Hello Fan fic world. Here is my second fic. Irrational human behavior interests me and I always wonder why people are a certain way sometimes so I'm using this fic to explore that idea. Thank you so much for reading it. I hope you enjoy it.

To my beta of betas Rose..for fixing the unfix-able, you are indispensable. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Disclaimer: Please note that none of the characters portrayed in this fic belong to me. Oh how I wish they did.

A Sign of Friendship

Chapter 1

A whisper of anguish cut the tensioned filled air like a knife. "Pl-Please come back, please don't leave me Sam, I l-love you!"

Tears trailed down her ivory cheeks as Sam Evans smirked whilst he buckled his leather belt, buttoned his pure cotton shirt, snatched his Valentino dinner jacket and marched toward the large oak door.

As Sam approached the exit he paused for a second, rolled his eyes and grimaced,

"Look Helen…" briefly glancing at the petite blonde who was now sitting prostrate in the middle of the king size bed, "We had fun and now we're done, you're a big girl, grow up!" he sneered.

"My name is H-heather", she whimpered.

"Yeah, ok, whatever," he grumbled and with that he gave a brief wave without turning to acknowledge her, twisted the brass door handle and strode directly out of the lavish suit. Heather jumped from the bed and ran toward the Hotel room's door then fell into a dishevelled heap upon the white plush pile and sobbed hysterically. "Come back Sam, please come back!"

Sam stepped into the luxurious elevator took out his Black Diamond Crypto Smartphone, pushed call then coldly directed,

"Miss Fabray I would like you to complete the following task."

An incoherent, weary voice greeted him, "Ah… Mr Evans, ah…um…it's…ah…two o'clock in the morning?!"

Ignoring her completely he continued, "You need to erase any contacts with regards to a Miss Helen Briggs. Any incoming calls from said person will be duly rejected and she is forbidden to set foot within Evans administrative centre or Evans sites. Oh and delete her from my VIP directory. He then completed his message with, "Please ensure this request is carried out immediately," and then as quickly as he had called, he abruptly hung up.

…

Sam Evans, heir to the Evans fortune. His family were southern royalty and Sam Evans was now fourteenth on Forbes richest men in the world list following the death of his father. Sam Evans seemed to have the Midas touch. Everything Sam Evans touched turned to gold. His decisions and investments were always thoroughly planned. When he worked, he loved to win. When he played, he loved to win. Gambling, money or women, everything and anything he wanted he got. Sam Evans never lost. Heather Briggs was just another one of his many conquests. He had met her two weeks prior at one of the many celebrity events he attended. He had so many women literally falling over themselves to be with him he couldn't even keep track. Heather seemed so strong and independent so he knew he had to have her. After wooing her, for 9 days straight, with everything money could buy and all the cunning he could muster, he finally won her heart, and as quickly as their relationship began it ended, as all his relationships did, with the women utterly crushed. Another game won, smirked Sam Evans, another conquest achieved.

…

Later that day, Sam Evans sat at his plush Agar wood bureau perusing contracts and documents. Pressing the intercom without batting an eyelid he demanded Miss Fabray's presence.

"Yes Mr Evans!" She cautiously approached, noticeably shaking, nervously holding a pen and notebook tensely awaiting orders.

"Miss Fabray, I need you to have these contracts sent to our lawyers immediately."

"Y-Yes sir," she stammered and began collecting the reams of paper which lay upon his desk, shaking as she did so.

"Miss Fabray…" he continued. "Did you complete that task I asked of you?"

"Y-Yes s-sir, I d-did," stumbling again. "B-but I think you meant Heather Briggs, not Helen, because I could only find-"

"Her name is whatever I say her name is!" he interrupted and scowled at his waif like Personal Assistant.

She immediately threw her gaze to the ground and whispered. "I-I'm sorry Mr Evans."

Returning his attention to the papers that lay before him he continued, "Please ensure I am not disturbed, for any reason, for the rest of the day. You may go."

"Yes sir!" Miss Fabray quipped then she spun quickly and sped out the door.

…

Most of Sam Evans day consisted of perusing contract after contract, seldom stopping to eat the catered food provided for him. It was almost eight in the evening when Sam stood and sauntered around his luxurious office suite, loosened his tie and threw his jacket onto the opulent leather lounge.

He then made his way to the ornate bar and swiftly fixed himself a martini. Pleased with how truly magnificent he imagined he was, he thought of all the power he possessed. Then catching his reflection on the sleek mahogany bench, he smiled as he ran a hand through his blonde locks and grinned thinking, you are invincible Sam Evans, invincible, then he drank the remainder of his martini.

Sam was definitely satisfied with himself. He had reduced Heather to a blubbering mess. He enjoyed playing with people's emotions it was a game to him. Especially those who he deemed spirited. When Miss Fabray began her employment as his Personal Assistant, she too was a strong, confident, independent woman, and now she was the total opposite. Sam Evans congratulated himself on how she and all the other sorry sods of the world were putty in his hands.

As he contemplated his own greatness a pricking realization loomed before him. There was one thing, only one thing in this whole wide world that stopped him in his tracks and made him a mindless senseless fool. Well one person really and he hated the thought, it made him angry and disgusted with himself but he couldn't help it, he didn't know why but she was the only one in the entire world he felt helpless with, Damn her, he thought.

He quietly pondered this while fixing a scotch. Just then his thoughts were interrupted by a quiet knock at the door. Sam frowned and was taken aback at first as he knew he had told Miss Fabray he was not to be disturbed but the familiar rap on the door refrained him from going ballistic. Thinking for a second, a grin quickly overtook him as he sprinted to open the large double doors to greet his guest. Speak of the devil he thought.

….

As Sam opened the large oak doors he was greeted with the beautiful smile of Miss Mercedes Jones. Mercedes was a popular recording artist and had numerous top selling albums. Her saffron top and navy skinny jeans complemented her dark brown eyes and soft chocolate colored complexion.

"Mercy!" he screamed, his eyes lit up and a massive grin covered his entire face.

"Hey you!" Mercedes threw her arms around the neck of her friend.

Looking up with her big brown orbs she smiled, "Are you still the same obnoxious jerk as ever, Mr Sam Evans?"

"You know me, Mercy…What can I say?"

Sam Evans had known Mercedes Jones since they were 14 years of age. Her father tended the gardens at one of their summer mansion. They had been steadfast friends for twelve years now and always supported each other in the many endeavors they pursued.

Sam held Mercedes in a warm embrace. Her long dark locks cascaded down her back toward its base. The scent of her Honey based perfume filled Sam's nostrils. After a few seconds they both pulled out of their hold and smiled at each other intently.

"I didn't know you were in town, Mercy." Sam chortled.

"Yeah, well I actually wasn't coming at first but, I have some contracts I have to sort out here in New York and a last minute item to perform for this Charity tomorrow night, so I thought I would surprise you, so, surprise!" She chuffed.

Miss Fabray nervously stood behind Mercedes her eyes fixed on Sam Evans trying to gauge his response. Mercedes saw her nervousness she placed a reassuring hand on her arm then looked at Sam.

"Sam, I'm sorry, you know I never hear Miss Fabrays pleas when she says you don't want to be disturbed, so you better not take this interruption out on her…" Sam looked toward the ground, "and anyway Sam, its 8.30pm. What are you still doing here, but most importantly Quinn, why are you still working?"

Quinn became most interested with the room's décor and looked everywhere else but Sam Evans.

Sam placed his hands in his pocket and smiled his half smile and whispered. "Umm... I was gonna say she could go home but I forgot and I wasn't gonna say anything about the interruption, Mercy."

Mercedes smiled assuredly at Quinn and said, "Well there you go Quinn…you can go home, I'm sure your family will love that. It is so good to see you again, Quinn."

Miss Fabray looked at Sam Evans for confirmation. Sam noticing he looked pretty sheepish at the moment, stood upright and affirmatively stated, "Yes, I think you have completed your tasks for today and you may go home…."

Mercedes rolled her eyes then glowered at Sam.

Sam lowered his façade for a minute then continued, "And for working late tonight you may come in at 8-."

Mercedes scowled.

"I mean 9..." He looked at Mercedes again, "I mean 10, sorry, no 11 o clock and no later."

Mercedes smiled while Sam grimaced.

"Thank you, Mr Evans…" Miss Fabray finally smiled, "may I go now?"

"Yes you may," he replied then turned and strode toward the lounge.

Quinn mouthed thank you to Mercedes, ensuring Sam Evans did not see her response.

Mercedes kissed her on the cheek and entered Sam's office.

Miss Fabray quickly gathered her belongings and left immediately in case Mr Evans changed his mind.

Mercedes could see that Sam was noticeably frustrated at first but he soon smiled and continued their previous conversation as if nothing had happened and that he had not just been thoroughly whipped.

"This is a nice surprise Mercy, have you had dinner yet?" Sam spun around and moved toward this phone. "I can order you something if you want?"

"I'm fine thanks, Sam…" She smiled "I had something to eat on the plane."

"Airline food Mercy, Come on!" Sam looked at her jadedly then continued. "I'll order you something nice or we could go somewhere," he beamed and once again began to proceed toward his phone.

"No, really Sam, just come back here please, I just want to talk to my friend, what about you? Have you had dinner yet?" she smiled

Sam returned and sat near Mercedes who was now lounging on the sofa.

"Yeah, the caterers have been here all day…but if you feel peckish you tell me," He drawled in his best Matthew McConaughey impression.

Mercedes side eyed Sam and giggled. "Sammy you know me well enough to know that I surely will. I ain't shy when it comes to food!"

Sam laughed then continued in his Matthew McConaughey drawl. "Wanna drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Cheese?"

"No."

Crackers?

"No."

"Champagne?"

"No!"

"Peanutbutterandjellysandwich eswithchocolatesprinkles? Got some in the fridge here!"

"No, Sammy! Just stop it!" she laughed incessantly, "you are such a dork!"

Sam wriggled his eyebrows and chuckled, "You love it!" he then continued, "Where have you sent your luggage?" He threw an arm along the back of the couch and placed his feet on the foot stool, "You are going to stay with me aren't you?"

"Well Artie booked a suite at the Hilton. So I sent my things there." Mercedes replied and mirrored his actions.

"You should have just stayed at my place," Sam pouted

"Yeah, well, I didn't want to be a nuisance." Mercedes whispered lowering her gaze.

"Mercy, you are never a nuisance," Sam smiled taking her into a warm embrace again.

After an half an hour or so of small banter they returned to Sam's penthouse.

They spoke until the wee hours of the morning about their careers, friends, families, comic books and comic characters. As daylight threatened Mercedes collected her possessions and prepared to leave. Sam hugged her one more time and gently kissed the top of her soft dark locks.

"You should have just stayed here." He whispered

Mercedes large brown eyes met his green orbs. "You aren't as horrible as they say you are, Mr Evans!"

"Shh…" he quietly replied, "Someone might hear you."

"See you tomorrow…oh I mean later, Sammy," she chuffed and exited through the large doors then made her way toward the elevator.

"Good morning, Mercy," he smiled, winked and waved as he watched the elevator doors slowly close before her.

….

Mercedes lay in her hotel suite thinking of the first time she met Sam Evans.

14 year old Mercedes sat quietly reading pride and prejudice by Jane Austin. Flicking through the pages she was so engulfed in her reading that she did not notice the baseball game which ensued not far from her hiding place amongst the well-kept yellow rose bed.

"Ouch…what the heck was that?" She gasped as a wayward baseball flew, through the air, hitting Mercedes fare on the side of the head, knocking her glasses to the ground. She dropped her book and her hands grasped her head where the baseball had hit. She felt quite dizzy and lay down holding her head in her hand.

"Oh sh-!" A gasp derived from behind her, "um…hey you!" the voice queried, "Have you seen our baseball?"

Mercedes looked up in a daze and saw a tall blonde boy staring down at her. She knew who he was.

Oh my God! She thought, it's that horrible Evans boy. Damn!

"Well…have you seen it?" He screamed, searching desperately amongst the rose beds.

"Um, well kind sir," she mockingly replied imitating her version of Mrs Bennet from Pride and prejudice, "… do not concern yourself with me, I will be fine, I'm a little dizzy right now…but I'll be with you in just a second."

The young blonde gave a slight chuckle at her reply and continued to search for the ball. Mercedes lay there for a few minutes and watched while the young man ran around looking for his baseball.

Mercedes lay on her back and slowly closed her eyes.

Oh lord, she prayed, I really hate this guy…please help me not to hate him, please help me not to hate him, she then breathed a huge sigh and lifted her arm.

"Here it is!" Mercedes held the hard knitted baseball high in the air with her right hand whilst she lay struggling to contain her tears of pain as she lay on the ground.

"Oh good," Sam took the ball and ran quickly back to his baseball game, while Mercedes chanted please don't hate him, please help me not to hate him Lord, as she slipped into semi unconsciousness.

…..

Mercedes frequented her favorite reading spot each day while her father tended the gardens of Waverly Mansion. It was the most beautiful spot on the entire grounds she swore. When the yellow roses were in bloom its fragrance would waft through the air. A small marble bench graced the entrance of the rose garden and hundreds of varieties of roses bloomed in cohesion their vibrant colors creating a picturesque scene. It was magical. Mercedes would take her throw each day to her special spot where the yellow roses grew. Every day while the roses were in bloom she ensured to take in their beautiful fragrance.

One week following her misfortune with the unruly baseball she returned to her favorite spot. Breathed in their fragrance, placed her weaved throw on the ground and proceeded to read her book. She had been there not ten minutes when she felt a warm presence surround her, the warm feeling embraced her. Mercedes tried to shrug it off and began unbuttoning her thick jacket thinking she was hot. Suddenly a familiar gruff voice emanated from behind her.

"What are you reading?!"

Mercedes turned to greet her would be acquaintance and saw it was the same young boy who she had encountered previously. She began praying under her breath, "Oh no not him! Lord please help me not to hate him," silently chanting her silent mantra over and over again.

So he continued, "What are you reading?"

Mercedes had been taught from a young age that you do not speak to the Evans family unless they address you first. And answers were to be brief and concise. She had seen her parents and her grandparents readily address the Evans family with the utmost respect and loyalty. Mercedes Jones was only 14 years old but she had decided that she would not treat them in like fashion.

She avoided the Evans family as much as possible so as not to compromise her beliefs. They were arrogant bigots she believed and frankly the only reason Mercedes even stepped foot on their property was because she had to wait for her father to finish tending the gardens. Respect should be earned not automatically given, she thought. She had read enough of the Bronte sisters and Jane Austin to believe that she should not bow to such arrogant beings, Elizabeth Bennet was her heroine. Thus she silently continued her mantra knowing that her temper could get the best of her.

"Pride and prejudice," she replied feigning a smile.

"So you haven't finished it yet?" He mused.

"No," she replied, and waited for any other ensuing questions.

There was silence for a couple of minutes while Sam Evans prepared to sit on the manicured lawn near Mercedes. Mercedes waited for more questions but he did not say a word. He just sat pensively beside her.

Mercedes side eyed him then mockingly began, "Oh kind sir, if you have no further questions…May I continue reading my book?" and quickly rolled her eyes.

Sam looked sideways at Mercedes and mumbled, "oh yeah." and waved his hand in the air acknowledging her query.

Mercedes smirked and mockingly wailed, "Oh, thank you, kind sir!" and continued reading.

Sam chuckled then queried. "Haven't y'all read that book yet?"

"Ah, Yes I have, Mr Evans." Mercedes replied.

"I thought so…" Sam retorted, "that's the book you were reading when the baseball hit you? Why are you reading it again then? If you ask me that's a waste of time."

At first she was taken aback. Hmmm... how on earth did he notice the book and ignore my pain? Arrogant sod, she thought. Then placing a fake smile on her oval shaped face she pretended to acknowledge his remark. Mercedes really wanted to tell him it was none of his business and no one even asked you, and she wanted to tell him to get away from her but she returned to her book ignoring his query and mumbled under her breath, "Jesus help me!" over and over again.

They sat in silence again and Sam stood, dusted the back of his jeans and proceeded to walk off towards the direction of Waverly Mansion. Mercedes raised her head slightly and noticed something fall from his back jean pocket. She moved to collect it and cried,

"Mr Evans you've dropped something," As she stooped to pick it up her eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh!" she gasped, "I-It is the first edition of Spider man," her almond shaped eyes looked at the magazine as if it were the most prized possession in the world.

"Oh my gosh!" She yelled again jumping up and down, "it's the first edition of Spiderman the 1962 edition!" smiled then spun around handing it to Sam who was now in front of her.

"Yeah," he replied nonchalantly, "it's one of the-"

"Rarest comics in the world!" Mercedes completed his sentence.

"Hey…yeah, how do you know?!" Sam looked at her inquisitively.

"Because, look!" Mercedes ran to grab her satchel and took out her almanac, as an almost austere persona overtook her, looking quite serious at Sam she methodically flipped through the pages pressing her glasses closer to the bridge of her nose and responded ever so sternly,

"Ok Mr Evans, this is my comic inventory and look at this page…see…there is only one other rare Spiderman comic it was the 1932 edition…" then she quickly closed it and spoke firmly once again, "I belong to the Mountain View Comic Book Club. We are serious, and I mean serious aficionados of the Comic book Empire."

"Afici- what?" Sam smirked

"Aficionados…aka enthusiast, devotees, etcetera, etcetera, the keepers of the flame." She solemnly responded.

Sam wanted to giggle at her solemnity but held his laughter. He thought he was a comic book geek but she took the cake. He eyed her seriousness and thought, she is really kind of cute…eww, did I actually think that…stop it, stop that right now, Sam Evans' he chastised himself.

Then as Mercedes returned her almanac to its home her persona changed again and she gazed out into the distance in wonderment. "You are so lucky, Mr Evans".

"Here, you can have it if you want," he smiled.

"Oh no…I can't take it Mr Evans…Hell to the Nah. That is one expensive comic there sir!" she retorted.

Sam chuckled at her expression. Mercedes sat back down on her blanket once again her face still filled with awe. She was almost in a trance like state.

"Hey, are you ok?" Sam walked toward her and snapped his fingers in front of her. Mercedes broke from her trance and smiled.

"Oh Mr Evans" she smiled. "Thank you!" And gave him a quick hug, but jumped instantly as that warm feeling enveloped her again and realised what she was doing.

She then smiled and said. "Oh...this is the greatest day of my life…I touched it…oh, I have to tell my friends at the club…they will be amazed!"

Mercedes proceeded to collect her possessions and quickly headed to the staff quarters on the opposite side of Waverly Mansion.

Sam stood upright and ran his fingers through his blond locks.

"What on earth just happened?" he thought to himself.

….

Sam lay in his bed thoroughly scolding himself for being a blithering mess when it came to Mercedes Jones. Sam didn't even like to say her name because just the mention of it made him buckle. After chastising his weakness when it came to her for a good hour he smiled as he thought of the first time he met Mercedes Jones.

Sam's parents did not fraternize with the help. And nor did Sam really except for that one day where fate pulled them together. Since they first met Sam would find Mercedes in her same spot. Each time he would bring a new comic or they would just sit and chat about super hero trivia or anything else which came to mind. Sam would never admit it but he enjoyed spending time with Mercedes Jones, however, being with her, kind of scared him too. The day they met at that spot Sam was actually quite concerned and wanted to see if she was ok but pride and ignorance overcame him. He had rarely spoken to any one of another race. Not Japanese or Chinese, no one. He only spoke to true blue Americans as his father would put it, whatever that meant.

Sam noticed everything that day, he noticed the yellow sundress she wore which had flecks of blue, he noticed the weaved brown woolen throw she sat on, he noticed the brown satchel which sat to her right side, he even noticed the title of the book she was reading. But most of all he noticed her warm beautiful brown eyes which almost glistened against the sun's rays, in a few seconds Sam was captivated by Mercedes and he so wanted to check to see if she was ok but realized who he was and the expectations of he and his family, so he quickly readjusted his thinking, collected himself and mentally repeated…stop that stop that right now Sam Evans forget all that, objective number one find the ball and live in reality, think reasonably Sam.

Therefore from that day on Sam always felt he had to try to reason his attraction to Mercedes. If Sam couldn't find reason he created one. One time his school project was to focus on historical events in America. Sam decided to focus on African American History. Not that he actually cared but he needed a reason to excuse his stalker like behavior with Mercedes.

Sam found his time with Mercedes to be very-he wasn't quite sure how to deem it, interesting? She was very interesting. She enjoyed what he enjoyed and she even laughed at his impressions, she was funny, quirky and they had so much in common. Trying profusely to condone their relationship Sam Evans thought, ok Evans, get as much info for your research, this is good for my research, he thought. Suffice to say he actually received a D minus but deserved a Z minus. His paper was a dismal failure because it required so much more than the doodling's of Mercedes Jones and the Jones family.

The more time he spent with Mercedes the more enamored he became with her. But he could not bring himself to admit his feelings for her. Each day he tried to find a reasonable excuse after another to be with her.

…..

Mercedes couldn't believe that this young man before her was an Evans. They spoke so casually. Maybe too casually for her liking and she couldn't believe he seemed so nice. She didn't even have to continue her mantra to pervade hate. They joked about their first meeting and his callous attitude. And Mercedes would always greet him with "are you still an obnoxious jerk, Sam Evans?"

…..

Mercedes and Sam spent as much time together over the summer as they could. They enjoyed each other's company. Sometimes, however, their relationship was strained as reality reared its ugly head.

"Damn, he's gonna miss!" Sam shook his head in frustration.

Sam and Mercedes sat in the employee's entertainment lounge watching the New York Yankees versus the Oakland Athletics playoffs, the 15 year olds sat eyes glued to the television set.

Then suddenly without warning Sam yelled, "C'mon you black b-! "

"Sam Evans you had better choose your words carefully!" Mercedes yelled.

"Shit, sorry, Mercy. I forgot you were here!"

Mercedes huffed. Stood and quickly strode to the door.

"C'mon Mercy…don't go…you know I never meant it."

With that the door slammed in his face and Mercedes was gone. Sam wanted to watch the rest of the game but he knew he had a mission to complete. He ran after her.

"I'm so sorry Mercy…please…stop Mercy. You know I don't mean anything by what I say. I just don't know how to stop it!"

Mercedes stood before him, a scowl on her face and arms crossed sternly in front of her. "So if I wasn't here Sam Evans you would have said it?"

Sam rubbed his forehead in frustration looked in Mercedes eyes. Eyes he knew he couldn't lie to.

"Yeah, I guess I probably would have," He whispered.

"Sam Evans, I do not know why I am your friend, I must need a brain transplant, you are a damn bigot and an out an out racist!" She screamed.

"No, I am not." Sam grumbled, "some of my best friends are black!" he grimaced.

Mercedes stomped her foot, "I am your only black friend and the only other minorities you interact with are those who work for you and your family, and that's just to spew orders. Come to think of it Sam, if this is how you always feel why do you always hang around me?

"B-because…you're fun!" He apprehensively replied.

"But I am also black Sam or are you blind."

"I don't care, I don't see what colour you are!"

"You don't see colour?! Then why did you see his colour when he missed the ball then? Why didn't you say something else, why refer to his colour?"

"I…ur…um I don't know it's a habit I guess, I never meant anything by it."

"Well habit or not Sam it is unacceptable, you had better wake up and smell the coffee cause that's the colour I am and the way you denigrate black people or any other people denigrates me too."

Sam pushed his hands into his jean pockets and bit his bottom lip, "I'm sorry Mercy but I don't know- I don't-"

Mercedes huffed in frustration, then breathed in, silently chanting her mantra, help me Jesus, which became focal in times such as these. Then finally spoke.

"Look Sam, we are from totally different worlds, maybe in another universe this could work better but frankly I have put up with your little snide remarks about different ethnicities and Sam Evans I have had it up to here," she motioned lifting her right hand high above her head.

"What does that mean Mercy, does that mean you won't be my f-friend anymore?" He stumbled.

"I don't know what it means!" she finally huffed.

"I could try better?" Sam whispered.

Mercedes took a deep breath then exhaled, "You better try super hard Sam," looking up in the air for inspiration she then breathed, "please Sam, please just try."

"Ok Mercy, I have been trying and promise I will keep trying, but…you know I'm a lot better than when you first met me don't you think?" he whispered peering through his blond locks which had fallen in front of his eyes hindering his vision.

Mercedes frowned then moved toward him and taking him in her arms.

"Yeah Sammy, I know you try," she breathed.

…

17 year old Mercedes sat on the lawn with another novel, quietly humming a tune while she read. Suddenly she heard that familiar voice once again.

"Hello stranger."

Mercedes smiled "Sam!" She jumped and placed her arms around his neck. "Are you still an obnoxious jerk, Sammy?"

"Yep…true to form, Mercy. You know me." Sam smirked.

Mercedes always spent spring break in Tennessee but now lived in Lima with her grandparents. She was now a senior at Lima High. Sam recalled the day she told him she was going to live with her grandparents.

It was the day after Mercedes celebrated her 16th birthday. Sam and Mercedes played baseball in the yard. Sam practising his baseball pitches for his team.

As Mercedes and Sam tossed the ball to and fro, Mercedes decided to bring up her moving. She didn't want to move, because she knew she would miss Sam too much, sure he could be cold and callous at times and could be a true blue bigot, but he made her laugh and they had fun so yes, she would miss him.

Mercedes parents insisted she move to Lima. Things at the Evans household were getting more and more complicated as Dwight Evans became ill and tension filled the air. Mr and Mrs Jones were tired of the snide remarks they received, they were tired of being treated like second class citizens. Mr and Mrs Jones knew they needed the employment but they did not want their daughter to be part of the Evans life anymore. They had endured the Evans distain for other races and knew how headstrong their daughter was and that it would only be time before she would go loggerheads with the Evans family, so they decided to protect her. There was no ifs, but's or maybe's. Mercedes was going no matter what.

As the baseball met her mitt covered hand Mercedes held it.

"Here throw me the ball!" Sam smiled.

She threw it to him then they continued to toss it back and forth.

Ok Sam, she thought, here goes. "Sam!" she began.

"Yep Mercy," he smiled.

"I'm moving to Lima."

Sam allowed the ball to zip pass as he stood dumbfounded staring straight into Mercedes eyes.

"Wh-what did you say Mercy?!"

Mercedes stepped closer toward Sam casting her eyes toward the ground.

"I'm moving to Lima," she whispered.

"As in…Ohio?" He queried.

"Y-yes," she hesitantly replied.

Sam didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do but what he did next he wished he had never done. Sam turned around and strode angrily to his home. Mercedes followed him, tears in her eyes.

"Sammy, talk to me, please! PLEASE Sammy. Look I'll be back every spring break. I promise. We can write to each other and…and-"

Mercedes tried desperately to keep up with Sam and explain solutions to continue their friendship at the same time. Sam walked through the front doors and slammed them shut preventing Mercedes from following him any further. He walked directly to his room and sat seething and practically speechless staring aimlessly out his balcony windows.

Sam never realised but that would be the last time he would see Mercedes for some time. That day was to be her last day in Tennessee. When Sam had calmed down 24 hours later he walked to their area of the garden to find Mercedes was nowhere to be found. He walked around the grounds desperately trying to find her and happened across Mr Jones tending one of the flower beds.

"Hello Mr Evans," Mr Jones grumbled.

"Hello M-Mr Jones," Sam stammered.

Sam was wracked with nerves. He needed to find out where Mercedes was but didn't know how to ask him. He was too afraid to ask him. As if Mr Jones could read his mind, he ceased his work and looked up toward the young figure standing before him.

"Mr Evans, if you are looking for Mercedes she left for Lima this morning."

"Who?" Sam lied, "I-I'm not looking for anyone."

Mr Jones turned back to his task and mumbled, "True Evans style."

Sam turned around and ran back to their spot in the garden, jaw fixed and paced back and forth, don't you dare cry! He growled, don't you dare cry, Sam Evans. Then he stopped pacing and looked hesitantly at the spot where Mercedes always sat and Sam Evans did what he had been trying to prevent, Sam sobbed, he sobbed incessantly and cried, "I'm sorry Mercy. I'm sorry," and finally fell to his knees.

…

Sam waited till spring break for Mercedes to return. It had been a long seven months. He tried sleuthing in his father's office for her number or even an address. Even his conniving hints toward Mercedes parents didn't budge a number from them. Little did he know was that all they wanted for him to do was ask. But stubbornness and pride was always Sam Evans downfall.

Sam had missed Mercedes every day since she had left. He was supposed to go with a few of his friends to the Hamptons for spring break but decided against it. He wanted to see Mercedes. She had promised she would be back. And Sam would wait for her right in their garden until she returned. Sam never apologised for anything but now he felt he had to ask her forgiveness for being such an obnoxious pig the day she told him she was leaving. Sam shuddered each time he recollected the events of that day.

Therefore, Sam nervously sat in their spot in the rose garden waiting for the day that Mercedes would return.

No, I am not here waiting for her, he would justify, I just happen to be resting here, he thought.

Then his mind started to play havoc with him.

What if she doesn't come? What if she goes somewhere else for spring break?

Every day he sat in the same spot reading his comic books just waiting. But not waiting as he put it.

One day, as he lay on the ground looking at the clouds he heard the all too familiar hum of Mercedes approaching the rose garden. Sam's heart began to race. He quickly stood tidying and checking his appearance. He was noticeably nervous.

What are you doing Evans? He scolded himself. You're acting like someone with a damn crush. Get a grip. Its only Mercedes!

Then his mind wandered, What if she hates me? I would hate me. What if? What if?

Before he could think any more there she stood. His green eyes met her beautiful brown eyes. And then she smiled her beautiful smile.

"Sammy!" she screamed and ran towards him throwing her arms around his neck. "Are you still as obnoxious as ever, Sam Evans?" She beamed.

He smiled back at her, "You know me, Mercy," and pulled her into an embrace.

Sam's mind was in a daze, he didn't want to admit how he was feeling but he was so ecstatic. He felt like re-enacting all those cliché moments you see in the movies, like shouting his happiness from the rooftops. Sam wanted to just take this moment and capture it, and just for a second, he wasn't Sam Evans the heir to the Evans Empire and just for a second he ignored the echoes of the years of subliminal racism etched within him. Right now, he was just Sam, just Sam with his dear friend Mercy. So as he held her he allowed himself to feel how he was feeling for that one brief moment, no excuses, no justification.

Who wants the Hamptons, he thought breathing in her scent, when I have Mercy.

So there you have it! I hope it's ok. Please review/comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it. You are Beautifully Beautiful.