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Sylvester's School For Girls
Chapter Seven
Brittany has never been considered as intelligent. She's never been good in school, she's always the last person in the class to understand what she was being taught and that was if she understood it at all.
She started noticing that the older she got, the more that people stopped trying with her. When she was in kindergarten she had a lovely teacher named Mrs. Wilkins that would always go that extra mile with her. She would go over things and try to explain it so Brittany could understand.
In middle school she had been assigned to remedial education classes. She was taught by Mr. Parkinson, another teacher that understood her needs. The only problem was she only had these classes once a week, so for the rest of the week she struggled to understand what she was being taught.
Things just got worse when she started high school. There were no remedial classes on offer which meant the only proper help Brittany was getting would no longer be available. She struggled in classes without teachers that properly understood her needs.
Brittany decided to take her education in her own hands and took to the internet. She came across a school that promised to provide the highest quality education for any student. It spoke about how it saw each student as an individual and catered to the needs of each person that attended.
It was the perfect school for Brittany, so she picked up her favorite cat notepad and wrote a letter to Sue Sylvester; the headmistress of Sylvester School For Girls.
Brittany anxiously awaited a reply to her letter, she had put her heart and soul into writing it and she was desperate to hear back from the school. Her parents had warned her not to get her hopes up. They told her that Sue Sylvester was a busy woman and might not have time to answer her letter, but Brittany had an optimistic outlook on life and every day she checked the mail box full of hope.
It took a week exactly for the letter clearly stamped with the school's logo to finds its way into her letterbox.
The letter was a request for an interview between the headmistress Sue Sylvester and the Pierce family. When Brittany showed her parents the letter, they happily agreed to attend the meeting with their daughter. They were proud that she wanted to improve herself academically and that she had used her initiative to find a school that was right for her.
When the day of the interview arrived Brittany was nervous, she had never seen a school that big before. Sitting across from Sue Sylvester in the headmistress' office did nothing to calm her nerves. However, her anxiety soon eased as she talked to the older woman.
Brittany was overwhelmed at the end of the meeting when Sue told her that she saw something special in her and that one day Brittany would go on to do great things. Sue wanted Brittany to start that journey at her school and offered her a place at Sylvester's School For Girls.
The alarm clock wakes Santana from her sleep. She turns over and looks at the clock that is flashing eight o'clock, which is way too early to be waking up on a Saturday morning. However, it's something she has to do because today she is starting her weekend detention.
Santana turns off the alarm clock and looks at the bed across from her. Rachel was nowhere to be seen, Santana knew that the other girl got up early so she wasn't surprised to see her bed empty. Santana reluctantly pulls herself out of her bed. She has an hour to get to Sue's office and she wanted breakfast first.
She quickly changes into a pair of jeans and a hoodie, there is no point in putting on her nicer clothes if Sue Sylvester was going to make her work all morning. As Santana makes her way into the common room she is surprised to see that some of the other girls are also awake.
"Good morning!" Quinn greets.
"You're up early."
"There is a small carnival in the town and Brittany wanted to get there early. Why are you up?"
"I have a weekend detention with Sue."
"Why, what did you do?" Quinn asks.
"Rachel and I snuck out to see a movie last night and Sue caught us" Santana explains.
"I can't believe you got the head girl to sneak out."
"She's actually quite cool once you get past her uptight outer layer. Oh and just to let you know that was the second time, so I got her to sneak out twice" Santana smirks.
"Well color me impressed" Quinn says.
"So did Rachel get punished too?" Mercedes asks from her seat on the couch.
"No. I told Sue that Rachel caught me sneaking out and was bringing me to her office. Thankfully Sue bought it and Rachel didn't get punished."
"How very noble of you" Quinn says with a roll of her eyes.
"There was no point in us both being punished besides it was my idea anyway. So have any of you ever had a weekend detention before?"
"I have. Sue caught me smoking on school grounds and as punishment I had to help Eileen do the laundry all weekend" Quinn replies.
"So that's what I can expect?"
"It'll probably be something different, but whatever it is, it'll be some form of mundane task."
"Okay, well I'm going to have some breakfast and then I'm going to head straight up to Sue's office. See you all later" Santana says.
She walks over to the door and exits the dorm but as she goes to close the door behind her, the door opens further and Brittany steps out behind her.
"Hey Santana, can I talk to you?"
"Sure Britt. What's up?"
"I know people think I'm not the smartest person, but I am very perceptive. I followed Mercedes out of the dorm last night because I thought she was up to something and I was right. I heard her call Becky, Mercedes told her that you and Rachel were missing. That's how Sue knew you were out after hours."
"Why would Mercedes do that?" Santana asks.
"She knew that if you snuck out and were caught, then you would be punished."
"Why would she want me to get punished? Does she have a problem with me?"
"It's not you that she has a problem with" Brittany answers.
"So if she doesn't have a problem with me, then that would mean she was going after Rachel. Why would she have a problem with Rachel? What's Rachel ever done to Mercedes?" Santana asks.
"It's not what she's done more than what she wants. Rachel wants something that Mercedes wants and Mercedes will do anything to get what she wants."
Santana thinks about Brittany's words for a moment. What do both Mercedes and Rachel want? It only takes her a few more minutes to work it out.
"The choir solo" Santana says.
"Bingo."
"So Mercedes didn't care about getting Rachel in trouble just because she wants to sing a song."
"They take their signing seriously" Brittany says.
"Yeah but Rachel wouldn't do something that."
"I think you might have underestimated what Rachel will and can do."
"What do you mean?" Santana asks.
"Just remember I'm very perceptive."
Santana wants to ask Brittany again what she means, but before she can, the blonde disappears back into the dorm. She doesn't have time to find her again because she only has thirty minutes to eat breakfast and make her way to Sue's office.
Santana fills herself up as much as she can at breakfast. She isn't sure what time Sue will give her a lunch break and that's even if the strict headmistress gives her one at all. She spends most of the time while she eats thinking about what Brittany had said.
First of all Santana was beyond pissed at Mercedes for telling Sue that she had snuck out with Rachel to the movies. Mercedes intentions where clearly to get Rachel punished so she couldn't be the lead vocalist and even though that was reason enough to get Santana angry, the fact that Mercedes didn't care that Santana could get into trouble too only added fuel to the fire.
Santana makes it to Sue's office with a couple of minutes to spare. Becky is sitting at her desk as usual and gestures for her to go straight into the headmistress' office. Sue is sat at her desk waiting for her when Santana enters the office.
"You're cutting it fine."
"You said nine and its two minutes to" Santana replies.
"If I said nine you should have tried to be here at least five minutes earlier to show me that you are consciously making an effort."
"I'll remember that for next time."
"There won't be a next time. I expect better from my students. Enough of the small talk, I think it's time you start your punishment. Follow me" Sue orders.
Santana follows Sue out of her office and down the many hallways the school has to offer.
"Do you know why I line the walls with trophies?"
"To show the world how superior you are?" Santana guesses.
"The world knows that I'm more superior to them with or without trophies. I put these trophies here to encourage students to be at their best, to make them want their name on a trophy so it can be placed here to show that they are good at something. I want my students to be proud of their achievements and these trophies are a prefect reminder that each student is special."
"That makes sense, people love to show off their talents and skills, why not use it for their own advantage?"
"Exactly and if these students put in the effort and win a trophy then they deserve to have their reward maintained. That is your job for the weekend; you will be polishing these trophies."
"You are joking right?" Santana asks.
"I never joke."
"There must be hundreds of trophies here."
"There is exactly two hundred and thirty six and you have today and tomorrow to finish the task. If the punishments are harsh then it reduces the chances of the culprit breaking my rules again. You'll find supplies in the janitors' closet, you can take breaks whenever you want, but if you haven't finished by tomorrow night then you'll continue every night until you have fully finished. I'll be keeping my eye on you" Sue explains.
Santana watches as Sue retreats down the hallway before making her way over to the janitors' closet. She opens the door and finds that the inside looks exactly like the closet she uses to sneak out. It's funny to think that a closet like this is the reason she's in detention. The place where it all started when she and Rachel snuck out for the first time and it's probably going to be where it all ends too since she's going to be cleaning silverware for hours.
Three hours in to the task and Santana was just a few trophies away from being a third of the way done. She decides that she deserves a rest, so she puts away the cleaning equipment back in the janitors' closet. It was nearing lunch time so Santana decides to head to the cafeteria.
All the time she had been cleaning trophies, she had been thinking about a way to get Mercedes back and she hadn't been able to come up with the perfect idea. She's usually good at coming up with revenge plans, but she was struggling this time, she was sure that something will come to her eventually.
After grabbing some quick lunch Santana makes her way back to the trophy hallway. She picks up her supplies from the janitors' closet and prepares herself to get back to work. She never thought that a school would actually have a punishment like this, her old school just used to send her to detention.
Sue Sylvester definitely knew what she was doing, Santana could easily sit through a detention, but she didn't want to do something like this again. A punishment like this would definitely keep the students in line.
As Santana cleans the trophies she comes across a few names of people she knows. One of the most notable was Tina's. She had various awards for math competitions, science and most notably her violin playing.
Santana knew that Tina was smart, but she didn't realize that she had all of these accolades to her name. It makes her realize that there is probably a lot that she didn't know about her fellow roommates.
The next familiar name that Santana comes across is the name of the girl that had been in her mind a lot lately. She didn't expect to see Rachel's name on any of the trophies, not that she thought that Rachel wasn't good academically; she just didn't seem the type to enter academic competitions.
Santana was right in her assumption because the trophies baring Rachel's name were for dance and singing competitions. The earliest trophies dated back to two thousand and three so Rachel must have been around the age of eight.
There was a trophy from every year, including a rising star award up until two thousand and eight. The newest award since then was a school singing competition from last year. Rachel had told Santana how much that she loved to sing and that she takes every opportunity that she could so it was strange that there was a five year gap where Rachel won no trophies.
It could be because Rachel hadn't entered any competitions in those five years, but that seemed odd. If she was constantly winning competitions then why would she stop? Rachel didn't seem the type to just give up. There must be a reason for the gap and Santana wants to find out. She was right with what she thought before; there was a lot about her roommates that she doesn't know.
When Rachel enters the bedroom she shares with Santana she can't help the big smile she has on her face.
"What's going on?" Santana asks a happy looking Rachel.
"Mr. Schuster called me into his office this afternoon to tell me that I have been given the solo for the end of year ceremony."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you" Rachel says with not as much enthusiasm as Santana expected.
"You really wanted this; shouldn't you be happier about it?" Santana asks.
"I am but a part of me feels bad that Mercedes didn't get the chance to sing too. Since you arrived you've really helped everyone to bond and become friends. I've never had real friends before and I don't want this to come between Mercedes and me."
"I wouldn't worry too much about Mercedes feelings. She has to learn to lose sometimes."
"I know but I thought that maybe I should suggest to Mr. Schuster that Mercedes and I can sing a duet."
"I think that's a bad idea, you won fair and square. It's a solo, which means you should sing by yourself."
"Why are you so against the idea?" Rachel asks.
"Do you really think Mercedes would do that for you?"
"Mercedes and I have clashed in the past, but we're better friends now."
"She told Sue that we snuck out. She was trying to get you punished so that you would lose the chance at the solo" Santana explains.
"What?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I have been thinking of a revenge plan all day."
"Please don't start something. I just want to forget it and move on" Rachel says.
"Why? She tried to sabotage you."
"I know, but she failed and I got the solo. I meant what I said before about us all being closer. I'd rather keep my friends than start an argument."
Santana is about to reply to Rachel's explanation, but is interrupted by shouting coming from the common room. Intrigued, they exit the bedroom to find the all of their roommates sat on the couches in the common room, all except Mercedes who is standing in front of the rest of the girls shouting.
"What's all the yelling about?" Santana asks.
"Someone has stolen all of my snacks" Mercedes replies.
"It wasn't me" Tina says.
"Why do you think it's one of us?" Quinn asks.
"The only people that know about them share this dorm."
"You sure you didn't eat it all?" Santana smirks.
"Yes I'm sure. I checked it last night and it was all there" Mercedes snaps.
"Well you'll just have to sneak out and get more, just don't let Sue catch you. She caught Rachel and I remember."
"You seem very smug, was it you?"
"How could it be? I've been in detention cleaning trophies all day" Santana explains with a hint of bitterness.
"Santana's right. Your stash is gone now, you'll just have to get some more. You can share mine for now" Brittany offers, giving Santana a knowing look which goes unnoticed by Mercedes.
"Thanks Britt" Mercedes says.
"So Rachel got some good news; she's the soloist at the end of year ceremony" Santana announces, that signature smirk on her face.
"Well done Rachel" Brittany beams.
"Yeah congratulations Berry" Quinn adds.
Tina also congratulates Rachel on her achievement; the only person that stays silent is Mercedes.
"Aren't you going to congratulate Rachel" Santana asks Mercedes whilst getting a disapproving look from Rachel.
Just because she didn't want to make a big deal about getting the solo over Mercedes doesn't mean that Santana can't rub it in a bit.
"Congratulations" Mercedes mumbles.
"Thank you. I'm sorry that me gaining the solo means that you won't have the chance to sing, but at least this competition hasn't put a stain on our friendship. You're very talented Mercedes and I'm positive that you'll have lots of solos in the future."
Rachel smiles at Mercedes before turning and heading back into her bedroom with Santana following behind.
"I like what you did there" Santana says as she closes the door behind them.
"Act all nice and gracious, making Mercedes feel guilty; I like your style."
"I was telling the truth. If it happens to make Mercedes feel uncomfortable about the fact that she tried to sabotage me then so be it" Rachel says with a small smile.
"Since you're still a little upset, how about some candy to help cheer you up?" Santana asks opening the drawer of her bedside table, revealing a large pile of chocolate and candy.
"Is that Mercedes snack stash?"
"Yeah, I stole it this afternoon. You might not have wanted revenge, but it wasn't just you she was getting in trouble, she made me get caught too. I had to spend the day cleaning trophies so I deserve a little reward. I'm going to savor every moment of eating each and every one of these snacks."
"You're incorrigible."
"Why thank you" Santana laughs as she opens up a packet of cherry twizzlers.
A few hours later a soft knock on the door pulls Rachel's concentration from her homework.
"Come in."
"Hey Rachel" Mercedes greets as she slowly enters the room.
"Hello Mercedes, what can I do for you?"
"I have to confess something. I told Sue that you and Santana were out after hours. I thought that if you were out of the running for the solo then I would get it and I'm sorry."
"It's okay Mercedes, I know."
"What do you mean, you know?" Mercedes asks.
"Santana told me, but don't worry I'm not mad, well not anymore. I value our friendship and I think you do too since you came clean and told me the truth."
"Thank you for forgiving me."
"You're welcome, but just be aware that Santana might not be as easily forgiving. You got her detention remember" Rachel says.
"Is she planning revenge? Wait! She stole my candy stash didn't she?"
"I can neither admit nor deny anything."
"It doesn't matter if she did; it's only fair I guess. Can we just put all of this behind us and move on?" Mercedes asks.
"I think that's a good idea."
"You coming to watch a movie with us?" Mercedes asks.
"Sure."
In a strange way, Rachel is glad that this debacle has happened with Mercedes. It was a test of their friendship and they had managed to weather the storm. So now Rachel will watch a movie with all of her friends.