Disclaimer: The characters of Glee do not belong to me. They are the property of Fox network as well as the creators of the show. The songs used in this chapter are the property of Sony/ATV, I think. In order, the songs used in this chapter are Hey Jude (the Across the Universe cover), From Me To You (the Walk off the Earth cover), She Loves You (the drumbum12191 cover on youtube), Revolution (again, the Across the Universe cover), You're Going to Lose That Girl, and You've Got To Hide Your Love Away. I strongly suggest you look them up on youtube and listen to them as you read, or better yet, listen to them on my 8tracks mix: 8trackscom/burtonfan23/sgt-sugar-s-lonely-hearts-club-band-pt-1-and-2 (they don't allow posting a link on this site so...follow your instincts and ad a dot to that address). Oh, on a side note, I've cast Sofia Vergara as mama Lopez, just so you know ;)
The M rating will begin to apply next chapter. Please review and enjoy! ;)
Sgt Sugar's Lonely Hearts Club Band Part 2
'You guys could meet Rory! He's a new foreign exchange student staying at my house right now. I'm kind of trying to help him make friends,' Brittany excitedly suggested to her friends.
Santana grinned at the blonde's innocent joyful tone.
'Sure, why not,' Quinn agreed, knowing how happy something so simple would make her friend.
'Yeah, we can have a girls' night,' Mercedes joined in.
Santana narrowed her eyes when she noticed the crowd of students grouped around their lockers. She stretched her neck, trying to see what all the commotion was about. Someone walking in the opposite direction shoved her on her right side. She looked back with a scowl just fast enough to catch the look of mockery on the other girl's face.
'Oh! You guys could sleep over! We'll let you in on our sleepover rituals,' Brittany rambled on.
Santana turned her attention back to the front. She noticed how they all stared at her and whispered between themselves. Some of them were visibly trying to suppress laughter.
'Rituals? Britt, that sounds kind of creepy...' Mercedes said suspiciously.
That's when she saw it.
DIKE
All at once, she felt the blood drain from her face, and an unbearable numbness overtake her body. She felt her world come to a halt. Everyone could see her. She was completely exposed. Everyone could see her now...and they were laughing, and pointing, and sneering...
She should move. She ought to do something. She willed herself to get out of there, to escape their prying eyes, but her body was unresponsive. It was as though everything was disconnected. She tried to focus her attention on something, anything. Her eyes bore into the white ballerina shoes in front of her black leather boots. Who's shoes were those? Quinn's? She hadn't even realized that she had lowered her head.
She was vaguely aware of someone pushing her shoulder gently. Someone tugging at her left arm.
'San,' Brittany's voice called next to her. It was so soft and pleading, barely there.
It brought Santana back from her daze. She felt the warm wetness on her cheeks, saw the hungry gazes with which a few football players across the hall were looking up and down her body. She felt her limbs come back to life. She shook her head trying to dissipate the clouds over her eyes and before she knew it, her body was retreating. She walked at first, then ran, needing to be away from it. She needed to be away from all of it.
'San!'
...
'Santana stop!' Brittany called after her.
They had run out of the school and into the parking lot. Here, the brunette finally relented, exhausted. She leaned her back against a car and slid down to the floor. Brittany knelt down next to her, concern written on her face.
'San...'
Brittany wasn't sure what words she should use. Santana had always been better with words. She carefully slid her arms around her waist, pulling Santana tightly against her. She peppered her girlfriend's shoulder with gentle kisses, trying to reassure her.
'It's ok,' she whispered softly in between kisses. 'We're ok.'
The quiver in Brittany's voice betrayed her frailty. Brittany could feel Santana shaking still, and her skin was so cold beneath her lips. But she persisted.
'I love you so much,' she whispered next, and continued to repeat the words between gentle kisses.
A shaken sob escaped Santana. Brittany felt a throb in her throat at the sound. Santana shook more violently in her arms as painful tears began to stream down her cheeks. Brittany held her tighter, wishing that she could pull Santana even further into her, into a place where she could keep her safe. Brittany thought that maybe Santana felt the same way because the brunette turned around suddenly and wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck, burying her face into her shoulder, crying silently.
'Shhh, I've got you. You're ok honey. I've got you,' Brittany repeated, trying to soothe her.
'Santana?' a familiar voice called hesitantly.
Santana looked up at Kurt but didn't answer right away. His expression was a strange blend of concern, sympathy, and fear.
'What you want popple?' she croaked, her voice rough and exhausted, but not aggressive.
Both Kurt and Brittany breathed a sigh of relief then. Brittany couldn't help the small relieved giggle that escaped her. Santana would always be Santana.
'Cmon, I'll drive you home,' he suggested sweetly.
He reached for his key-chain and unlocked the doors to the car they were leaning on. He outstretched his hand and pulled Santana to her feet.
'It's ok, I can take her,' Brittany said gratefully.
He seemed prepared to accept this when Santana spoke again.
'Britt, you should go to class. I kind of want to be alone right now anyway...if that's ok,' she said carefully, her voice still hoarse from crying. 'I just...I need a bit of time to think about things...by myself.'
Both Brittany and Kurt were taken aback by this. In all the years that they had known each other, never had Santana asked to be away from her.
'Think about things...' Brittany repeated questioningly, her brows knit together. 'What is there to think about?'
Santana avoided her gaze and didn't answer. Brittany suddenly felt nauseous and dizzy.
'I just- I just need...'
'What is there to think about Santana?' Brittany asked disbelievingly.
Kurt jumped at her tone and volume. Santana looked away, tears once again gathering in her eyes.
'Britt, I'll call you later ok? I just need to be by myself for a little bit.'
Brittany turned on her heels so that Santana wouldn't see her face, and walked back into the school. Santana saw the blonde's hands tremble as she pushed the doors open and had to look away. Kurt opened the passenger door and gently nudged Santana in.
...
Kurt was quiet. Santana waited for him to put his two cents in, more than ready to rebuff any and all attempt to put his dainty nose in her business, but he never did, so after a few minutes she gave up and finally relaxed into her seat. After a few more minutes, the silence started to make her uneasy, so she pressed play on the car stereo. Shit, it's probably showtunes.
She was surprised when she heard the beginning notes of a familiar song. Kurt sang along softly.
Hey Jude
Don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Santana swallowed stiffly, her mind drifting to deep blue eyes.
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
Hey Jude
Don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
Santana looked out the passenger window trying to ignore the weight she felt in her chest.
And anytime you feel the pain
Hey Jude refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
At the stop light, Kurt reached across the center console and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly.
For well you know that it's a fool
Who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
She wanted to shrug him off, but she couldn't bring herself to. She needed the comfort, and was too tired to deny it to herself.
Na na na na na, na na na na
Hey Jude
Don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
She nodded and exhaled slowly, harmonizing with Kurt to his surprise.
(Let it out to let it in)
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it
As the song picked up, Kurt began singing louder and louder, understanding that Santana needed to vent, to be rid of it all. She chimed in, smiling lightly.
Better, better, better, beTTER, BETTER, BETTER, AAAAAAAAH!
As Kurt pulled up in front of Santana's house, they sang and shouted along ridiculously to the end of the song, completely letting go of themselves, of all of the pent up emotions of the day.
Na na na na na na na, na na na na
Hey Jude
Na na na na na na na, na na na na
Hey Jude
Na na na na na na na, na na na na
Hey Jude...
Kurt smiled at Santana kindly as she stepped out of the car. She looked back at him gratefully. He watched her walk up to the front door, her head held high, and let herself in as he pulled out of the driveway, still humming the last few notes of the song.
...
'Wow, is she ok?' Blaine asked Kurt, who was sitting across from him at the Lima Bean.
'I think so, I mean, she looked a little shaken but who wouldn't be?' Kurt answered. 'There's something about Santana though. I don't think she's gonna take this lying down-'
'Dirty,' Blaine cut in with a smirk.
Kurt gave him a severe look. 'Anyway, I think she's gonna be the one to fight back. I think if we all stand by her,' he continued enthusiastically, 'I don't know, maybe we could finally teach those unwashed miscreants at school a lesson.'
'Unwashed miscreants? Really Kurt?' Blaine said skeptically, then taking a concerned tone that, to Kurt, sounded condescending, he continued, 'do you really think that's a good idea though? You don't want to go around asking for trouble. I mean, look what happened to us...'
'Exactly!' Kurt answered, sounding upset, 'Isn't it about time somebody changed all that? If we never fight back, things are never going to change!'
'Kurt, we all want to change things for the better but it isn't that simple. This could get dangerous. You could get hurt,' Blaine pressed on with the same tone that nagged at Kurt's pride.
'Someone has to be brave enough to take a stand,' Kurt answered in a calm anger his boyfriend recognized, 'and if Santana wants to fight back, I'm going to help her in any way I can. You of all people should be supportive of that!'
With that, Kurt got up and walked out of the coffee shop while Blaine sighed and rubbed his temple with his hand.
...
'I'll take Santana, you take Brittany?' Mercedes suggested, responding to what she knew Quinn was thinking about.
Quinn sighed and nodded, holding her cup of tea closer. They were sitting in Mercedes' living room, both worried about their friends. Brittany had looked completely lost in thought all afternoon and Santana had left early.
'They're gonna be ok, right?' Quinn asked quietly.
Mercedes comfortingly placed her hand on Quinn's knee. 'Yeah, we'll make sure of that,' she answered confidently. 'What about you though, Q? You ok?'
Quinn frowned in confusion, 'why wouldn't I be?'
'Cmon Quinn. Shelby's coming back to town, and we both know what that means,' Mercedes told her gently.
'I'm...' Quinn paused for a second, as if changing her mind as to what she wanted to say. 'I'm not sure, but I will be,' she finally settled for.
'Well, if you need to talk, you know where to find me,' Mercedes said reassuringly.
'Thanks girl,' Quinn replied sincerely.
The blonde lifted her fist between them and Mercedes bumped it with her own. At the contact, they both opened their hands, releasing air from their mouths to make the sound of an explosion. They grinned at each other in that way that friends have when they're in on a secret.
...
'Puck! What are you doing?' Mercedes hissed.
'Shhhh! Her dad can't see me here! The guy has a hunting rifle in his shed!' he whispered back, looking nervous.
'Are you insane? His car isn't even here! She's probably home alone! Puck!' she whispered back as she watched him scale the wall to Santana's window using the rain gutter.
At that moment, Mrs Lopez swung the door open. Mercedes straightened her back suddenly and was forced to look away from Puck.
'Mrs Lopez! Hi-is-Santana-home?' Mercedes asked a little too quickly.
The latina squinted at her suspiciously. Santana's mom was wearing a tight, lizard print top, leggings and large hoop earrings. If she hadn't known any better, Mercedes would have thought that she was going to some kind of classy dinner, but Santana's mother always looked like she was ready for a special event.
'Who are you?' she asked.
'I, uh, I'm a friend of hers...from school. We've met before, remember? I'm Mercedes...' she explained nervously.
'Aaaaah sí ya me acuerdo! Come in,' she greeted nicely moving aside to let Mercedes in. The woman then turned towards the staircase. 'SANTANA!'
Mercedes jumped from the sheer force of it. Mrs Lopez smiled back at her, as if she hadn't just released a shout worthy of a banshee.
'SANTANA! Aquí está tu amiga! Santanaaa!'
'Qual amiga?' she heard Santana reply in slight annoyance.
'La gritona!' her mother yelled back, 'alli te la mando!' Then turning to Mercedes, 'she's in her room, you go on ahead.'
'Ok, thank you,' Mercedes answered politely, a little shocked.
She went up the stairs quietly and knocked on Santana's door.
'Santana?' she tried softly as she opened the door.
She was then met with the sight of Santana trying to help Puck into her room through the window. He lost his balance as he climbed in and fell with a loud thump onto the floor along with the ukelele that he had strapped to his back.
'QUE PASO?' Mrs Lopez called from the first floor.
'Nada mamí!' Santana answered equally loudly.
'Cómo que nada?' her mother answered, angrily marching up the stairs.
In their panic, Puck crawled under Santana's bed, while Santana quickly rearranged the few things on her dresser that he had inadvertently knocked over and straightened her back and hair.
'Que paso?' Mrs Lopez asked again, less loud but more suspicious.
'Nada mamí...she just startled me and I dropped something...' Santana lied.
Her mother considered this for a second before nodding and going back down. Mercedes couldn't help but giggle once she was out of earshot.
'You guys have done this before haven't you?' she commented, as Puck slid out from under the bed and Santana sighed in relief.
'Shut the door Aretha,' Santana whispered in a half-laughter. 'What are you guys even doing here?'
Mercedes shut the door and went to sit down next to Santana on her bed while Puck sat across from them, on her desk chair.
'We were worried about you girl. What happened today...that shouldn't have happened,' Mercedes began.
Santana looked down, her smile fading completely.
'Guys, I did something really stupid today...' she confessed painfully, running her fingers through her hair. Her friends saw the small swell around her eyes and realized she had been crying. 'I told Brittany I needed some time alone to think...I think she thinks I want to break up, but I don't! I just...I got scared and I freaked out and I pushed her away cause...' she sighed, 'cause I'm a bitch and that's what I do, but I don't want to be, I just-'
'Santana,' Mercedes interrupted, 'hey, look at me. What happened today sucked, but you're better than those people. We can fight back! We'll all help you. And Britt? She loves you. So just apologize to her, and I'm sure you guys'll be fine.'
'And if you need anything, the Puckster and Mercedes are at your service! In fact, we brought a little something to cheer you up,' Puck said.
'I appreciate it guys,' Santana answered with a small smile, 'but Puck, you do know my dad is going to murder you if he finds you in here right?'
Puck swallowed loudly and nodded apprehensively. 'Which is why we're going to cheer you up really quietly...'
He pulled his ukelele onto his lap and began picking the chords gently. He then began to sing more softly than Santana had ever heard him.
If there's anything that you want
Mercedes joined in with the second line.
If there's anything I can do
They harmonized as they continued to serenade her.
Just call on me
And I'll send it along
With love
From me to you
A small smile crept back onto Santana's face at her friends' sweet gesture. Something in her felt stronger because of it. Mercedes reached over and slid a stray strand of hair behind the latina's ear.
I got everything that you want
Like a heart that's oh so true
Just call on me
And I'll send it along
With love
From me to you
She thought of Brittany and everything they had been through, and she missed her in that moment, regretting her earlier actions deeply.
I got arms that long to hold you
And keep you by my side
I got lips that long to kiss you
And keep you satisfied
Puck sang so quietly that Santana couldn't help but laugh. She couldn't believe the trouble they had gone through.
If there's anything that you want
If there's anything I can do
Mercedes wrapped her arm around Santana's shoulders and began to move her from side to side to the beat.
Just call on me
And I'll send it along
With love
From me to you
Puck nudged her foot with his, trying to get her to smile.
Just call on me
And I'll send it along
With love
From me to you
I got arms that long to hold you
And keep you by my side
I got lips that long to kiss you
And keep you satisfied
Santana smiled widely at how adorable her friends were. In spite of everything, she was thankful.
If there's anything that you want
If there's anything I can do
Just call on me
And I'll send it along
With love
From me to you
To you
To you
With love
From me to you
Just as Puck strum the last chord, the door of Santana's room swung open.
'AHA! Ya sabía! Fuera de esta casa!' Mrs Lopez marched into the room and pulled Puck by the ear. 'You cowardsome hijo de puta! You're lucky my husband isn't home! Out of my house!'
Santana and Mercedes burst into a fit of laughter at the terrified expression on his face as Santana's mother escorted him out.
...
Quinn rang the doorbell and waited patiently. Artie looked up at her, confused.
'Quinn, why did you ask me to come with you?' he asked suspiciously.
'Look Artie, I know we've never really talked, but I know you care about Britt and she needs friends right now,' she answered.
'Yeah...friends...' he repeated bitterly.
Quinn looked at him questioningly, but before she could interrogate him, someone opened the door.
'Hey Ash, is Brittany home?' Quinn asked.
'Hey Q!' Ashley greeted almost too excitedly. She looked more and more like Brittany every day. 'She's upstairs,' she answered and then paused noticing Artie. 'Uh...what?...Is this about him though? I mean, I'm totally biased, but I'm really rooting for San here.'
Artie looked back up at Quinn angrily.
'No worries,' she answered uncomfortably, 'we're just here to cheer up Britt, she kind of had a rough day.'
'Ok, well she's in her room. I think she might be taking a nap though but I'm sure she'll be happy to see you guys,' she answered and moved to let them in.
Quinn looked up the stairs and then back at Artie.
'...how did you even get up there when you were dating Britt?' she wondered out loud.
'Usually, my dad would help him up, but it's date night so he's actually out with my mom right now...' Ashley explained.
Artie sighed, 'it won't be easy...'
16 and a half minutes later...
'Oh my God!' Quinn exclaimed, completely out of breath, as she finally pushed Artie up the last step. 'Oh my God!'
'Blasphemy,' he breathed heavily, trying to catch his breath.
She laughed breathlessly. 'Remind me never to bring you here again!'
'This was your idea,' he replied, unable to keep from laughing.
Ashley was at the bottom of the stairs. She laughed so hard she cried.
'Oh my God! I think I peed a little bit!'
At that, they broke into a fit of laughter. Brittany walked out of her room, awakened by all the commotion.
'What's going on?' she asked sleepily.
'Britt!' Quinn beamed at her, 'hi honey bee, we just came by to hang out. I know today was really sucky-'
'Really sucky,' Brittany repeated, still a little sleepy.
'But we're here to make you feel better so, you know, we can talk, or not talk, whatever you want,' Quinn walked up to Brittany and gently rubbed the girl's shoulders.
'Yeah ok I guess we can talk,' Brittany turned to lead them to her room.
Quinn and Brittany went to sit on her bed while Artie rolled up next to them. There was a UCLA sweatshirt on her pillow, and as soon as she sat down, Brittany gathered it up in her arms as if it were a stuffed animal.
'It smells like her,' she whispered. Artie felt a slight sting at that.
'B, you know, she probably just freaked out,' Quinn tried to explain, 'Santana loves you, you know that. But what happened today-'
'She shut me out Quinn,' Brittany interrupted flatly.'Every time something goes wrong she shuts me out and I'm so tired of it. I don't want things to be perfect, I just want her to love me and let me love her.'
'Honey, she'll get there. It's just hard for her, you know?' Quinn said softly, reaching out to run her fingers through Brittany's hair. Brittany softened and lied down so that she could lay her head on Quinn's lap. Artie reached over and took her hand in his comfortingly.
'Sometimes I feel like she's still punishing me for last year,' Brittany let out.
'What happened last year?' Artie asked curiously.
Brittany paused hesitantly before answering, 'she told me that she was in love with me, and I chose you...'
Artie froze. This whole time, he thought that the girls had just been fooling around behind his back, but now he saw that it was more complicated than that. A long silence followed the revelation, and soon, Quinn began to sing slowly while still running her fingers through Brittany's hair.
She loves you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Seeing the hope in Brittany's eyes at the sound, Artie joined in, harmonizing.
You think you've lost your love
Well I saw her yesterday
It's you she's thinking of
And she told me what to say
She said she loves you
And you know that can't be bad
Yeah, she loves you
And you know you should be glad
Brittany closed her eyes and breathed in deeply the scent of the sweatshirt and the comfort of her friends.
She said you hurt her soul
She almost lost her mind
But now she said she knows
You're not the hurting kind
She said she loves you
And you know that can't be bad
Yeah, she loves you
And you know you should be glad
She loves you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
With a love like that
You know you should be glad
With a love like that
You know you should be glad
With a love like that
You know you should be glad
'Everything's gonna be ok Britt,' Artie said reassuringly, caressing the back of her palm with his thumb.
Slowly, they lulled Brittany back to sleep. When Brittany's parents came home, they found their daughter nuzzled onto Quinn's side and Artie watching them. He had a thoughtful look about him, and the sight made Brittany's father think of a faithful watchdog, guarding something precious.
'You ok son?' he whispered as he walked into the room. Mrs Pierce walked up to the girls and tucked them in.
'Yeah,' Artie smiled up at him, 'but could you help me back downstairs? The girls fell asleep and I didn't want to wake them up.'
Mr Pierce gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder and chuckled.
'Cmon son, I'll take you home.'
...
The next morning, Quinn saw Santana leaning against their lockers nervously waiting for Brittany, the bold red letters still behind her. She was wearing a loose white blouse and black jeans. When she saw the blonde approaching, her face softened into a smile, but right at that moment...
'DYKE!'
The ice hit the latina like a slap in the face. The cold red drink dripped onto her shirt and Quinn rushed to her, taking her hand to lead her to a bathroom.
'Get out,' she announced as she walked into the bathroom with her friend. The other girls filed out obediently.
The latina leaned over the sink and Quinn drenched a piece of brown paper and started to help Santana clean the slushi from her face. The brunette let out an exasperated sigh.
'I hate this school!' she yelled in frustration, slamming her palms onto the bathroom counter. 'I think it's about time I showed these baboons how we do it in Lima Heights!'
'I think it's about time we all started fighting back,' Quinn answered calmly, 'but first, you need to talk to Brittany, honey.'
'Yeah, I know,' Santana answered more calmly, biting her lower lip.
The bell rang just as Santana got the last bit of slushi out of her hair. Quinn gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading out.
'I'll see you in Glee club S,' she called back.
Santana stared at her own reflection.
...
When she walked into Glee club that afternoon, she went straight for her usual seat next to Brittany.
'San, I waited for you to call me last ni...what happened?' she asked, looking down at the latina's stained white shirt, her expression shifting to worry.
'I'll tell you after Glee club ok baby? Right now, I just want to be with you,' Santana said, leaning into her, already exhausted.
The blonde wrapped her arm protectively around her waist but didn't say anything.
'Alright guys! We have some very exciting news today!' mr Schue announced as he walked into the choir room. 'We have another audition.'
Whispers went around the room at the announcement.
'So, without further ado, I would like to introduce,' everyone leaned in expectantly, 'Blaine Anderson!'
Mr Schue clapped with enthusiasm, as did many others in the room, tapping Kurt on the back in congratulations. Rachel gasped in happy surprise. Kurt watched Blaine strut through the door in complete shock.
'Blaine, what are you doing here?' Kurt asked suddenly.
Everyone turned to him, surprised by the outburst. Blaine cleared his throat.
'Well, I've been thinking about transferring here all summer. You know, it's senior year and I want to be close to you Kurt,' he said sincerely. 'I don't know what's gonna happen, but I do know that I want to be here to support you and, if necessary, to protect you no matter what.'
Kurt's jaw dropped at that and his eyes glazed over, moved by the gesture.
'I still have some papers to fill out with my dad but, I should be officially transferring here next week,' he explained.
'Wait, so you're skipping class right now?' Mike asked quietly.
Blaine continued, disregarding the question, 'I heard you guys were doing The Beatles this week so, I'll be singing a Beatles song for my audition.'
He signaled mr Schue who pressed play on the small boom box at the front. The sound of an electric guitar immediately spread through the room, and Blaine moved towards Kurt with a pleading expression on his face.
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
He took Kurt's hand in his as he sang the next few lines.
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out?
Don't you know it's gonna be alright?
Turning to Santana sympathetically, he continued.
You know, it's gonna be alright
You know, it's gonna be alright
He went around the room as he sang, moving along to the words.
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be alright?
You know it's gonna be alright
You know it's gonna be alright
He went back to the center of the room to belt out the last few words of the song.
Alriiight, alriiiigh, alriiight, alriiiight, so riiight, so riiight
Mr Schue clapped enthusiastically and everyone soon followed suit, clapping politely. He then walked up next to Blaine.
Offering a hand to him he said, 'I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say, welcome to the New Directions, Blaine Anderson!'
'What? How come I had to wait?...' Sugar complained under the celebratory commotion that followed mr Schue's announcement. She pouted and Brittany reached over rubbed her back comfortingly. Surprisingly, the girl suddenly looked up at her with a brilliant smile on her face. Brittany frowned at the sudden change in her disposition, but said nothing.
Once everyone had settled down, Blaine went to take a seat next to Kurt and mr Schue invited anyone who had prepared a routine to step forward. Artie was the first to raise his hand. He signaled the jazz band, Finn amongst them taking the drums. They began to play and prepared to sing backup while Artie began, looking straight at Santana with the same serious expression he had had the night before while watching Brittany and Quinn sleep peacefully.
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
If you don't take her out tonight
She's gonna change her mind
(She's gonna change her mind)
And I will take her out tonight
And I will treat her kind
(I'm gonna treat her kind)
Santana worried her lip and turned to kiss Brittany lovingly on the shoulder, snuggling closer to her. The blonde leaned into her easily, lavishing in the sudden attention. Satisfied, Artie turned his chair towards Mike and Tina and looked straight at Mike as he continued.
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
If you don't treat her right, my friend
You're gonna find her gone
(You're gonna find her gone)
Cause I will treat her right, and then
You'll be the lonely one
(You'll be the lonely one)
Mike frowned at Artie and wrapped his arm around Tina's shoulder. Artie then nodded, and to Rachel's surprise, looked straight at her.
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
I'll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah
(That's what I'll do)
The way you treat her what else can I do?
The band went off on a guitar solo. Rachel looked at him in confusion, but then, she seemed to suddenly realize something and turned to Quinn with wide eyes. The blonde was sitting next to her, absently playing with her fingers and looking down at her hands. She looked back at Artie who gave her a knowing look.
(You're gonna lose that girl)
She looked back at Artie, frowning, took a deep breath, and without turning away from him, she pulled Quinn's right hand into her lap and held it. Quinn looked up at her and her face flushed instantly. She lowered her eyes but couldn't help the way her lips curled up at the sides. Artie then continued to sing looking at no-one in particular. That last interaction didn't escape neither Finn nor Puck, who both watched the girls suspiciously.
You're going to lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're going to lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're going to lose
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
I'll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah
(That's what you'll do)
The way you treat her what else can I do?
Artie rolled up in front of Sugar and raised his eyebrow seductively. She avoided his gaze looking suddenly extremely uncomfortable. Artie shrugged it off and finished his song, wheeling across the room and wiggling his arms to the music.
If you don't take her out tonight
She's gonna change her mind
(She's gonna change her mind)
And I will take her out tonight
And I will treat her kind
(You're gonna treat her kind)
You're gonna to lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
You're gonna lose that girl
(Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl)
Artie smirked, happy with his performance, and rolled back to his usual spot in the front row as everyone applauded him.
'Great job Artie!' mr Schue praised, 'I'm so proud of how much progress you guys are making! Did anyone else have a song?'
'I did, mr Schue,' Santana announced, raising a shaky arm.
She grabbed a stool and sat at the front. Puck followed with his guitar but sat in the back, near the band.
'I want to say something before I start,' she began, 'I'm sorry...'
A silence followed. No-one really knew what to say, and so they waited for her to continue.
'I'm sorry...I've been terrible to so many of you over the years. Especially you Rachel, and Kurt' her voice hitched at that moment and she took a moment before continuing, 'Kurt I just. I'm so sorry. But, I'm not gonna let this stand. I'm not gonna hide who I am anymore, and I don't know how I'm gonna do it, but I'm going to make sure that everyone learns to respect that, to respect all of us. I was going through some Beatles songs last night and when I heard this one, it really reached something in me, and I wanted to share that with you guys.'
She turned around and nodded towards Puck who started strumming the chords of his guitar. Everyone listened intently, but none more than Brittany. She clung to every word. All of them could feel something swelling inside their chests. Pride? Strength? Inspiration? It was hard to put a finger on, but the feeling was so great, so palpable, that it seeped past their bodies and filled the space around them. That day, for the first time, Santana felt that maybe she really was a part of this family.
Here I stand head in hand
Turned my face to the wall
If she's gone I can't go on
Feeling two foot small
Everywhere, people stare
Each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say
Her voice was deep and raspy and permeated with anger and hurt, but also strength. No-one dared breathe a sound. It was as if they were afraid to frighten away this moment.
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
How can I even try
I can never win
Hearing them, seeing them
In the state I'm in
How could she say to me
Love will find a way
Gather 'round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
Hey, you've got to hide your love away
I really hope you're liking this chapter so far. I finally figured out how to configure decent spacing! Yayy! So, thanks for sticking around. Please comment and review! :P I love getting feedback, it motivates me to write faster ^^ Part 3 of this chapter should be up fairly soon (sooner if you comment ahah) xoxo