The sound of Santana's alarm on her phone going off woke her from her sleep. She reached over, groggily, to silence it. She opened her eyes and immediately smiled at the thought of her conversation, via text, last night with Brittany. She was due at the studio in a few hours to go over some of the songs she had written, for the new album, with Sebastian and his associates. She rolled out of bed and moved to her closet and pulled on some workout clothes. Santana hated getting up early, but she forced herself to at least try to be somewhat of a morning person because she felt like sleeping in was just wasting the day away. She headed downstairs with Stella following behind her slowly. Stella wasn't too keen on mornings, either.
She started her morning coffee and fed Stella while she waiting for it to brew. She grabbed her coffee mug and set it down on the table. She needed to eat something before spin but didn't want anything too heavy so she settled on a fruit salad. She peeled the skin off a banana and cut it up into small pieces and put it in a bowl. She added some strawberries, blueberries and grapes and sat down at the pub-styled table to eat it. She looked at the clock. 6:45am. It was entirely too early to text Brittany but Santana was finding it hard to fight the urge. She shook her head and said to herself "Play it cool, Santana." Stella looked up at her with her head tilted almost as if she were saying "Ok, you've lost it. Now you are talking to yourself," which made Santana laugh. When she finished eating she put her bowl in the dishwasher and decided to just leave and get to class early. If didn't distract herself with something soon she'd wind up texting Brittany and looking desperate.
When Santana got to the spin class she went straight to the locker room and put her purse and phone away, locking them up. She laid her yoga mat down on the floor next to the bike she would be using and sat down to stretch. A few minutes later a small girl with honey brown hair came bouncing in the room speaking into her phone at a volume that was utterly unacceptable for that time of day. Santana looked at her with an unnerved stare. The girl didn't seem to notice and continued at her unbearable decibel. After about another minute the girl finished her conversation and hung up her phone, placing it on the floor next to her as she bent down to stretch.
"Lesbians," she said in a frustrated tone as she exhaled into her stretch.
"Excuse me?" Santana replied defensively, assuming she was referring to her and the unpleasant look Santana had on her face a minute prior.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Not you, I mean I didn't mean you were a lesbian. I mean, if you are that's totally cool but I wasn't calling you one." She said, without looking up, in an almost valley girl type voice. She continued, "My friend, the Lesbian, just met girl and is really digging her, but the other girl is a celebrity and like just got out of a crazy relationship so I was telling my friend she needs to steer clear."
It had to be a coincidence, Santana thought. This was LA, afterall, there were celebrities at every turn, some of whom were lesbians, and some of those lesbians just got out of a crazy relationship. Santana wasn't the only one that fit the bill. That's what she told herself at least. Santana turned her body to stretch her other side just as the girl looked up. "Perfect timing," Santana thought with a smirk. She wanted the girl to continue talking and she didn't want to risk showing her face just in case she was talking about her, and she was, in fact, Brittany's friend.
The girl continued, "I mean, she is super hot and all. Like totally make-you-lose-your-shit-completely drop dead gorgeous. But i'm like 'Brittany, you just met this girl. Don't get yourself tangled up in some crazy Hollywood Lesbian Love Affair. Cos that's a whole 'nother level of lesbian drama right there. Ya know what I'm saying?"
"Yep." Santana said with a smirk. Still stretching with her back to the girl.
"I mean, don't get me wrong, if i were to go all lezzy, I wouldn't mind a go with Santana Lopez, but that girl has some serious baggage following her around. Did you see that story on TMZ and Perez the other day? The blonde in the pictures with Santana? That was my friend Brittany. and i'm like 'Britty, you don't need that kind of drama.' And there are new pictures and new videos of her uploaded everyday, Santana, not my friend. Just doing the regular Joe-Shmoe mundane stuff, ya know? Like getting gas, or going to get coffee. And it's ridiculous. Poor girl, I mean, I know she is famous but who cares where she goes to buy coffee. Give the girl a break." She stopped to breath then continued, "Do you follow those sites?"
"I don't, but I know what you are saying." She replied, still facing away.
The conversation stopped, thankfully, as people started to trickle in. The girl was a few bikes away from Santana so there was no chance of her even trying to finish that conversation or start up another conversation now with people in between them. When the hour ride was over Santana skipped the stretching and headed into the locker room to retrieve her things. She was also trying to avoid the small girl, whom she assumed would be doing the cool-down stretch at that time. She entered the combination to the locker and swiftly grabbed her phone and checked for a notification. She hoped by now that maybe Brittany had texted her. No Text. Hopefully Brittany was just playing it cool as well. Santana was slightly worried that Brittany had taken the advice from her friend and was going to steer clear from her. Santana felt her stomach drop a bit when she realized there was no text. She grabbed her bag and turned to leave the locker room when she ran directly into another girl. The small girl, Brittany's friend.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't even looking where I was going. I was texting while walking. SO dangerous." The small girl confessed as she finally looked up and noticed who she ran into. "Shit." She said realizing she had said way too much earlier.
Santana raised her eyebrows, widened her eyes, and pulled her lights into a tight smile, giving the girl a "Yep, you messed up" look.
"I'm so sorry, I had no idea that was you. I didn't know you were in this class. Wait, are you in this class? I'm here every Monday Weds and Thurs and I never see you."
"I'm not in this class. I usually come in the afternoon or at night." Santana said matter-of-factly. "Excuse me," she said as she tried to move around the girl.
But the girl boxed her out and wouldn't let her through, "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean for you to hear that."
"Honestly, you really shouldn't have been talking to a stranger about your friend's love life to begin with. I'm actually kinda glad it was me you blabbed to, cos had it've been a stranger, just some random person in your spin class, they could've gone to US Weekly, or In Touch, or TMZ or Perez or wherever they wanted and given them an "inside scoop" on the 'Santana Lopez Lesbian Chronicles' through the eyes of a friend of one of 'Santana's Latest Converts'" her tone suggested she was annoyed. "So, actually, thank you for running your mouth to me instead of some money hungry scumbag. I truly, deeply appreciate it."
"Ok so a coupl'a things I'm taking away from what you just said, 1. What are the 'Santana Lopez Lesbian Chronicles' and where can I get my hands on a copy, 2. How many women have you converted and 3. Your lips look so soft and shiny, what type of lip gloss do you use?"
Santana couldn't help but laugh. She chuckled softly, "That's what you got from what I just said." She shook her head gently, "Who the hell are you," she said with another laugh.
"The name is Sugar. Sugar Motta." She extended her hand for Santana to shake.
Santana shook her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Santana."
"Even though you told Brittany to steer clear of me?" Santana raised an eyebrow.
"You remember that part, huh?"
"Afraid so."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better she told me to buzz off…" Sugar said with doe eyes hoping Santana wouldn't stay mad.
"That does make me feel better." Santana admitted with a slight smile. She walked out of the locker room with Sugar following closely behind and headed for the exit of the building.
"Great! Let's be friends!" Sugar said with an overeager smile.
"What?" Santana laughed.
"I'm a really good friend. Just ask Brittany."
"Does she know you tell complete strangers intimate details about her?"
Sugar ignored Santana's last comment. "And I am super fun. Like the most fun person you could ever have as a friend."
Santana believed her. She actually kind of liked Sugar. She couldn't believe it, but she really did. Santana was against everything, on the surface, Sugar was. She generally couldn't stand people who were chipper and bubbly, especially at 7 am. She had made an exception for Rachel after knowing her for years and forcing herself down Santana's throat. But there was something different about the Sugar's chipper bubbly persona. It was genuine. There wasn't an ulterior motive. She seemed to be very "What you see is what you get" just like Santana. That was a quality Santana admired most in people cos it was quite rare. A lot of people tend to think they are that type of person, but they usually aren't. Most people who say they don't care what people think, actually do. But Sugar was't one of those people and Santana knew that after only spending a few minutes with her. It didn't hurt her case any that she was also friends with Brittany. And from the sound of it probably one of her closest friends.
As she approached her car she turned to Sugar and said, "Ok, we can be friends." That wasn't something she had ever said out loud before and she wondered if anyone actually said that before. "That felt extremely silly," she admitted with a smile.
"It felt fantastic to me!" Sugar's face lit up, like a christmas tree, with excitement. "Yay! We are friends."
"But you have to do something for me ok?"
"Anything."
"No more talking about Brittany's personal life when you are out in public. And mine either for that matter" Santana said with a stern look on her face.
"You've got it Mama Lopez!" Sugar said in a giddy tone.
Santana smiled. "This girl is WEIRD" she thought to herself. "Ok, i've gotta get going. I've gotta shower and get to work."
"What are you doing for dinner?" Sugar asked with a curious smile.
"Um," Santana thought for a minute. "I don't have any plans."
"You do now! You're coming to my place. We're gonna have dinner. Just the two of us. Bring wine!" Sugar was beaming ear to ear.
Santana laughed. "Red or white?"
"Blush." Smiled Sugar.
"Blush. Of course, I should've known." Santana said with a wave as she entered her car. She checked her phone again and still no text from Brittany. She started her car and drove off.
She pulled into the parking garage and parked in a spot reserved for Colombia Records. As she pulled her car door open she felt her phone vibrate in the pocket of her leather jacket. She pulled it out and saw Brittany's name displayed on the screen. Santana unlocked it hurriedly and read the text:
You have a sister named Chiquita? - Brittany
Lol, It's a long story. - Santana
She stepped out of her car closing her door behind her. She made her way over to the elevator and pushed the "up" arrow.
…That you will tell me about over a drink?" - Brittany
Sure. But not tonight, I have plans. - Santana
She wondered if Sugar had filled her in on the events of the morning.
Bummer. - Brittany
"I guess Sugar didn't say anything to Brittany about meeting me."
Tomorrow? - Santana
The elevator doors opened and Santana stepped on. She pressed the button for floor thirty-five and waited patiently as the elevator doors closed and it rose slowly.
That would be great. You should bring your friend Kurt. I have a friend I think he'd like. - Brittany
I am going to see him after my morning meeting so I'll ask him then. - Santana
Morning meeting? AA? - Brittany
"Is she serious? Why would she think I meant Alcoholics Anonymous?" Santana thought with a laugh.
No, Britt. My meeting with my record label. I'm presenting a few songs I wrote today. If they like 'em I can record them for my album. - Santana
Wow! That's exciting! Good Luck! :) :) :) - Brittany
Text me when it's over and let me know how it went. If I don't answer that just means I am teaching a class and I'll text you back when I can. - Brittany
I will. Have fun dancing. - Santana
I always do! :P - Brittany
Santana stepped off the elevator and walked through the glass doors to Colombia Records. As she was making her way to the reception desk she heard a familiar voice call out her name from the waiting area to her right.
"Santana?" the voice said.
She froze dead in her tracks. She hadn't heard that voice in months and she wasn't ready to see the face that went along with it. She turned on her heels to see Dani walking toward her.
"W-what are you doing here?" Santana questioned with a puzzled look on her face.
"I have a meeting with Grayson Smythe. I'm thinking about jumping ship and switching labels."
"To this one?"
Dani nodded, "You look great, by the way. Have you been working out more?" She was looking Santana up and down.
Santana ignored her comment. And turned to the receptionist. "Could you please tell Sebastian I am here?" She said. The receptionist nodded and then paged Sebastian. "Thanks," Santana said with a smile. She stood with her back to Dani when she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Santana look at me." Dani pleaded.
Santana's eyes were filling up with tears that she was desperately trying to fight back. She wouldn't cry in front of Dani. She forced the tears away and turned around to face Dani faking a smile. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to say 'Hi'" Dani replied.
"Well, you did. are you satisfied?" Santana said in a condescending tone.
"Listen, I'm sorry for the way things went down. I wasn't myself then… I wasn't thinking clearly."
Santana felt the rage overtaking her body. "Absolutely not, Dani. You do not get to have this conversation with me here!" She said in a hushed voice pulling Dani into the waiting area. "As a matter of fact, you don't get to decided when we have this conversation at all! I decide. And if I never feel like having it, we won't. Ya got it?"
Dani looked at Santana with big brown puppy dog eyes.
"And ya know what? You lost the right to look at me with those eyes when you shit on our entire relationship. When all I was trying to do was help you. Because I love you."
Dani's eyes flickered. "Love me? You still love me?"
Santana felt a lump form in her throat. "Loved. I said because I loved you."
"No, you said 'love'," Dani said with a hopeful smile.
"Well, I misspoke so you can wipe that smile off of your face."
"So it's true, you've moved on. You're dating that girl from the video" Dani said crossing her arms.
"Wait… the TMZ video? No, I'm not dating her. She's a friend. That was a misunderstanding. But what is it to you anyway?" Santana crossed her arms. "I heard you are dating someone."
Dani didn't respond.
"Mercedes told me. You don't have to hide it. I don't care." Santana said with a stern look on her face.
"I knew she wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut. I even told Jordan as soon as we saw her that it was only a matter of time before she ran to you with the gossip."
Jordan. Dani was back together with Jordan. That was the one person Santana didn't want Dani to be dating. She felt her facial expression change to reflect the feeling of her heart breaking all over again. "Jordan?" her voice was barely above a whisper. "That's who you are dating?"
Dani realized Mercedes hadn't told her everything. "Yeah… I'm sorry. I thought 'Cedes would've blabbed all the details to you first chance she got."
"She didn't." A single tear dropped onto Santana's cheek. She didn't move to wipe it off. She just let it trickle down to her chin and fall to the ground. She had no words left to say. She was tired of feeling this way. She hated that Dani had any power over her at all and she just wanted to run out of there screaming. But she had neglected her life and her career once before because of Dani and she wasn't about to do it again. She promised herself she would never run away from anything again.
"Ms. Lopez?" the receptionist called out. "Mr. Smythe will see you now. Go on in."
As Santana turned to walk away in the direction of Sebastian's office Dani grabbed her arm trying to spin her back around to face her. Santana shrugged it off and said in a her harshest tone, "Do not put your hands on me ever again."
Dani retreated.
Santana walked into Sebastian's office and closed the door.
"Ah, Santana! How are you today," He said straightening his tie with a goofy grin on his face.
"Sebastian." Santana nodded.
"Everything ok?" He asked with a look of genuine concern on his face.
"I'm fine. And since when do you care?" Santana asked coldly.
"Ouch. Someone is crabby today."
She rolled her eyes, "Sebastian, I'm always crabby. Can we just get this over with?"
He moved from behind his desk and walked over to stand in front of her leaning against the front of the desk he crossed his arms. "Can we get this over with? Seriously? You have been bugging my father about having more… what did you call it? Artistic freedom on this next record… and I went to bat with him for you… and you wanna get this over with?"
Santana couldn't understand why Sebastian was being so nice to her. It wasn't that he was mean to her normally. He was just such a know it all, pompous douche bag. But he was acting differently today. "What's with you today? You seem… happy."
"I am happy." He confessed.
"Gross… did you just get laid?"
"I certainly did. About 5 minutes ago. Right there, on that couch. He said motioning the leather sofa behind them.
Santana made a gag noise. "Ok, that's disgusting."
He laughed. "Well, it put me in a good mood, which will undoubtedly benefit you this morning."
"I knew it smelled like sex in here." Santana said with a far off look on her face. "What a minute, it smells like sex and something else." She stood up sniffing the air. Lady Hummel. She could pick up the scent his cologne a mile away. "Oh my god! You were in here with Kurt! Where is he? Is he still here?"
"No, he left out the back right before I buzzed you in." He was laughing to himself. "How did you know?"
"This room reeks of his cologne. He wears way too much of it. I could pick him out of a crowd just by following his scent. I regret ever buying him his first bottle of Versace "Man"." She said rolling her eyes. "I cant believe i have to sit in a room where Porcelain just had sex." She sat back down.
Sebastian moved back to his seat behind the desk. "Ok, let's get down to business. Let me see what you've got. She handed him s stack of papers and took her phone out of her pocket. "I made some quick demos on my phone. Nothing crazy, nothing fancy. It's mostly just stripped down right now. Just want you to get a feel for the lyrics and the melody."
Sebastian looked at the papers closely as he listened to their corresponding songs. As he listened her jotted down some notes in a notebook.
Santana's mind drifted off while Sebastian was listening to her music. She was feeling so many emotions at the moment and she really hadn't had time to process any of them. This morning had been ridiculously eventful and not really in a good way. Well, that wasn't really true. This morning at spin had started off strange but definitely turned around, and things seemed to be going well with this music meeting, it was really just running into Dani that she wished didn't happen. Oh, and the fact that Kurt just had man sex less than 5 feet from where she was sitting. Yeah, she definitely wished she could erase that as well. There was nothing more repulsive to her than man sex. Actually, heterosexual sex took the top honors of things that could make Santana sick to her stomach in 3 seconds flat. She shook those grotesque out of her head. and more thoughts of Dani entered. She couldn't believe Dani had gotten back with Jordan. Was she just waiting to be with her the entire time they were together? Was their whole relationship a lie? Was Dani ever really in love with her? Or was Santana just a body to fill the bed while Dani came to terms with being a lesbian? It was just funny to Santana that 4 months after coming out of the closet, Dani was back with the girl who wanted to force her out of the closet more than 3 years ago. "Slut." Santana thought to herself.
After about 20 minutes he had finished listening to the demos.
He wrote some more notes in his notebook still not speaking. Santana had no idea what he thought about any of the songs. It was nerve-wracking. But that was his process. This is how he always absorbed the songs. He tapped the pen to his bottom lip before finally speaking. "The songs are terrific." He said with a smile.
Santana let out a sigh of relief.
"Ok, so here's what I'm thinking. We do a double album."
"But there's only 5 songs so far." Santana said dubiously.
He smiled. "I know. But you are gonna write and record at least 15 more."
Santana sat up straight in her seat. "Sebastian, there's no way we will finish the album by the end of the year if you want 20 tracks. 10-12 maybe. but 20? And a double album? No way."
"i'm not in a rush. We're gonna have one full-on production. Fully commercial and produced. All types of instruments. Just like we've done in the past. Only you will be writing most of the songs. And for the second part of the album, which will be released 6 months later… a completely stripped down acoustic version. And I am going to personally produce both albums."
Santana's eyes lit up. "Are you for real?"
"I am." He smiled.
Sebastian had a great ear. He was great at what he did. Say what you want about the guy but he knew music better than anyone Santana had ever worked with in the past. She recorded a few songs that he had written on her previous album and though it pained her to admit it, they were the biggest hits off of the album and also her favorites.
"Thank you, Sebastian." She smiled putting her hand out for him to shake.
He smiled and took her hand "I think we are gonna make a great team."
She smiled.
"Also, I'm thinking two tours." He tried to read Santana's reaction. "One big huge commercial tour. Arenas and such."
Santana nodded.
"And for the second leg a more intimate setting. Theaters, amphitheaters, Auditoriums, and the like. You get the picture."
"Ok, who are you and what have you done with Sebastian Smythe?" She laughed. "This is exactly what I have dreamed of. This is exactly what I want to do."
"Well that's great news."
"I just have one request."
"Shoot." He waited for her to speak.
"I'd like to record one or two songs with Mercedes."
"I think that's a great idea." He added, "Ok, so we will start recording tomorrow."
Santana stood to shake his hand.
"Oh, one last thing." She said with a smile. "You should probably write a few songs too. Make a few demos and play 'em for me. If i like 'em, i'll record them and we'll put them on the album." She winked.
"You have a deal." He shook her hand and said goodbye. "See you bright and early. 9am sharp."
For a few minutes Santana had forgotten about her run-in with Dani. When she exited out to the lobby it was empty. Dani was either still in her meeting with Grayson or she had already finished and gone. When Santana was seated in her car she reached into her purse and pulled her phone out. She had 6 unread texts from Dani. She didn't read them. Instead, she opened the thread she had been using with Brittany.
Just leaving meeting now. It went beyond well! I can't wait to tell you all about it. - Santana
She waited for a moment for Brittany to respond but she didn't. "She's probably with students" she realized. She turned the volume of the ringer up, tossed her phone on the passenger seat and started driving home.
As soon as she arrived home she heard her text-tone sound. She put the car in park and let it idle while she checked her phone.
That's great! So happy for you :) - Brittany
Thanks, Brit. - Santana
I know you said you had plans tonight but i have about an hour and half until my next class. You wanna meet me for a celebratory drink now? - Brittany
It was a little early to start drinking. It was barely 1:00pm but Santana could really use a dose of Brittany's smile right about now. So she agreed to go.
Sure :) Where should I meet you? - Santana
Just come to the Dance Studio and we'll walk over. It's right around the corner. - Brittany
What's the name of your Place? - Santana
Dancing On My Own - Brittany
Santana typed the name of the studio into her GPS and it calculated the route and time.
I'll see you in 15 minutes - Santana
Yay! :) :) :) - Brittany