Hey guys! I'm slowly updating and adding a new fic! yay! Hope you guys enjoy! If you do, I'll continue this!
Artie felt his heart sank as Sam continued to describe the girl of his dreams. Even his worst nightmare wouldn't match up to how this felt. Before Sam could say the name of the girl he had been talking about, Artie parted his lips slowly and held up his hands. "No need. I know who you're talking about." He tried to look playful. Sam's words wouldn't and couldn't hurt him. He was his best friend after all. "Are you telling her?" his voice cracked as he picked up his fork and began to separate the string beans on his tray from the fish and cheese. He hated Fishy Fridays and now he officially hated them even more. Resting his cheek on his fist, his eyes remained fixated on the small piece of vegetable that resembled Ryan Seacrest. He wondered if this was the inspiration behind Quinn's tattoo and slowly but surely his mind wandered to Quinn's raspy voice against the shell of his ear and for a split second, everything was okay. Until Sam spoke again.
"Yeah." Sam smiled widely, tossing a few skittles into his mouth. He observed as his best friend played with his food-a pet peeve of his and shrugged it off as he thought about the girl he had his eyes on since the night at the beach. "I mean…it was summer and we both sort of talked about how 'this is as far as this goes'. Totally mutual. I was supposed to go off to Kentucky and…"
"You didn't." Artie grumbled.
"Hah! No. You sound almost resentful, Arturo." Sam chuckled and opened up his newest comic, flipping through the pages. "And well, time has passed. I'm still here. McKinley's huge and what were the odds of us finding each other in that glee club?"
Artie scoffed and looked up. "Dude. You know she loves that glee club and that Troubletones group is how she spends her time off so don't like this is brand new."
Sam stopped flipping the pages of his book and looked over to his friend for a moment. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Nothing." Artie wiped his mouth and pushed his tray in. "I'm done." He grabbed his books and placed them on his lap, turning his chair to leave.
"What the hell?" Sam stood up and walked in front of Artie's chair. "Where are you going?"
"Sam, get out of my way." Artie shifted to pass Sam.
Staring at the empty before him, Sam reacted and turned to follow his friend out of the cafeteria. "Did I say something wrong? How am I supposed to know why you're acting like a douche bag if you don't explain yourself! Artie! I'm talking to you!" He walked after him and picked up his pace as Artie did as well.
Finally stopping and closing his eyes tightly, Artie took a deep breath. "Remember fifth grade? I really, really wanted to join Mac's tree house. It was stupid but I wanted it and I worked hard to get in. I did everything he asked. I passed the famous "Mac Chaney Test of loyalty" and he promised…" Artie exhaled. "Forget it…."
"Are you really dogging on me because Mac Chaney asked me to be a part of the club and not you? Dude, that was years ago and I thought you said you didn't care about Mac and his dumb tree house. That's why we made our gang back in eighth grade. That's why we're mad tight. Me, you, Mike, Puck, Finn, Quinn, and Rachel. We're all good now."
"Jesus." Artie shook his head. "Mac picked you because you're not in a fucking wheel chair. Do I need to spell everything out for you, Sam!?"
Sam stared at his friend quizzically. "Okay. That's bullshit. He thought you were whiny. Which is also bullshit. And I'll take the sass because I know you're upset." He chuckled and playfully hit his friend's arm. "Let's skip the rest of the day. Maybe we can get Quinn to come with us. I think the air in here has got you loopy."
"Nah. I'm good." Artie didn't know how to explain his obvious jealousy. "I thought you wanted to talk to…"
"Mercedes!" Sam perked up and Artie rolled his eyes almost immediately. "Hey. Did you get my text?"
The pretty girl smiled, waving at the two boys and stopping in front of Sam. "Hey, Sam. I did. What did you want to talk to me about? I have a couple of minutes before my next class." She looked over to Artie and winked. "Hey Artie! I loved your presentation on Ebola today. Ever think about getting into public speaking?"
"Well…" Artie's cheeks flushed as he turned on the charm.
"I thought maybe we could go get ice-cream later. The gang's gonna be busy and I'm all alone tonight so…" Sam bit his bottom lip.
"Careful, Sam. Keep talking like that and I'll believe all those stories about your little gang…" Mercedes suddenly only had eyes for Sam as her eyes remained fixated on his mouth. "But sure. Pick me up at eight. If you're late, I'll just have to keep you out longer."
"I might be late."
"I might have hoped for that."
The two went back and forth and Artie cringed. "I'll see ya'll later."
Mercedes giggled and waved at the boy. "I'll see you in Science, Arts! Sit next to me tomorrow. I want to show you the numbers I got. They might be a little different than yours."
"You just want to be close to me." Artie teased, ignoring his best friend.
"You got me!" Mercedes laughed and then looked over to Sam. "See you tonight, Sam. Bye, Artie!" She turned on her heels and walked towards her next class as the two boys admired her figure from behind.
"Damn." Sam muttered before Artie got the chance. He looked over to his friend and smiled. "So, we cutting or what?"
"I'm going to class." Artie said no more and wheeled away, leaving Sam in the middle of the hallway.
"I swear that boy loses his shit every other week."
"Talking about my man?" Quinn flicked Sam in the back of his head and laughed at his discomfort. "What's up with him, anyway?" She watched as Artie disappeared and tried not to frown. She had been spending a lot more one on one time with him lately, telling her overbearing parents Artie was giving her some much needed tutoring. If they had paid an ounce of attention to her, they'd know she didn't need the tutoring. The only extra-curricular activity that interested her existed in Abram's pants. Their afternoons together, while well spent, left her with an ache in her chest she hoped would disappear and when it didn't, she feared what it meant. "Hello? Earth to Sam Evans?"
"Sorry." Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know what's wrong with him. Cut class with me?"
"Hell no. I already got detention for setting that piano on fire. Why do you wanna cut? I thought you and Mrs. Hynes were getting it on while she read you Plath." Quinn teased and cackled at her friend.
"Lame. Nah. Don't even play like that. I'm trying to keep my lunch down. I guess I'll cut alone."
"Who's lame now?" Quinn walked to her locker and pulled out her History book. "Listen, I'm meeting Artie later for tutoring but I'm going to be late. Mother decided to take me shoe shopping." She spoke dryly, staring aimlessly into her locker. "It's her peace offering for fucking up my debutante ball."
"I thought you hated those things anyway." Sam leaned against her locker and turned to face her. "But you were a sight in that dress. Artie couldn't keep his eyes off you."
Quinn rolled her eyes and laughed. "You had your chance, Sammy." They constantly went back and forth but it never actually meant anything. Quinn and Sam were always better off as friends. "Mother hates my hair. She's trying to apologize AND get me to change at the same time. I'll never win. But I'll make her work. Do you need anything?" She eyed Sam for a moment. "Like a new shirt? That's not going to work for your date with Mercedes."
"How the hell do you know these things?" Sam looked down at his Glassjaw shirt. "And what's wrong with this?"
"You're picking her up? I'm sure her father would appreciate some bearded lamo showing up in a shirt with the devil on it. Extra brownie points if you keep the lip ring in." she whispered and smiled evilly.
"Fucks sake. Fine. A shirt. One of those fancy ones."
"Don't say I never do anything for you. I'll bring it by after I'm done with Artie. NOT a word." Quinn silenced Sam by placing a finger on his lips. She didn't want to hear him teasing her about her feelings again.
"Thanks. I owe you." he laughed, his eyes narrowing to stare at her finger. He opened his mouth to bite it when she pulled away, rolling her eyes. "Lame." He laughed and followed her. "I'll walk you. Don't let your mother get to you."
"Says the guy who's looking to cut class because…?"
"Nevermind that. I mean it, Quinn." They both remained silent as he walked her to AP History and Sam waved goodbye.
He walked to the exit, dodging the security with a lot on his mind; his date with Mercedes, Quinn's issues with her mom, Artie being moody again and cutting class to sit in the park browsing through . There had to be a job that would hire him. His little brother's life depended on it.