New Directions: Samcedes 1965 Lima, Ohio Part 4

Mercedes waited at the front porch of Kurt's house. Her big brother had dropped her off, before he left for college early morning.

"Kurt! I know you're in there! I see your car out front!" Mercedes said, knocking on the door. Mercedes rolled her eyes and took the house key from under the doormat. She let herself in. Kurt had the biggest house on his street. His father was an Ohio Congressman and owned the auto place that sold and repaired cars. Mercedes went to the kitchen and found Kurt, fully dressed and eating cereal. He spit it out when he saw Mercedes.

Kurt: What the hell! Did you break into my house?

Mercedes:Uh no! Your housekeeper leaves the key under the doormat

Kurt: Oh. Well you can exit the way you entered

Mercedes
: Kurt Hummel. You're coming to school with me!

Kurt: Mercedes, I swore on my life I would never enter that god forsaken school again, and I don't plan to.

Mercedes: Kurt

Kurt: You don't know those kids, Mercedes! Sam Evans is a strange exception. The rest of them are cruel and vicious. And I'm white! Just imagine what they'll do to your colored ass

Mercedes:My colored ass will be fine.

Kurt:If you were smart, you'd drop out right now.

Mercedes: Kurt! I know McKinley is bad. But we have NO OTHER SCHOOL. Roosevelt is gone. We can't just forget about our education because of a few short sighted people.

Kurt: The hell we can't!

Mercedes: Kurt. I've been as patient with you as I can. School starts in a few minutes. So you can either be a man and get up, or I will dunk that cereal bowl on your over privileged head and drag you out.

Kurt put his spoon down.

Kurt: You. Wouldn't. Dare.

Mercedes lunged at Kurt, causing him to jump out of his seat. "Fine!" Kurt said, picking up his coat.

"Good morning Evans family," Rachel Berry said as the Sam's family groaned in response. Rachel stood in their front entrance, as everybody was eating breakfast. "I was wondering if Samuel could give me a ride to school," Rachel told them. Sam looked over to his Dad, who reluctantly threw him his truck keys. Rachel looked around the house. "You know you really should invest in a phone Mrs. Evans. My father has some new ones in his store if you're interested. We even have a lay away plan," she said. "We're fine, Rachel," Mrs. Evans replied sweetly, kicking her husband under the table.

Sam and Rachel made to leave. "Hey, where's my kiss?" Mr. Evans asked. Sam rushed over and kissed his father and mother. "Tell that Philly of yours we said hello," Mr. Evans whispered to his son. "Alright Daddy. See ya," Sam said. Rachel was already sitting in the truck.

"Rachel, couldn't your dad have given you a ride to school?" Sam asked, as he made a right turn. "It's true, but my father, unlike yours, is employed and is very busy," Rachel said, dusting some lint off her green sweater.

"My dad works, Rachel," Sam said, wishing the truck went faster than sixty miles an hour.

Rachel: Samuel…Can you keep a secret?

Sam: No

Rachel: You have to promise not to tell

Sam: Then don't tell me!

Rachel: I'm going to run for homecoming queen

Sam: Good for you.

Rachel: I'm going to win.

Sam: I don't know. Quinn has the popular vote.

Rachel: But I have Finn Hudson

Sam: That's Quinn's beau

Rachel: Not since last Friday, when we necked under the bleachers

Sam stopped the truck.

Sam: YOU GOT HEAVY WITH FINN HUDSON?

Rachel: Yep. He even told me he loved me.

Sam: He's with Quinn! He loves her!

Rachel: Not for long, but you have to promise not to tell.

Sam: You know Quinn's my friend. I can't believe you did this. You don't even like Finn Hudson. You just want to be popular so bad.

Rachel: Sam! You can't tell her!

Sam: Oh I'm not going to tell her. You are.

Rachel: She'll kill me!

Sam: That's the least of what you deserve. Now get out of my truck

Rachel: But we are not even at school yet!

Sam: I know. We're at your house, so your own dad can give you a ride.

Rachel stepped out of the truck. Before she could even close the door, Sam sped off, the speed of the truck closing the door for him. "I hate you Samuel Evans!" Rachel called, coughing out the smoke the truck left behind...

"Hey Lady Face. I didn't think you'd actually show up," Santana said to Kurt. Santana Lopez was a SCRO (Student Civil Rights Organization) members and one of three-hundred and fifty Roosevelt students who had to transfer to McKinley High. She stood next to other Roosevelt students who were walking into the entrance. Mercedes and Kurt walked up to her. "She forced me to come," Kurt said, rolling his eyes. Santana gave Mercedes a high five before putting out her cigarette on the pavement.

"Alright. Let's do this," she said, fixing her dress. The three walked into the school.

At the front hallway was a banner welcoming the new students.

"Oh good grief. They spelled Roosevelt with a 'Z'," Kurt said.

"Hi!"

A Blonde girl rushed up to Kurt. She was wearing McKinley cheerleading outfit and high ponytail. She gave Kurt a dopey smile.

"I'm Brittany," said the girl.

"Hello," Kurt said, slightly disturbed by her friendliness.

"Do you like my banner? You're the lightest negro I've ever seen," Brittany said, touching his skin.
Santana and Mercedes looked at each other and giggled.

"Brittany, get over here"

Brittany quickly rushed over to her friend's side. The girl who spoke was also in a McKinley cheerleader uniform and wore her hair in a high ponytail. However, her face wore a slightly colder look. "I know you. You're that girl from the newspaper," the cheerleader said, addressing Mercedes. Her voice was surprisingly smooth in texture though somewhat sinister.

Last week, a picture of Sam carrying Mercedes out of the burning high school circled around the Midwest, even landing on the desk of NAACP. Sam was even awarded the key to the city by the mayor, because the picture put Lima on the map of the country. But no one, except for Kurt and the other club members knew the whole story.

"Yeah, I am," Mercedes said.

"Sorry about your school," The girl said, after some thought. "Thanks," Mercedes replied.

"Some advice. Keep your head down. It's not a good idea to stand out around here. That goes double for your friend," the girl said, nodding towards Kurt who was sporting a purple sequence blazer. And with that she walked off, Brittany quickly following her.

"Who does she think she is?" Santana said. "That is Quinn Fabray. She's queen Bee at McKinley and can be a bitch if you get in her way," Kurt said, fixing his hair. Mercedes watched Quinn go down the hall. She didn't know why, but she felt that Quinn was more like Sam, and didn't necessarily hate people who were different - just people who got in her way.

The school bell rang. "I'll see you later," Mercedes told her friends before they went to their respective home rooms.

Mercedes found her first class easily enough. The history teacher, Mr. Schuester, introduced Mercedes and three two other new Roosevelt students to the class. Everyone gave a halfhearted hello, before they took their seats.

Mercedes took a seat next to a pretty Asian girl in the back, wearing a blue sweater and matching headband.

"Hi, I'm Tina," the girl whispered, holding out her hand. "Mercedes," Mercedes said, shaking her hand. "French. I like it," Tina said smiling. "I love your pencil case," Tina told her. Mercedes looked at her Wonder Woman themed pen set and laughed. "Yeah, my Sa- well my friend got it for me," Mercedes said. Mr. Schuester started his lesson. Tina put on her red-rimmed glasses, and started taking notes. "You're glasses are far out," Mercedes whispered, taking out her black-rimmed reading specs out of her pocket. "Not like mine."

Tina chuckled. "I think they look elegant on you," she told Mercedes as she put them on her face. Mercedes hated wearing her reading glasses, but luckily she only needed them when she sat in the very back of class. "No way, I look like a dweeb," Mercedes replied, pushing the specs up her nose, and writing the date on her notebook.

"It's better than looking like that guy," Tina said, gesturing to the geek two desks over who had his glasses were taped together and much too big for his freckled face. The two girls snickered at this then turn their attention back to Mr. Schuester.

Mercedes was lucky that she had already made a new friend so early in the day. She felt as if Tina Chang was her kindred spirit. They were both book worms by nature and both loved Bewitched and The Twilight Zone. They talked and giggled all through first period and Tina even showed Mercedes where her locker would be.

"So, you may like it here at McKinley. It all just depends where you will be classified," Tina said, as she and Mercedes walked down the hall.

Mercedes: Classified

Tina: Yeah.

Mercedes: How many "classifications" are there?

Tina: Well you got the cool kids, the jocks, the ashtrays, the squares, the beatniks, the geeks, the freaks, and the invisibles.

Mercedes: Who are the invisibles?

Tina: The kids who are completely ignored, which honestly isn't that bad. You'll never have to worry about getting a wedgie or the jocks stealing your clothes.

Mercedes: So, how would you classify say…Sam Evans?

Tina: Definitely cool. He's the only cool guy to say hello to me. Personally, I think he's the grooviest guy at McKinley though some would say Finn Hudson.

Mercedes: Who's that?

Tina: King of the football jocks. He's going steady with Quinn Fabray.

Mercedes: I met her.

Tina: She's the resident pop queen.

Mercedes: So what are you?

Tina: Invisible thank god. I've got the gpa of a geek, so I'm not sure how I managed it.

Mercedes: You'd definitely be a cool kid in my book.

Tina: I wonder what it would feel like to be a cool kid for just one week. I'd probably get tired of all the senior guys asking me out…Then again, I wouldn't

The two laughed. Mercedes opened her locker and put her books inside. "So, I'll see you at lunch?" Tina asked. "Great. See you then," Mercedes said as the bell rang.

This had to be the first time Sam Evans was ever truly happy to be at school. He felt bad for the students at Roosevelt who lost their school, but was ecstatic that it meant he would get to see his girlfriend every day. Well…Mercedes didn't know he had deemed her his girlfriend yet, but Sam had every intention of pinning her as his girl. Sam only waited because his mom convinced him it was best to wait till Mercedes told her parents about him.

First period football practice was long and annoying to Sam that morning. He sat on the bench with the other McKinley players as the coach held tryouts for the Roosevelt students. Puck took a seat next to him.

"You worried?" he asked, taking off his helmet.

"About what? Hey waterboy! What time is it?" Sam said, not really paying attention and eager to leave to find Mercedes.

The water boy pointed to clock above the stadium, before scurrying off.

"One of these guys taking your spot. Roosevelt has a lot of good players. We could be screwed," Puck said. "Naw, the more players we have, the better," Sam said.

"Man, you're never worried," Puck said, sipping his cup of water. The coach blew his whistle, ending morning practice. Sam jumped up and danced his way to the locker room, singing at the top of his lungs.

"I GOT STARLIGHT. I GOT SWEET DREAMS. I GOT MY GAL. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE!" Sam sang as Puck followed him.

Sam walked through the hallways, saying hello to students who waved at him. He spotted Kurt at the end of the hallway, rushing up to him. "Hey, Kurt! How are ya?" Sam said, hugging Kurt. Others watched in curiosity. "How's school?" Sam asked. "Well I've already been shoved into three lockers and it's still morning," Kurt replied, fixing his hair. "Don't worry man," Sam told him, "You were there for my girl when she needed you the most, so I'll make sure no one pushes you around here."

"Hey Sam,"

Quinn and Finn had just walked up to Sam, who still had his arm around Kurt.

"You two know each other?" Quinn asked.

"Yeah! Me and Kurt were in SCRO together. Swear down, this kid is the hippest guy you will ever meet. And his threads are so Rock n' Roll. He gets all the babes, like Mick Jagger. I'm tellin you Kurt, you gotta teach me your ways one day," Sam said.

"Uhh sure," Kurt said, playing along.

"Kurt, why don't you sit with us at lunch?" Finn said. "Really? I mean cool," Kurt said, following Finn and Quinn to his next class. Sam gave Kurt quick thumbs up before going to his next class.

Halfway through second period Mercedes had been called into the vice principal's office. Mercedes wasn't worried, since she knew she hadn't done anything wrong, so it must be something else. But the tone of the vice principal suggested otherwise.

"Sit down, Jones," Vice Principal Sylvester said.

Mercedes took a seat opposite of the woman's desk. Mrs. Sylvester looked through her file.

"It says here that you were part of a peer tutoring program at Roosevelt, were you not?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," Mercedes said, still unsure of why she was there.

Vice Principal Sylvester took off her glasses. "We have someone for you to tutor. A cripple boy named Arthur Abrams," she said, handing Mercedes his file.

Mercedes read it. "Wait, this says he scored in the 90th percentile in math and reading. He doesn't need my help," Mercedes told Mrs. Sylvester.

"Yes he does. Our school is not equipped for his wheelchair, and most of his required classes are upstairs. That's why we need you to bring his work to him and go over it with him," Sylvester admitted.

"Wait…So when you say teach him what you really mean is serve him," Mercedes said, disliking the idea even more.

"Look. I'm going to be honest with you. The kid is a pain in the ass. He's had seven tutors before you, and they all quit. This is a tough year for McKinley. We have four hundred new students, and no budget to make this building more "cripple friendly". So, you are my last option. The pay is two-fifty an hour and its ten hours a week. Take it or leave it," said Mrs. Sylvester.

"Deal," Mercedes said, shaking Mrs. Sylvester's hand. Truth be told, she didn't even get paid half that amount for tutoring at Roosevelt, so she couldn't care less if the kid was annoying.

"Here's the room number and his classroom assignments. Good luck Miss Jones," Mrs. Sylvester said, handing her a stack of assignments.

Mercedes opened room 104. It was an old choir room that looked like it hadn't been touched in years. Near the far corner, sitting in front of a piano, sat a Arthur Abrams. Mercedes didn't know why, but he didn't look at all like she expected. Yes, his clothes did remind her of a band geek, but his physical features suggested otherwise. He had dark brown hair with bangs that swooped across his elegant face. He had broad shoulders and muscular arms that he probably acquired from using his chair. His eyes were dark blue and very intense as he played a few random notes a on the piano.

"Hi, are you Arthur?"

"It's Artie. No one calls me Arthur," the boy said, not turning to look at Mercedes. Artie's voice was surprisingly stern, almost intimidating to Mercedes. Mercedes gave little cough, clearing out her nerves.

"Okay Artie, well I'm Mercedes. I'll be your peer tutor for this semester," Mercedes said.

The boy turned his head to look at her. He started at her feet, working his blue eyes up to her chest then finally to her face. A small smile appeared on his face that was followed by a scoff and head shake.

"Boy is the school running out of options," he said.

Mercedes opened her mouth to say something, but remembered Mrs. Sylvester's words. Artie didn't want a tutor and was trying to get a rise out of her. She needed to keep calm. Artie still kept his judgmental glare on Mercedes.

"You look familiar. You're that negro from the newspaper. The one that dumb quarterback saved," Artie said.

Mercedes gave Artie an identical smirk to his own. "That dumb quarterback's name is Sam, and yes, he did save my life," Mercedes replied. Artie smiled. Though Mercedes tried to sound un-phased by the Artie's comment, he took notice in her change of tone, and decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Oh, SAM is it? You two are on a first name basis are you. You must like SAM a lot, huh, Mercedes," Artie said.

"We're friends," Mercedes told him. Artie shook his head.

"No you're not. Trust me. Sam Evans is "friends" with everyone. He thinks he's God's gift to McKinley, waving and high fiving everyone like his hand shake will cure cancer. Truth be told, he's never gotten to know any of us mere mortals past a smile and a nod. You think you guys are friends now? See if he lets you sit next to him at lunch, or talk to his friends. You'll see how close your actual friendship is," Artie said.

Mercedes didn't notice halfway through Artie's slam, her hands started to shake in anger.

"Did I hit a nerve?" he asked. "I mean you didn't actually think he was keen on you did you? Aww you did. Are you going to cry now?"

Mercedes held her breath, realizing her eyes were starting to fill with hot tears.

"Don't worry, you'll be much happier when you become invisible at this school," Artie told her, as she wiped under one eye.

Mercedes couldn't stand to be in Artie's presence for one more minute. "Here's your work for today," she mustered to say, putting the papers on top of the piano, before walking out of the classroom. She entered the nearest girls bathroom. She washed her face with cool water. "Don't let him get to you," Mercedes told herself, but it was too late. The word 'stuipid' kept reappearing in Mercedes' head as she looked into the mirror. Though she would never admit it out loud, she knew she was in love with Sam Evans. And that she secretly hoped he'd ask her to go steady. But was that his real intention? Or was he just obsessed with the chase. The notion wasn't obsurd to Mercedes. Shane started out just as sweet and persistent as Sam. He brought flowers, held books, wrote poems, the works. Then when they started dating, it all just stopped. He stopped calling and stopped caring. Mercedes could not even be considered his trophy girlfriend. She was more his closet girlfriend. Its like once Shane got what he wanted there was no point in forming an actual relationship with her. Mercedes fell for this trap once. No matter how she felt about Sam, she could not do it again.

The bell rang, starting the lunch period. Mercedes came out of the restroom, heading towards her locker. Suddenly her vision was cast in darkness by two hands covering her eyes. "Guess who," she heard Sam whisper. He heart skipped at the presence of its mate, but she ignored it, moving Sam's hands away from her eyes. She turned to face him. He was wearing the same lopsided smile he always wore when he thought he was being clever.

"Hi, beautiful, How was you first day?" Sam asked, moving one of Mercedes curls out of her face. He looked into her eyes waiting for an answer. Mercedes looked down. "It was fine, Sam," she replied softly. "Hey, I was thinking we should play hooky for lunch. The weather's great outside. We could eat on the bleachers," Sam suggested.

Mercedes shook her head.

"Why?"

Sam wasn't really expecting this question.

"Umm, it's like I said. It's gorgeous outside, and I don't really want to share you with anyone else today," Sam replied.

Mercedes scoffed.

"Are you sure it's not because you don't want to introduce me to your friends?" she asked.

Sam scratched the back of his head.

"No," Sam said.

Mercedes huffed, a sad smile appearing on her face.

"You're lying, Sam" she said.

Sam could detect Mercedes was mad at him, though he wasn't sure what it was about.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" he asked.

"Don't change the subject," Mercedes said.

"I wasn't aware that I was," Sam replied honestly.

"You don't want me to eat in the cafeteria with your friends. Be honest, Samuel" Mercedes told him.

Sam shook his head.

"…Yeah, but it's not what you think. Rachel and Quinn-" Sam began, but Mercedes had heard enough. She knew where this was going.

"You're such a hypocrite," Mercedes said. "You want me to have faith in us, but you want to hide me from the world like I'm some embarrassing secret."

"WHAT? No, that's not true. I just didn't want us to sit by my friends today because – Mercedes! Where are you going?"

Mercedes had walked away from Sam into the cafeteria. She took a seat by Tina.

Sam stood by himself in the hallway in disbelief. There was no way he could have predicted his reunion with Mercedes would have gone that badly. Earlier that day, after Sam had kicked Rachel out of his dad's truck, he had determined she would no doubt make a scene at lunch, embarrassing him and causing a catfight between her and Quinn over Finn. That was the last thing he wanted Mercedes to see. He knew Rachel might have cooled off the next day, and they could all sit together tomorrow. So, all Sam had to do was convince Mercedes to skip lunch with him once and everything would be fine. But, it didn't work out that way. How could she think she was an embarrassment to him? If anything, he had more to be ashamed of…

Mercedes stamped the books near the front of the library. Some of them she may have stamped more than once, but she didn't want to stop the comforting rhythm of hitting the books and closing the cover. Open and shut. Quick and easy. 'Just forget him, Jones,' she mumbled to herself, moving to a new stack. She kept reminding herself that a half-ass relationship was no relationship. Sam Evans was cute, but he wasn't that cute.

"Can we talk?"

Mercedes looked up to see Sam standing in front of her.

"Go away, Sam," Mercedes said, turning her eyes away from him, continuing to stamp her books.

"Please MJ," Sam said, taking Mercedes' hand. Mercedes looked at her hand in his. For the first time, she notices the burn marks and bruises on Sam's hand. Mercedes look at him. "Kay," she says, following him to an empty table. Sam pulls out her chair then takes a seat opposite of her. He clears his throat. Mercedes can tell he's nervous.

"Look, Mercedes. I've never liked a girl as much as I like you. You're smart, and funny, and when you're not cursing me out, you can be pretty sweet," Sam said.

Mercedes chuckled. Damn him for making her laugh.

"You work on me like a tonic. I want to see you smile and hear you laugh all the time. It's just my friends can be idiots sometimes, and I was afraid you'd meet them today, get annoyed, and not want to talk to me anymore," Sam said.

"That's ridiculous, Sam," Mercedes said.

"Is it? I mean do you even want to be with me?" Sam asked.

It was weird for Mercedes to see Sam show his insecurity.

She looked around first, before taking Sam's hand in hers. "You're the weirdest boy I've ever met Sam Evans. I don't care if your friends have tea with the Klan on Thursdays. Bring it on. I'm not going anywhere," Mercedes told Sam. Sam smiled touching Mercedes face. He leaned in to kiss her, but Mercedes stopped him. "We are in a library, Sam," she said. "Oh yeah," Sam said. The two stood, walking to the front of the library.

"So does that mean you're going to tell your parents about me now?" Sam asked.

"Uhh not yet," Mercedes said.

"You're more afraid of your daddy than the Klan?" Sam said, gulping at the thought of Mercedes' father chasing him with a shotgun. "MJ, MJ! How big is your daddy?" Sam whispered. Mercedes laughed, shaking her head.

"Good morning, Arthur," Mercedes said, putting Artie's work down on the table. "You ready to look over your work today?" she asked.

Artie was surprised to see that the negro girl was back. She was tougher than he thought.

"You're back. The pay must be good," Artie said, taking out his glasses from his from pocket and putting them on. "It is," Mercedes said, taking a seat next to him. "Let's look at English first," Mercedes told him.

"What's your deal? Did your "friend" actually talk to you yesterday?" Artie asked. Mercedes ignored him. "How about a little Shakespeare? Romeo and Juliet?" she asked, holding up the book. Artie smirked. "Speaking of tragedies," Artie said.

Mercedes chuckled, taking off her earrings.

"Let's get something straight, ARTIE Abrams. I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not. Truth be told I'm not the nicest person in the world. In fact, I can be very nasty when I'm mad. Ask MY FRIEND Sam Evans. So you can be rude all you want to me, but just know that this negro has no problem smacking the shit out of a kid in a wheelchair."

Artie sat dumbfound across from the first person who ever told him off. Mercedes waited for him to respond. When he stayed silent, she smirked and took out her reading glasses that were identical to Artie's. "Alright. Romeo and Juliet. I'll read first," Mercedes said. She started to read out loud. Artie couldn't understand why at the time, but it seemed much hotter in the room than it did a few minutes ago.

"Hey guys. This is Mercedes," Sam said, pulling out a chair for Mercedes as she took a seat at their caf table.

"Mercedes, this is Quinn, Finn, you know Noah, Mike, Brittany, and of course you know Kurt," said Sam. Mercedes gave Kurt a quick wink before scooting down to give Sam room.

"Kurt was just showing us how to get the swoop in his hair," Finn said.

Mercedes wasn't sure when Kurt became a cool kid but thought accurately it probably had something to do with Sam.

"Oh God, here comes Rachel," Quinn said. "Why do we let her sit with us again?"

"Because her dad owns the drugstore and she can get us free cigarettes," Puck said, right before Rachel took a seat next to Finn who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Hello everyone… Samuel," Rachel added, giving Sam a stink eye, before opening her lunch box.

Mercedes laughed to herself at the odd bunch. Except for their complexion, none of these people were alike. Mike Chang started cutting up Brittany's food in her plate. Everyone was eating their lunch, except Sam.

"Where's your lunch Evans?" Finn asked.

"Oh umm, I had a big breakfast, so I'm not hungry," Sam said, scratching the back of his head.

"Clearly, his parents couldn't give him any lunch money today," Rachel said.

"No one asked you, Berry," Quinn said.

"Actually, Sam knew I was making my famous meat loaf today and I packed his lunch with mine," Mercedes said, taking out her lunch container. "And of course, I brought an extra slice of apple pie just in case," she added. Sam held her hand under the table.

"Aw I want apple pie too," Brittany said.

Quinn, who was the only friend, besides Rachel, who knew about Sam's family, gave a quick smile to Mercedes before she continued eating.

"So, have you guys seen that Santana girl? She's a babe," Puck said, high fiving Mike Chang. Rachel and Quinn rolled their eyes.

"I could introduce you two if you want," Mercedes said. She knew Puck was a player, but after what he did in the fire, she knew he couldn't be all bad.

"Alright! Cool points to the new chick," Puck said, holding up his hand.

"Ugh no calling my girl chick, Puck," Sam said

"Woah, since when is she YOUR girl?" Puck asked.

"Yeah, since when am I your girl?" repeated Mercedes, turning to Sam.

"OOOhhh, you got dissed Sam. You gotta lay me some skin for that MJ," Puck said. Mercedes high fived him as the table laughed.

Mercedes smiled to herself as Sam walked her to her locker.

"So, this Saturday. Me, you and the gang ?" Sam asked.

"Sounds cool," Mercedes said, hugging her journals to her chest.

Sam bit his lip.

"Cool," he said.

Sam left for class as Mercedes opened her locker. A note fell out onto the floor. She picked it up and read it.

BURN BITCH

She quickly looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was looking. Her heartbeat drowned out all the other sounds in the hallway. Artie was right. Because at that moment, more than anything, Mercedes wished she was invisible.