Hi guys! We're gonna change POVs here, so keep a look out for the titles!

Quinn

Awake?

Sure, just put the boys to bed. What's up?

You won't believe who I just ran into at the grocery store…

Celebrity?

Nope, blast from the past. Fucking floored me, too.

No idea, San.

Brittany.

A beat.

Oh

That's all you have to fucking say? Oh?

Santana could hear Quinn squirming and readjusting her position.

Well, now, don't get mad at me, but I sort of knew Brittany was moving here.

Santana had to control herself not to scream out and wake up Sophia.

Quinn. What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Saying.

We've sort of kept in touch after the Shuesters' party, and she mentioned that she was thinking about moving here and opening up a dance studio, so I guess she did.

Why the hell didn't you tell me something? Jesus, you could've given me a heads up or something, Quinn!

I had no idea it was gonna be so soon San, and you said that you didn't want to know anything about her, so I figured –

FUCK Quinn!

Look, don't go all Snixx on me ok? You're a big girl now, and so is she. I'm SURE New York is big enough to accommodate both of you. Just because she's in the same city doesn't mean you have to see her if you don't want to ok? Next time you're at the grocery store just be on the lookout for blondes.

Real fucking funny, Fabray. Just do me a favor and DON'T talk to her about my life. I can't deal with that right now.

Quinn let out a breath, happy that Santana was calming down a bit.

Seems fair, I promise I won't.

And pass along the request to your dwarf, ok? She has the biggest mouth after Trouty, and if I find out she's been talking to her about me, you'll be stuck raising two boys on your own.

Quinn rolled her eyes.

I'll tell Rachel, don't worry.

Good. I gotta go.

I'll call you tomorrow and maybe we can get together for lunch or something.

Yeah, whatever Q, bye.

Quinn clicked her phone with a sigh and set it on the coffee table in front of her. She leaned back on the beige couch and started massaging the bridge of her nose with her eyes closed. Rachel walked in after doing the dishes and immediately sensed something was wrong. She sat down next to her wife and motioned for the blonde to rest her head on her lap and started drawing circles on her temples.

"What happened, love?"

Quinn shook her head a little, while caressing Rachel's knee with her right hand. She still had her eyes closed. "Santana just had a run in with Brittany at the grocery store and called to bitch about it."

Rachel furrowed her brow. "Wait, she didn't know Britt was moving here?"

"No, and I didn't know how to tell her."

"Well love, you know that's not your job, right? If Britt had wanted her to know, she would've told her herself."

Quinn opened her eyes to look at her wife and saw the tiny brunette looking down to her with those pressed lips and lifted brows that always meant "you know I'm right." She couldn't help but chuckle and run her free hand over the pursed lips before answering softly. "I know, I know. She's a big girl and she can certainly handle it. I hope they finally get a chance to talk, though."

Rachel kissed her wife's fingers caressing her face. "I hope so too. But you and I know better than anyone that things have a way of working out if they are meant to. So stop stressing about Santana and Britt, we all know they are bound to be together."

Quinn lifted her head to kiss Rachel softly on the lips. She marveled at the hint of cinnamon ever present on her wife's lips. Quinn used her hands to cup her wife's face and deepened the kiss, lazily exploring that mouth she fell in love with 12 years ago. Rachel let Quinn take control of the kiss, rearranging her wife so she'd be straddling her. Quinn broke the kiss. "I feel like I'm crushing you."

Rachel chuckled and squeezed her wife's bottom. "No way, baby, you feel just right." She smiled at the blushing blonde and kissed her again. Quinn's hands dropped to Rachel's hips and she started lifting the hem of her shirt, pushing with her thumb on the tiny brunette's hip bone the way she liked it. Rachel moaned into Quinn's mouth and dug her nails in her back, causing Quinn to instinctively move forward. The blonde started kissing down her wife's neck, trailing her pulse point and going up all the way to her earlobe. She circled Rachel's ear with her tongue before using her raspiest voice.

"Let's go upstairs, hotstuff."

Rachel hoisted her wife up and giggled as she led Quinn by the hand towards their bedroom. When they got to the bedroom, Rachel locked the door and before she could turn around, Quinn pressed her front to the tiny brunette's back and started kissing her shoulder while her hands roamed her wife's body. Rachel used her right hand to grope her way towards Quinn's behind and push her towards her. Rachel was biting her lip and moaning softly as Quinn's hands undid her pants and pushed her hand inside. When she reached her destination, Rachel whispered "fuck" and clung closely to the blonde. Quinn used her free hand to take off Rachel's shirt and flung it to the side. Rachel had one hand on Quinn's ass, squeezing as she felt the pressure in her own pants and the other hand on the wall in front of her as support. Quinn felt the brunette's pulse quicken and her shoulders tense up. She ignored the cramping on her hand and continued playing with that nub she loved so much. Rachel started rubbing against the front of her skirt and Quinn could feel her own core heating up more and more. She used her free hand to push down on Rachel's lower pelvis the way she knew would send her off the edge. A few seconds later, Rachel shuddered and released the tension in her shoulders as she felt her orgasm pulse through her body. Quinn continued her hand movements until Rachel completely relaxed and pressed against her, letting out a contented sigh. Quinn removed her hand and licked her fingers slowly while swaying with Rachel, tasting her wife and feeling her own pulse quicken. Rachel then turned around and kissed Quinn passionately, while moving her backwards towards the bed. She became more aroused when she tasted herself on the blonde's lips. She used her hands to quickly unbutton Quinn's dress and slid it down her body. The blonde helped her take off her pants and underwear. When they got to the bed, Rachel laid on top of her wife and started kissing down her neck while massaging her breasts. She was rocking back and forth against Quinn's core, making her dig her nails down the brunette's back. They both froze in place as they heard a soft knock on the door.

"Momma?"

Both women pressed their foreheads together and whispered "fuck." Quinn cleared her throat and called out. "Yes Chris, what's wrong?"

"I don't feel well..." Rachel kissed her wife's nose and straightened up, as Quinn made a face.

"I'll be right there kiddo." She pushed herself up and kissed Rachel on the lips. "This is so not fair."

Rachel smirked and moved towards her side of the bed to let the blonde get up. "No it's not, but he always wants you when he's sick."

Quinn quickly put her pajamas on and washed her hands before leaving their bedroom. Rachel was squirming naked under the sheets.

"This isn't over, you know."

Rachel winked. "I'll wait up for ya."

Quinn went to the twins' room and found Chris on his side on top of the bed, quietly sobbing, and Luke sound asleep on the other side of the room. Quinn sat on Chris's bed and the little boy quickly scooted closer to his momma. She kissed his forehead, checking for a fever. "What's wrong bug?"

"My tummy hurts. I didn't want to tell mom cause I don't want her to think it's her cooking." Quinn chuckled. Their boy was so considerate.

"Good idea. So tell me where it hurts."

Chris pointed towards his bellybutton. "Right here. It squishes."

"Ok bug, I'm gonna go down to the kitchen and make you some tea so your tummy calms down, ok?"

Chris held his momma tighter. "No, don't leave me, it hurts less with you here..."

Quinn smiled at Chris's pout. It was identical to her wife's. "You need something warm for your belly to help. Why don't you come with me? We'll take it real slow, ok?"

Chris thought for a second and nodded. Quinn lifted his head carefully and helped him get up. She put a comforter over him and they walked slowly down to the kitchen. She made Chris lay down on the couch while the water boiled. She added some honey to the tea and brought it over to Chris, who moved sideways so Quinn could sit down. She made him lean on her chest as he slowly drank his tea. When he finished, she set the cup down on the coffee table.

"Feeling better, bug?"

"A little, thank you momma."

"Do you want to go back to bed or do you wanna stay here for a bit?"

"Can you tell me a story?"

"Sure, what story do you want to hear?"

Chris looked towards the stairs, checking that no one was coming. Then he whispered: "The one about the boy and the butterfly."

Quinn smiled. It was his favorite story, but Luke always groaned when Chris asked to hear it, so he only made Quinn tell it when they were alone.

"Of course. C'mere, let's get comfy." She laid on the couch behind Chris, who rested his head on his momma's arm. She covered both of them with the comforter.

"There once was a boy who lived on a farm. He loved to run through the flower fields and lay looking at the stars in the middle of the grasslands. One day, he found a beautiful butterfly resting on a flower. She was the most incredible butterfly the boy had ever seen, with very vivid colors. But there was something wrong. The butterfly couldn't fly away because she was injured. The boy gently took her in his hand and caressed it. Don't worry butterfly, I will help you heal, he said. So the boy took the butterfly back to his house and made a little home for it with grass and pollen. For the days to come, the boy took care of the butterfly and spent every moment he could speaking to her and sharing his world. One day, the boy awoke to a soft caress on his nose. It was the butterfly. She could finally fly again! The boy was very happy to see the butterfly fluttering around him. But then he grew sad, because he knew it meant the butterfly was now leaving. I know you have to leave now, my friend. But I want you to know I will never forget you. However, the butterfly didn't fly away. It stayed with the boy, and they ran through the flower fields together and lay at night looking at the starry sky. The boy grew to love his beautiful butterfly. One day, the boy became ill and bedridden. His parents were very worried that he would not make it through the night. The faithful butterfly stayed with him, next to his ear, whispering loving words in her special butterfly language. When the boy closed his eyes that night, he felt himself running again over the flower fields. Only he wasn't running. He was flying! As he looked to the side, he saw his beautiful butterfly smiling at him, motioning for him to take her little butterfly hand and fly off together. The boy smiled as wide as he had ever smiled, and feeling no pain followed the butterfly towards a bright star in the sky."

Quinn looked down and saw Chris half asleep, a smile on his face. She kissed the back of his head. She could still remember the first time she had heard that story. It was in college, in her Latin-American folk literature class. She had fallen in love with it and had shared it instantly with Rachel when she got home. Every night she used to tell it to the boys so they'd go to sleep and Luke would instantly fall asleep, but Chris would stay up, silently crying because he thought it was sad. When Quinn asked him if he wanted her to tell a different story, he shook his head and said he liked it, even if it made him a little sad.

She carefully got up and carried Chris up to his room. She tucked him in and left a glass of water on his nightstand. She gave him a kiss on the forehead, kissed and retucked Luke in and closed their door quietly. She went back to her bedroom and saw with a smile that Rachel had fallen asleep half covered by the comforter. Quinn removed her pajamas and climbed in bed, snuggling closer to her wife, who stirred. Quinn gave her a quick peck on the lips before tucking her arm under the tiny brunette's head. Rachel automatically slung an arm and a leg over Quinn and pulled her close.

"I love you Q." Rachel's eyes were still closed and her words were slurred, but Quinn could see the smile on that beautiful face. She kissed the top of her head and whispered "I love you too" before closing her eyes and falling into a contented sleep.

Brittany

I don't even remember paying for my groceries. I just remember watching Santana walk away pushing her cart with a beautiful mini Santana on it. Sophia. I knew she had a daughter, but I had never even seen pictures of her. She's so beautiful, just like her mom. One of my favorite pictures of Santana is of her in her ballerina outfit when she was 5 years old. She's smiling that wide carefree smile I like so much. I remember she gave it to me one day, she randomly attached it to one of the weekend letters we used to write to each other. I still have that picture in an album I carry with me everywhere I go.

I'm in my car. Did I put the groceries in the trunk? I get out and look. Nope. I left them on the floor. Crap. I open the trunk and put the bags in. I can't drive like this, so I just get back in the car and close my eyes. I certainly didn't think I'd run into her at some random place. I thought I would get settled and then ask Quinn or Mercedes to have like a party or something and I could go and then we could see each other. This isn't how this was supposed to happen. But yeah, well, nothing has worked out so far, so it shouldn't surprise me that much. She looks so good. But there's no spark in her eyes. Or maybe that's cause she was looking at me? I don't know, I certainly don't want to think that's what it is.

But Sophia opened up to me and she even invited me over! I think it's sweet she gets Thursday Beef Stew. That was our favorite night, too. I shake my head, trying to focus on the now. I grab the steering wheel with both hands and take a few deep breaths. I turn my iPod on. Big mistake, since Sara Melson coms on and I feel the tears flowing as I sing along

One day I didn't have a care
Except my picture in the mirror and the color of my hair
I sang along to records about tomorrow
Now my hands are worn, my clothes are torn
A few of my dreams have been met with scorn
And I don't have too much time left to borrow

But still I'm gonna love you like I've never been hurt before
Love you like I've never been hurt before
Love you like I've never been hurt,
Wanna start all over and know what it's worth
Love you like I've never been hurt before

Your stubborn independence
Reminds me of myself
It doesn't make a lot of sense
It isn't very good for health
I know you want to be alone
But I sure like talking on the phone
And I've finally left my carry-on bag behind me

Yeah I'm going to love you like I've never been hurt before
Love you like I've never been hurt before
Love you like I've never been hurt
We can start all over and know what it's worth
I'm gonna love you like I've never been hurt before

I close my eyes and her image is dancing in front of me. I can't help it. I take a swig of my water bottle, wipe my eyes carefully and drive out of the lot at 5 miles an hour.

When I get to my small apartment, I put my groceries away and flop on my couch. I turn on the TV just to have some background noise on and open my mailbox on my laptop for something to do. I need to keep moving, to keep functioning, because if I stop I know I'll start thinking about her and her smile and the hurt in her eyes and then I won't be able to do anything else. I read a couple of encouraging work mails, one is from Jake, a fellow dancer and choreographer who has a well-known studio here in New York. We met on tour a few years back and we've kept in touch. When I told him I was in New York and my plans, he helped me by giving me a few key names and contact information. He says he recommended me for a teaching position in one of the most prestigious pre-schools in the area, and that's the jump start I need. I quickly reply my thanks and check that the school already emailed me acknowledging that they received my application. This is cool! I feel like the wheels are... moving? the engine started? something like that, I know there's a saying but I can't remember. The point is: It's starting!

And now I have something else to focus on for the time being, while I figure out what to do with the S-shaped hole inside. I decide that my first course of action is getting back in touch with some friends. I get my phone out and quickly type out a text. I feel energized, so I get up and get a bowl of cereal. It's nighttime, but what the hell, I'll have breakfast at night. When I bring my cereal back to the couch and flip to some old cartoons, my phone does that pinging sound.

Hi stranger! What's up?

I readjust my legs and think of what to reply. I smile as I type.

Just relaxing in my New York apartment, no big deal

That should do it. Ha! I would give anything to see the look in that dumbstruck face right now! In no time at all, my phone dings again.

Whaaaaaaaaat? And I am just finding out about this?

Well we didn't have much time to talk in Lima, so I figured we would have more time now that I'm here! Can we get some lunch or something tomorrow? You're the one with the crazy schedule right now...

I anxiously await an answer. It's been a really long time since we've sat down and talked and I really need a friend who understands all of this.

Definitely, I'm gonna be in the studio filming, so come by and we can grab something near here. I'll text you the address tomorrow cause I don't really know it.

Typical. I quickly accept and eat my cereal happily. Scooby-Doo is going into a creepy looking house with Shaggy, and that takes all of my attention.

I decide to walk to the studio, since I hear it's actually faster. I find it in no time and a receptionist greets me with a smile. I say I'm waiting for a friend, I give her the floor number and she points me towards the elevator. When I get off at the 5th floor, I see this blonde mass running towards me. He hugs me and lifts me off the ground as he spins me around the hallway. I laugh. He's so silly sometimes!

"Britt! My sister from another mister! I can't believe you're really here!" He's wearing his signature fluffy cardigan, this one is blue with little rockets on it. His hair is still the same messy mass of blonde it always was, and his smile is so full of warmth I almost can't believe it.

"Well, believe it Sam! I'm so glad to see you. You look great!"

His sheepish grin shows up, and he shrugs. "Yeah well, the cardigans are a little itchy but I got used to it. Listen, I can't really go anywhere cause we're not done yet, but I ordered some take out and it's in my dressing room, do you mind if we eat here?"

I take his arm as he starts walking. "Not at all, I just wanted to be with you."

"Same here." He smiles again and he starts introducing me to all the people involved in his show. He opens the door to a very airy room with a comfy black couch, a big screen tv with 6 different videogame consoles and a bed in the back. There are different pictures of his show on the walls, pictures of him smiling wearing various fluffy cardigans and all with the same headline: "The Samtastic Show" When I first saw it 6 years ago, I knew he had picked the name himself.

We sit on the couch in front of what look like a million Chinese food containers. He sits on an armchair in front of me and grabs the nearest container to inspect its contents. Satisfied with his choice, he starts eating as he looks me up and down. Amused, I follow his lead and pick the sweet pork and wait for him to say something.

"When Mercedes told me you were coming to New York I wasn't sure if it was true or not."

"How did Mercedes know?"

Sam takes a breath and rolls his eyes. "Cause you told Quinn! And she of course told Rachel, who immediately called Mercedes who screeched so loudly I overheard her from the backyard..."

I chuckle. I forgot about this. "Of course... shoulda known. And yet, no one warned Santana." I look up and study his reaction. He chews slowly and cocks his head to one side.

"I don't think they did, no. I certainly didn't tell her."

"Yeah, I know. I, um, I ran into her last night at the grocery store."

He almost chokes on his rice, but recovers nicely. "Wow, and she didn't torch the place?"

I laugh. "No, but I could see she wanted to. It was just awkward, especially since she was with Sophia."

He makes a face, that face he does when something is uncomfortable. "That couldn't have been nice."

"Well, in a way, it was. She's a great kid, and she was very sweet to me."

He smiles. "Yeah, that's Sophe. She looks so much like Santana but I don't think she inherited the fullblown Snixx gene."

We laugh at the thought. "It might be too early to tell, you never know!"

"So... how are you feeling now?"

I chew for a while, thinking about what to say. "I have no idea. I mean, I know my feelings for her never went away but seeing her is like having them all in my head screaming at me at the same time and I can't really think. I want to run away and I want to run towards her at the same time."

He jumps up and comes to sit next to me, grabbing my hand. I welcome his warmth. We stay like that for a while, I don't know what else to say because I don't want to cry or look too sad in this strange place. We eat in comfortable silence, commenting on the food every now and then. I think he gets my drift, that I don't want to talk about this anymore, because he starts babbling about his tv show and how cool it feels to get to play with stuff all day. I like to see him so excited that he talks more with his hands than with his words. It's familiar to me.

"And then one time I got to mix these two liquids together that I can't remember the name anymore and then whoooooosh, it turned into this cool foam mass thing! It was awesome. Of course the kids in the studio went nuts and we all started playing with it when the cameras cut. That was an awesome day."

His smile is taking him back to that moment, I can see that. And I suddenly want to know more, so I ask him what kind of things he is doing today.

"Oh, today is astronomy day. They're prepping the set now with like stars and constellations so I can show the kids the path of the Halley comet."

"And do you know the path of the Halley comet?" I can't help but chuckle at him. He gives me a sheepish grin.

"Well, I have to study it and memorize my lines, and that's my way of finding out. See, that's what's so cool about this show, cause I get to learn stuff too."

I suddenly see why he's so successful with the kids. He has genuine enthusiasm and a passion for learning these things. His show has dominated Saturday mornings for years, and I'm so happy for him. We talk for a little while longer, until a girl with a headset walks in and tells him that he has to go shoot a scene now. We hug and I tell him I can let myself out, which is sort of a lie because I can't really remember which way the elevator is, but I'll manage.

And I do, because a few minutes later, I'm back on the noisy street, taking it all in. This city sounds different and it smells different than any other place I've been to. I still can't decide if that's a good or a bad thing. It's just different. It suddenly dawns on me that I have nowhere I have to be right now. So I decide to walk around and try to get familiarized with this place. I've only been here once before, when we came for nationals. And we didn't really get to see much of it since we were hauled up trying to come up with a set list. Still, that New York was completely different since it was our New York. We discovered it together. This has to be my New York first. I need to find my place here, a place that doesn't have Santana's shadow. I start walking down this really wide street and I hear music blaring close. I get drawn to it, to a small group of people gathering on a street corner. As I get close, I see there are two guys dancing. There's a hat on the floor with some dollar bills crumpled inside. I get lost in the beat watching them dance, remembering the joy of it. When they're done, I put some change in the hat and clap along with everyone else. I keep walking, and I smile when I see a billboard for Rachel's show. I never doubted I'd see this one day. I remember I haven't talked to her in a while, either. There are so many people I need to get back in touch with. While I'm looking at it, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I fish it out and check the caller ID. It's an unknown number. I pick up.

Hello?

Hello, yes, is this Brittany Pierce?

Yes, this is she.

Hello Ms. Pierce, I'm Erika Ale, I'm calling from Hentworth's Pre-school.

Oh, yes, hello Ms. Ale, how can I help you?

Well we got your resume and we would like you to come in for an interview tomorrow. Is that ok?

Absolutely! What time do you need me to be there?

9 am. The process has two parts, first an interview with me and then a sort of model class with a select number of students, to see how you interact with them. So you'll need to prepare for that and bring anything you might need for it.

Excellent, thank you I'll see you then.

I look forward to meeting you Ms. Pierce, have a good day.

Click. Done. What?!

I do a little jump right there in the middle of the street. I have a job interview now! That's step one! YAY!

The next day I get up at 5 am. I'm way too excited, and I didn't really fall asleep until about 1 am cause I was prepping for my interview and for that model class for today. I decided to do hip hop for my model class. Mainly because it allows the kids to bounce around without much technique and it gets them really loose. At the same time though, I've found that it gives me a lot of control over the class because everyone wants to know what we're doing next. I choose my outfit carefully, wondering if I should actually have two outfits: a formal one for the interview and my dance clothes. Finally, I just decide on fancier-than-usual dance clothes, cause honestly, they want me to teach dance and you can't do that in like a pantsuit.

I get to Hentworth's and it's really… imposing. I guess that's the right word. It's not very big actually, and I can see it's just a one-story building, but everything about it screams sophistication. I see a courtyard to one side and a natural grass field to the other. I walk in and find the Principal's office to my right. The secretary tells me to just wait for a minute and in actually less than a minute, a very tall lady with olive skin is walking towards me, her arm stretched in front of her and a dazzling smile on her face.

"Hi, Ms. Pierce? I'm Erika Ale, we spoke on the phone." We shake hands and she motions towards her office, so I follow her in.

"Please, call me Brittany, thank you for the opportunity."

She sits behind a mahogany desk that is cluttered but in an organized way. I notice some framed drawings on the wall, I assume they are either from students or from her kids. I sit in front of her in one of the multicolored chairs.

"Well, then please call me Erika, we are very happy to have you here. Tell me a little bit about yourself, Brittany." She opens a folder that I see has my resume in it, and she's holding a pen right above it. As I start to talk, she never breaks eye contact, but I can see that she scribbles some notes as well.

"Yes, I studied dance in Australia, first in the Sydney Dance Company, where I got a scholarship to major in dance in the WAAPA, the West Australian Academy of Performance Arts." I see her nod and motion for me to go on. I always feel really weird talking about myself like this, but I continue. "After I graduated, I joined the Sydney Dance Company, this time as part of the touring company and I toured around Australia and Europe with them for two years before I started choreographing and dancing for A Cabaret Story in Berlin."

"That's very impressive, Brittany. So, if I may ask, why are you looking for a job as a dance teacher in a pre-school? It seems to me you could have your pick working pretty much anywhere you want." It could sound mean, but I can tell she's genuinely interested in my answer.

"I'm looking to open a dance studio here in New York, because through my travels I found that I really love teaching and seeing others find that joy in dancing, especially kids. And to open a dance studio first you need to make yourself known around the area, so what better way to do that than to teach in the most prestigious pre-school around?"

I smile and she smiles back, scribbles a couple more notes, and closes the file. Then she intertwines her fingers and rests her chin on top of her hands.

"That's very noble of you, and we certainly would be lucky to have someone with your experience teaching here. I appreciate your candor, and since you were so honest with me, I'll be very honest with you, Brittany. We are just starting this dance program, because we feel our students need some creative outlet that can also be combined with some type of physical activity, since we have noticed an alarming drop in sign-ups for sports. We can't force the kids to play sports outside of the half hour PE class, but we can certainly offer other options to keep them active, and we feel dance can be just the answer we are looking for. We would need you to not only teach three classes a day, but to also help us build the program, interlace different types of dancing and maybe if it takes off, we can take on other teachers to expand the program next year and maybe teach extracurricular classes. It's a lot of hard work and we need someone who is committed to it. Does that sound right up your ally?"

I take a moment to mull all this over. She's right, it sounds like a lot, but at the same time, my mind is racing with all the different possibilities and dance lessons and stuff I can put on for recitals and such. I take a deep breath and feel the biggest smile on my face.

"Sounds perfect."

Erika lets out a whoop and I get a flash of her perfectly straight white teeth.

"Wonderful! Now, Mrs. Pearson's class is ready for our second part of the interview, you'll be teaching her 3 and 4 year olds today. There are 12 to 14 students in each class, 8 classes total, and we have 109 students overall." She keeps rattling on about numbers as she guides me through the halls towards the back of the building. I can see through the little windows in the doors to my sides that each class has a different color pattern and the muffled sounds of kids come streaming out. She takes a right turn at the end of the hall and stops in front of the wooden paneled double doors. "This is our old gym, where the dance lessons will take place. We built the new gym out back last year and we renovated this place. The kids should be here in about 5 minutes, so let's get settled." She pushes the doors in and I step into a large bright room. The floor feels a little bit padded, and I can see the entire side is covered in mirrors and there is a parallel bar propped up on the wall next to them. To our right there is a row of benches and cubbies behind them and in the corner a small desk with a stereo on top of it. Erika is walking towards it, so I follow. I drop my bag next to the desk and take out my aux cord and my iPod to plug it into the system. I pick the playlist I created last night and let the first song blast through the hidden speakers all around. It sounds amazing. I turn it off and turn towards Erika.

"This place is great, and the breeze that comes in is perfect for when it gets too hot during the summer."

Erika nods and checks her watch. "I know, it's the perfect natural cooling system. Now, when the kids come in, I will introduce you, and then I will sit at the back while you start your lesson. The lessons here are 40 minutes long, after that we will go back to my office to chat, ok?"

"Sounds good."

I hear the unmistakable sounds of tiny footsteps rushing towards the gym, and when the double doors pop open, 12 kids come running forward screaming and laughing escorted by an out of breath teacher. Erika claps her hands twice to get the attention of the kids, and this must be a regular occurrence because they fall silent and stare up at her.

"Ok kids, welcome to your first dance lesson! This is Ms. Brittany and she will be your dance teacher, say hello!"

A chorus of tiny voices yells "HI MISS BRITTANY" and I see a couple of them waving and jumping in place.

"Hi guys! Are you excited to dance today?" They scream out YEEEEES and jump up and down, as I see Erika retreating to the other end of the gym, sitting next to the other teacher who smiles at me encouragingly. "Ok, so let's start with some dancing introductions. Get in a circle, yes, like this, and we will all dance together and say our names." I get them all in a circle and press play on the tiny remote in my hands. As the first song starts blaring, I see the kids start to move about to the beat and so I clap my hands and say my name and point to the little boy next to me, who claps and loudly says CLAYTON before giggling. We go around the room and although I know I won't remember all of their names today, at least I can see that they take directions well.

The next 40 minutes go by in a blur. We took a 5 minute break in between but I hardly had time to rest since the kids just crowded me asking questions about a million miles per second. After the class was over and we ended with a group hug, they retreated back with their teacher and I walked over to Erika while taking a swig of my water bottle.

"You certainly are a natural when it comes to kids, Brittany. That was wonderful."

Even though I'm sweaty and hot, I can still feel the blush creeping up my face. "Thank you, the kids were great."

Erika grabs the folder under her arm and straightens her shoulders. "Well, I think I've seen enough and there's no need for further discussion really."

Oh crap. Did I mess it up? Was she looking for someone a little more professional who wouldn't let the kids dance around willy nilly? I see her smiling at me.

"Welcome aboard, Brittany." She extends a hand towards me, but instead of taking it, I clasp my face and let out a gasp.

"Really?"

"Yes! Really. I think you will fit in quite nicely here." I finally take her hand and I thank her for the opportunity and how I won't let her down. We go back to her office to sign some papers and she hands me a folder with a copy of my contract, information about the school policies, insurance, etc. I walk out of the office with a cheerful "I'll see you Monday!" and bounce up and down all the way to my car.

This is the best day I've had in a really long time!