Chapter Four-

As pissed as I was at Daemon, I found myself enjoying the cowardly display Drake was showcasing whenever I was near him. His eyes would shoot directly down to the floor, staring at it like it was the most interesting thing since sliced bread.

I somewhat felt pity for him and a sense of responsibility for his injuries which was a black eye (Dave never mentioned that Daemon had landed that) and by the way he was curling over his mid-section, I deduced that it was pretty much badly bruised if not a broken rib.

I wasn’t that worried about Daemon getting into trouble from anyone.

Drake will be too scared to tell his parents and if he did, Daemon would undeniably finish what he started and Drake’s parents wouldn’t try to do anything to the Matthews. In our small town in the middle of Wisconsin, the Matthews were practically gods, untouchables, which added to Daemon’s appeal and popularity.

As soon as History finished I headed to Drake, feeling that I should at least say something.

His eyes widened in terror as he watched me head towards him before darting towards the doorway, looking for any sign of Daemon Matthews.

“Hey,” I began after I stood there for twenty seconds with him not saying anything. “About the…” I nodded at his bruised body, “I’m very-“

“It’s alright Santana,” Drake interrupts, his voice shaking slightly. “I shouldn’t have done what I did in the first place. I thought since Matthews was off… you know doing what he did, he’d have backed off from you. I guessed wrong.” He sighed. “So…” he paused, eyes darted once more towards the door. “…you and Matthews, right?”

“Me and Daemon what?”

“You two together?”

I nearly convulse with laughter as I wait for a minute and see that he is being serious. “No!” I explode. “No, we’re not together. At all.”

Drake arches a brow as if he doesn’t believe me. I regret ever having considered apologizing to him. “A guy doesn’t warn other guys off a girl unless it’s his sister or he wants her.”

“That’s it. I’m like his sister,” I conclude.

“Yeah and I’m the Pope,” he chuckles lowly. “Whatever you say Santana. But a word of advice…as bad as I am, Daemon Matthews is much, much worse.”

I sigh, knowing already what he was talking about after having watched Daemon for years, changing girls like they were a new pair of socks and leaving them after one night in his or their bed. Drake had just gotten out of a relationship with Georgia Newman whom he’d dated for five months whereas Daemon as far as I know has never dated anyone. Ever.

---

I silently cursed Drake as I walked into the cafeteria, my eyes swiftly landing on Daemon with the blonde that was Jenna Flynn sitting on his lap, feeding him an apple. Yeah, he definitely looked like he wanted me. He wanted me so much that he had a different blonde from the one yesterday sitting on his lap.

I hated myself too for hoping slightly, that what Drake had said was true. Yes, I had feelings for my best friend. Yes, I’ve had it for a while. And no, Daemon doesn’t know about it.

Ignoring them I headed for the extending by the second line and quickly grabbed a turkey sandwich, an apple and a Pepsi before heading for the popular table, the one drop dead in the middle of the cafeteria where only the populars ate at. I was only included of course because of Daemon. No other reason and I knew that.

Daemon didn’t acknowledge me as I sat down, his attention focused solely on Jenna.

Golden locks that screamed a King’s ransom price curtained down, framing her face. Huge blue eyes and a perfectly made up face. She adorned her figure in a tight, figure hugging red mini dress that came up to two inches above her knees. Yes, she was on the cheer-leading team.

How cliched was life. Hottest guy in school goes for the cheerleader.

“So Daemon,” Jenna began in what she tried to be a seductive, sultry voice but what came out a little high-pitched and strangled. “My parents are out tonight and I was wondering…”

I shut them out, knowing fully what Ms Airhead-Cheerleader was going to say. It was always the same.

‘You wanna come over and help me with the assignment.’ ‘I was wondering if you wanted to catch a movie with me.’ Or my personal favorite, the ones that just came out with the truth, ‘I was wondering if you wanted to come over and have sex?’

I bit into my apple hard enough to crush a diamond as I pictured it to be Jenna’s head.

“Sure,” Daemon’s reply hits me before I finish my food. “I’d love to help you with Calculus.”

I tried to suppress my laughter. Daemon help in Maths?

He needed my help keeping up a B+ and here he was trying to offer to tutor someone?

But then again, that was just an excuse, no way were they going to be doing any studying tonight. Hell, school would be the furthest thing from their mind as they did… whatever.

“Hey San.” I turn to face him as he finally acknowledges my presence at the table. “Do you mind looking for a ride?”

My eyes widen. What the hell?

“I might be going somewhere after school,” he smirked at me, his eyes saying that I owed him after cutting his session short last night.

I glared at him. “Fine.”

“Thanks San,” he smiles, unbeknownst to my anger.

Where did my Daemon go? He’d never ditched me before, ever. Not once since he got the Jag and suddenly he was ditching me now.

---

“Mom,” I called out as soon as the heavenly aroma of baked goods hit me as I entered the house. Throwing my bag onto the couch I headed for the kitchen, following the smell. “Mom,” I tried again as I entered the kitchen.

A scream let up as mom jumped out of the pantry. “Santana!” she berated as she came out rubbing her head. “You scared me. Don’t go around jumping out at people.”

“Mom, I was calling out for you.” The timer of the oven sounded and mom rushed over.

She pulled out a muffin tray with what I can make out as blueberry muffins and pops it on the counter next to a chocolate cake. I waited in anticipation as I stared at my favorite baked good.

“Thanks mom. How’d you know I was famished?” I rushed over and make a grab for one before she flicks my hand away with a slap.

“These aren’t for you Santana!” She got another tray and sets it next to the rest. “These are for the new neighbors.”

“New neighbors?” That surprised me. “What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you see the moving truck parked outside?”

No, I was too busy trying to get out of Dave’s car to notice anything else.

After Daemon had asked that I find my own ride home, Dave volunteered to drop me off. Unfortunately the ride home was filled with him making a pass at me every ten seconds which was insufferable as school was fifteen minutes away from home. So, no, I wasn’t that focused on looking for new neighbors, I was too focused on making sure my virtue was left intact as I nearly tripped over myself getting out.

But of course, I didn’t tell mom all of that. Instead, I just shrugged before going back to plotting robbing her of one or two blueberry muffins before she could notice.

“They arrived two hours ago,” she smiled before pulling the curtains to the window back slightly and peeking out. “They’ve got teenagers darling! Teenagers!” she exclaimed.

That got my attention. Mom wasn’t as excited like this since she found a discount retail shop downtown that sold cheap knockoffs of designer brands.

“Mom,” I made a grab for a muffin and came back victorious. “So what they’ve got teens? You’re acting like they’re the…” I couldn’t really find something to compare mom’s attitude to, “… like they’re something special.”

“Honey,” she glared at me after turning around and seeing the muffin half devoured, but she doesn’t mention it. “This would be the best time for you to distance yourself from…” she doesn’t mention it but I know she’s referring to Daemon.

“Mom, you can’t force me to make new friends.” I sigh after finishing off the muffin and grabbing another one. She glares at me. “You’ve made enough for a small army. Are this for them?”

She nods.

“Well, I can make off with a couple more. They’re not pigs to be eating all of this.”

“Santana…”

“I know, I know. If you’ve got nothing good to say, shut your pie-hole, right?”

She groans. “I don’t know what to do with you, young lady.”

“Don’t try mom.” I start to head for my room.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Room. Got a ton of homework to do,” I replied, already dreading the pile waiting for me in my bag.

“That can wait. I need you for five minutes, tops,” she heads towards the cabinet drawer and pulls out her best china set. “I need your help welcoming them to the community.”

“No, mom. I think you’ve got all that covered. You can do it without me,” I try to rush towards my room.

“Santana Marie Klaus!”

I stop in my steps at the sound of my full name. Don’t laugh I know it sounds like Santa Merry Claus. My parents and their sick humor.

“Get over here and help me set the food out. After this, I might be willing to give you another muffin.” She plates it like a professional. “Oh honey, go upstairs and put on a nice dress, please. I think that black one from last year should do.”

Groaning I head to my room but not before yelling out, “I’m getting two muffins mom. Not one!”