a/n: summer is soon, so hopefully it brings new content
Song is Preach by Jessie Paege
Chapter 37: Preach
Santana hated the news, partially for the usual reasons of it being boring and depressing, but mostly because she'd been in it twice. Once after her attempt, and once the day her father showed up on Britt's birthday. Admittedly, her face had never been shown either of those times, in fact her face had been shown more in family photos of the Lopezes in The Columbus Dispatch. Still, she'd never been the subject then, rarely even named. Today marked the third time she'd heard her name on a televised newscast.
"The trial of Dr. Jose Lopez begins today. He is being tried for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and a number of other charges. On July 16th, Jose Lopez, going against a restraining order, and accomplices drove to the house of his sister, Aliana Lopez, where his daughter, Santana Lopez, resides. His parental rights, along with his wife's, were severed following an incident two years ago on Christmas where the young girl attempted to end her life." Santana clicks the TV off, and wipes the stray tears she hadn't noticed falling. Asher is beside her, cuddled into her side and she strokes him gently. The doorbell rings, and she looks up as Diego, who'd been watching her from the kitchen, answers. Santana hadn't seen Brittnay since she left school Friday. Brittany notices Santana sitting stoically on the couch and sits on the opposite side of Asher.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Brittany asks, and Santana looks to her.
"The trial starts today." Santana says. It takes a minute for Brittany to register, but when she does, she throws her arms around Santana, squeezing her tight.
"Te amo mi corazon." Brittany whispers softly.
"I hate him." Diego says, handing Santana her coffee. "And I hate that he's getting to you." he kneels in front of the couch so he can look Santana in the eye. "The best way you can spite him is going to school, and winning your next competition. You hear me?"
Santana nods, and stands up, Diego following suit and pulling her into him. Brittany can tell that it's bothering him too, and as Santana gathers her stuff, she too gives him a hug.
"You know I love you for giving me the opportunity to love her, right?" Brittany says.
"I know. Keep an eye on her today, okay? And you make sure you all win that weird girls voice boys competition okay?" Diego says.
"It's a friendly competition within the club. But of course. And I'll never take my eyes off her." she winks and runs off before Diego can give her a hard time.
At Glee that day, Mr.Schue talks about their boys vs girls competition. Brittany hasn't stopped rolling her eyes at him splitting things by gender, but she wasn't sure how else he could.
"So here's the deal, I want you to prepare a mashup in your groups. But I also want to see everyone perform as a soloist in the coming weeks. As much as they seem far off right now, Regionals are right before Winter Break this year. I want to start getting an idea of how far you have all come as performers since sectionals, and since last year. There will be no vying for spots this year, no diva off. I will pick my performers according to the setlist we put together." he says. "Now, get to work on your mashups."
Santana is pretty uninterested in this whole mashup idea and gladly let's Rachel and Mercedes argue over what to do. Brittany watches her sadly, mostly tuning out the others.
"Britt, are you even listening?" Quinn asks.
"No not really." She says honestly "I can dance to anything."
"Sometimes I swear y'all are unbearable." Rachel groans.
"Then ask someone else's opinion." Tina says, raising her voice for the first time any of them have ever witnessed "I love San and Britt, and I know that they're super stars in Mr.Schue's eyes, but clearly they've got other priorities right now. And I respect that, so no need to go all Lima Heights on my ass Santana." She is exasperated and Santana, snapping out of her daze momentarily gives the girls hand a squeeze.
"Tina has a point." Mercedes says "so what were you thinking?"
"Rihanna. I think a Rihanna mashup could be really fun." she clearly isn't as confident as Santana and Brittany, but she has a point.
"Neither San or I would come up with anything like that." Britt points out "and I really think it's a good idea. Any songs yet?"
"Maybe This Is What You Came For and We Found Love?" Tina asks.
"It might work. Would y'all be willing to come over and work with my music software today?" Rachel asks. Brittany looks at Santana who shrugs. She's not busy, and she thinks it might be a good distraction. Everyone agrees, and they excuse themselves early. The boys, in the meantime, have a war between Kurt and Finn that may never be solved.
The afternoon is spent working out how best to fit the songs. They work really well together, so they spend a little longer working on harmonies before they all head home. When Brittany and Santana get back to the Lopez home, Ali, Diego, Kelsey and the three Pierces are all there.
"Why are we having a dinner party?" Santana asks.
"Sit down mija and I'll tell you." Ali says. Brittany and Santana take their seats a bit nervously.
"Don't be worried girls." Mr.Pierce assures "This is all really good news, right Aliana?"
"Yes, yes of course. I apologize Santanita." Ali says.
"It's okay. So what's up?" she asks.
"Well, first I wanted to share with Go-Go, Kels and Ali." Liv stands and Brittany smiles "I'm gender fluid and I prefer they/them pronouns. Right now I'm going by Liv, but that might change."
"So now more Livvy?" Diego asks.
"No more Livvy. But Little Liv is still okay." they say. Diego nods.
"Well, I guess it's only fitting Kels and I go next." he says. "We've decided to move in together, but we're going to be staying here. This house is way too big for just Tana and Mami. Plus, my bedroom is alone on the bottom floor anyway. We both think we'd like to be part of the family here before starting our own."
"I'm totally fine with you two staying, as you know, especially because you're going to pay rent. Which I'm totally giving back to you when you move or making a college fund for my grand babies." she says.
"Speaking of college" Kelsey says "I'm graduating in Spring."
"Is that all the news?" Santana asks.
"Calmate Santana. I just wanted to say that I had a meeting at the courthouse today and the DA assured me no one except myself is going to be called to testify. Not your friends, not Diego, not you. The police will also testify as well as his surviving accomplice. They also have not offered him a plea deal. I know this may have soured the mood, but this is really good news." Ali explains.
"You didn't sour the mood Tia. In fact I've been worried about coming home to a summons all day."
"Well I'm glad to cheer you up." Ali smiles. Finally, all the announcements are done and together Mrs.Pierce and Ali serve dinner. Laying in bed beside Brittany that night, Santana comes to revelation.
"Hey Britt?" she asks and the blonde groans.
"Sorry baby. But I think I know what I want my solo performance to be." she says.
"Oh." Brittany rolls to face her "What are you thinking?" Santana smiles and explains, watching as Brittany enthusiastically agrees that it's perfect.
Santana wasn't ready for her solo performance until Thursday, she wanted to get it in soon, and Friday was mashup day so this was her opportunity. Brittany gave her thumbs up as Santana handed the band the sheet music. She smiled sheepishly and stood in front of the microphone.
"So by now I imagine all of you know my father's trial has started, and already know that none of us have to be involved. Still, it stirred up a lot of feelings for me, and so this song is my way to get that out. All that residual anger."
You taught me
What not to be
What not to be
Now I'm sorry I don't
Practice what you
Practice what you
Preach
Santana threw her entire body into the song. When she looked at her classmates, she knew it was having the desired effect: disorienting them. Her heart was pounding hard when she finished, and it felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest. She could breathe a little easier. Her dad may not have heard it, but it was out there in the universe, and that still meant something. After the applause died down, she thanked the band before taking her seat, letting Mr.Schue direct them to put the finishing touches on their mashups. Rumor had it that the boys had finally agreed on something, though Santana wasn't sure what, but everyone seemed happy over there.
The Mash Up Battle was held in the auditorium, and quite a few students came to see the showdown. The girls were up first.
Baby this is what you came for
Yellow diamonds in the light
Lighting strikes everytime she moves
Now we're standing side by side
And everybody's watching her
As your shadow crosses mine
But she's looking at you
What it takes to come alive
You-Ooh ooh ooh ooh
We found love in a hopeless place
They think they did pretty well, even getting some help to have some fun with the lights. Next are the boys
Well, this car is automatic, it's systematic, it's hydromatic
Why it's Greased Lightning!
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
Go, greased lightnin', you're coasting through the heat lap trials
There's no load I can't hold
Go Greased lightnin'
Road so rough this I know
Go Greased lightnin'
I'll be there when the light comes in
Go Greased lightnin'
Just tell 'em we're survivors
The boys clearly worked hard, and Santana truly wondered how Kurt had been convinced to sing solely about cars. Then she heard one person clapping louder than the rest, and longer the rest. Coming up the aisle was Burt Hummel, smiling at his son.
"Happy Birthday Dad." Kurt said. "I hope you liked it."
"Of course I did. Both of our things together." he hugged his son "Question is, did you win?"
Mr.Schue chuckled and took the stage.
"I must say, I'm impressed by both of your performances, but the boys conquered songs that are extremely different. To manage that, I have to give them the win. However, ladies, I think you definitely made a really good choice, and your mashup definitely showed that good decision making. Props to you for finding songs that fit together well." Mr.Schue said. The boys celebrated with the promised prize of free pizza afterwards, inviting the girls because really, everyone had won.
On Saturday Brittany and Santana were hanging out with Rachel and Quinn when Brittany had an idea.
"Hey San, tell me if I'm crazy but I have an idea." Brittany said as they were all walking through the park to see the ducks.
"If it's to bring bread to the ducks instead of cut grapes because they like it better, the answer is still no. Grapes are better." Santana said.
"No, not that. I want to record you singing that song and put it on YouTube." Brittany said, and Santana stopped walking, slowing Asher as well.
"Why?" Santana asked "What good is that going to do?"
"He might see it then." Brittany shrugged "I guess it's stupid."
"Hey," Santana said, gently grabbing Brittany's shoulder "It's not stupid, don't every say that about yourself."
"I personally think it's a wonderful idea." Quinn piped up.
"And we can do it with my equipment." Rachel added.
"You really think he might see it?" Santana asked. Brittany shrugged.
"He'll never see it if we dont." the dancer said.
"So?" Quinn looked to Santana "What do you think?"
"I think that we're headed to Berry's- after we feed the ducks of course." Santana agreed.
Conditional love is the Bible you throw at me
Empty poe try
Conditional love you will never let go of me
Your control of me
Bound to your world
Making it spin
Praying to something that I don't believe in
I don't know the path
But whatever I do
Father, I can no longer follow you
A/N: The songs the girls sing are both by Rihanna and Calvin Harris. The songs the guys sing are Greased Lightnin' from Grease by John Travolts and Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts. also I highly suggest checking out the Music video for Preach on YouTube!