Chapter 2

Brittany walked into the Student Union at noon on Thursday and looked for an empty table. She froze when she saw the Latina sitting alone. She hesitated for a moment knowing she really hadn't thought of a plan then walked toward the table; half-forming a plan as she approached the pretty brunette.

"Hi," she smiled, "it's really crowded today, would it be okay if I joined you?"

The Latina looked up and Brittany could see the girl's internal struggle before deciding that she didn't really have a good reason to refuse Brittany's request. She nodded hesitantly and moved some of her books to make room for Brittany to set down her tray.

Brittany smiled again. "Thanks."

The Latina simply nodded again and kept her eyes on her tray.

"I'm Brittany," Brittany extended her hand over the table.

The girl looked up and, once again, Brittany saw a flash of fear.

The girl cleared her throat and extended her hand to firmly grasp Brittany's. "Santana."

Finally! Brittany beamed at the girl. "It's really nice to meet you, Santana."

"Um, yeah." Santana dropped her eyes back to her tray.

"So … I may be wrong and, if I am, I apologize." Brittany's tone was conversational. "I've asked you out twice and, both times, you made an excuse but you didn't actually say no. So I have a theory; you're interested but you've been burned in the past and you're afraid to be interested."

Santana had looked up again while Brittany had been talking. Brittany could see the war in Santana's eyes; interest versus fear. So she continued on, still conversationally.

"If I'm wrong – just tell me you're not interested and I won't bother you again. If you're afraid to be interested then I have a proposition for you."

Santana actually looked intrigued.

"Okay, so, I will be here, in the Union, every weekday at noon for lunch. If you just so happen to be here, too, then we're just two people in the same place at the same time. We have at least two classes together and we can talk about those or just sit quietly until you're comfortable."

"Why?"

Brittany canted her head to the side. "Why what?"

Santana's voice was soft as she answered. "Why would you go to all that trouble?"

Brittany smiled. "Let me tell you a story. I'm bisexual. A lot of people think that means I can't be faithful. When I was fifteen I made a rule for myself; if I'm dating someone, I only date them. I don't date or express an interest in anyone else even if we haven't decided to be exclusive. Just saves me a lot of trouble, you know? I can focus on one person and don't have to worry that they think I'm cheating."

Santana nodded, indicating that she was listening.

"So, last September, I was taking pictures in the quad and I heard a shout. When I swung my camera that way, I caught sight of the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen. Like, put shame to the sun beautiful."

Brittany reached into her bag and pulled out her portfolio, flipping through the pages until she came to the picture she had taken that day. She turned it so Santana could see it.

"I wanted to chase after her. I wanted to meet her, get to know her but … I was dating someone at the time. It wasn't serious; we'd only been seeing each other about three weeks but … before I could convince myself to chase after her, she was gone.

"The following week I was kicking myself when I realized that Rachel and I weren't really compatible and then I spent the next two semesters trying to find that smile."

Santana looked up from the picture and Brittany smiled shyly at her.

"Imagine my surprise when I literally bumped into her the other day." Brittany's face fell. "But she ran away from me." Her face brightened. "Then I saw her again in Logic 101 and then again in Hum I. But she ran away again.

"So I was talking to my boss and he was the one who suggested that you may have been hurt in the past and that, because I'm apparently attractive, I may have to adjust my approach."

Brittany shrugged.

"I can't really explain why I'm so drawn to you. All I know is; I've spent a year looking for you so if I have to show up here every day to see you and get to know you, then I will."

Santana looked at Brittany as though she was a puzzle to be solved.

"Okay," she finally said, nodding her head.

"Okay?" Brittany grinned. "Really?"

Santana nodded. "Yeah. Okay. I … I'm willing to try it." She ducked her head. "You were right; I'm afraid to be interested." She looked back up at Brittany, a look of determination in her eyes. "But I'm not not interested."

Brittany's face split into a broad smile.

"Awesome!" she said with such enthusiasm that it caused Santana to giggle which, in turn, caused Brittany's smile to grow brighter.

It was a start and Brittany would take it.