Thanks so much for the feedback, I really really appreciate it, especially after such a long break because I'm not so confident about my writing.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Glee etc.
Everyone on the benches outside McKinley High was applauding the God Squad's –or at least, what remained of them- performance of 'Stereo Hearts', which they had serenaded Rachel with upon request from Finn, when Sam's phone buzzed. Mercedes, who had just been contemplating how much better the God Squad would have sounded with Quinn's sweet mezzo-soprano filling the gap, jumped at the sound. "What was that?!" she shouted, instinctively grabbing Sam's arm.
"Calm down 'Cedes" Sam replied lazily, "It's just my mom" he waved the phone in at her, before slipping it back into his pocket.
"Right.. aren't you going to read that?" she raised an eyebrow quizzically. It wasn't like Sam to ignore messages from his parents, especially as he didn't currently live with them. Mercedes often forgot how much Sam had sacrificed to come to this school.
The blond boy shrugged, "I'm working, plus she'll probably ask me how many valentines I got or something stupid like that" he shot back at her, his eyes were glazing over. It was true, even though they'd been singing all morning, in every break and free period available, the Valentine's day requests were piling up, and they'd already raised over $300 for charity.
"Saaam" Mercedes scolded, her voice long and drawn out. She knew that this particular charity was important to Sam, considering how closely he could relate to many of the people they were helping, but communication with your family was important, especially for him.
Rolling his eyes, the boy consented and pulled his phone out of his pocket, reading it. Mercedes watched Sam's expression turn from his usual, goofy smile, to a look of utter elation. She opened her mouth to speak, but, before she could ask, Sam cut in "Quinn's awake!".
Mercedes muttered an "Oh!" before turning to Sam and smiling, though, as happy as she was that he now had an opportunity to talk to the girl he had a crush on, she couldn't help feeling a little green with jealousy already. Mercedes had enjoyed the last few days, she and Sam had gone to church together, to pray for Quinn. And, although them hanging out was purely platonic, she was sure that, with Quinn back, everything would change. "How does your mom know?"
"Same church" Sam explained, before heading off towards the parking lot.
Running after him, Mercedes shouted, "Hey, what do you think you're doing? You can't just leave school!" Part of her was just looking out of her friend, but the other part, the darker part, which had been submerged for the past week or so, tamed by Quinn's lack of appearance, was just being selfish, she wanted Sam to herself.
But Sam had that stupid grin on his face and she knew that she wouldn't be able to stop him. In his eyes shone the same steely determination that she had seen a mere month ago when he had summoned her in the auditorium. He hopped into his car, and she clambered in shotgun, if she couldn't stop Sam, then she could at least go with him! However, the dark girl couldn't quite stop the pang that wished he was this determined to win her affection. Mercedes shook herself, she'd let go of Sam, she wasn't supposed to be thinking these things! What about Shane?
It was hard to keep up with Sam as he sped through Lima's only hospital. He seemed to know where he was going though, briskly navigating corridor after corridor.. how many times had he been to visit Quinn? The hospital was monotonous, every corridor was had white walls, grey floors and doors lining the sides. Mercedes was in such a hurry to keep up with the boy that she didn't notice him stopping, causing her to walk straight into his muscular back. "Oof- sorry, Sam!" she uttered sheepishly.
"That's alright 'Cedes" Sam muttered, before embracing a thin blonde woman. It took Mercedes a second to recognise the woman as Quinn's mother. Mrs Fabray was looking smart as usual, with her hair scraped back into a neat bun at the nape of her neck. She was wearing a smart grey suit and gripped a BlackBerry in her left hand. She was the picture of a future Quinn. Both Fabrays were pristine yet wholesome in appearance. "How is she?" Sam asked, his blue eyes wide.
"She's good." Smiled Mrs Fabray "I'm surprised you got here so quickly, Sam, but I'm sure Quinnie will appreciate the company". The pair conversed for a few more moments before Mrs Fabray announced that she was going to be late for work, and dashed out of the hospital.
Finally rounding the last of what seemed like a never-ending stretch of corridors, Sam stopped outside a room. He turned towards Mercedes, "How do I look?"
"Handsome" Mercedes answered honestly, reaching up to ruffle his hair, earning her a winning smile from the blond.
"Well, here we go" he muttered, turning the doorknob and pushing into the room.
As soon as Sam opened the door, she could tell that something wasn't right. The first clue was that Sam hadn't run inside to see Quinn, and the second was that the general atmosphere felt wrong. Whereas the hospital emanated a serene but controlled environment, Quinn's room was hatred and destruction. Mercedes followed Sam's eye line to the floor, just in front of him, where ceramic shards and crushed white flowers lay. His eyes betrayed everything – horror, shock and that feeling of not being good enough. "Quinn.." he trailed off almost immediately.
The girl on the bed glowered at them. Her appearance was utterly bedraggled, her hair was messy, her skin pulled so taut on her face that every bone was defined and she was more pale than Miss Pillsbury. But, throughout it all, Quinn still managed to look beautiful, even if her appearance wasn't as sleek as she liked. Rage burned under her skin, Mercedes could see it in Quinn's usually wholesome green eyes, but why? She reached up and clutched Sam's arm, hissing "Sam", but the boy ignored her, stepping over the broken flower and towards Quinn.
"Get out" It was Quinn's voice, but it didn't sound like her. She was glaring at Sam.
"We came to visit you! Are you alright, Quinn, what happened?" Sam pleaded, his blue eyes staring deeply into her greens. He stepped closer, though Quinn's body language told that she couldn't want him further away.
"Why do you care?" the girl spat.
"Wh- Quinn! Of course I care.. I lik- I mean, we're friends!" Sam was struggling to string a sentence together, seeming more bewildered than Mercedes who'd assumed that they'd had some private argument before her accident, but that would've been at Regionals, where Mercedes could distinctly remember Sam saying that he was going to profess his love for Quinn, though he'd never gotten the change due to her horrifying accident. Confused, Mercedes watched the scene with apprehension.
"Quinn means nothing to me" The blonde girl's voice was loaded with venom.
Shit. Quinn must have heard them talking on the bus! Mercedes reeled backwards, unable to fathom words. She fell against the wall opposite to Quinn's door, and, just as she was wondering why doctors weren't flooding to aid a disgruntled patient, three men, with stethoscopes wrapped round their necks, rushed into her room, just as she was shouting "GO. Get out".
"You better leave, young man, It's clear that your presence is unsettling Miss Fabray, who needs to remain relaxed for her recovery. We hope you understand" came an authoritative voice from inside. Seconds later, Sam trudged out, looking more disheartened than Mercedes had ever seen him. "I-" she began, but Sam shot her a look that could've rivalled Quinn's in bitterness, causing Mercedes to shut up immediately.
"Sam, we've been sitting here for forty minutes, and we haven't even bought anything!" Mercedes whispered fiercely. She'd been as tolerant as she could manage, given the situation, but the girl couldn't stand it any longer. She watched as Sam moved up to the hospital's café, purchased two coffees, and brought them back to their table.
"Happy now?" He shot at her.
"No" Mercedes replied stiffly, "Don't be like that with me."
"You're right, 'Cedes, I'm sorry" Sam replied, downtrodden. "I messed up". The boy inhaled deeply before carrying on, "I- I hadn't meant what I said about Quinn, I was just.. trying to convince you, but I've done so much thinking over the past two weeks and I realised that the only reason I didn't want her was because I didn't want to want her. I was so upset about what happened with Finn, I was in denial. I am still in love with Quinn Fabray, and now she hates me" his head hung at the end of his confession.
"She doesn't hate you Sam" Mercedes reached up, rubbing Sam's shoulders comfortingly. "Sure, you said something stupid, and yes, back then, she did something stupid, but you bring out the best in each other. Giver her some time to cool off, then you can explain to her, okay?".
"Okay," he echoed, but there wasn't any heart in his voice.
"She needs you Sam, now more than ever, even if she won't admit it. You and I know better than to expect Quinn Fabray asking for help" Mercedes was surprised at the truth in her tones, and how well she knew Quinn.
"Yeah, I'm not giving up" Sam almost smiled, determination was set into his features. "Hang on, I've got an idea".
Ten minutes later, Mercedes and Sam were standing outside Quinn's door once more, but this time, Sam was armed with his guitar. The boy stepped forwards tentatively and rapped on the wood.
"Yes?" Quinn called.
"Q, it's me"
"What do you want?" there was a note of irritation in Quinn's voice.
Taking this as possibly his only chance, Sam opened the door, and it was immediately noticeable that someone had tidied up in here, all remnants of the broken white flowers was gone. Sam seemed to notice this too, and his confidence waned, but he carried on anyway; "To talk to you".
"Why've you got that?" Quinn nodded towards Sam's guitar.
The beach haired boy shrugged, "It's Valentine's day" he stated simply.
"So you're going to sing about how you don't care about me?" Quinn asked dangerously, eyebrows raised.
"No, Quinn.. I-" but Sam seemed to think that his guitar could speak better than he could, because he swung the instrument round to his front, preparing to play.
"Don't!" came a sharp order, "Or I'll call the doctors back in here. I need rest. Go." It wasn't a request, it was a demand.
Sam nodded, accepting this minor defeat; "I'll talk to you at school Q". The girl didn't reply as he headed out the door, just as he'd left the room, Sam stopped, stepping backwards a few paces. He placed a strong hand on the doorframe, leaning into the room, "Just so you know, we've raised over $300 for 'Lima Homeless Shelters & Services for the Needy'". A flash of recognition flashed across the pretty blonde's face, Mercedes wondered whether Quinn remembered what the God Quad had planned to do for Valentine's Day. Sam left without waiting for Quinn's reply, walking straight past Mercedes grunting a, "let's go, we're getting nowhere".
A/N: So.. I think we're kind of coming to the end of Mercedes' role in the story and I'm seriously debating whether or not to do the alternative POVs anymore, though it would make sense structurally.. opinions?
As always, I appreciate any comments, constructive criticism? Thanks for reading!
