Part 4
The following Monday Santana arrived at McKinley and noticed that all her friends from Glee, except her were wearing sunglasses and moved really slow and did everything they could to avoid loud noises. She noticed Tina and Mercedes slowly walk down the hallway so she hurried up to them.
"I've had the worst hangover since Saturday and it's Monday", Mercedes told the two of them.
"I'm feeling fit as a fiddle", Santana told them with a smirk because she spoke in normal tone and knew that would hurt their heads. "Roger and I had an amazing weekend and my mom actually asked if Roger and I are getting married after high school." She noticed Mike reach them.
"You guys, I can't stop barfing", he said in a tired tone, he sounded sick.
"Please don't say barf", Tina groaned.
"Go to the bathroom", Santana said and smirked. "I swear that if you catch a whiff of hairspray you'll go full Linda Blair in there. It will make you feel so much better."
"I told my mum I had the flu", Mike said. "-and she made me a traditional tea made out of panda hair."
"Ew that's just wrong", Santana said scrunching up her face in disgust.
"Can we talk about anything else?" Tina asked and they joined up with the other gleeks save Finn, Rachel and Lauren. Artie held up a thermos and some paper cups.
"How about some Bloody Marys y'all", he asked and Santana gaped at him.
"I know we've talked about you getting a pair Artie", she said loudly. "And this is obviously you trying but you are being an idiot by bringing that to school."
"Yeah and the last thing I want to do is drink", Mercedes added.
"It will help with the hangover", Artie explained. "That what Bloody Mary's for."
"Oh so drinking more and get even worse is your idea of how to grow a pair?" Santana asked. "Artie you are being fucking stupid. You are all going to end up drunk and get suspended and get in even deeper shit. I'm all for drinking at parties but this is just fucking stupid."
"But it will help us with the hangover", Puck said and looked at Santana. "Come on Lopez when did you lose your balls?"
"I never had any", Santana spat. "I'm not going to take any part of this."
"Fine", Rachel said as Santana walked away from them. "We can handle it ourselves."
Santana refused to take part in the drunk performance the other gleeks were putting together so she sat in the audience along with Mr. Schue. When he asked her why she told him she wasn't feeling too well. She couldn't deny that it was a good number, but the reason behind the success was the thing she couldn't bear the thought of. M
"Well done you guys", he said walking towards them, Victor following slowly behind. "I mean you always bring it with the singing and dancing. But what I was really impressed with today was your acting."
'Wow he is as oblivious as Mercedes when she didn't realize Kurt is gay', Santana thought.
"I truly thought that some of you guys were drunk", Schue continued
"We take our craft serious", Artie said.
"Yeah right", Santana said and scoffed but only the gleeks noticed, Schue didn't.
"But the problem is that… that song is great but it… it kinda glorifies drinking, don't you think?" Schue continued. "I mean we are supposed to sing about the dangers with alcohol for this assembly."
"Well good luck finding a song that does that", Mercedes remarked Santana did slightly agree with her on that.
"Mr. Schue", Rachel said and just by looking at her a normal person could see she was drunk. "First of all that vest is very cute." She hung on Mike and held his hand. "You are all kinds of awesome. But second, maybe there's really no song about the dangers of drinking because there's really none as long as you have a proper designated driver." She was playing with Mike's shirt now and Santana cocked an eyebrow. This… was kind of fun especially when she looked up at him and said:
"Have I ever told you how great you are?"
Tina pulled her boyfriend away from Rachel and Santana had to laugh. Schue looked at her oddly but Santana ignored it. She was a bit disappointed though that FemChang didn't smack Rachel for going after her boyfriend.
"Well Rachel yeah", Schue said a bit confused. "Driving drunk is dangerous. And have you guys ever heard of alcohol poisoning? It kills about 400 people each year."
"You're such a hypocrite", Quinn told Mr. Schue with an angry tone to her voice. "You drink. Most adults do."
"I may have a beer every now and then", Mr. Schue defended himself. "But I don't… I don't get drunk."
"We're just saying this is a waste of time", Puck added. "We're totally aware of alcohol."
"Yeah right", Santana said and Schue looked her when he heard the strange tone in her voice.
"We see adults drinking it and having fun", Puck continued. "Every commercial during NASCAR is for beer."
"Okay", Schue said. "Enough guys. Look, tomorrow… come with your thinking caps on because we're gonna spend the entire day brainstorming ideas for songs to sing at the assembly." With a sigh he walked out and Santana rounded on the group.
"Wow I don't know what's worse", she said. "The fact that you are all fucking drunk or that Schue didn't notice."
"He didn't realize because of our great acting skills", Sam said happily.
"No", Santana said and got up and walked over to the stage. "He didn't notice because he has cotton between his ears, but everyone else will notice that you are drunk and you'll all get expelled."
"And what are you gonna do about it Lopez", Lauren asked in a mocking tone. Santana smirked.
"Nothing", she said and sat down, draping one leg gracefully over the other and putting her hands on her knees. "Other than sit back, enjoy the circus and then watch as it all falls apart around you."
"It won't fall apart", Finn said.
"Oh trust me", Santana said mockingly. "It will because you are all part of it."
Wes chuckled as Santana told him about what had happened that day.
"Figures", he said. "Blaine came back with the hangover God had forgotten."
Santana giggled and leaned into him. They were sitting in Wes' room, looking for a song for her to perform to show everyone that she knows about the dangers of drinking. Wes was leaning back on his bed and Santana was sitting between his legs, leaning back on him and with a laptop in her lap.
"How about that one", Wes said and pointed at Whiskey Lullaby.
"It works… but it's a duet and I don't want to sing with anyone on the drunk team."
"Well I could sing with you", Wes said and kissed her temple.
"I know you can and we sound epic when we do… but…"
"But we don't want anyone to know we are dating…"
"Yeah…"
"We could do it as friends."
"Babe have you ever watched a recording of us performing nowadays?"
"Oh… I get it", Wes said. When they sang together love shone in their eyes and you knew by just looking at them that they were in love. Santana sighed and snuggled close to him.
"What should I do", she asked with a sigh.
"That's easy", Wes said with a smirk.
"It is?"
"Yes… Google it."
"Google what?"
"Here", Wes said and reached around her and typed: "Songs about dangers of alcohol".
"That's never gonna", Santana began but broke off when she saw the suggestions. "Wow… there's more than I thought."
"Well this one is quite obvious", Wes said as they checked a song. "But this one has a great message as well but a bit… less obvious."
"I can't decide between them… maybe I can sing both…"
"Or you can sing one at McKinley and one at Dalton", Wes said and kissed her cheek.
"What?" Santana asked and looked at him.
"We have alcohol awareness week too you know", he teased gently. "And the principal asked me and the student council to find students at our school… or other schools that could sing songs about the dangers of alcohol."
"And what will I get if I do?" she asked and put the laptop aside and turned to face him. Wes chuckled and let his hand run over her cheek softly.
"Well", he said before kissing her lips softly. "I'm sure we can think of something… other than a free dinner at a restaurant of your choice."
"And who will pay for that?"
"Dalton of course."
"Of course", she giggled and put her arms around his neck. "Should I be decently dressed at that performance?"
"Love you'd be the only girl at a 'boarding' school for boys and heck most of them are single."
"Oooh sounds fun", Santana giggled and Wes chuckled.
"Maybe it's a bad idea to invite you, just think of all the boys that will be trying to win your heart", he said and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"They have nothing I'm interested in… well other in height."
"Hey!" Wes said with a laugh. "You love my height."
"I do, because I don't need heels to reach the place I want."
"And what place is that?"
"This", she said and kissed him gently. Wes kissed her back and pulled her close.
The next day Santana told the glee club that she wanted to see them and Mr. Schue in the auditorium during lunch so that she could show them her number for alcohol awareness week. When her friends and teacher came there was a guitar on stage, a stool and an empty glass bottle. Schue looked closely and saw that someone had taped a note onto it which read "alcohol". They all looked around but no one could see Santana.
"Santana", Schue called and then they heard the echoing of high heels on the stage. Santana came on stage, wearing a country outfit, the same from the year before when they sang with April Rhodes. She was joined by their usual guitarist and he sat down on the stool and took the guitar. He started playing and Santana started singing:
I can make anybody pretty
I can make you believe any lie
I can make you pick a fight
With somebody twice
Your size
She looked at Finn and he looked confused.
Well I've been known to cause a few breakups
And I've been known to cause a few births
She gave Quinn a meaningful look.
I can make you new friends
Or get you fired from work.
Here she looked at Schue and he was smiling softly.
And since the day I left Milwaukee
Lyncheburg Bordeaux, France
Been making the bars
With lots of big money
And helping white people dance
She looked at Puck.
I got you in trouble in high school
And college now that was a ball
You had some of the best times
You'll never remember with me
Alcohol, alcohol
Here she looked at Chang Squared.
I got blamed at your wedding reception
For your best man's embarrassing speech
And also for those naked pictures of you at the beach
She looked at Brittany, she knew she was a stripper drunk.
I've influenced kings and world leaders
I helped Hemingway write like he did
And I'll bet you a drink or two that I can make you
Put that lampshade on your head
She gave Artie a look this time.
And since the day I left Milwaukee
Lyncheburg Bordeaux, France
Been making a fool out of folks
Just like you
Here she looked at Lauren.
And helping white people dance
I am medicine and I am poison
I can help you up or make you fall
She looked at Rachel and Mercedes.
You had some of the best times
You'll never remember with me
Alcohol, alcohol
She looked at Schue and he looked really proud of her. She smiled and sang louder and clearer. She noticed people watch her from the doors. She beamed and sang:
And since the day I left Milwaukee
Lyncheburg Bordeaux, France
Been making the bars
With lots of big money
And helping white people dance
I got you in trouble in high school
And college now that was a ball
You had some of the best times
You'll never remember with me
Alcohol, alcohol
When she stopped singing Brittany, along with the people in the doorways cheered for her. She laughed and took a bow. Schue hurried up to her.
"Wow Santana that was amazing", he said. "It was totally what I was looking for." He turned to the others. "I think I found one of the numbers we're gonna do at the assembly."
Santana grinned happily but remembered what she had promised Wes. She had promised him that if she was a success with this number, she should thank the guitarist. So she walked up to him and gave him a hug.
"Thanks", she said and then walked off the stage, leaving lots of shocked faces behind.
Wes looked at his phone and smiled. Santana had sent him lots of smilies and hearts. Yes it had gone by perfectly. The student council meeting, not so much. The other members were arguing. Wes sighed.
"Stop it", he said sharply and all eyes were on him. "It doesn't matter that you think that this assembly is stupid and just stealing time. It is a very important thing we're talking about here!"
"But Wes we are all aware of the dangers of alcohol at this school", a senior said.
"Are we", Wes said. "I recall three freshmen getting drunk and then going for a swim in the pool! One of them nearly drowned!"
The senior blushed and shrunk back in his chair. Wes sighed and rose.
"Look guys", he said. "Most of us in here and the upper classmen of this school knows that alcohol can be really bad… we lost a teacher in a drunk-and-drive accident when us seniors were sophomores. We've seen what it can do if not handled responsibly. But not everyone have gotten the chance to learn the lessons. Which is why the school is doing this. The principal will talk a bit about the dangers of alcohol and the school nurse will as well, but they will also show what is not dangerous."
"And what would that be", a freshman asked.
"That when you are twenty one or older", Wes said and gave the boy a pointed look. "It's not that dangerous to take a glass of wine every now and then or drink a beer while you eat supper. But the main focus will still be on the dangers of drinking… and what drunk behavior can lead to."
"And is there going to be music", a sophomore asked eagerly.
"Yes", Wes said calmly. "The Warblers have agreed to perform a number… as well as a certain guest."
"Who", the boys all asked and Wes chuckled.
"It's a surprise", he said and sat down again. "Now… next on today's protocol…"
Santana never got the change to perform her number at the assembly because the others ruined the whole thing when they drunkenly performed that Ke$ha song and Brittany threw up. The whole assembly was cut short which meant that Santana wasn't allowed to perform so she just left. She was not going to clean that up. As she walked down the hall the next day the P.A. suddenly came to life. First there was some music notes and then Becky Johnson's voice:
"Heads up McKinley", she said. "Coach Sylvester's gonna shout at ya."
"Students", Sue said in a serious and calm voice. "Colleagues, indeed all who understand the Queen's English. We all still quake in terror at what we witnessed yesterday at the assembly by a Glee Club spiraling out of control."
"You don't say", Santana said out loud and noticed Rachel and Mercedes glare at her.
"My nose is still filled with the acrid stench of teen vomit. And there is simply but one person to blame, the alcoholic teen-vomit fetishist Will Schuester, the director of that club."
"That's where you are wrong", Santana mumbled. "He's actually innocent… but way too oblivious."
"Two days ago", Sue continued and Santana walked towards the choir room. "I received a drunk-dial in the middle of the night from a horny Will Schuester."
Santana froze and turned to stare at the P.A. speaker.
"Open your ears McKinley High", Sue said. "And behold the awful prize for alcoholism."
When Santana heard her teacher's voice coming over the P.A she started to laugh and walked towards the choir room again. It was so funny. Schue gave off the image of a proper, prep, dapper, perfect guy… pretty much like her boyfriend… but this drunk call just made Mr. Schue seem more human. She met other giggling and laughing students on her way. They were all voicing their thoughts, the same thoughts she had.
"Will Schuester", Sue's voice said over the P.A. "You've just been publicly humiliated. And on the road to recovery, it's the very first step."
Not long after Santana and the rest of Glee Club and their coach were dragged into Figgins' office.
"We're probably gonna get suspended", Puck said.
"I think you'll definitely get suspended", Schue said. "You'll probably all gonna get suspended. And Santana you should have come and told me they were all drunk."
"Oh you're one to talk", Santana remarked dryly, she didn't like to get crap for something she didn't do. "How about you crack a Four Loko, Count Boozy von Drunk-a-ton? You should have noticed it when they did Blame It On the Alcohol dunk as well."
"That's not the point!"
"Then what is?"
Figgins interrupted further discussion by entering the room and stood behind his desk.
"William", he said. "Glee Club. I have one word for you."
They all looked at the floor.
"Congratulations", Figgins said happily. "Those special effects at the assembly really paid off! I had no idea what brilliant musical-comedy performers you all have become. The kids at this school are scared straight. Today is the first day in a month without a single act of public drunkenness at McKinley High!"
He clapped his hands as did the kids and they were all smiling.
"And as a thank you", Figgins continued. "Here are coupons for half-off frozen yoghurt. Yum."
He handed them to Artie and Artie handed them out. Santana couldn't believe their luck, but she felt a bit disappointed at the same time. She really thought that the others needed to get some sort of punishment for their behavior. They had put themselves and her and Schue at risk without even feeling sorry. Oh my God her thinking self was turning into Wes! Not that it was something bad after all he really was… okay pull the breaks on that train of thought… but still. Yum.
"William", Figgins continued in a low tone and the teacher leaned in close. "I do think you need to see someone about your sex and love addiction. I've talked to my pastor about you and he's willing to meet you at your earliest convenience."
"Thank you", Schue said.
"Okay", Figgins said happily. "Achievement!" All the gleeks grinned and cheered happily.
They returned to the choir room and all sat down, Santana a bit apart from the others.
"I'm torn", Brittany said. "Part of me never wants to drink again because it made me so sick, but if it weren't for drinking the assembly would've been a disaster."
"I for one am never drinking again", Rachel said closing her eyes. "Being thrown up on… it just does something to a person."
"All right guys", Schue interrupted while he entered… like usual. Didn't he have any other way to get their attention? "While I'm happy things worked out with the assembly I never wanna see you guys pull anything like that again. Drinking while performing is unprofessional and drinking while at school is just stupid and most importantly any of you guys drinking at all is illegal."
"There's a fair amount of the pot calling the kettle black right now", Quinn told their teacher.
"That is so racist", Brittany whispered to Mercedes.
"I couldn't agree more", Schue said to Quinn. "Which is why I'm gonna stop drinking. I guess the only one in the room with a good look on alcohol is Santana."
They all looked her.
"I'd love to just say I told you so or give you a snarky remark about how I am better person than all of you", she said calmly. "But I won't because that's not what you guys need to hear. All I want is for you guys to stop drinking until you are 21."
"But if you don't drink what will you have to live for", Lauren asked confused.
"The point is", Schue said. "I'm gonna stop. And I hope you guys do too."
"Isn't that kind of unrealistic", Tina asked smiling slightly.
"Yeah, honestly I think it is. Which why I'm only gonna ask you to do until after nationals. Consider yourselves like prizefighters getting ready for a big heavyweight bout." He handed out papers to all the kids. "Now, these are pledge forms, and I want you guys to sign them."
"And what if we fall off the wagon again", Puck asked.
"Look in the top corner of your form", Schue told him. "That's my cell phone number."
"Yes", Sam cheered and the others chuckled.
"Part of your pledge is that if you do slip up no matter where you are or what time of the night it is I want you to call me to drive you home."
Santana didn't really understood why she got the form as well since she hadn't been drinking at all. But she smiled anyway, Schue was just trying to look out for all of them.
"Cool beans Mr. Schue", she said. "I'll sign this."
One by one the kids agreed and Finn smirked.
"What about after we win nationals?" he asked.
"I'm buying the sparkling cider", Schue said with a smile.
Santana signed the form and handed it to him. Then she took her bag and got up.
"Santana", Schue asked confused.
"While you all have been acting like total idiots this week. I have gotten an offer I can't refuse. Don't worry I won't get paid for it. I'm just helping a friend out."
"What friend", Rachel asked shocked. Did Santana really have friends?
"Oh just someone in a big power position at a certain school we all love and hate at the same time", Santana said and winked before leaving.
Santana was amazed at the fact that the boys at Dalton sat quietly and even looked interested as the speakers talked about the dangers of alcohol. She was dressed in a knee long red dress that showed off her figure in a good way and didn't look slutty. It had a little bit of cleavage but not too much and it just suited her perfectly. Her beautiful hair hung freely and she wore black heels. She was nervous to sing in front of all these boys and kept turning one of the rings she wore. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped. She turned and saw Wes stand there. He smiled at her.
"You okay there Lopez?" he asked and Santana noticed the rest of the Warblers there as well. Kurt was looking really confused.
"Yeah I'm fine", Santana said.
"You don't look fine", Blaine said gently.
"It's just… I'm nervous alright?" she sighed. "I've never performed alone before."
"You'll do great Santana", Kurt said gently. "You have a nice voice."
"No Kurt she has an amazing voice", a really short boy who's name she had forgotten. She thought it was Thad or Nick because she remembered that Wes had told her the names of the other hobbit Warblers in the group.
"Thank you", Santana said and smiled at him. The principal finished the lecture and told the crowd that the Warblers were going to perform. Wes smiled and kissed Santana's cheek.
"See you afterwards Tana?" he asked.
"Always mí chico", she said. Wes walked away with the others but Santana heard Kurt mutter:
"I still can't believe they are best friends."
Watching the Warblers perform had Santana smiling big and she swayed in the beat to the music. She was sad to see that Wes wasn't leading but Blaine and the other short boy and the blonde that got to lead the three songs were all good. She was amazed to see how much their school loved them. No one at McKinley loved the New Directions. But Dalton adored the Warblers. When the last number ended Wes took the mike as the Warblers walked off the stage.
"And now", Wes said. "As a final treat we have a special guest star. From William McKinley High School in Lima Ohio… Miss Santana Lopez!" He pointed at her and Santana walked out on the stage and everyone cheered loudly for her. For two reasons actually. A: She was a very attractive girl and B: They had heard through the grape vine that the Warblers thought she was an amazing singer.
Santana walked up to Wes, guitar in hand and he smiled at her.
"Hi Ms. Lopez", he said into the mike so everyone could hear.
"Hello boys", she said and a flirty way and the boys cheered again. Wes laughed.
"Looks like the crowd loves you already", he said. "So what are you going to sing for us?"
"Well I was told to sing about the dangers of drinking", she said and smiled. "And I will… but from a different point of view."
"Whatever do you mean", Wes teased.
"Oh shut up you know very well in what way because we discussed it over phone. Don't you dare try to lure me into believe you have no idea what I am talking about."
The school laughed as their student council president etcetera got lectured by a girl like that.
"Fine, fine", Wes said. "But would you please explain it to everyone else that didn't talk to you over phone last night?"
"Yeah because that was all we did."
The boys laughed again and Wes chuckled.
"Keep telling yourself that Tana", Wes said.
"Oh I will Wesley."
"Now that is going too far", Wes teased.
"Just shut up and let me do my thing."
"Fine fine", Wes said and held up his hands. Santana turned to the audience but then got a better idea.
"Here hold this darling", she said and gave him the guitar. Wes rolled his eyes but complied. Santana turned to the student body again.
"This song", she said. "Is more of what can happen to those around you if you drink… or more accurate… your kid. But let's imagine it's your baby brother or sister instead… which is why I have changed the lyrics a little bit… with some help from this knucklehead." She nodded at Wes.
"Oi!" he objected but everyone else laughed. Wes rolled his eyes but put the guitar on and started playing. Santana smiled at him.
"So for this performance", she said. "I imagine my little sister sing it to me… if I would be drinking."
The band joined in and Santana put a mike in front of Wes and then started to sing:
I remember looking up
To look up to her
And I remember most the times
She wasn't there
I'd be waiting at the door
When he got home at night
She'd pass me by
To go pass out in her room
And I'd say,
Walk a little straighter, big sis
You're swaying side to side
Your footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
I keep trippin' and stumblin'
If you'd look down here you'd see
Walk a little straighter, big sis
You're leading me
Santana looked at Wes and he smiled, they had talked it through yesterday. She wanted Wes to sing one verse and since it wasn't a love song… no one would know their secret. Wes looked at the crowd and sang:
Well he stumbled in the gym
On graduation day
And I couldn't help but feel so ashamed
And I wasn't surprised a bit
When he didn't stay
He stumbled out before they called my name
And I thought,
Wes & Santana: Walk a little straighter, big brother
You're swaying side to side
It's not just me who's watching
You've caught everybody's eye
And you're trippin' and stumblin'
And even though I've turned eighteen
Walk a little straighter, big brother
You're still leading me
Santana looked at the crowd and sang her heart out.
Santana: My sisters still like she always was,
But I love her anyway
And if I've learned one thing from her
It's my lil' sis will never have to say:
"Walk a little straighter, big sis
You're swaying side to side
Your footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
Wes & Santana: I keep trippin' and stumblin'
If you'd look down here you'd see
Walk a litlle straighter, big sis/brother
You're leading me
Yeah walk a little straighter, big sis/brother
You're leading me
The crowd cheered loudly for them and Wes smiled at Santana and she smiled back. She bowed to the audience before leaving the stage. Kurt gave her a big hug while Wes thanked everyone for coming. Santana waited for him to join her before she hugged him tightly.
"You were amazing Tana", he said.
"Not as amazing as you Ley", she said happily. Wes just chuckled.
"Yeah we were both all kinds of awesome", he said. The Warblers watched them and some were a bit jealous… but for different reasons. One reason was Wes hugging a hot girl and the second reason… a hot girl was taking their Wes from them! They were already losing him to his girlfriend Julie and now Santana was stealing him too! That could not be!
TBC Sorry for the LONG wait but I still had a major case of writer's block :S