It had been two weeks since Brittany had seen Santana. Resigned to the fact that Santana was obviously happy and that her feelings would have to remain unrequited, she hadn't tried to find her or go out of her way to "accidentally" bump into her in the lobby. It sucked, though. Brittany missed her terribly, and knowing how close she truly was only made her yearning that much more intense.
Instead, she tried to focus her energy on work. One day, she received a message to meet Jerry in his office during her lunch break.
"Brittany," Jerry greeted, ushering the blonde in. "Sit. Do you want anything? Coffee? Water? Whiskey?"
She made a face at the last suggestion. "Water, please."
Jerry handed her a bottle and settled back into his chair, smiling at her. Brittany took a swig of water and watched him watch her.
His smug look started to make her uncomfortable, and she began to fidget. "Did you want me for something in particular, Jerry?"
"You've met my son, right?" Jerry asked, leaning forward.
"Terence? Yeah, a few times."
"Well, I'm trying to invest in a new project. Terry goes to a private school on the Upper West Side, and he's mentioned to me several times that he feels his school needs a dance studio. The music and theater program there isn't the best, and he feels that the students would really welcome something as fresh as a dance studio."
"Okay," Brittany said slowly.
"Logistics still need to be finalized with the school board, but I want to know if you'd be willing to step up as the instructor at the school? Your hours would be less than what you're working now, but I'll still pay you the same. Max, another one of our teachers, would take over your classes here."
"Awesome," Brittany said, shrugging. Money wasn't an issue. She still got to teach and dance. "When do you need me to start?"
"Um, okay. If the plans are approved this week, I've got a contractor who can get it done in two weeks."
"So three weeks, then?" Brittany calculated. "That should be enough time for me to teach Max what he needs to know to take over my advanced classes."
"Oh. Well, yes, that is accurate."
"Okay," Brittany said with a small smile, then stood. She paused at the look of confusion on Jerry's face. "Was there something else?"
"No, not really. I just…" He trailed off and went a little red.
"Spit it out, Jerry."
"You've been here for so long that I'd like to think I know you a little bit. You agreed to the new job so quickly. Don't you need to think it over?"
Brittany shrugged. "It's just me, so no, not really."
Jerry paused. "Are you okay, Brittany?"
"Sure," Brittany replied in a monotone. "A change of scenery can always be good."
Santana took the steps up the school two at a time. After she'd woken Bella this morning, her daughter had fallen back asleep, and as a result, they had left 20 minutes later than normal. Santana had never been late to work, and she didn't want to tarnish her perfect record.
She jogged towards the faculty lounge to sign in, then took a few seconds to catch her breath. As soon as she was sure she didn't look like she'd just run a marathon, she opened the door and slipped in towards the back. There was some kind of meeting, and Santana cursed herself for missing most of it.
"We're very lucky to have someone so talented in our midst, and I'm sure she'll only bring more prestige to Griffin Hill," DC was saying as Santana quickly signed in. "Let's give a warm welcome to Brittany Pierce!"
Santana froze, her eyes flying to the front of the room where DC was standing next to Brittany. Her Brittany. Damn it. Not her Brittany. What the hell?
Brittany smiled around the room at her new colleagues, but her eyes widened when they locked onto familiar dark ones. The smile slowly dropped from her face. Seriously? She was here too? Did the universe hate her so much that she now had to be tortured with Santana's presence at the same school, as well as the same apartment building?
Their gaze broke when someone stood in front of Brittany to introduce himself. The natural and friendly smile returned to her face as she made her rounds, trying desperately not to search for Santana.
As soon as she could, Santana fled to the safety of her classroom. Brittany had just looked at her very differently than when they'd met at the elevator. She looked…hurt. And sad.
The Latina sighed and flopped into her chair, running a hand through her hair. She picked up her phone and sent texts to Rachel and Kurt, informing them of her new colleague. It wasn't long before she received replies of encouragement and concern.
Crap. What was she going to say when they eventually did come face-to-face again? Or would she just bolt, like she planned to do after school?
Santana was shaken from her inner turmoil as the first bell rang and her homeroom students started trailing in, greeting her as they walked to their seats. All she needed to do was get through the first day, and then she could focus on the next day.
"Ms. Lopez?"
"Yes, Jeremy?"
"Do you know what the new dance teacher is like? There are rumors flying around that she toured with Madonna and Justin Timberlake."
"I heard she was one of the professionals on Dancing with the Stars," one of her other students added.
Santana felt faint. It was clear that she had no idea about Brittany's life — nor should she feel the need to. They were colleagues, and they weren't going to be anything more than that. The sooner she realized that, the easier the transition would be.
She cleared her throat. "Well, one thing I know for sure is that she danced on Rihanna's world tour a few years ago."
A chorus of impressive remarks hummed through the room. Taking a deep breath, Santana just focused on her lesson plans, hoping the day would fly by.
Brittany's first day went by in a kind of blur. She wasn't used to a school timetable and had no time between classes to prepare or wind down. The classes just flowed, one into another, and were only an hour long, which didn't allow for her to actually accomplish anything productive. By the time everyone had come in, settled down, and stretched, more than half the hour had gone.
By the time lunch came around, Brittany was ready to tear her hair out. She spent her lunch in the studio, poring over the school's timetable, trying to find a way to make her schedule easier.
After her last class departed, Brittany wasn't sure if she could call the day a success or not. The students had definitely seemed enthusiastic, which was a plus, but she hadn't really had a chance to determine what level any of them were at.
Timetable in hand, Brittany walked to DC's office, glancing down the hall before knocking on his door. Her knuckles were still resting on the glass pane when she saw Santana walking down the hall, discussing something with a student. The brunette laughed, and Brittany felt her heart flutter. Closing her eyes, she once again knocked quickly on the office door.
"Come in!" came the cheerful reply.
As Brittany turned the handle, she chanced one more look at the Latina and saw her meet her gaze. Time stood still for a few seconds before Brittany tore her eyes away and walked into DC's office.
"Heya, boss," she greeted, trying to shake off the effect Santana obviously still had on her.
"Ms. Pierce!"
"Brittany, please. I feel so old when people call me that."
DC chuckled. "Okay, Brittany, but I must insist that your students still call you Ms. Pierce."
Brittany nodded. "They do. I understand the need for boundaries and respect and stuff."
"Excellent," DC said with a grin. "So, how was your first day?"
"Well, I was going over the timetable, and I have to say that based on today's classes, one-hour sessions aren't going to be enough. By the time the students arrive at the studio, get themselves sorted out, and stretch and warm up properly, it's almost time for them to leave again. I need two-hour sessions if I'm going to make any kind of progress with dance at this school."
DC was quiet as he leaned back in his chair and peered at Brittany thoughtfully. After a short pause, he replied, "I'll have to chat with the administration, but if you feel as strongly about it as you seem to, then I'll make sure the change happens."
"Thank you, DC. That's so awesome of you."
He chuckled. "Of course. I hope this won't affect your number of classes though. I wasn't joking when I said that your class is extremely popular."
Brittany smiled modestly, then hesitated. "DC, I have a question, and it may be a little personal, so just tell me if I'm crossing a line."
The principal indicated for her to continue.
"I think that I may have gone to school with one of the other teachers here, uh, Santana?"
"Oh, yes! Santana Lopez, one of our brightest and most popular young teachers," he said enthusiastically.
"What does she teach?" Brittany asked, hoping she sounded casual.
"English Literature. She takes most of the classes and does pretty much all the planning. Mr. Fuller doesn't mind though. I think he's relieved that he doesn't have to do it himself."
Brittany chuckled along with the principal. That sounded very much like Santana — take on more work so that she could ensure that it got done properly.
"Have you met Bella?" DC asked suddenly.
Brittany's throat dried. "Uh, n-no, I haven't had the pleasure."
"Oh, you'll love her. Everyone does. She and Santana are so cute together."
"I'll bet," Brittany replied through gritted teeth.
Nevermind that she couldn't escape Santana, but now she had to deal with Santana's perfect freaking girlfriend?
"Have you—" Brittany began, but was cut off by DC's phone ringing.
He held up a finger as he answered his phone. By the tone of the conversation, Brittany decided that perhaps it was her time to depart. She waved a hand in thanks, and DC gave her a thumbs-up.
Once on the other side of DC's office, Brittany leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Why did everything have to be so damn complicated? Why couldn't she just walk into Santana's classroom and talk to her?
Because you still love her, and you know that she'll be able to tell right away. And then you'll have to hear her tell you how she has someone else and can't be with you.
Taking a deep breath, Brittany pushed off the wall and started jogging to her studio. She needed to lose herself for an hour or two in a place where Santana couldn't reach her.