A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews, PM's, alerts, and subscriptions. I wrote this story to finally get it out of my head and put it into the world. Knowing you all love it makes me so happy. Also, thank you to the wonderful Tumblr user that recommended my story. I saw that and liked to squeal like a little girl. It does me proud to know you all enjoy my story as much as I enjoy writing it. Once again I don't own Glee, The Devil Wears Prada, or Love and Other Disasters (which I recommend watching!)
Chapter 4: If Only For a Night.
It was Saturday and Mercedes sat on her bed with a bowl of Kix and her laptop. She'd been up since 6 o'clock. She'd gone to her yoga class, followed by an hour of cardio and now she enjoyed breakfast after a shower. Contrary to what most believed Mercy believed in keeping herself healthy. She may have been a big girl but she was a big healthy girl. She was prepared to spend the rest of the day waiting for Sue to call her with a stupid request to ruin her day. Her tongue poked out between tight lips. This was her look of concentration. Mercedes was in the zone as she typed feverishly. She was glad to finally break through her writers block and make progress on her novel. Since meeting Na'vi Boy three months prior she'd been inspired to finish. Tim, the boy who haunted her past had been the first half of the book. She always prided herself on the ability to never need a man, but in this case every great story had elements of romance. Her fingers flew over the keys as she sat upright in her comfortable oversized bed. She could run an empire from this bed. She took a few moments to look out of the window her mind threatened to go back to the boy she'd loved in high school but she pushed through it all. She thought to herself that now he's only a character. This boy doesn't exist anymore. She went back to work putting him back in his place.
She finally had a face for her new male lead. This made writing much easier for her. She smiled as she finished a chapter and readied herself to move onto the next one. Her book was finally fleshing out. The characters had personality and things were coming together. She'd started writing what she called the great American novel during her college years but it never had the dimension it had now. She must have written and erased the first chapter over 100 times before she felt it was good enough. Mercedes was her own worst critic. She could honestly say she was pleased with her work this time. Something about those pleasant green eyes, and full gave her inspiration. Just as she started on the first sentence her phone rang interrupting the flow of music from her MP3 Player/Phone. She answered it quickly knowing exactly who it was. Only one person had "All That Jazz" as their ringtone. Kurt set it himself after stealing her phone during lunch one day.
"What do you want Kurt? I'm in the middle of a new chapter" She said her voice flat her tongue going back to resting between her plump lips in concentration. Over the last ninety days she'd formed the blocks for a deep friendship with Kurt that she'd never had with another person. For the first time she had a friend that understood her. As he told one day while they were sitting and talking about art "I'm gay, and you're black. Together we make culture." That caused her to break into a fit of seldom seen giggles. They spent time together when Sue wasn't demanding that she find some out of production China or commanding her to wait at the docks for her illegal whale bone cream that supposedly kept her dewy fresh.
"Come to the door bitch, don't keep me out here." She heard Kurt's shrill voice say.
"Why the hell would I do that? I'm comfortable." Mercedes bit back with a smile on her face as she threw her feet over the edge of the bed preparing to meet him at the door. "I will have you know I was in the middle of a good jam. I was rocking out to the Flaming Lips before you called." She walked down the steps of the large brownstone.
"Mercedes get your big beautiful ass to the door. I'm in the middle of Brooklyn. Some drag queen might try to take my shoes." Kurt was growing impatient.
"What's in it for me?" She asked as she opened the door to look at him. She hung up the phone and Kurt held up a large Starbucks cup.
"I brought breakfast, and I booked you an appointment with a hairstylist. You need to take care of that rats nest you call a weave. You know Sue will have a shit fit if you show up on Monday looking like you've been rode hard and put away wet. Seriously Mercedes you look like you have permanent sex hair. And that is not in a sexy way." Kurt stepped past her and handed her the large cup of coffee. Mercedes looked down after hearing a click on the hard wood floors.
"Kurt, what are you wearing?" She looked down at the black suede, gold studded, open toed booties. The heel had to be at least 6".
"Heels, what are you wearing?" Kurt raised an eyebrow and circled her. She wore her favorite stained sleep shirt and black leggings. Mercedes had taken a shower this morning after her trip to the gym but these were her lounge clothes.
"I'm comfortable, it's Saturday." She said rolling her eyes.
"Girl didn't your momma tell you to always be prepared for guests?" He asked as he took a deep drink of his coffee. Kurt moved through the house as if he owned it. He'd been there several times before to keep the girl company. The large brownstone was sometimes too much to handle at night. This home was her brother's pride and joy. He'd purchased two homes while the economy was still shit and knocked out the wall separating them and combined the two homes into one. On the outside it looked like it was still two separate buildings but inside winding staircases and glass doors connected the once large homes into an urban mansion. The house had been featured in many interior decorating magazines, as well as a few others. Her brother, Lamont and his wife were the only people in Brooklyn to ever be allowed to do such a thing. This made him the envy of his well to do neighbors. She loved the open airy feeling of this house. With its large windows and rooftop garden this place was heaven for Mercedes. Having to cook and clean when the couple was home was just a small price to pay. Right now they were in Fiji for three months visiting friends and helping with some volunteer work. Mercedes was grateful for the privacy and glad they'd only left yesterday. Sometimes her sister-in-law could be a handful; she was a demanding woman with specific and picky tastes.
"Yes, she also told me not to open the door for strangers in high heels." Mercedes finally answered as she padded back to her room. Kurt only gave her a half smile and flicked her off as he sat on the large plush couch in the second sitting room. The left side of the house was unofficially considered Mercedes' and was separated by large glass double doors. When guests came this is where they were housed but considering her brother and wife were rarely home they barely entertained. Mercedes knew this house was only a show of her brother's love of architecture and design.
"Get dressed your appointment is in an hour. I've taken the liberty of picking your hair and the style. All you have to do is sit there and become de-ratified." Kurt called out to her as she made her way up the steps to her room without a word. She wouldn't let Kurt know but she was excited to see what he'd picked. Mercedes rolled her eyes as she pulled on another pair of black leggings and an old oversized thinning Nekromantix t-shirt with the neck cut off that held more memories then she'd like to recall. She finished the mess off with a pair of knee high combat boots. She looked in the mirror pleased that this would piss Kurt off and smiled. She grabbed the ratty messenger bag that served as her weekend purse and her favorite beanie to cover the mess that had become her weave, and headed back down the steps. Over the months Kurt had become used to Mercedes ratty and disheveled appearance outside of work. He decided he would start slowly with her. He would ease her into style. He would show her that she could still be herself, but a polished more grown up version of what he called the hippy rocker. When he looked at her he had to remind himself that baby steps were the key. It was so hard to not just toss her into the Closet with Stephen.
Mercedes had surprised him and it took a lot to surprise Kurt Hummel. Miss Jones was not what he expected. He thought she'd been a soft spoken girl with a mild manner and just a touch of sass. Kurt Hummel was wrong, and he couldn't be happier for it. The girl was not the shy, delicate, flower he expected. Mercedes was opinionated, stubborn, and sassy at times, she was slow to trust but once she did she trusted you implicitly. At the core of her personality Kurt found Mercedes was funny, good natured and sweet the more he got to know of her the more he loved. As Kurt sat and waited for the girl he recalled what she told him about her life. Mercedes story wasn't tragic, but it was heart breaking.
He'd found over the months that she was the product of a strict image driven upbringing. Her parents were hard on her in every way. Her mother was a typical socialite pushing Mercedes into church choir to keep up appearances. Kurt learned her mother wanted her to be perfect like her brothers. They were all well rounded socially. They were active in the community, made straight A's, and went to law school. But Mercedes had been the dreamer. Every family had one. She had different ideas of how she wanted to live her life. She was creative and wanted to become an artist or maybe dabble in music which she'd come to love from singing in the choir. To keep her family happy she pushed those things aside. She never explored her interest in music, or art. She sacrificed friends, and almost all social rights of passage to make sure she stayed focused. Mercedes was by breeding an overachiever. She'd only done one thing out of desire and she paid for it. Kurt learned that she'd spread herself thin in those days trying to do it all and be it all for her mother and father. All she wanted was their acceptance back then. Kurt was lost in his thoughts as he waited for her. He thought about her life, and understood why she kept people at arms length. Everyone that was supposed to love her let her down in a large way.
Mercedes confided in Kurt recently after sharing a bottle of rum that she'd only ever allowed herself to love one boy. His name was Tim and they'd formally met in her AP English class sophomore year. She'd had a crush on him the first time she saw him trip in the hall in 6th grade. He was a nerd-type with thick glasses that hid amazing blue eyes, and a mop of blonde hair that always got in his way. He was tall and lanky. He wore t-shirts with obscure Rockabilly bands that no one understood and chucks that had seen better days. He was smart and made her laugh. He was Mercy's type. She had loved him fiercely.
They'd gone to school together since kindergarten but he only noticed her in high school after being paired together for a project. His mother and father were like hers. They were society snobs who used their children as trophies. They pushed him to be the best and he was. But, unlike her he rebelled. Tim did what he wanted when he wanted. They started out as friends sitting together at lunch and discussing music and books. She'd sneak out at night to go to shows with him a few towns over; he showed her a life outside of what her parents expected.
Mercedes allowed herself to slip for him. For almost six months Mercedes allowed herself the pleasure of rebellion. One night after a Nekromantix show while sitting on the hood of his car Tim kissed her. That began their relationship. They agreed to keep it all a secret neither of their parents would approve of the other. Unlike most places Lima white high society and black high society didn't mix. They even had separate country clubs. It was an unspoken rule that the two never mixed unless it was for business.
When their parents found out at the end of summer close to the beginning of senior year Tim was finally sent to military school and Mercedes was given strict conditions. She would stop seeing him and never speak to him again. Also she would double major or her father wouldn't pay for college. Before Tim was sent away they managed to see each other one more time. She gave him her virginity and he gave her his by the lake that night on a blanket. They parted ways with promises of love and staying together no matter what. Mercedes created a secret e-mail account and gave him the address. She never heard from Tim again. Mercedes was heart broken.
After college before moving to the city she saw him walking through town with a girl much more suited to him. Gone were the glasses and obscure t-shirts. It broke her heart to see her Tim was gone and replaced with a country club drone. He stopped her to say hello and introduced her to his wife as only an old friend. That should have hurt Mercedes but after her time with Shane she was so numb that it barely registered. Mercedes had disappointed her parents and paid dearly for it with a broken heart that took years to mend. She never rebelled again; she made perfect grades and did everything they wanted just like before. Her responsibilities to her parents didn't end at just academia. They even controlled her love life that is how she ended up dating Shane during college.
She and Shane had grown up together and their parents went to the same church. She never liked Shane. He was a self entitled brat when they were children. She stopped seeing him around after 7th grade and learned he'd been sent to boarding school. During college they reconnected and he began pursuing her. Mercedes found him barely tolerable. He was no longer a spoiled brat. But he was still a snob, too proud of his family's money and glad to live off of it. The most she felt for him was a shallow friendship. She refused his advances at first this caused him to run to his parents. That in turn caused his parents to run to hers. Upon hearing of her rejection of Shane her mother was livid. After a heated call and threats of not paying her tuition she began to allow his advances. Mercedes wanted her education and the approval of her parents. She felt trapped. She felt dirty for allowing a relationship with him. She harbored resentment towards her parents for pimping her out to the first man that would take her, their damaged daughter. The first time Shane made love to her she cried. He thought they were tears of joy, Shane only saw what he wanted to see. Her mother later explained she wanted Mercedes to settle down with Shane, she'd always wanted her to settle down with Shane. The combination of their families would be perfect. They would create the perfect black high society family. This was her role in the Jones family. Since she didn't want to be a part of the family business she was to be a pawn. She'd marry Shane and join the two families.
During a long conversation while in their junior year of college Shane let her know the plan. She would be popping out at least one "cocoa baby" a year after they married until he said stop. Mercedes was horrified at the thought, and grew sick at the idea of letting him touch her again. Mercedes quickly ended the relationship. She finally saw just how persistent Shane was when he wanted something. He kept asking her to take him back, when she refused he later demanded using statements like "no one will ever love you like I do" or her favorite "you'll never meet another man like me!" As Mercedes closed the door on her relationship with Shane she prayed she wouldn't. She told him no until he got the picture and moved on.
Kurt was pulled from his thoughts as he heard her feet coming down the steps. He looked up and winced at her attire. She only rolled her eyes and kept moving towards the front door. Kurt pulled himself from the seat.
"A messenger bag, really Mercy. Don't you at least have a nice slouchy hobo?" Kurt asked as they made their way to the curb to hail a cab. Kurt was claustrophobic so he always sprung for taxis.
"Yes Kurt let me go back into the house and get it." Mercedes said as she rolled her eyes.
"Point taken its enough that I'm even allowed to be picking out your weave." Kurt said as he climbed into the taxi that stopped for them.
"I'm glad you realize the sacrifice I'm making." She said with a smile and patted his hand. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She was threatened with losing herself in her thoughts so she patted Kurt's hand and smiled.
"You've never tell me about your friends." Mercedes smiled and looked to him. She was right. He'd told her a little about Blaine and she knew Santana who would be meeting them later but he never mentioned Artie or Sam. So he started pushing himself up in his seat to face her.
"Artie is amazing. He brings life to a room wherever we go. His exterior and interior don't match. On the outside you have those Coke bottle glasses, and ridiculous sweater vests with saddle shoes. On the inside you have the soul of Michael Jackson. Every conversation with him includes at least one line from a Michael Jackson song. If he could he'd Moonwalk everywhere he went." Mercedes noticed how his eyes sparkled when he spoke about his friends. The same thing happened when he spoke about Blaine. Mercedes liked seeing the joy in his eyes. "He also has this amazing way with women. Even though he looks like a missing member of Revenge of the Nerds women just flock to him and are willing to give him whatever he wants. We used to think it was out of pity because he was so…I don't even know what the right word is. But it's because he truly is a ladies man. That boy can get the panties off a nun!" This caused Mercedes giggle. Her button nose scrunched up and her face glowed.
"Tell me about Sam?" She asked as they pulled up to the salon. It looked like a little hole in the wall. "Kurt where are we?" She asked as she looked around the dirty street.
"At the best "weaveologist" this city has to offer." Kurt said taking her hand and pulling her into the salon. The inside wasn't much better but it was packed. Rows of women were in different stages of getting their extensions done. Mercedes saw three empty chairs at the back and assumed they were for them. She was right as Kurt strutted towards the back; Mercedes heard murmurs of how much the clients loved his shoes. He sat down in an empty chair and crossed his legs, he pointed for Mercedes to sit in the chair across from him.
As she sat facing the mirror a tall woman appeared behind her and smiled putting her hands on her shoulders.
"You must be Mercedes." She said smiling.
"Yes ma'am." She said looking a little worried.
"Don't worry sweetheard you're in good hands." The deeply accented woman said as if she read her mind.
"I'm Immanuella. Everyone here calls me Manny." She said removing the woman's hat and gasping a little but staying silent. She grabbed a pair of scissors and proceeded to snip out the tiny stitches that kept her tracks in. Mercedes settled into the seat and prepared for a long ordeal as Kurt gave her the run down on Sam. He told her everything from his sense of humor, to the refusal to disclose anything about his long term mystery lover and sexuality. Mercedes found herself intrigued by this person. She listened, completely fascinated so much so that she barely noticed when Santana walked in holding a large bag.
"Here I got this for you Mercy." Santana dropped the bag in her lap. "It will go with your new hair." She said smiling and removing her large dark glasses. Mercedes opened the bag to see the clothes in it. "Hey Manny." Santana added kissing the woman on the cheek.
"Hey girl, that hair is looking good. You need me to tighten it up while you're here?" She asked as the girl sat down. Mercedes purred softly as she rubbed her scalp after removing the last of the braids.
"No just hook my girl up and make sure I never have to look up at that set up mess again." Santana said as she smiled shaking her head. "So what did I miss?"
"I was just telling Mercedes about Sam and Artie." Kurt said with a grin.
"Girl, you are going to love them. I have a feeling Artie will be all over you. He loves him some junk in the trunk. Be careful or he'll have your skirt around your waist in a moment." Santana said giving a giggle.
"Is he really that charming?" Mercedes asked.
"I'm a card carrying lesbian and he almost got me. That boy has a way of getting into a woman's head that is scary! I swear to all that is holy that man had my panties down before I remembered I was strictly clitly. Even then I almost let him get me off." Santana said without a hint of shame. "Watch out for him girl he will try to get you." Mercedes rolled her eyes as Manny escorted her to the shampoo bowl where she washed and deep conditioned the girl's hair. Once she had her back in the seat she proceeded to work on braiding her hair. Once completely Manny turned the chair to face the wall.
"Oh I forgot to mention you won't be seeing what I have planned." Kurt said smiling.
"Kurt that is so unfair!" Mercy all but squealed.
"Life isn't fair cupcake. Look at the new clothes Santana got you." He said smiling as Mercedes pulled out a pair of black wide leg slacks, a black vest, and a white button up shirt. The items were simple and cut differently, not as boxy as the things she wore. She also pulled out a black tie and a shoe box. After opening it she saw they contained black leather pumps with at least a five inch heel.
"Are you two trying to change me?" Mercedes asked as she rolled her eyes.
"No." Kurt said quickly.
"Yes." Santana said honestly. "I just wanted to give you an outfit that won't get you fired and also showcases that amazing ass." Santana gave a half smile and wiggled her eyebrows at the girl. Mercedes behind had come into the conversation quite a few times after Santana saw her in leggings during a Zumba class. She'd even asked if she could touch it.
"What is it about you and my ass, Santana?" Mercedes rolled her eyes and made sure to keep still.
"It's a thing a beauty. It's so perfectly round and it does this cute little bounce when you walk. I'm sure Brittany will say the same thing when she meets you. She's an ass person too." Santana said getting that far away look.
"Are you still seeing that girl? Well color me surprised. It's going on what, three months now?" Mercedes said with a grin.
"Yeah I like this one. She's so uncomplicated. She just loves to laugh. Everything to her is simple and made to be enjoyed. I can really learn from her." Santana said as she leaned on her hand.
"The girl still believes in Santa. Santana you can't be serious!" Kurt said rolling her eyes.
"I think that's adorable. I'm happy for you girl. You need someone that will calm that beast you call a personality." Mercedes said with a smile. She knew Kurt wasn't the biggest fan of Brittany's simple ways but if she made Santana happy then that was all that mattered. Hours passed as the friends sat and chatted about everything. Mercedes' phone rang only once and it turned out to not be Sue. When Manny turned the girl around she smiled and held her hands up to her face. Gone were the frizzy, tired extensions and in their stead was a 24" mane of jet black hair it had been cut and curled to perfection. It was parted in the center and stopped below her ample cleavage. The look framed her face and made it look thinner.
"Holy shit Kurt." She said with a giggle. She loved it.
"See, I told you. You definitely need a new outfit to go with that fierce ass hair. Mercedes shook her head and looked to Santana.
"Girl you're a damn mess." Mercedes said as she stood up and reached for her purse to pay and tip Manny.
"Oh hell no girl put that away. Hair, nails, and makeup are considered Deviant business expenses. Put that on the company Manny." Kurt said and smiled. Mercedes still pulled out $40 to tip the woman who made her look so great. Mercedes had a spring in her step as they left the salon. Maybe come Monday she would wear that new outfit. She felt fierce and beautiful for the first time.
A/N: Tell me what you think! I wanted to give a little back story on Mercy. Up next you just might get your Samcedes moment. I think it's about time. What do you think?