"Hey, Quinn. Welcome to McKenna's!" Mercedes was surprised to see Quinn walk into the coffeehouse. Quinn was radiant, as usual, and far outclassed the typical customer here, students looking for an inexpensive meal or a caffeine fix or free wi-fi.
"Hi Mercedes, I didn't know you worked here." she said looking around at the mismatched furniture that adorned the place.
"Just on the weekends and when they need extra help. Sit down anywhere. Meeting somebody?"
"Yes" she said excitedly. "I'm on an actual date, my first in so long!"
"Congratulations. Isn't Breadsticks more your typical place?"
"Well, I'm trying to be practical. He doesn't have much money."
"Oh?" Mercedes pictured the boy they both knew who fell into that category, the boy who just walked in. "Sam?"
"Yes, it's Sam! You don't mind do you? I mean, you're dating Shane and all." She wanted Mercedes to know she didn't want to hurt her. Obviously Quinn hadn't gotten the news flash about Shane.
"Naw, it's fine. And he just walked in. Enjoy your date." She said as she turned to walk away.
Sam was standing at the counter, waiting while Alice McKenna poured a cup of coffee and Mercedes rang up the bill.
"You told me to move on, that's what I did." he whispered.
"Great! You said I was worth fighting for. Stupid of me to believe that." She slid his change across the counter. "You better get back. Your beautiful, blonde, thin date is waiting." She looked past him to wait on the next customer.
Alice and Mercedes leaned on the bar that served as the front counter of the coffeehouse. Alice had danced for the TroubleTones as a personal favour to her friend Mercedes. She really considered herself a guitarist with the band and therefore preferred not to work with Mr. Schuester in glee club.
"Didn't you just dump Shane for that guy?" the light-skinned brown girl asked nodding toward Sam and Quinn.
"Shane took an early admission to Ohio State and moved. I don't do long distance romance."
"Looks like your close-up romance skills are kinda shaky too." she said with a smile and a hug.
"Well, at least now I know the reason for that blank stare when I told him Shane and I broke up."
Next practice day
"Today we officially welcome back our sisters from the Troubletones" Mr. Schuester said. "Welcome back ladies, we missed you! We know all of you, Rory's new here. Brittney and Santana you know." He introduced the girls Rory didn't know. "Sugar." he pointed to a thin blonde girl "and Mercedes" he pointed to a short dark-skinned girl.
"Now, here's what we've been working on." Mr. Schuester arranged the group in two rows, boys facing girls. Mercedes found herself facing Sam, who gave her one of his fake smiles. She switched places with Tina so she was facing Kurt.
"Isn't it great to be back together?" he bubbled. "I missed you so much! This step is simple. I hold your hand, you twirl, then you move down to the next guy. Nothing to it. We have so much catching up to do!" She twirled and moved on the the next person, Sam.
"I really need to talk to you." he whispered.
"Did you get Quinn's permission first?" she snapped back. She took his hand, it was clammy, coincidentally just like his cold, cold, heart. "Gotta go!" she said releasing his hand. She moved on to Puck.
"You are looking delicious today!" he whispered.
She laughed. "No really" he said. "You're like the Queen of Sheba and it's all a matter of fate. Resistance is futile!"
"Damn, you're shameless!" she was still laughing as she released his hand and moved on to Rory.
"I'm really glad you came back to us." He said, at least that's what she thought he said. Man, that's one thick accent!
"Well thank you, Rory. I'm looking forward to working with you." She released his hand and moved on the Blaine. At least that was the plan but Rory was still holding her hand.
"Whoa!" Quinn yelled, right before she collided with Mercedes, knocking both girls to the floor. Rory, who was till holding her hand fell on top of her.
"Sorry, are you okay?" Rory asked as he helped Mercedes up.
"I'm fine! Don't mind me!" Quinn said brushing herself off while looking around for Sam, her current boyfriend. He was just standing there, looking at Rory and Mercedes.
Mercedes looked at Rory, closely looked at him for the first time. Before she'd only noticed how young he appeared. Now she noticed his eyes, nice blue eyes, and his smile, an open honest smile. And she noticed he was singing. Damn, he's singing to her, and waltzing her across the room.
Ten minutes ago, I saw you
I looked up when you came through the door
my head started reeling
you gave me the feeling
the room had no ceiling or floor.
Ten minutes ago, I met you,
and we murmured our how do you dos.
I wanted to ring out the bells
and fling out my arms
and sing out the news.
Oh my god! She knew this song! Her inner six year old girl was squealing with delight.
I have found her, she's an angel,
with the dust of the stars in her eyes.
We are dancing, we are flying,
and she's taking me back to the skies!
In the arms of my love, I'm flying,
over mountain and meadow and glen.
And I like it so well
that for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again.
Rory looked at her, expectantly. Damn right she knew the next part!
Ten minutes ago I met you
and we murmured our how do you dos.
I wanted to ring out the bells
and fling out my arms
and to sing out the news.
Rory: I have found her.
Mercedes: I have found him,
Both: In the arms of my love, I'm flying
over mountain and meadow and glen.
And I like it so well
that for all I can tell
I may never come down again.
I may never come down to earth again.
He stood there, staring at her. "That song just popped in my head, when I saw you." He said, and she understood every word! "It's from Cinderella, the one with the black girl and the Chinese prince? Do you know it?"
"Filipino, the prince was Filipino. How did you know I love that movie?"
He smiled and finally let go of her hand. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee? That's what you do here, isn't it? When you really like somebody and want to spend time getting to know them? Drink coffee?"
"Yes, that's what we do here." She smiled back. "And I'd love to drink coffee with you."
Ten Minutes Ago - from Cinderella - Paolo Montalban and Brandy