So here's what you missed.
After Santana got slushied, she met this new girl: Abbey who was also slushied but Santana also found out she has a great voice and made her try out for glee club. Weird, right?
"For you, yeah." Abbey said.
Since then, Abbey has revealed some pretty big secrets like she's anorexic and gay. And that really caught Santana's attention. And her parents attention, who kicked Abbey out after all of the glee girls danced in front of them.
"I'm packing a bag and I'm leaving." Abbey said, walking past her parents.
Now they're at Nationals and Abbey looks like she's getting really, really, really close to Santana and then this random girl shows up. Who is she?
And that's what you missed.
0000000000
Jennifer McGraw stepped forward and looked out to the audience before singing a beautiful rendition of 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile. But Abbey couldn't stay there for more than 10 seconds before running out of there with Santana close behind.
After the 2 girls had reached the main foyer, Santana grabbed one of Abbey's arms and turned her around.
"What's going on?" Santana asked.
"My ex is singing on that stage, Santana." Abbey replied. Santana couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at these words.
"And it's weird. I thought that when I'd see her that these old feelings would come rushing back to me and I'd just fall in love with her all over again…but I didn't. I guess it was just so weird that I ran out." Abbey then said. Santana sharply looked up, her mahogany irises locking on with Abbey's emerald green ones.
"Do you know why you don't have feelings for her?" Santana asked and Abbey could only sigh.
"I just…I…" Abbey let out before grabbing Santana's face and pulling it towards her own, their lips crashing together in a fountain of fireworks. Santana didn't know what to do, so she held onto Abbey's waist for dear life, returning the kiss with so much ferocity that it made TNT go off inside both the girls' brains.
It broke after seconds more and the 2 girls kept close to each other, their rapid and uneven breathing matching each other's; breath for breath. They both opened their eyes, intensity rimming both girls' irises along with the greatly diluted pupils. Abbey then took a step away, then another, then another. Never taking her eyes way from Santana's, she showed a wobbly smile before turning back and heading back inside the theatre while Santana just stood there, raising a finger to graze her lips.
2 hours later
"Alright, guys. Its 5 minutes to show time. Break a leg and I know you're going to do great." Mr. Schuester said to the New Directions, who smiled and applauded wildly before preparing in the wings. Abbey was taking deep breaths and checking her make-up in the mirror when she saw in the reflection one Santana Lopez looking at her. Not in an angry way, more like in a…lost kind of way. Abbey closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning to face the girl.
"Santana…look, I'm sorry about what happened. I just got carried away. Everything was just running through my head and it just got to a point where I would take it out on something and…your face just happened to be there." Abbey said. Santana let out an almost callous laugh, completely making a u-turn.
"Don't lie to me, Abbey. I asked you a question and you said you answered it and now you're taking it back? You're even pretending like nothing's happened. I mean…I kissed you back. Doesn't that mean anything?" Santana asked. Abbey could only look down before Santana scoffed.
"Whatever." Santana said before walking away. Abbey could only sigh and let the tears run down before the singers were called to the wings.
As Finn and Rachel sang their duet, the words really hit Abbey. It was basically describing the feelings she had for Santana but couldn't do anything about it because she thought that Santana was definitely straight until 2 hours ago. And now Abbey feels more alone than ever because she had the one chance to be with Santana without anyone to judge her and she blew it.
Abbey sighed before looking to her left and seeing Santana stood there, watching the duet climax. Abbey could only gaze at the Latina before following the others onstage as the two captains finished their song. Santana and Abbey locked eyes as a silence prolonged due to Finn and Rachel's impromptu make-out session. But nevertheless the show went on and after a group performance of 'Light Up The World' and Tina's shining moment with Corinne Bailey Rae's 'Put Your Records On', they waited for the top 10 plaque to reveal itself, which it did in due time as Kurt basically squealed the news.
"We'll go together." Mr. Schuester said and they all headed up. Santana and Abbey could only lock eyes before the plaque had made itself known to them.
"Would anyone like to go?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"Oh, I'm too nervous to look." Rachel said before Abbey stepped forward.
"I'll go." She said and Mr Schuester nodded before everyone stepped back while the redhead scanned the tablet.
"What did we rank?" Finn asked, unable to contain his anticipation. There was a long silence before the girl spoke up.
"Guys…we were 4th." She whispered. Only Rachel heard and she ran forward, examining the sign.
"Oh my god. We're in top 10. We're in the top 10! WE'RE IN THE TOP 10!" she squeaked with absolute amazement. The club erupted. They were one of the top 10 show choirs in the country. In fact they were currently the 4th top show choir in the country. Screw Jesse St James and his "professional kissing rules", they were now in the top 10. Abbey hugged everyone, eventually getting to Santana and embraced her for a few seconds before both girls realised and immediately backed away from each other. Abbey could only sigh before looking and seeing the Colorado Castle Crooners celebrating too.
The next day
Over the course of the night, there was a huge discussion late into the night over whether who should get the solo to represent the New Directions in front of the judges. Rachel, Jack, Mercedes, Santana and Kurt stood their ground in themselves getting the solo, seeing as they were the ones who auditioned for a Nationals solo in the first place, before Sam spoke up.
"I think Abbey should have it." He said and the redhead looked to the blonde, wide eyed, along with Rachel, Jack and Mercedes.
"You know, everyone has sung their own solo lines, no matter how big or small they are, except Abbey. And she's an amazing singer so I think she should be given a chance." The blonde boy then reasoned and Mr. Schuester nodded.
"I second that." Puck said.
"I third it." Brittany said, holding up four fingers. Abbey smiled before gently putting down one before the dancer put an arm around the ginger haired girl. Everyone then began to agree, some against their will until Santana looked up.
"I agree too." She said and Abbey looked to the Latina. Santana looked back to Abbey.
"The judges haven't heard her sing yet. She could be our secret weapon." She then said and Abbey let out a wobbly smile before Santana's look changed. It was back to that stone faced glare saying she's just doing this for the good of the team.
"Alright, then it's settled. Abbey has the solo." Mr. Schuester said and Abbey smiled.
Now Abbey was sat in the green room, receiving tips from Rachel and Mercedes while the others wish her luck.
"And now from the Colorado Castle Crooners: Jennifer McGraw."The tannoy announced and Abbey's heart started pounding harder than ever before.
"Hey, it's alright. They're good but with you, we'll kick their asses back to Colorado." Mercedes said. Abbey could only nod before preparing again. But her ears began to prick up at the song Jenn was singing.
I can't imagine all the people that you know
And the places where you go
Abbey's skin turned into 3 colours within 10 seconds: from her normal skin tone to white and then to red with absolute rage.
"It was her." She snarled. Everyone looked to her confused.
"It was Jenn who wrote the article, or she must've paid Jacob Ben Israel to do it. But she stole my song. She was the one who revealed to the school that I was gay. That's my song she's singing." Abbey then said, pacing. Santana stood up.
"I thought she was the ex you're in love with." She said.
"She's the ex I was in love with." Abbey answered before sitting down.
"Why would she do something like this?" she asked, head in her hands.
"As soon as she gets off that stage, I'm gonna give her a piece of my mind. No one messes with my girl." Puck said.
"Puck, no!" Abbey called out.
"I agree. You can't hit a girl." Quinn said. Abbey looked to Quinn.
"No, not that. Jenn is the type of person who carries a tire iron with her at all times and can fight of 3 monster truck drivers." Abbey then said and Puck winced at the though, quickly sitting down while Jack just looked impressed.
After 2 minutes of endless torture for Abbey, the song finally stopped. And Jenn sounded amazing, singing Abbey's song and that made her feel uncomfortable. They could win because they stole her song. But thank god the actually condensed it considering the full song was original written to be more than 9 minutes long. Abbey could only let out open sobs.
"Are you sure you want to perform?" Rachel asked.
"You're only asking because you want to take her place, hobbit." Santana replied.
"Actually no, Santana. I'm genuinely concerned for my fellow performer and also my friend. I actually care for Abbey, unlike some people." Rachel fired back and Santana stood up abruptly.
"You don't know anything, Willow." Santana snarled and Rachel was about to fire something back when the bell rung and lights flashed in the green room.
"Guys, I don't need this now." Abbey stood up and she began to walk out before her head raised upright, a faint twinkle in her eye.
"I've got the perfect song." She whispered before running out.
"Good luck!" the New Directions called before heading towards the wings.
"And now from the New Directions: Abigail Hawkins."
The New Directions could only watch as a soft guitar introduction played. A spotlight slowly began to fade in on Abbey as slowly looked out to the audience, locking eyes with her ex-girlfriend who just wore this smirk that made Abbey's stomach churn and she looked down as she sung the opening words.
I guess you really did it this time
Left yourself in your warpath
Lost your balance on a tightrope
Lost your mind tryin' to get it back
Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days?
Always a bigger bed to crawl into
Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything
And everybody believed in you?
Abbey then looked up, looking out at the audience as she sung the chorus with more confidence, the nerves beginning to fade.
It's alright, just wait and see
Your string of lights is still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent,
You're still an innocent
Abbey watched as Jenn's facial expression morphed from a smirk into 'realisation' that Abbey is trying to look past what happened. Did Jenn still love Abbey? The cardinal redhead could only ask herself the question as the natural redhead continued on with the song.
Did some things you can't speak of
But at night you live it all again
You wouldn't be shattered on the floor now
If only you would seen what you know now then
Wasn't it easier in your firefly-catchin' days?
When everything out of reach, someone bigger brought down to you
Wasn't it beautiful runnin' wild 'til you fell asleep
Before the monsters caught up to you?
Abbey then slowly looked to the right wing and locked eyes with Santana Lopez. She wanted to show that she did actually care for the Latina and the kiss wasn't a spur of emotions.
It's alright, just wait and see
Your string of lights is still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent
It's okay, life is a tough crowd
17, and still growin' up now
Who you are is not what you did
You're still an innocent
Time turns flames to embers
You'll have new Septembers
Every one of us has messed up too
Lives change like the weather
I hope you remember
Today is never too late to be brand new
Santana recognized the song since the introduction ran through her ears. She wasn't a huge fan of the artist but she liked her music, however this song didn't really speak to her until Abigail locked eyes with her while the second chorus rung throughout the stage and seats. And the former Cheerio did notice the lyric change before wondering what it meant. She put the question on a shelf seconds later and watched as Abbey took the microphone from the stand as the drums became more prominent and she sang the song from the heart.
It's alright, just wait and see
Your string of lights is still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent
It's okay, life is a tough crowd
17, and still growin' up now
Who you are is not what you did
You're still an innocent
You're still an innocent
Lost your balance on a tightrope
It's never too late to get it back
The audience wildly applauded and Abbey smiled before bowing. She then looked to the side before walking off to hugs from Rachel, Quinn and Puck before the others joined in. Except one. Santana has disappeared the second the song faded and she went out for some air. The feelings for Abigail were now angrily bubbling inside her and she couldn't stand the fact that she was making googly eyes at Red Herring in the audience before looking to her with those beautiful green eyes of hers…Santana shook her head fiercely trying to erase Abbey's eyes of those very eyes out of her mind. But it was a permanent image and no matter how much Santana hated her, she could not escape her. It was like she was being shackled to the girl against her will.
"You like her, don't you?" a small voice asked, breaking Santana's thought track and she whipped around to see Rachel Berry stood there. Santana sighed.
"Listen, Poisonberry. Can you just get up out of grill? You don't know what you're talking about." Santana sighed while turning away, not in the mood for conversation with anyone. Especially not with Rachel Berry.
"Do you not think I saw you in the audience when the others performed Born This Way? Do you not think I felt the chemistry when you 2 danced in front of Abigail's parents? The way you look at her? I only noticed after our heated conversation in green room and it all added up." Rachel asked and Santana's hands begin to ball into tight fists.
"You can't hide it forever, Santana. If you don't tell, people are going to start to realise and then you will have no choice but to come out against your will." Rachel then said and Santana turned to face the diva, storming towards her and raising a hand to slap her. Rachel flinched and scrunched her eyes shut until she heard a muffled sob and she slowly opened her eyes to see Santana rested against a wall, hands over her mouth as she let out hard sobs. Rachel could only stand next to Santana.
"This feeling is horrible." Santana said. Rachel could only reach into her bag and pull out a packet of tissues.
"You can't just wait for it to go away, Santana. You need to act upon it." Rachel said while offering the tissues to the Latina who took them, surprisingly gently.
"She was making faces with her ex and I know she still loves her even though she said she was in love with her and not is in love with her." Santana said, taking a tissue and wiping away her not-so-waterproof mascara running down her face. Rachel looked at her like she was some kind of idiot.
"Are you some kind of idiot, Santana? Have you seen the way she looks at you? She adores you and no one, not even her ex-girlfriend is going to stop that from happening. And besides looking at her ex, she doesn't have a patch on you." Rachel said and Santana showed a small smile.
"You know, I should've listened to Quinn when she said you weren't that bad after prom." She said and Rachel smiled before holding out a closed fist. Santana let out a little laugh before bumping it with her own.
Meanwhile…
Abbey was walking through the backstage corridor. She was still on a high after her performance and she knew they were going to win. She just knew it. She just needed to find Santana and tell her how she really feels.
"Abbey?" a voice called as she turned a corner. Abbey stopped dead and turned back around the corner to see Jennifer McGraw stood there. Abbey stood there, shoulders locked and arms folded.
"What do you want?" Abbey asked. Jenn stepped forward.
"Abbey, you don't need to be all angry. I'm glad you've forgiven me." Jenn said with a smile. Abbey's eyes widened.
"What?" she asked, flabbergasted.
"You know, you forgave me with the song you sung." Jenn then said. Abbey let out a shocked laugh.
"Do you honestly think I'm going to forgive you after what you did, Jenn? You stole one of the most precious things in the world to me and then you use it to your advantage to win a competition. I didn't even get an apology from you for doing it!" Abbey spat.
"Okay, fine. I'm sorry. Are we happy?" Jenn then asked.
"No. We're far from happy. I find the one girl who I believed would love me for everything I am, even my flaws and would look past my stuck-up homophobes I have to call my parents. And by the way, I've left them." Abbey said and Jenn's eyes widened.
"What?" she asked but Abbey continued.
"Me and this girl were together for 2 and a half years before my parents force us to split up and she forbids me from having any contact with the girl. But I still see her in private for 3 weeks before my parents decide to move to Ohio just so I could get over this supposed 'phase'. That still doesn't stop me from thinking about her 24/7. 'Is she alright? Oh, I hope she's okay. How am I going to cope without her?'. Like every single minute I spent with you mattered, Jenn. I loved you." Abbey said. Jenn looked straight into Abbey's eyes after this was said.
"You loved me? No, I know you still love me." Jenn replied. Abbey shook her head.
"I like someone else." Abbey replied and honestly? Jenn looked hurt, tightly gripping the tire iron in her hand. They just stared each other down until bells were heard and the lights flashed. Both girls looked around before looking to each other.
"Good luck." Abbey then mumbled and Jenn just scoffed.
"Whatever." She replied before walking away. Abbey just sighed before walking in the opposite directions.
10 minutes later
There were currently 5 remaining show choirs standing onstage: New Directions, Colorado Castle Crooners, Vocal Chordz, Soundsplosion and the Portland Scale Blazers. To the utmost surprise of New Directions, as the host was going from 10th place upwards, Vocal Adrenaline actually came in 7th place. Dustin Goolsby looked horrified before glaring at the club as they skulked off. Abbey just gave a wide eyed look to Rachel, grips tightening on her hands from the diva and from Puck.
Soundsplosion and Vocal Chordz were announced as 5th and 4th place and the remaining 3 choirs stepped moved in.
"And now…in 3rd place…the Portland Scale Blazers!" the MC then announced and Abbey looked down.
"Oh my god." She whispered and both Rachel and Puck gave her reassuring hand squeezes before her eyes crushed shut as the host sung again.
"And for the winner…there is a little twist." The host then said and Abbey's eyes shot open wide.
"Since the judges couldn't decide, we're going to have a sing-off. Could the two soloists step forward?" the host asked and Abbey looked around shocked before stepping forward. Jenn also stepped forward and soon enough, the two girls were having a stare down.
"We want you 2 to have a sing-off duet. Any song ideas?" the MC then asked the 2 girls before Jenn took another step forward.
"I have one." She said sweetly before walking over to the band but not before shoulder barging Abbey, making the taller girl growl. But that soon changed into a smirk as the musical introduction to the song started and Jenn sung the opening words to 'Give It Up'.
Someday, I'll let you in
Treat you right, drive you outta your mind
Jenn was about to sing the next line but her ex beat her to the punch as Abbey stepped forward and sung with power and determination.
You never met a chick like me
Burn so bright
I'm gonna make you blind
They both then walked towards each other until they were inches apart, glaring as they continued to sing.
Always want what you can't have
Is it so bad
If you don't get what you wanted
Make you feel good
As I'm with you
Wanna shape ya boy
Let's get it started!
They both then skipped to each end of the stage and egging on the crowd to clap in time to the rhythm as the chorus came up.
Give it up
You can't win
Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame
You don't put up a fight
That's a game that we play
At the end of the night
It's the same old story
But you never get it right
Give it up
Come a little closer
Baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer
Baby, baby
Jenn then looked to Abbey, determination powering her voice as she sang the next verse to Abbey as a message to the natural redhead.
So stop trying to walk away
No you won't ever leave me behind
Abbey then countered with a belted improvisation before singing the countering words, almost in reply to Jenn.
You better believe that I'm here to stay
Jenn smirked and sung That's right, thinking her trap had snared and she had caught a big one. But Abbey knew it was coming as she pointed to Jenn while singing the next line.
'Cause you're the shade and I'm the sunshine
Jenn's eyes darkened at this. Abbey was a tougher catch than she had once thought as they went into the bridge and chorus.
Look at me boy
'Cause I got you
Where I want you
Isn't it so exciting?
Wanna shake you
Wanna break you
Take a backseat boy
Cause now I'm driving
Give it up
You can't win
Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame
You don't put up a fight
That's a game that we play
At the end of the night
It's the same old story
But you never get it right
Give it up
Jenn beat Abbey to start the improvisation but with Abbey's belting falsetto counter, the smaller girl knew she had to pull it out of the bag to win this.
Come a little closer
Come a little closer
Baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer
Baby, baby
Come a little closer
Come a little closer
Baby
The two girls were now side by side as the band temporarily stopped and the singers gave it all they had.
Yes, you are my baby
And I'll make you crazy tonight
They then strutted forward to the front of the stage.
Look at me boy
'Cause I got you
Where I want you
Isn't it so exciting?
Wanna shake you
Wanna break you
Take a backseat boy
Cause now I'm driving
Give it up
You can't win
Cause I know where you've been
Such a shame
You don't put up a fight
That's a game that we play
At the end of the night
It's the same old story
But you never get it right
Give it up
The girls then faced each other, matching every harmonizing note rise with ease as the song came to it's closure.
Whoa, yeah
It ended with massive applause from the audience and both clubs as the girls glared at each other. And then the judges went back stage and deliberated for what felt like forever before they came back, handing the host a golden envelope.
"Okay…the moment of truth…the winning show choir…of the National show choir championship is…" the MC then said and Abbey couldn't really remember much apart from the host's mouth moving and then being lifted on Puck's shoulders as cries of euphoria rung throughout the theatre. Once she was eventually put back down on the ground, she was hugged by everyone and then a certain soulful singer crushed her in a tight embrace. Abbey could only grin before returning the hug.
0000000000
"What a week that was. We got the Nationals championship." Abbey begun.
"And I got my girl back." Santana said.
"As a friend." Abbey added on.
"When do we get to the part where we gots our mack on for real?" Santana asked in a bleating manner.
"Soon. There are a few more things we need to get through." Abbey answered.
"Like what?" Santana asked.
"Like the first glee meeting of senior year." Abbey bit back and Santana suddenly looked down.
0000000000
"Alright guys. The sign up sheets have surprisingly got us quite a few potential new members. Probably because of our huge win at Nationals." Mr. Schuester said as he stepped into the auditorium.
"Um, Mr. Schue. Maybe you didn't realise but Ivana Tinkle is not the name of a foreign exchange student from Russia." Finn said and Mr. Schuester gave Finn a weird look.
"I know, Finn. But beyond that and the other names, we got 5 real names. And I should know that they're real: 5 of them are new starters in my Spanish class. And one of them is an Irish exchange student." The director then said gaining swoons from some of the girls. The older man then headed offstage and sat on his podium.
"Okay…Adam McDough." Mr. Schuester said into the microphone and a tall, tanned guy with dreadlocks headed out with a guitar in his hand. Once in the centre, he spoke into the microphone and showing a small wave to the club.
"Um…hey, I'm Adam McDough and I'll be singing 'Drive' by Incubus." He said before strumming his guitar and singing. Overall, his acoustic cover was good and he was pretty good-looking. And the girls knew that too.
Once finished, applause rose and Mr. Schuester welcomed him to the club. He also welcomed Irish exchange student: Rory O'Hare who sang a beautiful rendition of Michael Bublé's 'Everything', nerdy Maxwell Clearwater who sung 'Stop This Train' by John Mayer and Italian-American beauty Francesca Hale who tugged at the heartstrings with a rendition of 'Gimme, Gimme' from Thoroughly Modern Millie.
"Alright. And last but not least: Charlotte Nash." Mr. Schuester then called out and a mocha skinned girl with short, very dark brown hair and very dark brown eyes walked out with a guitar in hand. The second she walked out, Santana's eyes focused on her and only her. The girl walked towards the centre of the stage and smiled.
"Hello." She said with a beaming smile. Abbey smiled, she had a cute smile. She then looked Santana who had the puppy dog eyes on. Abbey rolled her eyes. She was surprised that the Latina's tongue wasn't sticking out and little droplets of drool were falling from it.
"I'm Charlotte Nash and I'll be singing 'If I Die Young' by The Band Perry." She said before she begun the song and Santana's heart clenched. She loved the girl's voice, the girl's dress sense, the girl's hair, the girl's eyes. Just everything. Sure it wasn't as strong as what she felt for Abbey but it was still pretty damn strong.
As the song finished, Santana applauded for the girl as did Abbey and everyone else. Mr. Schuester then spoke up.
"Welcome to the glee club." He said with a smile and Charlotte gave a huge grin and a happy squeal.
"Thank you so much." She said. Mr. Schuester smiled back before looking to the spectators.
"Alright, guys. Let's get to work. Sectionals are in a couple of months and I want the performances to be just as epic as last year's Nationals. They're in Seattle this year and I want you guys to work just as hard as last year. I know we can do this." Mr. Schuester said and everyone applauded, spurred on with the excitement that Nationals were in Washington DC.
0000000000
"She just boiled my blood to maximum temperature." Abbey said with narrowed eyes. Santana continued to look down.
"And she caused our first proper fight. After Sectionals." The Ohio native then added on.
0000000000
Abbey was currently a mixture of jealousy, anger and sadness. Although there were sections where she felt good. Sectionals had passed and they had cruised through that. The Warblers had lost their magic, but maybe that was because Blaine had auditioned for New Directions the week after Francesca, Maxwell, Rory, Adam and Charlotte did to the joy of Kurt, Rachel and Mercedes. And the 'Giant Wall Of Sound' Mr. Schuester wanted he had got.
After having auditions for the solo at Sectionals and after the non-auditionees voted, it was the underdog of the auditionees: Maxwell that got it. Abbey was happy for the boy as he had fast become one of her closest friends in the club.
At Sectionals, he decided on an acoustic version of 'Long Distance Call' by one of his favorite bands: Phoenix. And he got the crowd on their feet. And then after a Mercedes, Artie and Puck version of 'Price Tag' and a group performance of 'Rhythm Of The Night', they sailed through in 1st place.
And she had made some friends with almost all of the new additions. Rory was hilarious along with Maxwell. Adam was very cool and laidback and Francesca was very confident but very sweet at the same time.
Now here was why she was angry, jealous and sad. The one addition she hadn't made friends with: Charlotte had basically latched herself onto Santana. Everywhere Santana goes, Charlotte is either beside her or behind her; watching her ever move like a vulture. Only the prey was too happy for the vulture to snatch from the ground. And the fact that Charlotte was a complete bitch did not help either. She is a female Jesse St James. Whenever she "speaks her mind" she ends up intensely insulting the person she's directing it towards. But with Santana being completely head over heels, she was totally blind to what was really going on. And the fact that she was being all over Santana really made Abbey's blood boil. And the worst part was: it didn't even look like Charlotte liked Santana that way. It didn't even look like lust. It looked like she was trying to pick little pieces of information about her by playing to one of Santana's biggest weaknesses: sex. How Abbey knows about that shall be explained in due time.
2 weeks after Sectionals, Abbey was sat in Santana's living room. After putting her friend's baby sister of 7 months Reina to sleep, she waited for the Latina to return home. Because Santana's father was working the night shift at the clinic and her mom was currently in Oregon on a business job, they were going to be alone. But Abbey knew they weren't going to be the second she came crashing through the door. And that did happen five minutes later, the crashing included. The giggling and gasping could only confirm Abbey's darkest thoughts and the Colorado born girl could hear clambering footsteps coming towards her. And then a tanned blur fell onto the living room sofa nearest the door.
"Didn't tell me we'd have an extra guest, Santana." Abbey said and the blur separated into two, with both faces of Santana Lopez and Charlotte Nash staring directly at Abbey Hawkins, who then stood up.
"Oh, don't stop on account of me. Just don't make too much noise, Santana. You don't want to wake your baby sister up." Abbey said, an obvious bite to her voice. Charlotte untangled herself from Santana and stood up straight.
"What are you planning?" she asked.
"That's rich coming from you." Abbey retorted.
"What are you talking about?" Santana put in. The redhead sharply turned to Santana, arms slightly raised in shock.
"Are you ser-" she began to ask before turning to Charlotte.
"Out." She snarled. Charlotte raised an almost amused eyebrow.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"Did I stutter?" Abbey replied, her anger beginning to rise rapidly.
"Listen here you stupid bitch-" Charlotte yelled before Santana stepped in.
"Um, Charlie…" she started to which Abbey raised her eyebrows at. What kind of a nickname was that?
"I do have a sleeping baby sister upstairs so…maybe we can do this another time? I'll promise I'll make it up to you." Santana said and something flashed across the country singer's eyes before she composed herself and nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow…I'll show myself out." She then said.
"You'd better." Abbey replied, glaring at Charlotte who left in a hurry. Once the door shut, Abbey looked to Santana.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Abbey asked. Santana's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?" Santana replied. Abbey scoffed.
"Don't talk stupid with me, Santana. You must know what's going on…surely." She then said. Santana raised her eyebrows before raising both of her hands.
"Enlighten me." She simply said and Abbey let out a disbelieving laugh.
"You're completely blind. Santana, she's leading you on. For what, I don't know but she doesn't like you." Abbey said and it was Santana's turn to let out the laugh of disbelief.
"And where did this come from? Are you some kind of weird…psychic or something? You don't know me, Abbey." Santana said.
"I've known you a lot longer than Charlotte has. I mean, how long have you known her? 2 months? And you're already crashing through the front door, making out on the couch with her!" Abbey fired back.
"She was up for it, so was I. Besides, since when were you the one to tell me what I can and can't do? You're not my mom!" Santana said, hackles beginning to rapidly rise.
"A friend, Santana. You may say it like it's no strings attached but contradicting what you say, I do know you. And I know you're trying to look past something but it's resulting in you falling for her, Santana. But she's not falling for you, one bit. And part of you knows this but you're putting it to one side and you're letting the whole relationship be one-sided." Abbey said. As every word spilled carefully out Abbey's mouth, Santana's hands clenched even tighter. When Abbey eventually finished the Hispanic girl perilously took a step forward, her emotions starting to precariously surface.
"Don't lecture me, Abbey. I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you go on and on about my life. But then again you may have had experience with one-sided relationships. Did Jenn even love you?" Santana said and Abbey's eyes flashed dangerously. The dark haired girl knew she struck a nerve but was in too deep to go back now.
"I only say this because you dated her for 2 and a half years. And what happened afterwards?" she asked sweetly before her expression changed in a flash.
"She hung you out to dry: choosing a National championship over the girl who was head over heels in love with her. And she didn't even regret anything she did. Just goes to show how well that relationship went." Santana said before feeling an unbelievable pain mask her face. She cupped her throbbing cheek as Abbey slowly lowered her right hand after the strike. She gave Santana a deadly glare through unshed tears before turning on her Converse clad heels and leaving without another word.
0000000000
"It was so obvious you liked her." Abbey said. Santana could only sigh.
"If that happened in glee, you would've practically came out to the glee club then." The Colorado native said.
"No. I was forced to come out during the 'Rock Opera' assignment. Remember? The week before Regionals?" Santana asked.
0000000000
The penultimate glee meeting before Regionals had gotten under way and Mr. Schuester wrote 'Rock Opera' on the board before turning to the class.
"Alright, guys. Now as you may have known, we have performed quite a few Broadway numbers but one thing I've realized that we have never done a group rock opera number. But with Jack and Dylan singing numbers from 'Next To Normal' and getting big responses, I've decided to put that into this week's assignment to get us fired up for Regionals." Mr. Schuester said and the majority of the class applauded.
"Now, rock operas include: Grease, RENT, Next To Normal, American Idiot and even the Spiderman musical. And there are so many more but they have all been a huge influence on Broadway and to people around the world. They have covered subjects of just about anything really and that's what makes them so influential." The director then said before walking to the centre of the floor.
"Now, you can be in pairs, groups or by yourself but I want you all to perform a number from a rock opera of you're choosing by next Wednesday. Let's get started." Mr. Schuester finished with a smile.
Wednesday
Abbey had decided to group with Adam and, surprisingly, Rachel who decided not to perform with Finn after their break-up a few days ago. Apparently, Finn was being insensitive to Rachel after she found out her dads were going to separate so she dumped him but has expressed to both Adam and Abbey that she was thinking about forgiving him.
They decided on a song from one of Abbey's favorite musicals: Next To Normal. And one that had such a ringing message to Abbey while both Rachel and Adam were happy to comply with the song choice.
Abbey was surprised she could concentrate on the assignment with Charlotte and Santana still together and it was starting to become more serious. Abbey could only tell because she hadn't spoken to Santana since their fight. She had been living with Maxwell who she had grown a lot closer to since she moved in. He was like her older brother even though he was younger than her by 4 months. But he got her. Only he knew what Charlotte was really like. Ever since her fight with Santana, Abbey had been on the receiving end of endless torture from Charlotte: daily slushies with no one knowing it was Charlotte, the occasional trip up and notes in her locker about Jenn. How the hell did she know about Jenn? Probably Santana and her big mouth.
They had rehearsed everyday before Wednesday had arrived. They were in the auditorium and after Mitchell and Quinn's duet of 'I Just Can't Walk Away (Say It Now)' and Francesca's performance of 'Hopelessly Devoted To You', Will looked to the 3.
"Alright. Abbey, Adam, Rachel. Let's hear it." He said and the mentioned stood and headed to the stage to 3 microphone stands. After getting into position with Rachel in the far right, Adam on the far left and Abbey in the middle, Abbey nodded to the guitarist who begun the song. The auburn haired girl took a deep breath before beginning to sing.
Superboy and the invisible girl
Son of steel and daughter of air
He's a hero, a lover, a prince
She's not there
Abbey nearly whispered these words before remembering that she needed to sing this for the assignment so as the drums kicked in for the second time, she sung with more power.
Superboy and the invisible girl
Everything a kid oughta be
He's immortal, forever alive
Then there's me
She then took the microphone from her middle stand and stepped forward.
I wish I could fly
And magically appear and disappear
I wish I could fly
I'd fly far away from here
It then hit Abbey. If Charlotte and Santana's relationship was hurting her so bad along with Charlotte's bullying, then if she had to look at it every single day then maybe glee club wouldn't be worth it. Maybe the bullying would stop if she wasn't in their way.
Rachel stepped forward in character but she knew that there was something extra to Abbey's performance as Natalie. It was like she was singing the words as herself. Did she want to quit? Rachel had to stop her because she was actually quite close with the girl. She stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder but Abbey shrugged it off, looking straight at Santana and she raised a finger to point at her. She then sung the next verse with anger. Abbey was determined to get one last thing across before she left.
Superboy and the invisible girl
She's the one you wish would appear
Santana's expression went from not bothered to wide eyed when Abbey sung that line. Santana knew that Abbey had changed the lyrics and she was getting a message across. Abbey let out a small chuckle before pointing to Charlotte who was sat next to Santana, but the Hawkins girl still had her eyes focused on the Lopez girl.
She's your hero, forever your girl
She's not here, I am here!
As Abbey belted out the last line, Rachel began to sing her part.
You know that's not true
You're our little pride and joy
Our perfect plan
You know I love you
I love you as much as I can
Abbey's hard expression slightly softened at Rachel's words. She knew that Rachel knew that she wanted to quit and although the words would have been convincing for anyone else, not for Abbey. She had made up her mind. She mouthed "sorry" to Rachel before walking offstage but she continued to sing anyway.
Take a look at the invisible girl
Here she is, clear as the day
Please look closely and find her before
She fades away
As Abbey's voice soared throughout the corridors of McKinley High she passed the choir room where she saw Jack Harmon behind the piano. She was wondering where he had got to after his performance of 'The Mirror-Blue Night' from Spring Awakening but she walked past and sung the next verse.
Superboy and the invisible girl
Son of steel and daughter of air
He's a hero, a lover, a prince
She's not there
Abbey could here a male voice sing Gabe's part. It wasn't Adam but it sounded familiar and he sounded just as alone and hurt as Abbey did but she finished the song.
She's not there
She's not there!
She's not there
As she walked away, Jack took a breath as he composed himself from his sudden outburst. He could only straighten the collar on his shirt before resuming his piano playing as he waited for the club to return.
0000000000
"I'm so sorry you had to tell everyone after that." Abbey said, guilt glazing her voice. Santana could only smile and bring her girlfriend in closer, if that was even possible.
"Hey, it's okay. You were pissed and if it was the other way round, I probably would've done worse. Besides, it was better in the open." Santana said.
"At least the school didn't find out until after Regionals." Abbey said.
"But I found out something interesting at Regionals. And from the last person I'd expect." Santana said.
0000000000
Mr. Schuester was stood facing the club after writing 'Regionals' on the board.
"Okay, I know you're all still shocked at the loss of Abbey-" he started but Rachel interrupted.
"Shocked? Mr. Schuester, we're devastated. Well…most of us are." She said, looking over her shoulder to see Charlotte and Santana rolling their eyes at Rachel. The diva was disappointed in Santana after what they spoke about during Nationals in their junior year. Sure, they hadn't spoken much since then but there weren't any insults until Charlotte arrived. Since the newbies had arrived, Rachel wasn't the only one to notice something off about Charlotte. Rory and Francesca said that she wasn't that nice to them when they had auditioned and even though Adam and Puck think she's hot, they both think that her bitchiness cancels it out. But Rachel thinks it's something different.
With regards to Abbey, she had kept in contact as has Puck and the singer said that she just needed some space. Rachel decided to accept that answer for now before confronting her. But Abbey had been there for her when Hiram and Leroy separated so she decided to leave the ranting for now.
After the meeting where Mr. Schuester said to think of some ideas for Regional numbers, Rachel decided to stay back and play the piano before going back to her house where one of her fathers: Leroy would be waiting. Her fathers had indeed separated and with the exception of Jack and Abbey, no one really cared. Charlotte had even made some snide comments when Rachel announced it in front of the glee club which really upset Rachel. She took her frustration out on the piano until she heard a buzzing noise in the background. Rachel stopped playing, waiting for the sound to repeat. Which it did, seconds later. Being the curious woman she is, Rachel stood up and followed it with it leading to a cell phone. It had 3 unread text messages and with Rachel being the quite nosey type, she looked through them.
[From: Santana Lopez
Hey. Where r u? I needs 2 get sum breadstix wiv ma lady =3]
[From: Greg Carmichael 3
Wats goin on wiv u n tht girl? J told me its part o the plan. Hope u dont go 2 far wiv her. I miss u n so does Colorado
Luv u x]
"Okay, so already she's a liar." Rachel said before going on to the last message.
[From: Jenn McGraw
Hey :) U got her out the club yet? I need 2 make ma move soon. And we need u bk 4 This Love so get ur ass bak soon :)
P.S. +ed bonus if u cn tell me their set]
Rachel almost dropped the phone. This was all a setup. Jennifer McGraw was a show choir criminal mastermind. Charlotte Nash had been with New Directions for nearly two thirds of the school year and she had managed to keep this from all of them. The pint-sized diva then reached for her own phone and pressed a few buttons before pressing it to her ear.
"It's Rachel. Can I come over? It's really important." Rachel said into the phone.
5 days later
After heading to Pennsylvania for Regionals, they were all in their black and jade green outfits with an hour and a half to perform. Everyone was in the green room while Mr. Schuester went for some air when Rachel stormed in.
"There you all are. I've been looking all over." She said.
"And this was the last place you choose to look?" Rory asked with a raised eyebrow but Rachel ignored him as she scanned the room, her brown eyes locking with the mahogany shaded ones of Charlotte Nash.
"You. You've got some nerve." She said, storming over to the girl. Charlotte could only raise an amused eyebrow.
"Excuse me? I'm kind of part of this club." She said, an arm around Santana's shoulder.
"And you're kind of being kicked out." Rachel retorted. A treacherous blaze danced across Charlotte's eyes as she stood up, merely inches away from Rachel.
"You can't do that." She said, forebodingly.
"Yes, I can. I'm glee club captain." The diva replied, not backing down. The others looked on.
"Rachel, what the hell are you doing? You can't just kick people out because you want their spotlight." Francesca said.
"She doesn't have a spotlight but that's off topic. I found out she's not who she says she is." Rachel replied and Charlotte smirked.
"Oh, really? Enlighten me." She said, sitting back down and crossing her legs smugly. Rachel matched the smirk before pulling out the cell phone she found. Charlotte's expression morphed instantly.
"You should really keep an eye on your cell phone." Rachel then said, throwing the phone to the country signer who caught it and went through it immediately.
"I know you're spying for the Colorado Castle Crooners, trying to get information about our setlists." The small girl then said, the rest of the club gasping.
"Yourself and Jennifer McGraw made a plan to bully Abbey to get her out of New Directions and she would be so devastated that Jennifer would attempt to persuade her to return to Colorado." Rachel continued and Santana stood up, leaping away from Charlotte's hold on her.
"You what?" Santana asked, icily.
"And one last thing." The Broadway aspirant said before turning to Santana.
"I'm sorry to say this Santana but she was using you to push Abbey away. She has a boyfriend in Colorado." Rachel finished and Santana took deep breaths before stumbling backwards, Sam and Blaine catching her.
"Is this true?" Quinn asked Charlotte who looked around before looking to Rachel and sneered.
"You are one nosey little bitch aren't you?" she asked. Rachel was about to step forward but Jack held her back while Charlotte started walking towards the door.
"But you're good. You were the first to figure it out. I thought it might've been Harmon or Clearwater. Maybe, just maybe, even Mason. But you? I'm surprised but impressed. But the fun's over now so I'll guess I'll be going." She said, opening the door and turned to walk out but was met with a clean fist to the jaw. She fell onto her back and looked up to see one Abigail Hawkins standing above her, green eyes stonily staring into the soul of Charlotte Nash.
"Going somewhere, bitch?" she asked before leaning down and grabbing the front of Charlotte's jacket she wore over her dress. Once up, Abbey slammed her into the wall.
"I knew it from the start. But it turns out you were one of Jenn's lackeys doing her dirty work. Well, here's a message from me." Abbey said before head butting the spy. She fell down but got back up and clambered out of the green room.
"And you're making your own way back to Colorado." Abbey then called out before closing the door.
The ginger girl then turned to applause and hugs from most of the club until they parted like the Red Sea for Abbey to see Santana stood facing the girl. They both had tears in their eyes before they ran towards each other, enveloping themselves in an airtight embrace as they let themselves hold each other minutes.
"I'm so, so sorry. I should've believed you." Santana said.
"No, I was so horrible to you. I was a complete bitch and I should've been more thoughtful of your relationship with Charlotte." Abbey replied. Santana could only grin.
"Shut up. You had every right to be skeptical. But now, the main thing is: she's gone and we can focus." Santana said and everyone agreed before briefing Abbey on Charlotte's lines.
0000000000
"We were always going to make up, weren't we?" Santana said, gaining a giggle from Abbey.
"Yep. And that wasn't the only Regionals drama we had." Abbey then said.
0000000000
After Aural Intensity performed, New Directions were called and after a group performance of 'Don't Stop Me Now', everyone parted except for two. They then stepped forward, looking to each other before a piano introduction started.
You
Rachel Berry looked to the male singer, solemnly, as Mimi Marquez.
Me
You?
Jack looked back at Rachel and gave a small nod in the character of Roger Davis.
Me
They then walked away from each other until they were both at each end of the stage: Jack on the right and Rachel on the left. Jack then began to sing on cue, looking down as if he was nervous to sing these words.
I should tell you, I'm disaster
I forget how to be in it
Rachel then sung her part, but she was looking at Jack.
Let's just make this part go faster
I have yet to be in it
I should tell you
Jack then looked to Rachel, taking a step forward.
I should tell you
Rachel then replied as she made her way over to Jack.
I should tell you
Jack was halfway across the stage when he stopped, meeting Rachel in the middle.
I should tell you
As Jack held the last note, Rachel slightly turned away from Jack. She slightly grinned as the next verse was sung by the pint sized Broadway nut.
I should tell
I blew the candle out
Just to get back in
Jack let out a rare, genuine laugh before counteracting.
I forgot how to smile
Until your candle burned my skin
They then looked into each other's eyes as the two divas sung.
I should tell you
I should tell you
I should tell you
I should tell…
They had now interlocked hands as they carried on.
Well, here we go
Meanwhile, Abbey was looking to Santana who watched the duet intently. The autumn-colored haired girl just watched Santana before deciding it was now or never. She took the Latina's hand and took her back a few steps into a secluded spot.
"Look, Santana. This is probably the worst time to say it but if I don't get it out, I'll explode. I love you. I always have loved you. Even when Jenn was on my back, I told her I loved someone else. Even when you were with Charlotte, I still loved you. And even if it doesn't last, I just need to tell you that I have very, very strong feelings for you and probably always will-" Abbey said before she was eventually cut off by a soft hand pressing to her mouth. Abbey then just watched as the hand lowered Santana slowly stumbled backwards, her eyes glazing over.
Memories were now flashing in her head: Seeing Abbey in the bathroom on her first day. Hearing Abbey sing for the first time, again in the bathroom. Her audition. Opening up to her anorexia and sexuality. Abbey defending her from the ginger girl's parents. The flight to Nationals where she dreamt she was singing 'Valerie' to one person in the audience and waking up to see her head rested on Abbey's shoulder. The kiss. Watching Abbey sing 'Innocent'. Their fight after Sectionals. The rock opera assignment. How much she actually missed Abbey although she didn't show it after she quit. Abbey's fight with Charlotte. Their make-up and now Abbey's confession.
They all just flashed over and over in her head until she reached boiling point where she grabbed Abbey's face and pulled it towards her own, once again meeting in an explosion of passion. Abbey could only hold on tight as she returned the kiss without any doubts. They didn't move as they let their feelings simmer down before breaking it. Santana smiled before taking her left hand away from Abbey's face and taking the girl's right hand into her own, gently interlocking their fingers.
"I…I love you too." Santana whispered and Abbey's grin could've split her face in half before they walked and watched the rest of the duet, which ended with a make out session between Jack and Rachel. But this was different. It wasn't awkward like Finn and Rachel's at Nationals. But what was awkward was Finn growling under his breath.
After the girls then performed TLC's 'Waterfalls', they waited for the results. Abbey had Santana's hand as she listened anxiously.
"And the winners are…the McKinley High New Directions!" she said and they all celebrated. Well, most of them while Abbey and Santana just showed their excitement by many feverish kisses to each other.
"I love you." Santana whispered intensely before Abbey pulled her back in.
"I love you too." Abbey said and both girls giggled before being enveloped in a group hug.
0000000000
Songs used are 'Innocent' by Taylor Swift, 'Give It Up' by Elizabeth Gillies and Ariana Grande (Jenn's playby, WHOO!), 'Superboy And The Invisible Girl' from Next To Normal and 'I Should Tell You' from RENT.
Also, Adam McDough is played by Samuel Larsen, Rory O'Hare is played by Damian McGinty, Francesca Hale is played by Lindsay Pearce, Maxwell Clearwater is played by Cameron Mitchell and Charlotte Nash is played by McKynleigh Abraham.
Wow what a mammoth of a chapter (and it's not the end)! So Abbey and Santana are finally together and since they met in 'Night Of Neglect' and they finally get together at Regionals in Season 3, I'd say that's quite a considerable distance.
I might not be able to update for a few weeks as I have a ton of schoolwork to do so just to give you guys a heads up. But I have started the next chapter of The Benefit Of The Doubt. And when I have finished the BOTD, I shall start my Season 3 story. I am so excited for Glee and TGP winners to make their debuts, especially Damian and Lindsay :D
Next chapter shall be Nationals and an idea brought up by a real cast member that I thought was genius.
Until then, adieu :)