New Directions: Lima, Ohio 1965 X Homecoming Special part I
[Thanks for all the awesome reviews. Keep them coming! This is one of two parts of the Homecoming Special. It was too long, so I had to split it up. Some of you may think you missed a chapter because of the beginning of this one starts off confusing, but I assure you, there are no missing parts lol. Try not to hate me for this one lol.]
Mercedes looked out of the bus window at the fall leaves. From the moment she got dressed in the morning to right then in the quiet of the bus ride to school, her pulse clanged in her ears. Mercedes exhaled after holding her breath when the bus finally stopped at McKinley. She stood up, waiting patiently, as the students stepped off the bus. Mercedes was the last to exit. As the bus pulled away and she saw the school in view, her heart pounded even harder. Mercedes shook her head. She knew she wasn't ready to go back to school.
The bell rang. It was too late to turn back. Mercedes checked her watch. Thirty seconds. She rushed to the front entrance of the school. Mercedes had already mapped it out in her head. If she took the short cut pass the gym, she would avoid seeing him. The hall was buzzing with students going to their first periods. Mercedes slipped through a bunch of ashtray kids, passed the east water fountain towards the gym. That's when she saw it.
WET FLOOR
The obnoxious yellow sign and bright tape was blocking her short cut. The janitor mopped away the spilled cola. Mercedes' soul died a little as she turned in despair to the main west hallway where Sam would be passing to go to his first period.
Mercedes took her time. She didn't care if she was tardy so long as she didn't see him. Though she had been contemplating it for the past two days, she was not ready to face her ex-boyfriend.
Mercedes turned into the West hall. It was nearly empty except for two nerds reading a comic. Mercedes sighed. She had missed him. But was fate ever that kind?
Sam turned the corner. He half stopped when he saw Mercedes standing in the middle of the hallway with her books held tight to her chest. Mercedes held her breath and took the first step. Sam took the next. All sound was drowned out by their footsteps as the two walked down the hall. Just when Mercedes was about to pass Sam, she couldn't help it, and looked up at him only to find that his eyes were looking elsewhere. And with that, he passed her as aloofly as possible. Mercedes stood still. Her heart stopped. It wasn't until that moment that she realized she had almost hoped Sam would say something, anything, to try and explain why he did what he did. Mercedes never expected the silence. Something broke inside her. Even so soon, Sam had gotten over her. Mercedes quickly walked into her class before the bell rang.
Sam stopped when he saw Mercedes at the end of the West Hall. He had taken his time to get to class, in the hopes that he would not see her. His heart could not take it. He knew if he looked into her eyes, all the things he wanted to tell her would come fumbling out. Mercedes took the first step. Sam followed. Just when they were about to pass each other, Sam closed his eyes and then opened them in the opposite direction of Mercedes. Sam waited till her heard Mercedes walk into her class. Then at that moment, he stopped and turned around.
Mercedes and Tina sat by themselves in the cafeteria.
Refusing to look up, Mercedes kept her eyes focused on her lunch and the sheet music for invitationals.
"You wanna go dress shopping tomorrow? That'll make you feel better," Tina said.
Mercedes looked up momentarily, to see Sam flicking peas with his fork at the cool table.
"I can't. My mom signed me up to work at the church carnival. I'm sorry," Mercedes said glumly.
"No, it's no problem," Tina said.
Tina turned around to see who Mercedes was looking at.
"…Maybe you should talk to him," Tina began.
"Who," Mercedes replied, as if she was kidding anyone.
"He's your boyfriend," Tina said.
"Was my boyfriend," Mercedes corrected, turning her eyes back to her tray. "And it's not my fault things are the way they are now."
Sam looked up from the table just in time to see Mercedes watching him. Mercedes quickly averted her eyes and got up. She walked out of the cafeteria.
Tina sighed.
"Hey."
Tine turned around to find Puck standing over her with his hands tucked in his pockets.
"Can I talk to you?"
…
"You took me to the make-out spot?" Tina said. She and Puck stood under the bleachers.
Puck looked around to make sure no one was listening in before turning back to Tina.
Puck: I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but Sam and Mercedes are breaking my thug heart.
Tina: I know, it's horrible. But what are we going to do?
Puck: I don't know. There really isn't anything in the heartthrob handbook for a situation like this.
Tina: Can't Sam just say he's sorry?
Puck: This is Sam we are talking about. He's never apologized for slugging any man
Tina: Yes, but he hit Mercedes' dad! I think he can make an exception.
Puck: But he's not sorry.
Tina: What?
Puck: I know! We need to figure something out soon. The Homecoming game is in two days and Sam is a wreck. And honestly, if this goes on any longer, I don't see us making it to the invitational. Santana will kill Rachel before we make it out of Lima if MJ isn't there to hold her back.
Tina: We need a miracle.
When Mercedes closed her locker, she was taken aback to see Sam in front of her.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Are you coming to rehearsal?" Sam mumbled nervously.
"I have a lot of homework. Santana can show everybody the steps," Mercedes replied, looking at the floor.
"Mercedes…Look at me," Sam whispered.
The low tone of Sam's voice sent shivers down Mercedes' back.
She slowly tilted her head up, looking Sam in the eye for the first time in days.
Sam was somewhat surprised by his own words. Though he had always been guiltily enamored with Mercedes' lips, he loved nothing more than to stare into her eyes, and it peeved him that he had not seen them in so long.
"Mercedes…I never meant to hurt you," Sam said.
Mercedes' face became uncharacteristically cold.
"You probably should have thought of that before you ruined everything," Mercedes replied.
"It's not my fault," Sam told her sternly.
"Oh, so your fists don't belong to you anymore?" Mercedes said, folding her arms.
"You don't know what happened," said Sam.
"So my father just got a busted lip on his own," Mercedes sarcastically.
"He should have gotten worse!" Sam said. Sam kicked himself on the inside, but it was too late to take his words back now.
Mercedes exhaled, her eyes beginning to fill up with tears.
"Sam, How can-! How can you be so-"
Mercedes stuttered as tears swiftly rolled down her face. She turned around, just as Sam reached for her arm.
"Don't!" Mercedes said, running away. Mercedes rushed into the music room, slamming the door behind her.
She took her seat at the table, quickly opening up the books.
"Are you alright?" Artie asked, watching Mercedes wipe under her eyes with one hand, and flip pages with the other.
"I'm fine. The weather is getting to me you know," Mercedes told him.
Artie touched Mercedes' hand to stop her from turning the pages of the book.
Mercedes looked into Artie's eyes. Mercedes averted her gaze so he would not see her cry.
Artie took out his handkerchief, and began dabbing Mercedes' face softly.
This only caused Mercedes to tear up more.
She fell into Artie's arms, weeping into his shoulder.
Artie, surprised by this, rubbed Mercedes back slowly as she put her arms around him. Artie hushed her soothingly.
Mercedes held Artie tighter. Artie leaned his head on Mercedes' neck. He closed his eyes and breathed in her flowery perfume… It took all his strength to remember that Mercedes was crying over another boy and he should not get lost in her embrace.
"It's alright," he said with his eyes still closed, combing her hair with his fingers.
Sam watched from the door window…
It was no surprise to anyone when only half of the show choir showed up for rehearsal.
Finn, Rachel, Santana, Kurt and Brittany sat in the choir room with Mr. Schuester.
"We should just cancel rehearsal. I could be campaigning right now," Santana said.
"This is a disaster," Kurt said, as Brittany spidered her fingers down Kurt's back, making him jump from his seat.
"What is she doing here?" Rachel asked.
"I'm here to support my man," Brittany said, kissing on Kurt's neck.
"You know what; we could use all the members we can get right now. Brittany you're in," Mr. Schuester said.
There was a knock at the door.
Quinn pushed the door open slowly. She motioned to Finn.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked.
Finn quickly glanced at Rachel before getting up.
Finn closed the door behind him.
"Hey," Finn said awkwardly, unsure of why his ex was talking to him.
Quinn: You have to do something about this
Finn: About what?
Quinn: Sam and Mercedes.
Finn: What's the big deal? I told Sam going with a colored girl would never work out.
Quinn: You're such an idiot, Finn.
Finn: What?
Quinn: It still hasn't occurred to you that maybe Sam and Mercedes being together is what made the show choir so successful in the first place.
Finn: What makes you think I care about this club's success anyway? You were the one that made me join in the first place.
Quinn: I did you a favor. You haven't been Lima's golden boy ever since Sam started dominating the field. As captain of the show choir, you became the most popular boy in school again. What makes you think Rachel will still want you, or any girl for that matter, when the choir goes under? Sam will still be the star quarterback. What will you be?
Finn had not considered this.
Finn: Why are you helping me?
Quinn: I'm not.
Puck quickened his pace to keep up with Sam.
"Coach is going to kill you for missing practice," Puck said.
Sam sipped on his beer. "So," he grumbled.
"Gimme that," Puck said, reaching for the bottle.
Sam jerked his hand away.
"No way man, get your own," Sam said.
Puck snatched the beer away. He downed the bottle in one big gulp.
"Whatever I got another one," Sam said.
"You have to stop," Puck said, as Sam took out another bottle from his gym bag.
"Why? You get drunk all the time," Sam said, opening the beer by de-capping it on a nearby fence.
"Didn't your dad have a drinking problem?"
Sam stopped and looked down at the beer. It seemed momentarily his senses came back to him. He handed the bottle to Puck, who finished that one as well.
Sam shook his head, taking a seat on the bench near the bus stop.
"I blew it, Puck. You told me not to lose my head and I did," Sam said glumly.
Puck took a seat next to Sam.
Puck: You still lasted longer than I would have.
Sam: …I can't get the look on her face out of my head. She just looked…horrified.
Puck: You should tell her what her dad said to you.
Sam: It doesn't make any difference. He's her father. Even if I told her, she'd still choose him. I'm just mad he won.
Puck: He didn't win. He crossed the line first. MJ just didn't see that part.
Sam: But I hit him. As soon as I did, this smile appeared on his face like he planned it. If MJ hadn't walked in, I would have hit him again.
Puck: …Did you see her today?
Sam: …Yeah. I tried to apologize and completely blew it. I practically pushed her into the arms of another guy
Puck: What guy?
Sam: [mumbling] Artie
Puck: Who?
Sam: [softly] Artie Abrams
Puck: …You lost your girl to the kid in the wheelchair?
Sam: Don't need the judgment right now Puck!
Puck: Right. My fault. On the bright side though-
Sam: What bright side?!
Puck: Tina let slip that Mercedes will be working at her church fair tomorrow… Seems like a perfect opportunity to declare your undying love.
Sam looked up from the ground.
Sam: Wait wait wait… You want me to sneak into a church fair, in the heart of Lima Heights, where we'll be the only two white faces, so I can try and win MJ back in front of all her family and friends?
Sam narrowed his eyes at Puck.
"Oh my God… You know me so well!" Sam said, the first smile in days appearing on his face.
The two boys guys hugged only to quickly push each other away
Mercedes sat in the kitchen with all her textbooks open.
Mr. Jones entered with his mug in hand. He opened the fridge to look for ice.
"What's that?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Homework," Mercedes said. "Just trying to get an early start on next weeks' assignments."
Mr. Jones gave a proud smile, going over and rubbing his daughter's back.
"That's my girl," he said.
Mercedes smiled back politely but halfheartedly. It was easy to see her father was taking the break-up better than she was.
Mr. Jones took a seat across from his daughter.
"You know… I was thinking we should take a trip. Maybe go to NYC. Do some holiday shopping. I know how my baby likes to shop," Mr. Jones said with a wink.
Mercedes smiled.
"That's okay dad. I'm not sure if my teachers will be alright with me missing more school with the invitational coming up and all," Mercedes said.
Mr. Jones cleared his throat lightly, something he always did when something displeased him.
"Well, I just assumed that you would be giving up this singing nonsense with that white boy not being in your life anymore," Mr. Jones said.
"Daddy… I like singing-"
"What have I told you?" Mr. Jones said, cutting off his daughter. "Singing is like breathing or walking – most everybody does it. Being a doctor or a nurse is an actual skill you have to master. You actually help people, you save lives. People who sing have to rely on someone for the rest of their lives."
"Dad I won't rel-
"What's the shelf life of a singer? Let's just say you do make it, and maybe a thousand people buy your album. That'll keep you financially secure for what? A few years and that's it. And you'll have no education to fall back on."
"I'm not saying I don't want an education, Daddy," Mercedes said.
"But this singing business isn't helping your grades any. I know you feel important singing here and there with those kids, but it won't last."
"I know. But they are my friends. That is my group." Mercedes said.
Mr. Jones leaned back in his chair.
"I understand. They're your friends and you want to be there for them. But your first responsibility is to yourself. Do well in school, and get an education."
Mercedes nodded.
Her father smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
"No more talk of this show choir. I'm going to call the travel agent and see if we can get any deals," Mr. Jones said, getting up from his chair.
Mercedes watched him leave the kitchen without his ice.
Mercedes sighed, letting her face drop between her books.
When she closed her eyes she imagined Sam's face. She pictured them at the lake with the food on top of his head from when Artie chased him. Mercedes smiled. She had never laughed so hard before. Now that she thought about it… the happiest moments she could remember all involved Sam in some way.
New Directions was her group, but it was Sam who gave it to her. And it just didn't feel the same without him in it. The magic was gone.
Her mother assured her that heartbreak was hard and that it would soon pass away. But Mercedes wasn't even sure her heart was broken. It still beat as strong and loud for Sam since the day they met. Mercedes could not comprehend getting over someone she didn't want to get over. But she had to somehow…
"Hello Santana,"
Santana tilted her head from her locker to find Quinn Fabray standing next to her in the hallway.
"Fabray," Santana said unexcitingly, continuing to reapply her ruby red lipstick in her mirror.
Quinn took out an invitation from her folder, handing it to Santana.
"My Homecoming party is tonight. You're invited," Quinn said dully.
Santana scoffed at the little card.
"Celebrating your victory a bit early aren't you," Santana said, still looking at her reflection. She closed her gold tube of lipstick.
"I appreciate your dogmatic determination to be Homecoming Queen Santana, but…you do know you can't win," Quinn said.
"Really Fabray? You're going to try a psych me out the day before the game? Puck's cred gets me all the votes I need from the McKinley side," Santana said.
Quinn smirked.
"I'm not trying to trick you Santana. That's not how I play. I tell the truth, and the truth is none of the groups Puck represents vote. They're too cool for that. And Mercedes split your vote for Roosevelt. At best, you'll make third place."
Santana closed her locker.
"If that's true then why are you telling me this?" Santana said.
"We're not friends, but I know you Santana. We're the same. At some point in time you were the Quinn Fabray of Roosevelt High and you want it back…But I want you to take a good look at my life. I have no boyfriend and no best friend who cares. I'm alone. I just hope you think being Homecoming Queen is worth losing a friendship," Quinn said.
"Mind your own business," Santana said.
Quinn shrugged her shoulder.
"Fine," Quinn said, passing Santana.
"Wait."
Quinn turned around.
"Who…who's going to win?" Santana said.
Quinn held her books to her chest as she thought for a second.
"In a right-side-up world - Mercedes. In the real world… me."
"You want to what?"
"We are going to sneak into-"
"I heard you the first time!" said Finn.
It was the next day at football practice and Sam and Puck were explaining the plan to the rest of the guys.
Finn: This is a horrible idea.
Puck: It's badass
Mike: It's romantic.
Finn: Don't be a girl Mike
Sam: We'll just sneak in sometime during the middle so nobody will notice us.
Finn: EVERYONE will notice us. It's Lima Heights
Sam: I've been there before. It was cool.
Finn: That was just you. That's a lonely white man. No one will be intimidated by that. There'll be four of us.
Mike: I'm not white.
Finn: Shut up, you're whiter than I am.
Puck: Not lying.
Sam: We'll be alright.
Finn: How do I say this nicely? Sam you're the crazy one of this group. Your opinion cannot be trusted in any situation.
Mike: Although I do believe Sam is somewhat unstable, I do think this is a good idea.
Puck: Come on Finn! You don't want to be known as the wuss of the gang do you? Girls love dangerous men. What other guy on the team will be able to say they rolled into Lima Heights like it was nothin.
Mike: All the black ones…
Puck: Not my point.
Sam: Look, are you in or are you out Finn? We are either the four musketeers or the three kings.
The guys watched Finn contemplate before he finally frowned in defeat.
"Alright, four musketeers it is," Finn said.
"Yess!" the boys said, hugging each other.
"We are all queers," Finn said as they continued to embrace each other.
Mercedes knocked on the music room door before opening it.
Artie was sitting there waiting for her.
"Hey," Mercedes said softly.
"Hey," Artie replied.
The two looked at the floor in awkward silence.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. It was inappropriate," Mercedes began.
"No no. It's alright… I mean I can't get the smell of your perfume out of my shirt, but I like it," Artie said.
Mercedes smiled, taking a seat next at the table.
"Thanks," she said.
Artie twiddled his thumbs nervously.
"So… I was thinking," he started. "Maybe you'd want to hang out tonight or."
Mercedes raised her eyebrow in curiosity, making Artie ten times more anxious.
"Nevermind! You're busy. You're a busy girl I mean busy woman, lady, lovely young busy lady, you probably have lots of things to do"
"I have to work at my church's carnival after school-"
"Right! Right, of course. Yeah, that seems very strenuous. I have to ugh help my dad with dinner anyway" Artie said, nodding for each word he said nervously.
"You wanna come?"
Artie stopped talking.
"I mean, it won't be that hip. It's just a little carnival to raise money. I'll be working the ring toss booth," Mercedes said.
"Okay!"
He said it so fast, Mercedes barely heard him. She started chuckling as Artie's cheeks turned red.
"Cool," Mercedes said, smiling.
Detective Corcoran stepped out of the interrogation room, closing the door quietly.
A smug grin appeared on her face as she strutted to Chief Fabray's office.
She closed the door when she saw he was alone.
Mr. Fabray hung up the phone.
"Did you get him?" he asked.
"I got him," she told him.
"So it was Karofsky."
"I just got a confession out of his friend. I got motive and witnesses that say they saw him do it. That's enough to book him," Detective Corcoran said taking a seat, in front of Russell.
"Let's not do it yet. I know David's father. He's an upstanding guy. We will wait till tonight to bring him in. Then we can announce the arrest tomorrow."
"What? This kid is an arsonist and tried to attempt 1st degree murder. He should be dragged in the street. I don't care who is father is!" Shelby said.
"Babe, it's the politics of the job. We have to handle these situations delicately," Chief Fabray said.
"You don't know what Karofsky did to this girl. He should be rotting in jail, not having a comfy dinner with his family," said Shelby.
Russell got up from his desk. He leaned over Detective Corcoran's chair and kissed her softly.
"All in due time babe," he said.
Shelby smiled, kissing Russell back.
"Okay. How about I make us some fettuccini tonight?" Shelby said.
"Can't. I'm supposed to help my wife set up this party for Quinnie tonight." he said.
Shelby moved her face so Russell could not kiss her.
"Don't be like that. She's my wife. What do you want me to do?" Russell said, sounding exasperated.
"Nothing," Shelby said, picking up the file. "I'm going to find Mercedes and tell her the good news. Don't wait up for me tonight."
And with that Shelby left the office.
"Hmm this isn't as hostile as I thought it would be," Artie said, as he followed Mercedes through the carnival. Some people waved at them as they passed by.
Mercedes laughed. "What did you expect? It's mostly church folk," she told Artie.
"Right," Artie said, feeling stupid.
Mercedes arrived at her booth.
Artie helped Mercedes set up the quilts on the table stand.
Mercedes bent over.
"I can't tell if the sheet is even. Can you check?" Mercedes asked.
Artie bent over to look under the table.
Artie was treated to a full view of Mercedes bare legs and her virgin white underwear.
"So, what do you think?" Mercedes asked, checking the other side of the table.
"It uh umm," Artie said, clearing his throat, "looks good to me."
"Good," Mercedes said, straightening back up so she could start placing the empty soda bottles on the table.
"You guys look ridiculous." Quinn said, walking behind the boys.
Finn, Puck, and Mike were wearing sunglasses and their best hood clothes.
"Why don't you wait in the car Quinnie. This could be dangerous," Puck said, taking each step cautiously as he and the others passed by people playing at the booths.
"It's a church carnival, moron," Quinn said, rolling her eyes.
Puck's van had broken down again and Quinn had been commissioned to give half the boys a lift to the fair.
Puck and the others took off their sunglasses. Indeed, it was a serene environment, though some church folk were eyeing the boys suspiciously due to their awkward behavior.
"Let's split up," Quinn said, going off into another direction. Finn followed her.
"Aren't you on the wrong side of town white boy?"
Sam turned around.
Shane was at a nearby stand.
Sam placed his hands in his letterman jacket.
"And shouldn't you be rotting in a jail cell?" Sam replied.
Shane smirked.
"And yet, here we both are…Free men," Shane said.
"It's only a matter of time before the police figure out it was you," Sam said.
Shane smiled, folding his arms.
"Apparently, you didn't receive the good news. I'm innocent Evans. I got a call from the detective saying they got the real guy," Shane said. "It seems, for once, the law is working in the black man's favor."
"You're lying," Sam said.
Shane smirked.
"Ask Mercedes. Oh wait…I forgot you two weren't together anymore."
Sam clenched his fists and stood his ground in silence. He let Shane walk away from him. Sam had convinced himself that his fists had caused enough trouble. But this mature stance didn't stop him from imagining Shane getting run over by his truck.
Mercedes and Artie had a decent crowd in front of their station, as people bought rings to toss over the bottles for a prize.
"If I win, do I get a kiss from you sugar?" one freshman student from Roosevelt asked Mercedes playfully.
"No, you get a kiss from me. How bout it?" Artie said.
"Naw man, it's cool," the boy said as the others laughed behind him.
The boy tossed all three rings and missed. After some encouragement from his friends behind him, he bought three more. Mercedes laughed and applauded him as he tried again and again.
Santana, who had arrived not too long ago at the fair, watched at another booth as Mercedes entertained the crowd.
Her smile was as radiant as the sun as she encouraged people to donate.
Santana folded her arms and sighed. No matter how hard she tried to dislike Mercedes, she had to admit to herself that she was Homecoming Queen material which made her even stiffer competition.
The boy at the front of Mercedes' booth had finally run out of money and tries.
His friends patted him on the back as he shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment.
"As you can see I'm no athlete," the boy said.
Mercedes leaned in and chastely kissed the boy on the cheek.
"You're still my hero," Mercedes said. "Thank you for your donation."
The boy held his cheek and walked away with his friends cheering behind him.
"How much have we raised so far?" Mercedes asked Artie.
"Ten bucks," Artie said, counting the coins and bills.
"Not bad. Let's try for thirty," Mercedes said.
"If I win, do I get a kiss?"
Shane had just shown up at Mercedes station.
"We're closed," Mercedes said, closing the can of money.
"It doesn't look closed to me," Shane said.
"Well it is. So, why don't you move along," Artie said.
Shane ignored Artie.
"I heard about you and Sammy boy. My condolences."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Sure Shane," she replied sarcastically.
"No I really do feel bad about it. No black man will take you now," Shane said.
"I don't need a man," Mercedes said.
"Just half of one right," Shane replied, looking at Artie.
"It's better than a man with half a brain," Artie said.
"Be quiet Artie," Mercedes said. "Ignore him."
"You better watch your mouth professor X," Shane said.
"Will you leave us alone?!" Mercedes said.
"Is there a problem?"
Santana had appeared behind Shane.
"Mind your business San," Shane said.
"She said to leave them alone. What are you going to do Shay? Beat up a girl and a boy in a wheelchair? I bet you'll get all the homecoming votes after that," Santana said.
Shane rolled his eyes.
"Later," he said, walking away.
The two girls looked at each other in silence.
"I'm still mad at you," Santana said.
Mercedes remained silent.
"Thank you Santana," Mercedes said.
Santana averted her eyes
"Yeah sure," Santana said quickly going away to another booth.
"What was that?" Artie asked.
"An apology…I think," said Mercedes.
"Women," Artie said, shaking his head.
After another hour at the booth, Mercedes and Artie managed to raise forty dollars.
"We make a great team," Artie said as Mercedes counted the money.
Mercedes nodded.
"Yeah we do don't we," Mercedes said, handing Artie the toss rings.
"Mercedes."
Detective Corcoran stood behind Mercedes.
Mercedes stood silent, unsure of what to say.
"It's been a while, Mercedes," Shelby said calmly.
"Yes, it has," Mercedes replied politely.
"…I have news for you. Could we talk somewhere in private?"
Mercedes' stomach lurched.
"Oh, sure. Would you mind waiting here? I have to give this money to the pastor," she managed to reply calmly.
"Alright."
Mercedes walked off, not waiting for a reply from Shelby.
She needed to catch her breath.
She didn't know where she was going. All she could think of was the news Shelby had. Some part of her never wanted to find out who the person was who burned down the school. What if she knew them? She didn't want to put a face to dark creature in her nightmares. But deep down, Mercedes understood that she had to know, or she could never move on.
Mercedes had not taken ten paces before she bumped into Quinn who seemed just as troubled as she was.
"I'm so sorry- Quinn? What are you doing here?" Mercedes said.
"What were you doing talking to her?" Quinn said. Her eyes were red in resentment.
"To who? Shelby? You know her?" Mercedes asked in confusion.
Quinn's eyes glared over Mercedes' shoulder.
"That's the whore sleeping with my father," she said. Quinn's hands balled up into small fist, but what remnant of reason that her anger had not scorched prevented her from making a scene.
"What?" Mercedes said in disbelief, turning around. Shelby was still waiting at the booth. She had spotted the two young girls watching her. The detective wore a look of shameful defense, as she quickly turned her attention to the glass bottles in front of her.
Quinn exhaled, moving her stare away from Shelby and back to Mercedes.
"Sam is here," Quinn said. "Just thought I should tell you before he ambushes you out of nowhere. You know how he can be."
Mercedes snorted. Though her heart was aching over their abrupt break-up, Mercedes had grown to expect Sam's random, yet ironically, consistent behavior. He did what he wanted, no matter what. It was the best and worst thing about him.
"I know there's no excuse for what Sam did," Quinn said. "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that fathers aren't always who they say they are."
"What your father has put your family through is the worst Quinn… but I know my dad. He's a good man," Mercedes said.
Quinn nodded.
"You're lucky," Quinn said.
Quinn left Mercedes who went to the stand where the pastor was, waiting for the donations.
The pastor thanked Mercedes volunteering. Mercedes smiled and nodded, though she did not absorb one word the pastor had said. Shelby was still waiting at the booth to tell her something.
Mercedes took her time to get back to the detective. She was still standing there.
Mercedes breathed in, walking back up to her.
"Okay," Mercedes said to Shelby as they walked over to an unoccupied bench. The two women took a seat.
Shelby still wore a mildly shameful look on her face.
Shelby: … First I just want to say I'm sorry about how I treated Sam. I received a bad lead, and I went with it. Sam just seemed so likely for it, but I should have done more digging.
Mercedes: It's alright. You're a police woman; it's your job to interrogate. I understand.
Shelby: Good… I want you to know I care very much about this case. And I care about you.
Mercedes: I know. Thank you
Shelby: I came here to tell you we found out who started the fire. We got him
Mercedes: …Who is it
Shelby: I'm not at liberty to tell you until he's indicted. I just wanted you to know, he won't ever bother you again.
Mercedes: Please… I know it's against the rules, but I have to know who he is…. Please
Shelby: It's David Karofsky. He's a senior at McKinley.
For the first time all day, Mercedes nerves remained as still as water. Her eyes narrowed.
Mercedes: David Karofsky? Are- Are you sure?
Shelby: We have two witnesses who says he did it
Mercedes: Umm… wow. I…
Shelby: I know it's a lot to take in
Mercedes: …Did he admit to it?
Shelby: We don't need his confession. The witness said David bragged about setting Roosevelt on fire to him and other friends.
Mercedes: Oh… That's… I just didn't really think he… Has he been arrested?
Shelby:… No. We are trying to keep this quiet, so we are going to bring him in tonight.
Mercedes: I see…
Shelby: If it was my decision, Karofsky would be in chains by now, but my boss-
Mercedes: Police Chief Fabray… Quinn's father.
Shelby: Yes… I'm sure Quinn has told you about the Chief and I
Mercedes: She did.
Shelby:...I'm not proud of myself.
Mercedes: Why would you sleep with a married man?
Shelby: You're still young. You'll learn you can't help who you fall in love with. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart.
Mercedes: I wouldn't follow my heart if meant hurting a family.
Shelby: Wouldn't you? Haven't you…
Shelby smiled sadly at Mercedes' confusion. "I'll call you when we have Karofsky in custody," she said.
Shelby got up from the bench…
The sky was uncommonly clear for an autumn night.
Mercedes and Artie folded the sheets and placed the glass bottles back in the boxes.
"It's a beautiful night," Artie said.
"Yes it is," Mercedes said, looking up at the sparkling stars.
Artie gulped. This was the moment he realized as he watched Mercedes gaze up at the sky.
"Mercedes?"
Mercedes looked down at Artie.
"Yes?"
Artie massaged his hands anxiously in his lap.
"I have something to tell you…" Artie said.
Mercedes turned to him.
"Okay."
"It's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while, but the time just never seemed right. It's actually pretty funny when you think about it," Artie said nervously.
Mercedes raised one eyebrow suspiciously.
"What is it Artie?" Mercedes said, putting her hand on her hip a quizzical smile forming on her face.
"I-"
"Mercedes"
Sam stood in front of the booth.
"Sam," Mercedes said.
"I need to talk to you MJ…please," Sam said.
Mercedes bit her bottom lip. She turned her attention back to Artie.
Artie, who usually always had a look of disdain in Sam's presence, just seemed crestfallen instead.
"…I was actually speaking with Art-"
Artie cut Mercedes off.
"No. It's alright. It wasn't important," he said.
Mercedes narrowed her eyes to her friend who seemed more agreeable than usual.
Artie looked up at Mercedes who seemed conflicted between the two boys.
"Go," Artie said. "I'll finish up here."
Though he wouldn't consider himself a spiritual person, Artie prayed a small prayer that he would get another chance to tell Mercedes what he wanted to say.
"Okay," Mercedes said, still wondering what Artie was up to.
Mercedes and Sam strolled quietly through the carnival while the church members packed up to leave.
"Quinn told me you were here an hour ago," Mercedes said.
Sam scratched the back of his head.
"Uh yeah, I maybe walked around the fair ten times before I got up the courage to talk to you," Sam said. "I'm sorry MJ. I really am."
Mercedes exhaled.
"…I know you are Sam, but you have to understand the seriousness of what you did. I have to choose my family over you. I mean, what else do you expect me to do? How would you feel If I punched your father?"
"I'd think it'd be cute," Sam said.
"Sam," Mercedes said her eyes narrowing coldly. "You know what I mean."
Sam nodded, placing his hands in his pockets.
"I know. You're right. And I'm not going to ask you to take me back…I just don't want to be remembered by you as that guy who hit your dad," he told Mercedes. "I hope one day you can forgive me."
Mercedes willed her brain to overpower her heart.
She closed her eyes.
"Sam… there are some things that time cannot heal…This is one of those things."
Sam's heart fell. He turned around, his back facing Mercedes.
Tears were inexplicably falling from his eyes. He had not cried since he was a little boy. It had been made clear to Mercedes that their relationship was over some time ago, but now Sam understood it too.
"Uh yeah- I'll see you at school-" Sam said quickly to prevent his voice from cracking. He walked away swiftly, keeping his back turned so Mercedes she could not see him.
Mercedes looked up at the sky.
"Lord, please give me the strength to let him go," Mercedes muttered.
By the time she had made it back to the booth, Artie had finished packing everything.
"Is everything okay?" Artie asked.
Mercedes nodded. "Yes…No" Mercedes said. "But it will be."
Artie didn't bother to inquire anymore.
Mercedes and Artie walked to the end of the park and put the boxes in the back of the church van.
Mercedes stayed with Artie, waiting for his parents to pick him up.
"Isn't that Finn?" Artie suddenly asked.
Mercedes looked up from her feet to see Finn wandering around the entrance, clearly lost.
Mercedes walked up to him.
"Finn, what are you doing here?" Mercedes asked.
"I'm looking for Quinn. She was my ride," Finn said, still looking around.
"She left," Mercedes told him, thought she did not bother to explain why.
"Great," Finn said sarcastically.
Mercedes didn't bother to tell him why Quinn left. It was no secret that Mercedes disliked Finn. She felt he was as loyal as a snake.
"You can take the bus. It'll be stopping here in about fifteen minutes," Mercedes said.
Mercedes meant to leave it at that, as she turned around, but something in her would not let the conversation end there.
"Detective Corcoran talked to you first, right," Mercedes said.
"Yeah," Finn said, narrowing his eyes. He looked down at his watch.
"What did you tell her?" Mercedes asked.
Finn looked at Mercedes.
"I can't tell you. Why do you wanna know?"
Mercedes shrugged her shoulders.
"Just curious. It's kind of funny how the detective found out about Sam's dad when you're the only one who knew."
"What are you trying to say?" Finn said.
"You set Sam up," Mercedes said.
Finn shook his head.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Finn replied.
"He's your best friend-"
"SHE KNEW ALREADY OKAY."
Mercedes took two quick steps back from Finn.
"Plus I knew he didn't do it, so he'd get out anyway. She just wouldn't leave it alone so I told her what she wanted to hear. Don't tell Sam," Finn said more calmly.
"How could she have known already…I mean she'd have to have sealed medical records or something" Mercedes said.
"Come on Mercedes," Finn said shaking his head. "You know."
Mr. and Mrs. Jones sat in the living room. Mr. Jones had his legs crossed while he read the evening newspaper.
The front door opened, revealing their daughter who had just got back from the carnival. Mercedes closed the door behind her.
"Back already? Did you have fun?" Mr. Jones asked.
Mercedes remained silent.
"Are you alright?" Mrs. Jones asked her daughter who seemed slightly paler than usual.
"Did you do it Daddy?"
Mr. Jones lowered his newspaper.
"Do what?" he asked quizzically.
Mercedes' lip quivered. Her hands began shaking slowly as her eyes filled with tears.
"…Did you do it dad" she whispered.
Mr. Jones remained silent.
"Oh my god Daddy…please tell me you didn't," Mercedes begged softly; her father's silence was scaring her.
"What on earth is going on with you Mercedes?" Mrs. Jones asked as she looked between her husband and her daughter.
"Daddy, tell me please" Mercedes said.
Mr. Jones took off his glasses. He rubbed his temple as if he was trying to massage away a migraine.
"When you're older-"
"Your medical license gives you access to everyone's medical files. Even the police can't get files doctors can," Mercedes said.
"I'm only a dentist Mercedes. I look at teeth all day," Mr. Jones said calmly.
"But all your friends are doctors. Mr. Lopez could have given you the file if you asked him."
"Mercedes-"
"You tried to get Sam arrested," Mercedes whispered.
"What?" Mrs. Jones said.
"How could you!" Mercedes said.
"Don't you dare raise your voice at me!" Mr. Jones snapped. "This is your fault!"
Mercedes couldn't believe her ears. Her father was standing up now and yelling down at her.
"You did this to us! You let that white boy mess up your life!"
"…He makes me happy. Why can't you understand that?!" Mercedes said.
"You're so selfish. You don't know what your actions have done to this family," Mr. Jones said.
Mercedes' looked into her father's eyes, unable to recognize the man she was facing.
"Lets all just calm down for moment," Mrs. Jones said.
Mercedes opened the front door.
"Where are you going?" Mr. Jones said.
Mercedes turned around. She left the house.
"You come back here!"
"We're out of appetizers Mom," Quinn said, rushing into the kitchen.
Mrs. Fabray chopped up little pieces of cheese as Quinn opened the oven to check on the pigs in a blanket.
"I forgot how much teenagers ate," Mrs. Fabray said.
"I think the whole senior class is here," Quinn said, straightening her dress.
"Don't stand here. You have guests to entertain. We need those votes," Mrs. Fabray said.
Quinn watched her mom decorate the plate with little cheese and crackers.
She went up to her and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks mom," Quinn said, before going back out.
All lot of the kids were surrounding the record player that was blasting the Beatles.
"Dance with me Quinnie!" one of the football players said over the loud music.
Just then the doorbell rang.
"Maybe later Chad," Quinn said, walking over to the front entrance.
Quinn opened the door for Mercedes.
From her shaking knees to her slightly disheveled hair, Quinn could tell something was wrong with Mercedes.
"Mercedes, did you walk here? It's fifty degrees outside," Quinn said, letting Mercedes in.
"Yeah, I'm sorry to bother you at your party. I'm looking for Sam," Mercedes said.
"He's not here. He left maybe an hour ago. He only stayed for about fifteen minutes," Quinn said.
"…Oh," Mercedes said. "Well, I should probably go find him."
"Wait."
Quinn put her hand on Mercedes' shoulder to stop her.
"Let's go upstairs for a minute."
…
"Did you know?" Mercedes asked as Quinn handed her a hot cup of tea.
Quinn sat on her bed next to Mercedes.
"I had my suspicions…," Quinn said.
Mercedes shook her head.
Mercedes: Why didn't Sam tell me?
Quinn: …Well, It's not…really the kind of news you want to break to someone about their father.
Mercedes: I just can't believe it. My dad has been my hero since I was a little girl.
Quinn: People think the scary part of life involves meeting new people. But really, its finding out that you don't know the people you've known your whole life.
Mercedes: What am I supposed to do?
Quinn: …Forgive your dad
Mercedes: {scoffing} Really, this coming from you? You're kind of the last person I'd expect to give merciful advice.
Quinn: {smirking} Maybe so. But you're not me…And in some twisted sort of way, what your father did was out of love for you.
Mercedes: I guess… But I still won't be able to look at him the same.
Quinn: Finding out your dad is human is just a part of growing up.
Mercedes: {smirking} You're pretty wise for a cheerleader.
Quinn: If that were true I would've picked a better boyfriend than Finn
Mercedes: Someone once told me you can't help who you fall in love with.
Quinn: That's what irresponsible people say.
Quinn stood up.
"I'll give you a ride to Sam's," she said.
Mercedes got up from the bed, following Quinn down the stairs.
"Are you sure? It's your party, you should stay," said Mercedes.
"I could let Puck drive you, but he's already passed out on the sofa," Quinn said, "And Brittany does have her license, but she likes to drive with her toes."
"I think I'll just let you take me," Mercedes said.
"That's what I thought."
…
Quinn took a right turn Main St.
Mercedes: Is it true you can sing?
Quinn: Maybe, why?
Mercedes: We need an alto to sing with us for the invitational.
Quinn: Oh Lord.
Mercedes: You seemed to really enjoy performing with us last-
Quinn: That was one time. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of singers in the school who could join the group.
Mercedes: Maybe, but how many of them aren't prejudice and get along with whites and negros?
Quinn: I don't know. I'm busy as it is.
Mercedes: You'd be doing us a big favor. I'll turn the other cheek if you hit Rachel.
Quinn: {smiling} As tempting as that sounds-
Mercedes: PLEEEEASSSEE!
Quinn: Geese! …Okay, If I do this for you, I want something in return.
Mercedes: What?
Quinn: I have an empty slot on the cheerios I need to fill, and I don't have the time or patience to run tryouts.
Mercedes: Okay so…
Quinn: You cheer for me, I'll go to invitationals.
Mercedes: Are you serious?
Quinn: {sarcastically} No, I'm joking because I'm the funny girl who makes everyone laugh.
Mercedes: I don't know…
Quinn: Don't tell me you're scared of crowds. You're in show choir for Pete's sake.
Mercedes: No…I just… All the cheerleaders are really thin…and mean. No offense.
Quinn: None taken. Well, think about it. It's my only offer.
Quinn pulled up to Sam's house.
"Good luck," Quinn said. "I think I changed my mind," said Mercedes as her heart pounded in her ears. "Get out," Quinn said, leaning over and opening the door.
Mercedes, against her will, got out of the car. Quinn drove off.
Mercedes fixed her hair.
She saw the lights on in the kitchen. They were probably just finishing dinner now. Mercedes worried what things they were discussing. Were they talking about her horrible her father was? Were they chastising Sam for his choice in women. The longer Mercedes stood there, the more horrific her thoughts became.
Just then someone opened the screen door. Mercedes hid behind the truck.
"Are you serious Mercedes?" she asked herself, in disbelief of her childlike behavior.
"Is someone there?"
It was Sam.
Mercedes could hear Sam's cautious footsteps move toward her.
Mercedes exhaled.
Be strong Be strong Be strong Be strong.
Mercedes stepped away from the truck and into the light from the porch.
Sam stood in front of her, holding a bag full of trash he was throwing out.
"Hi," Mercedes said.
He didn't move.
Mercedes swallowed.
"…I know I'm probably the last person you want to see," Mercedes began.
Sam kept silent.
"What my father did to you is unforgivable, and you have every right to be mad. And I know being with me hasn't been easy but if you could find it in your heart to-"
"Oh baby"
In what seemed in like the timespan of a millisecond, Sam dropped the trash bag, scooping Mercedes up in his arms. Mercedes gasped. She had never been held so tightly in her life.
"You came back to me," Sam whispered. Mercedes, somewhat in shock, pulled away gently from Sam so she could look into his eyes. They were a little blotchy but filled with love and excitement. Mercedes was amazed. He had already forgiven her. Or maybe, for Sam, there was nothing to forgive.
"I'm sorry," Sam said.
"Me too," Mercedes replied.
Sam tilted Mercedes' chin upward with his hand.
He smiled when Mercedes closed her eyes. Taking his sweet time, Sam first kissed the top of Mercedes' eyelids then her cheeks, slowly moving down to her waiting lips.
"Mela en' coiamin" Sam whispered.
"What does that mean?" Mercedes asked, but instead she received a kiss for an answer.
"What is taking him so long to put out the trash?" Mrs. Evans said, sitting in the kitchen chair, folding laundry.
Mr. Evans got up from the table to look out the window.
"Let me make sure he hasn't tried to drown himself in the pond," he said, peeping outside.
"That's not funny Dwight. Broken hearts take time to heal," Mrs. Evans said.
Mr. Evans clapped his hands together.
"HA! THAT'S MY BOY!" Mr. Evans cheered.
"What are you yelling about?" Mrs. Evans said, coming towards the window.
Mrs. Evans gasped when she saw her eldest son kissing his girlfriend near the truck.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I thought I was going to have to remove all the sharp objects from the house," Mrs. Evans said, grabbing her heart in relief.
"See, I wasn't the only one who thought the boy was losing it for a while!" said Mr. Evans.
Mrs. Evans sat back down.
"I'm glad I was right about all this," Mrs. Evans said.
Mr. Evans turned around, giving his wife an indignant look.
Mr. Evans: What are you talking about? I was the one who said everything would turn out okay. You're the one who said we should go talk to her parents.
Mrs. Evans: And I still think we should. I know they've been only dating for a little while, but I think it's getting a bit serious. We should get to know who her parents are.
Mr. Evans: Mary, I know your intentions are good, but I have a feeling Mercedes' family has no desire in getting to know us, especially her daddy.
Mrs. Evans: I don't care. We have a responsibility to protect our children, and I don't want what happened to me and my family to happen to Sam and Mercedes.
Mr. Evans: We are not like your parents.
Mrs. Evans: But what about hers?
Mr. Evans: …I see what you mean, but I really think we should just let nature take its course.
Mrs. Evans: Alright then.
Mr. Evans: Hey now, don't be sayin "alright then" when you know you're going to call up her parents anyway.
Mrs. Evans: I'm a mother, I can't help it
Mr. Evans: Being a mother has nothing to do with it. You're just nosy.
Mrs. Evans: Says the fool staring out the window at his son.
Sam and Mercedes sat on top of his father's truck, looking at the stars.
Sam: …I heard they caught who burned down the school.
Mercedes: Yeah… They say it's David Karofsky.
Sam: Karofsky… Wow, I didn't think it was gonna be him.
Mercedes: That's what I thought. Don't get me wrong, he's seems like the psychopathic type, but… not really the kind to stick notes in someone's locker.
Sam: Well, at least they have him now.
Mercedes: …I still feel scared though.
Sam: That's natural.
Mercedes: Sometimes… I wake up coughing like I'm still choking on smoke. Not so natural?
Sam looked at Mercedes. He could tell the way she rubbed her hand that she was feeling vulnerable. Sam locked his fingers in with Mercedes'. "I know how you feel. I've been there before,"Sam said.
"Does it ever go away?" Mercedes asked.
Sam thought about it.
"Sometimes. It went away for me when I found something that scared me more than being burned alive," he said.
Mercedes looked at Sam.
"What's scarier than that?"
Sam smirked. He touched the gold name tags around Mercedes' neck, then playfully moved his finger across Mercedes' skin.
"You're not going to tell me are you," Mercedes said exasperatingly, as Sam leaned his head on her chest.
"Nope," he replied, sighing into Mercedes' bosom.
When Mercedes woke up the next morning she found two tickets to New York on her lamp desk. Not waiting to get dressed she went down to the kitchen where her father was sitting down.
Mercedes placed the tickets next to her father. Mr. Jones looked down at them. He sipped his coffee.
"I already called your teachers and they said you could miss the class time," Mr. Jones said.
"I'm not missing school to go to New York dad. I'm going with the show choir to sing at the invitational," Mercedes said.
"And when did we agree to this?" Mr. Jones said.
"I'm not asking you," Mercedes replied.
Mr. Jones looked at his daughter.
Mr. Jones: That boy has changed you and you don't even know it
Mercedes: I love him.
Mr. Jones: You're too young to know what love is. Love is sacrifice.
Mercedes: And what have you ever sacrificed?
Mr. Jones: You think it was easy, raising you and your brother?
Mercedes: We practically raised ourselves with you at the office all the time!
Mr. Jones: That's right I was at the office – day and night trying to make sure you had the best of everything.
Mercedes: I never asked you to do that.
Mr. Jones: I'm your father! You didn't have too! You've never even tasted desperate because I was there for you and this family.
Mercedes: I'm not saying you weren't!
Mr. Jones: Yet you still feel you have the right to judge me. I make the decisions in this house!
Mercedes: …You may be my father…but you don't own me.
Mr. Jones eyes widened in outrage as his daughter walked away from him.
Mercedes locked herself in her room until her father was gone.
When she heard the car engine start, she finally opened the door so she could get ready for school.
It was Homecoming, and she wanted to look her best. She picked out a white dress and red form-fitting sweater to go over it. Her hair was down in waves, finishing the outfit with a ruby red headband to match her sweater.
"I'm Red, white, and black, all the McKinley high colors," Mercedes joked.
She looked at her watch. The bus would be arriving soon; she had ten minutes to get to the stop.
Mercedes rushed down stairs. She had spent too much time on her outfit. She looked in the refrigerator for something quick to eat.
She now had seven minutes and it always took her eight to make it to the stop at Jefferson St.
The phone in the kitchen started ringing. She didn't have the time to pick it up. Grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl, she picked up her book bag and left, locking the door behind her.
Mercedes tried to walk as fast as she could, but her heels were slowing her down.
She assured herself that the bus was always two minutes late, which would give her the time she needed.
She peeled her banana and looked at her watch. As she walked past the Rutherford's house, she noticed an old blue car by the sidewalk she didn't recognize. She shrugged it off, taking a bite of the banana.
Four minutes.
The strange car had started moving behind her. Mercedes instinctively moved to the left side of the road so the car could pass her.
It didn't.
Mercedes moved more to the left and started walking faster.
Three minutes.
The car was right behind her, moving at a snail pace. She could feel the heat of the engine behind her legs. If this person was trying to run her over, they'd have to go a lot faster than that.
Whoever was in the car had turned off the engine.
Mercedes turned around.
Karofsky got out of the vehicle.
"I need to talk to you," he said.
Mercedes ran.
He followed her.
Two minutes.
David grabbed her. Mercedes swung her book bag at him, hitting him, in the chest. She managed to get lose from his grasp, but not fast enough to get away. Karofsky grabbed Mercedes by the ankle, pulling her towards him.
Mercedes ripped her necklace from her throat. Her first instinct was to try and cut Karofsky's face with it, but she instead threw it onto the pavement.
One minute.
Karofsky had Mercedes around the waste now, dragging her to the car. She wriggled and screamed as hard as she could.
No one was home, no one seemed to care.
"I have a gun in my jacket pocket. You scream one more time, I stick the gun in your mouth," Karofsky said.
Mercedes screamed even louder.
Karofsky hit Mercedes head against the car door. She went silent. David looked around in a panicked state, before stuffing an unconscious Mercedes in the back seat.
Time's up.
To be continued…