonna rock that club and your girl later." Suddenly, all teasing vanished from his face and was replaced with a look of content when he looked behind her. Santana followed his gaze and saw Lauren.
"Well, I gotta go to my girl now. Take it easy, bitch." He said before running off to Lauren.
"Asshole." Santana muttered, hating how Puck's life seemed to be perfect.
For Santana, the day went by too fast. She slept through half of her subjects and when it was time for Spanish and Math, she tried to avoid looking at Brittany. When she was sure the blonde wasn't looking at her, it was then and only then did she allow herself to take in her image. Her body was still as perfect as ever and with her blonde hair let down, Santana was sure she hasn't and will never see something more beautiful than her. By the end of Math, Santana found herself turning to look at Brittany and couldn't resist giving her a small smile and then proceeded to dash out before Brittany could process anything that had happened.
Soon enough, glee came around much to Santana's chagrin. She is currently releasing a stream of expletives. Puck is trying his very best not to laugh. Heck, even Lauren looked amused.
"Calm down, Satan." Quinn said as she took a seat beside the obviously nervous Latina.
"Tubbers."
"Foul." Santana ignored her and concentrated on trying to get her heart to stop jumping.
"You try fighting over someone. And then we talk." Quinn rolled her eyes. She was about to retaliate but before she could, Mr. Schuester entered the choir room, Brittany and Artie following close behind him. Santana closed her eyes in an effort to block the hurt. She needed to be able to sing without bawling in a few minutes. She can't afford to go all emo. Quinn noticed the change in Santana's mood and decided, against her better judgment, to squeeze Santana's clammy hands. The Latina opened her eyes and looked at her with eyes like she'd lived a thousand years of hurt. Puck lightly punched her arm in a lame effort to comfort her and Santana couldn't deny the rush of relief that's spreading in her. She squeezed Quinn's hands and nodded at Puck, not quite ready to offer a smile. Her friends didn't complain. They understood.
"Mr. Schue, if I may…" Rachel started. She never got to finish since Mr. Schue raised a hand.
"Today, Santana, Puck, and Artie insisted to perform a song. Artie, you can have the floor." Mr. Schue smiled at Artie who nodded and rolled himself to the center. Brittany looked confused. Santana, however, was panicking.
"What the fuck?" Santana hissed to Puck who looked just as shocked as she was.
In all truth, Artie had no reason to perform today. But he found it necessary to show to Santana the difference of his relationship with Brittany. He figured that he might be able to give her a push into proving to him and to their friends and to the school that she cares about Brittany more than she cares about her reputation. So he picked a song that he thought would perfectly sum up how Santana felt towards Brittany. If he was correct, it would definitely set her off.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to Brittany." Artie started, smiling at his girlfriend who in turn blushed and smiled back. He made sure to make eye contact with Santana and shot her a challenging look. Okay, now Santana was confused and furious.
Before Santana could protest, the piano intro started and she was forced to stay in her seat.
It's her hair and her eyes today
that just simply take me away
And the feeling that I'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way
Artie rolled in front of Brittany and gave her a sweet smile before looking at his fellow glee clubbers.
All the times I have sat and stared
as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say
Coz I love her with all that I am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
coz she's all that I see and she's all that I need
and I'm out of my league once again
Brittany blushed and gave her boyfriend a shy smile. Artie reached for her hand which the blonde willingly gave. He looked at her as lovingly as he could and silently wished that he didn't look like a pervert.
It's a masterful melody when she calls out my name to me
as the world spins around her she laughs, rolls her eyes
and I feel like I'm falling but it's no surprise
coz I love her with all that I am
Artie let go of her hand and made waving motions on the space beneath him trying to make it look like he was in the middle of the sea.
And my voice shakes along with my hands
cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea
but I'd rather be here than on land
yes she's all that i see and she's all that i need
and I'm out of my league once again
Pushing his luck, he uses the piano moment so he could reach to Brittany to plant a kiss on her cheek. She giggled and did the same to him.
It's her hair and her eyes today
that just simply take me away
and the feeling that I'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way
all the times I have sat and stared
as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say
At this point, Artie tore his gaze away from Brittany and looked straight at Santana who sat frozen in her seat. He hardened his gaze on her, the challenge more obvious than ever.
coz I love her with all that I am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea
but I'd rather be here than on land
yes she's all that I see and she's all that I need
and I'm out of my league once again
Finn and Rachel didn't seem to notice since they were both too busy staring at each other. Mike and Tina were doing the same. Puck and Lauren were looking at Santana though their hands were clasped together. Quinn was silently praying for the Latina's already fragile heart. Mercedes and Kurt definitely saw the change and their mouths popped an O. Sam shot Santana a sympathetic look. Mr. Schue was too busy daydreaming.
Artie finally looked at Brittany who was casting him a confused look. He knew she didn't get it so he offered a reassuring smile as soon as he finished the song. Brittany gracefully got up from her seat and proceeded to hug Artie and rolled him to his place next to her. She was looking at him so softly and gently that Artie was thankful he did the song. Judging from Santana's frozen form, he knew his planned had worked.
"Alright! Let's give the couple a hand. Nice one, Artie!" Mr. Schue winked at him. "Santana, Puck, your turn!"
A/N: Uhh, I guess you could call this one a cliffhanger. I'll update as soon as you show me you guys want me to. I'm getting depressed with my reviews and it's making me think this story sucks. I know it's not the best, but hey, I'm trying! xD Here's a hint: I'll update as soon as my reviews for the whole story reach at least 15. Please? I swear Santana's gonna sing in the next chapter. Thank you for those who put this story in their favorites and story alerts. Of course, a thank you from the bottom of my heart, to those who reviewed. :)
Till the next chapter? (and yes, I'm begging here xD)
Brittana all the way,
theangel1710