CHAPTER 10
Santana's POV
It's only been a day and I've already changed my mind. According to Quinn's schedule, there are no programs on till Sunday afternoon so I build up the courage to go to the studio. After school, I tell Quinn that I'm going to the Lima Bean with Kitty (who I absolutely hate) and she actually believed me. I know I shouldn't lie to Quinn but I want to do at least one thing without her guidance, as much as I love it and her I need to grow up.
I wait till Quinn left the parking lot of the school when I began to walk the other direction. I find Farren Street and spot the studio. I'm hoping that it's open and that a particular blonde is there too. I've never been so nervous around someone and I hate it, she makes me feel things, good things though.
I pull open the double doors and they swing open, that's a good sign, and a poke my head through. Music. There was music playing, indicating that someone else was here. I walk in and follow the sound. I find the source of the music inside what looks like a dance studio, mirrored walls, a barre and a piano in the corner. I push open the doors as quietly as I could so I could see who was inside.
Fortunately, it was exactly who I was looking for. Brittany. In the middle of the hardwood floor, she captured every beat and converted them into dance moves. Her swift movements, her strong posture and her gentle gestures all work in symphony together creating magic.
I leant against the door frame, trying not to distract her, I was leaning on one shoulder with my hand up to my ear, rolling my earlobe, Quinn was right, I do have a thing. In the middle of a full spin, she looks in the reflection of the mirror to see me standing and watching. She stumbles and recovers herself from falling and turns towards me. I swallow dryly. I've been seen.
"S-Santana?" She manages to say, eyes widened and voice shook. "Uh, yeah, sorry for staring," I nervously look down and fidget with my rings. "Oh that's okay, you just scared me a little, I thought I was alone" she chuckles while mirroring my nervous head bow. "So," She walks over to the speakers and lowers the volume. she lightens the mood by perking up herself and her tone, "what can I help you with?" she politely asks with a big smile. "Well, I put a lot of thought into this but I think I want to join ZNPS," I say with a confident smile.
"That's awesome San!" she sings out. Huh, San, only Q calls me that but it sounds so familiar from her mouth. "Well, you should know, I never break a promise," I say holding up her pinky and she immediately linked with mine and waved it around. "One problem," her tone drops, "There's no rehearsal till Sunday after church and that's when you can audition" my smile slowly drops. "Or…" My face lights up again waiting for her to finish the sentence, "you could just audition in front of me because I am co-leader after all and I make the final cuts" she gives me a toothy grin. My smile enlarges and I hug her unconsciously. She gets taken aback for a second before she hugs back. "Thank you, thank you, thank you"
I was the first to pull away, realising what I just did, "Uhh, sorry about that, it's just that I wouldn't have done it on Sunday anyway, I can't do that kind of stuff" I'm so embarrassed and had an epiphany realising that I haven't told anyone that before in my life, except Quinn. "That's all good I just need to tell Sam that I'll be late coming home today, no biggy" she whips out her phone and starts dial his number. Ugh, Sam.
Brittany's POV
"Heyy," I say into my phone, Sam on the other side, "Hey Britt, what's up?" I walk around the studio with the phone to my ear. "Just wanted to tell you I'm gonna be home late today, Santana's here and she wanted to audition" I whispered trying not to draw attention towards myself by mentioning her name.
"That's fine Britty, I'm at Mike's anyway, just text me when you're done and I'll pick you up" a rush or relief floods me, "Thank you so much Sam, see you then" I say back "No problem Britts, see you" I smile when I say my last goodbye, "Bye… dork" I hang up the phone before he could think of a comeback.
I turn to find Santana sitting at the piano, staring at the keys. "You ready?" I asked sitting next to her on the piano stool. "Uh yeah, can I use the piano?" she politely asks, "Yeah, of course, go for it" I get up off the stool and drag one of the chairs from the side next to the piano. "Whenever you're ready" I smile at her and she smiles back almost identically. I've been craving her voice since that one time in church and now I get to hear it exclusively.
"My name is Santana Lopez and I'll be singing The Village by Wrabel" she heavily exhales and the first notes of the song ring from the piano.
No, your mom don't get it
And your dad don't get it
Uncle John don't get it
And you can't tell grandma
'Cause her heart can't take it
And she might not make it
She pauses and I could see tears well up in her eyes, and her breathing hitched. Hands still in the black and white keys, she quickly calms herself down and continues.
They say: Don't dare, don't you even go there
Cutting off your long hair
You do as you're told
Tell you: Wake up, go put on your makeup
This is just a phase you're gonna outgrow
She closes her eyes, causing a couple of tears to fall from her eyes. I had the urge to stop her and wipe her tears away and give her the biggest hug but I just sat there, listening and taking in her voice that has yet again left me speechless.
There's something wrong in the village
In the village, oh
They stare in the village
In the village, oh
There's nothing wrong with you
It's true, it's true
There's something wrong with the village
With the village
There's something wrong with the village
She stops there and just sits in silence. Her hands slide off the keys and we both sit there in silence. "Santana," I whisper, "That was incredible," I say and her face lights up as she looks into my eyes. "Really? I thought crying made it worse" she looks back down at her lap and wipes runaway tears.
"No, don't apologize for being passionate" I get up and sit next to her again and wrap one arm around her. "But may I ask, " I turn towards her, "This song meant something to you, didn't it" Her chocolate brown eyes met mine, locked together. She said nothing. "It doesn't matter, it's none of my business anyway" I attempt to leave but she grabs my arm and stops me.
"No, it's okay" she gently says, pulling me back down next to her. "I listened and sang that song, the first few days after I came out and Quinn was the only person I've sung it to, until now" she bows her head embarrassed. She's gay? I sit there and take in what she said. "I know its stu-" I interrupt her, "Don't finish that sentence because A: I hate that word and B: It's not, you have an emotional connection to a song that makes you feel safe, there's nothing stupid about it" I comfort her. She leans her head on my shoulder and we sit there for a while.
Santana breaks the silence, "So did I get in?" she curiously asks, "Absolutely, definitely, positively" I say back with a laugh. "That's awesome, thank you so much, Brittany, it really means a lot. Hope I wasn't a burden today" she gets up and grabs her stuff. "Oh of course not, my pleasure, I'd do anything to hear you sing again" I blush and get up to lead her out. We talked for what felt like hours, we were trying to get to know each other "So Sam was okay for you to stay behind with me? She asks totally out of topic, "Yeah definitely, why wouldn't he?" I confusedly say, narrowing my eyes. "Don't you go out?" She asks and I erupt into an obnoxious laughing fit. She looks at me bewildered.
"Sam is my twin brother"