Eye of the Tiger

Part 17

Santana POV

"Great job Dani. I think that's it for today, grab some water." I honestly never get tired of watching Dani do this. She worries that I get bored but it never is boring to me. Watching her do what she loves is amazing for me.

"Thanks babe." She breathes out as she grabs her water from my hand. I can see Chris, her trainer, smile a little. I don't think Dani has ever officially come out to him but he seems pretty cool about it. At least there is one person who doesn't care.

"So Dani, I think you'll be ready to go for the tournament coming up next week." Dani tensed a bit which isn't what I expected her reaction to be.

"R-really?" Maybe she is just tired but she almost seems sad about this.

"Yeah you've made great progress over this last month and I think you're ready." Even Chris seemed confused.

"I don't think I'm going to go." Dani simply said before pick up her things to gather in her gym bag.

"Babe, you'll do great. I think it'll be good for you to get back into it." I try but Dani just sighs.

"Maybe next time, I have things to do." She zips up her bag and turns to me. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah..." Dani gives me a weak smile as she throws her bag over her shoulder.

"Well just think about it Dani. I agree with Santana, it'll be good for you to get back into it." Chris handed her a sheet a paper with what I assume is information to the tournament.

"Thanks Chris. I'll see you Thursday."

I half expected her to throw away the paper when we stepped out of the gym but she didn't. She stared at it for a long time while I was driving to Rachel's house to drop her off.

"Why don't you want to go babe?" Dani was silent for a few more beats before speaking.

"I'm only 17, San."

"And?"

"I have to have a parent or guardian with me there. To sign me up." And there it is. It made sense now. My hands tighten on the steering wheel thinking about how it's been a month since Dani got kicked out and her dad doesn't seem to give a shit. It makes me angry. I tell her it's going to be okay but I feel like a liar every time because honestly who know with that man.

"Rachel's dads can't take you?"

"No, has to be my dad." She answered quietly, looking out the window. She was quiet for a long time, I've learned to let Dani sit in her thoughts. As her silence went on though, I noticed her leg beginning to bob anxiously. She was pissing herself off now and I out my hand over her knee to calm it. "Can you take me to my house?"

"What?" I pull over to the nearest curb to park because I didn't even know where I was supposed to be driving now.

"Can you drive me to my house instead?" She repeats but doesn't clarify anything. She finally looks at me and I can see the anger fill in her eyes. I can see rant resting in her clenched jaw. I don't know what was going to happen but I wasn't going to question it. I've been trying to push Dani to go and talk to her dad but she never wanted to.

"Okay."

Dani POV

Honestly, why the fuck have I been so scared of my dad? He already kicked me out, how could he make it any worse? Sitting in the car thinking about why I wouldn't be able to go to the tournament after training so hard the past month to be able to go just pissed me off. I made out with a girl and now he's disowning me, this is fucking ridiculous. Santana waits in the car as I storm up to what was once my home. I start to bang on the door and honestly it felt good to get this aggression out but I felt it only encouraging more of it to come out. By the time my dad actually opened the door I was ready to explode. Of course he doesn't say anything though, he just stands there in shock.

"Why do you hate me? Why the fuck do you hate me?"

"Dani I don't h-"

"No, shut up! You've had no problem shutting up all this fucking time, this shouldn't be any different! What did I ever do to you dad? Was I that bad of a child? Yeah I do things I shouldn't. I drink, I party, I come home with hickeys but the second you learn those hickeys are from a girl and not a guy it's the end of the fucking world?" He shifts uncomfortably but he doesn't make an attempt to interrupt me.

"I'm gay, Dad. I've always been gay even before you found out and it hasn't changed who I am. I wish you would see that. I wish you would have been around to see me fall in love for the first time because I love that girl right there. I love her so much, dad. I love the person she is and that shouldn't matter whether she has a dick or not. Love is love. Maybe it's not ideal for you but it's what makes me happy and I would think if you loved me you would accept that." I pulled out the crumpled piece of paper I shoved into my jacket pocket. He still doesn't say anything.

"I'm going to this tournament next week. It's been really hard this past month not having you help with my training but Chris thinks I've made a lot of progress since my injury. But I need you there to compete so if you could just...go back to being my dad for one weekend? Please? I turn 18 next month so I'll be out of your hair after this, I promise." I hold out the paper for him and he reluctantly took it.

He opened his mouth to say something but I actually don't want to hear it. I simply turn on my heel and hop back into Santana's car. Santana didn't say anything, she just started up the car and drove. I didn't know if my dad was going to bother coming but it didn't hurt to try. I don't think he could disappoint me any more than he has anyways so what do I really have to lose?

Um so this story is wrapping up. I only have one more chapter and an epilogue left planned. I'm kind of sad to leave this story, I enjoyed this world for Dani and Santana. I might write a sequel though...MAYBE. I need ideas though so if anybody has some feel free to send them. :)