A/N: Sorry it's so late. Thanks again for the reviews, faves, and follows. I hope you guys enjoy.
"Mercedes?" The blonde questions plopping down next to her. "Never thought you'd be a fan of swimming."
She shakes her head. "I'm not really just supporting a friend."
"Who?" The girl inquires much to Mercedes dismay.
"Sam Evans. Do you know him?" Remaining polite she continues the conversation.
"The guy with those huge lips?"
She nods smiling. "Yep, that's him. What are you here for? You a fan of swimming?" Subtlety she tries to change the subject.
"Nuh-uh. My boyfriend plays water polo and they have a match after this. I just decided to come early."
Mercedes nods her head again.
"So...is Sam like your boyfriend?" Mandy ask, out of the blue.
He wishes. Mercedes laughs to her self. "No. He's just a friend." Her eyes wander to the attendants taking the lanes out of the now empty pool.
"Oh, I just thought. Well I see you guys around campus a lot...together. And I notice you always here for his meets."
"Well were just friends. Nothing more and nothing less. Here he comes now."
She says eyes on him as he exits the locker room. Getting up she excuses herself. "See you tomorrow Mandy."
He walks up to her smiling. "So did I do good or what?"
She returns his smile, nodding her head. "Well I guess so since you guys did kind of win."
"Oh yeah, we did? Didn't we?"
"Yeah, Mr. Aquaman." She says pushing his arm as they walk towards the parking lot.
"Mercedes Jones, was that a comic book reference? I am very well pleased. I see you've been catching up on the reading material I gave you."
"Yep. But only when I have absolutely nothing to do."
"Sure." He says with unbelief as they approach her car. They stare at each other in silence. Shoes shuffle, a forced cough is let out. He smiles at her. She smiles back shyly.
"I was thinking that maybe you'd want to maybe want to hang with me for a bit." He ask eyes full of hope.
"And do what Sam?"
"We could play Uno or watch a movie?" He suggest. "Perhaps Ms. Congeniality? I'll even make you some Mac and Cheese."
Thoughts course through her mind rapidly as he smiles at her, awaiting her answer. "I don't know Sam."
"Is this because of Michael?"
Her eyebrows furrow as she looks down. Because yes it is but she doesn't want to tell him that.
"Mercedes you can't let him control your life."
"He doesn't. Why don't you get it Sam?"
He's confused now. What is there to get? His thoughts end up voiced out loud.
"It's like..." Trailing off she doesn't feel the need to explain to him. It's something he needs to figure out himself.
"It's not like I'm asking you on a date, it's just two good friends hanging out."
Looking down she considers the fact that yeah he does have a point. But she still feels unsure.
Whilst she debates going with him in her head his smirking face already knows the answer.
"Hey." He says cheerfully. She can imagine the way his eyes are lighting up.
"Hey." Her soft reply causes a smile she can almost see on the other line.
"What's up, beautiful?"
"Nothing much. Just about to hang out with Sam for a bit." She can hear movement on the other side of the phone.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, he had a swim meet today, no he wants to hang for a bit."
"Mercedes."
"Hm?" She answers not sure how to take his calm tone.
"You know you don't have to call me every time you hang out with Sam. There's no need for you to feel guilty, or weird."
She smiles into the phone.
"Thanks."
"Why are you with him?" He ask, as the credits roll.
"What?"
"Mike. Why? What is it about him that your with him?" His hands go up accentuating his question, like he really has absolutely no idea why she's with Mike.
"We've discussed this. I don't have to explain it to you." Here we go again she thinks, running a hand through her hair.
"You don't. But since were friends maybe you could."
"Honestly?" She questions. Afraid he might take what she says next not seriously.
"Honestly." Biting her lip, her hands fold in her lap. Feeling shy talking about the man in her life, with the man of her dreams. "His eyes."
"So your with him because he's Asian." He says flatly, shaking his head. "Mercedes I must say-"
"No Sam." She cuts him off. "Not the shape of his eyes." She says rolling her own eyes, knowing he'd assume. "There just so full of wonder and excitement. That and then why most people get together. You know attraction, and shared experiences, things we have in common."
"Well yeah I know that but, why him? Why not Puck or any of the guys you met in L.A."
"I wasn't exactly looking for one when I was in L.A. I was focused on what I was there for...my career. Every time I'd come back here though, Mike was always kinda just there. We understood each other. Everyone was all over the place, and everyone had broken up and were with new people. It wasn't like I'd thought it be when I came back. Real life kicked its way through the door. Santana, Kurt, and Rachel all had each other. Puck was always busy doing something. Everyone else where all buddy buddy with the new kids. Mike was there."
As she trails off all he can do is nod.
"Well for the record I'm sorry."
"For what?" Confusion creeps into her mind as he shifts closer to her.
"Not being there." He says it looking right into her eyes. "The thing is I'm here now though right?"
It's getting hard to resist those eyes. That smile. The boy. He's so sincere.
But she has Mike. Her mind says. But Sam is here. Her heart says.
Or is it her mind. She's confused.
So she just scoots back on the couch, leaving those thoughts for another day. Sam's her friend.
"Right."
Mercedes Text Message Log Saturday Evening (After hanging with Sam)
Mercedes: Hey
Mike: Hey. What's up?
Mercedes: Nothing...I just miss you
Mike: Good thing I'll be back in Lima in what? Ten days
Mercedes: Ten days is too long
Mike: Yeah, but it will be worth the wait
Mercedes: Why is that?
Mike: I may have gotten you the best present ever
Mercedes: And just what would that be?
Mike: A surprise
Mercedes: Can I have a hint?
Mike: No, it wouldn't be much of a surprise then
Mercedes: Please just a hint
Mike: Check your email when you can ;)