New Directions: 1965 Lima, Ohio part 7
[The reviews are so great you guys. Keep giving feedback :) I like to know what you're thinking.]
Mercedes walked to the front of the school. The other show choir members were already there waiting for the doors to open. When Sam saw Mercedes, a big smile appeared on his face. He walked down the stairs to meet her. Mercedes felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of Sam beaming at her.
"Hey beautiful," he said, taking her hand.
Mercedes smiled.
"I've never seen someone look so happy to be suspended," Mercedes said, as Sam touched the gold tags dangling from Mercedes' neck.
"Yeah, but can every suspended kid get to do this?" Sam said, leaning over placing a soft kiss on Mercedes plump lips.
Mercedes, who attempted to look un-dazed by the sweet kiss, bit down on her lip. "Yeah, I uh see what you mean," she replied, her cheeks blushing.
Mr. Schuester had just pulled up in his car. When he got out, he looked as anxiety ridden as everybody else in the club. He cleared his throat.
"Alright guys, let's go," Mr. Schuester said as everyone followed him inside the school.
The show choir members stood in Principal Figgins' office. Mr. Schuester, Ms. Sylvester, and Principal Figgins were the only ones sitting down.
Figgins cleared his throat.
"First I would like to congratulate those on the football team for Friday's big win. You made our school proud."
"Thank you sir," Finn replied nervously.
Figgins' face became more serious. "Now I'm sure you've all seen the papers over the weekend," said Figgins, holding up the Lima Times, which showed a picture of the show choir dancing, with the title MCKINLEY GETS GROOVY AT PEP RALLY. Figgins then held up the sixth page of the Cleveland Tribune that read BOOGIE WOOGIE HIGH SCHOOL. The third newspaper Figgins held up was the Chicago Sun-Times that had RACE MUSIC RESTORES OHIO TOWN IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY written on the tenth page.
"As a citizen of Lima, I must express the pride you have given me and this town," Figgins began. "However, as your Principal, I am disappointed in your lack of consideration for the rules. You went behind your teacher's back and performed unapproved music, and for that you must be punished."
"You will all receive two-day suspension, to which I hope you will spend that time thinking about what you did. On the day of your return, Mr. Hudson will take over as show choir captain and Miss Jones will be demoted to vice," Figgins announced.
"That's not fair," Kurt said.
"What you should be is expelled," interjected Ms. Sylvester. "Singing that riotous music at our hallowed assembly."
"As it is," Figgins continued, "Miss Jones was your captain and holds the highest responsibility for Friday's performance."
"I can't believe he suspended us," Tina said, as the group walked out of the office. "I can," Mike said, "My father is going to kill me."
"Mine too," Mercedes said, as Sam put his arm around her. "I'm still stuck on the fact Figgins made Finn captain. He's the one who was whining about the original song in the first place," Santana said. "He's most qualified," Rachel said, "He brought in most of the club members."
"You're a straight up Benedict Arnold, Berry. You totally screwed us over," Puck said, taking out a cigarette.
"You can't smoke in here!" Rachel exclaimed. "Uh we're suspended nitwit. It's not like we're going to get in anymore trouble," Santana said, as Puck handed her a cigarette too.
"So, what do we do now? Besides clean out our lockers" Kurt said glumly.
"Road trip," Puck said, blowing out some smoke. "I just fixed the van. The Kinks are playing in Columbus on Tuesday. Who's up for it?"
"Can I come?" Tina asked.
"Of course! You're one of us now," Puck said, giving her five.
"Alright I'm in too Puckerman, if Mercedes is going," Santana said, turning to her friend. Noah got on his knees in front of Mercedes. "You hold my love life in your hands MJ," he said, as everyone laughed. "Alright! I'll see what I can do," Mercedes said. "Yes! So now Sam's definitely in. What about you Kurt?" Puck asked, getting up from the ground.
"Why not. My dad won't be home till the end of the week anyway," said Kurt, shrugging his shoulders.
"Righteous! Mr. Rock n Roll is in. And I know Brittany will roll with us so you are definitely getting some Tuesday," said Puck high fiving Kurt who smiled nervously.
"Mike Buddy. You gotta come," Puck said.
"We'll see. Maybe, if my father decides to keep me alive," he said.
"Alright man. Well, I guess that's everybody," Puck said, flicking his cigarette bud on the ground.
"What about me?" Rachel asked.
"No squares aloud. That's you too Finn. Sorry, but your two-timing drama would just bring down the mood in the van," Puck told them. The others said nothing, following Puck to the outside of the school.
"I'm really proud of you," Sam told Mercedes as he pushed the grocery cart next to her.
"For what?" Mercedes said, dropping a can of green beans in the cart.
"Because you led your club to victory. You're a good leader," Sam said.
Mercedes scoffed. "Uh huh, so good I got demoted."
"Finn has no interest in show choir. He may have the fancy title now, but you're still the leader. Everyone still respects you the most. Finn won't be stupid enough to challenge you in anyway. Just give it time. You'll be the captain again," Sam said, rubbing Mercedes' back as she filled the cart.
"You know you're really good at this boyfriend thing," Mercedes said.
"I'm glad you finally noticed," Sam said, following Mercedes to the next aisle.
Sam: MJ, this is a lot of food. I thought you were just making meat and potatoes for this dinner.
Mercedes: Yeah, well that was before I got suspended this morning. So, I'm making all my dad's favorites. I need him to be full and happy when he meets you tonight.
Sam: What's your father like?
Mercedes: He's serious. But he can be very charming when he wants to. He usually gets along with everyone. I guess you both are alike in that way.
Sam: He doesn't sound too bad. I'm not worried
Mercedes: {chuckling} Are you ever?
"What do you think of this one?" Mercedes asked, coming out of the bathroom. Santana and Kurt sat on Mercedes' bed. Mercedes wore a dark green dress. "Like it. Don't love it," Kurt said. Santana, who was filing her nails, nodded in response.
"Come on! This is the fifth one," Mercedes said grumpily, as she went back into her closet to find another dress. "Hey you asked us to help you," Santana said. "I could be getting my eyebrows done right now."
"Second that. Mine are furrier than a caterpillar," Kurt said, getting up and going over to Mercedes' dresser mirror.
"I'm scared you guys," Mercedes said from the bathroom across the hall.
"What's so scary? It's not like that's the dress you're gonna lose your virginity in," Santana said.
"Santana! Not what I was talking about!" Mercedes said as Kurt and Santana giggled.
"We know, we know," Kurt said, hopping back on the bed. "Everything is going to be fine though. Dinner is already cooked. The house is clean. Your parents don't seem too upset about your getting suspended, and Sam is a pretty swell guy."
"Swell in the pants is what he is," Santana said.
"Santana!" Mercedes yelled.
"What? I wasn't trying to look, but it's pretty obvious the guy is working with something. Right Kurt," Santana said.
"I-I never noticed," Kurt said, his face turning red.
"You had too. The guy looks like he has a sausage roll-"
"Okay what about this one?"
Santana and Kurt looked at Mercedes is stunned silence. Mercedes was wearing a strapless floral print dress made with stiff white cotton. Her hair was half up half down with a white head band in front of the hair bump.
"Well what do you think?" Mercedes asked again when her friends said nothing.
"Screw Sam, I'll buy you a ring. Take you to Paris, feed you escargot, anything you want," Kurt said, grabbing Mercedes and waltzing around the room with her in his arms. Santana and Mercedes laughed.
"What time is it?" Mercedes said, looking at the clock above her closet. "My parents will be home any minute."
"Okay, we're going. Call me later. I want all the details," Santana said, prying Kurt off of Mercedes.
Even with Kurt and Santana's pep talk, when six o'clock finally arrived, Mercedes found herself even more frantic than before. But when Sam rang the doorbell, with flowers in his hand, wearing a navy blue suit (he borrowed from Mike), Mercedes felt nothing but pride as she opened the door for him. Sam had gelled the sides of his hair, making his hair look slightly darker than usual.
"You look so handsome," Mercedes told Sam, letting him in. Mercedes's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jones were waiting in the sitting room.
"Mom, Dad, this is Sam Evans," Mercedes said, as her parents stood up to greet Sam. "So nice to finally meet you, Samuel. We've heard nothing but great things," Mrs. Jones said cordially, holding out her hand. Sam pulled Mrs. Jones into a hug, kissing her on the cheek. Mercedes giggled at the shocked look on her mother's face. Mercedes may have forgotten to tell them how affectionate the Evans were. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner ma'am," Sam said, handing Mrs. Jones the flowers. Mercedes could tell Sam was a little nervous, but that wasn't going to prevent him from being himself. "Oh, why thank you," Mrs. Jones said breathily, still trying to recover from Sam's friendly greeting, taking the flowers. "Nice to meet you Sam," Mr. Jones said curtly, keeping his hands to himself in fear of receiving a bear hug from his daughter's new boyfriend.
"Let's head to the dining room shall we?" Mrs. Jones said, following her husband pass the kitchen. Right as Mercedes was going to follow them in, Sam took her hand. "You look stunning tonight," he told her. "Thank you," Mercedes said, touching her hair to make sure it was okay. "I don't think I was supposed to kiss your mom," Sam said, his ears growing redder by the minute. Mercedes laughed. "It's alright Sam. Come on before the food gets cold," she said, taking his hand.
Mercedes watched Sam eat and chat with her parents. She stayed silent through most of the conversation, silently admiring how well the evening was going. Sam even managed to make Mercedes' mother laugh at his Clint Eastwood impersonation. Mercedes' father asked Sam a few questions about football and representing the All-American team. The conversation got a little tense when Mr. Jones mentioned Shane Tinsley was an All-American as well, and had a full scholarship to Ohio State, but Mercedes quickly changed the subject by asking if anyone wanted dessert.
"I could go for some of that peach cobbler," Mr. Jones said, as Mercedes cleared the table with her mom.
Sam's knee bounced nervously under the table as Mercedes and Mrs. Jones went into the kitchen for the dessert.
"Look here Dennis the Menace,"
Sam looked up from his plate, unsure if had just heard what he thought he heard.
"Huh?"
"Yeah I'm talkin to you," Mr. Jones said softly so the ladies could not hear them in the kitchen. "My daughter may have fallen for your little knight in shining armor routine, but I know better. You're just a horny little white kid who's latched himself onto the well-off negro girl."
Sam could honestly say he wasn't surprised by Mr. Jones' behavior. Sam knew an alpha dog when he saw one, but Sam himself was not to be mistaken as a pushover. Mr. Jones was a tall man with brooding shoulders and a stern face. His cold appearance was increased by his thin rectangular glasses. Sam assumed Mr. Jones was used to intimidating others around him. But Sam was not to be intimidated.
Sam: I didn't latch myself onto Mercedes
Mr. Jones: Oh please. Don't play innocent with me boy. You tracked my daughter down like a hound. Don't think I didn't see you skulking around our church that Sunday either.
Sam: What's your point sir?
Mr. Jones: My point is you got no chance with my daughter.
Sam: I care about Mercedes, and she cares about me.
Mr. Jones: You're nothing but trouble. Before she met you Mercedes was a quiet honor student who never got in trouble. Now she's breaking rules and getting suspended.
Sam: MJ has always been a firecracker, even before me. And at least she got suspended for doing the right thing. You should be proud that your daughter has a backbone.
Mr. Jones: I'm not going to let you waltz into my daughter's life and ruin any chances she has of having a decent future.
Sam: And what future is that? Working for you as an assistant tooth doctor for the rest of her life?
Mr. Jones: And I suppose you have a better profession in mind
Sam: Have you not heard your daughter's voice?
Mr. Jones: Singers come a dime a dozen. And you of all people should know it doesn't put food on the table.
Sam: If you're referring to my father-
Mr. Jones: My daughter is too young and naïve to recognize white trash when she sees it. But as her father I'm going to have to educate her.
Sam: You wouldn't be telling me these things if you weren't scared that me and MJ could have something special. And we do.
Mr. Jones: Keep dreaming boy. You're just part of her little girl phase. When Mercedes turns eighteen, she's going to get over you and your cheap tricks, and find a man who will be able to provide for her.
Sam: You think I ran into a fiery building to have the girl of my dreams end up with some stiff poindexter you pick out for her? Not a chance. You might as well start calling me son-in-law, pops, because I'm not going anywhere.
Mr. Jones: Over. My. Dead. Body
The two alpha males stared each other down across the table. When they heard footsteps coming from the kitchen, both men relaxed their tense shoulders and leaned back in their chairs. First Mr. Jones started chuckling then Sam quickly joined in.
"What's so funny?" Mercedes asked, bringing in the peach cobbler and setting it down on the table. "Just life," Mr. Jones said, putting on his most convincing smile.
"He said that?" Puck said, as he and Sam filled up the van at the gas station.
"Yeah, I'm a dead man Puck," Sam said, leaning on the door of the vehicle.
Puck: I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Sam: Really
Puck: I mean think about it. The guy could have thrown you out of his house if he wanted to.
Sam: Yeah, but then Mercedes would have been upset
Puck: Exactly!
Sam: I don't follow you
Puck: If MJ's dad is the first one to start something, he loses. Mercedes will take your side automatically and then it'll all be over.
Sam: But if I go off on him first…
Puck: Then you'll be the bad guy. He wants you to lose your temper see
Sam: Puck, that's it.
Puck: All you have to do is stay chill and let him dig his own grave
Sam: Just be myself
Puck: I didn't say that
Sam: What's wrong with being myself?
Puck: You got a little temper problem.
Sam: What?
Puck: You're just a tad bit reckless
Sam: What?
Puck: Sometimes you can get a bit-
Sam: I understand what you mean, Puck! I'm not that bad.
Puck: Oh yeah? You know how Stevie always gets in fights at the playground and always has this bruised lip?
Sam: Yeah
Puck: That was you sophomore year.
Sam: I wasn't that bad
Puck: Where do you think Stevie gets it from?
Sam: Not me!
Puck: {sarcastically} Sure…
Sam: Whatever man.
Puck: Just don't prove her pops right okay.
Sam: I won't.
Puck: Good. Don't worry about it man. Today's going to be ace.
Sam: You're right.
Puck: Pucksaurus is crowning this day copasetic
Mercedes and Santana waited on the porch for the boys. Both girls opted for pants. Santana was wearing a red strapless tube top and black tights. Her red lipstick matched the top, while her oval sunglasses finished off the Audrey Hepburn appearance.
Mercedes was wearing white skinny pants and a lavender sweater with matching headband. Her hair was straight today with her bangs covering her forehead. When Sam and Puck arrived in the van they had already picked up Tina, Kurt, and Brittany who already latched herself onto Kurt.
"Let me help you with that my lady," Puck said, helping Santana with the picnic basket. Santana rolled her eyes through her sunglasses, stepping into the van while Puck checked out her behind.
"You look far out MJ," Sam said, eyeing his girlfriend's outfit. It was the first time he had seen her in a form fitting outfit, since tight pants were against dress code at McKinley. "Thank you," Mercedes said, blushing as Sam took the rest of the food from her.
"Hey, where's Mike?" Mercedes asked, as Sam helped her into the van.
"His dad grounded him," Puck said, shaking his head.
"…So we have room for one more person?" Mercedes said, looking at the empty seat in the back.
"What do you have in mind?" Sam asked, noticing the mischievous look appearing on Mercedes' face.
"Hey guys… How would you feel about pulling a kidnapping?"
Artie was just finishing playing a song on the piano when he heard a knock at the door.
Mercedes quietly opened the door, giving Artie a sneaky smile.
"Mercedes, what're you-" Artie began to say before Sam entered the room after Mercedes.
"Sam, Artie; Artie, Sam," Mercedes said, introducing the two quickly.
"How's it hanging Artie," Sam said, coolly, only to receive a judgmental look from Artie.
"Yeah so we're kidnapping you," Mercedes said, looking over her shoulder to see if any teachers were coming. "The Kinks are playing in Columbus and we're gonna see them tonight."
"No thanks," Artie said.
"But you love them," Mercedes said, pouting her face.
"I don't care. I'm not running off with you and those superficial 'cool kids.' I'd rather eat cat food," Artie said, crossing his arms.
"I'm supposed to look after you. I can't do that if I'm suspended, so you're coming with me," Mercedes said, packing Artie's books.
"No way in hell," Artie said, shaking his head.
Sam watched as the two bickered. He had no idea who this Artie kid was, but from the way he was giving Sam disgusted glances, Artie knew who he was apparently.
"Look. This is a kidnapping, meaning this isn't up for negotiation. Whether you like it or not, you're coming with me," Mercedes said, starting to get impatient with her friend.
"Oh yeah! You touch me and I'll scream. Then we'll see who's going where" Artie said, half smirking.
Sam watched as Mercedes got on her knees so she could look up at Artie.
"…Please Artie…For me?" Mercedes said sweetly, biting down on her bottom lip. Sam watched, to his disliking, as Artie's face turned apple red.
"Alright... I'll go," Artie said in his most exasperated tone. Mercedes jumped up. "Great! Sam, could you get the door please?" Mercedes said, as she wheeled Artie out of the room.
As Sam held the door open, he got a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something about this kid just rubbed him the wrong way.
Puck and Sam, to Artie's displeasure, helped into the back of the van.
"Alright! Mission Skip Day is a Go!" Puck yelled, starting the engine. Everybody in the van cheered as they drove out of the school parking lot.
Mercedes, to Sam's dismay, sat next to Artie to see if he was comfortable.
"Are you sure you're fine back here?" she asked him as everyone else danced in their seats to the music playing on the radio. "Yeah yeah, I'm fine," Artie said grumpily, cleaning his glasses.
"These guys are really cool. You'll like them I promise," Mercedes told him reassuringly.
"I doubt that," Artie said. "Just give them a chance," Mercedes said, putting her hand on Artie's knee and smiling. Artie looked down at her hand then slowly into Mercedes' eyes.
Mercedes playfully stuck her tongue out at Artie, forcing him to smile back at her. "You're not as cute as you think you are," Artie said, putting his glasses back on.
Sam watched Mercedes and Artie. The kid was a geek, but there was no mistaking that he was a good-looking fellow. Sam didn't like that.
Sam moved to the front of the van in the passenger's seat.
Sam: Hey, you know that kid?
Puck: You don't know him? That's Arthur Abrams. I used to cheat off of him in elementary. He was always at the top of the class. Really athletic too.
Sam: What happened to him?
Puck: He got polio in fourth grade. It was a really bad strain. They had to shut down the whole school. They thought he was going to die, but he pulled through. Ever since, he's been in the chair. Rumor has it they used his blood to make the new vaccine.
Sam: Why is he so shady?
Puck: Well, how would you be if everyone knew you as the polio kid?
Sam looked over to Artie who sat tensely in the back of the van, constantly adjusting his glasses.
After passing the city of Dayton, the group stopped at a nearby lake to rest up and eat. Santana lay out on the picnic blanket, under the shade of a tree, while Kurt and Brittany went strolling. Mercedes and Tina had rolled up their pants and were soaking their feet in the lake. They would scream occasionally when Puck would splash them with water. Artie sat in his wheelchair watching them from the grass.
Sam took a seat on the bench next to Artie. "What sport was your favorite…before you know what," Sam asked, glancing over in Artie's direction, who was still staring at the girls playing.
"Basketball. I was really good in pee wee football but basketball was my favorite to play," Artie said, touching his legs. "I probably would have been All-American."
Sam scoffed, a cocky smirk appearing on his face. "I don't know about all that?" he said, stretching out his legs. Artie turned to Sam, eyeing him indignantly.
Artie: I would have dribbled circles around you country boy.
Sam: Hmph you seem kinda short to me.
Artie: I'm 5'8
Sam: Hmm that puts you about a whole three inches under me.
Artie: I'm only sixteen. My dad is 6'2
Sam: But how tall is your momma?
Artie: Don't be talkin bout my mom Evans
Santana had soon joined the girls in the water as Puck splashed them playfully. "Hey, what's going on up there?" Tina said, pointing toward the picnic tables.
Mercedes looked up ahead to find Sam pushing Artie into the bench, knocking some of the food over. Artie picked up an apple from the ground and threw it at Sam who ducked. With a big goofy smile on his face, Sam ran down towards the lake as Artie wheeled after him, still chucking food.
"RUUUNNN!" Sam exclaimed, running past the gang. Everybody laughed, watching Artie get Sam in the back of the head with a banana.
"Take that Nashville!" Artie yelled, laughing at Sam who tried to dodge the onslaught.
"No way! I wish I had a camera. Evans you fool!" Puck said, grabbing his ribs which were shaking lose from how hard he was laughing. Mercedes almost died when she saw the pudding run down Sam's face that Artie had hit him with.
"What are you laughing at?" Sam said, stepping into the water to teach his girlfriend a lesson. Mercedes screamed as Sam chased her.
Mercedes rubbed Sam's hair with a towel in the back of the van, while his shirt dried outside.
"You didn't have to push me in MJ," Sam said under the towel.
"Please. You think I was gonna let you touch me with that food all over you?" Mercedes said, moving the towel to Sam's neck. She giggled at the appearance of Sam's messy hair. His ears burned red. Mercedes smiled, touching the side of Sam's cheek with her thumb.
"Why are you so good to me Sam Evans?" Mercedes asked, as Sam closed his eyes at her touch.
"Because, I love your eyes and the way they sparkle when you smile," Sam said. Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"Sure Sure. That's why you're always looking at my lips right," Mercedes said accusingly to her boyfriend. "That's your fault," Sam said. "What!" Mercedes replied, pushing Sam playfully.
"It is! Every time you say something cute or smart, which is a lot, it makes me want to kiss you. That's your fault," Sam said, pulling Mercedes towards him. Sam placed a slow, chaste, kiss on Mercedes' lips.
"I love you Mercedes Jones," Sam whispered, holding his girlfriend in his arms.
Mercedes smiled. "That's nice, Sam. Now trying saying that with your shirt on," said Mercedes, placing towel back on Sam's head.
Sam collapsed on Mercedes shoulder. "God help me," Sam said, as Mercedes giggled. Puck, Santana, Tina, and Brittany just arrived back to the van, with the rest of the food and blankets. Kurt came in from the back, tossing Sam his shirt. Puck and Sam helped Artie back into the van.
"Wake up you dosey squares!" Puck yelled, waking up most of the group.
Night had already fallen as they entered downtown Columbus.
"Can we stop? I have to pee," Santana said, rubbing her eyes.
"I have to call my parents to see if they gave my cat his night laxitives," Brittany said, who had been drooling on a sleeping Kurt's shoulder for the past hour.
"Alright," Puck said, who pulled up to the curb. The gang got out to use the payphone, as Mercedes stayed in the van with Kurt.
"Hey, wake up," Mercedes said, gently shaking Kurt awake.
"Are we there yet?" Kurt asked, touching his hair to see if it was still standing up.
"Uh huh," Mercedes said, taking a seat next to him. Kurt instinctively put his arm around her.
When Sam finally got to use the phone he dialed Finn to ask him if he checked on his family. Sam knew his dad was out on the road and that his family was alone at the house. The phone rang twice before Finn picked it up.
Finn: Hello?
Sam: Finn buddy. It's Sam.
Finn: Where the hell are you guys?
Sam: Columbus. What's going on?
Finn: You haven't heard?
Sam: Heard what?
Finn: Dude, the police came to the school today
Sam: What happened?
Finn: You should know! It's your girlfriend's fault. The police will be at your house next. They just left mine.
...
Sam cleared his throat. Kurt and Mercedes turned around to see Sam standing behind them at the van's entrance.
"Kurt, could you give me and Mercedes a minute alone," Sam said. Kurt looked at Mercedes' face, who seemed equally as clueless as he was as to why Sam seemed upset.
"Sure," Kurt said, moving his arm away from Mercedes, leaving the van. Sam closed the door behind him. Sam didn't sit down.
"What's wrong?" Mercedes asked, bothered by Sam's silence.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sam asked sternly.
"About what?" Mercedes asked.
"About the notes MJ" Sam said.
Mercedes' felt her heart sink. She rubbed her hand nervously. She had been avoiding this fight for so long and it was going to blow up in her face.
A million different excuses ran through her head as to why she didn't tell Sam about it, but none of them would suffice.
"I'm sorry Sam," Mercedes said.
"You should have told me," Sam told her.
Before Mercedes could open her mouth to explain, Sam turned around and stepped out of the bus. What Mercedes had to say, he didn't want to hear it. Puck was right. Sam was reckless and everyone, even Mr. Jones, knew it but him. Mercedes didn't trust him enough to tell him about the notes, because she knew he would only make things worse. It was like a gut punch to his ego.
Everyone, except for Sam, sat in the diner across from the concert hall. Mercedes, who couldn't bring herself to eat anything, just stared into her cup of hot chocolate.
"Damn, why is it so melancholy in here?" Puck asked. Mercedes' sadness and Sam's sulkiness seemed to have sucked out the joy in the group.
Kurt got up and went outside. Sam sat on the curb, watching cars pass by. Kurt took a seat next to him. "Here, drink the hot chocolate," Kurt said, passing Sam his mug.
"She told you about the notes didn't she," Sam said.
Kurt's silence answered his question.
"I made her tell me, if that makes you feel any better," Kurt said.
Sam shook his head. "Even if you hadn't, she would have told you before she told me," Sam said solemnly.
Kurt: We're very close.
Sam: If this is the part when you tell me you're in love with Mercedes, know that I will punch you in the face.
Kurt:{smugly} Not to worry. I like somebody else.
Sam: I know it's not Brittany. I can tell you're not as into her as she's into you
Kurt: You're smarter than you look
Sam: I get that a lot.
Kurt: Mercedes is in love with you Sam
Sam: …But does she want to be…
Kurt: I think she does.
Sam scoffed
Sam: MJ wants someone smart. Someone with a future. Do you know for a present, she gave me a book? A book the size of a dictionary. I suck at reading. She knows that.
Kurt smiled to himself, because he knew which book Sam was talking about. Kurt was at the store when Mercedes bought it. He knew she should have tried for something simpler. Kurt patted Sam on the knee.
Kurt: Just try and read it. You may like it.
By the time Kurt and Sam returned to the diner, a fight had broken out. Santana was cursing Puck out in Spanish, while Mercedes held her back.
"What's going on?" Kurt asked.
"Noah doesn't have the tickets," Tina said.
"What happened to them?" Sam asked.
"They never existed," Santana said, slumping into her seat angrily.
Puck shrugged his shoulders. "Badasses don't pay for admission. I figured we could sneak in," he said.
"There's eight of us you twat!" Santana said.
"So what happened to the money we gave you then?" Kurt said, folding his arms.
"Bought dip in Dayton," Puck said, hanging his head. Santana lunged at him again, but got held back by Mercedes and Tina.
"Let's not gang up on Noah," Tina said. "Let's think of what we can do."
"Tina's right," Mercedes said, looking at Sam who still seemed upset about their last encounter.
"I could make out with the doorman," Brittany said.
"You don't have to do that Britt," Mercedes replied.
"…But I want to," Brittany mumbled.
Everyone side-eyed Brittany before bringing their focus back to problem at hand.
"How much money do we have left Noah?" Santana asked.
"Five bucks," Puck answered glumly, as Tina rubbed his back maternally.
"That's enough for only one ticket," Kurt said.
"One ticket is all we need," Artie said. Everyone turned to look at him. He smiled, adjusting his glasses. "I got an idea."
Mercedes, Kurt, Sam, Puck, Brittany, Santana, and Tina stood in the line outside the music hall.
"We're gonna get caught," Kurt sang.
"Shut up," Santana hummed back quietly.
Mercedes' heart was beating a mile a minute, as she picked her fingers nervously. Sam, who was standing behind her, took her hand gently to calm her. He didn't say anything to her, but he could tell she needed it.
"How much longer?" Kurt asked, as they moved slowly up the line.
"Three minutes," Puck said, who tried to put his arms around Santana who elbowed him. "I need a cuddle!" Puck said. "SHHH!"
"Hey, don't I know you guys!"
The group turned around. There was a kid, around their age, with a slick back hair cut and flooded jeans standing behind them.
"No you don't," Santana said, turning her attention back to the line.
"Yeah I do! You're the kids from the newspaper! What's your name again. New Addresses?" the boy said excitedly.
"It's New Dire-," Noah almost said before Santana jabbed him in the ribs again.
"We're not them," Kurt said.
"No no no it is you guys! Hey it's those Lima kids from the newspaper!" the kid yelled, drawing more attention to the group.
"You guys are badass! Way to stick it to the man!" the kid said.
"Uh Thanks," Sam said politely, as Artie rolled to them from across the street.
"It's now guys! Now now now!" Puck whispered, as they spotted Artie.
"Well, nice to meet you," Sam said, shaking the kid's hand then turning back around.
Within the second, there was a huge crash. Artie tumbled out of his wheelchair and onto the pavement. A few screams erupted from the crowd.
"Oh my God! That poor boy just flipped out of his wheelchair!" a girl yelled, as the doorman and ticket taker rushed to see if Artie was conscious.
A crowd gathered around a seemingly passed out Artie. Artie's limp hand, quickly formed a thumbs up, giving Mercedes and the others the go to sneak in. As the crowd grew larger, the group of friends snuck in to the concert by the front door.
The Kinks were already playing.
"I can't believe that worked," Tina said, awestruck.
"I swear that kid is a legend," Puck said, taking off his jacket.
When Artie "came to," he handed his ticket to the doorman, who showed him into the concert.
Artie was the first to be dropped off when the group reached Lima around eleven o'clock. "A LOUIE LOUIE!" Artie sang with Puck as they pulled up to his house. They helped him out of the van. "You're seriously cool man," Puck said, high fiving Artie.
Mercedes wheeled Artie to his front steps. The lights were on in the house. She had called his parents earlier at the lake so they knew she had taken him.
"Hmm well you look like you had fun," Mercedes said smugly, looking down at Artie.
Artie rolled his eyes.
"It was okay," he admitted.
"Told you they were cool," Mercedes said.
"Are you going to gloat all night on my porch, or you going to let me go inside?" Artie said exasperatedly. Mercedes smiled. "Maybe," Mercedes said, bending over and kissing Artie on the cheek. "Happy Birthday Arthur Abrams," she whispered. Artie, who was surprised, stared blankly into Mercedes brown eyes. She chuckled and rustled his hair. With an even more smug look on her face, she turned to leave. Sam opened the van door for his girlfriend so she could climb back in.
"Mercedes!"
Mercedes turned around to find Artie still at the front door.
"…Thank you," Artie said.
"You're welcome!" Mercedes said, before closing the van door behind her.
Artie watched his new friends drive off into the night.
Sam was the last person to be dropped off. Not feeling sleepy yet, he went to the fridge to pour himself a glass of milk and eat a slice of meatloaf. As he sat there thinking about the memorable night, his thoughts traveled back to what he said to Kurt. Sam got up and went to his room. He reached under his bed for the book Mercedes bought him. She gave it to him the Sunday after the pep rally. She kissed him on the cheek, told him he was her hero, and handed it to him.
Sam heard the truck pull up outside. He went to the front door and watched his dad climb out of his truck.
"You back so soon?" Sam asked, opening the screen door for his dad. "Yep," Dwight Evans said, kissing his son on the cheek, and heading to the kitchen. Mr. Evans rubbed his aching back before taking a seat at the table.
Sam put a kettle on the oven for him.
"What's that in your hand?" Mr. Evans asked groggily, noticing the large book.
"A book," Sam said, handing to his dad.
"I can see that boy," Dwight said sarcastically, opening the front cover.
Dwight Evans looked at the book, then at Sam, then at the book again and smiled.
"Who gave you this?" he asked.
"Mercedes. I don't know how she expects me to read it though," Sam said, pouring his dad a cup of coffee.
Dwight held up the manuscript. "You know what this book is about?" he asked Sam. Sam shook his head. Dwight opened to the page that had a picture.
"The Lord of the Rings," Dwight said, pointing to the colorful map.
"This World War I soldier named John Tolkien wrote it bout ten years ago," said Dwight.
"It's about nine friends who set out on a yearlong journey to defeat this great evil. Now all these friends are different. Some are elves, one's a wizard, and they even speak different languages. But my favorite are the hobbits."
"Hobbits?" Sam said.
"Uh huh," Dwight Evans replied. "They're country folk. Not very book smart but they're clever enough to keep to themselves. But there's this hobbit that's the only one who can withstand the evil of this one ring, and he and his friends have to help him destroy it. Now mind you this is a much harder task than it sounds, because they have a whole army of people against them. Luckily, these country hobbits know how to take care of business. The main one in particular is Sam."
Sam looked up at his dad. Mr. Evans turned through the pages of the book, until he found the picture he was looking for. "Look, right there," he said, showing his son.
Sam looked at the drawing of the hobbit named Sam, with blonde matted hair, like his own, and matching green eyes.
"Samwise the Brave they called him. Everyone, even his friends, sold him short, except for the one person who he loved the most. And he ended up saving that person's life time and time again," Dwight said, watching his son look at the hobbit.
"It's a good book," Dwight said, getting up to go to bed.
"Daddy."
Dwight turned around to face his son.
"Yeah son?"
"Did they defeat the evil?" Sam asked.
Mr. Evans smiled. "Well, you're going to have to read it to find out won't you," he said smugly, going into his bedroom.
Sam looked back at the book, flipping through the pages. Every chapter or so, there was a map or more drawings, and even a glossary of the elvish language.
Sam closed the book and smiled to himself. "Samwise the Brave. Not bad," he said to himself.
Mercedes was just on the precipice of her dream when a plunking sound woke her up. She looked around to see nothing stirring in the dark. Then she heard it again. Her heart nearly fell out of her body when she saw someone at her window. She covered her mouth not to scream.
When she recognized it was Sam, she quickly went to the window, opening it quietly. "Sam Evans! What are you doing?" Mercedes whispered.
"Talking to you at your window," Sam replied, as if there was nothing odd about his behavior.
"How'd you get up here?" Mercedes asked. Sam, using his free hand, pointed to the tree two feet from him. "Let me in," he whispered.
Mercedes moved out of the way so Sam could climb in her room quietly.
"I don't know what you're up to Sam but-" Mercedes began before Sam grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into a kiss. When Mercedes tried to pull away, Sam tugged on the bottom of Mercedes' lip to bring their mouths back together. Mercedes moaned in his mouth.
"W-what's gotten into you?" Mercedes managed to breathe out, when Sam finally let her go.
"Let me be your hero," Sam said, holding Mercedes face in his hands. "You already are," Mercedes said, smiling up at her boyfriend.
"Good. Now I'm telling you with my shirt on Le Melon MJ" Sam said, making Mercedes laugh.
"Is that elvish?" Mercedes asked, as Sam nuzzled her neck.
"Melin ceni hin lîn síla i 'eladhach," Sam replied. Mercedes smiled to herself.
As Sam Evans held her in the dark, two definite things became indisputable to Mercedes Jones: One, Her boyfriend was a dork; and Two, whatever craziness tomorrow would bring, Samwise the Brave would be there.
Finn lay in Rachel's bed, with his arms wrapped around her.
"No one gets me like you do Rachel," Finn said, as they looked at the ceiling. "That's because I understand your potential," Rachel replied.
"What am I supposed to do about this stupid show choir business?" Finn said.
"Don't worry. I'll help you with everything. I'm a great leader," Rachel told him, kissing him on the cheek.
To be continued…
