Chapter 03.

"Five gummies tells me you won't yell, 'I love Lima, Ohio'" Sam said to Mercedes

"You're damn right!"

"OK, ten gummies." he wagered

"There is no amount of gummies that can get me to admit to that lie! I cannot wait to get out of this town. Besides that would kill my voice."

"OK-"

"How about you say it?" she interrupted

"What? That I love Lima? Sure."

Sam pushed his self from out of the sand and dusted his shorts off. Loudly and confidently he yelled,

"I love Lima Ohio! I love it so much because I met the most beautifu-"

"Sam!" Mercedes warned and pulled him back down to the ground.

"What?"

"Please don't do that."

"You asked me to do it. I'm going to." he said as he rose again and yelled at the top of his lungs, "I met the most beautiful girl and I love her! Mercedes Jones! This girl right next time!"

He pointed to Mercedes as she hid from the odd stares of the beach-goers. Some applauded and cheered and others just continued on without a care. Sam looked down at Mercedes, holding out his hand for hers.

"Now you're turn"

"Sam..." her voice was soft and unsure

As the sun began to set, a chilling wind came over them. Mercedes shivered for a second, enough for Sam to take notice. He bent down and picked up the towel he had been sitting on and wrapped it around Mercedes. She nodded in gratitude.

"Do you want to go home?"

"I'm alright."

Mercedes rose from the sand and looked at Sam with a smile. She cleared her throat.

"I don't love Lima Ohio! But I love Sam Evans! This guy right here." her voice loud and strong.

A buzzing from her phone interrupted her memory and brought her back to the present.

She picked her phone up and looked at the new text message she had.

1445. hello can i take u out tobreadstix? Theyre having a late lnch specil 5$!

The text had woken up her stomach's brain and it quickly reminded her that she hadn't eaten all day. She began typing out her message but was once again interrupted by a text.

Shld I be aplgzng for somthin? Kurt jus went off on me...

no, he's just hormonal. when do you want to meet? She texted back.

Within a minute she had received a new text message from Sam.

lol is 20 mins ok? I'm gonna catch aride with kurt.

sure. i will see you then.

love you. -sam

She stuffed her phone in her pocket and picked up the keys to her car.

"Dad, I'm going out to Breadstix with Sam. I'll be back soon."

"Sure Cedes. Don't stay out so late this time. Church tomorrow."

"Yeah, I won't."

Sam was already there when she entered Breadstix. He was dressed casually in a brown logo-less shirt and dark blue jeans. Mercedes slid into the booth, sitting opposite of him.

"You've probably grown tired of me saying this but you look beautiful." he said to her with a smile.

She returned his smile with an equally pleasant one and thanked him.

"So...it's double dip Saturday."

"I know! Kurt just doesn't understand the importance of this day!"

"Well I'm glad you didn't go with him earlier. I think I make a much better date."

Mercedes couldn't help but laugh, "You're right"

Her face suddenly took on a much more concerned look. She tried to hide it from Sam but he immediately read the emotions on her face. Her took her hand and stroked it gently.

"Something wrong Mercedes?"

She took a deep breath.

"Sam, I've never been more invested in someone so I'm going to need you to be completely honest-"

"Woah, you are starting to sound a lot like Rachel"

'Is she really rubbing off on me that much?' she thought

"Whatever Sam, I really need you to be honest to me. No crap."

His face went from a teasing smile to a mirror of her own, serious yet confused.

She breathed in and exhaled slowly, "Sam, do you know a girl name Ansley?"

His eyes widened as his face contorted from shocked to confused. He remained quiet.

"Well, do you?"

Finally, his face settled on a emotionless expression. He took in a breath and freed her hand from his.

"No. Never met anyone named Ansley."