Chapter 7

24th Of September 2011 11:27am

The first thing I heard was the sound of the kettle and the occasional clanging as I sat from the sofa rubbing my eyes softly. I panicked as I looked around frantically, confused on where I was. Was this a dream? I ran my fingers along the soft, yellow, velvet sofa still trying to figure out if it was true or not. I heard chuckling behind me so I spun to see Grace and Brittany's little sister Emily stood close on the door frame.

"Good morning, Sweet heart. Gosh, you look better now after a bit of sleep." Grace joked softly, putting down the mug on the coaster and giving me a quick comforting hug. "By the way, that coffee's yours. White with 2 sugars, right? She asked double checking. I nodded and thanked her, still alarmed from my confusion.

"Grace? Can I ask, is, is this real? I'm really confused." I asked quietly, feeling even more like a little girl, not someone nearly 18.

She laughed loudly and quickly bringing her mouth to her hand. "Yes, it is darling. Definitely not a dream, I assure you! Now get ready, we need to discuss, what's going on." She nodded, walking out slowly. I took a quick sip of my coffee and slowly returned it back to the table. I noticed Grace had brought my bag with my clothes as I unzipped it to see some clothes I had spare in my car. I heard a little creaking noise as my head spun quickly towards to the source however surprised to see Emily stood timidly. My eyes softened and gestured for her to come over. She sat on the seat next to me and smiled at me offering me a sweet.

"Emily, what's going into you? You usually don't shut up." I winked taking the sweet thanking her as I unwrapped it from the paper.

"Sorry, Santana. You look tired; I didn't want to annoy you too." She snivelled and I knew she was upset. I tapped my leg and let my arms outstretch and she fell into them.

"Hmm, who else did you annoy sweetie? What's wrong?"

"Mummy. I went to her room because I Saw dolphins in the sea and she said she didn't want waking up by me and she didn't care. I thought because it was 9 she would be up and stuff but she was rocking herself and making wailing noises. I don't think she loves me anymore." She started to cry and dropped her sweets on the floor. I felt heartbroken by the girls' words, lent forward to collect her sweets and rubbed her soothingly on her back.

"Of course she loves you, Em! But remember, mummy is going through a hard time. She will come through; you just need to help her through it! Why don't you go pick her some flowers?" I suggested sweetly as she nodded and ran out of the room. I went to the bathroom with my clothes and spare toothbrush and got changed quickly and returned to the living room. I wasn't sure what to do so I decided to look round. There was some old pictures; Grace and Bill's wedding photo, Emily's first steps, Brittany as a baby…and then one to stop me moving and my whole body freeze up. There was me and Brittany in our cheerio's uniform. I remember it to this day, it was the day we got accepted into the cheerio's by sue and Brittany was so excited. We had only known each other for like 2 days however I knew she was my best friend. In fact, from then on, we were never to be separated. My eyes stung harshly and I turned wiping my eyes. In fact the whole room looked familiar, not the crazy coloured furniture and pictures in it however definitely familiar. Wait, of course! This was the hotel from last time, they must have bought it! That why I had memories of a spare room last night.

I found Grace in the dining room, looking quite confused with her notepad and mobile phone lying opposite her on the oak table.

"Santana, didn't you tell your parent's you were coming here?" She asked. I lowered my eyes, slowly shaking my head.

"I know. Maria just called. She said your father isn't happy. You need to let them know, are you going home or are you staying?" She asked eyes full of concern.

I turned my head toward the living room seeing the picture again of Brittany and I. I knew exactly what I was going to do.