Humble thanks: I would like to thank everyone soooo much for reading the first chapter of O.U.A.E and returning to read the 2nd. Also, immense gratitude to all those who took the time to review and for favoring it. I am so thankful for your thoughts and for taking the time to review. To the fanfic authors who have read or commented..I am humbled :)

Finally, I would like to send my love to my Beta..Rose. Thank you so much for helping me. You are definitely LEGEND!

I hope you all enjoy chapter 2...Peace and love :)

Disclaimer: Once again I do not own any characters or songs portrayed in this fic..cos I am sill too :)

Chapter 2

Five years passed. Sam marched down the long corridor of St Elmo's Preparatory College. Accolades inundated him from all directions.

"You're the man Evans!"…"What's up Evans!"

He wore a royal blue letter man's jacket with white leather sleeves. The schools emblem was embossed on its left side.

Sam's blonde hair had grown in time and was not the standard prep look. Most students were told to cut their hair if it grew beyond the nape of their neck. But for some reason Sam Evans was exempt from these rules. He seemed exempt from many rules.

Sam was now Captain of St Elmo's Football team. They had won almost all their games that season and he was still the most popular young man in school. Most of the guys wanted to be him and almost every girl (and at least a few boys) wished he was theirs. Sam was on top of the world, he had money, status, a loving family, and great friends. He also had his best friend Miss Mercy, whom he loved more than anything, they were gaming buddies, comic buddies and she was just the greatest buddy ever, next Artie of course.

Despite all this Sam felt like there was something missing. Sam had had his share of romances throughout the years and he had the pick of the crop, but he did not have that one special person.

He wasn't quite sure, but Sam soon decided that that something missing came in the form of Rachel Berry.

Rachel was beautiful and it also helped that she came from another wealthy, influential Kentucky family. Sam unequivocally decided that the merger of two such affluent families would be a positive step toward his future. Another reason that plagued his mind was that she was one of the only girls who ignored him. Sam thought, 'I will win her, I will win Rachel Berry!' 'Hard work and perseverance will win the day' Sam supposed as he plotted to win her heart, 'Hard work and perseverance!'

…..

Sam and Mercedes sat once again at Evergreen Lake. Sam desperately trying to catch a bite and Mercedes desperately trying to stay awake. 'Here he goes again,' she thought rolling her eyes as Sam continued to relay his strategies to win Rachel Berry's heart and Rachel Berry excerpts.

"I saw her in English today," he gushed, "and she did a rendition of Romeo and Juliet. She was so beautiful. I felt every word she spoke."

Mercedes rolled her eyes again, 'Oh my gosh, is he for real?' she thought, snickering to herself.

Sam continued to ramble on about Rachel but by this time Mercedes had tuned him out and had resorted to the nodding of the head, short responses like, 'is that right and oh no!'

After about two hours of pretending to listen, Mercedes was awakened out of her stupor with a jab to her right arm.

"You aren't even listening Mercy!"

"Yes I am!" She replied.

"Then what did I say?" Sam pouted.

"You said that she was fabulous in Romeo and Juliet?!" Mercedes chuckled.

"Yeah, but that was ages ago!" Sam complained.

Mercedes began to laugh incessantly, "Oh Sam, I'm so sorry…" tears of elation rolling down her cheek, "B-but…. Honestly Sam… It's really boring!"

If someone could tell him like it was; it was Mercy. Sam thought for a second then joined her in her hysterics.

…

Sam believed he was winning in his conquest of Rachel Berry. He had bombarded her with flowers and expensive gifts. He even surprised her for her birthday, filling the entire English room with hundreds of balloons and stuffed toys with 'Happy Birthday Rachel' embossed on each and every one (much to the disdain of their English Teacher). The more she feigned disinterest the more interested Sam became.

Rachel knew this from the get go when she would see him in the hallway. Rachel like everyone else loved Sam, but knew what needed to be done to attract him. 'What do you give someone who has everything?' She thought 'something he cannot have!'

Rachel Berry certainly came from a very powerful family and the Berry's were renowned for their cut throat tactics when it came to business and the apple didn't fall far from the tree. She portrayed herself as the heroine who was always for the down trodden but in reality, Rachel Berry was there for Rachel Berry. She was quite the actress and few people got to see how calculating and manipulative she truly was.

Rachel thought it quite the coo to have Sam Evans wooing her. He went to such lengths to show his affection for her. What power she could attain from this union she thought. However, she would not allow him the satisfaction of knowing that she was as much for their merger as he was, maybe more so, 'take your time Rachel' she said to herself 'and he will be caught hook line and sinker.' Rachel knew how to play the game and she played it well.

Rachel had agreed to meet Sam in the school Cafeteria. As she rounded the corner she was stunned. The entire cafeteria had been transformed into the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. A lone cellist played the theme song from 1984s rendition of Romeo and Juliet. Sam stood at the top of the balcony and cried, flowers in hand,

"I would forsake all the riches in the world if thou wouldst be mine."

Rachel beamed from ear to ear. 'I can't keep pretending' she thought. 'Sam Evans is definitely mine!'

Finally, Rachel had agreed to be his girl and their first date would be at Evergreen for his 18th birthday, 'finally she was his,' Sam thought. 'Finally, he would be able to kiss her beautiful lips. Finally all would be well with the world.'

…

Evergreen was abuzz with excitement, it was Sam's birthday; and it was his first night with his new girlfriend.

Mercedes had been a major part of ensuring all the decorations were placed in the correct position and stayed up half the night completing his birthday banner painting it by hand. She was looking forward to his birthday.

While Sam was romancing Rachel their visits to the lake were few and far between, but Mercedes didn't mind. Just a small time spent with him was sufficient. In time, however, his absence soon affected her feelings for him. As she sat time and time again at the lake, actually fishing, rod in hand searching for the illusive bite she wished he was there.

One of those days, waiting anxiously for the next catch, Mercedes realized that her feelings for Sam were more than she had anticipated. 'I think, I think…I love him...' She gasped. 'I need to tell him how I feel' she thought, 'dare I do such a thing,' she regressed.

Mercedes continued to reflect on the day she realized that her feelings for Sam were more than she had ever dreamed.

'What do I do?' she thought as she stood in the kitchen preparing for Sam's birthday.

Mercedes' thoughts were quickly interrupted when her mother tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

"Mercedes I need your help baby, I need you to help cater for the event tonight, one of the waitresses is sick."

"Oh, Momma," Mercedes grimaced, "I want to go to Sam's party, not work there!"

"Please baby..." her mom pleaded, "I need your help?!"

Mercedes lowered her head then turned to her mother and sighed, "Ok, Momma, Ok!"

…..

The party was a resounding success. Wine food and alcohol flowed continuously (even though his parents disapproved).

"Hey Mom, I'm eighteen..." he pleaded, "Come on!"

Everyone who was anyone attended Sam's birthday. They ended up having to limit the amount of invitations due to the enormity of those pleading to attend. Sam wore a tailored tuxedo created especially for this occasion. Music blared throughout the venue. Evergreen was alight and no expense was spared to ensure his birthday was the success his parents and himself had hoped it to be.

Mercedes caught sight of Sam smiling and dancing with his friends from school, and his female companion. Arty saw her and waved happily. She waved back then thought, "Oh no, maybe that girl is Rachel… She is so beautiful… Are they together? Am I too late? Noooo…' she thought, 'Sam would have told me if he had a girlfriend, right? He always did.

She watched as Sam and his friends retreated to the main table. Mercedes had tried throughout the night to speak to Sam. She wanted to congratulate him on his birthday. She also wanted to tell him how she felt about him. But every time she tried to talk to him he was always busy or seemed to ignore her.

Finally, as the night drew on, Mercedes thought, 'this is my chance, to speak to him. It's now or never, come on Mercedes Jones.' she thought. Mercedes bit her bottom lip and walked towards Sam and his friends, horderves in hand.

As she approached their table she quickly spat out, "Horderves anyone?"

"Yeah I'll have some..." Arty quipped, "mmm very nice!" He remarked, as he took another and smiled at Mercedes, "Thanks Cedes, hey…" he continued, "why do you have to work tonight? You should be partying with me girl!"

Mercedes smiled at Arty "Yeah..." she sighed "one of the waitresses was sick so my mom asked me to help out."

"Dumb!" Arty replied.

"Hmm...yeah," Mercedes nodded her head in agreement.

Mercedes smiled at Sam and thought, 'oh he is so handsome, and why did I never see that?'

Then she finally piped up, clearing her throat said, "Hi S-Sam..." she was so nervous, "I hope you're having a great night, e-everything is soo beautiful don't you think? Did you notice your birthday sign and…" Mercedes was soon interrupted by an irritating shrill.

"I do not think it is very ethical fraternizing with the help Sam!" Rachel smugly remarked.

She had been drinking quite heavily. Sam looked at Mercedes then turned away ignoring her completely. He was so excited when he saw Mercedes walking towards them and wanted to thank her for the beautiful sign she had painted; knowing full well she had stayed up half the night decorating and preparing the site, but now all he wanted to do was impress Rachel. Although it hurt him he thought it best to ignore Mercedes instead.

"Excuse me, but do you think you could get us a couple of bottles of Perrier-Jouet, we're all out of Champagne and I'm so parched," Rachel taunted.

Mercedes and Sam's eyes met. Sam lowered his eyes toward the table.

"Well hurry up, get a move on!" Rachel continued, turning to Sam she cooed "Come on Sammy, show me your leadership skills. I sooo love a man in authority."

Rachel was in her element and always enjoyed taunting 'the help'. Sam raised his head and looked Mercedes square in the eyes.

"Come on Mercedes we haven't got all day. Get a move on and get us three bottles of Perrier-Jouet…" and doing his impression of George Bush said, "Stat which means, make it quick Missy!" He smirked slightly at Mercedes turned and smiled sweetly at Rachel.

Mercedes heart was torn in two. She couldn't believe that Sam did that. She slowly turned away, laughter trailing behind her from those seated at the table.

Suddenly she heard a voice in the background, "Stop being an asshole Sam!" It was Arty's.

Arty wheeled toward Mercedes and took Mercedes' hand.

"Th..Th..Thank you Arty... b-but its ok," She gasped, tears pricking at her eyes.

"No it's not ok!" Arty started. Mercedes looked into Arty's eyes and smiled. Then she looked at Sam gave Arty a hug and continued to complete her given task.

Sam read the hurt in Mercedes eyes and immediately regretted what he had done. His thoughts of Mercedes pain soon diminished as Rachel's hand traced the inside of his thigh and made its way to his taut abdomen. 'Mercy will be ok, she'll understand,' he thought.

"You're an asshole Evans, and you're a bitch Rachel!" Arty glared at both Sam and Rachel, pulled a bottle of champagne from the side of his wheelchair and trundled off.

Mercedes composed herself and returned with the Perrier-Joust determined not to let them get the better of her. Making sure her eyes did not meet his; she placed the Champagne on the table and quickly retreated.

"It's Cake time now darling," Mrs Evans called from the stage.

"Oh and it's time to make our announcement," Rachel whispered.

Mr Evans stood on the podium, and began his speech about his son and how proud he was of him. Mrs Evans joined the happy throng once more as the cake was brought in. The happy birthday chorus rang through the air.

Sam felt so proud and happy that his birthday had turned out to be all he wanted it to be. As he hugged his parents and watched his seven tier cake being wheeled in, Rachel whispered to Sam and said, "You may tell everyone now."

As the birthday chorus died down and the birthday greetings dwindled, Sam turned to the eager crowd and said, "I am so lucky to have friends and family such as you, thank you to each and every one of you for attending. I am so happy. I just have one more announcement which I hope you won't mind that makes this night complete… I just want everyone to know that Rachel has officially agreed to be my girl."

Sam then fell to his knees took out a little signet ring from his pocket and placed it on her finger, "I love her so much," He echoed to the well-wishing crowd. The crowd cheered and hollered.

Just then the band began to play the tune of Dwight Evans favorite song in the background. Sam took Rachel by the hand and said, "I love this song, shall we dance beautiful?" As the two danced Mercedes watched in the background slowly clearing the tables. The words of the song bit her to the core as the vocalist began to sing.

You give your hand to me
And then you say, "Hello."
And I can hardly speak,
My heart is beating so.
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well.

Well, you don't know me.
(no you don't know me)
No you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night;
And longs to kiss your lips
And longs to hold you tight
Oh I'm just a friend.
That's all I've ever been.
Cause you don't know me.
(no you don't know me)….

Tears caressed her cheeks as Mercedes listened on and watched Sam and Rachel dance on stage. 'I am just a friend, that's all I've ever been... I'm so stupid...' she thought, 'What an idiot I am!' She turned and made her way out of the venue as quickly as she could.

…..

The moment had come, finally he had the girl of his dreams and now they would seal this wonderful night with their first kiss.

As Sam pressed his body against hers, their eyes met, his lips trembled with anticipation. Closing his eyes he thought, 'I love her so much, I am so lucky,' as their lips finally touched he thought, 'Oh her lips are so soft so beautiful, this is the moment I have dreamed of.'

As their kiss deepened Sam felt… Something? Something… Different?! Something… Still missing?!

He kissed Rachel again, Yep, something was definitely wrong!

Sam jerked back and opened his eyes abruptly.

'Noooo,' he gasped. Sam was in shock as he realized there was only one name on his lips and in his heart and on his mind, 'Oh noooo...' he thought, 'Where's Mercy?!

Poor Mercedes :( ... I hope that wasn't too angsty?!. Next chapter Sam will be paying for what he did to Mercy...and hopefully things may just work out for both of them..but no promises though :) If you have any idea on what should happen next please share :)

Song: "You Don't Know Me" was performed and popularized by Ray Charles, however, it was a originally written and performed by country artist Eddy Arnold in 1955 Eddy Arnold is Dwight Evans favorite Artist.

watch?v=Q421MwxT0VQ Eddy Arnold - Youtube

Perrier-Jouet Champagne: I didn't know this before but the price for a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne is set at around $7,000. It is coming in a limited edition. I just think it's ridiculous!

Thanks again for reading. I appreciate it so much. Please review if you can. Any criticism is welcome. Goodness and Mercy Always :)