Abducted
Chapter Two
The weekend flew by. One minute she was watching a movie in the living room with her parents for family movie night then next thing she knew she was driving to the Lopez's accompanied by Javièr. Gloria had already said her teary goodbyes at the house.
Santana knew that Javièr let her drive and play music from her cellphone in attempt to cheer her up. It's not working. She is still feeling sad, exasperated, and guilty with the entire situation. The Latina is sad she has to leave the parents who raised her, irritated they were forced into this situation, and guilty for feeling so angry she had to spend every week with Victor and Maribel Lopez.
They're not the bad guys. They just want their daughter back. There's nothing wrong with that. Of course Santana empathized with them, she isn't a cold hearted bitch. She just wished they could give her time to get to know them before a seven day sleepover at their home.
"Turn left here." Javièr instructed using directions Victor had texted him earlier. "The house should be on the right. According to this text it's a light yellow house with a welcome home sign on the lawn."
Santana nodded then just before she reached the end of the road to make the turn, out of the blue she pulled off on the side of the road to park and irrupted into tears, putting her hands over her face.
"What's wrong, sweetie, talk to me." Javièr gently encouraged.
"I-It's just I-I know they expect m-me to run into their arms a-and be happy that I'm with them again b-but I don't think I-I can." She said moving her hands slightly away from her mouth so Javièr could understand her.
"Come here, honey."
Santana unbuckled the seatbelt and climbed across the center counsel to sit on Javier's lap, as if she were a little girl again. Javièr rubbed comforting circles on her back.
"I have to apologize to you."
Santana frowned in confusion, not expecting that response. "F-For what?"
"There's been all this talk between your mother and I about our feelings in regard to this unique situation, and even how the Lopez's feel, but, no one has considered how you feel in all of this mess. Between the shock of finding out the adoption was not legitimate, the shared custody agreement, the move, adjusting to living in Ohio, new jobs, getting you registered to a new school, you got lost in it all. I'm sorry."
"S'okay." She mumbled. They sat in silence for a few minutes longer, until her crying had subsided. "I don't want to be with the Lopez's all week. Can't I just visit for a day then come home?"
"I would love that, but, we all agreed on shared custody, though, it isn't 50/50." He explained. "As your biological parents they get weekdays, we only get weekends. They also make the big decisions, like what school you attend. Maribel and Victor wanted it to be the same high school your older brother goes to. That wouldn't happen if you stayed with your mother and I during the week."
Santana exhaled. "This arrangement really sucks."
Javièr got a little emotional himself as a few tears escape the corner of his eyes. "I agree. It totally sucks."
They stayed that way a moment longer before cleaning their faces with tissue Gloria always kept in the glove compartment. Santana went to slide back over to the driver's seat when Javièr stopped her.
"Still want to drive?"
She thought about it then shook her head. Javièr exited the vehicle to walk around and take the driver's side. Santana remained in the passenger seat. Javièr took the left turn onto Maple drive. He drove slow to be sure they didn't miss the Lopez home. The pair couldn't help but notice how vastly different this neighborhood is in comparison to the gated community where the Delgado's live.
Although it isn't particularly disastrous, a normal middle-class neighborhood, the streets aren't paved nicely like in Lima Heights. Potholes have been patched with dark tar, as well as the cracks in the asphalt.
The houses lining the streets aren't as nice as the ones in the gated community either. They're smaller in size and there are a couple of houses that appear to be ancient with the paint peeling and the stairs on the front porch about to cave.
"This must be it." Javièr said as the car slowly parked in front of a light yellow house. "It's the only yellow house on this road with a giant welcome home sign on the lawn."
Off of the cracked sidewalk, a set of stairs lead up to a small four square craftsman home painted a light yellow. It has a open three column porch, perfect for entertaining family and neighbors. Shrubbery line the porch, there are medium sized windows large enough to let in natural light, and the second floor just above the porch is a dormer with three medium windows.
Santana doesn't want to get out of the car. As much as she sympathized with the Lopez's, she would prefer to be home with her parents in New York, hanging out with her friends, or even dealing with coach Washington. Any of that would be better than this.
"Ready?" Javièr asked interrupting Santana's thoughts.
"No."
Javièr exhaled deeply. "I know this is hard, but, give them a chance. The Lopez's seem like really nice people." He encouraged. "You can call your mother and I whenever you need us, okay? No matter how late it is."
Santana nodded not looking away from the Lopez home. "M'kay." She mumbled.
"Come on, let's get out of the warm car and go out into the chilly air." They got out of the vehicle. Javièr retrieved Santana's luggage out of the trunk. "Are you going to give your old man a hug before you go inside?" He tried to tease, though, he couldn't manage to get a smile out of the teen.
Santana threw her arms around Javièr. She buried her face in his neck and cried some more. Javièr did his best to keep his emotions in check. Unbeknownst to either of them, Victor and Maribel are watching from the front door window.
Despite the excitement of having their daughter back, they understand how difficult this is for the Delgado family, and leave them to have a private moment, fighting the strong urge to run outside to greet their daughter with a big hug.
"You have to go, sweetie." Javièr whispered.
Reluctantly Santana let go of Javièr and once again she wiped her face with tissues she had shoved into her pocket from earlier in the car.
"You don't have to walk with me."
"Are you sure?" He watched as she nodded. "Okay, as long as you're sure. I love you."
"Love you, too."
Begrudgingly Santana took her luggage with wheels on the bottom and rolled it to the stairs. However, as she went to pick up the luggage to carry it, a masculine, tan hand appeared to take it from her.
"Let me take that for you." Victor said.
"Thanks." Santana mumbled.
The teen followed Victor to the house. Inside Maribel was eagerly waiting by the door. Santana could tell Maribel is dying to give her a hug, but, held back.
"I hope it wasn't difficult to follow the directions I gave. It's not easy to navigate your way around this neighborhood if you're not familiar with it." Maribel said in Spanish.
"I-I'm sorry I don't speak Spanish." Santana awkwardly confessed. "I just know the basics, please, thank you, you're welcome."
Maribel looked to Victor. She appeared disappointed, however, it went just as fast as it came and was replaced with a reassuring smile.
"That's okay." Maribel said in English this time. She then turned toward the stairs behind her. "Noah! Your sister is finally home, get down here!"
The trio stood in awkward silence, still in the foyer. Suddenly loud footsteps were heard coming from the second floor then a teenage boy with a ugly mohawk descended the stairs. It's the same mohawked boy she saw playing catch in a heated pool with a freakishly tall kid.
"I prefer Puck." The teenage boy softly told Santana. He looked at her up and down, though, he didn't say anything else.
Santana wanted to crawl in a hole and die. It never crossed her mind how awkward this was going to be, but, then again the thought of being away from her parents for a week took up most of her thoughts.
"Noah, why don't you take Santana to her bedroom." Victor suggested. "Give her a tour of the second floor. We'll give her a tour down here when you're done."
"Do I have to?" Puck asked Maribel in Spanish.
Victor glared at the teenage boy. "Si, you have to."
Puck huffed. "Fine." He took Santana's luggage from Victor then stomped up the stairs like a child.
Santana followed him. He escorted her to a door with her name sprawled on it with pink stickers. Puck set the luggage down.
"As you can see this is your room." He pointed to the door to the left. "Our bathroom. Yes, unfortunately we have no choice to share, this shit hole is small." He pointed to the door left from the bathroom. "My room. Keep out unless I say so." He pointed to the door directly in front of the stairs. "Mami and Victor's room. Tour over."
Puck bolted down the hall to his bedroom and slammed the door shut.
"Asshole." She mumbled.
Santana took her luggage into her bedroom. It appeared as if the furniture had a recent update but the wallpaper did not. Alternating between pink vertical stripes and flowers there's no doubt in her mind it has been on the walls since the 90's. The bed is smaller than the one at home, though, it looked comfortable. A white vanity was on one side of the room just across a matching dresser on the other side.
Waisting no time, Santana began to unpack the luggage only to find the dresser full of new clothes. For a moment she wondered how the Lopez's could know her size in any type of clothing then realized Maribel must have spoken to her mother.
Scanning the room she discovers a closet. Santana transferred the clothes from the luggage into the closet. Like the dresser, the closet is full of shoes. Boots, flip-flops, sneakers, flats, and surprisingly even some high heels.
Someone knocked on the opened door. Santana turned to see Maribel.
"I don't mean to rush you, but, your Pa…Victor and I are ready to give you that tour now."
"M'kay."
Santana followed Maribel back downstairs. Victor waited in the foyer, like Maribel had not that long ago when Santana arrived. The teen politely smiled at proper times throughout the house tour. They toured the foyer down the hall to the kitchen, even the bathroom and laundry room, then finally back down the hall to the living room.
There was nothing special about the room. It had everything you'd find in a living room. Couches, coffee table, end tables, television, and lamps, though Santana could tell the married couple are eager to show her something.
Maribel took her by the hand to escort the teen to a specific end table between the love seat and the couch. On top of the table is a framed family photo. Everyone in the picture are so young. Victor and Maribel sat next to each other. Victor dressed up in a suit and Maribel in a dress.
Puck sat in front of Victor with a miniature version of his father's suit. Santana in front of Maribel wearing a red floral dress with a laced collar, her hair styled so half is up and half down, with a matching green bow.
"This was taken in the spring for Mother's Day." Maribel said. "Exactly a month before we went on vacation to Puerto Rico." She hesitated before saying, "Our last family photo."
Santana didn't know what to say to that. Is there a right or wrong response? What do the Lopez's want her to say? Sorry I was kidnapped as a toddler and destroyed our family?
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything." Victor added.
Maribel nodded in agreement. "We just wanted to show this to you incase it sparked any memories." She elaborated with hope.
"I-I'm sorry. It doesn't."
Maribel appeared disappointed, but, not angry, and Victor just flashed a sympathetic smile. "It was a long shot." Said Maribel.
For the second time that day it's awkward. Is this how it's always going to be? Will she ever feel a real connection with the Lopez's? Will they always feel like strangers to her? That thought scared her. How could she spend the next three to four years living with a family that don't feel like family?
Dinner was a slight improvement. There were short moments of awkward energy in the air in between Maribel and Victor getting to know Santana. Puck ate silently.
"Were you involved in any extracurricular activities at your old school?" Maribel asked.
Santana nodded. "I was the captain of the cheerleading squad. We won two National titles in a row." She said with pride.
Both Maribel and Victor smiled. Puck appeared unimpressed and angry.
"That's impressive." Said Maribel. Victor nodded in agreement. "From what I heard the cheerleading squad at McKinley is pretty good. I'm not sure if they won any National titles, but, from the sound of it, you could change that if you signed up."
Neither the Lopez's noticed Puck rolling his eyes, but, Santana did.
"I-uh-I haven't decided if I want to join the cheer squad yet."
"Oh. Well, maybe tomorrow you can observe them during practice and make a decision then." Maribel suggested.
"And if it's not for you, that's okay. McKinley has other activities and clubs to join." Said Victor with a encouraging smile.
Throughout dinner Santana was asked what her favorite school subject was, and her least favorite, if she thought about going to college yet, and what her hobbies were, then they asked about her life in New York. What it was like to live in the city, if she had seen any Broadway shows, then, finally, they asked about her New York friends.
Before Santana could respond, however, Puck abruptly stood up. The chair he was sitting on scraped against the tiled floor. He grabbed his half finished plate then brought it over to the sink and dumped the left over food into the disposal.
"What are you doing?" Victor asked Puck in Spanish, glaring at the teen.
"I'm done eating. Now I'm going to my room." Puck replied in Spanish as well.
For the third time Santana felt awkward not understanding what was being said as father and son argued in Spanish.
"Don't you want to get to know your little sister?"
Puck looked in Santana's direction. If looks could kill she would be dead a thousand times over, and suddenly the Latina had a hunch they were now talking about her.
"No." He said in English this time before storming out of the room and to the second floor to his bedroom. A faint sound of a door being slammed shut followed shortly after.
"It's going to take some time for him to adjust to this new living arrangement." Maribel explained Puck's rude behavior.
Santana didn't miss how unsure Victor appeared as the man hasn't taken his eyes away from the direction Puck had disappeared to. Maribel continued their conversation where they had left off.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Santana's stomach dropped. Although she was expecting to be asked that question she was still caught off guard. The brunette should be used to this by now, lying and hiding a part of herself, but, it still isn't easy and she wondered if it ever will.
"S-Spencer." She stuttered. "His name is Spencer."
Maribel smiled. Victor finally looked away from the doorway, though, he wasn't as nearly interested in the conversation as his wife, but, still paid attention.
"That's all you'll tell us?" Maribel joked. "How old is he, is he cute? Give us details."
Santana flashed a faint smile. "H-He's cute and he's a year older than me."
It may not feel good to lie, even to the Lopez's; whom she barely knows, however, it was better than coming out of the closet only to find out she wasn't accepted. If she's going to be living with the Lopez's until she graduates high school, she couldn't make life even harder with them.
"That's it?" Maribel asked.
"Umm…he's on the football team."
"So is Noah." Victor said, suddenly showing interest in the conversation. "What position, do you know?"
Santana nodded, ignoring the slightly sexist assumption she doesn't know anything about football just because she's a girl. "Wide receiver."
"What a coincidence so is your brother." Victor smiled.
"Cool." Santana replied with a polite smile. "May I be excused?" She gestured to the almost empty plate in front of her.
"Of course." Maribel replied.
Santana scrapped away the left over food into the garbage disposal, washed the plate, then went upstairs to her bedroom. Once she was showered and ready for bed, the first thing the Latina did was call her other parents. The phone didn't ring long at all.
"Hi, sweetie." Gloria said.
"Hey, honey." Said Javièr.
Santana choked a sob. "Hi." She said, her voice shaking from trying not to cry. "I miss you." She confessed.
"We miss you, too, baby." Gloria said getting emotional herself.
"How was your day?" Javièr asked.
Santana collected herself, wiping her eyes with her shirt sleeve. "Okay."
"Just okay?" Gloria asked. She made a sound in acknowledgment of the question. "Well we heard you have a brother, what's he like?"
Santana hesitated. She really doesn't want to waste her time talking about him.
"So?" Gloria asked after a moment of silence. "You have nothing to say?"
Santana exhaled thinking of the mohawked boy. "His name is Noah but he prefers Puck, I don't know why." She added, realizing what a odd nickname that is. "He's…callous."
"How so?" Gloria asked in concern.
Santana went on to explain Puck's behavior towards her.
"You let us know if it escalates with him." Said Javièr. "We'll have a talk with the Lopez's about it."
"M'kay." She mumbled then yawned.
"We'll let you go, sweetie, you sound tired." Gloria said.
"K'ay, goodnight. Love you."
"Love you." Gloria and Javièr said in unison before hanging up.
Santana put her cellphone on the night stand then went to sleep.
The following morning, Santana woke up to gentle knocking on the bedroom door. The teen groaned whilst stretching before reluctantly getting out of bed to open the door. It was Maribel.
"I wasn't sure if you had an alarm set so I thought I should wake you up for school."
Right, school. How could Santana forget about school?
"Thanks." She mumbled.
"Breakfast is ready, just come downstairs to eat when you're ready."
"M'kay." She said tiredly.
Instead of getting dressed and ready for the day right away, Santana checked her cell phone and discovered unread texts from last night when she had fallen asleep.
Madison: We miss u. skool is going 2 be so weird without u
Jess: Bree is going to be a nightmare…even more than usual
Spencer: miss u
Santana replied back, telling her friends she missed them as well. The Latina then got ready for school before going downstairs to the kitchen. It was just Maribel and Victor sitting at the table. They were eating breakfast and talking quietly in Spanish. Victor spotted Santana first.
"Good morning." He smiled.
"Mornin'." Santana didn't even bother to ask where Puck was as it required for her to care and she most certainly did not. Instead she dug into the plate already full of food that sat next to Gloria.
"Your brother is at school already for football practice." Said Maribel. "But he promised he would show you around the school." She assured Santana.
The teen didn't believe that but she nodded anyway.
"There's a bus stop down the road that'll take you to school but if you prefer I could drop you off on the way to work."
"I would, actually, thanks."
Javièr smiled in response.
It was awkward for Santana when she and Victor were saying goodbye to Maribel. First she felt weird witnessing such an intimate moment between the married couple, then the older Latina hugged Santana tighter and longer than expected.
"Let the girl go, mi amor." Victor laughed with amusement. "We'll both be late if we don't leave now."
Reluctantly, Maribel let Santana go. She waved goodbye as Victor drove away from the house to drop Santana off at school. The teen radio surfed through various stations trying to find music she liked for awhile before finally settling on one.
"Are you nervous?" Victor asked after a moment of silence.
Santana thought about it then shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Glad to hear it. McKinley is a good school so no one should give you a hard time."
How would he know? He hasn't been in high school for years. Santana wanted to ask but knew better of it. Instead she asked, "What do you do for work?"
"Oh um, it's not as impressive as a doctor, that's for sure." He chuckled nervously. "I'm the manager at a local store called Sheets N' Things."
Santana decided not to say anything, sensing he was embarrassed. "And Maribel?"
"CNA at a nursing home."
It was quiet again with only the radio to fill the silence and before Santana knew it they had arrived at McKinley high school. The first thing she noticed was how wrong she was about the size of the school. It wasn't small at all. How is she going to navigate her way around this place?
"Go straight to principal Figgins. His office is right at the entrance so it shouldn't be hard to find. Football practice should be over shortly. Noah will meet you in the lobby. Have a good day." He waved.
"Thanks, you too."
"De nada."
Santana got out of the car then took a deep breath as she was mentally preparing herself for whatever may come her way. Javièr was right. The principal's office wasn't difficult to find. It was off to the right of the entrance. A woman sat at a desk, busy doing something on the computer.
"Excuse me. My name is Santana Del…Lopez. Today is my first day of school, my da-Victor told me to see principal Figgins."
"Well, it's everyone's first day, dear." The secretary smiled. "But, yes, principal Figgins is expecting you, go right in."
"Thanks."
Like the secretary office, the principal's office is made up of large windows, giving a view inside. Principal Figgins is on the phone, but, spotting Santana he silently pointed to one of the seats in front of his desk. Santana sat down and waited a moment.
"Santana Lopez." The principal said in a heavy accent. "Welcome to William McKinely." He smiled. "I have your schedule here. Normally your guidance counselor would take care of this but I wanted to personally welcome you myself. Here is the school map."
"Thanks." Santana took the schedule and map.
"I want to make sure you are aware that I spoke to your mother on the phone over the weekend so I'm familiar with your unique situation." He hesitated to continue. "I'm sure you have noticed Lima is a small town, which means word travels fast here. Be prepared for your peers to learn about…your…situation as well."
Santana didn't know what to say to that.
"Your mother also told me your brother Noah will be showing you around the school. You can wait for him in the lobby, where you came in. Have a good day, Miss. Lopez."
Santana went out to the lobby and waited for Puck. She waited and waited, then waited some more before giving up. Just as she expected he was not going to show her around the school. That's okay, though, she told herself. She had a map, what does she need a useless boy for?
Unfortunately, it turned out even with the map it wasn't easy to navigate around the big high school. Santana was lost and to make matters worse she was supposed to be in homeroom already so the hallways are empty.
"Breadcrumbs."
Santana jumped at the unexpected voice and turned to see the tall, blonde cheerleader from her parents' neighborhood still dressed in her uniform, pants and all, with her hair up in the perfect ponytail.
"Excuse me?"
"You should have left breadcrumbs so you can find your way around the school easier."
The Latina narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I'm sorry I'm not following."
"May I?" The blonde pointed to the schedule in Santana's hand that wasn't holding the school map. Santana nodded. The cheerleader took the schedule. "We have the same homeroom. It's by the elephant sticker." She said whilst giving the schedule back.
"Elephant sticker?"
The taller girl nodded. "I put stickers around the school after cheer practice yesterday to help me find my classes. I'm not new here but this place is big and after summer break I don't remember where everything is." She elaborated.
"Thanks."
"Brittany Pierce." The blonde introduced herself. "And you are?"
"Santana D…Lopez."
"Pretty name for such a pretty girl." Brittany winked. Santana felt her face start to burn and suddenly decided the floor was more interesting to look at. "I can show you to the classroom, I mean, we're in the same homeroom, after all."
"O-Okay, thanks."
Brittany escorted Santana through a variety of hallways and the pair were able to make it to homeroom in time for role call, and morning announcements. With only two available seats left in the back, Santana sat next to Brittany. Everyone patiently sat through role call. When the teacher got to Santana, the Latina felt all eyes on her.
With the exception of Brittany, the majority were wondering why they hadn't noticed the new girl until now, a few of the boys were shamelessly checking her out, and some of the girls were whispering amongst each other. The teacher put a end to that right before the morning announcements.
The secretary welcomed everyone back to school, then she announced when the extra curriculum activities and clubs would be accepting new members. After announcements the bell rang.
The first day of school is always easy. Classes are laid back, no lessons, just collecting text books and catching up with friends. Throughout the morning, Santana noticed even more staring and whispering. On her way to her locker to drop books off right before lunch, she found out why there was so much whispering.
A couple of boys approached the brunette, one holding a camera, and the other with a microphone in his hand.
"JBI reporting on the first day of school at William McKinley, and here we have the top gossip of the day, Santana Lopez. Related to football player Noah Puckerman, Santana was kidnapped as a kid and recently reunited with her family." A boy with a large afro said into the microphone whilst looking into the camera then turned to Santana.
"What's it like to be back in Lima, Ohio?" Not giving her a chance to respond, he asked another question. "Was the reunion with your family emotional?" Again, he wouldn't let her respond, and asked another question. "And, finally, the question every single male student wants to know, are you single?"
"Get that microphone out my face before I shove it up your ass!"
Jacob Ben Isreal, or, JBI, for short, and his friend ran off in fright. Santana slammed her locker shut then stormed off to the cafeteria. She had difficulty finding her classes all morning, but fortunately, she had some help from kids her age; Mercedes, Kurt, and Tina. This time she was able to follow a crowd already on their way to lunch.
By the time she reached the cafeteria she had calmed down some. Santana went in line and got the day's meal. It took awhile to decide where to sit and chose to sit alone, but, she wasn't alone for long.
Someone cleared their throat. She looked up to three blonde cheerleaders. One of them was Brittany, and although she recognized the other two, she didn't know their names.
"Hi." The hazel eyed blonde smiled politely. "I'm Quinn, this is Kitty, and you already met Brittany." Brittany waved. Santana smiled in acknowledgment. "As the new captain of the cheerios, I felt it my duty to welcome you to William McKinley, and possibly recruit you to the squad. If you're interested."
Santana crossed her arms over her chest. "What makes you think I'm qualified to cheer?"
"Word gets around fast. Even the teachers heard the rumors about you including our new coach. She wants you to join the squad."
Although the blonde is smiling, Santana could tell it wasn't genuine.
"And if I say no?"
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Then be ready for coach Sylvester's relentless recruiting because she always gets what she wants."
"Coach Sylvester told her to say that." Brittany whispered.
"Brittany!" Quinn scolded. "You have to see coach Sylvester in her office by the end of the day. Come on, girls."
Kitty and Brittany followed Quinn back to the jock and cheerleading table. Santana just shook her head in response and continued to eat. In the afternoon she still needed help finding her classes, but, other than that; and the continued whispers and pointing, the day was rather uneventful.
"Lopez!"
She heard someone shout whilst she stood at her locker gathering homework. The Latina turned to see a blonde woman wearing a track suit approaching.
"Step into my office." The woman said passing Santana. The teen closed her locker then rushed to catch up. "Sit." She gestured to one of the two chairs in front of the desk. "You know why you're here."
Santana nodded. "I'm not sure I want to join the squad."
"Why is that?"
The brunette exhaled. "Honestly, it would be weird for me to be on a cheer squad that isn't the warriors, and what kind of name is the cheerios, anyway?"
A silence fell over the room, the pair just sat and stared at one another.
"What do I have to do to get you to join this squad?" Santana lifted a shoulder. "I have a bunch of sloppy, lazy babies, it's going to take a lot of work to turn them into champions. Quinn Fabray is a tough cookie, and Kitty Wilde can be down right brutal, but, it's still not good enough. They're not athletic or disciplined enough, and my captains are not setting good examples for the rest of the girls, that's where you come in."
"How would you know if I'm athletic or disciplined?"
"Why do you think I sent Quinn for you? I remember you from our last cheer competition. Lets be real, the worries were mediocre without you. You pushed them to be better and you can do the same for my girls."
Santana is torn. Although she loved to cheer, a part of her felt like she were betraying Madison and Jessica. Coach Sylvester could see the conflict written all over her face.
"Take a uniform. If you want to join us practice is every weekday in the morning." Coach Sylvester pointed to a freshly dry cleaned cheerleading uniform still in the plastic hanging up on the back of the closed office door.
Thanks to Quinn's warning, Santana knew coach Sylvester doesn't take no for an answer so she took the cheer uniform on the way out the door. Outside, she scanned the parking lot for Victor's car when another car horn went off. She jumped and turned to see Puck in a truck.
"Get in!" He shouted. Although confused, Santana got into the vehicle. "What took you so long? I've been waiting for you."
"I-I had to meet with coach Sylvester in her office." She replied in shock, not expecting he would be waiting for her since he hasn't been very kind to her.
"You on the squad now?" He glared at the brunette.
"Maybe."
Puck quietly mumbled something in Spanish as he drove away from the school. "I have to make a stop first."
Santana doesn't reply. Instead she listened to the radio. Puck did the same. They remain quiet during the journey to the mystery stop. The neighborhood he drove into looked very similar to the one the Lopez's live. Even the houses are almost identical.
Puck parked the vehicle in front of a house with a handicapped ramp. Suddenly the Latina is curious why they're here. There is no way he is friends with whomever lived here. She watched as Puck quickly ran into the house and a minute later he returned just as quickly back to the car.
Santana didn't miss how he avoided looking in her direction whilst he unsuccessfully tried to conceal some papers by putting them under his leg, though, enough of a piece poked out that she could see 'Puckerman' written on the top of the paper.
Yesterday, she wouldn't think anything of it, but, seeing her older brother's last name on the secret paper, reminded the brunette of a particular moment of her day when she was hounded by a annoying Jewish boy with big hair and a microphone.
In the moment, she didn't have time to register what the annoying boy had said before spitting out question after question, but, now thinking back on it, she realized he had called her callous, older brother Puckerman, not Lopez.
"You have a different last name." Santana said aloud before her brain caught up to what her mouth was doing, and now she can't take it back.
Puck did a double take. "What?"
"Your nickname is Puck because your last name is Puckerman, not Lopez." She said, just now connecting the dots to his uncommon nickname.
Puck exhaled. "We're half siblings. We have the same mother but different fathers."
"Do you see your dad?" Santana blurted out of curiosity, wanting to know more about her half brother since he'd been so closed off since the reunion.
"No."
Although she was curious why, she didn't ask this time, sensing the tone; he didn't want to talk about this anymore. She remained silent for the remainder of the drive back to the Lopez home.
As soon as they walked through the front door Santana was met with long hugs from Maribel and questions about her first day of school. Puck had rolled his eyes when the questions started, then went upstairs to his bedroom.
In the middle of Santana telling Maribel she's considering joining the high school's cheerleading squad, Victor emerged from the kitchen looking very happy.
"Mi amor, good news. I just got off the phone with a policeman, Dale Butler, he called to let us know that Olivia Benson contacted him. She said other couples had come forward admitting they adopted from the same phony orphanage we did."
"What does this mean?" Maribel asked.
"NYPD are going to start an investigation."
A/N: Let me know what you think. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helpful even if it's just to say 'great chapter'.