CHAPTER 17
The next day, Santana skipped more classes than she attended but decided she would go to Glee club so that everyone wouldn't be able to discuss her situation during that time without her knowing about it. Santana's presence stopped all talk about what had happened yesterday but traces of it remained, such as certain people not really engaging with Finn and others looking at Santana before quickly averting their gaze when they realised Santana was watching them.
The rest of the week continued like this but with Santana gradually attending more classes.
The next Monday, Santana managed to go to all classes as well as Glee club. Their assignment this week was an interesting one about spreading love and support. Mr Schue had bought three second-hand purple pianos that he was going to move around the school on a daily basis. If any Glee club member were to see one of these pianos, they had to perform a song.
The class was divided, with some people such as Rachel and Blaine thinking the assignment a splendid idea, while others such as Puck and Tina thinking that it was stupid and that it would only cause more hate for the club. Santana seemed to agree more with Puck and Tina, not able to grasp the idea that people would enjoy elaborate performances happening around the school when they were just going about their own business. Nevertheless, Santana did think the message being shared was a nice one, and one probably brought on by all the arguments that had been occurring, so wasn't totally against the assignment, though she doubted she'd sing around and dance if she happened to pass a piano.
The next day after first period, Santana was approached by Sue in the hallway. "Santana," Sue began. "I'm glad to see that you're back at school and have settled in again. Would you mind having a little chat with me in my office."
Not sure about the purpose of this talk, Santana decided it was safe to respond with, "Of course, and I'm glad to be back."
Once they were in the office, Sue started the conversation off with, "I've noticed that you haven't been coming to Cheerios practice, which I understand given all you've gone through, but you have been going to Glee club."
"I-," Santana began before Sue interrupted.
"No, no, no, no, no. That is not acceptable Santana. If you're going to your Glee club, you are more than capable of coming to Cheerios training, yet you haven't been. This is leading me to question where your loyalties lie. I need you to prove to me that your heart is still with me and the Cheerios," Sue continued.
"How can I do that?" Santana asked.
"Well, I've noticed some horrid pianos around the school that seem to have singing and dancing following them wherever they go. Tomorrow, I will move one of the pianos to the courtyard, and during lunch you will perform a routine before burning it in front of the whole school." Sue explained.
After considering Sue's request and the consequences to going ahead with it, Santana exclaimed, "but everyone in the Glee club will hate me! They have been the only people to really support me and if I do this, I'll be throwing away all their trust!"
"That's the point," Sue said as if that should have been obvious. "It proves your loyalty to me while destroying the club, it's a win, win situation."
"This doesn't give me a win in any way!" Santana said, exasperated.
"For me," Sue stated. "It's a win, win situation for me."
"Isn't a win, win situation meant to benefit both people?" Santana questioned.
"Well it will help you," Sue began, "By proving your loyalty to me, you'll remain on the Cheerios. If you don't do it, then you're off the Cheerios and your scholarship to the University of Louisville will no longer stand."
Santana just stared at Sue, her mouth agape in shock.
"You can leave now," Sue said, who was now more focused on preparing her energy drink than Santana. As Santana began closing the door, she added, "oh, and you can't tell anyone about this little plan of ours. Understand?"
Santana nodded once before closing the door behind her.
Brittany quickly caught up with Santana in the hallway after she had finished talking with Sue.
"What was that about?" she asked.
Tempted to tell Brittany everything that was happening and not wanting to lie to her best friend, but not willing to throw away her scholarship which Santana would classify as the most precious thing she owned, she said, "Nothing much. Just discussing the music for our next routine."
"Why weren't Quinn and Becky there?" Brittany asked.
Knowing that Brittany could easily check her answer by either of the other head Cheerios, Santana just shrugged and stated, "Sue never said."
-Thank you for reading! I'd really appreciate it if you could follow/favourite and leave a review. Please let me know about how you thought this chapter was and suggest some storylines that you would like to see further on in the au. As of yet I'm not sure how long this will be but if you could leave me some recommendations then I can work on that. I'd love it if you could also go read my new Brittana fanfic: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down. Once again, thank you for taking your time to read this!
Note: I don't own Glee or any copyrighted characters or material that are referred to in this story- Thanks also to my amazing friend and editor Aster
