Glee Club Chronicles: In the Dark part VII
Kurt entered Finn's room. Finn was on his bed, looking at his homework. Kurt stood, tapping his foot on the hardwood floor.
Kurt: Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?
Finn: [looking up at Kurt] I honestly have no clue what you're talking about.
Kurt: Your ringtone is Mercedes, Finn.
Finn: It was a great performance. I liked it so I put it as my ringtone. Big deal
Kurt: You ran out of class to go find her.
Finn: To tell her that I wasn't going to sing the song with Rachel. Once again, not that big of a deal.
Kurt: What the hell is wrong with you Finn? You're ENGAGED TO RACHEL. Now you're fooling around with Mercedes?
Finn: I would never cheat on Rachel. I love her.
Kurt: Then act like it. You have to stop hanging out with Mercedes
Finn: …No
Kurt: what?
Finn: I said no
Kurt: Finn!
Finn: Kurt! Are you deaf? She's my friend. I like her and I want to see her. End of story Goodnight!
And with that Finn closed his room door on his stepbrother.
It was 7:40 am and Mercedes was sitting in the library going over her homework for first period. A small shadow cast over her work. Rachel stood in front of her.
Rachel: May I speak with you?
Mercedes: [taking off out her earphones] sure
Rachel: We haven't always see eye to eye, but rest assured I have always thought of you more of a friend than actual competition.
Mercedes: Thanks. I think
Rachel: I want you to know, though Finn and I have had our rough patches, we are committed to each other 100%.
Mercedes: [still slightly confused] That's good to hear Rachel.
Rachel: I just would like to thank you for befriending Finn in his time of need. I've been so busy with afterschool rehearsals.
Mercedes: Yeah, with Mr. Schue
Rachel: Yes. He is really helping me harness my talents
Mercedes: [mumbling] Which talent I wonder
Rachel: Pardon?
Mercedes: [smiling] You know, because you have so many
Rachel: True.
The two looked awkwardly at each other.
Mercedes: Is that it or…
Rachel: …Finn loves me
Mercedes: I know
Rachel: And I love him
Mercedes: Okay.
Rachel: Mercedes
Mercedes, who at some point started to zone Rachel out, looked up at her. Rachel looked down at her solemnly. "Don't try to steal him," Rachel said. The two girls' eyes locked viscously. Rachel turned to leave. "Steal Finn or Mr. Schue?" Mercedes said, stopping Rachel in her tracks. A flash of fear came over Rachel's face, but she composed herself within a split second.
Rachel: Finn, of course… Promise me you won't steal him.
Mercedes exhaled. "I promise not to steal anything that belongs to you Rachel," Mercedes answered, putting her earphones back in. Rachel walked away. Mercedes exhaled, looking at the time on her phone. "Eight in the friggin morning," she said, scratching her earlobe.
Mercedes stopped by her locker. Kurt walked up to her.
Kurt: Well if it isn't the Queen of the night
Mercedes: …Hi Kurt?
Kurt: Interesting weekend?
Mercedes: Not really…
Kurt: No after hour "dance sessions" with Finn?
Mercedes: Well that's kind of difficult to pull off when I'm stuck in detention, Kurt
Kurt: Hmph. I'm surprised Finn didn't break you out
Mercedes stopped putting her books away in her locker, clearly annoyed at the rude tone Kurt was using with her.
Mercedes: Do you have something to say Kurt, because I'm like ten seconds away from smacking the gay out of you.
Kurt: You need to back off of Finn
Mercedes: No one is "on" Finn, Kurt.
Kurt: Something is going on. He's been acting out and you're the only different thing in his life
Mercedes: Or maybe the pressure of being a senior is getting to him.
Kurt: his relationship with Rachel is on the line, Mercedes
Mercedes: His relationship with Rachel is ALWAYS on the line Kurt. HELLO!
Kurt: You know I always knew you were jealous of Rachel, but I never knew you would stoop this low to get back at her.
The bell rang and Kurt left for Chemistry. Mercedes looked in her locker mirror, seeing tears swelling in her eyes. All of a sudden she could make out Finn coming towards her. She quickly closed her locker, walking speedily to her 3rd period class.
"Hey, Mercedes! Wait up" Finn said, catching up with her. Mercedes continued to walk fast, not looking at him.
Finn: Hey, I was thinking after play rehearsal, we could work on some dance steps.
Mercedes: I can't Finn
Finn: Oh… okay. What about Tuesday?
Mercedes: I'm busy Tuesday. [tears welling up in her eyes]
Finn: What's going on? Are you okay?
Mercedes: I'm fine okay Finn. Just leave me alone.
Mercedes quickly walked into the girls restroom, so Finn could not follow her.
Mercedes sat down in the cafeteria next to Quinn. She hurriedly ate her food, not lifting her head to acknowledge Quinn or anyone else's presence. Quinn looked over Mercedes' shoulder.
Quinn: Mercedes, Is there a reason why Finn is staring at you
Mercedes: He's not staring at me
Quinn: There are only two of us sitting at this specific table and he's not staring at me.
Mercedes shrugged her shoulders. Quinn, fed up, pulled Mercedes' tray away from her. "What's going on?" Quinn said. Mercedes took her spoon out of her mouth.
Mercedes: [melancholy like] you wouldn't believe me if I told you
Quinn: Try me
Mercedes gulped down the rest of the food that was in her mouth.
Mercedes: Finn and I have been hanging out lately JUST as friends. But, according to Kurt, I'm the cause of his current dating hump with Rachel, which you and I know isn't true. But I can't just tell Kurt that Rachel is having an affair with Mr. Schuester.
Quinn: Why is that again?
Mercedes: because if I tell Kurt, he will tell Finn, and then Finn will be devastated and then I really will be the cause of him and Rachel breaking up.
Quinn: I'm pretty sure Rachel fucking Mr. Schuester will be the cause of them breaking up.
Mercedes: Shhh!
Quinn: [whispering] Okay Okay
Mercedes looked over her shoulder. Finn was indeed looking at their table. Mercedes twisted her class ring around on her finger.
Quinn: This is really getting to you huh
Mercedes: I feel so bad for him. He doesn't deserve to be treated this way.
Quinn: Just talk to him.
Mercedes: But Kurt. I can deal with Rachel, but I can't have him despising me
Quinn: I'll talk to Kurt
Mercedes: It's okay
Quinn: It is most definitely not okay. Cede babe, look at me
Mercedes looked up at Quinn who had that fiery determination in her eyes she had been missing all year. Quinn had never used Mercedes' pet name before in public. Mercedes' dad would call her that at home, and Quinn always thought it was endearing.
Quinn: You are Mercedes Jones. You are better than all these people. You are smart, level headed and you deserve to be treated with respect. You will not be made to feel guilty about the sins of others. Finn is mega fortunate to have you as a friend, and if Kurt and Rachel can't understand that then they can go to Hades and take their show tunes with them. Do you understand me Miss Jones?
Mercedes smiled at Quinn. "Yes, Lady Fabray," she said. Quinn passed Mercedes her tray back, getting up to leave. She passed by Kurt and Rachel's table, shooting them an evil glare before heading off to study hall.
Artie: And Five, six, seven, eight!
The chorus danced the mambo around Santana and Puck, who were playing Anita and Bernado. Mercedes was reduced to twirling, clapping, and occasionally singing harmony in the back of the stage. Finn was on the opposite side stage, dancing with a cheerio.
Artie: Make it hot Santana! I want the stage to burn!
Everyone circled around Santana, Puck, Mike and Brittany who were dancing their hearts out. Finn two-stepped his way next to Mercedes.
Finn: Hey
Mercedes ignored Finn, continuing to follow the circle around the couples.
Finn: Did I do something wrong?
Mercedes heart broke a little after hearing this. Mercedes looked up at Finn, continuing to dance.
Mercedes: No, I just can't with you Finn
Finn: Tell me what it is. We can fix it if you talk to me.
Mercedes: …I just don't think it's a good idea to hang out as much.
Finn: Don't you like hanging out with me?
Mercedes: I do.
Finn: Then what is it?
Artie: Watch out!
Santana and Puck crashed into Finn, who was just standing still.
Artie: Cut Cut! Okay Finn, I know you're rhythm illiterate, but ima need you to move your damn feet when the music is playing.
"He's not rhythm illiterate Artie!" Mercedes barked. She looked up at Finn. Kurt and Rachel were on the sidelines, getting ready for the introduction scene of Maria. Mercedes rolled her eyes. 'Fuck it,' she thought, grabbing Finn's hand.
"Brad! Give us a mambo!" Mercedes yelled.
The band busted out a swinging groove. Mercedes winked at Finn, raising her hands seductively in the air then slowly lowering them, caressing her curves on the way down. She strutted to the beat over to the piano. She beckoned Finn with her finger, who followed with a big smile on his face. Finn took her hand and twirled her.
Hey mambo, mambo Italiano hey mambo mambo Italiano
Go go go you mixed up Siciliano
All you Calabrese do the mambo like-a crazy with the
Hey mabo don't wanna tarantella
Hey mambo no more mozzarella
Hey mambo mambo Italiano try an enchilada with a fish baccala
Mercedes put her hands around Finn's neck, pulling him close. "Confidence," she whispered. Mercedes mouthed the 16 counts to Finn while they danced the mambo around the stage. Finn, whose hand was on Mercedes' lower back, scooted her across the stage, not taking his eyes off her.
Hey goomba I love how you dance the rumba
But take some advice paisano learn-a how to mambo
If you're gonna be a square you ain't-a gonna go nowhere
Hey mambo mambo Italiano hey mambo mambo Italiano
Go go Joe shake like a tiavanna
E lo che se dice you get happy in the pizza when you
Mambo Italiano
Mercedes kicked her foot up in the air then did a split to the ground, slowly sliding herself up Finn's body. When she reached his chest, Finn dipped her with one arm, pulling her up fast, making her gasp seductively. Finn's goofy grin had transformed itself into a lusty gaze. His body was possessed by the siren Mercedes Jones. Mercedes let go of Finn, dancing around him. Finn gave her the 'oh no you don't look,' taking her from behind, with his arms wrapped around her waist, synching his footsteps with hers. They were glued together, grinding and twisting to the 16 count of the song.
The song ended and Finn slowly twirled Mercedes, dipping her one last time, and rising slowly afterwards, their eyes still connected. The whole place was silent. Mercedes finally broke her gaze with Finn, looking around to assess the damage of her actions. Santana was the first to close her mouth. "So, I don't think it's fair that Frankenteen is the only one who gets afterschool dance rehearsals with Mercedes. Clearly we are being gypped," She said.
"I think I'm pregnant," Brittany said.
Most everyone nodded in agreement. Mercedes face grew red from the attention.
"That's a wrap you guys! Go home we can't top that today!" Artie announced over the speaker. Everyone started gathering their stuff. Mike came up to Finn, who was still looking at Mercedes. "Wow," Mike said, patting Finn on the shoulder. This temporarily snapped him back to reality. "I never thought I'd say this Finn, but you got some moves on you," Mike said. "Who knows, you could've just had the wrong music the whole time."
"Y-yeah, thanks," Finn said, watching Mercedes pick up her bag. He walked up to her.
"That-that. You were amazing," Finn said, still gulping from lack of air due to the adrenaline.
"So were you," Mercedes said, "And you'll be even better opening night, partner."
Finn watched Mercedes leave, his heart finally slowing down to its normal pace.
"What the hell was that!?" Kurt said. He had followed Mercedes to the water fountain. Mercedes took a long drink before she decided to acknowledge Kurt's presence.
Mercedes: What was what?
Kurt: I thought I told you to stay away from Finn
Mercedes: I'm a grown ass woman, Kurt. You can't tell me what to do.
Kurt: What is wrong with you? Rachel was right there
Mercedes: Good. Then maybe she'll learn to not put Finn in a damn corner every time there is a dance number.
Kurt: You couldn't have just told her that?
Mercedes: Yeah… But this was way more fun.
Mercedes looked at Kurt's disapproving face but continued to smile, causing Kurt's look to grow even more indignant.
Mercedes: I'm sorry Kurt, but that was the most fun I've had all year I think. I just had to do it. And I don't regret it. Hell, I may even have jump-started Finn's love life. Rachel won't be able to keep her hands off him.
…
Rachel: She's better than me
Rachel stood in Mr. Schuester's office, while he graded Spanish papers.
Mr. Schuester: What are you talking about?
Rachel: You knew she was better, and you made Artie pick me.
Mr. Schuester: You are better than her. She'll never be able to work as hard as you
Rachel: Mr. Schue she got Finn to dance. Not zombie dance. MIKE CHANG DANCE!
Mr. Schuester: Keep your voice down.
Rachel: On opening night, she's going to outshine me! Even if she's in the friggin chorus, she's going to have the whole audience thinking, 'Who is that girl?' This play is the only chance I have left to impress NYADA. And Mercedes is going to steal the show!
Mr. Schuester: Then you're going to have to find another way to let your light shine. Whatever it takes.
Mercedes danced around her kitchen, washing dishes after dinner. Her house phone rang. She turned down the music. She picked up the phone with her dry hand.
Mercedes: Hello?
Sam: Mercedes. It's Sam
Mercedes' heart leapt. She hadn't heard his voice in over six months.
Sam: Mercedes?
Mercedes: Hi. I'm here. How've you been?
Sam: I've been good.
Mercedes: You sound good. It's been so long since we've-
Sam: I met someone.
Silence engulfed both ends of the phone. Mercedes' teeth had clenched, refusing to open. Her hand holding the phone shook.
"Um. Who is she?" Mercedes managed to ask in her most calm voice.
Sam: A girl in my history class. We went out on a first date two weeks ago…Look I know we agreed that we could date other people before I left, but I just didn't feel right not telling you-
"Sam, d-don't worry about it, okay," Mercedes said, swallowing some air to calm herself down, "Thanks for telling me."
"I –I've missed you Mercedes," Sam began.
"Yeah, um I'll talk to you later Sam. I have to – I have to finish cleaning up," Mercedes choked out.
"Oh ok. Bye," Sam said. Mercedes hung up on Sam. She sank to the floor. Mercedes could feel tears swell up in her eyes. "Don't you do it, Mercedes. Don't you dare cry over him. It was a summer fling," she said to herself. "You're the one who said he could date other people," Mercedes continued, walking back to the sink.
She picked up a plate, looking at her reflection. "You idiot. You love him, and you let him go," she said, dropping the plate back in the soapy water.
…
Finn lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The smile from earlier that afternoon still had not left his face. He had replayed his dance with Mercedes at least fifty times in his head. He had thanked God earlier for letting him be late for rehearsal, the reason for why he was still wearing his protective cup after football practice. If it had not been there, he probably would have jabbed Mercedes with his manhood multiple times during their performance.
There was a knock at Finn's door. Rachel entered. "Hey," Finn said, sitting up. Rachel eyed him silently. She quickly turned around and locked his door. She came over to Finn, straddling him. "Hey, what's going on," Finn began. Rachel latched her mouth onto Finn's, pushing him down onto his bed. "Be gentle," she whispered, unzipping his pants…
…
"Would you stop?" Kurt asked his peppy boyfriend.
Blaine danced seductively around Kurt, while touched up his hair in his locker. "Sorry, Kurt. I'm still stuck on yesterday. You think we should take some tango lessons or something?" Blaine asked who had managed to stop circling Kurt and just two-step in place.
Kurt: I still can't believe Mercedes did that.
Blaine: I thought it was sexy and daring.
Kurt: You don't get it do you. Rachel and Mercedes are my closest friends. If they become enemies, then I'll have to choose between the two of them.
Blaine: It won't come to that
Kurt: And if it does?
Blaine stopped dancing, looking at his boyfriend seriously. "So, who would you choose?" Blaine asked. "I don't know," Kurt said. Rachel appeared around the corner. Kurt saw her, and immediately smiled. "So, I've narrowed my campaign speech outfit down to three amazing suits, which I'm dying to show you," Kurt told her. Blaine left the two, heading off to class.
"I've decided to run for senior class president," Rachel said.
Kurt blinked his eyes repeatedly to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Y-you can't Rachel. Last week was the deadline to sign up," Kurt said. "Mr. Schuester got Coach Beiste to add me as a last minute candidate," Rachel told him. Kurt looked at Rachel, completely dumbfounded.
Kurt: How…could you do this to me, Rachel? You know I need to win the election to get into NYADA
Rachel: So do I
Kurt: You have the play!
Rachel: Yes, but Mercedes will outshine me on stage, and-
Kurt: Mercedes?
Rachel: Yes
Kurt: Mercedes doesn't want to go to NYADA
Rachel: Yes, but-
Kurt: But you need to upstage her. Even if it means ruining our friendship
Rachel: Kurt. I thought you'd understand.
Kurt: Understand? No one will ever understand you Rachel. Which is why you had one friend, and now you have none.
Mercedes sat alone in the quad. She tried to concentrate on her work, but Sam's lopsided smile kept popping up in her head, and it was driving her crazy. What she had been thinking, since the day Sam left for Kentucky, but never definite, was confirmed last night. Sam was the one, and he was gone.
Rachel and Finn had just came around the corner, hand in hand, Rachel's face beaming. It was enough to make Mercedes' sick. Rachel saw her, sitting on a bench across from the trash bin. Rachel and Finn sat with the rest of the glee club members. Finn noticed Mercedes, whose eyes were slightly red from crying. Rachel saw Finn looking at her, and quickly started playing with the hair on the crook of his neck. Mercedes closed her eyes, took up her backpack and left.
"Finn, where are you going?" Rachel asked. Finn got up, following after Mercedes. Mercedes went into the girls bathroom. She took some paper towel, dabbing her make-up. "Get it together," she told herself. Mercedes looked at herself in the mirror. She noticed a McKinley crest on someone's jacket standing behind her in the reflection.
"Finn? What're you-"
Finn shut her mouth with a kiss.
To be continued...
