Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Here"
By: Alessia Cara
(I guess right now you've got the last laugh)
I'm sorry if I seem uninterested
Or I'm not listenin' or I'm indifferent
Truly, I ain't got no business here
But since my friends are here
I just came to kick it but really
I would rather be at home all by myself not in this room
With people who don't even care about my well-being
I don't dance, don't ask, I don't need a boyfriend
So you can go back, please enjoy your party
I'll be here, somewhere in the corner under clouds of marijuana
With this boy who's hollering I can hardly hear
Over this music I don't listen to and I don't wanna get with you
So tell my friends that I'll be over here
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here oh oh oh
I ask myself what am I doing here?
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here
And I can't wait till we can break up outta here
Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this
An anti-social pessimist but usually I don't mess with this
And I know you mean only the best and
Your intentions aren't to bother me
But honestly I'd rather be
Somewhere with my people we can kick it and just listen
To some music with the message (like we usually do)
And we'll discuss our big dreams
How we plan to take over the planet
So pardon my manners, I hope you'll understand it
That I'll be here
Not there in the kitchen with the girl
Who's always gossiping about her friends
So tell them I'll be here
Right next to the boy who's throwing up 'cause
He can't take what's in his cup no more
Oh God why am I here?
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here oh oh oh
I ask myself what am I doing here?
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here
And I can't wait till we can break up outta here
Hours later congregating next to the refrigerator
Some girl's talking 'bout her haters
She ain't got none
How did it ever come to this
I shoulda never come to this
So holla at me I'll be in the car when you're done
I'm standoffish, don't want what you're offering
And I'm done talking
Awfully sad it had to be that way
So tell my people when they're ready that I'm ready
And I'm standing by the TV with my beanie low
Yo I'll be over here
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here oh oh oh
I ask myself what am I doing here?
Oh oh oh here oh oh oh here
And I can't wait till we can break up outta here
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
There are some people who consider high school to be the best time of their lives and then there are others. These remarkable few know what it's like to eat shit and be ignored by most, traveling the hallways having only the passing walls for companionship. Mercedes Jones lived somewhere between the two dark extremes. She had enough friends not to be considered a leper but the sheer amount of people who never bothered to acknowledge her or know her name was disturbing.
Maneuvering through the halls of McKinley Preparatory school, Mercedes kept her portfolio pulled tight into her chest. The century old school held musk of tradition and prestige. It smothered students like Mercedes with a constant reminder of how they didn't belong there.
She longed for a life where people, even the ones who she loved didn't ignore her. A hard fought dream of hers was to be out of that cesspool and in the real world. Could it be any worse? That question always sent a chill up her spine. If no one gave a damn about her here, who's to say that anyone would care out there?
Maybe she was exaggerating when she said that no one cared, that was far from the truth she had friends, a few of them actually. It just seemed as of late that none of them were concerned about what was happening. Mercedes had always been a relatively quiet person but the onset of anxiety had to be noticeable at this point.
People pushed passed and scurried around their classmate as if she were nothing more than the custodians cleaning cart used to clean up after the ungrateful future Ivy Leaguers.
McKinley had a long standing history in the Midwest as prep school for parents, who didn't want their kids all the way in New York, but still far enough to where they could go skiing in the aspens and horseback riding in the Hamptons, without feeling guilty.
Bob Harris the Headmaster of the institution droned on and on about being cautious of whom they bred with. Good breeding could affect what career paths they'd take, their social circles, and even family inheritance if they weren't careful.
Mercedes Jones was not a part of that circle, the circle of biological monetary liquid wealth; a cornucopia, complete with picture perfect skin, godlike bodies and 12k Instagram followers. Literal liquid gold flowing through their veins straight into their bank accounts. McKinley was a legacy school that primarily reserved spots for students whose parents were alumni. Families like the Hudson's, Fabray's, Chang's, Puckerman's and Lopez' just to name a few had pictures of their families spanning back generations. Mercedes Jones grew up in an orphanage, and all she knew of her biological family was that they named her after some actress.
The alumnus that graduated and went on to do amazing things in the arts like win Grammys, Academy Awards, and Tony Awards showed her that anything was possible. Mercedes had always wanted to win one of those; a Grammy. She just wanted for her work to be received on the highest level. Maybe she could soak up some of the promised perfection tucked away for the legacy students. She didn't need a lot, just enough not to fail in the real world.
Mercedes thought of her best friends Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel both aspiring entertainers as well. She had known them since the beginning and ever since they had been attached to her hip in some sense. The downside was that they hated each other with a passion that burned deep. Rachel and Kurt were constantly at each other's throats and Mercedes was left to salvage whatever damage the duo had caused in their wake.
The two used to be friends some time ago but all of that was ruined over a boy. A boy who Rachel declared her love for before cheating on. It caused a bit of a rift in the friendship that could never be mended. Rachel had cheated on Kurt's step brother Finn.
Now the fighting seemed to be worse than ever, now that Rachel and Finn had reconciled and were now dating again. Mercedes noticed that this time was different, both had really grown up and Rachel was no longer vested in other boys around the campus. Kurt, on the other hand, knew they were destined to fail, in fact he was dead set on it happening. He was infuriated that he warned his brother to steer clear of "bird beak Berry", alas, Finn didn't listen. Kurt was going to get rid of Rachel if it was the last thing he'd do at McKinley. Because of this Mercedes engaged in the rules of engagement when those two went at it. The cat fights that she had to break up were now outnumbering the times she had seen them behave in a civil manner.
She had other friends too, like Tina, Jessica, Brittany, Artie, Jane and Ryder but all of whom were wrapped in their own lives also. Tina and Jessica were advocating for LGBT students on campus to have equal protection under the hate crime statute in the school's bylaws. They were tired of the 'queer hunts' and the administration's lack of support.
Jane was voted Miss McKinley after her organized sit-in during the McKinley Men's Luncheon where women's attendance was prohibited. That luncheon had been held for as long as the school had existed and she dismantled it. Brittany and Artie were campaigning for a feature-length film to be shot on campus about student life. The project itself was deemed invasive and held no artistic merit according to Headmaster Harris. The two called Artie's dad who to file a lawsuit against Harris, who is prepared to fight back tooth and nail.
Ryder was involved in some weird love triangle with two students name Marley Rose and Jake Puckerman. Mercedes didn't care for Marley because Ryder didn't deserve that. Having grown up in in the same foster home, Ryder was most special to her. Having defied the odds, both Ohio state wards found their way to one of the premiere institutes of learning in the Midwest. Statistically, they weren't supposed to make it. From the time they were toddlers the two took care of one another but because of this girl she couldn't get him to show up for their weekly movie night.
Life was tough. Junior year had begun a month ago and it was almost time to start filling out college applications. As a matter of fact, she was headed to her advisor, Emma Pillsbury's office to discuss her future in this world. With her portfolio basically glued to her chest, Mercedes kept pushing for the oak doors at the end of the entrance way. With the way her life was shaping up all of that was an afterthought.
Now with the nearly empty hallway, Mercedes could practically breeze through until she felt the wind literally leave her. Her butt hit the ground and skidded backward and she was left unable to brace herself as her arms went flailing. Her music sheets were airborne then floating down like petals in slow motion she looked up to see Brody Weston; the bane of her existence.
"Jones you should really watch where you're going. You could have an accident and hurt someone," Brody sneered.
"Sorry," Mercedes mumbled keeping her eyes on the ground. She began on her hands and knees to gather all of her lost items.
Brody crouched down and watched her for a moment. He watched as she felt around for her papers, her eyes refusing to make contact with his. Smiling he reached out with his index finger to caress her cheek. A nauseating chill caressed her spine.
Wham!
Brody's other hand kissed the back of her neck harshly. He pulled her so close that their noses were able to touch. The pain from where his hand gripped her radiated but the fear from what was about to happen was much worse. Brody took a deep breath as if he were cataloging her scent. His other fingers joined his index finger on her chin. From there they drifted down to her throat. He lifted her effortlessly; her body had gone limp in panic. She had learned a long time ago not to fight him.
"Where have you been, Cedes," Brody whispered pleasantly making sure he opened his wide chest.
Tears started to flood Mercedes bright hazel eyes as pain and humiliation ran like jolts causing a migraine.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Do not fucking play stupid with me! You know damn well I texted you. Who do you think you are not to text me back? "
Mercedes panicked as a sinister smirk passed over his face like demonic possession. She literally vomited at the thought of what he wanted to do to her. She had his personal punching bag and he had gotten so good at it, her friends didn't even register it. As of late his punishments had been taking on a different feel altogether. As of late, she had been avoiding him at all cost.
Brody Weston was McKinley's resident bad boy. Girls fawned over him and his merry band of assholes like they were God's gift to the world. Their affinities for bullying had been awing; you could be thrown into a dumpster one minute and cheer for them at a school game the next. Bile climbed her throat when she felt the hand around her neck tighten. But then laughter stopped as the encroaching noise began to get louder and louder.
Mercedes turned back to look at Brody who had now made his way out of a glass door but not before throwing her a nasty look first. Mercedes was then left to gather her scattered portfolio before the laughter and footsteps found her a mess on the floor. Fetching the last of it, Mercedes ducked into the janitor's closet and left enough for her to catch a slither of the hallway.
Mercedes watched as April Rhodes stomped down the ramp into view twirling in her 6-inch heels. Her Botox smile was plastered on her face giving her the 'Night of the Living Dead' look. Mercedes knew she was giving a tour to a new family.
'One day she's gonna scare one of these poor families off,' Mercedes thought as she tilted her head to see if she could get a look at the sorry suckers.
Mercedes frowned as she watched three blonde skyscrapers tower over Ms. Rhodes who was now twirling about the hallway with her arms outstretched.
The elders of the trio stood close enough to ward off April but their model looks made them a shoe in for the school. They would have been cast perfectly in Lifetime's Flowers in the Attic. Dressed in designer wear the couple seemed no less professional and impersonal than a suit and tie. If being a McKinley Titan has taught her one thing it was to know the haves from the have not's. That family would be considered those who had more than enough for everyone let alone themselves.
What really caught her eye was the young man who seemed to be dragging his feet. Dressed in fitted jeans, black hoodie, and Converses the young man reeked sex appeal even if he hadn't lifted his head. There was no way on God's green earth those two specimens could make something ugly, the world didn't work like that. Broad shoulders with a Captain America look to his structure, Mercedes had to bite her lip to keep her mouth from watering too much. With his hood ghosting over his face, she couldn't get much of a profile but one thing was for sure, he was magazine cover worthy.
Swoosh!
Mercedes watched as his father swiped his hood off his head to warn his son about showing some respect. His mother chastised saying that he should know better. This caused Mercedes to frown and inch the heavy door open wider when the family started to fall out of view.
"Oh my god," Mercedes whispered to herself as she was rewarded with a full view of the young man.
At that moment the janitor snatched the door open and Mercedes tumbled out, her music sheets floating to the floor once again. Mercedes groaned as her knees dropped to the floor; her hands quickly gathering her work.
Her cheeks darkened as all eyes were on her especially a pair of dark green orbs. April Rhodes looked particularly startled and worried as she watched the student scramble to her feet and mumble excuses.
April hushed the girl and waved her forward toward the family. April knew that Mercedes was one of her more well-behaved students and could probably sell the school better than her. She watched as Mercedes smoothed out her red pleated skirt and white collared shirt. April watched as the parents both exchanged confused looks.
"Mr. and Mrs. Evans allow me to introduce you to one of our most promising students here at McKinley Preparatory School. This is-
"Mercedes Jones," a hard voice rang out from behind the couple. Mercedes was greeted with a face she had dreamed about for five long years.
The once playful mischievous starry-eyed boy now gazed her with dark empty spheres that seemed to harden in distaste the long he seemed to look at her.
'Oh God, why am I here,' she thought to herself, wanting nothing more than to sink into the wooden floor boards.
Hello!
It's good to be back! I missed this site so much and I think I'm ready to come back! I haven't forgotten about my other story Some Kind of Wonderful, I just took a break and now that I'm back its good I'll get to revisit it. After Cory passed away I didn't feel right continuing my previous story, mainly because he was one the primary antagonist. I'll find my way around that, I hope.
On to McKinley Playlist, this story is one that I have been sitting on for quite some time and I wanted to go ahead and put it out there. Before I go any further, this is a very DARK story and debatable happy endings for all the characters.
All characters in this story will be pulled from Glee Wiki, not one character I mention will be of my own creation. The characters themselves will be stretched to emotion capacity and they are not in harmony whatsoever with the Glee universe. As a writer, you reserve the right, especially with Fanfiction to manipulate to your desired level. Please don't be offended by the content BUT be warned.
Let me know, how you feel man...