A couple of days later, Santana found herself nestled in the warmth of her Aunt Marissa's inviting home, a refuge she sought after fleeing the turmoil of her own. The cozy living room, filled with the comforting scent of freshly baked cookies and the faint sound of her aunt humming softly in the kitchen, provided a stark contrast to the chaos of her thoughts. Each day, she made it a point to reach out to her Nana and grandmother, relishing the soothing cadence of their voices and the sweet embrace of their words. Yet, a heavy cloud loomed over her heart regarding her relationship with her mother, Shelby; their interactions had dwindled to rare, clipped exchanges that felt more obligatory than heartfelt. The sting of feeling eclipsed by Rachel persisted in Santana's chest, a raw ache that intertwined with the lingering resentment towards her mother's seemingly endless choices, creating a palpable tension that hung unspoken in the air.
One afternoon, as they drove to school, Marissa glanced at her niece with a mix of concern and encouragement, breaking the silence with a careful question. "Are you going to give your parents another chance to make it up to you?"
Santana's response was short, a clipped whisper filled with the weight of her emotions. "I'm still mad at them." With that, she flung open the car door and sprinted toward the school building, her heart pounding in her chest.
Inside the bustling halls, she spotted Quinn and Kitty, their faces lighting up with excitement at the sight of their sister. However, Santana felt a surge of frustration towards them. Their attempts to convince her to return home grated on her nerves, and when her eyes landed on her mother, Shelby, standing near her classroom, an instinctive panic coursed through her. Without a second thought, she pivoted on her heel and hurried down a different hallway, resolute in her desire to avoid any encounter with either of her mothers, the tension between them still too raw to confront.
As the last remnants of morning sunlight streamed through the Auditorium windows, Santana found herself enveloped in the peaceful ambiance before her class. A surge of inspiration washed over her, prompting her to start singing "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Her voice filled the space with a gentle yet powerful melody, the rich tones blending seamlessly with the warmth of the room.
As the last remnants of morning sunlight streamed through the Auditorium windows, Santana found herself enveloped in the peaceful ambiance before her class. A surge of inspiration washed over her, prompting her to start singing "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Her voice filled the space with a gentle yet powerful melody, the rich tones blending seamlessly with the warmth of the room.
In a corner, Quinn and another friend, intrigued by the enchanting sound, paused their conversation and exchanged glances. Drawn by the beauty of Santana's singing, they soon found themselves instinctively joining in, their voices harmonizing with hers as they collectively embraced the uplifting spirit of the song.
"Santana's voice soared," she sang:
"I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way..."
Quinn chimed in with a touch of hesitation but quickly found her confidence:
"La luce che tu dai
(I pray we'll find your light)
Nel cuore resterà
(And hold it in our hearts)
A ricordarci che
(When stars go out each night)
L'eterna stella sei..."
As their voices intertwined, a sense of connection blossomed in the room. Together, they reached for the deeper meanings woven into the lyrics, expressing hope and a longing for safety and guidance:
"Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe..."
In that moment, they found solace in the words, painting a vision of a world without violence, brimming with justice and hope, where everyone extended a hand to their neighbor, symbolizing peace and brotherhood.
[Quinn (amplifying Santana's melody)]
"La forza che ci dà
(We ask that life be kind)
È il desiderio che
(And watch us from above)
Ognuno trovi amor
As they sang, their voices resonated with emotion, encapsulating the essence of every child's dream for love and kindness in a world that often feels overwhelming. With each note, they invoked faith and hope, binding them together through a shared experience of vulnerability and strength.
Finally, as the last notes lingered in the air, Santana felt a mix of fulfillment and a desire to leave the moment behind. Just as she was about to vacate the stage and return to her reality, Quinn, spurred by an unspoken connection, reached out and gently grabbed Santana's arm, a silent plea to engage in conversation. The air between them buzzed with possibility, their moment of musical unity beckoning for deeper exploration.
"I don't have anything I wanted to say to you, Quinn," Santana admitted, her voice barely rising above a whisper, thick with unspoken emotions and a sense of defeat.
"I know you're upset with Mom, San," Quinn replied, her voice tinged with longing. "You have every right to be, but I miss talking to you and seeing you at home every day." Her eyes searched Santana's, aching for a connection that felt lost.
Santana turned away, her expression a mixture of pain and resignation. "I don't have a home there anymore," she said, her tone heavy with sorrow. "Mom's priority is Rachel Berry now, and I feel invisible to her, like I don't matter at all."
Quinn's heart ached at Santana's words. "You do have a home with us," she insisted gently. "Mom and Mama miss you every day. It isn't the same without you here." The weight of her longing was palpable as she continued, "Some nights, Mom slips into your old bedroom, talks to your picture, and cries."
But Santana remained unmoved, the hurt hardening her heart. "I miss talking to you too, Quinn," she said quietly, her voice barely more than a breath. "You can come over to Aunt Marissa's if they let you." With that, she turned and walked out of the auditorium, leaving a palpable emptiness in the air.
As Santana approached Mrs. Corcoran's classroom, a wave of uncertainty washed over her, causing her to pause. Gathering her courage, she turned toward her mother, her voice gentle but firm, as she requested a moment for a private conversation. They stepped into the hallway, bathed in sunlight that streamed through the windows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that fostered a sense of intimacy.
In this softer setting, Shelby seized the opportunity to voice her heartfelt apologies once more, concern etched across her features. Her eyes, filled with worry, searched Santana's face for any sign of distress. "How is Marissa doing? Is she taking good care of you? Is she making sure you're well-fed?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine concern and motherly instinct.
Santana offered a reassuring smile, though it was tinged with a hint of exasperation. "She's doing just fine," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of emotion. Then, with a touch of frustration, she added, "Mom, stop worrying about me. I promise I'll come home, but right now, I just can't." The words lingered between them like a delicate thread, woven with both warmth and exasperation, a testament to the complexity of their circumstances.
Shelby's expression faltered at her daughter's words, a glimmer of hurt flashing across her face. "I respect your decision, and I won't pressure you about it," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know it's my fault for making you feel unloved." Reaching out gently, she placed her hand over Santana's, a silent gesture of connection and understanding.
A wave of yearning surged within Santana as she fought the impulse to pull her mother into a hug, feeling the weight of Shelby's sadness in that vulnerable moment. "Thank you for respecting my decision, Mom. I do miss you and Mama," she said tenderly. "I will come home when the time is right." With that, she turned and walked back toward her mother's classroom, a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest as she took her seat.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Shelby collected herself, steeling her resolve before returning to her classroom. The hallway echoed with the remnants of their exchange, leaving an unspoken promise of connection and understanding lingering in the air.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Kitty and Quinn made their way to their Mama's dance class. They enjoyed the walk together, a time to chat and share stories as they headed home. On the way, Santana spotted her mother, Cassie, standing outside the dance studio, her face lighting up with a warm smile as she caught sight of her daughter.
Santana and Cassie shared a moment of connection, their eyes locking in a silent understanding. Cassie approached her, her voice filled with concern as she asked, "Is Marissa picking you up today? If not, I can give you a ride home."
Santana shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "No thanks, Mama. Aunt Marissa is coming, but she's dropping me off at Nana's house until she picks me up from work at five."
With that, they exchanged comforting glances before Santana continued on her way out of the building and getting in her Aunt Marissa car.