A/N: I'm soooo sorry for the long wait. I'm crazy busy with my thesis and the uptdates will be slow for a few weeks more...please bear with me.
After I recieved a review today I took a timeout from my work and wrote an update anyway. I usually update right after "Popstars" but I really didn't like what I did with the chapter I prepared so I deleted it all and wrote a completely new one. I hope you'll like it. There is a small treat in it for you. ;)
There will be another A/N at the end, so enjoy the new chapter first. ;) Hope to get some reviews to always bring me back here. ;)
Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the Glee characters used in this story...
Chapter 3
Santana spend her weekend studying. There were a lot of parties on Saturday and Sunday and usually Quinn asks to join her and the crew but with everything that happened this week at practice Quinn gave her the silent treatment. She didn't care since she hated these college parties. The guys were always all over her and that makes her feel even more lonely than usual.
After practice on Saturday she was in no condition to leave her apartment anyway. Brittany got to her and it made her crazy. Despite telling herself that she wouldn't lose control, she did anyway. Brittany saw right through her, she must have. She was flirting with her, right?
Studying was hard with those blue eyes following her. She only finished one paper even so she planned on getting ahead on her three other classes this semester. Not even in her sleep did she find peace. She was restless and losing control. She saw it coming, she was shaking. It was 4 on Monday morning and she just couldn't stop herself...
She was still shaking afterwards. She was crying now, too. But the relieve she felt was enough to get her through the day. She closed her eyes for an hour of much needed rest before she had to face reality again.
Running to practice was difficult. It hurt but she pushed through it. After a mile she even welcomed the pain.
Sue was nowhere to be found so Santana changed into her long workout clothes for practice. She was glad for the slightly chilly weather January always brought. It made hiding it easier.
After changing she grabbed the list Sue left in her mail box right beside Sue's office. Yes, she got her own mail box. Sue always left the schedule there when Santana was on her own for the day. She scanned it quickly and was satisfied. She had time to study a bit while supervising the girls throughout their workout.
Santana didn't have to wait long for her team to arrive. Quinn still ignored her but Santana couldn't care less. What she cared about was the look Brittany was giving her. Her eyes were still not sparkling but there was a glint in her eyes that send shivers down her spine.
Santana shook herself out of it and cleared her throat before addressing the girls. "Alright ladies. We have some great practice ahead of us. Since Sue was not satisfied with you on Saturday you are probably aware that she had no desire to see you until our afternoon practice."
Everyone just rolled their eyes. They knew that Sue was probably just doing something illegal or something. She was never present on Monday mornings except for maybe two times a season. Nobody knew what she was really up to and they just tried to enjoy the quiet.
"We start with 5 miles. Run your hearts out, I will stop your time! Don't disappoint me! Afterwards we do three circles in the gym, followed by an hour of ergometers including two sprints." She smirked at the groans she received. "Any questions?"
She quirked an eyebrow at the hand slowly rising. None other than Brittany S. Pierce had a question. "Brittany?"
The blonde stepped forward a bit. "Are you joining in on our practice? Like, in the gym?"
Santana was taken aback. Why would she ask such a question? Did she forget the words from the first day? She always practices afterwards. "No." She said sternly. Brittany was about to say something else so Santana beat her to it. "Everyone get in position. We start from bow to stroke, followed by the subs. 30 seconds in between. Sugar to the starting line!"
Sugar hurried to get into starting position. Everyone else lined up behind her. Santana took out her list to write down the time of everyone and held up her watch.
"Alright. Ready?" Sugar gave a sharp nod. "Set. GO!" Sugar made a run for it. Santana smirked, she knew that Sugar just wanted to get out of her sight so she could slow down.
Quinn was in position and gave her the sign. Every one of her 12 teammates was gone and she got to wait until the first one would arrive.
As expected Quinn came in first. Sugar could never hold her tempo throughout her run. But Santana was really impressed when Brittany came in 4th. That meant she was about 2 minutes faster than the rest. They locked eyes and a small gasp left Santana's mouth. Brittany grinned at her, the glint from before still present in her eyes but there was something else. It made her uneasy and she wished she could do something about it right now. She couldn't though…
"You should all have a good look at Brittany guys! How is it possible that we are three month in in our preparation and she beats every single one of you in everything? And don't tell me she is simply better because that is bullshit!" Santana breathed hard, she looked around and it seemed like none of her teammates knew what was happening. "Don't look at me like I just recited Shakespeare! We came here to win a Championship and all I see is some stupid minions who are way behind a girl who just made the team 3 fucking days ago! You have to do better than this or I will support coach Sue to buy the Ohio State's team!"
With that she walked away to the gym expecting the girls to follow. Nothing happens though…
She was about to turn around when she feels a presence behind her. She tensed 'cause she knew exactly who was there. Before she got the courage to face Brittany she hears her raise her voice. "Get moving people! You heard our captain! Better start working hard or you are out!"
Santana couldn't help but get all hot and bothered by hearing that demanding voice again. Instead of addressing the other girls she started moving again, sure enough the others would follow this time.
After handing out the sheets for the three circles she found her place in front of the gym, overlooking the whole room. She didn't look anyone in the eyes when she did.
"Why are you not joining in? Wouldn't it save a lot of time after practice?" Santana tensed when she felt Brittany sitting down right next to her, their arms brushing slightly.
"I have to supervise the team."
"But you aren't even looking." Brittany sounded amused.
Santana didn't look up from her textbook. "I'm looking enough."
She heard the blonde sigh. For a minute neither one of them said anything until Brittany started again. "Do you have class after morning practice?"
Santana tried really hard to keep calm but her clenched fists showed otherwise. "Yes."
"Oh." She felt Brittany shuffle a little where she was seated and soon their arms touched completely.
That was too much for the Latina. Santana stood up abruptly, making the blonde jump a bit. "Look, Brittany, we are not friends. I'm your captain and I want to win the Championship this year. I don't need any distractions!" She controlled her breathing for a second before she continued her rant. "Now, you go back down there and finish your circles and after practice you will leave like everyone else! Understood?"
Brittany looked up at her with big blue puppy dog eyes and a pout securely planted on her face. Santana melted a bit at the sight but she couldn't give in. "But I'm finished with the circles already."
"Then stretch, take a break or whatever until the others are ready to go on the ergometers!" Her voice was softer now and Santana surprised herself with that, but then again, have you seen that pout? How could you not calm down at the sight?
"Okay." It was barely a whisper and the blonde stood up. She was halfway down the steps of the small podium when she turned around once more. "Just so you know…" She waited until Santana looked at her. "…I'm not going to give up that easily Santana."
With that she left the Latina standing. What did she mean? What was her angle here? Why wouldn't she just stay away like everyone else?
Their round on the ergometers went similar to the run and the circles in the gym. Brittany was way ahead of the rest and the team started to get frustrated, so did Santana but to totally different reasons. Instead of the girls trying to get better and beating Brittany they ignored her and bullied her. Calling her stupid and Santana's little minion sure didn't help them in getting any closer to the blondes results.
Despite the fact that Santana didn't want to get closer to Brittany, or should she say she couldn't let herself get closer to the blonde, she couldn't tolerate the bullying. Quinn was the leader of all this and Santana wasn't even surprised. She was still bitter to lose her position as stroke.
Quinn and the rest of the crew, except for Sugar and Marley, made jokes behind the blondes back and weren't subtle about it. Santana wanted to stay away from Brittany herself but that didn't mean she didn't see the hurt on the blondes face when she left morning practice.
Still the Latina decided to do nothing about it right now. They still had water practice in the afternoon.
During class the Latina felt the sleepless nights catching up to her. She was barely able to concentrate enough to make a few notes, but gladly Marley was in her class and Santana could always just borrow hers.
As if the day couldn't get any worse it started to rain when she made her way back to the boat house. She groaned in frustration 'cause she knew Sue would force them to row anyway.
She was a little late so everyone else was already there. She saw Sue just rounding the corner and stopped to wait for her. That was when she heard Quinn speak up and she turned around abruptly to see what was happening. She felt Sue behind her leaning over her shoulder, too.
"Alright Blondie."
"You are blonde, too."
"Shut up." Quinn got right up into Brittany's face. She was slightly smaller but it looked still intimidating. "You came here, out of nowhere and stole my spot. But not only were you disrespectful like that but you also try to become Satan's best friend."
"Satan?" Brittany's eyes were wide.
"Goooood." Quinn groaned and the other girls standing around them laughed. "You are even more stupid than I thought!" She rolled her eyes. "Santana doesn't need a new best friend. She has me and let's be honest, she is not even able to uphold that friendship. She is mentally not able to."
Santana saw Quinn smirk and tensed up. What was she talking about? "What are you talking about?" Brittany looked confused.
"Santana has no friends, well except for me and I tell you now and just this ONCE that you better stay away from her! Better yet, just leave Stanford. You are not wanted here, playing the perfect little minion won't get you anywhere. Soon enough Sue will see how stupid you really are and…."
"Quinn, just leave her alone." Sugar said in a meek voice.
Quinn glared at her. "Shut up!" She turned around to give Brittany another piece of her mind but Santana saw enough.
"Quinn! Back off, NOW!" Quinn tensed up after hearing Santana approach them. She took a step away from Brittany but just smirked when she looked at the Latina.
"Oh look who is here. Coming to rescue your girlfriend?" Quinn quirked an eyebrow.
Santana froze for a second but soon regained her composure and stepped up to the blonde. "I have no idea what drugs you did this time around but whatever they were you better stop taking them since you clearly lost half your brain cells. You're calling Brittany stupid, when you are obviously the dumb one?"
When Quinn just rolled her eyes Santana was about to punch her but she felt two strong arms hold her securely around her waist before she could do anything. She tensed up for a totally different reason this time.
"Oh cute, are you getting your cuddle on before practice." Quinn laughed but nobody joined in.
She was glad that Brittany let go of her grip after that and looked apologetically at Santana. "I warn you only this once preggers, should I hear just one more time that you are bullying Brittany or any other teammate you are out of the team! I don't care if you can row, when you are not able to respect everyone in your crew than you are worthless for us!"
Quinn faltered there for a second but smirked not a second later. "You can't kick me off the team honey. You would lose big time."
Santana snorted and was about to make another comment when Sue finally stepped into the boat house. "Maybe your captain can't kick you off permanently but I sure as hell can. Now I would advise you to be a good girl like the godsend you think you are and do what Sandbags tells you."
That definitely got Quinn to shut up and Santana smirked.
"Everyone: Oars down, Coxless Four!" Sue shouted and everyone moved on as quickly as they could.
"Thanks coach."
"Don't thank me Sandbags. You better step up your game and earn the respect of Mary or I have to overthink my decision to make you captain."
"But coach?" Santana was baffled. She wouldn't degrade her, would she?
"No buts, do something about it!" With that Sue turned around and prepared the motor boat.
"I'm sorry Santana, I…"
"Stop it Brittany!" Santana turned around frustrated to look at the blonde. "Quinn is a bitch and you have to earn her respect. It was not okay of her to get all up in your grill but I should have stopped all this this morning. I'm sorry." Santana kept her strong posture and made her way over to the logbook.
"Why are you friends with her?"
"I'm not."
"But she said…"
"I'm not!" Santana gritted her teeth.
"Okay." Brittany said meekly and stepped nervously from one foot to the other. "What did she mean you are mentally not…"
"Brittany stop it!" Santana all but shouted. The blonde jumped away surprised and pouted. Santana sighed and continued more calmly. "Sorry. It doesn't matter what Q said. Let's just leave it at that."
Brittany nodded slightly before joining Marley, Simone and Brenda.
Practice went on without any more disturbances. Quinn was slightly out of it but didn't say another word.
Sue ignored Santana the whole time, too, but the Latina was used to it.
She was just happy when everyone was finally dismissed and she could get rid of the stress in the gym. She really thought that Brittany wouldn't help her through it today. She shouldn't have raised her voice against the blonde, she did nothing wrong. Well, except that she tries to get into Santana's business and was all cute about it.
Arg.
Again she was only thinking about the blue eyed beauty and hated it. But to make matters worse she heard the gym door open and close right in time for her to start at the weights.
"I didn't expect to see you here." Santana said lowly without turning around.
She didn't get a response, she only felt the blonde standing only a few inches behind her while she prepares the weights.
Before she started her workout she turned around and looked right into blue eyes. She was so close. Too close. Santana had trouble breathing. God, what does Brittany do to her.
"I told you I don't give up so easily." Brittany whispered while her eyes danced all over Santana's face. She stepped even closer when Santana thought it wasn't possible. They were flush against each other and Santana had to close her eyes when a shudder runs through her whole body at the feeling.
"Britt…" Santana breathed out.
"Santana…" Brittany was close now. She could feel her breath on her mouth when she breathed out her name.
The Latina was frozen, one last look in blue eyes and she knew she lost this round. Her eyes closed again, when Brittany closed the gap. Santana's breath hitched at the soft feeling of the blonde's lips just barely brushing against hers. Her heart was beating so fast she was sure Brittany felt it.
When Santana didn't push Brittany away she moved her lips against the Latina's plumb ones once more and also more sure and passionate. It took just a few seconds until Santana gave in and kissed her back. The moan that wanted to escape her was swallowed willingly by Brittany. The kiss only lasted about half a minute but Santana was out of breath and dizzy.
She felt Brittany's hand on her waist, holding her close, holding her upright because her legs were jelly.
It took her another minute to open her eyes and when she did her breath catches ones again. The sparkle in those blue eyes was back and Santana couldn't help herself when a small smile crossed her lips. The smile on Brittany's face got even bigger at that and she slowly released the Latina.
"So, wanna get started?" The blonde chirped and Santana just shook her head in amusement. How could she go from being all hot and seducing to adorable? Like seriously, how?
"Sure." She laughed.
They didn't talk for the rest of her workout and Brittany didn't follow Santana into the locker room, she just gave her a small kiss on the cheek before she turned around and left the gym.
Now Santana sits in her apartment once again, reviewing the events of the day. She is shaking again, just like this morning. All the adrenaline from the kiss is gone. She is shaking so bad. She lost control, she has to regain said control, she has to do something to feel that everything is real, that she isn't dreaming.
She does it. Again and again. Crying silent tears. Nobody is here to save her this time around, but she doesn't even care, she just does it again.
A/N #2: Alright, so what is gooing on with Santana? I'll let you guess...I'm not sure how long it will be until I will reveal it...so keep reading :D