AN: Sorry it took so long for me to update! I got super busy with work and family came over. But I do have one thing to say about this chapter: We finally get to see some of Sam's views about things!

Chapter Three: She's So Gone

For being the avid shopper that she was, Mercedes Jones decided that Myrtle Beach was officially one of her favorite places to shop. The evidence was the five shopping bags that were filled to the max, all having come from different places at Broadway at the Beach.

After all the shopping the girls had done and the complaining from the boys, the group decided to stop and eat at Yamato's. From what they had been told, it was a very popular place on the Grand Strand where they cooked Japanese food in front of you. To say the least, Puck was excited when he was told that they used a lot of fire.

"Table for fourteen, please."

As Rachel said this, Mercedes could tell the waitress wanted to hurt the poor girl. Keeping in a snicker, the diva soon stood with her mouth open as the waitress said, "That'll be at least an hour."

"What?"

Ignoring Santana's outburst, Puck decided to put in his two cents. "Guys, we have to eat here."

"You only want to come for the fire show, Noah!"

It took a lot of arguing but it was decided that the guys would stay behind and the girls would go back to the beach house so they could put down their bags.

Watching the girls leave, Sam Evans held his tongue and tried to deny that he watched only Mercedes. She still looks beautiful… Breaking his stare, he rubbed the spot where Puck had elbowed him and gave the teen a glare. Puck just smirked as the boys went to sit down on the nearby chairs.

"Have eyes for sexy mama, do you?" Whispered Puck, obviously trying to make it so only Sam could hear.

Sam didn't know what to say as he stared at the ground. Biting the inside of his cheek, he sighed through his nose before replying, "I wasn't staring."

"Sure," his friend chuckled. "So Berry told me she tried to get you and Cedes alone in that rollercoaster simulator. Did anything happen?"

"Nah. I don't like her like that dude."

"You can keep denying it but we both know that when someone stares at girls the way you stare at Mercedes, there is obviously some kind of feelings there."

"That's what I think too," Kurt interjected, his legs crossed. "I think she has feelings for you too."

Does she still? The blond shook his head. A thought ran through his mind and before he could stop himself he asked, "What happened to her? It's almost like she's a different person…"

Shrugging, Kurt glanced at Sam before mumbling, "She won't even tell me. Something obviously happened and from what I can tell it shook her really bad. I noticed the change in her after graduation. She began to work all the time and whenever she wasn't working, she stayed at her house. The only people that could get her out for a couple hours were Rachel, her brother, and I. Even then it was like she wasn't even there. Although from what her brother says, she apparently danced her frustration out."

As soon as the words graduation reached his ears, Sam was frozen. He heard the rest of what Kurt said but none of it really registered. He was the reason why she seemed broken? He was the reason why she changed and lost weight. He was the reason why she barely had any fight left in her? The sudden feeling of bile creeping up his esophagus had him swallowing hard and his green eyes couldn't tear away from the floor.

Kurt and Puck seemed to notice his changed demeanor and watched Finn, Mike, and Artie joking around, leaving the blond with his thoughts.

He was so into his own mind that he failed to notice the girls return until the sight of Mercedes made him gasp.

All the girls had apparently changed into some of the clothes they bought and Mercedes was no different. Instead of the light yellow shirt and capris, she was wearing a white tunic with metallic graphics on the front, the sleeves short, and a pair of denim shorts that were short enough you could see the pockets. A pair of black mid-calf boots adorned her feet and Sam had to close his mouth before drool started to go down his chin. She was sexy and he felt an all too familiar stirring in his gut. Looking away, Sam knew that if he had looked at her any longer, his jeans would've become too tight.

After the girls with boyfriends had decided to dress up, the diva had decided to do the same. She didn't have a boyfriend but that didn't mean she wouldn't appreciate the looks she'd most likely get from hot guys. What girl wouldn't want a hot guy staring at her?

Stepping inside of the restaurant brought a nervous flutter to her stomach and she mentally checked herself, hoping she looked good enough to kill. Crinkled hair? Check? Awesome make up? Check. An outfit that would make Kurt clap in approval? Check-ity check.

From what she could tell, the boys were very appreciative of the change in outfits and it had her smiling. Her eyes wandered and when they landed on Sam, she felt a pang of confidence go through her. He obviously liked the outfit and it only made her smile grow. That's right Sam. See what you're missing. Damn, those dance classes really came in handy. I look fine.

The group was seated after another five minutes, seven people at one table and seven at another. Picking a spot next to Kurt and Tina, she saw Sam take a seat next to Mike, in perfect view of her. Unconsciously or not, it still made her heart flutter.

Once everyone was settled and had ordered, the chefs quickly went to their tables and went to work. The fire volcano got an enthusiastic shout from Puck and Lauren while Finn tried to not burn off his eyebrows. It wasn't until they were eating that the diva got a surprise.

"Miss Mercedes Jones?"

Startled, Mercedes turned around before a squeal could be contained. "Wyatt Daniels?" She was up and out of her seat in seconds, hugging the curly haired brunet. Leaning back from the hug, she gave him a once over and damn if he didn't look good. Tight black jeans, a pair of red Keds, a white shirt that clung to his chest… this boy was hella fine.

"What are you doing here?" The diva said excitedly.

Wyatt smirked, "I'm on vacation. What about you, Mercy?"

The moment Sam saw the guy coming up behind Mercedes, he didn't like him. There was something about him that made Sam nervous and it only got worse when they hugged. Jealousy he had not felt in months crawled up his spine and he held in a growl. Who is this kid?

"What are you doing here?" He heard Mercedes say a little too happily for his taste. She never told me about him before.

The smirk that was on the guys lips had him furrowing his brow and the blond gripped his fork as the guy said, "I'm on vacation. What about you, Mercy?" Mercy? That's my nickname for her!

"Same," Sam heard her say with a smile. "I'm here with my friends from Glee. Remember I told you at our last rehearsal I was going to go on vaca with them?"

"Hey Mercedes, who's this dude?" Finn said from the table beside them. He didn't like the look of happiness Rachel, Kurt, and Tina were emitting.

Sam saw Mercedes' face flush as she turned to the group, "Oh sorry, guys. His name's Wyatt Daniels. He's a friend from dance class. I met him the first day my brother made me go."

"Helped her with the routine, I did." Wyatt chuckled.

Playfully slapping his chest, the diva flushed more, a shy smile on her face.

Whatever was between them, Sam didn't like. Deciding to focus more on his food, he pushed around a piece a shrimp as he tried to not listen in on their conversation but failed terrible. From what he could tell they were friends – flirting even. When Wyatt said she looked "absolutely gorgeous today", he stabbed the shrimp a little too hard before popping it in his mouth. With a scowl on his face, he got up from his chair and went to the rest room.

I broke up with her, remember? Idiot!

The warm feeling she got in her chest from Wyatt's complement disappeared when she saw Sam get up and go to the bathroom.

Noticing this, Wyatt asked, "So you guys doing anything special?"

"We're going to The Afterdeck tomorrow night," Kurt piped up, Blaine laughing at him. "You should come, Wyatt!"

The brunet smiled and agreed before giving Mercedes a kiss on the cheek and a wink before going back to his table.

As soon as she was seated, her face still flushed and a smile on her lips, she was bombarded with questions.

"Girl, he's hot! Why don't you go after him?"

"Seriously! He's into you!"

"Why did I not hear about him?"

"I really wish I had taken you up on your offer on those dance classes."

Laughing at Quinn's response, she winked at the girl from the other table before returning to her fried rice.

The rest of the afternoon went off without a hitch, the boys deciding to take another trip to the beach while the girls walked the nearby boardwalk. When Mercedes went to sleep that night, the last thing she thought about was how she couldn't wait to go to the paint party.

AN:

Reviews are appreciated! The next chapter should be up soon ~

Here's a link to Mercedes' dress: amiclubwear . com / clothing-dress-a2-2957white . html

Her shoes: amiclubwear . com / shoes-boots-dh-cuetieblack . html

She's So Gone by Lemonade Mouth

Panicked Karma