I'll Defend You if You'll Defend Me?
4.
Summary: Becky Jackson is trying to survive high school the best that she can. While Santana Lopez is struggling to accept herself and be proud of the person she has become. Can these two people become friends and help each other succeed?
Pairings: Santana Lopez and Becky Jackson. Other pairings: Rachel Berry and Santana Lopez. Brittany Pierce and Santana Lopez. Also other characters have small parts.
It's important to note, that I do not have Down syndrome, but I am "different". I know what it feels like to feel unworthy at time and like no matter what I try to do it's useless.
I hope you enjoy!
~ Santana ~
When I got to the card store I took out my phone to text Quinn. I believe wholeheartedly that you shouldn't text while driving. It can wait…
TO QUINN: gotta make one stop be4 I come home. If you're there go on up. Be home in ten…
I got out of the car and walked in. I headed straight for the romance/friendship cards, my phone beeped. I casually looked at it and tossed it back into my purse.
Okay, you don't have all day to find the perfect card and gift, Gotta impress her. I thought.
I picked up one card and put it down. I picked up another card, read it, and then placed it back on the card stand. Then I picked up one more and I read it.
"Your presence in my life is felt immensely and I hope that you know this. You are so worth it and so much more. I'd be honored to stand by your side…."
The saying was in the center of a beautiful daisy so flower was yellow and the print was black, italicized, and bold.
Then I opened the card up and read:
Today begins a new life for me. One where I am not afraid or lonely because I have you by my side. I am looking forward to the future now because you are in my present.
With much admiration,
Instinctively I said aloud, "This is the one!"
Then I doubted it. There's a difference between being bold and scaring her off. I hoped that I wouldn't do the latter. That would suck. Overall, I went with my gut and purchased the card. Then I went over to the trinket section and found the perfect gift. It was a star-shaped jewelry box that was engraved. The saying read:
"You're a Star and you'll always be!"
It was perfect for her.
I felt like a kid in a candy store because my eyes drifted to another present that would be perfect for Rachel. Among the other stuffed pigs, monkeys, and giraffes, there was a stuff teddy bear which was holding a red heart. I picked that up too.
Give her the card and the jewelry box tomorrow and the teddy bear another day like Friday. I planned out in my head.
When it was my turn at the cash register, I politely asked, "Can you wrap that for me?" I pointed to the jewelry box.
"Of course, Miss, what wrapping paper would you like?"
"May I have the wrapping paper with the hearts on it please," I asked and smiled.
"Sure. Someone special?"
"Someone extraordinary!" I replied with a huge grin on my face.
~ Rachel ~
I sat in my car, outside of my house for a good ten minutes as I replayed and semi-analyzed what happened between me and Santana Lopez.
She says it's not a prank. It kinda has Quinn's name all over though. But when I looked into her eyes they told me the truth. What do I believe? Her eyes or the possibility that this is a joke? Okay heart, tell me what to do. Trust her eyes, you say? I don't know.
"Oh shit," I yelled and jumped in my seat as my phone rang.
"Um, Rachel, dear, are you going to grace us with your presence or sit in your car the entire evening," my Dad, Hiram, said.
I looked up and saw both of my fathers looking at me from inside the house.
"Be right there," I said and hung up. I opened the door, got my stuff, and walked into the house.
Not even a minute after, I was asked, "What's going on with you?"
"I've had an interesting day at school," I said and shrugged.
"Oh, ok. Tell us over dinner," my Daddy, Leroy, asked.
"Do I have time to change," I asked as I ran up the stairs despite his answer.
"Five minutes," he yelled after me.
I quickly changed into comfortable clothing and emptied my bag. I had some homework to do, but nothing that was due for the next day.
I came downstairs a minute early and found both my fathers sitting at the table waiting for me. Daddy gave me some food, and Dad patted my seat.
"I'm sorry for being so late and not calling to let you know. But something major happened to me…" I said as I sat down.
"Are you okay?" one Dad asked nervously.
"You're not suspended or something," the other Dad asked at the exact same second.
"No, and no!" I said and smiled.
They sighed.
"Today I found a note in my locker without a signature on it. It asked me to meet the person in the auditorium after school so I did," I started and then stopped to take a bite of dinner, and then after I swallowed the food I continued, "I get to the auditorium and Santana Lopez walks out onto the stage with a guitarist…"
Both of my parents were sitting there with their mouths hanging open.
"What did she want," Dad asked.
"She sang to me," I replied with a little smile as I remembered her performance.
"What song," my Daddy asked excited.
"'When the Right One Comes Along' by Clare Bowen. She's on 'Nashville' I think," I said.
"What did her performance mean?" my Dad asked. He's always the rational one.
"Well, she said that she has a crush on me and that she wants to date me…." I said meekly.
"You sound unsure," Daddy asked.
"Yes, actually I am. I'm afraid that this has Quinn Fabray written all over it. I brought it up and Santana assured me that her feelings are real, but…"
"Well, sweetheart, you have a decision to make – trust your gut and instincts or not. We'll support and be there for you no matter what of course," Dad said.
"Ok, here's the million dollar question, do you think you could have feelings for Santana," my Daddy asked with a huge smile.
"I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, Santana is beautiful no question. This is all new and unexpected. I don't know what to feel," I started, took a sip of water, and then continued, "I told her that I am open to getting to know her."
"She asked if she could pursue me a little. I told her that I didn't know how that would look because no one has before. She told me honestly that she wasn't sure either, but she was excited. I guess I'll take this day-by-day and see what happens."
"That's a smart idea," my Dad, Hiram, commented.
"That's sweet that she's willing to work for you. Just don't go overboard. I remember when I was courting your Dad there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for him," my Daddy, Leroy, reminisced.
"Oh, no, I won't let her go too crazy. I just want to know how Santana Lopez makes a woman feel special…" I said and sighed.
We conversed more during dinner and then we all cleaned up.
"I'm going to go upstairs and finish a project that's due on next Wednesday. Thanks for dinner," I said as I retreated upstairs to my room.
~ Santana ~
When I got home from the store, my Mom said, "Quinn's upstairs. I've invited her to stay for dinner."
"Cool. Thanks."
I ran up the stairs and swung my door open.
"Whazzup, Q?"
"Nothing, what's going down," Quinn replied.
"I want to tell you what happened, but do you mind if we conference call this biatch?"
"No, I'll call Brittany," Quinn suggested.
"I gots Becky," I said as I called her, "Hey girl, what's up? Thanks for the text."
I put the phone on speaker and then Becky's voice filled the room.
"Okay. Hey, Britt," I yelled into Quinn's phone as Quinn held it up.
"Hola!" Brittany replied.
"Santana," Becky asked, "What do you think about JewFro snooping 'round?"
"He's what," Quinn yelled.
"Yeah. Don't worry, Quinn. I think I stopped him in his tracks. Let's just say I have information," Becky said.
"Wow…Miss Becky gots some blackmail going on," I said impressed.
"So, how'd it go?" Brittany asked from Quinn's phone.
"It went well. I didn't vomit and she enjoyed the performance. The only thing she's trying to figure out if this is a joke. She asked me if Quinn put me up to this, which I told her she didn't," I said and looked at Quinn.
"What? I may dislike her a little, but I'd never be this mean. Do you want me to say something?" Quinn offered.
"Um, for right now, no. if she still is unsure then yes," I replied.
"Ok," she replied.
"Plus after tomorrow I'm pretty sure she'll at least know that I'm for real," I said as I ruffled through the bag.
"What's happening tomorrow," Brittany yelled.
"I'm gonna give her a beautiful jewelry box. It's in the shape of a star and the saying on it says, 'You're a Star and you'll always be!'…"
"Aww, that's pretty!" Becky said.
"Santana, I know first impressions and all, but is she worth it?" Quinn said with a weird expression on her face.
I got a little angry and said, "I think so, Quinn. I like her so back off!"
"Hold on, I'm just looking out for you," Quinn defended herself.
"Oh really," I shot back.
"Ladies…Ladies…" Becky tried to put out the flames on this fire.
"Yeah, calm down you two," Brittany tried to help.
"Ok, ok," I surrendered, "It wouldn't be worth a fight."
"You're right. Just trying to look out for you, S."
"I appreciate that. I'm gonna need your help during dinner. Gots to tell my Mom," I said.
"Ok, I got to go," Brittany said.
"Me too, my parents are holding dinner for me," Becky.
"Oh snap, Becky, I'm sorry. I didn't realize. Please apologize to your parents for me," I apologized.
"No worries," she said, "Nite, all." Then she hung up.
"Peaceout," Brittany said and hung up.
Once both phones were off, Quinn said, "Santana, you know I have your best interests at heart, right? I just want to see you happy. You deserve it."
"I know Quinn and I'm sorry for flying off the handle. This is all so new to me. I don't want to mess it up. I really like her," I said honestly.
"Just be the person I know. The one who is hidden under the Cheerios exterior and you'll be great…Oh by the way…"
"What?"
"Coach Sylvester is kinda pissed, you missed practice," Quinn said.
"I know," I said.
"I hope she's worth it," Quinn said.
"Yep, she is."
"DINNER!" my Mom yelled from downstairs.
We both got up and hugged quickly before running down to the table.
Once we were all seated and the food was distributed, I took a big breathe and said, "Mom, I need to tell you something."
"Are you pregnant," she asked automatically. Quinn spat out the water she was swallowing and smiled.
"Oh, god no, nothing like that," I assured her.
I saw my Mom sigh. "What is it Santana?"
"Mom, I'm gay," I stated boldly.
Without any hesitation, she replied, "Pass the beans?"
Quinn was the closest to it so she did while she gave me a weird look.
"Mom, did you hear me…I'm gay," I said.
"I know," she said and looked at me.
"How did you know," I asked shocked.
"A mother knows these things," she said and then turned her head towards Quinn and said, "Welcome to the family, Quinn!"
Quinn was trying to cut a piece of chicken and when my Mom welcomed her to our family our fork went flying up in the air and landed on the floor.
She cleared her throat and said, "Oh no, Mrs. Lopez, I'm not gay!"
"Oh dear God, is Brittany gay? I know you two are close and I've noticed your 'special' relationship. I chalked it up to her being your best friend," my Mom panicked a little.
"No, no Mom, Britt's not gay. She could use a boyfriend makeover pronto," I said and Quinn smirked.
"Who's she dating," my Mom asked.
"Finn Hudson," I said.
"Jolly Green!"
Quinn and I looked at each other in amazement. My Mom noticed this and smiled.
"So who has your heart, my dear?"
"Rachel Berry," I said proudly.
"Treasure Trail?" she said.
Quinn had a piece of food in her mouth and coughed roughly. I smacked her back a few times so she wouldn't choke. When she was better she burst out in laughter. She and my Mom made eye contact with each other and chuckled some more.
"Geez, stop with the nicknames for Rachel," I yelled.
"Sorry, S!" Quinn managed to say between gasping for air.
"Yes, sorry honey," my Mom said as she gained her composure.
"Whateva!" I replied hostilely. I folded my arms against my chest.
"C'mon don't be that way," Quinn said trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm sorry, Santana, it won't happen again, I promise," Mom said.
"Okay," I said and smiled. I removed my arms from against my chest.
"So how in love are you," Mom asked.
I was shocked a little.
"Right now…I'm smitten. I want to get to know her and take her out on a date," I revealed.
"I thought you'd be more in love. It's in the Lopez DNA…"
"I'm being very cautious since this is my 'first time'," I said.
"You know what I think?" Mom asked.
I took a deep breath and then said, "No what do you think, Mom?"
"Go big or go home," she said.
Quinn smiled brightly.
"Really? I don't want to shame you or Dad or anything," I said honestly.
"Santana how would you shame us? You're following your heart. We're so very proud of you."
"So…I have your permission?"
"You've never needed it, but yes. Only thing is…respect her and her boundaries just like any boy would, hopefully, do for you. Get it?"
"Got it!" I said and got up from the table and threw my arms around my Mom.
We finished our meals and then Quinn and I went to study.
Quinn left a little while later and then I got into my pajamas and ready for bed. Once I snuggled into my comforter and was about to relax, I sent Rachel my first text.
TO RACHEL: I hope you have the sweetest dreams tonight. See you tomorrow. ~ S.
I then closed the lid to my phone and rested my head on my pillow. I wasn't expecting a reply, but within five minutes my phone lit up and buzzed.
TO SANTANA: good night Santana. I hope you dream great dreams. See you tomorrow.
I couldn't resist so I texted back.
TO RACHEL: I'm sure to…because I'll be dreamin' of you!
~ Rachel ~
I had just begun to close my eyes when I received another text from Santana.
As I read what it said, I smiled hugely and thought, Maybe this is for real! I 'm not gonna miss the opportunity!