Chapter 2 – Facing the music
"Mom, I can't breathe. You're going to bust a lung." Mercedes giggled as her mother squeezed her tighter.
"Oh baby girl I have missed you so much." Said Anita Jones as she finally let her daughter go. "You look good, but you look like you have lost some weight. Are you eating? Are those record producers pressuring you to lose weight?"
"Well yeah they have definitely made a few suggestions, but that is not why the weight has come off. Because I am a backup singer they are not as concern, but I have been told that I have what it take to get my own deal, and I should work on losing some pounds now while no one is focused on me. It's less pressure.
"So what's with the weight lost. I mean you must have dropped at least 25 pounds."
"Honestly, I am so busy I just don't have time to eat like I use to. Truth be told I think my overeating came from being bored and having too much time on my hands. Over the summer I probably dropped 15 pounds because Sam is so active and he had us hiking all over the place, or going to the fair. And it just continued to come off when I got to LA. My schedule just doesn't allow me to overeat. If I'm not in school, then I am at the studio. If I'm not studying for a class; then I am at the dance studio learning a routine, and they also make us work out so we can build up our stamina. Also, everybody in LA is so body conscious that they have a lot more healthy places to eat."
Anita saw that her daughter seem to be ok with the change. She was ok too as long as Mercedes was doing it for the right reasons. "So is your work load ok? It's not all starting to stress you out is it?
"No Mom. Everything is great. I love my classes, and working in the studio is a dream come true. I was also smart and only signed up for 3 classes. Two of them are a piece of cake and similar to AP classes I took at McKinley. The other one is more challenging and I make sure I give it the attention that it needs. I know Dad is not too happy with me pursuing a singing career, so I am not going to give him any reason to tell me to quit and focus on school."
"Oh honey he wouldn't do that." Mercedes gives her a doubtful look. "Ok, maybe he would love to say "I told you so.", but he is also rooting for you."
"Thanks Mom. It's really good to be home." Mercedes hugged her mother, and they continued to talk until her father got home, and took them out to dinner.
-WMHS-
Mercedes smile as she threw her arms around Kurt and Mike. "It is so great to see you guys. I didn't realize how much I have missed you both until this moment."
"Stop Cedes are you will start me to crying, and you know I am a ugly crier." Said Kurt as he wiped away a runaway tear.
"Wow Cedes you look great. LA is really agreeing with you. How is UCLA and singing backup for some auto tuned artist?" Asked Mike as he smiled at Mercedes. He had gotten closer to her since his break up with Tina. He had been surprised when one day she Skype with him to see how he was doing. Tina and he had both mutually agreed to break up, but it still hurt to lose her. Mercedes had supported them both through the break up. He and Mercedes continued to Skype. At first it was only him getting support, but eventually he had gotten her to open up about Sam.
Mercedes threw her head back and laughed. "OMG, me and the other backup singers have a good laugh about some of the artist. I mean all of us are 10 times better than this girl we are backing up, but she is the one with the deal." Mercedes rolled her eyes at the Music Industry. "Sorry, I guess I sound like Rachel right then, but really it is so frustrating some times."
"Tell me about it. Some of the people at Vogue are wearing last season clothes. Some don't have any sense of style at all, and yet I am the intern." Kurt did his own eye roll.
"There you guys are." Said Finn. "Mercedes, wow look at you. You look great." Finn gives her a hug while picking her up off the ground. "Thanks guys for taking time out of your schedule to do this for us. We can really use your help. Come on I will take you to Glee club. I know there are a few people that will be happy to see you all."
Mercedes reluctantly follow the guys to Glee club. As they approached the threshold Mercedes takes a deep breath. "You can do this." She chants to herself.
-Sam-
Sam laughs at Brittany as she told him this funny story about Lord Tubbington drug habit, and having to go cold turkey to kick his habit of sniffing kitty litter. Sam looked up as Finn, Kurt, and Mike entered the classroom. Sam was smiling until he saw her, and damn she looked good. Artie had said she was coming to help with Grease. He had prepared himself for this moment, but all of his training went out the window. Damn she looked good.
"Ok everybody give the alumni's a chance to breathe." Finn laughed as Artie did some funny handshake with Mike. Tina, Mercedes and Kurt jumped around hugging, laughing, and talking over each other in their excitement of seeing each other again.
"Ok everybody find your seat." Said Mr. Schue trying to gain control of the room. "Mike, Kurt, and Mercedes it is good to see you all again. Everyone will have time to catch up with you after class is over."
Sam pretty much tuned out any lesson that Mr. Shue was trying to teach. All he could think about was getting her back. He really thought that taking a break was the best thing for him and Mercedes, but he missed her so much. He realized soon after that it would have been better communicating long distance with each other as boyfriend and girlfriend; then to not have her in his life at all. Even now if he thought she was happy and the breakup was working for her he would suffer through it, but he could tell that she was still hurting.
"What's up everybody, Puckzilla in the house." Puck announced as he entered the room. "Sorry I'm late Mr. Schue. My Mom took me out to lunch, and got super clingy because she misses me so much, but hey can you blame her."
"It's fine Puck; I think this is a good time to wrap up for the day. Ok everybody you have your assignment for next week. Those of you that are performing in Grease; we will meet in the auditorium in thirty minutes. Don't be late."
Sam looked over at Mercedes. She was immediately surrounded by people. Damnit how was he to get her alone. He would just have to wait, but it would happen today.
So how are you liking it? I have two more chapters to load. I was surprise how easily the words came to me. I guess I have been holding this in for a while - LOL. I encourage anyone that, like me, is a frequent reader of Fanfiction; who has been thinking about writing your own story to give it a try.
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