So, dinner was over. Finally. Mercedes told Sam she was going to walk her back-up singers to their train station. She once again sent Sam on his way home alone, much like she'd done earlier that day.
Sam was feeling the effects of the day washing over him. He felt so stupid. When he got nervous, he talked a lot. When he talked a lot, it was all word vomit. Why did he ever think it was a good idea to ask if Tesla's hair was a weave? He knew better than that, but he wasn't thinking. He honestly meant it as a compliment. He thought he'd won them over with the 'Kevin-Hart-Meets-Chris-Tucker' impression. But by the looks on their faces, he knew it was only going to go downhill. Before he knew it, it was just getting worse and worse. And he couldn't stop himself. Damn, why does this always happen to him?
Once he arrived to the apartment, he knew the only thing that would make him feel better would be playing his guitar. It'd been a few months since he'd pulled it out, but singing always made him feel good and cleared his mind. He walked inside the apartment, shrugged off his jacket, and grabbed his guitar. He sat on the chaise and looked out the window for a few moments. Finally he just started playing the first thing that came to his mind…
"My stupid mouth
Has got me in trouble
I said too much again
To a date over dinner yesterday
And I could see
She was offended
She said "well anyway..."
Just dying for a subject change…
He strummed a few strings trying to get the melody right and get his thoughts together. All he could see in his head was the look on Mercedes face when he mentioned the 'Hip Hop Artists being named after cars' word blunder.
"Oh, another social casualty
Score one more for me
How could I forget?
Mama said, "Think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do?
I guess he better find one soon"
He continued to play. It felt good to get his frustrations out the best way he knew how. He just really hoped he didn't mess it up with Mercedes this time. Things were going good, they'd had an amazing time at the river today! Now his social awkwardness at dinner probably ruined everything.
"I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me
Oh I'm never speaking up again
Starting now"
As the intensity of the guitar sped up, Sam started thinking, why was he beating himself up so hard? He just wanted to fit in with her friends. Why was that so bad? He thought for sure he had an 'In' when Mercedes brought up the whole Modeling thing. But that didn't go over too well either. Who doesn't like a Model right?
"One more thing
Why is it my fault?
So maybe I try too hard
But it's all because of this desire
Just wanna be liked
Just wanna be funny
Looks like the joke's on me
So call me "Captain Backfire"
I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me
Oh, I'm never speaking up again
I'm never speaking up again
I'm never speaking up again
Starting now
Starting now…"
Sam played until the melody fizzled out. He laid his guitar to up against the wall in its usual resting place. He took a deep breath and threw his head back, looking up toward the ceiling. He just hoped he hadn't ruined things with Mercedes too much. Well, he'd definitely try to talk to her when she got home. He checked his watch and saw the time. As for now, it was almost 9 o'clock. There were 'Lucky Charms' in the kitchen with his name on it and a re-run of 'Facts of Life' playing on Nick at Night. That would help him feel a bit better too.