Human

'Okay.' Mr Schue said as he entered the room. 'I believe we have the first sectionals suggestion. Santana, Marley, the floor is yours.'

'Thanks Mr Schue.' Marley said.

'Hang on a minute.' Kurt said. 'You two like each other?'

'Do you have a problem with that?' Quinn said, sticking up for the other girls.

'I'm just saying... it's weird.' Kurt slouched down in his seat.

'We have a song we want to put forward for the competition.' Santana said as the music kicked in.

Marley started with the first verse;

I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one

I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

Santana came in on the chorus and then took over the second verse.

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that's what you need
Be your everything

I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it

They looked at each other and took the next part together.

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I'm only human
I'm only human
Just a little human

I can take so much
'Til I've had enough

Marley stepped back and let Santana take the last chorus, the music fading as she finished.

'Cause I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

The song finished and the girls looked at each other, embracing in a hug as everyone clapped. 'That was great you guys, an excellent suggestion.' They both took their seats. Santana sat in the front next to Marley, leaving Brittany looking confused with Artie by her side.

-x-

Santana walked into the lunch hall and saw Marley sitting with Mercedes and Tina. She took her tray over and joined them. 'Hey Santana, how was science?' Marley asked.

'Very boring, science is not my thing.' She admitted.

'When did you two become lunch buddies?' Mercedes wondered as Kurt and Rachel joined them.

'Since now.' Marley said, looking at Santana. 'We have more in common than we realised.'

'You do?' Kurt said out loud.

'Yeah, now drop it before I drop you.' Santana said.

'What does that even mean?' Kurt looked confused.

'Anyway, they're friends, just like we are all friends.' Quinn said. 'Get over it.'

'Thank's Q.' Santana said. Marley knocked into Santana's shoulder and grinned at her. After the final bell rang Santana went to find Marley at her locker. She was just putting her books away. 'You have a car right?' Santana asked.

'I do have a car.' Marley confirmed.

'Do you want to do something tonight? Go into town?'

'Sure, I'd love to.' Marley agreed. 'I need to be home by ten though, curfew.'

'No problem.' Santana said as they began to walk out together. Brittany rounded the corner and beamed at them.

'Hey guys.' She said, they both returned the greeting. 'Santana, do you want to come over mine tonight? My mum is making your favourite.'

'I can't tonight B, I have plans with Marley.'

'Okay, that's fine.' Brittany said sadly.

'But we'll do it another time?'

'Yeah sure.' Brittany said, giving them a small smile as she carried on down the hall.

'She seemed sad.' Marley said.

'I know, but we've been drifting lately. Between her and Artie, and me and my... you know... we've just not been spending as much time together.'

'Does that bother you? I know you love her.'

'I used to love her.' Santana corrected. 'We've been over for a long time.'

'Right, sorry.' Marley said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

'What about you and Jake? He's pretty cute.' Santana grinned. 'But he is a Puckerman so I'd be careful.'

'Jake and I are just friends.' Marley said. 'He's not really my type.' Marley confirmed, Santana looking at her, intrigued.

-x-

They pulled into the parking lot at the mall half an hour later. Santana got out and looked around. 'Coffee?' She said, turning to Marley.

'Sounds good.' Marley replied and they began walking towards the Ground Bean coffee place. 'But why do all of the coffee shops in this town end in Bean?'

'I have no idea, lack of imagination?' Santana responded. Marley laughed as they walked up to the counter. 'What's your poison?'

'Just black coffee please.' Marley said, Santana raising her eyebrows.

'Okay, this one's on me.' Santana smiled and placed their order. Their coffees came a few moments later and they took them to a table in the back for some privacy. 'So, you're not freaked out by me?' Santana asked.

'Why would I be freaked out?' Marley asked.

'Oh I don't know, because I can shoot fire from my hands.' Santana said.

'No, trust me, I've seen weirder.'

'You have?' Santana took a sip of her coffee.

'Look,' Marley paused. 'There's something I need to tell you, something about me.'

'Okay, this just got serious.' Santana said leaning forwards. 'Why do you sound so nervous?'

'Because i'm not supposed to say anything.'

'Is this about your dad? About what he did?' Santana wondered.

'No, he's not... he's not my real dad.' Marley admitted.

'Stepdad?' Santana wondered.

'Not exactly.' Marley looked around, a chill shooting down her spine. 'Can you feel that?' She asked.

'Feel what?' Santana followed her eyes but the coffee shop looked normal. 'Marley, what's going on?' Marley didn't respond, but when she turned back to Santana her eyes were bright blue. 'What the hell?' Santana looked into them. 'Marley?'

'We need to move, now.' She ordered, just as the doors to the coffee shop were blown inwards.