Santana works as a teacher at a private school in New York where rich adults put their children in. Santana gets paid a lot and her niece Michelle, who lives with her since Santana's sister and her husband passed away the year before, goes to the private school as well.
Santana teaches grade four, the eight and nine-year-olds. Just as the bell rings, Santana starts to call out the names of her students, besides her regular late student, Jenny Light.
Michelle is in her class and her last name is Simmons. It is the third week of September and Santana has gotten used to Jenny and her mother, Danielle Light coming late.
Hearing a knock on the closed door, Santana walks over and opens it. There stands Jenny and Danielle.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Lopez." Danielle apologizes.
"Same excuse?" Santana questions.
"It's not an excuse. It's the truth." Danielle is twenty-four, from what Jenny tells her. Danielle's and Jenny's excuse is that Danielle is a musician and a famous one at that. Santana just doesn't believe it.
"Whatever you say. Jenny, please come in." Stepping aside, Jenny walks in and sits down at her desk.
"See you this afternoon, Ms. Lopez." Watching the brunette hair girl storm away, Santana rolls her eyes. Dramatic bitch, Santana thinks.
At lunch, Santana sits in the lunch room eating and marking tests, while listening to the radio on her phone.
"I have a special guest in the studio today. This twenty-four singer has a hit single and is taking the world by storm. Just six years ago, she started her career. Danielle Light is here with me today." Santana's eyes widen hearing Danielle's name, "So Danielle, tell us how you got started."
"Since I was seven I knew I wanted to be a singer and form a band. So when I turned thirteen, my friends and I made a band and my older sister took us to the Spotlight Diner and we performed every week. I still perform there. It's where I got my start and was discovered. Sadly, my friends and I ended the band a year before I got signed and we all went our separate ways because of college.
"I admit I do have an eight-year-old daughter, she keeps me grounded along with my family. They support me and my daughter loves to come with me to the diner to perform every night. We stay out until ten then go home to sleep. The downside is, we are always late for her to go to school. We don't sleep in, but what happens is people stall us by asking for autographs and pictures. We also go to a bakery to buy food for the homeless every morning as well.
"The funny thing is, her teacher has no idea who I am, and I actually love it. It's hilarious every day. It makes my day but at the same time, it's insulting, but I don't care." Santana hears Danielle laugh making a smile form on her face, "I really want to know how long it will take her to figure out and piece the pieces together."
"Is she not so smart? Or live under a rock?"
"Oh, of course not. She's very smart to be a young teacher. I just don't think she has the time to look my music up or something."
"How old is she?"
"Early twenties like I am."
Hearing the bell ring, Santana turns off her phone and packs her things away before heading to her classroom. Arriving to her classroom, Santana takes one look in to find the radio on and everyone crowding around a scared Jenny, besides Michelle.
"Everyone, get in your seats!" Santana shouts furiously closing the door behind her. Watching everyone jump and get into their seats, Santana sets her things on her desk, "Now why were all of you crowding around Jenny?"
"She was mentioned on the radio." Michelle answers, "Her mom is also famous." Santana nods.
"I don't care that all of you must have gotten excited or whatever, but that doesn't give you the right to crowd around Jenny."
Charles raises his hand.
"Yes, Charles?"
"Is it true that you didn't know Jenny's mom is famous?"
"I figured but I didn't believe it." Santana admits, "I'm not that into music like I used to be."
As the end of the day arrives, her classroom empties as students catch their buses or get picked up by their parents. When the classroom only has Michelle and Jenny, Michelle and Jenny both stay in their seats working silently.
When Danielle arrives, she is panting and in high-heels and a knee length dress.
"Jen, we have to hurry." Danielle speaks to Jenny.
"Concert at the Spotlight Diner?" Santana questions smirking.
"You heard the radio interview." Danielle states.
"I did. Thank you for not calling me an idiot and living under a rock."
"I would never insult someone." Danielle clears up, "Even my bullies from school."
"Wow. Never expected that." Santana chuckles. Turning to Jenny who is waiting patiently with her backpack on along with her shoes and coat, at her desk, "You better head out, Jenny. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Ms. Lopez. Bye, Michelle." Jenny waves.
"Bye, Jenny." Michelle smiles. Watching them leave, Michelle packs her things before getting up.
Heading out, Santana and Michelle hears shouting, catching their attention. Seeing Danielle and a guy arguing, they can see Jenny sitting in the car with her hands over her ears.
"Leave Jen out of this!" Danielle shouts.
"She's the fucking problem!" The guy snaps.
"No she isn't. You are."
"Oh yeah, what have I done?"
"You have been bullying Jen for months, behind my back. I'm done with you."
"I have not."
"Oh yeah? Then why is she terrified of you? Why is it when you're around she refuses to come out of her room? Explain that!" Hearing nothing come out of his mouth, Danielle scoffs, "Exactly what I thought. Call a cab, you are never allowed around me or Jen ever again."
Climbing into the front seat, Danielle locks all doors and starts to drive away.
Turning around, the guy spots Santana and Michelle.
"What are you looking at?" The guy snaps.
"Let's go." Santana whispers leading Michelle to her car.
"I spoke to you, you are supposed to answer!" The guy shouts making his way over. Giving Michelle the keys, the nine-year-old runs to the car and climbs in, locking the doors.
"Stay away from me." Santana growls turning to face him. The guy raises his hand and goes to slap her, but Santana knees him and punches him in the jaw.
Hopping into her car, she locks the doors and puts it in drive after buckling up.
Arriving home, they head up to their shared apartment with Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel. Locking the door after her, Santana runs a hand through her hair before starting to make dinner.
"STOP!" Rachel shouts at Santana stopping her from making dinner.
"What?" Santana asks raising her hands and stepping out of the kitchen.
"We are going out for dinner."
"Why? Where?"
"To where I work when I'm not on Broadway."
"Spotlight Diner? How many are there anyways?"
"Just the one."
"Ah."
"Mom, that means we might see my friend's mother!" Michelle calls from the living room. Michelle knows Santana isn't her mom, but she counts her as one since she was born.
"Her friend's mom?" Kurt asks stepping out of his room.
"Her friend's mom is a musician." Santana explains.
"What's her name?"
"Danielle Light." Kurt and Rachel turns to each other confused.
"Who?" Her two best friends ask questioning. Michelle and Santana start to laugh.
"You'll see if she's there tonight."
Arriving to the Spotlight Diner, Rachel leads them in and takes over their regular table whenever they are there. Sitting together, they get their food and dig in.
Hearing music start to play, their original thought came to the radio, but Rachel realizes their radio is down. Turning around, Rachel watches a brunette take the stage and start to play her guitar with a little girl standing with the mic.
"Hi everyone, my name is Jenny. This is my mom, Danielle Light." Jenny starts. Michelle immediately gets onto her knees to see better. Santana looks at the stage as Kurt turns around to look, "My mom and I are going to perform for you tonight."
As they sing a cover of Uptown Funk acoustically, Jenny leads with Danielle taking the back vocals and them rotating back and forth.
Singing a couple more covers, Danielle and Jenny take a break to have milkshakes.
"May we go say hi?" Michelle asks Santana.
"Go ahead." Seeing Michelle's excited face, she gets up and walks over.
"Hi, Ms. Light, hi, Jenny." Michelle greets smiling.
"Hey, Michelle." Danielle and Jenny greets at different times.
"Where is your mom?" Danielle asks.
"She's over there with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Kurt. Would you like to say hi?" Michelle wonders.
"Sure." Getting up with their milkshakes and Danielle's guitar, they follow Michelle.
Taking her seat again, Michelle pulled over two chairs for Danielle and Jenny before sitting.
"Hello, I'm Dani." Danielle "Dani" Light greets, "This is my daughter Jenny."
Waving, Jenny sits down next to Michelle.
"How old are you two?" The guy, Kurt, asks.
"I'm eight." Jenny whispers shyly.
"I'm twenty-four. How about all of you?" Dani questions.
"We are all twenty-seven. Michelle is nine." Rachel answers.
"So, Ms. Lopez, would you like me to keep calling you that?" Dani questions amused.
"It's Santana." Santana chuckles.
"That's a pretty name, don't you think Jen?"
"Yeah, she's pretty too."
"I know." Dani agrees, "Ready to go home?"
"Derek won't be there, will he?"
"I sure hope not. But if he is, we'll get Johnny to throw him out… again."
"You're not going to take him back, will you?"
"No. We're officially done, for good." Dani clears up.
"If he's there can I watch?"
"No." Jenny frowns, "I don't want you to learn swear words, again."
"I learned five from him already. You ground me if I say them."
"Exactly. So it's a no."
"Fine." Jenny bites her lip giving Dani puppy dog eyes.
"You're not getting your way this time." Dani shakes her head chuckling, "Finish your milkshake."
"Okay."
"Who are Derek and Johnny?" Santana wonders.
"Derek is my ex and Johnny is my security and body guard. Johnny lives at my house with his wife. They are my roommates." Dani explains, "Well, we better get home. Thank you for your time."
Wishing them goodnight, Jenny grabs Dani's guitar case, passing it to her.
Arriving home, Dani and Jenny head inside the house to see Derek. Jenny whimpers and takes up the guitar to her room, upstairs. Locking her door and putting her chair in front of her door, Jenny crawls under her bed and hides covering her ears as the ritual screaming match begin.
"I love you, Danielle. You are such an idiot if you can't see that!" Derek shouts.
"Get out of my house!" Dani speaks loudly.
"Danielle,"
"No. I will not have you poisoning my daughter's environment." Hearing the door slam, Jenny cries softly. Derek scares her.
"Jen, honey, its mom." Dani speaks softly knocking on the door. Immediately crawling out, Jenny moves the chair and unlocks her door. Diving into Dani's arms, Dani picks her up like she does every time Jenny cries, "Would you like to sleep with me tonight?"
Nodding Jenny sniffles hugging Dani tightly. Once Jenny is calm, Dani picks out Jenny's nightgown and carries her stuff animal to her room after turning the light off. Getting Jenny to change, brush her teeth and go to the washroom, the eight-year-old crawls into Dani's big bed.