Welcome to the world of Sanbecky. This is the unique story of the friendship between Becky Jackson and Santana Lopez. I've been dying to write one for Becky and Santana for a long time! This story is not a response to the "Beck brings a gun to school" storyline. I enjoy both of these characters and I want to see them interact more.
This is the AU, but there are some aspects that are just better the way they are.
Summary: Becky Jackson is trying to survive high school the best that she can. While Santana Lopez is struggling to accept herself and be proud of the person she has become. Can these two people become friends and help each other succeed?
Pairings: Santana Lopez and Becky Jackson. Other pairings: Rachel Berry and Santana Lopez. Brittany Pierce and Santana Lopez. Also other characters have small parts.
It's important to note, that I do not have Down syndrome, but I am "different". I know what it feels like to feel unworthy at time and like no matter what I try to do it's useless.
I hope you enjoy!
I'll Defend You if You'll Defend Me?
Ch. 1
~ Becky ~
"Well, what do we have here," Dave Karofsky leered at me as he tried to remove my glasses from my nose. He succeeded because he pinned me against the wall in a corner of the gym.
"Give 'em back!" I yelled. It was no use. Both Karofsky and Puckerman had me surrounded. Karofsky gripped them tightly. I thought they might break in half.
This was the first time that this happened to me. I'm usually okay. I take a lot of comfort in that, but for some reason, that day, the uniform I wore made me a target for ridicule. I haven't been slushied yet. My own personal opinion is that people are afraid of Coach Sylvester. And rightfully so. That lady is completely off her rocker.
I try to act all cool, but inside I'm a wreck. I am constantly thinking that I'm not worth it. "It" being the time and effort people would put into being my friend if I actually gave them the chance to.
"Come on Puck," I tried to reason with him, "Gimme back my glasses. I can hardly see without them!"
"Nah, Jackson, this is too much fun," he teased me.
"Hey, Puck," Karofsky asked, "What should we do with her?"
"A dumpster swim? Nah. A slushy facial? Nope, I think she'd like it too much. I don't know," Puck answered and scratched his head devilishly.
"I gots an idea," a voice from behind us yelled. I didn't see the person because I was shorter than both boys.
Puck and Karofsky whipped themselves around to see Santana Lopez standing behind us with a scary look on her face.
"Get the hell away from her," she screamed.
"Whoa! If it isn't little Miss Fake Boobs…do you think you're gonna stop this?" Karosky asked with a loud laugh.
"I don't think…I know!" Santana shot back.
Then she ran full speed towards them. From my point of view the two boys, not men, flinched as they saw her approaching. Santana ran up to them and pulled my glasses from Karofsky's grasped. Santana threw the glasses gently at me and I caught them. Then she pulled him closer.
"Are you gonna kiss me," Karofsky asked half shocked and half turned on. He leaned forward. I quickly put on my glass to witness what Santana actually did.
Then Santana said, "Hell no," as she kneed him in his groin forcibly.
Puckerman just stood there in awe.
"Hey Puckerman," I yelled. He turned around just as I tried to throw a punch. I had intended it to be a chin punch, but I've never thrown one before so I ended up punching him in the stomach. Despite my misjudgment, he toppled over in pain. I quickly smirked.
Santana went to put her arm around my shoulder to guide me to safety.
I dodged out of her reach and screamed, "I could have handled it myself!"
She looked at me in bewilderment.
Then I ran away from her, out of the gymnasium, and straight to my Mom who was waiting for me to get out of school.
As I was running away from Santana I asked myself, "Why am I running?" I didn't want to her to see me as weak or not being capable of taking care of myself. I had begun to cry too so I didn't want her to see that.
"Honey, is everything alright?"
"Yes, just go..." I said unconvincingly.
"But," she tried again.
"GO!" I yelled a little.
She didn't say anything. The rest of the ride was made in silent. Once we got home I ran up to my room, slammed my door, and didn't come out.
~ Santana ~
She left me standing there in shock. I don't know what I was expecting. A thank you? I don't know. I even ran after her into the hallway and I saw her exit the building so I guess she got home all right. Geez, do I have a sign on my forehead? "Treat me like crap, please!"
I rubbed my forehead in disbelief.
I had heard a commotion as I passed by the gym. I happened to know that there wasn't any planned sporting event or practices going on so I was interested in knowing what was happening.
As soon as I heard Karofsky's laughter I knew it couldn't have been good. I didn't know who they had there. In fact I was rather surprised to hear Becky's voice. I've always thought of her as being strong and independent despite, you know…everything. I've always admired her for living her life as the person she puts out there to be. Don't get me wrong I still do admire her. This experience doesn't cloud that or whatever.
I'm going to chalk Becky's behavior up to her having a crappy day. We've all been there. Hell, I'm still having bad days. Like today for example, I failed a Math test, Quinn and I are fighting over something stupid, and Brittany, my best friend in life, doesn't have time for me since she's been dating Finn. I don't know what she sees in him. And to top that all off, my crush still doesn't know that I'm interested in them and that I'm even alive.
I must get a better life or at least change this one.
~ Becky ~
As I was lying in bed that night I tossed and turned. I knew that I had behaved badly with Santana. I didn't even thank her for her help. I wanted to, but how do you thank someone that you hardly know and who avoids you most of the time?
I figured that I'd write her a note. So I got up from bed, grabbed my glasses, walked over to my desk, and flipped on my desk lamp. I got myself comfortable, well as comfortable as possible, and opened my notebook. I lowered the pen to the paper and began to write. After writing the first sentence, I crumbled the piece of lined paper up into a ball and threw it over my left shoulder.
I got out another piece and centered myself.
I repeated the action of getting ready to write and then the letter poured out of me. If I am going to do this and put my heart out there in a thank you note, I'm going to be completely honest.
Santana,
Why do I feel this way about myself? I gotta get happier for Pete's sake. Who's Pete by the way? Anyway, I know that I'm not really that popular and that's okay. I get picked on mostly by Dave Karofsky and Noah Puckerman, which stinks because I kinda have a crush on Puck, as he is called. I'd love to play strip poker with him. I'm sure I'd win.
Sometimes I feel like I want to not be here anymore, but I'd never actually do anything, so no worries. Sometimes life is just hard, ya know? I try not to let my "problem" define me. This is why I ran away. I didn't want you to see me as not being able to take care of myself even though at that moment, I needed help. When you have Down syndrome, people look at you differently. Or at least this has been my experience. I truly believe that Coach Sylvester put me on the Cheerios squad because she felt "sorry" for me. I never want people to feel sorry for me or feel like they have to be nice to me.
I'd like to end this note on a positive. I want to thank you for helping me get out of that pickle. I truly appreciate that. I don't expect that we'll be instant friends or even acquaintances. Whenever I wave I hope you'll return that wave. We don't have to talk or anything. I just wanted to say, "Thank you" for your help.
Take care,
Becky Jackson
I put the pen down, ripped the piece of paper out of the notebook, and folded it. I found a small envelope and put it in there. I scribbled "Santana" on the front of the envelope and then I tucked the envelope into my notebook.
~ Santana ~
The next morning at school, I was fiddling with my locker combination. I can never get it on the first shot. Finally I did and I opened it. A white envelope fell out of it. I picked it up. I decided to go right to homeroom to read it in more privacy. I got the rest of the books for my morning classes and slammed the locker. Then I walked myself to my class.
Once inside the classroom and in my seat, I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. I opened it and began to read. My heart ached for her. I thought if I ever made her feel that way. If I did I promised myself that I'd apologize to her. I know how it feels to be struggling with something that seems bigger than you.
I wanted to write back so I got a piece of paper and wrote, "Becky, Wanna go out to lunch this Saturday as friends? If yes, txt me at 555-7984. I'll pick u up. ~ Santana :-)" I folded the paper into an origami square and wrote her name on it.
When the class was over I was walking to my next one and I saw her down the hall. We were both walking opposite directions so we made eye contact.
I waved and I think I startled her. I walked up to her and simply slid this paper into her hand and walked away.
She turned her head and smiled. Then we continued to walk away.
~ Becky ~
I sat down in my seat for my next class. Then I unfolded the origami square and completely opened the note.
She wants to have lunch with me? She gave me her number? Cool.
I nonchalantly pulled out my cell phone from my pocket and opened a new text message. I typed her number in first and then typed the message.
TO SANTANA: Hi! It's Becky. Two things. R u sure u wanna hangout with me? R u mad at me?
I sent the message. Within a few seconds, my cell buzzed so I opened it.
TO BECKY: Hi, It's Santana. Yes, I am sure. And no I'm not mad at you. Thanks for the note. R u in?
I feverishly texted back.
TO SANTANA: Yes, def. as it get closer I'll text u my info. Thanks.
Her reply.
TO BECKY: Great! Lookin' forward to it.
I smiled.
~ Santana ~
After reading her reply. I smiled.