Chapter Four
Arriving to school a little late, the two rushes into the building in the middle of the anthem. Stopping immediately, they listen to the announcements before going to the office. Getting their late slips, Santana walks Dani to gym.
"Will you be okay?" Santana whispers making sure.
"Yeah, Rachel will run to get you if needed." Dani nods.
"See you soon." Waiting for Dani to go in, Santana waits until she sees Dani in the gym before going to math.
In gym, everyone is wearing t-shirts and Dani is the only one who isn't. Gym class is her mom's class. Her mom gives her detentions and calls her dad if needed. But either way, she's screwed.
"You're late." Taylor snaps.
"Sorry mom." Dani apologizes.
"Twenty laps in the next five minutes." Starting to protest, Dani takes off jogging. Watching everyone play basketball, Dani gets bumped into a few times but keeps running.
In the five minutes, she gets nine done. Stopping in front of Taylor, Dani gasps for air.
"I can't believe you quit cheerleading. What, are you going to quit soccer to?" Taylor snarls.
"Well," Dani starts until she gets cut off with a smack of the clipboard in the arm, hard. No one saw it.
"I don't care what you do or don't want to do. You will do as your father and I tell you."
And here comes the verbal abuse. Dani thinks.
"You are just a lesbian slut. You are lucky I haven't told your father. I saw you dating that girl last week; she's a hell a lot better than you. Both physically and mentally. You are this broken little kid who needs fixing. Now get out of my face."
Leaving the gym Dani changes before going into the shower. Pulling out the razor, Dani lets her tears out while cutting. Mom's right, I disappoint them both. They told me a million times I'm not worth life.
Once finished, Dani watches the blood mixed with water runs down into the drain. Covering her blood soaked skin with her sweater she notices the blood is soaking through. Trying to stop it, she presses them to her hoping to stop the bleeding. It doesn't work.
On her way out, Dani runs to Rachel and knocks on the door. Asking for the older girl, Dani collapses onto the ground having another breakdown. Immediately running to get Santana, the teacher keeps an eye on Dani until Rachel and Santana run over.
"Careful of her arms." Santana orders helping Dani to her feet. Going into the girls' washroom, Rachel locks the door, helping to stop the bleeding without questions.
Once the bleeding is done, Santana throws the paper towels away before sitting down looking at her.
"Babe, why? What did the witch say?" Santana frowns deeper as Dani starts crying again, scratching at the scabs but Santana stops her and lets her scratch her palm just for the feeling. Besides, it's not hard; you barely feel Dani's nails, "Her bitch of a mother is the gym teacher and Dani's soccer coach."
"Not worth life." Dani whimpers finally at the end of the rough stages. With her arms around her knees and face buried in her knees Dani recites every word that Taylor said to Dani and the now bruising clipboard mark.
"I'm telling that bitch right now, you are off that team." Storming out, Santana ignores Dani's cries marching straight into the gym.
"Mrs. Snow!" Santana screams furious. Jumping at her daughter's best friend's voice, Taylor turns around.
"What is it, Lopez?" Taylor sighs annoyed.
"Dani is having a second breakdown in two days." Santana fakes a frown; "I don't think she should play soccer until her therapist says differently."
"Fine." Taylor agrees knowing she has to do as Santana says or she will get into more trouble then she is currently in for child abuse.
~D&S~
Three weeks later, Dani tells her therapist everything about her breakdowns leaving out the abuse. As predicted, Dani's therapist removes Dani for soccer until further notice. Giving her new tips and her card to call, along with a new appointment, Dani leaves the office feeling lighter.
Zachary drives Dani to school, not speaking a word. Walking into the school, Santana tackles Dani since it's Glee Club.
"Everything okay?" Santana makes sure walking with Dani to the room.
"Yeah, I missed her." Dani smiles.