(Five Years Later...)

"I can't believe she won!" Tina squeals. "This is so amazing."

"You say it like you had no idea she could kill it!" I laugh prouder than a PTA mom. "But you're right...this is epic."

We all sit there a moment basking in the success of our friend.

Its crazy. Rachel has always been this intense force to be reckon with... someone who made me work harder, be better than I ever imagined just to prove that I could hold my own. And now that I have, I can be happy for her and truly appreciate how talented she is.

Kurt whips out his cellphone and begins dialing fiercely.

"So...ya'll know this means the after party is gonna be sick" Artie grins wiggling his eyebrows up and down and we laugh.

"Especially once everybody get's here" Blaine smiles excitedly standing up to get another drink.

"What are you talking about? We're all here" I say looking at him.

"Not...quite."

"Oh, you mean Quinn and Puck and Mike?" Tina chimes in.

"And Sam..."

Inside my heart clenches. I can feel my pulse clamp tight and quicken within my body from just the sound of his name and every bittersweet memory we had starts replaying itself in my head starting at the very beginning. Prom.

"Mercedes? MER-CED-ES JONES! HELLO!" Kitty waves a hand trying to reclaim my attention and I shake my head coming back to the present.

"Uh-yeah. Sam. Great. Cool."

"Here we go" Artie teases.

"No. We're not going anywhere. Its just-"

"EVERYTHING'S COOL. WE'RE JUST FRIENDS. THAT'S IT" The group recites and my jaw drops.

"Yeah. Where have we heard that before" Kitty teases.

"Its true" I protest. "You know what? I'm cool..and to prove it," I say standing up. "I'm gonna get another drink. Who's with me?"

They all look at me a little weird but another drink or two in it doesn't even matter because I'm already feeling it. I'm not drunk but by the time Rachel and Jesse get here, its pretty clear that I'm a little more than 'happy'.

"Look who's here to join the party?!" Rachel says poking her Tony through the door first and we all let out another cheer.

Each of us take our turns congratulating her and she soaks it up as gracefully as Rachel Berry can.

"MERCEDES! YOU MADE IT!" She says rushing over to hug me and we squeeze each other tightly.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss this for anything! Well, maybe another tour with Beyonce..."

She hits my shoulder and I laugh.

"Just kidding" I grin. "I am so proud of you."

"Thank you. Thank you so much" she says embracing me again. "Like this Tony belongs to you as much as it does to me."

"Girl, please. You sang your ass off in that role-"

"But I'm serious" she says cutting me off. "You were the one who encouraged me to come back here and conquer New York. And I wouldn't even have gotten this if you hadn't given me some of your tough love."

"Stop. That's what friends do" I say grabbing the sides of her shoulders. "This is your night, and I'm not taking it. Because when its my turn, you can best believe I'm not sharing...so...soak it up Berry."

"That's Mrs. St. James" Jesse smiles butting into our moment.

"Oh, I forgot...you did marry Jesse St. Jerk-"

"All these years, and your insults still have no effect" he says and Rachel rolls her eyes.

"Will you two cut it out, you've probably got the strongest relationship out of all of us."

Jesse laughs grabbing me in a hug and I kiss his cheek.

Its strange how people and relationships change in so little time. Like when I first found out that Rachel was talking to him again, I was upset. Like of all people how could she choose him. Not to mention that one time I gave a flawless performance And it took a while for us to form a friendship, but we somehow worked it out. And I find it funny how Rachel and I swapped BFFs...she has Kurt and I have Jesse and somehow we're all happy.

"Did you hear who's coming?" He whispers low and I nod.

"Although a heads-up from you would've been nice" I say and he winces.

"Don't look at me...look at Rachel."

My eyes immediately go to look at her but she's somehow slinked off to talk to Tina and Artie.

"You'll be fine. You look amazing-"

"Its whatever" I rush. "I'm fine."

He looks at me and chuckles.

"What? I am."

"Good."

"ALRIGHT! EVERYONE TO THE PARTY BUS!" Kitty squeals dancing a bit in place.

Artie wheels in front of me already starting to dance in his seat and I roll my eyes before grabbing my purse to follow them out.

We all legit pitched in to pay for this bus because we knew this night was gonna be crazy...regardless if Rachel won or not because this was like a reunion. Just about all of us were flying in and the only ones who couldn't make were Britney and Santana, but they'll be here by tomorrow.

This day was supposed to be awesome and now I just feel conflicted.

Like, I wanna see Sam but then I don't.

"Its gonna be okay" Tina says sitting next to me.

I let out a huge sigh as the driver weaves in between the streets of Manhattan. We stop at the Marquee, which is one of the hottest clubs in the city and a small team of security usher us into the VIP section.

Its crazy that we're actually doing this. Each of us living our dream or close to it. Walking into clubs, flashing lights of the paparazzi treating us like we own the world. Its the second greatest feeling ever. They lead us to a series of couches and before I can even register what's happening, a pair of arms hugs me from behind.

"DIVA!" She sings loudly so her voice can carry over the bass.

I can't even be upset turning around to see Quinn and I practically lose it.

"I'm so glad to see you, but I should be mad! We were supposed to meet up months ago-"

"I know. I know. I know. But Puck didn't get leave so we couldn't see you in London" she apologizes. "I'm sorry we missed your concert."

"Hm-hmm" I sass hugging her tight. "Where is Noah?"

"At the bar with-" She stops. "At the bar."

"You knew too?" I say. "How did everyone but me know?"

"We just didn't want to say anything. We know that situation is...delicate."

"Delicate?" I repeat. "How many times do I have to say everything between Sam and I is fine?"

Quinn looks at me with a wince. "You look beautiful" she says fixing my hair.

I roll my eyes.

"Come on" she tugs lightly at my arm. "We're just here to have a good time, okay?"

I nod and then her face changes into a panic.

"Oh my God! There he is."

I legit stop breathing and she looks worried.

"Mercedes, babe...It was just a joke" she says trying to calm me down. "He's not here. Okay? You're good."

I exhale hard and she laughs. I pinch her and she tries to quiet it down into a chuckle before greeting everybody else.

I sit down on one of the corners of the couch and bury my face in my hands and I hear a glass set down on the table before hearing his voice. And its crazy because as soon as I hear it, its like we're alone. Even with all of the music and commotion of a dance club, he still comes in loud and clear. Like my brain is wired for only for him.

"Mercedes Jones."

I inhale deep through my nose and let it out slow...

I'm not sure what happens when I'm around Sam, but I go from a complete nervous mess into this calm and cool, collected person who seems determined to prove that we have no chemistry.

I sweep my hair to the side and greet him with a warm smile.

"Hello Sam."

A/N: alright so that's the first part.