Author's Note: So sorry I haven't updated for ages but it was the end of the semester so everything was super busy. Now all of my assignments are finished here's the new chapter. I really hope you enjoy it! ~ KennyEchelon

We emerged from the dressing room fifteen minutes later, clutching each other's hands tightly. A big smile was plastered across my face and Britt looked amused at how hyper I was. "Shush you" I joked "Not all of us are dance champions, you know."

"Well, you are now babe" she replied, grinning.

"Eeek" I squealed, so overjoyed that I lost any inhibitions. Jumping up and down, I leapt onto Britt and she bent her arm upwards so we could hug without breaking our hands apart. I pulled away and said: "Stop that, you're making me overexcited."

Brittany just laughed at me.

We entered the auditorium, our eyes scanning the seats for our dance teacher so we could thank her for choreographing our winning dance. While distracted looking for her, I didn't notice the person behind us. I felt a tap on my shoulder as one painted talon made contact with my bare skin. I whipped round quickly, nearly hitting Britt in the face with my hair.

"Mom?"

My mother beamed at me. "Yes, chica. As if I was going to miss your first dance competition."

"But weekends are your chill days?"

"Come on, I wouldn't miss that performance for the world. Well done honey. By the way, I think you may want to come to the café."

My eyebrow instinctively raised. My mother never hid anything from me. For her to be deliberately vague like that was very uncharacteristic. I wondered what she was up to.

"Don't look at me like that, bring your pretty girlfriend along and get a coffee with me."

I flushed bright red and my heart shot into my throat. "Mom…" I choked out.

Looking back, I overreacted in my gay panic. She only meant female friend but worded it wrong. Still, Britt noticed my face and squeezed my hand gently. The pressure comforted me and calmed me down slightly. Still, the thought of Britt as my girlfriend…

It looked more attractive than I wanted it to.

I dragged Brittany behind me as I followed Mom into the café just outside the theatre. I was relieved that I'd got changed out of my costume at that moment; I think I would've had way too many odd stares if I hadn't. Comfortable in the fact that I was in sweatpants instead of a bright pink leotard, I wondered why Mom would bring me to the café when I had enough energy drink backstage to keep me awake for days. I was definitely not short of caffeine.

That was when I saw him.

Stood at the front of the line, taking a tall latte in a paper cup from the barista, was my father.

My face must've been a picture because he turned around, saw me and instantly smirked. Britt nudged me in the ribs and we walked over to him, still hand in hand. He put his coffee down, straightened his suit jacket and hitched up his trousers before sitting down at a nearby table. He crossed his legs as we sat down opposite him and his eyes rested on Britt. If I didn't know he only had eyes for his wife, I would've been getting jealous.

"Papi, what are you doing here?" I said, cutting to the chase "You work on Saturdays."

He sighed and sipped his coffee before answering. "Your mother bullied me into taking a day off. She said I couldn't possibly miss today."

He gestured to Britt. "You were right about this one, you know."

Brittany looked confused and turned to face me. "She's just as outstanding as you described" Dad continued, smiling with warmth I hadn't seen for a while. I met her eyes and she smiled a watery grin at me. "You said that?" she asked.

"Yeah, not those exact words but yeah…"

"Mr. Lopez?" she started to say, coming across as really shy "Was it Santana who convinced you to fund my dance lessons?"

My heart actually skipped a beat when he replied with a resounding yes.

We looked at each other, smiles plastered across our faces. "Thank you, San" she said gratefully and I responded with "You're worth it, Britt-Britt." Brittany took me into her arms suddenly and squeezed me tight. I was shocked at the sudden weight on me but I enjoyed it anyway, so I hugged back.

I held on a little bit longer than I should have but I'd stopped caring.

After we'd broken apart, I looked at my dad. "Thanks for coming to watch, Papi"

"Haha no problem. It's futile trying to argue with your mother. Besides, I wanted to come. I've been working myself to death in that place and I needed one Saturday off. I just needed to find an appropriate time and when better than my daughter's dance competition?"

I sat there, beaming.

"I'm very proud of you, San" he said warmly and for the first time in years, I knew he meant it "It was worth sending you to that school after all. And to think you hated the idea!"

I scoffed derisively. "Don't remind me. I was younger and more foolish then" I teased. Rolling my eyes, I turned back to Britt. "Foolish enough to think I would never have a best friend."

My mom checked her watch. "Haven't you girls got somewhere to be?" she said.

"It's the final awards ceremony in ten minutes!" squealed Britt, realising the time. She grabbed me by the hand and pulled me off back to the auditorium. As I was hurried along in the opposite direction, I looked back to see my mom and dad smiling at each other, muttering something I didn't quite catch.

Me and Britt sat down in seats near to the back, ready to hear the results announced. It took a while for the adjudicator to sort out the scoring but 5 minutes later she stood up and cleared her throat.

She announced a bunch of novice prizes and it was a good job I wasn't expecting to get one because I didn't. Brittany looked outraged. "You should've got that, Sanny. You're better than they are!"

"Britt…" I giggled "calm yo' tits. I didn't think I was gonna get one."

She pouted and crossed her arms, not saying anything.

She was so proud at how I'd danced that she was getting irate at the judge and a rush of emotion flowed through me. Did she really believe in me that much?

The ceremony dragged on for what seemed like ages, until it came to the aggregate prizes. I'd already sunk so low into my chair I was practically lying down but Britt was still sat upright and alert. She was nervous even though she didn't need to be. I noticed her arm tensed up on the arm-rest of her chair so I gently put my hand on her wrist for support. I felt the tension loosen slightly and I squeezed lightly.

"And the winner of the Most Outstanding Dancer Award, with a $500 cash prize for their contribution to the dance community in Ohio is… BRITTANY PIERCE FROM LIMA ACADEMY!"

She squealed loudly in my ear, ripping her hand away from mine to clasp it tightly around her mouth. I think she was in a state of shock because she didn't move from her seat until I nudged her. She walked down the aisle slowly and it seemed to last an eternity. The spotlight now shining on her reflected off her blonde curls beautifully. Her grin turned to happy tears as she stopped halfway down to hug a woman I recognised as her mother from rehearsals.

After what felt like a decade, she stepped onstage and accepted her prize, shaking the hand of the adjudicator. She choked out a thank you before rushing backstage.

I didn't have to think twice.

I stood up and ran to the dressing room, giving her the biggest hug I had the energy for. I let her go and she just stood there grinning like an idiot. "I'm so proud of you babe" I said and kissed her on the nose, confident in the fact that no-one was there to see me act like a soppy bitch.

"So what are you gonna do with all that money?" I asked. 500 dollars was enough to buy a tonne of dance classes.

"I think I've decided. You see, mom found a new job yesterday and it pays a lot better than her old one. I was gonna tell you but everything's been so busy." Britt replied. "That means I don't have to rely on this money for classes… so, I'm gonna use this to go to cheerleading camp with you."

My jaw dropped. "A-are you sure? It's out in Kentucky because all the Ohio ones were fully booked."

"I'm totally sure. I even Googled which one you were going to and this covers all of it and more"

My eyes started to well up with tears. I hugged her once more and sobbed: "We're going to cheer camp together."