Eye of the Tiger

Part 18

Santana POV

"What if he doesn't come, San?" Dani has been sitting in anxiousness the entire car ride. Her leg was bouncing up and down so I slid my hand over her knee to calm it.

"Babe, it's out of your hands right now. You need to relax."

"I can't!" She groaned, burying her face in her hands. We finally pulled into the parking lot and I scanned for a spot. I couldn't tell Dani that I was just as nervous as she was. I didn't want to see that man disappoint her. I finally found a spot and began rubbing circles on her back once I out the car in park.

"Dani, I know you're nervous. We don't know what's going to happen and I wish I did know so I could prepare you for it. But no matter what I'll be here to support you and cheer you on...or to beat up whoever I need to make sure you get to compete. Dani laughed at that.

"Please don't hit anybody Santana." She rolled her eyes.

"Hey, I would never." I throw my hands up in defense and Dani just narrows her eyes at me. "Snix, on the other hand, makes no promises."

"Santana!" She whacked my arm and giggled. It was nice to see her relax, even for a moment. But it was enough for her to get out of the car and walk towards the building. I squeezed Dani's hand as we walked in and braced ourselves for whatever were to come.

Dani POV

"He's not coming, we shouldn't have even bothered." I don't know why I put myself through this. Why did I give myself hope that he would come?

"Dani, you gotta give it time. He's not exactly late yet." I roll my eyes at Santana. I know she was just trying to make me feel better but I don't want to feel better, I want to sulk.

"Well he's not on time either." I quip back at her. She probably heard the irritation in my voice and didn't have a response back.

"I'm going to find some water..." She kissed my cheek before heading off. Great, now I scared her off. I know I really shouldn't take it out on her, I'm really mad at myself. I'm mad that I actually set myself up for heartbreak. The little girl inside of me thought that my dad will always come through, but the grown up one knows that dad is gone.

"Well you're looking awfully lonely..." I cringe as I look up at the asshole who has made my life a living hell at school. "Where's your little girlfriend?"

"Fuck off." I simply say as I turn my attention to my phone. I text Santana to come back. Please come back. He doesn't take the hint, instead he just sits next to me.

"Well that's not very nice, here I was about to offer you company." I scan around to see if Santana was coming back but nothing.

"I'm not interested. Why the fuck are you even here?" Was this kid following me or something? And where the fuck was Santana?

"My little sister competes. I had no idea you were a boxer too. That's hot." I think I threw up in my mouth a little. I pull the strap of my bag back over my shoulders to take it with me, I can't sit here anymore. But he grabs my arm with a little more force than I expected. "Come on, you just need a man to show you you're not gay. I can be that guy."

"I'll stick with tits, thanks." I rip my arm out of his hand, just plain pissed off now. Why are men such pigs?

"Whatever, faggot!" He rolled his eyes and harshly shoved my shoulder as he passed me. I turned around to tell him off but froze when I saw who stood in front of him.

"What did you just call my daughter?" My dad could be pretty intimidating. With the look on the asshole's face I thought he would shit his pants.

"U-um n-nothing sir."

"Didn't sound like nothing." My dad continued to tower over him and the asshole took a step to leave but my dad grabbed him by the shirt. "Apologize to her."

"S-sorry." He spat out at me and finally scrambled out of my dad's grasp to run off. You would think after encountering Snix he would have learned but I think for sure now I won't be seeing him around. I'm still standing there in shock and my dad just takes a step forward to me.

"Listen Dani, I'm sorry too." My dad never apologizes for anything. Growing up, even if I feel like it wasn't my fault I still apologized first. I'm actually speechless. "This isn't what I wanted for you, but I know I didn't handle it in the best way. If you're happy then I support you."

Those words were all I ever wanted to hear. That my dad supported me. I know he probably still didn't agree with it but this was the first step in him trying to accept it and that showed progress. I run into his arms and I can't stop the tears from coming out. I missed my dad so much. "Thank you."

"Just be patient with me, okay?" I nod into his chest and he kisses the top of my head. "I love you, kid."

"Love you too, dad." I pull away from him and see Santana standing next to us awkwardly with two bottles of water in her hand. I don't know how long she was standing there but I wasn't even mad anymore that she took forever to come back. I grab Santana's free hand and pull her towards us. "Dad, I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Santana."

"Nice to meet you Santana." He offered a hand to her and she hesitantly took it. "You take care of my daughter now."

"I have, where have you been?" Santana spat out, and I smacked her arm. My dad was finally coming around and she pulls this? I half expected my dad to run off again but instead he chuckled and raised his hands up in defense.

"That's fair." I saw Santana relax a bit, and a hint of guilt filled her eyes as she realized what she did. I slid my hand into hers to let her know it's okay. "Come on kid, you've got a tournament to win."