A/N: Brittany's Parents and Liv are mine. I don't own glee. Quinn has some moments in this chapter. Oh, Calamity! by All Time Low
Chapter 9: Oh, Calamity!
Santana wakes up earlier than usual. Tonight she's meeting Brittany's parents. They're heading there as soon as Glee is over, so she has to get dressed for it this morning. Usually Santana would have no qualms about dressing lazily on a Friday, but today was no ordinary Friday. She's spent a good amount of time picking the perfect outfit out for Brittany's parents, the blonde assuring anything the Latina wore would be fine. She'd settled on a long sleeved red button up, her favorite leather jacket, black jeans with no rips and red and black Vans hightops. She still felt it wasn't enough, but she'd done what she could. She couldn't handle wearing a dress, but she wanted to look great for the Pierces. She decided to borrow Diego's black tie in case she felt it was needed and carefully nestled it in her backpack. She heard Brittanys car pull up, and with a final brush through her hair and making sure her contacts weren't uncomfortable she headed down the stairs.
"Good mor- wow San. What's the occasion?" Brittany's jaw drops, considering she's in a white t-shirt, cargo pants and her glee jacket. Santana had hers slung over her sleeve so she could put it on for their performance this afternoon.
"Thanks B. I'm meeting your parents, hopefully I look nice enough." the Latina nervously twirls her hair.
"They'll love you." Brittany grins "I'll take good care of her tonight Ali."
"You better!" Ali smirks as she opens Santana's door for her before climbing in herself to drive them to school.
"You know you have nothing to be nervous about with my parents, love." Brittany glances at Santana.
"I just want to make a good impression B…" Santana shrugs "This is totally foreign to me."
"Sometimes I forget. I'm sorry San." Brittany pulls into their usual parking spot.
"You don't need to be sorry. I look great, and I'm really excited. Now let's go conquer the school day." Santana kisses Brittany's cheek and they walk into the school. The stares have already started to dissipate with Sue becoming principal. It also helped that word has spread that Quinn Fabray wasn't exactly on the straight and narrow. As Santana was neatly organizing her things for the day, Brittany leaned against the lockers watching Quinn across the hall. Out of the Cheerios uniform, she was barely recognizable. Despite no longer being a Cheerio, she still wore a Cheerios hoodie and seemed to blend into the crowd.
"What's wrong B?" Santana said following Brittany's eyes. She didn't know anything about Quinn, but what she'd gathered had made her wary of the girl. But even she noticed the longing hazel eyes staring through the choir door yesterday and glancing at the new and improved Cheerios team. Sue always had plenty of girls vying for a spot, so it was no surprise to see the skirts in the halls again.
"Sorry. I don't forgive her but I don't wish that on anyone." Brittang watched as the cheerios invisibility coat failed to stop the leers of the hockey jocks.
"Me neither. I don't know...maybe I could forgive her. But I need more than an apology and a song sung for Rachel." Santana sighed and the two headed to their first class.
When they arrived to the auditorium, most of the club was already mingling and on stage stood a slushie covered Quinn Fabray. Santana looked for an empty cup...no one in the Glee club was cruel were they? When she didn't find one she let out a sigh of relief.
"Look, I really don't mean to intrude but I didn't know where else to go." the short blonde whimpered. Brittany and Santana looked at each other and with one curt nod knew what to do.
"Quinn?" Santana said quietly "I'm Santana. It's nice to meet you." She held her hand out and Quinn slowly figured out what was happening.
"Q...Quinn." she shook the Latina's hand.
"Lets get you cleaned up Q." Brittany wrapped an arm around her ex best friend and led her to the bathroom. Santana followed behind and glanced at Rachel. If anyone should be helping it was her.
"Why are you being nice to me?" Quinn leaned against the sink as Santana wiped the slushy away from her eyes
"Because I'm hoping that it'll make you kinder. And because I want to know why." Santana shrugged, carefully telling the blonde to open her eyes.
"Insecurity. I know it's no excuse. And I'm fully prepared to face the consequences. You just seemed so comfortable in your skin and I was jealous. Of that. And Brittany." Quinn looked to her feet.
"Because of her or because of me?" Rachel said coming into the bathroom, armed with dry clothes.
"Rach...I was going to come and sing next week again I just…"Quinn shook her head.
"Just take the clothes Quinn. And answer." Rachel tapped her foot impatiently.
"She like you're to me but to Santana. Its because of you…" Quinn whispered before going to a stall to change.
"Shit." Rachel said and left.
"This is.." Brittany eyed the mirror angrily.
"Crazy, I know." Santana kissed Brittany's healing knuckles.
"Helping her is the right thing to do I don't forgive her though." Brittany admitted.
"Time heals love. But neither do I. But I know I will." Santana smiles.
Quinn emerged dressed in dry clothes and smiles shyly.
"Thanks.." she looks up "Do you think I should go sing or will that be really rude?"
"Oh you have to." Santana insists.
"She does?" Brittany arches an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I saw the soaked sheet music in your jacket pocket. I'll play piano for you." Santana smiles "I can't think of a better end to reputation week."
"You know it by memory?" Quinn blinks shocked.
"Yeah, come on." Santana and Brittany return where whispers echo off the auditorium walls.
"Oh good you're back!" Kurt gasps.
"Uh yeah. Can y'all sit down? I know we had that song but.."
"Please, interrupt my lesson Santana" encourages.
"Thanks. Britt, go, sit." Santana urges and settles at the piano bench, smiling softly at Quinn.
(Bold both S & Q)
When I was younger I was certain
That I'd be fine without a queen
Just a king inside her castle
With an ocean in between
Now all I do is sit
And count the miles from you to me
Oh, calamity
We get older by the hour
Watch the changes from afar
Keep forgetting to remember
Where we've been is who we are
Now all I do is wonder
Why we ever set the scene
Oh, calamity
It's such a shame that we play strangers
No act to change what we've become
Damn, it's such a shame that we've built a wreck out of me
Oh, calamity
Oh, calamity
I'll remember nights alone
And waking up to dial tones
Always found my greatest moments
In the sound of your hello's
Now I struggle to recall
The reasons you would come to leave
Oh, calamity
It's such a shame that we play strangers
No act to change what we've become
Damn, it's such a shame that we've built a wreck out of me
Oh, calamity
Oh, calamity
If I catch you on the corner
Will you even know it's me?
Will I look familiar to you?
Do you offer me a seat?
Can we find a new beginning?
Do you turn the other cheek?
Oh, calamity
It's such a shame that we play strangers
No act to change what we've become
Damn, it's such a shame that we play strangers
No act to change what we've become
Damn, it's such a shame that we've built a wreck out of me
Oh, calamity
Oh, calamity
Oh, calamity
Come back to me
The club claps all expressing how against their reputation that went for both girls. It was widely respected that Santana was running from her past, Quinn wasn't vulnerable, and they should've never worked together.
"What'd mean to you?" Brittany whispers in the Latinas ear.
"Just cause I'm forgetting my past doesn't mean I don't thank it. What happened to me sucked, but it made me who I am. But I used to sing the song about my depression. I kind of think it's about my past for me. Embracing it." Santana leans on Brittany's shoulder. They watch as Rachel hugs Quinn, but its clear that it will be some time before that happens again.
"Well, I think that wraps reputation week neatly. Don't forget to think of ways to prepare for sectionals this weekend. Now, get out of here." Mr. Schue smiles as everyone, excluding Rachel, Finn and Quinn, leave. "I feel like as an adult I should leave and stay." he addresses the three.
"Its okay . Let's all just take the weekend to think okay?" Rachel arches an eyebrow and the other two nod.
Santana slips into the passenger seat of Brittanys car, chewing on her lip nervously.
"What's wrong?" Brittany buckles her seatbelt.
"I'm super nervous to meet your parents. What if they hate me?" Santana wings her hands.
"They won't. I promise." Brittany gently lays her hand on Santana's "Trust me. They are going to like you."
Brittany pulls into the Pierce driveway and looks over at Santana who's holding a tie.
"Should I wear the tie?" she holds it up against the shirt.
"San, honey. Relax. Leave the tie in your backpack. This isn't a big formal get together." Brittany assures.
"It's just that whenever we had a meal at someone else's house or had a guest I was expected to present myself as prim and proper." Santana runs a hand through her hair "Are you sure I shouldn't wear the tie?"
"Yes. Now come on. Fair warning, I have a family of huggers." Brittany grins and Santana grimaces. "Don't worry, they'll be gentle." Brittany assures.
"Welcome home Britty!" Whitney Pierce says, pulling her daughter into a hug. "And you must be Santana. Brittany is right, you're beautiful" Whitney smiles and gently hugs the Latina.
"Britt! Welcome home darling." Daniel Pierce hugs his daughter tughtly before spotting Santana. "Wow, Britt, you know how to pick them." he too gently hugs the Latina as Liv comes barreling down the stairs.
"B!" she hugs her sister around her legs. Olivia is only 8, going on 9, meaning she was just a newborn when Whitney first fell victim to cancer.
"I didn't realize Liv was so young" Santana looked to Brittany who nodded "she was real little when mom got sick the first time."
"Who are you?" Liv looked at Santana.
"Uh, I'm Santana. Its nice to meet you." she kneeled to get on the little girls level.
"Why are you here though?" Liv tapped her foot.
"Well I'm very good friends with-" Santana said but Brittany shook her head.
"She's my girlfriend Liv." Brittany explained.
"Oh. Cool. You seem better than that Artie kid." Liv said matter-of-factly before hugging the Latina.
"You dated Artie?" Santana whispered to Brittany.
"Yeah and he thought I cheated on him which caused the outburst." Brittany whispered back.
"I guess it makes a little more sense…" Santana kissd Brittany's cheek as the blonde nodded.
"Well, dinner just about ready. Britt, help Liv set the table. Santana go ahead and take a seat." Whitney says and the Latina smiles. She hands her backpack to Brittnay who runs upstairs with their stuff. Santana definitely feels overdressed. Whitney Pierce is wearing a "Kiss The Chef" apron over a tshirt and blue jeans, Daniel Pierce is wearing a novelty baseball jersey and khakis and Liv is wearing a unicorn shirt and purple leggings. She fusses with her collar as she sits down, draping her jacket over the back of the chair. When Brittany returns, she's in the same casual clothes she wore to school. She helps her little sister set the table, glancing at the obviously nervous Latina.
"Livvy, go wash your hands." she sends her little sister skipping to the bathroom and slips into her seat next to Santana "You're going to stretch the collar if you keep fussing with it." Brittany eyes Santana's hands that freeze at being caught.
"S…s...so….sorry." Santana stutters, opting to unbutton the top two buttons of the shirt to ease the suffocating feeling to little avail.
"Hey, I thought we worked on that." Brittany pouts, but the look in Santana's eyes tells her jokes aren't registering. "Hey, shh. Breathe." Brittany senses the panic rising and pulls her own inhaler out of her pocket, helping Santana use it. Santana calms down fairly quickly and, although quiet, is seemingly fine when the rest of the Pierce's join the table. Whitney serves spaghetti and garlic bread and Santana smiles gratefully. She waits until Brittany starts eating to start herself.
"I apologize if our banter about your beauty bothered you Santana." Whitnry says, breaking the silence for the first time since the food had been served. Santana shakes her head with a light smile.
"N..no...pr...prob Mrs.P" Santana looks back to her plate.
"Call me Whitney darling. And don't be nervous around us." Whitney looks to Daniel to jump in.
"Yeah, you know I'm personally honored by you dressing up for silly ol' us." Daniel cracks a blinding smile "Oh and uh, you can call me Daniel."
"Th...thanks." Santana blushes. Brittany smiles softly and gently squeezes the Latina's hand below the table.
"Can I call you Tana?" Liv blurts and Santana laughs.
"Sure. You'll be the first ever. I think that makes you pretty special, huh?" Santana winks and Liv giggles. The little smile puts Santana's nerves at ease.
"So why did you move to Lima?" inquires, and Santana freezes. Brittany glares at her parents and Susan coughs "If you want to tell us, that is."
"Um" Santana looks at Liv "In short, to live with my aunt."
"So cool. Why can't I live with my aunt?" Liv asks her parents.
"Because your aunt is 20 and still lives with grandma and grandpa." Susan explains. Santana notes that there must be a pretty big age difference between the sisters.
"Mom had me at 17 San." Brittany whispers "Her sister was 5."
"You don't have to whisper about me Britty." says "Though I suppose it might help the argument about your sister staying with your Aunt."
"Hmm?" Liv says, already having forgotten about the conversation.
"We were just saying how awesome you are." Santana winks and that satisfies the little blonde.
"I like her." Daniel says, and Santana's blush is evident despite her skin tone. The Pierces and Santana finish dinner, and Susan tells the girls they can go hang out in Brittany's room for a bit while she washes up. Daniel takes Liv to get ready for bed.
Santana can't help but smile as she walks into Brittany's bedroom for the second time since they met. She sees a new decoration: a framed photo of them eating ice cream.
"Admiring yourself?" Brittany wraps her arms around the Latina, seeing her staring at the picture.
"I was more focused on the blonde actually." Santana smiles, turning around in Brittany's arms. Their faces are mere inches apart
"Hi" Brittany whispers shyly.
"Hi" Santana blushes as they kiss softly.
"You're beautiful." Brittany pulls away, gently leading the shorter girl to sit on her bed.
"I'm starting to believe you. Can I show you something?" Santana shifts nervously.
"Yeah, you know I'd never judge you right?" Brittany eyes the nervous girl warily.
"I know. That's why I can show you." Santana rolls up her sleeves, revealing her scars. At first, Brittany slightly recoils, but after a few deep breaths she gives a teary smile to the Latina. "Give me your hand." Santana puts her hand out and when Brittany lays her hand in hers, she gently moves the pale hand to trace a vertical scar that runs her entire arm. She starts with her left, than her right arm. "From when I attempted." she then traces one near her wrist "The last one. The day before I met you". Then she traces some that have faded, but seem to spell a word, or rather a name. Before Santana can explain, Brittany knows.
"It says Emmy." she says and the Latina nods.
"This is how I keep her with me." Santana notices Brittany's discomfort "She was my best friend and my first love." the blonde looks away, but Santana forces her to look her in the eyes "But you're my best friend FOREVER and my only TRUE love."
"You'll never leave me?" Brittany runs a thumb along the long vertical scar.
"Never." Santana promises.
"I love you." Brittany says.
"I love you too" Santana smiles.
"There is something I want to show you too." Brittany looks down.
"You don't have to show me your scars." Santana softly says.
"It's not that." Brittany helps the Latina up and shows her to her bathroom. When she flips on the light switch, Santana sees the shattered mirror still on the wall
"Why is the mirror still there?" Santana questions.
"It reminds me that there is still beauty in the broken." Brittany moves Santana to look into the mirror. "Just because you're broken doesn't mean you're not beautiful. If anything, it multiples your beauty."
"You're a genius Britt." Santana says
"You think so?" Brittany smirks.
"I know so." Santana says. The girls share a soft kiss and when they pull apart they see Susan peeking her head through the door.
"I hope I'm not interrupting but someone wanted to say goodnight." Susan opens the door more revealing a sleepy Liv in penguin pajamas.
"Nigh nigh Tana" Liv jumps forward and hugs the Latina.
"Goodnight Livvy." Santana smiles. Brittany leans down and picks up her sister into a huge hug.
"You're getting so big little Liv!" Brittany kisses the top of her head.
"Yeah, you can't call me little no more Britty." Liv says sternly.
"Love ya Liv, dream of unicorns." she reminds.
"And flying penguins." Liv reminds back, before Brittany sets her down and she's escorted to bed by her mother. Susan made it clear she'd be back momentarily to talk to the girls.
"Why do you think your mom wants to talk to us?" Santana nervously paces.
"Well, for one thing, some annoying door open policy." Brittany rolls her eyes "and probably about your past my love."
"You didn't tell them?" Santana's surprise is obvious.
"Of course not. It's your story. You decide who to tell what." Brittany shrugs.
"Thank you." Santana hugs the blonde.
"Hello girls." Susan says, accompanied by Daniel.
"Hi?" Brittany arches an eyebrow as her mom steals the desk chair, her dad grabbing the barstool she MAY have taken from the science lab.
"Sit down." Daniel urges and the girls settle on Brittany's bed, Santana's right hand finding Brittany's left.
"Now, I understand your past might be a touchy subject Santana. So we just want to know what you think is necessary." Susan explains.
"Yeah, of course." Santana nods and Brittany gives her hand a squeeze "The short version is that I was outed as gay, my parents found out and wanted me to prove that wrong. The boy they made me date took advantage of me, and I became incredibly depressed. I attempted and when I woke up in the hospital I was disowned and adopted by my aunt." she finally takes a breath.
"What kind of parent does that?" Daniel stands up angrily.
"The homophobic Catholic kind." Santana says.
"But youre their child." Susan sighs.
"Apparently that doesn't matter." Santana shrugs.
"Look, mom and dad, it's the past. Santana's aunt is a total rockstar." Brittany says.
"Okay. Well, then, the only other thing we say is open door policy." Susan smirks as Brittany groans, leading her husband out of the room.
"They suck." Brittany pouts but Santana just shakes her head.
"No they don't. Yeah, now we can't get our mack on here, but you have a car, a treehouse and a girlfriend with an aunt who doesn't care about open doors." Santana smirks.
"How do you know?" Brittany inquires.
"Diego." Santana kisses Brittany deeply.
"Don't start anything." Brittany reminds and Santana nods. Not long after, Brittany takes Santana home. She hopes the Latina likes surprises, because she's got a few.