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Sylvester's School For Girls
Chapter Six
Mercedes has always loved to sing, even from a young age she loved to be in the spotlight. When she was six years old she used to put on shows for her family, who always showered her with praise. At twelve she had a staring role with the choir at her church; she loved the feeling of performing.
When she moved onto high school she joined the glee club. Mercedes was a little apprehensive at first; she never had to work as part of a team before. The one thing that interested Mercedes the most was that although the glee club had won Regionals twice consecutively, they had never managed to win at national level.
She wanted to change that and the year Mercedes joined it did. The glee club had managed to get to Nationals again and Mercedes desperately wanted to get the solo. She had practiced non-stop for a whole week leading up to the audition and when she opened her mouth and unleashed her voice on that stage, the hours of hard work paid off when she was told the next day that she would be featured as the lead vocalist at that year's competition.
When Mercedes dreamed of holding that nationals trophy she thought she would feel complete, but in reality when she stood on the stage with the trophy in her hands, whilst the audience cheered for her she felt more incomplete than ever. She loved the attention she was getting and she wanted more, being the lead vocalist and winning nationals proved that she had the talent.
She wanted to be a star and Mercedes knew how to get what she wanted.
The glee club had never won at nationals before, but the first time Mercedes performs and a solo no less, they win. It's easy for Mercedes to deduce that without her, the glee club wouldn't be champions. The praise she received after the competition proved that her dream to be a singer could easily be a reality.
Mercedes wasn't surprised the year after when she was chosen to sing lead at sectionals, in her opinion there was no other choice. What did surprise her was the F she got on her math test. She would admit that she had slacked when it came to school work, but she didn't see the point when she was going to become a star. Unfortunately, math wasn't the only class she was failing and when her parents found out, they were furious.
It didn't help that Mercedes yelled at them that she didn't need school as she was going to be a singer and that she was far too talented to waste her time with her studies when it was clear she was going to become a star. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had other ideas though. They knew that their daughter was talented and they wouldn't stop her if she wanted to pursue a career in the music industry, however, they both agreed that she had to finish high school with a degree.
Mercedes parents weren't happy that their child's grades were slipping or with the new attitude she had adopted. They thought the best place for her would be at a school where she could get her grades back up and where she would be kept in line. They found the perfect place in Sylvester's School For Girls.
The private school offered the countries best education and had a headmistress that didn't understand the word failure. If anyone could put their daughter on the right track then that person would be Sue Sylvester.
Santana leans against the wall across from the biology classroom, filing her nails. She knows that Rachel has biology this period so she's hoping to catch the girl before she goes to her next class.
It only takes a few moments before Santana spots Rachel coming out of the classroom so she gets off the wall, deposits her nail file in her bag and starts to push her way through the crowd of students.
"Rachel, wait up!" Santana calls.
Hearing her name being called, Rachel stops walking and turns around.
"Hello Santana, how can I help you?"
"Do you want to sneak out to a movie tonight?" Santana asks.
"I thought you said it wouldn't be a regular thing."
"I know but Mr. Jamison sprung a pop quiz on us and I really need cheering up."
"I'm not sure Santana" Rachel says.
"It's cool. It's my night to choose a movie anyway right? We'll just spend the night with the rest of the girls."
"Actually I will come with you. I don't really feel like being around the other girls tonight, especially Mercedes. I've been getting a funny vibe from her recently" Rachel explains.
"Anything I can help with?"
"I don't think so, but thank you for the offer" Rachel says with a smile.
"Well if you do need my help, all you have to do is ask. So how do you feel about action thrillers?" Santana asks.
"I can tolerate them and I can appreciate a good one."
"Good because I checked and there is one showing tonight. I think it's a good compromise since you don't like horror and that rom com sucked last time."
"It wasn't that bad and who knows, you might fall in love with someone who is right under your nose."
"Well if someone in this school comes out, point me in their direction and I'll check them out. I don't mean in the leery way either, I mean I'll see what they're like and decide if they are worthy of my time" Santana says.
"Okay, deal" Rachel laughs.
"So what's your next class?" Santana asks.
"English."
"I have Chemistry otherwise I would have walked you."
"Well maybe next time" Rachel smiles.
"Sure. So if I don't see you before I'll meet you in the closet before curfew."
"That sounds extremely dubious."
"That's because it is" Santana jokes, causing Rachel to laugh again.
"I'll remember to bring some money this time."
"Does that mean it's your turn to pay?" Santana asks.
"You asked me so I think that means you pay."
"That only works if it's a date" Santana points out.
"What about if I accidently forget to bring money again, will you pay then?"
"I could or I could see the movie without you. I would finally get the chance to watch a horror movie. I loves me some blood and gore."
"You'd really do that? Leave me all by myself? Let me make my own way back in the dark? Alone?" Rachel pouts.
"Jesus, fine I'll pay if that's what you want" Santana says raising her hands in fake surrender.
"I don't. I was just asking a hypothetical question."
"I know I said that I liked this side of you, but I think I might be changing my mind."
"No you're not. You probably like me even more" Rachel smiles.
"Whatever you say Berry. Shouldn't you be heading off to class? What kind of example would it be setting if the head girl is late?"
"I get a free pass just in case I have some head girl duties to tend to" Rachel says with a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
"So being head girl does have some perks? What else does it allow you to do?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out. Good bye Santana" Rachel says before turning around and walking down the hallway.
"I'll see you tonight Berry" Santana yells to a retreating Rachel.
Santana couldn't keep the smile off her own face. Rachel was right; Santana did like her even more.
It was just before curfew when Quinn walks into the common room. She finds Tina, Mercedes and Brittany sitting on the sofas waiting for the rest of the dorm girls to arrive.
"Where are Santana and Rachel? It's Santana's night to pick the movie" Quinn asks dropping into the space besides Brittany on the couch.
"Rachel must be with Sue and I'm guessing Santana is in her room" Brittany replies.
"I'll get her, hopefully she'll have some alcohol stashed somewhere" Quinn says.
She makes her way over to Santana and Rachel's door and doesn't even bother to knock. She opens the door, but finds the room empty, slightly perplexed she returns to the common room.
"Santana isn't in there."
"Then where is she?" Tina asks.
"She must have snuck out to the bar again" Quinn says.
"What do you mean again?"
"I caught her sneaking back in the other week and she told me she went to the bar. She promised to bring me a bottle of something back next time" Quinn explains.
"Well if they aren't here, then it's your turn to choose a movie Quinn" Brittany says.
"Shouldn't we wait for Rachel?" Tina points out.
"It's nearly nine thirty, she's normally back by now" Mercedes says.
"You don't think she's with Santana do you?" Tina asks.
"She might be or she could still be with Sue. She might have had another genius idea of hers and has been talking Sue's ear of for the past half hour" Brittany answers.
"Do you really think Rachel would sneak out after hours?" Mercedes asks.
"I don't see why not. I mean we've all done it. You and Britt snuck out once to buy all of that junk food and I'm sure Tina snuck out to see some form of vampire movie once" Quinn replies.
"It was The Hunger Games" Tina points out.
"Yeah and Quinn snuck out to see that cute boy that works at the post office."
"Britt!"
"Oh yeah that was a secret wasn't it. Sorry Quinn" Brittany apologizes bashfully.
"It's okay Britt. I'm going to put the movie on, Rachel will just have to miss the beginning" Quinn says getting of the couch.
"Okay but I will kill you if we have to listen to another long winded rant about being considerate to other people and how it's polite to wait for someone to arrive before commencing an activity" Mercedes says.
"Yeah that was a long twenty minutes" Brittany agrees.
"Relax, besides you won't need to kill me. I'd die of boredom if I have to listen to another Rachel Berry speech!" Quinn jokes, as she puts the movie in the DVD player.
As it nears ten o'clock Mercedes is certain that Rachel isn't talking with Sue in her office. She doesn't know how Santana has done it, but she's pretty sure that the newest member of the group has convinced head girl Rachel Berry to sneak out with her.
Normally she wouldn't care about one of the girls sneaking out, as brought up by their conversation earlier she has done it herself on occasion. However, when the girl sneaking out is competing against you for a solo you really want, then she can't be blamed for telling the headmistress that a student is breaking the rules.
Sue hated when a student went against the rules and always punished them accordingly. If she was to find out that Rachel had left the school grounds after curfew then Sue would have no choice but to rescind Rachel's audition for the choir soloist at the end of year ceremony.
Sue's punishment always reflected on each student individually, Rachel loves signing so that would be the route Sue would punish her with. It was a way to keep the students in line. If they break the rules, then Sue would take away something they love to stop them from breaking her rules again.
"I'm going to the bathroom" Mercedes announces as she gets up from the couch.
Mercedes checks that none of the other girls are paying any attention to her as she quietly makes her way out of the dorm. There is a telephone at the end of the corridor that is used for emergencies. She picks up the receiver and presses the large green button that connects her straight to Sue's reception.
"Hey Becky, is Rachel in Miss Sylvester's office?"
"No I haven't seen her since this afternoon. She usually has her weekly meeting with Sue on a Friday evening, but she came in earlier this afternoon instead" Becky explains.
"That's what I thought, but she isn't in the dorm. Santana is missing too, they didn't return before curfew and we haven't seen them for hours. I just thought they might have been with Sue but never mind. Thanks for your help Becky."
"Bye Mercedes."
As soon as Becky puts the phone down, she presses the intercom on her desk.
"Miss Sylvester I think we have some students out of school grounds."
Santana and Rachel walk down the dimly lit road that leads to the school. It's quite a cold evening and Rachel forgot to bring her coat. It was unlike her to be unprepared and she's paying for it now as the cold air hits her skin, causing her to shiver.
Santana notices the predicament Rachel is in and shrugs of her own jacket. She had always had a high body temperature so the night's cool air didn't bother her.
"Here, take my jacket" Santana says holding open the cotton garment.
"I couldn't, then you'd be cold too."
"I'm not cold; you, however, are so just take the jacket."
"Thank you Santana" Rachel smiles as Santana helps her into the jacket before continuing to walk down the road.
Rachel zips up the jacket and is immediately is enveloped by Santana's scent. It was the scent of the perfume that Santana wore and the last time Rachel has smelt it was when Santana was pressed against her as she helped her bowl; a memory that often made Rachel blush.
The memory of being so close to the other girl's body as Santana guided her with her bowling. The way her hands got a little sweaty and her heart rate picked up.
"So did you enjoy that movie?" Santana asks, pulling Rachel out of her thoughts.
"Yes luckily that was one of the better action thrillers."
"Plus it also had some romance and I know you like that in a movie" Santana says as she opens the gate that leads into the school grounds.
"Everyone likes a bit of romance Santana" Rachel replies as she steps through the gate.
They make their way into the school but as they walk down the hallway Santana thinks she hears something. She puts her finger to her lips to tell Rachel to be quiet as she gently pushes the smaller girl against the wall.
Santana automatically covers Rachel's body with her own and she slowly peeks around the corner. She doesn't see anyone down the hallway and after a minute or so she doesn't hear anything either so she assume they're safe.
She looks back towards Rachel and it's only now that she notices how close she is to the other girl. Rachel is only a few inches smaller than her but it's not as noticeable with their faces this close together.
The situation seems intimate and she can tell by the look in Rachel's eyes that she thinks so too. As if she's on auto-pilot, she starts to close the gap, but as their lips are barely an inch apart a loud noise makes them jump apart.
The sound is a door opening and closing and unless the tales of the ghost are true then there must be someone else in the hallway.
"What are you doing walking around school grounds after hours?"
The voice is calm and that in itself puts both girls on edge. Santana turns around to find the tall figure of Sue Sylvester standing there.
"I asked you what you were doing out of your dorm after hours."
"It's my fault" Santana says.
"I snuck out and when Rachel noticed I wasn't in our room she came looking for me. She was just bringing me to you."
Sue studies the pair for a few moments. Rachel finds the silence unbearable; she knew that sneaking out was a bad idea.
"Very well, Rachel you can return to your dorm. Santana, you and I are going to have a talk in my office" Sue says before turning on the spot and starts heading down the hallway.
"Santana" Rachel whispers.
"Don't worry about it, you're off the hook. Just go back to the dorm, I'll see you later" Santana rushes out.
She didn't want to keep Sue waiting so she heads down the hallway in the direction the headmistress went.
Santana catches up to Sue just as they reach her office. They enter in silence, Sue sits down in her chair behind her desk and she gestures to Santana to take the seat across from her.
"So what did you get up to tonight?" Sue asks.
"I saw a movie."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes."
"Good because that will be the last movie you see for a while. I thought that I made myself clear when I explained the rules of this school to you. You've been here a few weeks now and I thought you'd intergraded well."
"I have, this place isn't as bad as I thought" Santana admits.
"Good. However, tonight you broke one of my rules which means you need to be punished. As this is your first offence since you've been here I'll willing to be lenient. I work on a three strikes and you're out rule. This is your first strike and as your punishment you'll have a weekend detention. I'll see you here at nine o'clock in the morning."
"I am sorry for my actions Ms Sylvester" Santana says, she wasn't in the mood to argue.
"Good. Now get the hell out of my office."
Santana leaves Sue's office in a surprisingly good mood. She had another good night with Rachel and she's sure that if they hadn't been interrupted by Sue that they would have kissed. The night may have ended on a sour note since they were caught, but at least Rachel didn't get punished and Santana only has to go through a weekend detention. She had served many detentions in the past, what's the harm in adding another one to her record.
She still has a smile on her face when she reaches the dormitory. As she opens the door to their room the first thing notices is how dark it is. She expected Rachel to be waiting for her, but she's tucked up in bed, her face is facing the wall so Santana isn't sure if she's awake or not.
"Rach, are you awake?" Santana asks in a whisper.
When she doesn't receive an answer she knows that the other girl is asleep and starts to get undressed.
Rachel keeps her eyes shut as tight as possible and tries to regulate her breathing. She didn't want Santana to know that she was awake. She listens to Santana changing and expecting to hear the bed creak. What she doesn't expect is the soft pair of lips that kiss her on the top of her head.
A few seconds later she hears the unmistakable sound of Santana's bed creaking and the other girl shuffling as she gets comfortable under the covers.
Rachel still keeps her eyes tightly shut, but this time she's trying to keep the tears at bay. She couldn't let herself be tempted. Not again.