'Mercedes, baby.' Puck was standing next to her locker, giving her what seemed to be the most sexy look he could muster.
'What do you want, Puckerman?' she said, rolling her eyes. She shut her locker door and started walking down the hall, not looking back at the boy who was running to catch up with her.
'Hey! Wait! I just wanted to know if you wanted to go out sometime?'
Mercedes stopped abruptly, turned and looked at Puck incredulously. She had a flashback to last year, and her horrible, embarassing fight with Santana. Narrowing her eyes, she raised an eyebrow at Puck, daring him to go further. He didn't, only stood there, his chest heaving as if he had just run a mile.
'Why?' she asked suspiciously. 'What about Santana? Or Rachel? Or all your other girlfriends?' Puck looked around nervously at the crowded hallway, then leaned in a little so Mercedes could hear him better.
'They aren't like you.'
'What do you mean?' She scoffed. Mercedes herself thought that she was pretty and talented, but no one else but Kurt ever did. The last time Puck had complimented her had been because he needed to use her. It wasn't going to be like that this time. He opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off. 'Puck, why do you need me this time? I'm not on the Cheerios anymore. I can't give you anything. And I know you don't think I'm hot like Brittany and Santana and Rachel.'
'That's not true,' he said quietly, though she could hardly hear it because of the noise in the hallway. Mercedes snorted dryly.
'You're lying.' She set off once more, determined not to be late for Spanish class.
'No, I'm not. I think you're…' Puck took a deep breath as he followed her. 'Beautiful.'
'Are you kidding me right now? Because I will not be walked all over like last time. I am not a doormat, Puckerman.' They stopped outside the door to their class, Mercedes glaring at Puck. He fidgeted, shifting from foot to foot.
'No. I'm not lying. I'm not a liar.' He was tired of people not believing him and never trusting him. He sighed. 'I just wanted to take you out to dinner, or something. It won't be like last time.'
'Fine. I'll give you a second chance. Friday at eight. Pick me up, and don't be a second late.' Puck nodded vigorously and without another word, Mercedes walked into the room, leaving the football player awestruck and shellshocked in the hall.