Chapter 6:

The next morning I woke up in Brittany's arms. Every other day I would have gotten up and would have walked away…away from my fears. I would have hidden behind my big walls…but not this time. I stayed and let her hold and protect me so I didn't have to stay behind my walls. Because nothing can make me feel as safe as her body pressed against mine. Nothing can heal my wounds better than her warm smile and her soft touch. I have no idea why I have ever run away from this…it's the best I have felt for a long time. We spend the rest of the day together. We didn't talk about last night, because honestly? I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready to tell her about my parents. Once one thing slips trough I have to tell her everything and I can't do that. But I know I can't hide it forever. One time the past will catch up with you and I have this feeling that this day isn't that far away anymore. So I enjoy every moment like it's the last. Everything will change and I know that and accepted it…but that doesn't mean I am not scared.

"What are you thinking about?"

I turn around and see Brittany staring at me. I could watch in those blue eyes forever.

"Morning Beautiful, how'd you sleep?" I don't really want to talk about what I was thinking so I hope she lets it go.

"Well I was awake half of the night because I wanted to make sure you were safe…and because you snored pretty loud." She giggles a little and I smack her arm playfully.

"I don't snore. It was probably that cat of yours."

"Na…it was definitively you." I give her a short laugh and roll my eyes. She just winks at me and gets up. We walk down together and make some breakfast. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled the bacon. We sit at the table and eat.

"So…what are you going to do?" I give her a confused look and swallow.

"What do you mean?"

"About your parents, I mean it's obviously that you can't stay at your house anymore."

"What are you talking about? I won't move out Brittany."

She stares at me for a moment before shaking her head.

"He slapped you Santana. It isn't safe for you to live with him. You could stay here with me so I can protect you."

"I don't need anyone to protect me Britt, it's not like he's an offender. He just had a bad day that's all." I stand up and walk out of the kitchen. I am really not in the mood for this. What does she think she is talking about? She has no idea what is going on at home. Of course I know that that is partly my fault because I haven't told her…but still.

"No, that's not all Santana, he is an alcoholic. He's not sane."

I stop and turn around. I really don't like fighting with Brittany but that was going too far.

"Don't you dare talk about him like that?! You have no idea! Just leave us alone. I was perfectly fine before everyone started to mind my business." When I am finished I see that she has tears in her eyes. I walk over to her and hug her tightly.

"I'm so sorry Britt, I didn't meant to yell at you. Please forgive me?"

"It's ok Santana. I know I shouldn't have said those things. It's just…it makes me so angry to think about him…about him hurting you. I just want you to be safe."

I let go of her and cup her cheeks with my hands. I look her deep in the eyes.

"I know Britt and I'm sorry. I understand you…I really do but please promise me that you stop worrying so much about it and just let me handle it by myself. We'll work it out…I promise."

"I will try…but I can't promise anything. I will never stop worrying about you Santana, I love you."

I kiss her on the lips and wrap my arms around her again. She always knows what to say.

"I love you too Britt."

We spent the rest of the day hanging on her couch and watching TV. We haven't talk about our little fight again…although I know she won't just drop it. But I am grateful for every moment we can just let it be…just lie here and enjoy each other's company. When it's time to get ready for the sleepover we have both fallen asleep and got woken up from the ring of the doorbell. I get up and open the door to find Quinn standing there with her bag.

"You ready?" She asks.

"Not really…Britt and I kind of fell asleep." She gives me a knowing smirk and walks past me into the living room.

"Wake up Britt. You and San should hurry up or we're going to be late."

"Hi Quinny. How much time till we have to go?" She rubs at her eyes and stands up. She stretches her arms in the air and her t-shirt slips up and exposes her bare stomach. I could totally get used to that sight.

"Five minutes…so hurry up."

We walk to her room and pack our bags. A few minutes later we leave the house and all get into Quinn's car. When we arrive at Rachel's we see that all the others are already here. We walk up the front porch and knock on the door. After a few seconds Rachel opens it and lets us in. She leads us up to her room where the other girls are sitting on the floor and talking.

"Hey girls" They all greet us. We join them on the floor and start talking again.

"So has anyone any ideas for a good song?"

The next two hours we spend searching for songs and practicing our choreography. Finally we have found a good enough performance to beat the guys. We go downstairs and sit in front of the TV with some popcorn. There's nothing exciting in the TV.

"So Rachel, how are things between you and Finn?" Mercedes asks. Rachel smiles and shakes her head a little.

"They're great. He is so sweet and we go on a lot of dates. Sadly our parents are still not so happy about the whole proposal thing."

"Don't worry they'll come around. They love you and just want the best for you, like all parents."

Suddenly all eyes are on me. I shift a little and look away. I have no interests in talking about that with them. But of course they still ask.

"How are things with your parents Santana?" It's Tina who asks.

"Fine…everything's fine." They all look at me in disbelieve.

This time it is Rachel who speaks up.

"Santana we are here for you. You can talk to us and trust us. We won't tell anyone if you don't want us to, but I think you should talk about it with someone."

I nod my head and take in a deep breath. They are right. I can trust them, and I really need to talk with someone before my head explodes.

"I slept at Britt's last night. I was scared to go back in that house."

They all nod their head in agreement.

"Understandable. So how long has this been going on…with your father."

I look on the ground and sigh. Am I really going to tell them?

"My father started drinking a few months before we moved to Lima. But the violent part just started a few months ago."

"Can I ask you a question? I know it's maybe a bit personal but…why did he start drinking? Did something happen back at your old place?" I look at Mercedes. I really feared this question.

"Yeah…there was something, but I don't really want to talk about it." A single tear rolls down my cheek. It is really hard to talk so open about it….even if I haven't told them everything. I stand up and walk to the bathroom.

No P.O.V.

The girls sit in Rachel's living room in silence. Neither of them knows what to say after Santana walked out of the room. They have never seen her that insecure and vulnerable.

"I had no idea that things at her home were so bad." Tina states.

"Yes, me neither. If I had known I would've tried to help her sooner." Mercedes says in a low whisper.

"Did one of you two know something about it?" Rachel asks and looks at Brittany and Quinn.

They exchange a short look before nodding their head.

"I knew that her parents were fighting for a long time now. But I didn't know how bad things got until last night." Brittany says with tears in her eyes.

A few minutes pass before Quinn speaks up. It doesn't feel right to tell them about Santana's secrets…but she needs help.

"She came by last Tuesday crying. Her parents were fighting again, but he didn't slap her. She also told me that he punches her mother regularly."

At this Brittany stands up.

"You knew that Santana was in danger and didn't tell me?!"

"Brittany please calm down, I'm sure Quinn just wants the best for her too." Mercedes looks at Quinn who nods her head.

"Yes Britt believe me, I care about her too. I promised to not tell anyone. I'm sorry."

Brittany lowers her head and sits back on the floor.

"I know…I'm sorry. It just makes me so angry and hurt to know what San has to go through. I feel like I'm not here for her." Tina nods her head.

"I think we all feel like we weren't there for her when she needed us. And that's why we have to be here now."

"But what can we do?"

Before anyone can answer Quinn's question Santana walks back in the room. She looks at all of them with a confused look.

"What's going on?"

They remain silent for a moment before Rachel speaks up.

"We know you don't want to talk about what's going on with your parents…but maybe you'd like to sing about it in Glee. It could help and it wouldn't have to be so personal."

They all nod in agreement. It is a good idea. In that way she can open up a little without showing too much. Santana considers the idea for a moment.

"I think I maybe could handle that…but not alone."

"That's no problem, we can all sing about our family life."

"Yes we could ask Mr. Schue to take this as our assignment for next week. In that way everyone sings about their home life and you wouldn't have to stand out that much." Santana looks at them and nods her head.

"Yes, that would be great. Thanks guys."

With that they all go to bed. Maybe they don't know what is exactly going on in the Lopez household, but they know that they want to help their friend in every way possible.