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Chapter 2

A few hours later, the diner is finally starting to clear up. With only two more hours to go until closing time, I'm thankful that Dani hasn't tried to talk to me again about my state of mind. Rachel was nice enough to run interference for me a couple of times when Dani appeared to be heading my way with a look of intent plastered on her face. I appreciated Rachel's help and even told her as much. We sorta called a truce with our frenemy relationship after the whole 'Glee is ending' debacle. She even agreed to move back into the loft.

As the minutes ticked away, I began my nightly cleaning routine so that I could actually get out of this place on time. All I wanna do is get home and be alone with my thoughts... my complicated, self-deprecating thoughts. But of course, I don't get what I want because Dani is now sidling up next to me, asking me what I'm doing after work. I tell her that I've been really worn out as of late and just planned on going home and calling it an early night. I guess my reasoning wasn't that convincing because now Dani is studying my facial expression, trying to crack the elusive code that is Santana Lopez.

"Santana... please talk to me," Dani says delicately as she places her hand on top of mine. "I've been trying really hard to give you your space, but you and I both know that things have been kinda off since you got back."

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck....

I guess this conversation was inevitable, given my distant behavior most recently. I'm still now ready to have it though, or even sure of what I want to say to her.

"I'm sorry that I've been kinda weird lately," I start off. "I've just had a lot on my mind..."

"I figured as much, silly..." she playfully retorts. "Did something happen when you were back at home?"

The tone of her voice is very tentative, almost as if she's dreading my possible response. I guess I can't really blame her or hold off this conversation any longer.

"It's Brittany..."

Fuck!

Is she reading my mind? Like, seriously... where did that come from? Am I that obvious? Is there a sign on my forehead that says "Brittany Fanatic"? The way she asked the question though was weird... almost monotone.

"Uh... w-why would you s-say that?" I stutter out like a putz. Man, I really need to pull it together.

"What?" Dani questions back as she scrunches up her eyebrows. "Isn't that Brittany... the girl that just walked through the door?"

As I furrow my eyebrows, I reluctantly follow the direction of where her finger is pointing. Sure enough... there she is.

"I recognize her from some of the pictures in your room," Dani continues.

I'm currently experiencing one of those out-of-body type experiences where I'm like floating above my physical body and watching the scene before me play out. That's the only believable explanation I can come up with, seeing that this can't be my life right now. My ex-girlfriend/best friend in the same room with my current girlfriend... this really can't be good for me.

"Well... what are you waiting for? Go say hi," Dani says as she pushes me towards the door.

Honestly, I think I needed that push because I would've been permanently rooted to this exact spot until closing time hit and my boss forced me to leave. As my feet guide me to where Brittany is standing, it's only a matter of seconds before I look up and catch myself drowning in her crystal blue eyes.

"Hi..." Brittany whispers out. "Sorry to just show up like this, but I really wanted to see where you worked and Kurt said that you were here."

"Brittany, what are you doing here?" I respond back after releasing the long breath that I was apparently holding. "I mean, obviously I'm always happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"