My mouth felt so dry. When it came to Santana, usually dry would be the last word I would use. My head was cloudy and I couldn't think straight; another word I probably shouldn't use in this situation. I knew I had to go talk to her. I was so glad that I found her. When she disappeared from the house like that I was so afraid of what I had done. I had never been in this position before. I mean, I've always been able to comfort her when she was upset but I've never been the one to truly upset her.

I felt a nudge that propelled my body into motion. I was no longer in control of my legs but they were moving in the direction that they needed to be in. I could see her sitting there, knees to her chest, feet in the sand, eyes fixated on the water. I couldn't tell if she could hear me coming, but if she did know, she pretended she didn't. When I was no more than three feet away I stopped and took one more deep breath before I walked around her and sat on her right side with only inches between us.

At first she didn't acknowledge my presence and we both just sat there taking in the view. I heard her sigh and for the first time I couldn't read her. I didn't know what she was feeling, what she was thinking. I had no clue if she hated me or was glad to see me. I felt my chest cave in, but I knew I couldn't cry. I had to be strong. Not only for Santana, but for the both of us. Something this small wasn't going to break us up. I believed that with all my heart. All I had to do now was make sure she still believed it.

She was cold. I could tell because she had her arms wrapped around her legs. I turned my head to completely face her. I was tired of pretending. I was tired of the awkwardness. I was tired of the uncertainty. I grabbed her left hand to get her attention. She finally looked at me. She was much easier to read when I could see her eyes. I could tell she was still upset with me but not enough to pull her hand away from mine.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came to mind. We didn't always communicate with words but I had never been speechless with Santana before. Stolen glances that said "you're so beautiful" and kisses that said "I'll love you forever" were the base of our relationship. So I knew I didn't have to use words with her. She said it herself earlier that actions speak louder than words.

I flipped her hand over so her palm faced upwards. One of her eyebrows raised slightly in question but I knew she was still trying to be indifferent. I took my finger and traced the a heart in the palm of her hand before I placed a kiss gently in the middle of my invisible writing. Her eyes were focused on my finger until she understood what I had written. I kept my hold on her hand until she locked eyes with me. She didn't respond. Not even with her eyes. I knew she was still overcome with hurt from earlier and I didn't blame her at all. I took her hand and placed it on my heart so she could feel it beating. Beating for her.

Her eyes left mine and found where our hands were joined over my heart. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and meeting mine again. Now I knew that she had forgiven me. That she would never forget what happened between us today but that she wouldn't let it hold us back either. I released her hand which immediately wrapped back around her leg and placed my hand gently on her left cheek. I just held it there for a moment, not sure whether I should push my luck with her so far. Before I stood to leave I kissed her temple, with much more force than I had kissed her hand before. Her eyes were back on the water but they closed on my contact. I released her face, stood up, and walked away while her eyes were still closed.

"Britt?"