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Chapter Two-Adjustment
Santana walked through the halls as fast as she could searching for one person she really wanted to see right now; Brittany, her best friend in the entire world.
Her mind kept replaying the events of last night and this morning, and couldn't work out how exactly she felt about it all. It was lovely what Mr Schue did for her, and cooking for her and putting her to bed...but at the same time it made her feel weak and like a child. Maybe that's what she needed, to be mothered again, or in her case fathered as that's all she's ever experienced and even then it was short lived.
So deep in her thoughts was she, she hadn't noticed walking straight past Brittany smiling dopily at the entrance to their chemistry class.
'Santana?' Brittany yelped louder, finally drawing the Latina's attention back to her.
'Britt! Oh hey I've been looking for you.' Santana replied, already hugging the tall blonde tightly, her pinkie automatically coming to link with Brittany's.
'You've been crying.' Brittany stated simply, running a nimble finger down Santana's slightly sore cheek. Santana flinched away, shaking her head angrily.
'No I haven't, shut up.' She snapped, tugging on the girls' pinkie to get her moving towards their seats.
Brittany was stronger than Santana however and stilled the dark haired girl with a single pull. 'Don't lie to me San, just because I'm stupid.' Brittany soothed with an edge to her voice.
'You're not stupid.' Santana snapped back angrily, before finally looking at Brittany, 'Never to me anyway.' She added when Brittany gave her a look that said she knew she was.
'Come sit down, I'll tell you what's happened.' She said, bravely leaning up quickly to peck Brittany's cheek before blushing and sitting quickly. The girls shared the same desk much too every teachers annoyance, so she could happily whisper against Brittany's ear with ease.
Mr Schue had made his own way quickly through the halls after watching Santana do the same, except it was heading for three rooms in particular. First port of call was the principal's office to obtain Santana's personal file. Figgins wasn't at his desk which was a massive relief to Will who quickly sorted through the filing cabinet retrieving Miss Lopez's.
The second stop would be at Emma's office. He straightened his vest outside her door, smoothing his hair a bit before he entered. 'Emma?' he knocked three times.
'Come in.' Emma's quiet lilting voice replied.
'Hey, how are you?' He asked, smiling widely at the ginger girl across the desk.
'I'm fine. Yourself Will?' She asked, eyeing his shoes suspiciously as he walked towards the chair to sit.
'I'm good yeah. Well sort of, I need your advice, on a rather strange subject.' He asked with a smirk that he often pulled when he was embarrassed.
'Of course, what is it?' She asked with a smile.
'It's about Santana, and how one would care for and in a way, bring up a teenage girl who is often very defensive.' He said in one big torrent, receiving a look of confusion from Emma in return.
'I'll explain.' He said, pulling out her record and laying it on the desk to begin reading and began to tell the tale as Santana was telling Brittany across the hall.
About thirty minutes later, on lesson change, he had the advice from Miss Pillsbury stored away and was making his way to his Spanish class. His last port of call was to talk with Brittany and find out exactly what was going on. Santana wasn't in this class with her best friend, thank god, leaving the tall blonde free to innocently tell all to Mr Schue and tell all she did, down to every last little fact about how Santana was all alone and often wished for someone to be there and parent her.
...
Will walked proudly to the glee chorus room by the end of the school day, having discussed everything with Emma and understanding exactly what the predicament was with Santana, he felt much more prepared to help her now. He was disgusted at Santana's father for the way he had decided to bring up his daughter, and the more he thought of it, the more it made sense why Santana was angry all the time and why she used sarcasm and wit to keep everybody out.
Hopefully he would be able to help her, to perhaps teach her what it means to be loved and cared for and give a brighter future to the young girl. He would stop himself quickly every time he caught himself thinking of a future where he was a constant in Santana's life. He was merely a teacher; he loved her like he loved each member of his beloved Glee club.
However his heart would say otherwise, since last night, seeing her so vulnerable and so in need of help, it had ignited something deep within him; a need to nurture.
Santana had been coaxed by Brittany all day to give whatever Mr Schue had planned a chance. She had kept telling her shorter friend that the change was good and it was what Santana needed and how she'd be there too for her. Santana had agreed with the condition that Brittany come with her tonight.
Both cheerios sat on the top row of chairs in the choir room, waiting for Glee club to start.
Will walked in and smiled widely at all the glee kids.
Rachel smiled enthusiastically holding what he assumed was a set list in her hands, her body seemed to be vibrating with the need to show them all. Artie and Mercedes were chatting to each other animatedly whilst Finn listened in with a confused look on his face. Tina and Mike were staring at each other all doe eyed and Quinn was doing the same with Sam. Lauren and Puck were seemingly ignoring each other.
Then his eyes landed on Santana watching Brittany chatting with an un-amused Kurt.
She looked so tired still; he could see her reddened cheeks against her caramel coloured skin. But there was a tiny smile on her face and so he smiled still. Brittany turned back to Santana and said something that made the shorter girl roll her eyes, finally looking forward, noticing Mr Schue. She quickly looked down.
'Mr Schue, Mr Schue, I have some ideas here that I put together last night if I could...' Rachel couldn't contain herself anymore and to the centre of the room, running excitedly through her set list. Mr Schue only half listened whilst the other half of him ran through all Emma and advised him earlier and what he had read in the files and heard from Brittany. Santana had been alone for so long, she was bound to kick up a fight.
Speaking of, she was looking more and more pissed by Rachel's rambling to the point where he knew she was going to say something any minute now.
'Great Rachel, they're great. How about we all pair up and perform one of the songs you suggested to see how they roll.' He suggested, looking to Rachel then the group on a whole. They all begrudgingly paired off only to be stopped by Mr Schue.
'Right then, pairs are Kurt and Brittany, Mercedes and Finn, Rachel and Puck, Lauren and Sam, Tina and Quinn, Mike and Artie and Santana and me.' He said loudly over the complaints of everyone, who had paired off in their normal little groups.
'Why? '
'Mr Schue!'
'But...'
The kids complained in a flurry of words but Will just waved it off and gave them the look that meant business. Santana reluctantly let go of Brittany's hand and walked down to where Will stood.
'Crafty.' She mumbled when she reached him but a small smile found her lips eventually.
'I needed to talk. I'm coming home with you this evening and for the next couple of weeks on and off, until we fall into a proper routine.' He said, checking quickly that all the pairs had begun work in various parts of the room.
'Mr Schue you don't need to, my dad will be home tonight.' She lied out right.
'No he won't, not for another 6 months if Brittany is correct, she told me the whole thing.' He said strictly, not abiding the nature of lies. Santana looked furious, whipping her head round to spy her best friend.
'She shouldn't have opened her big mouth.' Santana snapped, glaring daggers at Mr Schue.
'Santana, she's looking out for you. About time someone did.' He replied and was glad to see the fury in her eyes simmer down.
'Whatever, let's get on with the song, what one we doing?' She demanded, and Will noticed how quick her defence mechanism kicked in to stop any emotion showing.
'She will be loved.' He smirked only to be met with the annoyed eye roll of Santana.
Thankfully the two hours rocked round fast and it was home time. Santana waited for all the gleeks to leave before she walked up to Mr Schue, tapping him once on the shoulder. 'Let's go home then.' She muttered, following him to the car.
The drive was silent for the first five or so minutes, but Santana eventually began talking, telling him about her day and how it was ridiculous the amount of homework she had. She briefly crossed the subject of Brittany coming round later, not waiting for an answer from Schue.
When they arrived, Santana went straight to her room, collapsing face down on the bed as soon as her legs touched the edge of the bed. Will followed behind, laughing aloud as she did this.
'Tired?' He asked, leaning against the door frame.
'Yeeeees.' She drawled into the bedding with a gruff voice.
'You're due more pain killers. Hang on.' He said before disappearing and reappearing a moment later with a glass of water and two tablets. 'Here you go...' He set the contents down on the bed side table, and after a moment's hesitation, he leant forward, hooked his hands beneath her arms and pulled her up and round until she was sitting up slightly.
She gave a tiny yelp of surprise when he moved her blushing bright red as he finally let go, with a mixture of feelings bubbling around in her stomach, ranging from embarrassment to happiness akin to comfort. He really does care for me, she thought with a smile.
'Dinner in an hour, what would you fancy?' He asked, watching her take both pills and finishing the glass of water.
'Anything I want?' She asked with a devilish glint.
When he nodded she smiled wide. 'Thai takeaway.'
'Sure, that's a great idea.' He said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet. Santana suddenly jumped up and ran to the other side of her room, jumping on the bed once more in a flash with a tin box.
'Here.' She said pushing it towards him.
He eyes it suspiciously, flipped open the lid and peered inside, he tried desperately to swallow the gasp that tried to escape.
There must have been 5 or 6 grand in notes all rolled tightly and stuffed in the tin.
'What...where...' He stuttered unable to form the words much to Santana's amusement.
'It's my yearly allowance in one respect. My dad gives it to me when he's home at Christmas, and tells me that's my pocket money, trip money and extra food money for the next 8 months. He takes care of the house and has regular food baskets delivered, all done on line.' She said somewhat shortly.
'I know that.' Mr Schue couldn't stop himself saying it. He quickly continued when she saw her dislike in him knowing her business. 'But I don't think it's right. However, it's nice he left you this I guess.' He added and gingerly took out a 50 dollar note, not seeing them often. 'I can get the takeaway.' He said, going to stuff it back in the tin.
Santana quickly snatched the tin back, leaving the note in a surprised Shuester's hand. 'Santana.' He chided when she quickly lobbed the box backwards towards her wardrobe, where it landed softly on her discarded laundry.
'Take it. Please. You're already giving up your time, no point wasting all your money on me.' She added somewhat shyly. 'Order for three Brittany will be here soon.' She added quickly, attempting to roll backwards to escape via the other side of her bed.
But Schuester swiftly grabbed her wrist, stopping her from moving further. She sighed dramatically, but slumped more against her pillows. 'I want to talk quick.' He said, carefully sitting on the edge of her bed.
'Oh I just knew this was coming.' Santana moaned.
'Ok well, it's basically this. I know what your life has been like since you were very young. And now, after witnessing your inevitable break down last night, I have decided to step in and become a surrogate to you...if you'll let me.' He said incredibly softly, encouraging the young girl.
Santana looked closely at Will for a quiet moment, seemingly teetering on the edge of tears. She sniffed loudly, shook her head and nodded once. 'Ok.' Was all she said, but it was enough to fill Shuester's heart with hope.
'Atta girl, I promise I won't let you down.' He said, lightly cuffing her arm.
'Whatever, just don't expect me to be all perfect and lovely because I'm not.' She said but Will just nodded, not believing her for one minute. He had seen her sing and when she sung, the true happy and caring Santana came out. The same person came out whenever he saw her with Brittany, linking pinkies like little girls through the halls of Mckinley High.
They both stared at each other with smirks on their face. A sudden knock made both jump.
'Hey Baby.' Santana cooed hugging Brittany closely. 'Mr Schue, Brittany is here.' Santana yelled despite the fact Mr Schue was right behind the girls.
'Hey Mr Schue, did you tell Santana I told you all about her life?' Brittany asked seriously, looking directly at Schuester. Santana rolled her eyes at her somewhat dense friend.
'Erm...Brittany I did yes, but I think either way she'd know now.' Schue said with a smile.
Brittany looked at Brittany with dazed eyes. 'Oh.'
'Right, well I'm ordering, what do you girls want?' Will took their orders in and in just over half an hour, the three were eating happily around the small dining table. Santana was watching Mr Schue carefully, but couldn't find one thing to hate about him at that moment, maybe perhaps his vest, she thought with a smirk.
'What you smirking at?' Will said over a mouthful of rice.
Santana looked at him with shock for a second, before smiling wildly. 'You' she giggled, flicking a bit of Thai green at him. He laughed and soon all three were laughing for no particular reason.
'I've eaten so much I'm literally going to burst.' Santana said after a few more mouthfuls, leaving Mr Schue to stare at her with accusing eyes.
'You haven't eaten a thing.' He said albeit a tad dramatically. Santana simply rolled her eyes, pushing her plate away, Brittany soon followed suit, leaving Will to eat more than his fair share.
The clean up was quick and easy. It was then Schuester pulled out a beer he had in his backpack, settling at the small table with a stack load of papers, ready to mark them all. The girls had vanished for the time being into the girlie depths of Santana's room. Every now and again one would appear to use the loo or grab something.
At one point Santana came and sat at the kitchen table with Will.
'Can I have one?' She asked bravely, eyeing his beer. Will laughed.
'No you can't. You're underage.' He said simply, finishing the last of his bottle. She glared at him before going to the fridge, shoving a few morsels of lettuce into her mouth. Will rolled his eyes. 'That's why you should have eaten your dinner.' He remarked but the girl had already got back to her room.
However, unknown to Will she had taken a beer from his backpack.
Three hours rolled by, reaching the early hours of the morning, Schuester finally went to the only other room in the house, assumingly where her Dad would stay when he was here. It looked like it had never been slept in.
The girls had been quiet for a long, long time, assuming they were asleep, he poked his head round the door, and sure enough there was Brittany fast asleep in a light night dress and Santana curled up next to her, fast asleep.
Their noses were inches away from each other, and he would have bet a hundred dollars that their pinkies were linked beneath the covers. They looked like two little girls in the middle of the big black king sized bed. Will smiled to himself as he shut the door and went to bed himself.
The Lopez house was silent until the wee hours of the morning, when a slight whimper followed by the sound of retching woke Schuester up. He climbed out of bed tiredly and made his way to the bathroom, to the sound of the noise.
When he lightly pushed open the door, he was met with the sight of Santana curled up over the toilet, her skinny shoulders shaking with sobs.
'Santana what's the matter?' He was concerned for the girl as he crouched beside her and rubbed her back.
'I'm sorry Mr Schue.' She cried weakly, before turning to face him fully. While she took a few deep breathes he peered into the loo to see a tiny little bit of throw up. He flushed the toilet and quickly ran to get a glass of water.
'Hey, it's ok, you haven't done anything wrong.' He assured, stroking her black hair out of her face.
'No I did, I stole a beer and shared it was Britt. I didn't think it would make me sick.' She sobbed tiredness and illness taking its toll on the normal tough Latina.
Will was disappointed in Santana but then he brushed that aside quickly, he knew she would kick out to test his strength of endurance. 'Well of course it made you sick, mixed with your cold medicine it's probably made it worse.' He said, being sure to keep the anger out of his voice.
'Sorry. I took it because you said I was underage.' She admitted shamefully.
'You are underage.' He chuckled somewhat confusedly.
'I know.' She half sobbed half laughed in reply.
'This is why you need someone around.' He said to himself more than her as he helped her to her feet.
'So you're still going to stay around?' She asked and for a brief moment, the look on her face and the sound of voice was so scared and so innocent Schuester felt his heart bloom with love for her.
'Of course I am, you're young, you're meant to do things like this.' He said, quickly wiping the stray tear away off her cheek.
Silently he pushed her door back open and watched as she climbed back into bed, delicately worming her way against Brittany, and he couldn't help but smile as the sleeping blonde automatically moved her arm to drape over Santana's waist. 'Good night Mr Schue.' She whispered.
'Good night Santana.' He whispered in reply and waited in silence as she fell almost instantly back to sleep.
For the first proper night together, it didn't actually go that bad. He fell asleep with a smile this time round.
Chapter three coming soon, thank you so much for the reviews so far, hope you liked it...