Hi guys! This is an update. I've read the reviews (Thanks) and I know you guys have some questions BUT all will be answered in the next few chapters (Not this one or the next but the ones after LOL I know). Read and (I hope) Enjoy :0)
PS Dont forget to reveiw! 3
Chapter 3: Faded Pictures
Unfortunately, the walk home didn't help to sooth or clear Mercedes' mind. As she walked in silence, she kept replaying the last time she saw Sam. She didn't understand how he could disappear so suddenly, then after a year without any phone calls, letters, or e-mails, reappear like nothing ever happened. To hug her like they had been pen pals, or two old buddies who occasionally spoke.
When she arrived home, Mercedes went up stairs to her room to gain a head start in some of her class work. When she opened the door, she found an application waiting for her on her bed. She picked it up and read the yellow sticky note attached to it.
"In case you 'misplaced' the previous one, here is another Ohio State application."
The writing unmistakably belonged to one Julius Jones. Seems he found the time to place another one on her bed before he left for work. Mercedes sighed tossing the application on her desk. With all of the pressure Shane and her father where placing on her, the last thing she needed was to think about was Sam and their previous 'dating situation'. Hell, she had more pressing issues. She didn't even know if he wanted to attempt to revive what they had. For all she knew Sam has some girl sending him love letters from whatever town he called home for the past year, and only wants to be just he made it plainly obvious they were before he left: friends. And she and Shane have been happy together for a year. So much so they have a life plan together, even if she wasn't completely happy with it.
"Mercedes, your trippin" she said to her self.
She sat down at her desk and pick up the application. It wouldn't hurt to look at the application, she rationalized. The plan can work with a few detours like Shane promised. For the rest of the evening Mercedes Jones took the time, and reviewed the application process to become a Buck Eye.
The next morning at school Sam quickly found his locker. He was happy to see it was right down the hall from the locker he found Mercedes standing in front of the previous day. He gazed down the hall looking for her when a familiar face stepped in front of him.
"Wow. Look whose back?" Noah Puck greeted Sam with a hand shake and a hug.
"Hey man" Sam warmly smiled as hugged his old teammate back.
"What are you doing here? Thought you moved?" Puck inquired
"I did but now I'm back" Sam answered. "The question is what are YOU still doing here? I thought you should have been a senior last year" he asked remembering that Noah was a grade higher than him.
"Yeah" Puck sighed "well did you know you needed Spanish to graduate here?" he inquired his friend as they began to walk down the hall.
"Yeah, it's in the student handbook" Sam answered wondering how he didn't know.
"Man, they have one of those?" Puck stated shocked. "Anyway I didn't take that…. Or biology…..and English….and-"
"Well, it's just great to see your back" Sam interjected not really feeling like hearing the long list of the courses Pukerman need to get his diploma.
"So, how is everyone: Santana, Brittany, Quinn?" Sam casually inquired about his first love. After Mercedes, Sam really wanted to take the time and talk to her and Kurt, to thank them again for all their help in his time of need.
"Yeah, you too" Puck smiled "Santana and Brittney are still here." He responded in a light and friendly tone. "But hey just wanted to tell you" Puck said closing in on Sam in a threatening manner. "Quinn is off limits! So none of that chocking on a jaw breaker, she saved your life crap, cause I'm smarter than that, and will pound you." he warned. "Other than that, welcome back Trouty Mouth!" Noah aggressively patted Sam on the shoulder, and took off down the hall for class.
Sam smiled. He assumed that Quinn and Puck had worked things out while he was gone. And although he hated that nickname, it felt good to hear it for some odd reason.
Sam headed straight for Coach Besite's office. He figured with Finn out of the way, this year the Quarterback position should be his for the taking. As he walked up to the door a large guy in a jersey was walking out of her office, with Besite right in toe.
"Okay Shane, well work on your highlight tape from last year and we'll add to it as the season goes. So give me some great plays to put on it. It's called a 'highlight tape' for a reason." She joked.
"You got it Coach" the boy smiled as he walked past Sam down the hall.
While watching her current player walk away she noticed Sam. "Well I'll be dipped in honey and left on a fire ant pile, Evans! What are you doing here?" she asked as she embraced her former Quarterback.
"Coming to see if I can try out for a spot on the team" Sam beamed as he walked into her office. "Possibly the Quarterback" he smiled in a charming manner.
"Well you know you have to get on my field and work hard before I can promise you anything like that." Beiste warned as she sat down at her desk.
"Oh I know." Sam said "I just needed the chance to try out"
"Of course! How about after school today on the practice field. We'll run a couple drills and plays with you at different positions to see were you best fit now" Beiste suggested as she leaned back in her chair.
"Today is great" Sam said thankful that he'd packed his cleats and practice gear just incase. "I'll see you today after school."
"Okay Evans, and come ready to work!" Beiste called out to him as he left her office.
The rest of the day went by with out any problems. Other than the constant questions, Sam was settling in nicely at his former high school. By the time Glee rolled around, Sam prepared himself for a serious grilling from his former choir members. He walked into the room early, in an attempt to beat everyone else. The room was empty and Mr. Schue was still in his office, going over what looked like sheet music. Sam knocked on his door and waited to be beckoned in.
"Come In" Mr. Schue called from his desk, not bothering to lift his head to see who it was.
"I heard you have some spots open and I'd love to join" Sam smiled, as he opened the office door.
William's head shot straight up, recognizing the voice instantly. A smile spread across his face as he stood up and walked briskly over to the door. He wrapped Sam in a warm embrace. "Sam Evans. How are you? How are your parents? How is your family?" he shot in rapid fire.
"I'm fine, my parents are working, and we're living here in Lima again" Sam answered. "I was hopping to join The New Directions again. I know I don't have the Beiber hair anymore but, I can still belt out a song. I think." Sam questioned himself. While living in Nashville the only time he sang was in Church and for his younger siblings at their request. All other activities fell to the way side and all he did was work, as a barista in the local coffee shop, and go to school.
"I'm sure you can" Mr. Schue said, confident in Sam's talent. "A voice like that doesn't just disappear."
Sam was relieved. The sound of the other members shuffling into the room quickly ended their mini reunion. Sam was greeted warmly by his former New Direction members. It seemed after his quick talk with Puck, news of his return had spread quickly. He was hugged high fived by his friends, and even jumped on my Brittany. Mercedes smiled politely as she walked past the scene. She figured she got her greetings in yesterday at her locker.
The bell rang and Mr. Schue broke up the reunion by ordering everyone to take a seat. He held Sam's arm indicating he wanted him to stay up front with him.
"Well guys as you can see we have one of our own back to us. For the members who don't know him, I'd like to introduce Mr. Sam Evans." The class remained quite as Mr. Schue finished his announcement. "Now, Sam is a former member who had to leave us last year due to extenuating circumstances."
Brittany raised her hand, with a confused look on her face. Mr. Schue pointed to her, granting her permission to speak.
"I thought he left because he was poor, and living in a motel, and his father found work out of state?"She pondered.
"Yes. Brittany, that what I meant by extenuating circumstances." Mr. Schue sighed.
"Well where did he go?" Blaine questioned.
"Yeah and why is he back here?" Tina interrupted
"And where is the hair?" Artie questioned
"Oh, I can answer that" Brittany beamed. "He went back to his fish people colony in Atlantis. Then it was taken over by an evil warlock who cast an evil spell that could only be broken when he returned to land, and found a maiden to take back as his wife and Queen of the fish people. But in order to return to land he had to give the magic warlock his best quality which was all of his golden hair. But I still can't figure out where his gills are" she explained.
The room fell silent, and everyone looked at Brittany as if she had magically sprouted a second head.
"What? Where did you get all of that?" Mr. Schue inquired.
"From Santana" Brittany answered innocently pointing.
All eyes went from her to Santana instantly. "Well it was the most plausible story I could come up with to explain his return" she explained nonchalantly.
Sam rolled his eyes seeing that not much had changed during his departure. "Look I went to stay with my MeMaw whi-"
"Wait your WHAT?" Puck interrupted. "What the heck is that?"
"It's the nickname for my grandmother" Sam sighed. Puck snickered loudly. "Kind of like your Bubby" Sam shot back. Puck stopped smirking upset that Sam remembered one of their private talks about his family. "Continue" Puck said with a straight face, in a tone that suggested that that was the last he would tease Sam about his grandmother's nickname.
"Anyway" Sam huffed "I went back to Nashville to stay with my grandmother, while my parents worked in Pennsylvania at American Trim. They got transferred to the Lima location after a year, and here I am. Oh and the hair, well I can finally afford a hair cut and since the Beib cut his I figured it was time."
The room jointly shook their heads and shrugged in agreement with the explanation just given to them.
"I still think my explanation was more exciting" Santana said under her breath with a huff.
"Well whatever the reasons, we're glad your family is back on its feet, and we're happy to have you back with us" Mr. Schue beamed.
"Wait" Santana, feeling extremely vocal that day interrupted once more. "Guppy face here doesn't have to audition?" she questioned.
"Well no Santana, we already know what he can do" William said in confident voice.
"I don't" Shelia interjected. "I got here last year AFTER I auditioned."
"Yeah Mr. Schue" Tina co-signed "It's only fair" The rest of the members began to vocally agree with the request that Sam audition once again.
"It's cool Mr. Schue" Sam smiled "I have a song. I haven't sung since the summer I left, but I should be fine, as long as Mercedes will do me the honor of performing with me?"
Mercedes, who had been surprising silent up until this point, tensed up. All of the room's attention turned to her. She looked to the front of the class to Sam who was smiling warmly at her.
"W-Well what if I don't know the song?" she questioned in an attempt to get out of performing, for the first time in her life. She knew the exact song he was talking about because they promised they would perform it together the summer he left.
"Don't worry I know you know the song" Sam smiled as he walked towards her and grabbed her by the hand. He pulled her up to the front of the room and sat her on one of the stools. He then briskly walked over the musicians that always seem to be standing around waiting for a jam session to break out. He whispered to them and all of their faces lit up. With a nod of the head that indicated that they knew exactly what Sam just requested, they prepared themselves to play.
Mr. Schue, intrigued by what was going on took a seat among his students.
Sam grabbed a microphone stand that was lying around with a microphone on and placed it to the right of Mercedes, and stood behind it. And with a nod of his head the music started.
[Sam wistled the opening notes, while he pumped his leg to the beat. He then begins to sing into the mic to the rest of ND]
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right
And aim for my heart
If you feel like
can take me away and make it OK
I swear I'll behave
You wanted control
So we waited
I put on a show
Now we're naked
You say I'm a kid
My ego is big
I don't give a shhhhhh
And it goes like this
[He takes the mic out of the stand and began to walk around, giving his best Jagger impersonation pushing his lips together in the famous Jagger pout.]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
[Sam, turning his attention to Mercedes, singing to her as he approaches her. Mercedes, not in the mood for his antics, rolls her eyes and huffs, wishing the song was over.]
Baby it's hard
When you feel like you're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
But when you're with me
I make you believe
That I've got the key
[Sam gets behind Mercedes, acting as if he is driving from a back seat. She giggles at how goofy Sam can act and begins to loosen up a bit]
So get in the car
We can ride it
Wherever you want
Get inside it
[He steps around, singing to her with a smile]
And you want to steer
But I'm shifting gears
I'll take it from here
And it goes like this
[Sam goes back over and begins to pull his fellow ND members to their feet, encouraging them to do their best Jagger impersonations them selves. They all dance around laughing.]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
[Mercedes, knowing that this is where she comes in, get off of the stool, commanding everyone's attention with her voice. She slowly walks over to Sam, who is in the middle of all of the other members.]
You want to know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this
[After making her way over to him, she begins to lead him by placing her finger under his chin and walks. Sam smiles and follows.]
So watch and learn
I won't show you twice [she turns two him as he puts her finger up shaking it in a "no" motion]
Head to toe, oh baby, rub me right [she dips and in a sexy figure eight motions sways her hips]
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it [she moves in closer to Sam and is singing straight to him]
Nobody else can see this
Hay, Hay Hay !
[Sam sings with a smile]
And it goes like this
[Chorus:]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
[Mercedes] (Take me by the tongue boy)
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you
[Mercedes] heyey yeah!
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
[Mercedes] Awhhhh heye yeah!
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
When the last note was played, the group erupted into laughter, cheers and applause. Mr. Schue clapping the loudest made his way to Sam and placed his arm around his shoulder and faced him to his other students.
"May I introduce the New Directions newest member: Mr. Sam Evans!"
The rest of the group cheered loudly and ran over to congratulate and welcome Sam back. Sam laughed and hugged his teammates, happy to be back. He then noticed Mercedes on the peripheral of the rest of the group. She smiled at him sweetly as she applauded with the rest of the group. Their eyes met, and she began to blush. The ringing school bell was the only thing that broke their gaze.
Mercedes, rushed over to her bag. Flinging it onto her shoulder, she rushed out of the room. Sam ran behind her, in an attempt to finally have a private conversation with her.
"Hey! Mercedes wait up" he called as he ran out of the door and turned the corner. He was stopped dead in his tracks when he found her being kissed on the nose by a large boy. The one he saw earlier leaving Beiste's office. They both turned towards Sam, Mercedes eyes widened. Awkwardly Sam slowed down as his eyes shot from her to Shane.
"Hey" Sam said greeting Shane.
"Um" Mercedes began to speak "Babe this is Sam, he just re-enrolled back to McKinley. Sam this is Shane….. My boyfriend."
The words seemed to hit Sam slowly. He looked at Mercedes for a split second in disbelief. In all of his planning, he failed to consider what would happen if she had a boyfriend. Shane stepped forward and held out his hand to Sam.
"Hey man" Shane greeted him warmly.
Sam grasped his hand shaking it firmly. "Yeah….. Hey" Sam responded.
"Yeah I passed you earlier leaving Coaches office" Shane recalled.
"Yeah" Sam answered finding it hard to concentrate on the conversation at had while his brain processed what he just found out. "Yeah, I'm trying out for the team today" he added.
"Oh cool!" Shane smiled "Well if you make it then I guess we'll get to know each other better. Any friend of my babe is a friend of mine" Shane boasted as he placed his arm back around Mercedes. "Well I gotta walk her to her next class" Shane stated closing the conversation "See ya later today, and good luck."
"Yeah thanks." Sam stated.
"See ya later Sam" Mercedes awkwardly smiled.
And with that Shane and Mercedes were off, headed to her next class. Sam watched as they walked away, her firmly tucked under Shane's arm. She glanced back at Sam, as he stared at them move down the hall.
"Yeah, see ya 'Cedes" Sam finally said, to no one in particular.
As Sam watched them disappear down the hall way, he sighed. Even though it felt like he never left, the realization came to him that he had been gone a year, and within that year a lot had changed.
"I liked your moves" a voice called from behind him. Sam spun around quickly to find a petite well dressed standing in front of him, with a wide smile on her face.
"What?" Sam questioned not sure if he'd heard the girl correctly.
"Your moves, in there. I liked them" she repeated as she pointed to the now empty choir room.
"Oh thanks- uh- I'm sorry I didn't get your name"
"Sugar" The girl said as she closed in on Sam. "And I would love to show you MY moves, if you have time" She handed him a piece of paper that was folded up. "You should want to call me" she added. She sauntered away down the hall, leaving him standing in there with her number and a confused look.
After school, Sam walked into the boy's locker room to change for practice. Everything thing was as he left it, even the smell of old gym socks. He sat his bag down on the bench and began to change clothes. Even though he didn't play the previous year, Sam still managed to stay in top physical form. He used chores like chopping and hauling wood in the winter, to help him keep is physical fitness level high. He would also run before school and after work as a way to clear his mind.
As he put on his cleats, Shane sauntered into the locker room. "Hey Sam right?" Shane questioned.
"Yeah, Shane" Sam responded
"You all ready to work? Beiste is NOT going to go easy on you even if it is just a try out" Shane warned.
"Yeah. I played for her before so I know how brutal she can get" Sam replied remembering some of her more tortuous workouts.
"That's right. 'Cedes did mention you went here before" Shane said recalling her explanation of who Sam was after their introduction in the hallway earlier.
"Yeah. I played QB but go injured. Mercedes told you about me?" Sam inquired. He wanted to know just how much she talked about him to her boyfriend.
"Yeah, well I asked her who you were and how you seemed all chummy already seeing as you were new. She explained that you two were cool before you left." Shane answered nonchalantly as he put on his pads.
"Cool huh?" Sam answered.
"Yeah. Like you two where buddies. You know pals. But then you left so…." Shane shrugged.
"And that's it?" Sam quizzed
"Yeah, why?" Shane now questioned Sam
"Oh, no reason. She's right we were … friends" Sam sighed. Internally he was amazed that Mercedes had reduced their summer together to them just being buddies.
"Yeah. She told me you left before we stared dating." Shane paused, as he realized how long they had been together. "Boy, one year travels fast huh?"
"It sure does" Sam replied, attempting to remove the bitterness from his voice. "So when did you two celebrate your one year anniversary?" he probed in an attempt to gain more information.
"Oh July 27th" Shane grinned. "Yep that was the day I met my future wife"
"July 27th ?" Sam repeated.
"Yep. You know when you know…. You just know. And I knew when I saw her." Shane smiled. "Hey I'll see you out on the field!" and with that Shane was out of the door.
Sam sat quietly. He mentally counted to find he had only been gone two weeks. Anger began to rise up inside of him. Here he was sick over the fact he had left Mercedes in the fashion that he did, and within two weeks she was over him and dating Shane? It took him two months to even try to talk to another girl and he was replaced like produce?
Sam stood up and placed his helmet on his head. This new information was going to be the fuel he needed to help him get back on the team. And he was ready!
Moves Like Jagger: Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera. Writers: Levin, Benjamin Levine, adam Noah Malik, Ammar Schuster, John Karl
Published:Matza ball music Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing, Universal Music
Lyrics from: .