So i know it's been forever. I've been stuck in both high school and writer's block, neither of which is easier than the other. That said, this will be my last chapter mostly because have nowhere else to go with this story and i have a few other ideas...:)
1 Month Later
"Are you scared?" Puck asked her.
"Not in the slightest. I've done this thousands of times." Santana replied.
The duo walked to the field an hour before the biggest game of the year: Homecoming. It was also Santana's first game back since her near death experience.
There was a slight breeze in the air that hinted at a stormy night but good game weather. Santana handed Puck the letterman jacket she nearly always wore now, and exchanged it for her cheer bag, as they prepared to go their separate ways: him to the guys' locker room, her to one last practice before the game. Even in the breeze, Santana felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the weather. She had always felt that around Puck but only now, knowing that he felt the same way about her as she did about him, was she able to admit it to herself. It was him that made her feel happy, safe. No one could touch her so long as he existed and loved her.
He hugged her tightly and started walking towards the locker room on the other side of the school grounds.
Santana lingered outside the door for a minute. This would be the first time seeing many of the Cheerios aside from a pass in the hall or a glimpse in the cafeteria. The thought almost made her nervous. Almost. She put her hand on the doorknob, but couldn't do it. Not yet.
Because, as uncharacteristic of Santana as it was, there was still one more thing she desperately needed.
Her drug.
Her protection.
"Puck!" she called at the boy shrinking in the distance.
She bolted towards him as fast as she could manage, dropping her cheer bag along the way.
He met her midway with a look balanced between worry and confusion.
"What's wrong?" he questioned, a bit afraid to hear what he thought she might say.
I can't do it.
It's too soon.
But when he saw the slight smile playing on her lips, he was only curious.
"I forgot something." she said. She pressed her lips firmly to his and like that, any fear or uncertainty she had about her cheerleading return disappeared.
He was her drug now. She could, of course, survive without him but why try if she didn't have to?
He was her protection. He always had been and always would be, whether they dated or not.
They pulled apart, both smiling.
"I love...you.." They said at the same time and began laughing at each other.
Puck went his way, Santana went hers.
This time when she got to that door she didn't hesitate to walk right in.
The girls everywhere, in various positions, simply stopped and stared.
Santana looked each one of them right in the eye.
"What are you looking at? We have a game don't we? I'm not gonna be caught out there looking like an idiot because you lowlifes in skirts didn't rehearse the routine. No me gusta."
They all got back to whatever it was they were doing.
Santana sat down her bag and looked over to her one ally in the room.
Brittany Pierce smiled at her as if to say "You're back"
Santana return her smile that replied "Hell yeah, Brits. I'm back."
So that's it then. I hope you've enjoyed this story even if the last chapter was...heheh anyway...Thanks so much for the great comments and favorites, they're cherished and always appreciated. xoxo
