Dance For Me

Chapter Thirteen ▫ Dance For Him.

Brittany's POV

I have been laying down staring at the ceiling for almost two hours.

My uncle ruined everything.

After leaving my aunt and uncle's house Santana and I went downhill.

Flashback

Brittany:(Driving).

Santana:(Looks at Brittany)So are you gonna explain or not?

Brittany:Explain what?

Santana:(Rolls her eyes)Explain why you quit the frat.

Brittany:(Shrugs)There's nothing to explain.

Santana:Bullshit. I know you well enough to know that something happened. Something that made you feel the need to quit.

Brittany:(Quiet).

Santana:(Scuffs and looks out of the window).

The rest of the ride to campus was silent and not the comfortable kind.

When I parked and turned off the car Santana quickly got out and started to walk towards her dorm. I grabbed my stuff and jogged after her.

Brittany:(Grabs Santana's arm)Are you serious right now?

Santana:(Turns to Brittany and pulls away)What?

Brittany:(Rolls her eyes)Santana you're being childish.

Santana:(Scuffs)I'm being childish? Me? But you're the one who was just ignoring me in the car. You're also the one who refuses to talk about what's going on in your head and would rather leave people who care about you in the dark.

Brittany:(Runs her fingers through her hair).

Santana:Nothing to say?

Brittany:(Looks at Santana).

Santana:(Nods)Exactly what I thought. You know what? Call me when YOU'RE done being childish. (Walks away).

Brittany:San!

...

Brittany:Santana!

Present

I let her walk away. I wanted to chase her but I knew she was right. I was being childish. I could've easily told her what happened at practice but I didn't. I don't know why I didn't honestly. I guess part of me doesn't want her to know that once again I had punked out of something.

I'm ashamed that even the mention of something involving Mike effects me so much. I let it ruin opportunities for me and I hate myself for that.

My thoughts are interrupted by the door busting open.

Tatum.

Tatum:Finally you're back.

Brittany:(Sits up)What?

Tatum:(Sits on his bed)Dude crazy shit went down at practice.

Brittany:(Listens).

Flashback

Evan:Today we're gonna practice a routine that we used during last year's competition.

"Really? Are you serious?"

Evan:Is there a problem?

...

Evan:I didn't think so now-

"Actually there is. Brittany was right. These routines are lame. You have us doing moves that you used during a competition you lost."

Tatum:(Nods).

Zen:I agree man. You can't expect us to win with moves used to lose.

Evan:(Turns to his friends)Zach? Sean? Can yall believe these new recruits are steppin out like this?

Zach:(Laughs).

Sean:I mean I don't know man.

Evan:(Turns to Sean)What?

Sean:Man they're right. I've been riding with Omegas since day one and I'm honestly tired of losing.

Evan:Where is this coming from?

Sean:Nobody can ever say anything about your dad's old school routines or you throw a fucking fit.

Evan:(Clenches his jaw and nods)Yeah?

Sean:Yeah man. I'm sorry but that's how it is. I wanna win.

Evan:(Looks at everyone and nods)Ok. (Walks out).

Tatum:(Looks at Sean)So what now?

Sean:(Looks at the group then at Zen and Tatum)That Brittany girl. Is she good?

Tatum:(Smiles)Yeah.

Zen:Hell yeah.

Sean:Yall think yall can get her back?

Tatum:Yeah.

Zen:Hell yeah.

Present

Brittany:Evan really just walked out?

Tatum:Yeah and Sean just took over. He wants you to come back and lead the group.

Brittany:Damn...I can't do that.

Tatum:(Shocked)What?

Brittany:Man I can't even defend myself dancing at a club. How the hell can I lead them to winning a championship battle?

Tatum:(Stands and groans)Don't do this. Please don't fucking do this right now.

Brittany:Do what?

Tatum:Punk out!

Brittany:(Stands up)What?

Tatum:Ever since Mike died you've been a punk!

Brittany:(Growls)Shut up about my brother man!

Tatum:It's true! You punked out of going to college on your own! You punk out of dancing all the time! You punked out of telling Santana about joining and quitting the frat! You punk out of fucking living man and you know why!?!

Brittany:(Glares and breaths heavily).

Tatum:It's because you're scared! You're scared because he's not here and you think you're by yourself!

Brittany:(Lets tears fall).

Tatum:(Takes a deep breath)You're scared to make decisions on your own because you and Mike had everything planned out together. Now he's gone.

Brittany:(Sobs).

Tatum:(Sniffles and hugs Brittany)He's gone man.

Brittany:(Sobs)I want him to come back. I need him to come back.

Tatum:(Pulls away and sniffles)Britt we all want him to come back but he isn't and I know it sucks. It really fucking sucks but you gotta keep going and if it's not for yourself then let it be for him.

Brittany:(Sniffles).

Tatum:You may not be able to dance with him but you can dance for him Britt. (Points to the dog tags)Dance for Mike.

Something in me just clicks. I feel lighter and my heart stops aching for the first time since Mike's death.

I may not be able to dance with him but I can dance for him.

I'm gonna dance for Mike.