A/N: Hey guys! I have a bit of a long one for you today. I hope that word count, content and the fact that I've 2 chapters for you today makes for my loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong absence. I know that I've been away for a while but I'm trying to get back into this fic thing so bear with me.
This chapter brings in some more changes/fixes to The Twilight Saga. I totally understand that being a vampire is a secret but, in Bella/Mercedes' situation is different than almost every other Schuester. Her parents are still very much alive and are going to want to see her every not and again. Not to mention Mercedes cares about her friends so this is the beginning of my remedying the whole Bella-shutting-herself-off-from-the-living thing.
Love you guys!
And as always, REVIEWS = LOVE!
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Glee, any characters, places, words or phrases from either the books, motion picture of television show, Levi's, Gianfranco Ferre, Manon Baptiste, Charlotte Olivia, Cancun or anything else you can find in the real world.
THIS FANFICTION IS UNBETA'D BUT PROOFREAD.
ANY REMAINING MISTAKES ARE UNINTENTIONAL.
APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
Graduation. It was less than two weeks away; meaning I was less than two weeks away from starting my new life. With Sam. To say a girl had stress would be an understatement. I still had no idea what to tell people and the guilt I was beginning to feel about having to cut Gordon and my mom out of the details of my life was starting to crush me.
So, I decided to throw myself in to finding the perfect outfit. Two weeks gave me plenty of time to pick something out. OK. So, because I know that Sam is going to wear a suit, I'm thinking that I should probably skip the denim skirt option. Not because denim can't be dressed up but my Levi's skirt is gonna look cheap next to whatever vintage so-and-so he pulls out of his closet. So no; Levi's is out. I do have a high-waisted skirt that my mom picked up for me in Laguna. It's a black wool preowned Gianfranco Ferre pencil skirt and it was $585. I'll pair it with a black Manon Baptiste faux leather peplum top; throw on some lace Charlotte Olivia pumps and I'm set.
I lay my skirt on the bed and my shoes but I have no idea where that damn top is. I looked in the hamper, in the clean clothes basket, on the floor of my bedroom. Everywhere. It's one of my favorite tops. I wore it a few weeks ago and never got a chance to wash it; I got busy.
"You look deep in thought," Sam said as he climbed into my bedroom through the window.
"I can't find something," I said still sorting through things.
"Maybe I can help," he said kneeling beside me.
"It's the black top with the leather ruffle," I told him as I moved things around. We both looked for about thirty more minutes and turned up with nothing.
"How long has it been missing?" Sam questioned as he helped me off the floor.
"I don't know. A couple of weeks I guess," I answered.
"I haven't seen it," he told me as he lay down on my bed.
"The last time I saw it was the day before I… oh my god!" I said wide eyed. "It had to have been the intruder!"
"Why do you think that?"
"It makes sense. That was the last time I saw it. The day before I hung out with Maverick. I had worn it a few days before that," I explained.
"You could have just misplaced it, Mercedes," Sam said.
"And you could try acting like what I'm saying has some possibility to it," I snapped.
"I didn't say that it didn't," Sam said sitting up.
"You didn't say that it did."
"Do you think I doubt you?"
"I think you doubt my logic," I said. "You are not the only person who can deduce some shit, Sam."
"Why could it not be that I just don't want you to think worst case scenario?" he questioned.
"I suppose it could but that doesn't mean that it feels that way," I said.
"Sit with me," Sam said beckoning me to sit beside him. I did but I put some space between us. "I don't ever want you to worry about things like this. I just want to protect you."
"I know that," I said looking into his green eyes, "but keeping me in the dark is not protecting me."
"What would you have me do?"
"Tell me what you know. No secrets."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Keeping secrets is what got me in the hospital last year," I nodded.
"You mustn't blame yourself for Jesse's craziness," Sam said. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I sneaked away from Mike and Tina, I didn't call you and tell you where I was going, I tried to take on homicidal vampire alone," I listed. "I'd say I did lots of things wrong."
"You were doing what you thought had to be done; no one faults you but you," he said softly as he brushed my hair out of my face.
"Thank you," I said with a gentle smile. Sam pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head.
"You are very welcome," he said as he put his arms around me. "So, we think that whoever this is, is using the holes in Tina's visions to elude us."
"Hmph," I said. My brain started moving.
"Thoughts?" he asked.
"Not really. I'm kinda tired though," I answered.
"Then sleep, my princess. I will be here when you awaken," Sam said soothingly as I closed my eyes.
The next morning, I woke up alone but there was a bagel and orange juice on my nightstand with a note from Sam.
Mercedes
Had to run. Tina called a family meeting about the graduation party. See you at school. I hope you enjoy your breakfast; it's all I could do on short notice.
Sam
He was seriously the greatest. I had no idea why Tina wanted to have a meeting about a party that was two weeks away but I figured that this was set to be the best and biggest party that Lima had ever seen.
Gordon was already gone when I left for school but he left a note saying that he'd be home late because he was going out to the Rez.
The drive to school was pleasant; you know except for the fact that I couldn't get what Sam said out of my mind. I had an idea about who it could be evading Tina but I wasn't going to say it out loud and worry everyone because what if I was wrong?
The school day zoomed by. Lunch was filled with Trina stressing about her speech.
"This speech is so hard!" Trina pouted.
"Stop trying to be so "profound", Trina and just write the speech," Robbie said.
"I'm not doing that, Robbie," Trina spat.
"You are but whatever," Robbie muttered.
"I think Robbie means that instead of trying to stay away from phrases like, good afternoon my fellow students, faculty and staff, which you deem cliché, use them and focus on the body of the speech and the conclusion," Sam commented. "No one will remember the opening but a strong, poignant body and ending will keep them rapt and make your speech memorable."
"He's right," Mike added.
"Thanks," Trina gushed. Gross.
"Has anyone seen April?" I asked, glancing at her empty chair.
"Figgins wanted to see her," Jerry said. I nodded but wondered about that.
"Oh. My. God! You guys guess what?!" April said excitedly as she joined us at the table; a packet of papers and her camera in hand.
"What?" I asked.
"Principal Figgins just gave me this," she said handing me the packet.
"Congratulation, April Briggs. You have been selected by the Lima County School Board as the Most Exceptional Lensman," I read aloud. "As Most Exceptional Lensman you will receive $15,000 in scholarship money, a brand new camera of your choosing and will be asked to present your graduating class with photos of your exceptional talent. The Lima County School Board and William McKinley High School would like to congratulate you on your award and thank you for improving the color of our school system," I finished.
"That's great, baby!" Jerry said beaming.
"Thank you!" April beamed.
"Congratulations, April. That is quite an accomplishment," Sam with thoughtfully.
"Thank you. I'm grateful and nervous," she said.
"Why nervous?" I asked.
"I have to give that presentation of photos I've taken throughout our high school career and it has to be accompanied by a speech," April explained. "I've only got two weeks and I have no clue what to say or do."
"You should create a slideshow and the speech should showcase whatever emotion you tried to capture with the photos," Mike suggested.
"That's actually a great idea," April said. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Mike smiled.
When lunch was over, Sam grabbed my hand and lead me down the hallway toward my locker.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly as I ripped book covers off a couple of books.
"Yeah, why?" I answered.
"You seemed a little...out of it," he said.
"Two weeks, Sam," I told him. "I've got two weeks to figure out what I'm going to tell April about why I'm not coming home for the holidays or Spring Breaking in Cancun; and she's gonna want a real answer, Sam. Not bullshit. It's going to be hard enough keeping up a friendship with her just via email. Especially if I'm going to have to lie to her all the time."
"What would you want to do?" he asked shutting my locker.
"Something impossible," I told him taking his hand as we walked toward our next class.
"You want to tell her," he said.
"Yes."
"You can't."
"I know. I mean, I don't know but I know."
"I'm sorry, Mercedes," Sam said.
"No, you're not," I said.
"Why would you say that?" he asked anger flashing in his eyes.
"Because, Sam. You are lying to no one," I answered.
"Gordon and Ms. Yvette," Sam stated. "They are your family; therefore they are important to me, Mercedes. I would never want them to hurt. Which is another reason I told you that...making this change in your life wasn't a good thing. And I lie every single day of my miserable existence. To be what I am is to live a lie," he said as we took our seats.
"I just don't understand..." I told him as the bell rang. "We'll finish this later," I said as the teacher began to talk.
In the parking lot later, I leaned against my car and waited for Sam to exit the building.
"What's up?" April said joining me.
"Not much. What's up with you?" I asked.
"I wanted to give you my yearbook," April said, "will you sign it?"
"Of course," I smiled as I dug in my backpack, "as long as you sign mine, too," I said handing her mine.
"Uh, duh!" she beamed as we traded. "I'll bring it back tomorrow. Or someone will. I'm sure they'll all want to sign it."
"That's cool," I nodded. April hugged me tightly before running off toward Jerry's car.
"What was that about?" Sam asked stepping in front of me.
"She wants me to sign her yearbook," I told him, holding the book in front of his face.
"What are you going to say?"
"No clue yet."
"You wanted to talk?" he asked.
"Not here, Sam," I said, glancing around the parking lot full of watchful eyes and listening ears trying to get an inside glance at our relationship like we were Kimye or something. Without a word, Sam headed back toward his car. I climbed inside mine and started her up. As he peeled out of the parking lot, I sped out behind him. We drove and drove and ended up by the path that lead to our place. Our meadow.
We walked the path in silence. Once we were in the center of the flowered field, Sam sat down and pulled me with him.
"Talk," he said.
"I just don't understand why I can't see my friends. At least for a little while. People are looking younger and younger these days. Yes, I know that once we hit like 40 I can't just pop up looking like a fresh faced teenager, but until then...I just don't get it," I explained.
"That's just how we've always done it," Sam said. "It's easier to just distance yourself than to try to explain."
"I don't want to just leave my family and friends behind," I told him.
"Do you think that April would keep the secret?" Sam asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"You do realize that by telling her you will put her in danger of being located by the Malignita," he told me. "They wouldn't hesitate to hurt her to get to you."
"I know, but that's only if she tells, right?"
"Possibly."
"Small possibility?
"Not a big one, no."
"Then yes, I want to tell her," I said. Sam searched my eyes for a few moments before hoping to his feet. He pulled me up. He threw me on his back and ran from the meadow and through the woods. He took my keys from my pocket, moved my car into the woods then held the passenger door of his Audi open for me. I climbed in and in a flash we were zooming down the road. Soon, we were pulling up in front of April's house. "What are we doing here?" I asked wide eyed.
"Telling April," Sam said matter-of-fact.
"What? Are you bullshitting me?" I questioned.
"No," he said pushing his door open. He opened my door and helped me out. We climbed the stairs to the house and he rang the door bell.
"Hey, guys," April said opening the door. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work today, Mercedes."
"I did but Bret had plans or something and the store was closed," I told her.
"He's really got to get over his trust issues and let Jer be manager," April said rolling her eyes. "Well, come in," she said opening the door wide for us to enter.
"She's excited about being able to brag to Trina about a Schuester being in her house," Sam whispered in my ear with a chuckle as we crossed the threshold.
"It's just me. My parents are out buying me a graduation present and my brothers are...actually, I don't know where they are," she laughed. "I was in my room working on my presentation. Wanna come up?"
"Yeah, thanks," I answered. April smiled and led us up to her bedroom.
"Sit anywhere," she said holding the door open for us. Sam and I sat in the armchairs that sat by the door and she sat at desk that was directly across from us. "So, what's going on?"
"Um, I guess we have something to tell you," I told her. "It's complicated and unbelievable but a total secret."
"I can keep a secret," she said with an understanding smile.
"How am I supposed to do this?" I asked Sam.
"I don't know," he answered. "I've never done this. Only with you. And you knew."
"That doesn't help me," I said. Sam just shrugged. I took a deep breath before speaking.
"April, do you believe in the supernatural?" I asked. I figured I'd start with this question and gauge how it went; because if she didn't believe then seeing the transformation Sam made would probably kill her.
"I do. It's nonsensical to believe that we're the only things here," April answered. "The supernatural is a lot like Santa Claus, you know. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not very real or not there."
"That's a good answer," I said. I took another deep breath," OK, so, I'm just going to blurt this out and then deal with the fallout," I said.
"Ok," April said shifting in her chair slightly.
"Sam's a vampire," I blurted out. April's eyes grew as wide as a dinner plate. Sam sat calmly beside me with a gentle smile firmly in place.
"Mercedes, did I do something to you?" April asked.
"What?"
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Tell me anything?"
"I know."
"Then why make up something?" she questioned.
"I swear to you I didn't," I told her.
"But you said that..." April began but trailed off, her eyes locked on Sam. "But I invited him in!"
"That's a myth, April," Sam said. "I can come and go in any dwelling I please.
"Why are you guys lying to me?" April said shaking her head. "I'm not playing into this...this...this game."
"No game," Sam said getting to his feet. As he walked across the room to her, April rolled backward in her chair. He reached out and grabbed the armrests. "I promise you that this is no game," he said calmly. "Mercedes and I wish you include you in a secret that will impact her life as well and yours. There is no need to fear me, April. I do not feed on humans," Sam said answering a question that April didn't ask aloud. "I'm also a mind reader."
"Oh!" April pushed out on a ragged breath. Sam stepped back and April stood up. She crossed the room and sat down beside me. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I don't want to lose you," I told her honestly. "I haven't had a friend like you since I left L.A. and all of them have basically disappeared. You're my best friend, April. I want you to be included in my life."
"Thank you," April said hugging me. "Ok, so, tell me everything," she said looking from me to Sam.
"Every member of my family is a vampire," Sam began. "This is the third time we've lived in Lima. We only feed on animals."
"I suppose that's a good thing," April said with a light, nervous chuckle.
"I'm going to become a vampire," I told her.
"What?! When?!" she asked her eyes wide.
"Right after graduation," I answered. "I want to spend my life with him and the years I have left aren't enough."
"Are you sure? Like, this is something you want to do?" April questioned.
"No, I am not forcing her," Sam answered for me. "I do not wish for her to become what I am."
"But it's my choice," I added.
"I get it now," April said. "No holidays, no Spring Break."
"But I don't want that," I said.
"The first year of Mercedes' turn will be the hardest for her to endure the scent of humans," Sam told her, "so any face-to-face meeting is out of the question; but video chats and email, phone calls and texts are not."
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around this Sam-and-the-Schuesters-are-vampires thing," April said.
"April, look at me," Sam said. We both turned to look at him and April's breath hitched in her throat.
