Chapter 2: Can I call you Britt?
"So how was work?" Brittany asks as she prepares the coffee.
"It was ok but I'm just glad I'm not there tomorrow" Santana replies. "When do you finish work?"
"Five minutes ago actually" Brittany smiles.
"So why are you still standing over there serving me coffee, couldn't someone else do it?" Santana smiles back.
"They could but I wanted to make you coffee" Brittany tells her.
"Well how about when you finish doing that, grab your stuff and have coffee with me… Unless you have other plans that is" Santana says.
"Nope, no other plans" Brittany smiles.
"Cool."
As soon as Brittany makes the coffee, she goes to the other side of the counter and joins Santana.
"Tomorrow is Saturday and I don't work any of the weekend but what about you. I imagine this place is open on Saturdays and Sundays?" Santana asks.
"Yeah its open 7 days a week" Brittany nods, "But I'm actually off weekends. It's worked out pretty well actually because I work here full time Monday to Friday and some of the part timers who are at school or college work the weekends."
"Makes sense since they can't really work during the week if they have school commitments" Santana nods.
"Yeah I mean I started here when I was at college but ever since I graduated my shifts have changed slightly because I wanted more shifts" Brittany replies.
"I hope you don't mind me asking but why are you working here if you've already graduated from college?" Santana asks.
"It's simple, I didn't have the money to follow my dream right now" Brittany sighs. "I've got a business degree and I wanted to open my own catering company but I don't have the money for it so I need to make money before my dreams can come true."
"Oh I see" Santana nods in understanding. "I'm in a similar boat to you but not quite the same. See I graduated from college too with a degree in finance but apparently no one wants to hire me so I'm stuck working somewhere I hate."
"Oh yeah you mentioned something about working in a call centre or a helpline or something" Brittany says.
"Yeah it's something like that" Santana nods. "Wait…I've just realised now why you sell those cupcakes, it's because you want to be a caterer" she smiles.
"Yeah I mean I say catering but its more cakes and desserts I want to make and cater for small parties. I mean I can cook but I was more thinking of going down the line for catering birthday parties or funerals or making the cake for weddings" Brittany replies.
"Well if your cupcakes are anything to go by then you're going to make a killing. They tasted amazing, I bought two and had to eat them both. I was going to give one to my roommate but I just couldn't do it, they were too good to share" Santana smiles.
"Thank you" Brittany says blushing slightly.
"Hey this might sound weird since we've only just met but do you want to go out tonight. We could go to a bar and get some drinks or something. It sounds like we both need something to cheer us up" Santana asks.
"I would love to say yes but I think I'm going to decline" Brittany says regrettably.
"That's cool, I mean I get it. We barely know each other so maybe it isn't wise" Santana smiles sadly.
"Oh no it's not that" Brittany reassures her. "It's just because it's Christmas and I'm already struggling for money then I can't really afford it. I'm trying to really save up for having my own business and now with Christmas then I've really got to use my money for that so I'm not getting to put a whole lot into my dream, you know?"
"Of course, I understand" Santana smiles while placing her hand on Brittany's to reassure her. "Would you take me up on the offer though if I said my friend owns a bar and he could get us a few free drinks and if we wanted anymore I'll pay?"
"I can't let you do that Santana" Brittany shakes her head. She'd love to have drinks with Santana but she'd be too embarrassed if Santana were to pay for them all.
"At least have the free drinks then since they're free" Santana smiles.
"I don't know…"
"Please, I could really use the company after the week I've had" Santana pleads.
"Ok fine but only the free ones, I don't expect you to pay for my drinks" Brittany smiles.
"Excellent, let's go" Santana says while quickly downing the rest of her coffee in one go and then standing up quickly.
XXX
"Hey Sam" Santana says while fluttering her eyelashes at him as she sits down.
"What do you want?" he says rolling his eyes since he's used to Santana's behaviour now.
"Can my friend and I get some free drinks tonight?" she smiles brightly at him.
"Santana…"
"It's your place plus you know what a terrible time I've been having lately. No wants to hire me and I hate my current job and I just want to have a nice drink with Brittany here but I can't because I don't have enough money and…"
"Ok spare me the story" Sam says rolling his eyes again. "Look you can have a few free drinks since its Christmas but that's it because I still need to make a living here. If I gave everyone I know free drinks then barely anyone would pay and my bar wouldn't make any money."
"Deal" Santana smiles. Sam then sort them out some drinks.
"I'm Brittany by the way" Brittany smirks at Santana before holding her hand out to Sam to shake it.
"I'm sorry, I should have introduced you" Santana laughs.
"Nice to meet you Brittany" Sam smiles politely while shaking her hand.
"You too" Brittany nods.
"So where's Sarah tonight, is she stopping by?" Santana asks.
"No she had to work but I'm going over to her place when I finish" Sam replies.
"Cool" Santana smiles.
"Hey excuse me a second, I've got some customers to serve" Sam says while going over to the other end of the bar.
"Sarah is his girlfriend by the way" Santana says.
"I figured" Brittany smiles.
"I'm probably the only single one in my group of friends to be honest" Santana sighs. "I'm just never going to find that perfect one I don't think."
"Don't say that, you've got plenty of time. I mean what are you 23, 24?" Brittany replies.
"I turn 24 in January" Santana replies, "and how did you guess I was about that age. It was very specific for you to be able to just guess?"
"Well you said you had already been to college and had been struggling to find a job in your related field for a while so that made me think you had to have finished around a year ago so I figured you couldn't really be any younger than 22. Plus I did recall something on your driver's licence that made me think you were about that age" Brittany replies.
"Oh right, makes sense" Santana nods. "Yeah I mean I am still young but I am running out of time to find the perfect one" she sighs.
"Why do you say that?" Brittany frowns.
"Well my grandma is kinda sick right now and she doesn't think she's going to live much longer and her only wish before she dies is to see me get married. I sort of accidentally told her I was with someone so she's hoping for a wedding soon. I mean if I really want to find the one and get married then I need to find them by Christmas so we have time to actually be together and plan a wedding" Santana replies.
"Oh…that is a little bit of sticky situation" Brittany says feeling bad for Santana.
"I'm usually content with being single for a while and not rush into dating but ever since my grandma freaked me out and said she doesn't think she's going to make it much longer then I've been going on dates left right and centre trying to find my perfect man" Santana says.
"Well if last night is anything to go by then I wouldn't pick him" Brittany chuckles.
"You might laugh Britt but this is my life and so far there hasn't been any guys better than him" Santana says seriously.
"Britt?" Brittany teases.
"Sorry, do you not like that?" Santana apologises.
"No I do, it's just very few people call me Britt. It's always just Brittany" she smiles.
"Well can I call you Britt?" Santana smiles.
"Yeah, of course" Brittany smiles back.
"So anyway, do you have any advice to give about this whole dating thing?" Santana asks.
"I really don't know because if you're getting married then it has to be with someone you really like, not just someone so your grandma gets her wish" Brittany says.
"Exactly, I want it to be honest. I mean I could easily marry a friend just so my grandma has her wish but that's not really her wish if I'm not happy you know" Santana says.
"I guess you'll just need to keep dating until you find them then" Brittany says.
"But there must be a better way to do it, I mean how's your personal life, am I doing this whole dating thing wrong?" Santana asks.
"Right now I am the queen of loneliness" Brittany laughs.
"Single then?"
"Pretty much" Brittany nods. "I was in a relationship for a year but the pressure of me trying to get my dream got in the way. My ex was all set and found the perfect job whereas I'm clearly still struggling right now so I didn't feel like I had any support."
"Men really are pigs sometimes aren't they?" Santana shakes her head.
"My ex wasn't a man" Brittany smiles.
"Oh sorry, I just assumed" Santana apologises.
"It's fine, it's an easy mistake to make" Brittany smiles.
"So are you 100% into girls or do you like guys too?" Santana asks.
"I mean like everyone, I had boyfriends in high school and stuff but eventually I just realised maybe the reason it never worked out with any of them was because I wasn't totally into them. I had my first girlfriend in my senior year and as much as it didn't work out in the end, it made me realise that I'm gay" Brittany says honestly.
"One of my friends from college is actually a lesbian. She always assumed she was straight until she fell in love with a girl and she's never dated a guy since. I mean she broke up with the girl unfortunately but she's dated other girls after that" Santana says.
"Is she single now?" Brittany smirks.
"She is but I wouldn't want you to date her. I mean it's nothing against you but we're friends now and she's not the best person to date so I'd hate that to ruin what we have if she hurt you" Santana admits. "I mean if you really wanted I'd set you up but honestly, she is kind of a bitch."
"Then why are you friends?" Brittany asks.
"We're not close friends or anything, we were just friends at college and we send birthday and Christmas cards but we don't really hang out or anything. Occasionally we'll like each other's Instagram posts or briefly text but that's about the extent of it" Santana replies.
"I see" Brittany nods understanding.
"I can give you her number if you really want but all I'm saying is be careful" Santana replies.
"No it's fine, I trust you so if you don't think she's good enough for me then I'm ok with that" Brittany smiles.
"Ok" Santana smiles back. They have only just met but they just seem to click and feel like they have known one another for years.
XXX
"Look I know you said you didn't want me to pay for your drinks but what do you say we get out of here and go back to my place. I've got a bottle of wine we can share?" Santana suggests.
"A girl asking me back to her place, my that hasn't happened in a long time" Brittany teases.
"Seriously though, I like talking to you and I feel like you understand me and god right now do I need that. All my friends are happy and have their careers and I just feel like you and I are on the same page" Santana states.
"Yeah I know what you're saying so let's do it. Let's go back to your place and open some wine" Britany smiles.
"Cool" Santana smiles back.
They quickly finish their drinks and then leave the bar. It's only a few seconds until they manage to catch a cab and then they head to Santana's place.
"Here we are ladies" the driver says while pulling up in front of Santana's apartment complex.
"I'll pay for this since you're letting me drink your wine" Brittany says while digging money out of her purse.
"No don't be silly, I'll get it because you'll need to pay for your cab ride when you go home" Santana says while taking the money from Brittany and putting into back into her bag.
"Fine, if you insist" Brittany playfully rolls her eyes, "I'm not about to argue and cause a scene."
"Thank you" Santana smiles before giving the cab driver his money.
"Have a good night ladies" the driver replies and then they both get out and he drives off.
"My roommate Claire is at her boyfriend's place so it'll just be us" Santana says as she unlocks her apartment.
"That's cool, wow this place is nice" Brittany smiles.
"Even though it's small, it's nicely put together because Claire is an interior designer" Santana replies.
"Well the place really looks great" Brittany says admiring Santana's home.
"Red or white, what's your preference?" Santana asks.
"Honestly I'm good with either, you decide" Brittany replies.
"Cool, just take a seat anywhere and I'll be through in a second" Santana says before going to the kitchen to grab the wine and some glasses. She walks back through a few seconds later. "I couldn't decide either so I went with the white because I figured it's easier to clean if we were to spill some" she shrugs.
"Oh I won't spill any wine, I never waste good alcohol" Brittany jokes.
"I'm kind of the same actually, I'm usually that girl at the party who tips the bottle upside down and has their tongue hanging out of their mouth waiting until the very last drop drips out" Santana chuckles.
"Hey I do that too so great minds clearly think alike" Brittany laughs.
"Exactly" Santana nods as she pours them both a glass of wine.
"Thank you" Brittany says taking the glass.
"So do you have a big family Brittany?" Santana asks as she takes a seat next to Brittany on the couch.
"Just me and my sister actually" Brittany replies. "You?"
"Well my dad was an only child and then he and my mom had just me and my brother so that's why it's so important for me to honour my gran's wish because I'm her only granddaughter" Santana replies. "I mean my brother is older than me and he's married now so my gran already went to their wedding now she wants to go to mine."
"I hope you don't mind me asking but what is wrong with your gran, is she actually dying?" Brittany asks.
"I don't know to be honest. I mean she just had an operation on her leg two months ago and the doctors seemed pleased with her recovery but she's got it in her head she's not going to be here much longer" Santana sighs. "I don't know if she's just feeling down this time of year because my grandpa died in early December a few years ago or if there's something she's not telling me."
"Because the doctors said she was recovering well is that why you thought you had more time to find the perfect one?" Brittany asks.
"Yeah I didn't want her to be completely disappointed in me so I said I was dating someone but then she suddenly told me she didn't think she'd be here much longer so now I'm under a huge amount of pressure" Santana sighs.
"She sounds like a nice person, are you sure she won't understand if you just talk to her. Just tell her you're happy in life at the moment so she doesn't need to worry" Brittany says.
"She probably would understand but she really wants to see me married so she'd be gutted if she didn't get to see that" Santana replies.
"I suppose" Brittany nods sympathetically.
"Hey do you mind if we talk about something else right now. I want a night of from worrying about what's going to happen with this whole dating thing" Santana asks.
"No that's cool, let's talk about something else" Brittany smiles. "Hey how about music, what kind of genre are you into?"
"I'm not hugely fixated on a particular kind of music. I usually just like anything current" Santana replies. "Once I hear a new song it's my favourite for a while and then another song gets released and then that's my favourite."
"I'm sort of like that too, I guess" Brittany nods.
XXX
"I've just realised we have been hanging out all night and not once have we swapped numbers yet" Brittany smiles. "Hey pass me your phone and I'll put my number in" she says and Santana hands her her phone.
"I'll put mine in yours" Santana says while picking up Brittany's phone. They quickly put in their numbers and hand the phones back. "Sexy Britt, really?" she laughs as she notices that's how Brittany has entered the contact name for herself.
"It's better than just putting in Santana, I mean that's boring" Brittany teases.
"Well it's my name so what else should I have put?" Santana laughs.
"Something more creative and identifying to you" Brittany states.
"Give me an example then."
"Hot brunette…no wait that sounds slightly cheap and disrespectful" Brittany frowns.
"Yeah it sounds like some hook-up you've had and you can't remember their name" Santana laughs while shaking her head.
"Maybe beautiful brunette then" Brittany shrugs.
"How about we just leave it as Santana?"
"No I want something else" Brittany groans. "I've got it…hottest girl I know" she smiles triumphantly.
"Don't put me in your phone as that, just put Santana please" Santana says seriously.
"No I want to keep hottest girl I know because it's the most accurate" Brittany smiles.
"Fine, whatever" Santana waves it off, "it's your phone I guess."
"So apart from the whole, finding the perfect one, are you all sorted for Christmas?" Brittany asks while putting her phone away.
"Not really to be honest" Santana laughs. "I mean I shouldn't laugh because Christmas is in a few weeks but I've just not had the urge to get organised yet. What about you?"
"I'm slowly getting there I would say" Brittany replies. "I was hoping to do some shopping on Sunday and get the bulk of what's left then."
"Yeah I might go shopping this weekend. I'm going to visit my grandma tomorrow but if I'm not too busy the rest of the day then I might do some shopping" Santana says.
"Oh is that the time, I probably should be going home now" Brittany says looking at her watch.
"Ok, cool" Santana smiles.
"Well it was fun hanging out Santana" Brittany says while gathering her things. "We should do it again some time."
"We definitely should" Santana smiles. "I'll walk you to the door."
"Cool" Brittany smiles and they both walk to the door. "I think I'll be going straight to bed when I get home."
"You never actually said, do you live alone?" Santana asks.
"No I live with my parents at the moment. I mean I could handle living alone, it's just cheaper this way just now plus as long as I pay rent and do my fair share around the house then my parents are cool with me doing as I please" Brittany replies.
"Cool" Santana smiles. "I guess I'll see you at some point, we can keep in touch."
"Yeah definitely, goodnight Santana" Brittany smiles.
"Goodnight Britt" Santana smiles back.
The weekend flew by and now it's Monday morning again. Brittany has just went on her break when she realises she has a text from Santana.
From Santana: just making myself some coffee and it reminded me of you : )
To Santana: apart from making coffee, what are you up to?
From Santana: just on a quick break at work, you?
To Santana: yeah I'm on a break too
From Santana: did you get your Christmas shopping done yesterday?
To Santana: I did so that's one less thing to worry about
From Santana: yeah I got some done too which I was glad about
To Santana: what time do you finish tonight?
From Santana: 6pm, you?
To Santana: same. Hey do you want to hang out some time?
From Santana: I'd love too, when?
To Santana: are you free tomorrow night?
From Santana: yeah and Claire is at her boyfriend's place again so do you just want to come over to mine?
To Santana: sounds good. I should go now but I'll see you tomorrow around 7pm?
From Santana: 7 sounds great, see you then
They both stop texting and then get back to work. Brittany is only half an hour into her shift since her break when Mercedes walks over.
"Hey, how are you?" Mercedes asks while taking a seat in front of Brittany at the counter.
"I'm good, really good" Brittany can't help the huge smile plastered across her face.
"What's got you so happy?" her best friend asks.
"Just a girl that I met" Brittany replies.
"Oh a girl?" Mercedes smirks.
"It's not like that though" Brittany sighs, "she's straight."
"Oh right" Mercedes nods.
"As much as it sucks that she wouldn't be into me, I still really like hanging out with her. It's like she totally gets me and understands what I'm going through at the moment. She graduated college too and can't find the job she wants which is similar to me because I'm stuck here at the moment" Brittany says.
"We're all here for you Brittany if you need anything but I'm glad you have someone to talk to that knows how you feel" Mercedes smiles.
"Why are all the straight girl's the nicest?" Brittany sighs playfully. "Santana is like my ideal girl and yet I can't have her because she likes guys and how can I compete with guys?" she shrugs.
"I'm sure you'll find someone eventually but it doesn't mean you can't have fun and make new friends along the way like Santana" Mercedes states.
"That's true" Brittany nods.