Allright, so I found a bit more inspiration, so I'll be able to add one more chapter after this one. Have a great week :). I'll post the last chapter somewhere in the next few days. Thank you for reading, reviewing, ... It's been an immense joy to see the positive response and I've enjoyed writing this story and characters a lot.
Chapter 11: First girlfriend
A week later – Luke's Corner
"Hey Santana. The usual?" Simon asks, before pausing, giving me a once over. "Or the other usual?" He's so smooth. Just because I'm wearing my sunglasses, doesn't mean I'm having a hangover, thank you very much.
"The usual." I say, putting my sunglasses off for emphasis. He seems to realise I didn't appreciate his suggestion, though I'm maybe a bit too harsh on him. I've been here a few times to order something strong, trying to flush away my hangover. It never works that way. Unfortunately. The only thing that works against a hangover is drinking lots of water. That and either don't drink alcohol or sleep it off.
"Are you meeting up with your friend again?" Simon voice echoes above the annoying couple that's waiting in line behind me. I need a second to realise he's talking about Brittany.
"Oh uh no. It's a cup to go actually." He stops his movements, just in time to grab the correct mug to put my coffee in.
"Huh, what a coincidence. She's here you know."
My head couldn't react any faster, quickly scanning the café for a flash of blonde hair. It's on the second supervision that I see her. I missed her the first time, because she's sitting in a booth with someone else … a woman.
No Santana. Don't make any conclusions that fast. That's not fair.
"So … still coffee to go?" I give Simon a warning look. He raises his hands in defensive. "Allright allright. I won't meddle … though can I say one more thing?" He cautiously asks. I nod in affirmation. In response he points towards the blonde's table. "I think she saw you …"
I quickly turn around, blue eyes directly staring into my own. She looks … happy to see me? Or she's wearing a smile at least …
I wave, and the person who's sitting on the opposite of Britt turns around. I need to look twice, because besides the brown hair, she's almost Brittany's identical twin. It's creepy… that must be Bree Brittany talked about, her sister.
You can see there's an age gap, Brittany being the youngest. Bree looks a lot more extraverted for some reason. She waves enthusiastically, trying to lure me over. I can see, more then hear, Brittany's protests about that.
I'm still not sure if I should approach them or not… it's been a week since our impromptu day out and besides a few meaningless texts we haven't really done anything more…
You wouldn't believe it, but it's actually her sister who's deciding for us. I have no way to go yet, because I still need to pay for my coffee, and seems like the woman's directly walking towards me…
I must admit, she has style. It's actually the complete opposite of Brittany's very casual 'I wear whatever I want' tyre. Bree looks like she's just stepped out of a very important congress or something … a tight black, ironed pants with a slightly loose blouse above it. Maybe the only thing that could tell she's Brittany's sister, is the fact that she's wearing normal sneakers under that very fancy attire … but it still works for some reason. Plus … those eyes. They're just as blue as her sister's.
"Hey. You must be Santana right?"
If my hands weren't full with my coffee and wallet, I'm sure she would've grabbed my hand to shake it. "I'm Bree, Brittany's sister. Would you join us?" Seeing my hesitation she turns towards Simon. "Can I pay for this lovely lady's coffee?"
There's too much amusement behind Simon's eyes, and I'm standing beside the situation like a fish gasping for air, because I've got no clue what to do. "Come on. I paid for your drink, the least you can do in return is have a conversation with me."
Finding my footing again, I protest a bit. "Uhm, is Brittany okay with that?"
Her mouth falls open. "Pss, are you serious?"
Is she laughing at me? What the heck, who is this woman?
Seeing my offensive reaction she stops for a second, glancing over to her sister. Probably checking if she's not alarmed by something. We're out of earshot from Brittany and you can barely see the counter from their table, so she shouldn't have worried. Bree waves my doubt away. "Of course Brittany is okay with that! She's actually the one that suggested it …" She ungraciously rolls her eyes. "She can be such a shy one, so insecure … I swear, sometimes … if she didn't have me as a sister …"
Uuuhm. I have absolutely no idea what to think of this woman. Is she extremely arrogant? Is she down casting Brittany? Or is she looking out for her instead? Is she just clumsy in expressing her love for her sister? ... Brittany told me a little bit about the very strong band and friendship between her and her sister … so this reaction will be out of love, but oh boy …
"Santana. Hey!" … At least Brittany sounds enthusiastic. I'm a bit hesitant of how to act to be honest… I'm not used to kissing someone and not hearing a lot from them in the next week… though maybe Brittany really isn't lying about her lack of social skills … she seems so pure and enthusiastic to see me. She wouldn't lie about something like that, right? Plus, why the hell would her sister lure me here if Brittany didn't talk in a positive way about me?
"Hey Brittany, how are you?"
She jumps up, offering the chair that's not used to me. That's nice of her. A small part of my heart flutters at the gesture. I thought chivalry was dead?
"I'm good. Thanks." Ow, she gently hits her head. "Where are my manners. Santana, meet my sister Bree. Bree, meet Santana."
Bree offers me a too bright smile. It almost gives of a fake look, even though I don't think she means it that way. "Santana, hey! I've heard so much about you. Only good things though." She winks. "So. What are your intentions with my sister –"
"Bree!" Brittany hits her sister on the arm, interrupting her. "Shut up." She hisses.
Feeling Brittany's awkwardness I quickly safe her from getting even more embarrassed. "So Bree. Brittany told me you work for national geographic? Or what is it you do exactly?" I politely ask.
She nods affirmative, but right before she can answer, Simon stands next to me out of nowhere. "Here you go Santana, I forgot your sugar and milk for your coffee."
Out of the corners of my eyes, I can see Bree looking at my coffee with a questioning look. "Adding sugar and milk is considered suspicious in multiple cultures I visited…" She mysteriously says. I'm a bit at a loss of words, but Brittany helps me out. "Shut up Bree. In this culture it's perfectly normal, don't get cynic about stuff like that."
The words seem to have some effect on the older sister, because instead of answering she gently nods at Britt, before she starts to talk about her job, which is actually quite interesting to hear about…
"So my job is basically discovering places where we could do research, documentaries, … It's an amazing job. I see every corner of the earth and I discover new things on a weekly basis!"
Surprise covers my face. "Wow! And I thought I travelled much!"
An awkward smile takes over her face. "Ow, sorry, did I say something wrong?" I softly question.
Brittany nudges her sister encouragly and clears her throat. "No Santana, it's fine … it's just our parents. They have never been supportive about her career choice."
Bree hits her sister on the arm. "Don't forget to mention I have to hear how much you missed me, every time I come home again!"
Brittany raises her arms in surrender. "Hey! I've never been unsupportive of you … I just miss you, am I not allowed to say that?" There's an insecurity lashing through her voice, one that doesn't go unnoticed by Bree either.
"Of course you can." Bree's voice cracks. "I miss you too, you know. It's just … I love my job…"
The sisters grab each other's hands. It feels a bit invasive to sit here. I feel a bit awkward.
"I know Bree. And I love that you love your job. I know how important this is to you. Missing each other is just natural, doesn't need to be fixed per se..." A mischievous look takes over the youngest sister's face. "Besides, this way I can live in a house with free rent. It's amazing!"
"Wait." I interrupt. "You guys live together?"
Bree laughs. "Yeah, more like she asked if she could housesit for a few months and she didn't leave after that."
"Okay!" Brit yells out. "Change of subject please."
…
Half an hour later
I just bid goodbye to Brittany and her sister. I'm actually really late for a meeting with Quinn about a tour we're currently planning… She's going to be pissed. My phone started to blow up ten minutes ago …
I try to look around my surroundings on the street, but before I can do anything else, something stops me.
Bree calls my name, a second before I was going to walk over the street. She starts approaching me, when she realises she gained my attention. I subtly try to look at my watch, calculating if I've still got some spare time … though I don't think Bree is the kind of person who cares if you have time or not, she'll just say what's on her mind I guess…
"Hey Santana, totally random, but about her boss, Mick … why do you have such a huge amount of hate against him?"
"He called her retarded behind her back!"
"He did what?" Brittany's voice suddenly appears. I must have not realised they were leaving the café…
"I uh … yeah. Remember the first time we met?"
"I do,. You don't forget the Santana Lopez suddenly in front of you. " She grins. I frown. "Wait, so you did recognize me? Was that why you were avoiding eye contact and all that?"
Her shoulders lower, her left hand scratching her neck. "Yeah … I'm not great with first impressions … and I already liked your songs, so I was pretty nervous that day …"
"Yep, my little sis, such a shy one." Bree speaks up, putting an amicable arm around Britt's shoulder. She's not too appreciative about it though, shrugging her arm away. "Come on, I'm just not the best communicator. Language can be so confusing … and people are extremely complex!"
Bree apologizes, sensing she went a bit overboard. "Plus, you should have seen Santana." Brittany changes the subject, pointing to me. "She had such a big arrogant exterior, I was surprised at first… before I knew it's just a shield." She winks.
I huff, but I'm actually not offended. Bree doesn't get it though. "Why do you act like that?"
I make small jumps from me left to my right feet, because it's actually quite cold outside. But suggesting to go back inside will definitely make me late for my meet-up with Quinn. "I'm sceptical of meeting new people … fame does that to people, you never know who you can trust. So I rather look like an unkind person, then a naïve one."
I need to hold back my laughter, because Bree has the exact same glassy look like Brittany, when she's thinking really hard about something she doesn't fully understand. The wrinkles under their eyes appear more clearly, their nose slightly curls and there's a cute (not on Bree, only for Britt it's cute) frown between their eyes …
"Ookay." Brittany hits her sister on the arm before she can say anything more. "Leave it Bree. We can't understand the situation Santana is in. Come on, we should leave her be."
I give her a small thanks, but Bree nudges Brittany once more. It looks like she's trying to encourage her. Curiosity gets the best of me, so I don't turn around just yet. The blonde dancer looks towards her shoes, her shoelaces two different colours. "Oh uh Santana? One more question, if you have the time?"
I nod. "Can I take you out on a date?"
Shit. What is happening inside of me? Why does everything feel so … giddy? And why is there a smile appearing on my face I can't keep down? Bree has the smuggest look on her face, even Quinn can't overwin. I clear my throat, trying to keep my … energy at a normal level. "Yes, absolutely, tell me when and where."
There's an awkward moment where Britt and I try to reach for each other (I'm not sure what her intention is, mine was definitely at least a kiss), but Bree is standing between us … who is not getting the message. Instead Brittany waves awkwardly. "I'll text you the details later, if that's okay with you?" She looks at me encouraging .
I nod, before the ticking of my watch gains my attention once again. I apologize and quickly start to leave. I almost stumble over the crosswalk when I wave a salute. I reset my footing and hurry myself, texting Quinn I'm going to be a bit late. Great, she'll be so happy about that. Uhum.
"See, and you thought she wasn't going to say yes!" I overhear Bree say. Hah. Out of an outsider perspective we must seem very silly, Brittany and I. We're both so insecure about this … relationship. I really don't understand myself most of the time about this …
"Quinn's right. I am becoming a softy." I mumble to myself. There's a stranger looking at me funny. I sincerely hope he doesn't recognize me.
The next weekend – Brittany and Santana in her car
"Where are we going?" I noisily ask.
"Nu-uh. I wasn't allowed to know last time, it's my turn to enjoy the mystery." She smoothly says.
I huff. "Fine." There's no bite in my bark though. I'm not that bothered that I don't know where we're going. I'm extremely curious though…
In the end I'll know sooner then she knew on our previous meetup, since I'm the one driving. She doesn't have a driver's license, and she insisted on going somewhere that's not realistic to go by bike. She suggested a cab first, but I thought it ridiculous since I have a perfectly well car.
She programmed the route and the address doesn't look familiar to me.
I get a bit more anxious when the gps is saying three more minutes until destination, while the only plaque we're following said something about a forest …
"Uhm Brittany, this is not some strange payback for the kayak-thing right?" There's a waver in my voice I try to hide, but I don't think I've succeeded in it.
"Don't panic!" She gently puts her hand on my arm. "I know it looks odd and off-putting, but I promise I have a plan and perfectly well thought out afternoon." I sense some insecurity in her voice … I don't know what to think.
"So … are we going into the forest?" I nervously laugh. "You trying to conquer me out of my fear or something?"
"Yep." Her voice is full of confidence I'm almost convinced this is a good idea. Almost. Seeing my hesitation once I've parked the car, she turns, looking me directly in the eyes. "You can say no, I swear, I have a backup plan … but I'm kinda hoping you want to do this … I have a surprise for you …I know it's a big ask, but do you trust me?"
"I think so?" … I know so, but my ego is standing in the way of saying it full with confidence.
She smiles anyway. "Cool. And I get your slight hesitation. But I promise. I have a map." She steps out of the car once I've turned off the engine, opening the trunk of my car. Inside there are two huge backpacks. She offers me one of them. "This backpack is packed with everything you need if you get lost in a for-" seeing me getting pale, she yells out. "No! that's not what I meant. We're not going to get lost, I swear. I just meant … if your biggest fear is to get lost alone in the forest, then you have everything with you to not be in danger and get saved in less than half an hour."
Seeing the question in my eyes, she takes back the backpack, opening it and showing its content. "I bought light fireworks. If you're alone, you can blow them up, so they know where you are. Next to that I have a walkie-talkie, which I have the other one from. Also a flashing light. A multitool. Starters pack for fire… not that you should light a fire to get noticed, I swear I've got other alternatives to get found …"
I kinda get lost in the rest of everything else she's showing me, because I' m a bit in awe of how much she seems to have prepared this date. It's still a weird phenomenon to me of why she consciously planned a date around something she knows I'm afraid of …
However. I know Brittany is not the usual girl walking around …
"Why?" I interrupt her. She frowns, not understanding my question. "Why … or how did you came up with the idea of making your first planned date around a fear of me, trying to help me get rid of it?" I gently ask.
She stops her movements, there's an insecurity in her voice, not sure she made the right move. "I erg. I just thought it oddly romantic to show you a way to see the beauty of a forest, and I was trying to plan something that was personal … and since I'm not yet that familiar to things you like to do, I thought this was a good alternative?"
I laugh. Is it crazy I'm understanding her thought process of how this could be seen as romantic?
"Okay, I'm officially giving this a chance. Where too, sweet guide of mine?" I try to get my flirting back up, but the waver of my steps kinda make me lose my groove.
Brittany on the contrary, almost bounces in her steps, happy I'm giving her date a chance… If Quinn could see me now …
We start walking and if I'm honest … this is not so creepy. The sun brings more then enough light, brightness covering up my entire vision. The trees are not overwhelmingly large that I already feel lost and there are even plaques every few minutes as guidance to your walks.
"Do you see this flower right here?" Brittany quirks up, after she saw the tension in my shoulder relax a bit. I shake my head. "They're called a bleeding-heart. You see the shape of the flower, it's kinda like a heart, so I guess that's where the name came from. Especially if it rains, the drops fall down … good thing it's not red rain, that would be gruesome."
Normally I'm not the kind of girl who likes people that can sum up random knowledge, but for some reason it fits Brittany, and I like it. "Huh, interesting. What else do you know?"
We both know it's a way to get me distracted from the fact that we're in a forest. But I'm grateful for her intentions … and if I'm honest, after an hour and a half of walking around, my mind is kinda at ease!
Brittany is taking a break from giving me facts of a forest. Instead she's silently enjoying the peace and quiet around us. When she feels my eyes in her back, she stops and turns around. "How you feeling?"
I shrug. "Honestly … okay. I'm not sweating, I'm not panicking and I'm actually enjoying the view." I couldn't keep myself of staring at her boobs and ass for a second for emphasis. I'm still Santana Lopez you know.
She smirks. "Oh yeah? What view?" She takes a step towards me. "The flowers? Or the insects?" She keeps walking closer, approaching me like a predator would approach its prey. Though in this situation I'm not afraid of getting hunted. "Or is it the trees?" When she says the word tree, my back hits something solid. Quickly setting my hands on the vertical surface, I realise it's a tree. Duh.
Seeing my expression, something in her wavers, insecurity washing over her face. "Too far?" She takes a step back. "Shit, I'm sorry."
"Don't be." I whisper, grabbing the strings from her sweater in the process.
She doesn't get the hint, so I gently pull at her sweater, which makes her lose her balance, barely able to not fall head first against me.
"Hah, sorry, clumsy me." God, she's cute. Why am I not put off?
"No you're not. Look at you, you're a born dancer, keeping your balance just in time." I husk, before grabbing her neck to kiss her.
A surprised gasp escapes her mouth, before she puts both her hands next to my shoulders, leaning part of her weight on my body.
If Quinn could see us now, she'd grumble about how we're making out like teenagers who are excited of doing something they're not allowed to do. I don't care. I don't want to talk or think about Quinn either. With Brittany in such close distance to me, there's nothing else then her to feel and think about right now. I get lost in the intenseness of the kiss, but there's not a single bone in my body that's objecting that right now …
When the back of my shirt is officially completely dense from the damp moss on the tree, I pull myself up. Gently pushing Brittany backwards, I give ourselves some much needed breathing space.
"Okay. Now that that is checked of my list." She says, still flustered. "Though if I'm honest I didn't expect it to happen so soon." She clears her throat, taking another step backwards to get her head back in the game. "Uhm. Okay. Next step." She looks for something in her backpack. Once she found it, she stands up, putting whatever she needed behind her back.
"What is it?" I curiously ask.
She grins. "Ne-eh. That's for me to know. Now give me your phone and close your eyes."
A small part of me panics, but the trust I already feel around her is stronger. In that way it doesn't take long to actually do what she asks. The song 'dance with somebody' starts playing after a few seconds.
"I'm going to give you your phone back in your left hand." She gently mentions.
A moment later, I feel something cold against said hand, probably my phone. "All right, listen to the song and once it's ended you'll get new instructions. You okay with that?" I nod, and after a few moments, I hear her footsteps reduce.
Clock strikes upon the hour
And the sun begins to fade
A nostalgic feeling washes over me. I sang this song one time as an encore on my mini-tour. I choose that one, because I heard her humming the song when she was working on some lights on stage. After the show she couldn't find me fast enough, ecstatic about having heard me sing that one. She said it's her all time favourite song to dance on. So yep, this song will always bring a smile on my face now.
…
Don'tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don'tcha wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don'tcha wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, ah-ha
With somebody who loves me
…
The song ebbs away, but Brittany is not saying anything. After a few seconds, I call her. "Britt? Can I open them already?"
Hearing nothing but some last bird calls before the sun begins to fall, a wave of panic turns more and more into a storm. "Brittany?"
My phone buzzes in my hands. I almost drop him, but my muscles react just in time. Oh thank god. I clumsily turn the device around. It's from Brittany.
From Brittany / You can open them now
From Brittany / Don't panic. I'm here.
From Brittany / Just follow the lights.
Confusion edges over my face. Follow the lights? We're in a forest? And it's getting dark. Oh god no. This is not fun anymore. This is –
A flash of light buzzes me out of my inner panic. I grab my backpack, checking if I'm not forgetting anything, before I approach the curious light.
Once close, part of me melts. This is just … this is too cute. The light is actually a lantern, creepily looking like the lanterns they used in that one Disney movie… It was Quinn's idea to pick that movie by the way. I'd never watch such a film voluntary…
Anyway. Not the point. Those lantern lights … How did she? When did-?
A second one comes into view. Literally all my fear disappear and I quickly step towards the second one. Not long after, a third one appears, just as bright.
Instead of feeling unsafe because of the background noises from singing leaves, cracking twigs from animals passing by, I feel … curious.
I've stopped counting after eight lanterns, but the sound of the highway enters my ear's attention. Seeing a brighter source of light in the distance, I quicken my pace.
The trees get smaller and less frequent with every step, until Brittany comes into view. She's standing on the edge of the parking lot. A quick glance around makes me realise we're the only ones left. It's completely deserted. Doesn't matter, Brittany by herself is more than enough good company for me. The brightness from her smile is visible from far away.
She must have moved my car closer to the edge of the forest, because I don't remember parking it right on this place. I need a second for my eyes to get used to the darkness and the lights that surround my pick up.
I honestly have no clue how she decorated my car so quickly, yet so perfectly. The back of my car has a picknick blanket on the floor, with comfy looking blankets on top of it. There's a picknick basket too, probably filled with food for later. Next to that, she's even put some Christmas lights all around the pick-up, looking like it's a beacon of light to walk to.
Before I can approach her completely, she seems to lose her patience, since she starts running towards me. She grabs my hand and hushes me, gently nudging me to sit down at the back of my vehicle.
I try to question her further, but she's fumbling with some technical equipment I don't know the function of. Especially since it's so dark here I can't seem to recognize the objects.
"Brittany, what is –" My mouth literally falls open before I can finish my question.
More than ten lights start to flicker at the same time, pointed to the forest I walked out of not a minute ago. Not a second later Valerie, one of my favourite songs, start to sound out of the boxes of my car.
In some way, don't ask me how, she made a full programming of the lights dancing in perfect synchronisation on the music. At some point the lights make shadows of two people dancing together, a thousand flickering dots surrounding them. It's breathtakingly beautiful.
Once the music has fully died out, and the sounds of birds and other foreign animals take over my hearing again, I finally close my mouth, gazing towards Brittany.
She looks timid and slightly insecure. "And … what did you think?" Sensing not an immediate reaction she starts to panic again. "I know it's not that much. I didn't have much time, and I was a bit stuck. I tried to find a way to give you a nice experience near a forest, and since you're a performer … why not perform something in my own way. But I don't-"
I don't let her finish. Instead I kiss her with all I've got, turning us around, quickly nudging her towards my car.
She hesitates. "What are you doing?" She stumbles backwards and her back hits my car once I've pushed her long enough.
"I want to show you just how great you were for planning this date." I huskily say.
After hearing my change of tone, the blueness in her eyes start to darken. All hesitance escapes her body and she gently pulls me backwards, before kissing me with all the passion she has …
The cold doesn't even bother me the more we undress. The blankets she brought with her, are enough. The movements we make, are energetic enough to keep us warm …
Oh wow … Who would have guessed my first time with Brittany would have been near a forest? And who knew that would have been the most romantic way ever?
… I didn't.