The sun leaked through my bedroom window, glaring down on my face as it seeped in. Lazily I groaned, squinting my eyes harder together in attempt to block out the invading light. My hands gripped impatiently at my comforter and I went to tug it over my head, trying to shut out the sun's glare, but instead a loud meow filled my room and the covers didn't budge. Lord Tubbington sad heavily atop the fabric, weighing it down. Another groan escaped my lips, thicker this time. I slowly sat up, peeking open one eye to look at him.
"Moveee, Lord." I complained in a throaty voice. The big kitty mewed up at me, his face scrunched up as well. The sun must have woken him too, or I did while trying to hide my face. I went to tug at the covers again but it was no use, I was all ready awake and with the sun blaring like this it would be hard to get back to sleep - face covered or not. I always found it difficult to sleep in, especially on sunny days. Seeing the sun out just made me want to get up and move. Santana used to tease me about it, actually. She said: that if the sun's up, I'm up.
The thought of Santana only alerted my sleepy brain more. Spring Break! Today was officially the beginning of my two week break from school. As excitement filled my limbs I jerked the blankets off of me and hopped out of bed. My feet hit the carpeted floor with grace and I let out a sweet giggle. My surprise flight to New York was scheduled for this afternoon, at 2 o'clock. My eyes fluttered over to the digital clock sitting on my nightstand. The device was a light blue and had a cartoon kitten on it's front. The kitten told me that it was only 10:36 AM. I still had a few hours until I needed to head for the airport.
I relaxed some then, settling for a nice morning stretch before heading down the hall towards the kitchen. As I entered the more spacious section of my house, I could hear the TV from in the living room and my younger sister Ally chattering away with one of her friends on the house phone. My father sat at the kitchen table, reading from the newspaper as I walked into the room.
"Hey, kitten." He called, his voice a tad distracted as he continued to read. I smiled and bent over to open the refrigerator and inspect what's inside.
"Morning, dad." I spotted a carton of milk and some strawberries. I decided to have some Lucky Charms cereal and the fruit.
"You're up early. Thought your flight wasn't until later. You should get your rest." He said in a monotone, flipping the paper to a different page.
"Yeah, I tried to sleep in but the sun kept shining on my face." After retrieving the box of cereal I poured it and the milk into a bowl from the cabinet. "I'll be all right, though. The flight's like an hour, I'll squeeze in a quick nap." I perched up on the kitchen's counter, eating at my cereal. My mind predicted what it will be like once I'm on the plane. I knew I wouldn't be able to catch any sleep, I will be too excited.
My dad nodded, letting out a short "ah" in response. He continued to read his paper. Normally he was a very interactive man but it took him a while to warm up in the morning. I watched him read, his face stern and focused on the letters of the page. He had a small cow-lick forming in the front of his hairline, from sleeping. I stifled a chuckle at the sight of his messy bed head. He caught sight of my change in body language as I tried not to laugh and glanced up to me. I straightened up, trying to pretend like I hadn't been mocking his appearance and averted my eyes across the room to my sister who lounged with her back against the wall on the phone.
No, Natalie said she didn't like Jeremy. She doesn't like his nose. I know! I don't understand either, I think it's cute. Ally talked with animated expressions, her voice shrill and lazy - it reminded me of that of a "Cali girl." I rolled my eyes and hoped that I didn't act like that at her age. Lord Tubbington strolled into the room sluggishly, his eyes heavy from lack of sleep I suppose. His body rolled against my ankles, his way of begging to be fed.
"Oh, of course, my Lord." I smiled, leaping down from the counter. "I almost forgot to get you breakfast too." Lord Tubbington eats every time I do. He feels left out if I get to eat and he doesn't. I crouched down to the bottom cabinet and dug through it's contents until retrieving a small can of cat food. His body instantly shuddered awake and he began to meow impatiently at the sight of the can. I giggled to myself, heading to open the can for him.
After putting his breakfast in his food dish and disposing of the now empty can I gave LT a tender pat on the head and went to rinse out my own dishes. I poured out the rest of my cereal and quickly popped the last strawberry into my mouth before excusing myself from the kitchen.
"I'm gonna go shower." I announced, turning on my heel to head back down the hall towards my room. My dad nodded again and waved around the newspaper.
"Okay, hun." He called after me. I smiled and had to restrain myself from bursting into a full on sprint for my room. I couldn't get ready quick enough! I was anxious to get to see Santana again.
As I entered my room my eyes found the kitty clock on my nightstand again, 11:00 AM. It hadn't taken as long as I hoped to eat breakfast. Ugh, time was moving too slow. I shrugged, settling for continuing to get ready. I would just take my time and go slowly. I all ready had my outfit picked out for when I arrived in New York. It took me two hours to decide on yesterday after school. I finally settled on wearing dark-wash skinny jeans and a pretty pastel-pink, loose-fit blouse. My suitcase had been packed for two days, except my tooth and hair brushes. Now all I had to really do was get on the plane and go. But, again, my flight wasn't until 2 o'clock.
I huffed, shutting my door behind me and heading into the bathroom connected to my room. On the way I flipped on my stereo and turned the volume up until it filled my entire room. My hips swayed to the music and I began to hum along. In no hurry I turned on the shower-head and stripped down before getting in.
While in the shower my thoughts grew louder, when I was alone it was easier to think about these up coming weeks. My excitement grew inside me and it was hard to keep from rushing through washing up and heading for the airport right now. But I knew I needed to take my time, I didn't want to seem too anxious and sitting around at the airport alone would be no fun. I should just relax.
I let the steamy water run over my body and I drew in a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting my thoughts take over.
One year ago:
Mr. Shue strolled into the room, his face lit up in a signature goofy grin. He raised his arms as he approached the class, clapping loudly. The Glee club kids had paired off, laughing and flirting with their boy friends or girl friends. Santana and I stood beside the piano, our arms coiled around each other's waist as we playfully twisted from side to side, slightly dancing with one another.
"All right, everybody!" Mr. Shue called over our chatter. "Let's hear it for looooovve." He smiled wide, turning to draw a large heart around the saying on the board that read 'World's Greatest Love Songs.'
Everyone straightened up and made their way to their seats. Santana stepped out of my arms and took my hand, leading me over to the two bar-stools near the front of the room. I smiled wide, happily taking my spot next to her and resting my free hand atop our all ready interlaced ones.
"Your assignment for Valentine's week is to find and preform the world's greatest love songs." Mr. Shue explained to the class. My eyes flickered over to Santana and she gave me a cheeky grin, lifting our hands up to place a sweet kiss on the back of my knuckles.
My eyes glistened at the gesture and I smiled wider, if that was possible. Her deep coco brown eyes found mine and reflected the utter and complete happiness that my must of held because she then leaned in and planted a soft kiss upon my lips before whispering, "You're beautiful."
The exchange was meant for just me and after speaking she pulled back a tad, looking up to see if anyone was watching. They must not have been because after a second she glanced back to me, her eyes reconnecting with mine.
Mr. Shue kept talking in the background but I failed to pay attention. My attention locked on Santana and stayed there. I was so lucky to have her, I couldn't imagine ever wanting anyone else. Santana and I had been openly dating for a month or so now but ever since I could remember I had always loved her. She and I had always been best friends, each other's other half. We grew up together and once Sophomore year began to roll around I finally realized that I had feelings for San. Like, real feelings. It was hard to tell for sure at first though because Santana was so scared to accept that she liked me too. But now she did and she had come out to her family and all the kids at school. She even made a speech in front of all the Cheerios, threatening that if they said anything rude to her or I about our sexuality that they would have hell to pay. Still, the point was that she actually came out of the closet. For me.
I was so proud of her. I knew how strong she was being for accepting herself and giving others a chance to accept her too. It really meant a lot that she was happy now, with me.
Present day:
The acute pitch of my alarm echoed in the bathroom, breaking my train of thought and bring me back to reality. I shook away from the flashback and quickly shut off the water and rushed out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my torso and being careful not to slip on the floor.
It was 11:45 AM. I had taken a long shower and only had an hour remaining until I needed to head to the airport. I allowed my excitement to finally take control and rushed out of the bathroom, hastily drying off and beginning to get dressed. I took the next hour to pamper and get as fixed up as I could managed - I had to look good for my arrival in New York.
Once ready I headed out the door, calling goodbye to my dad and sister. "Tell mom I said bye when she gets home. I love you guys." I chimed as I went out the door.
"Love you too, kitten. Have fun!" Dad called after me with a smile. Ally waved after me saying, "Bye, B. Give Santana a big hug for me!" I smiled at my younger sister and promised her to do so. It always made me happy how sweet Santana was around Ally. She told me it was just because she has a soft spot for kids and it wouldn't feel right if she were rude to my sibling but I think it's because she genuinely liked her. Ally always complimented Santana and paid a lot of attention to her when she would come over.
I drove to the airport, it was only about twenty-five minutes away from my house. Once there I rushed through security and arrived at the area I needed to be at with a few minutes to spare. While waiting for 2 o'clock to roll around I figured it was time for part B of my surprise visit. Enthusiastically I pulled out my phone and dialed Kurt's cell phone.
The phone rang twice before a familiar and flamboyant voice answered. "Hello?"
"Hey, Kurt!" I singsonged, smiling into the phone.
"Brittany!" He praised from the other line. I nodded quickly, still smiling but wincing a bit as he said my name aloud.
"Yeah, yeah. Hey, do me a favor and keep this a secret okay?" I spit out, trying to keep him from calling any more attention to who he was on the phone with.
That seemed to throw Kurt off a bit and he answered back slowly. "Okay, is everything all right?" He asked, a bit worried.
"No, everything's great. I am just trying to plan a surprise for Santana. If I tell you something will you promise to keep cool about it?" I replied, my smile growing back as I continued to talk.
"Of course." He chirped back.
"Okay, I am at the airport. I am about to take a plane to New York!" I cheered, not able to contain the excitement that soaked my voice as I exposed the secret to him.
I heard Kurt's breathing hitch after I finished, he must have muffled a gasp with his hand because I heard Rachel question him nearby. What's wrong? Is that Brittany on the phone? She asked with high inflection.
I shushed into the phone loudly. "Don't let her tell Santana!" I hissed, trying to remind Kurt about it being a secret.
"Right, sorry." He said back before turning to Rachel. "Yes, it's her. She's about to get on a plane, she's coming to New York tonight." He whispered with excitement and I could hear Rachel applaud in response, giggling.
"Okay, Kurt." I said sternly, trying get his attention again. "Now I need you and Rachel to do me a favor. My flight is supposed to arrive at 2:49, I'll need someone to come and pick me up from the airport. And one of you has to stay home and keep Santana busy, and make sure she doesn't find out."
Rachel squealed with excitement and took the phone. "Brittany, hello? It's Rachel. I would be more than honored to come and pick you up from the airport. I can't believe you are doing this for Santana, how romantic! You two will just have to get back together after this." Kurt chimed in the back ground. Defiantly! And don't worry, I'll make sure to keep her preoccupied in the mean time.
I giggled a tad at the two of them, blushing at Rachel's words. Maybe this would be a chance for Santana and I to rekindle our relationship. "Thanks you guys."
I intercom sounded over the airport, Flight 104 to New York City is now boarding. I jumped up, a wide smile spreading across my lips.
"That's me, the flight is boarding now. I'll see you when I land Rachel." I confirmed. She squealed again in excitement.
"See you then! Oh, this is so exciting. Bye, Brittany." We hung up the phone call and I gathered my carry on bag. I stepped in line to board the plane and took my assigned seat. Everything was going according to plan and in a matter of minutes I was going to get to see Santana again.