DISCLAIMER: On first chapter.

I received a message letting me know that I've been using "hazel" instead of "brown" for Mercedes' eye color. I want to apologize for that! I'm so used to describing my own eyes as hazel that I let it slip into my writing. I didn't even pay attention to it while I was editing, because I'm so used to it. LOL. I apologize if I offended anyone! It wasn't my intention. My whole family had hazel eyes and I was used to using that to describe things. Sorry about that! Most of the chapters, Mercedes does have brown eyes. I'm fixing it now though. :D

April 30, 2011 (Saturday)

McKinley High School

Lima, Ohio

7:07PM

Watching the goofy grin appear on Sam's face as he sang made Mercedes laugh—he was trying so hard to be sexy that it was adorable and the beat of the song was invigorating. She couldn't resist raising her arms and dancing in her chair.

She was surprised when four pairs of hands hauled her out of chair. Mercedes glanced over to see Rachel grinning at her on her right side and Brittany busting a move on her left. The blonde and brunette girls pushed Mercedes forward through the gyrating crowd until they were right in front of the stage.

Sam smiled in their direction as his solo began. He danced the mike towards Puck who was grooving on his other side. "Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday. Today it is Friday, Friday. We, we, we so excited. We so excited. We gonna have a ball today. Tomorrow is Saturday and Sunday comes afterwards. I don't want this weekend to end. "

Mercedes couldn't help but get into the song after that. She screamed along with the other girls as Artie started rapping on stage. Rachel danced and clapped alongside Mercedes. She snorted when Sam tried to do a body roll on stage and just ended up looking as adorably awkward as ever, but she could see that he was having a blast.

Brittany was tearing up the dance floor—her green and orange dress swishing around her as she popped and locked. Mercedes let herself get lost in the music as Rachel grabbed her hands and they started dancing together.

When the song ended, there was a chorus of screams from the crowd—Rachel, Mercedes and Brittany were some of the loudest. Mercedes couldn't help but laugh when Brittany threw her fist into the air and screamed, "Best prom ever!"

7:21 PM

The beat was pounding when Brittany started moving—her hips swinging from side to side as she worked the stage like a pro. Mercedes was so proud of her.

"Hot and dangerous," the blonde voiced just as Mercedes felt two bodies crash into her back. Almost bowled over by the force, Mercedes let out a laugh as she was hugged by Quinn and Tina.

Tina was beaming when she yelled over the music, "Did you see the crowd's reaction? They loved it!"

It had been a long time since McKinley High had any sort of respect for a Glee club, but the fact that the response to their first performance was good—seemed especially uplifting to the club members considering they had been talked down to and ridiculed since show choir started making its comeback. Tina had a good reason to celebrate—maybe McKinley was starting to be more accepting.

"It was amazing!" Mercedes agreed, "The guys did a great job with that song."

"I know," Quinn commented—a huge smile on her face. "It was the perfect opening number—got everybody ready to part-tay!" She fist-pumped making Mercedes laugh at the girl's attempt to be hip and cool.

"Tonight we're going har-har-har-har-har-hard!" Quinn and Tina sang along with Brittany suddenly—making Mercedes smile.

"Well let's get our dance on!" Mercedes declared and Tina cheered before she started dancing. Quinn shimmied next to Mercedes as the diva broke it down on the dance floor. Rachel joined their dancing cluster soon enough and the party really started.

7:29 PM

Sam—hot and sweaty from his performance—wandered over to the punch bowl. He skirted around a hawk-eyed Sue and grabbed a cup. He couldn't help bobbing his head to the music as he drunk his punch. He wondered where Rachel and Mercedes were—he wasn't sure if they were still in front of the stage or not. He'd left in a bit of a rush—the thirst had begged to be quenched.

Tossing his now empty cup into the trash bin, Sam was about to go hunt the two girls down when he spotted Finn leaning awkwardly against the wall. The dude didn't look like he knew what to do with himself now that Quinn wasn't attached to his arm and turning them into living propaganda for prom queen and king.

Sam briefly considered just leaving the guy on his own, but his conscience got to him. With a sigh, Sam walked over to Finn and leaned against the wall beside him.

Finn looked surprised to see him there. Sam didn't blame him. They weren't exactly friends.

He and Finn were still competition—athletic wise anyway—and Finn still hadn't gotten over the fact that Sam had replaced him as quarterback on the team. Sam wasn't pleased with Finn because it had been his call that caused him a shoulder injury. It really didn't help that Quinn had cheated on Sam with Finn.

But Sam had been raised to be polite, and he wouldn't leave someone hanging like that. Especially not when they looked as pathetic as Finn did at the moment.

"What's up, man?" he asked.

"Not much," Finn answered, "Quinn went to dance with Tina and Mercedes—and I suck at dancing so I decided to sit this one out." There was a short uncomfortable silence before Finn spoke up again, "You were really awesome up there, dude."

"Thanks," Sam replied honestly. "And don't feel too bad. I have two dates and I'm still alone." Sam said in an attempt to make Finn feel better about his disastrous dancing skills. Sam knew that he would never be Michael Jackson, but he was a damn sight better than Finn—which was saying something.

Finn gave him a half-hearted smile in return. Sam looked away from the tall boy and had to smirk when he spotted Mercedes, Rachel, Quinn, and Tina getting down on the dance floor.

"I had no idea that Tina could pop that hard!" he blurted before he had time to think about what he was saying. Finn started laughing.

"She looks like she might sprain something if she doesn't slow down," Finn replied causing Sam to grin.

Sam stared as Mercedes swiveled her hips and showed off some of her best dance moves. Quinn was working it pretty hard. He had never seen her so relaxed before. She was usually so uptight about everything but she was dancing her heart out and making it known that the girl had some rhythm in those small hips.

Sam saw Jesse sneak up behind Rachel, and he also saw Finn's expression darken.

"Dude, you should leave that alone," Sam warned him and Finn didn't even glance in his direction.

"He treated her like shit, Sam," Finn spat, "And you think I'm going to be okay with that?"

"No," Sam replied causing Finn to look at him in confusion. "I'm just saying that you have a girlfriend and you should focus on her—not on Rachel. She's not your business anymore."

"She's still my friend," Finn said and Sam shook his head. Why didn't Finn understand that it wasn't the same? Especially on a night like tonight—Finn needed to be with Quinn, but Sam could tell that his mind was on Rachel.

And Sam may not be the smoothest guy on the planet—okay, he had absolutely no game whatsoever—but even he knew that this could turn into one giant cluster-fuck if Finn didn't get his act together.

"Doesn't matter," he told Finn, "Rachel can handle herself and if she can't then we'll get involved. You shouldn't be paying attention to her, right now. Quinn should be your focus tonight—not your ex-girlfriend Rachel."

Finn looked obstinate and Sam had never wanted to punch him more than he did in that moment. By force of will, Sam calmed himself and said, "I'll catch you later, Finn." The blond stood up and made his way to the restroom—he needed a break from all the love drama; it was giving him a headache.

7:47PM

Seeing Mercedes sitting at their table, idly picking at her corsage made his heart skip a beat. She looked so sad, but Sam could tell that she was trying to hide it. Making a snap decision, Sam strode towards their table—Rachel's words bouncing around in his head.

He knew himself well enough to be nervous. Sam was not a connoisseur of charming. He stuttered and made cheesy comments that somehow endeared people to him. But this was one situation that he couldn't screw up. He wanted to get this moment right for her—she deserved it. Taking a deep breath as he neared their table, he cleared his throat softly.

Mercedes' brown eyes looked up at him and Sam couldn't stop the immediate blush that spread across his cheeks. He was thankful for the dim lighting, because he knew that his face was bright pink.

"You look beautiful, Mercedes," Sam told her honestly. When he had first seen her this evening—he thought she looked a lot like princess Tiana; only better because it was Mercedes and not an animated Disney character.

Wow, it was official—he hung out with his little sister way too much.

Mercedes was staring up at him in shock. He could see the disbelief in her gaze, but he also saw the burgeoning hope—even though she was trying to tamp it down. Stretching a hand towards her and giving her a lopsided grin, Sam asked, "Would you like to dance?"

She seemed to freeze in her seat—her eyes flitting between Sam's hand and his eyes. She was clearly struggling to believe that this was happening. Seeing the desire to have this moment in her eyes was enough to make Sam hold his ground. She needed this.

And when Mercedes placed her hand in his and replied, "I would love to." Sam couldn't help the cheek-splitting grin that spread across his face as he pulled her from her seat. He tugged her closer and Mercedes' hands fell softly onto his shoulders as he dropped his hands to her waist.

Being this close to her, he could see the unshed tears in her eyes. She looked at him with such gratitude and joy that Sam felt like he had won the Olympics. She felt so different in his embrace. Something he had never paid much attention to. Her scent—lilies and cinnamon—was sweeping around them as they danced in a circle.

Without really acknowledging what he was doing—Sam pulled her closer; until she was pressed gently against him. Mercedes beamed up at him, before placing her head on his shoulder. Sam felt his blush reappear, but his huge grin just widened. He rested his head atop hers and he loved the feel of her curls against his cheek.

"Thank you, Sam," Mercedes whispered and Sam squeezed her waist in silent acknowledgement.

For a moment, Sam thought he'd never want to let go of this girl. That was a shock to his system, and he stumbled over his next step. Mercedes laughed softly as they straightened and Sam's blush was fierce.

"Smooth, Blondie," she teased and Sam gave her a small laugh in response.

"I hope I don't step on you too much," he told her. Sam wasn't the best dancer, but he was usually alright with slow dancing. Unless he had thoughts about never letting go of his friend and then freaked himself out.

"You're doing perfect, Sam," she replied and Sam couldn't help but grin at her kindness. She was the first girl to dance with him and not call him a dork. This girl just kept getting more and more amazing.

No wonder he didn't want to let her go.

8:02PM

A couple of minutes after Rachel's song, Sam and Mercedes were shocked to see Santana setting up onstage. They speculated about which song she would sing and when the jazzy tone started pouring from the band members' instruments—Mercedes couldn't control her happiness.

Sam was standing right next to her—their shoulders touching and he looked down at her in confused amusement when she let out a small squeal.

"What's up?" Sam asked over the music. Mercedes couldn't help but grab his arm in excitement.

"You don't recognize this song?" she questioned—her tone disbelieving and Sam shook his head. "Boy, this is the good stuff right here." She told him, "I'm going to have to teach you a little something about music, Blondie."

"Who is it?"

"It's Joss Stone's 'Some Kind of Wonderful'," she replied, "I love her voice. Gives me chills."

Sam looked intrigued as Santana started singing, "I don't need a whole lotta money. I don't need a big, fine car. I got everything that a girl could want. I got more than I could ask for." The Latina's raspy voice sounded incredible with the tone of the song, and Mercedes couldn't stop herself from dancing in her spot next to Sam.

She looked at him and asked, "Dance with me?" Sam nodded hesitantly.

"I don't know how to dance to this," he admitted—his cheeks turning red and Mercedes just smiled at him.

"Don't worry," she replied, "It's jazz. That's all about improvising. I'll show you, okay?" He agreed with a nod of his head and Mercedes held out her hands to him.

Sam grabbed them and she used his hands as a way to move his body to the beat. "I don't have to run around.I don't have to stay out all night. Cause I got a sweet, sweet loving man and he knows just how to treat me right.See, my baby, he's alright.See, my baby, we're so tight." Santana was tearing that song up—girl was mean sometimes, but she could sing like nobody's business.

Sam finally caught the rhythm of the song with Mercedes leading him, but when she placed his hands on her swaying hips—he lost it. Mercedes noticed immediately, but seeing the brightness of his eyes was too adorable for her to even try and crush his mood.

"Don't you know he is some kind of wonderful? Yes, he is. He's some kind of wonderful. Don't you know he is some kind of wonderful," Santana sang and Mercedes really got into the song. She moved her hips to the beat and Sam tried to copy her. It was so cute to see him focus so hard on dancing with her.

Mercedes was taken aback when Sam abruptly grabbed her hands and twirled her around. She laughed as he did a slow motion Carlton. "Let me tell you one more thing. Now, when he holds me in his arms; he sets my soul on fire. And, ooh, when my baby kisses me,my heart becomes filled with desire," Santana voiced as she danced on stage—rocking her body back and forth and twisting her hips.

Sam was really getting into the dance, and even though he was off beat—Mercedes enjoyed it when he pulled out some swing spins and swung her around into his arms.

"When he wraps his loving arms around me; he almost drives me out of my mind. I get these funny little feelings inside of me. Chills run up and down my spine. My baby, he's alright. Me and my baby we're so tight." They danced—her back to his chest and his hands on her hips. Sam led her in a clumsy two-step that had Mercedes cracking up, but it was so much fun.

They did a crazy number of twists and twirls and hip movements that were completely off-beat and didn't fit the song at all, but Mercedes had never enjoyed herself so much. Sam was just too cute.

She had to give him credit—he had some moves—now if they could only get them to go with the music. And she was pretty sure that he knew he wasn't in rhythm, but Sam was having too much fun to care. When the song ended, Mercedes cheered and Sam clapped loudly from beside her.

"Nice dancing," she commented in amusement and Sam blushed.

"I figured I might as well enjoy it while we were out here," he confessed and she gave him a confused look. Sam glanced at her and said, "I danced for you. I know that I suck at anything other than slow dancing."

The smile Mercedes sent Sam could've replaced the sun. He blushed in response and Mercedes giggled. She knew that he secretly loved to dance—she wasn't an idiot. He just didn't do it in public often because he wasn't the smoothest dancer. The fact that he went all out for her made her heart swell with affection—Sam Evans was the best prom date ever.

8:11PM

Blaine was tearing that stage up. The music was retro and pounding and the whole crowd was gettin' down on the dance floor.

"You are the girl that I've been dreaming of," The curly haired Warbler sang, "Ever since I was a little girl.You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl." And Sam and Mercedes were getting crazy on the dance floor. Sam did a wave that had his eyes level with Mercedes waist and she laughed at him as she shimmied forward and then leaned back.

"One!" He and Mercedes yelled with the music and made a face at each other.

"I'm biting my tongue," Blaine voiced and Sam did the Egyptian. Mercedes laughed and shook her finger at him before she backed it up like it was hot.

"Two!He's kissing on you!Three!Oh, why can't you see?" Blaine sang and the couple joined in on the next line, "One! Two! Three! Four!" Sam danced beside her as she pulled out the lasso and he laughed while doing a disco move.

"Word's on the streets and it's on the news:I'm not gonna teach him how to dance with you. He's got two left feet and he bites my moves. I'm not gonna teach him how to dance, dance, dance, dance!" Sam was popping and locking next to Mercedes, but it was so off that Mercedes was practically bursting a gut laughing at him.

"The second I do, I know we're gonna be through. I'm not gonna teach him how to dance with you. He don't suspect a thing, I wish he'd get a clue. I'm not gonna teach him how to dance, dance, dance, dance!" When Mercedes pulled out the robot, Sam let out a loud cheer and joined her. They cracked up when Mercedes tried to do the robot and fist pump at the same time.

"You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl. You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since, ever since—"Sam froze when Mercedes did the sprinkler.

This girl was so awesome! He rejoined their mad mix of dances when he lifted his leg and did the funky chicken.

Mercedes started laughing so hard—she was almost crying. Their fun was momentarily interrupted as Finn and Jesse started fighting. Sue pulled them apart and sent them packing.

As the furious duo passed the dancing couple, Sam frowned in their direction. He really wished Finn would've taken his advice earlier. Mercedes touched his arm and shrugged up at him. He shook his thoughts off—Finn's drama was not going to ruin his prom night.

As Blaine continued performing, Mercedes and Sam got crazier and weirder, and by the end of the song—they were giggling too hard to do anything other than lean against each other and laugh. They couldn't even meet each others' eyes without bursting into laughter.

"I cannot believe that you did the funky chicken!" Mercedes told Sam.

"Me?" he responded, "I can't believe that you did the sprinkler."

Mercedes snorted and Sam couldn't help but chuckle. "Come on Piglet, let's get some punch."

Sam ran away from Mercedes when she swung at his arm. She chased after the laughing blond as he high-tailed it toward the unguarded punch table.

8:27PM

Relaxing at their empty table, Mercedes watched as Quinn sang, "Can you see me?Cause I'm right here. Can you listen?Cause I've been trying to make you noticewhat it would mean to meto feel like somebody. We've been on our way to nowhere. Trying so hard to get there."

Mercedes felt her heart clench. She missed the closeness that she and Quinn had once shared. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out what had happened to her almost sister. Last Spring, she had been so different—angry, yes, but more mature, definitely. What had happened during those summer months evaded Mercedes.

Singing up there right now, Quinn sounded heartbroken and desperate for something. Mercedes' thoughts were interrupted by Sam returning with a bottle of water for Mercedes and a glass of punch for himself. He sat down next to her, but his eyes were on Quinn.

"And I sayOh!We're gonna let it show!We're gonna just let go of everything holding back our dreamsand try to make it come alive," Quinn voiced—her tone strong and vulnerable at the same time. "C'mon let it shine so they can see; We were meant to be—Somebody!Somebody, yeah; somehow, someday, someway, somebody."

Mercedes was captivated by Quinn up there.

"She's crying," Sam said quietly and Mercedes squinted. And he was right—she could make out the tear streaks glimmering under the stage lights.

It took a hell of a lot to make Quinn Fabray cry—especially in front of an audience. Mercedes wondered what had happened. She looked over at Sam and she saw him frowning.

"I'm so tired of being invisible but I feel it, yeah. Like a fire below the surface trying to set me free. Burning inside of me cause were standing on the edge now. It's a long way down. We will walk out of this darkness. Feel the spotlight glowing like a yellow sun. Ohohohohoh. And when we fall we fall together till we get back up and we will rise as one. Ohohohohoh!" Quinn sang—her voice rough with emotion and Mercedes felt her chest tighten.

She was worried not only for her old friend but for Sam. The thought of him falling in love with Quinn after all she had done to him just didn't sit well with her. In fact, imagining something like that made her stomach churn unpleasantly.

The way Sam was staring at his ex-girlfriend—she couldn't decipher if it was friendly concern or more. And even if it was more—she couldn't compete with blonde, green-eyed and beautiful.

They looked like a match made in heaven—their features complimentary to each other. But, Sam was so different from Quinn—or at least that was what she told herself.

Standing up abruptly attracted Sam's attention and he looked at her confused. "I'm going to go get warmed up," she told him, "I perform next." She walked away—leaving Sam blinking after her in bemusement and hurt.

8:48PM

He had no idea what the hell had happened back there. All he knew was that Mercedes had suddenly flipped from happy to cold as ice. She had never done that before—Sam didn't even know she could, but he figured that she was a girl and girls had crazy mood swings sometimes.

But none of it made any sense. They had been sitting together—watching Quinn perform when he'd pointed out that she was crying onstage and—the thought of what had probably happened hit Sam like a ton of bricks.

Why the hell did Quinn manage to touch and potentially destroy everything in his life?

Mercedes probably thought that he wanted the blonde girl back. And that was the farthest thing from the truth like ever. He was happy with being friends with Quinn and had no desire to go back to a romantic relationship.

She attracted drama like moths were drawn to a fire. He was not created to handle that kind of high maintenance. They had dated for three months—he knew some of her quirks. Her lips would tremble and her eyebrow would twitch every time she was crying or about to start crying. He had learned that one quickly.

He would have to clear that up with his friend when she got offstage, but he wasn't exactly sure why she was so upset about it. Maybe she was worried about him being cheated on again by the blonde girl? Or she was angry that he would even consider going back to a girl that had hurt him so much the first time around.

Could she be—jealous? The thought made Sam's stomach get all funny and a grin twitched at the corners of his mouth. Mercedes would never in a million years be jealous of Quinn, would she? Sam shrugged it off—the only way to find out would be to talk to her about it.

As he watched her shake her hips and dance around on stage with Lauren—he couldn't help but clap along to "Shoulda Let You Go" by Keyshia Cole. She did an awesome job performing and having Lauren replace Missy Elliot in the rapping portion was pure genius.

Puck obviously liked it because he was bouncing up and down in front of the stage.

Sam laughed his butt off at the sight. His friend was crazy in love.

10:04PM

Mercedes was still pissed over the Prom Queen ordeal. Sam had been forced to practically drag her from the room to stop her from wailing on everybody in the room when Kurt's name had been announced. Once he'd gotten them inside an empty classroom, she had cursed up a storm about how Figgins was incompetent as a principal and how all the students were full of shit—some of the things she'd said impressed Sam. It took him almost ten minutes to talk her down from her fury—even though he was just as angry about it. Figgins should've done something to change that. But, Kurt had shown the students that he wasn't going to run away this time.

The whole event had threatened to spoil their night—and he could tell that it was still bothering her as they walked down the street. Rachel had caught a ride with Artie and his mother. Mercedes decided to walk with him back to Breadstix because his dad would pick him up there and her car was there anyway.

She hadn't said anything since they were left alone. She just walked along the sidewalk—her eyes on the ground and her arms crossed.

They had only moved forward a couple of more feet, before Sam lost his patience. He sped up and cut her off—making her crash into his chest with a startled gasp.

"What the hell, Sam?" she demanded once she righted herself. Sam stared down at her.

"Cede," he said, "Kurt is fine."

She looked away from him instantly. "I know that."

"Then why are you so mad still?" he inquired. Mercedes continued to avoid his eyes.

"Mercedes," Sam's voice was hard. He wanted an answer and he wanted one now. Ever since Quinn had sung she had been acting off.

"It's nothing, Sam," she sighed. "I'm just being dumb—that's all." She tried to sidestep him, but Sam cut her off again.

"Bullshit," he told her bluntly and Mercedes blinked at him in surprise. "Do we really have to go through this friendship thing again?"

Mercedes looked torn between infuriation, annoyance, and happiness. Sam didn't back down from her glare though and she finally gave in. "I'm just—"Sam listened as she struggled for words, "I'm so mad that they can never accept people as they are. Kurt has done nothing wrong, but he's treated like shit for being different?"

He already knew she was pissed about that, but he could tell that there was more. She just didn't want to say it out loud.

"And?" Sam urged and Mercedes' eyes flashed in anger.

"And what, Sam?" she bit out, "What? You want me to tell you that I was jealous about you staring at Quinn? You want me to tell you that I really don't want you to get back with her? Is that what you want? Because if it is—too bad, because I'm not telling you." Her rant took him by surprise, but her words were like a blast to the face.

Sam wanted to say that she just did tell him, but he understood what she was doing—she was admitting how she felt while pretending like she wasn't saying something that could change their friendship forever.

At a loss for words, he stared at her for a long moment—long enough for Mercedes' expression to crumble and for her to storm around his immobile form.

So she did feel something other than friendship. That much was obvious. Now the problem was he didn't know what to do with that revelation. He had feelings for Mercedes, sure, but he had never thought of her in any sort of romantic capacity until tonight—especially right now.

He had the answer to his question, but he had no response. What do you say to someone not telling you their feelings? Mercedes didn't even sound like she knew what to make of her emotions. But Sam had to say something—he wasn't willing to let her walk away from him and their friendship. She meant far too much for him to give up just like that.

So Sam chased after her. He caught up with her about a block away from Breadstix.

Damn, that girl could walk fast.

"Mercedes!" he called and she started walking faster. "Please wait!" he begged and the chocolate skinned diva stopped in her tracks—waiting for him to catch up to her.

She looked at him harshly and Sam gulped down his fear. He had seen Mercedes hurt and angry before, but it had never been directed at him. Her being mad at him did strange things to his stomach—it felt like it was tied in knots.

"What do you want now?" she asked and he stepped closer to her.

"I'm sorry for making you tell me that," he replied. Mercedes shook her head at him.

"Are you sorry for forcing something out of me that I didn't want to tell? Or are you sorry that what I had to say was disgusting for you to hear?" she snapped and Sam paled.

"No!" he practically shouted. "Nothing like that—I just froze."

"All you had to say was that you don't feel the same way—"

"I don't know how I feel, Mercy," Sam replied, "I hadn't even thought of you that way until tonight—"The hurt expression on her face made Sam snap his mouth shut. Mercedes looked like she was about to burst into tears from that admission and Sam could've slapped himself. He hadn't meant that at all the way it probably sounded to her.

"Sam," she whispered, "Can you just—leave me alone, please?"

"No," he said, "Not until you let me explain." Mercedes wouldn't look at him and her avoidance hurt him more than he would like to admit. "Look, I'm not the most gifted speaker and I have no idea what to say, but I'm not doing this to hurt you. You have to believe me."

Sam would get on his knees and beg to make her understand that.

He just didn't know how he was feeling or why he was feeling whatever it was that he felt. Nothing was making sense, and that terrified him because he couldn't lose Mercedes. Her friendship meant the world to him.

"I've always thought you were beautiful and I love talking to you. You make me laugh and you teach me things and you don't make fun of me for being the giant dork that I am. I just—I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Dancing with you tonight—that was the first time I've ever considered you in a romantic light and I won't lie—it was amazing."

Sam looked at Mercedes—noticing that her hair had come loose in her mad rush to escape his presence. Her dark curls were tumbling across her face and shoulders and her brown eyes were watering. She looked so pained and beautiful that Sam's heart clenched. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her pain.

"This whole night was amazing." He told her, "And I'm really grateful for it. I—can you give me time to figure this all out? I wish that I could give you a better answer than that, but I honestly, don't know. You mean a lot to me, Cede. I just want my answer to be the right one—for both of us."

Sam couldn't help but stare as the expression on Mercedes' face softened. She looked beyond beautiful—her curls spread across her shoulders and her brown eyes glittering under the street lamp. He didn't know what he would do if she just walked away from him.

She had come into his life and changed his perspective. Mercedes had shown him what true friendship was and why it was so important. No one had ever treated him with such patience and compassion and love before.

She accepted his quirks without complaint and she made him feel good about himself—he didn't feel like a baby for crying around her or for being insecure.

He had dated plenty and he had never found the amount of acceptance that Mercedes offered him without wanting anything in return. She was so smart and talented and gorgeous. He could see her staring at him in confusion, but Sam didn't have words.

He couldn't be falling for Mercedes could he? There were so many feelings there that he didn't know what was what.

Was this coming from how grateful he was to her for everything she'd done for him and his family? Or was this real? Was he really getting overwhelmed because he wanted to be with her?

Did he want to kiss her? Hold her? Hold her hand? What was this? Sam's thoughts were flying a mile a minute and none of them were really making much sense. Looking into Mercedes' worried brown eyes, Sam took a chance.

He leaned forward and pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek. Her skin was so soft and warm and it smelled like lilies and cinnamon and Sam wasn't sure if the clenching in his stomach was good or not. He lingered for far longer than was strictly platonic and when he pulled away—their eyes met.

The tingling that swept through Sam's body chilled him to the bone. Her brown eyes were full of surprise and hope—he could see it clearly, but it was hidden behind a stout refusal to believe anything without outright declaration. And unfortunately, Sam was nowhere near ready to confess feelings that he wasn't even sure were real.

His heart pounding in his chest; he raised a hand and placed it on the side of her face—tracing the soft skin with the pads of his fingers. Mercedes let out a shaky breath and those beautiful brown eyes closed.

The urge to kiss her was strong. Everything inside him wanted to lean forward and capture those soft lips with his and kiss her until neither of them could breathe, but Sam wouldn't risk their friendship for something that may not be real.

Mercedes deserved more than that. She deserved to have someone's whole heart—to have their certainty. And he couldn't give that to her at the moment. Too much was unclear right now.

Sam removed his hand from her face and pulled her into a hug.

Mercedes hugged him back tightly and Sam inhaled her scent once more. She felt so different in his arms—so warm and comforting. He hesitated in letting her go, but he had to. Stepping away from her had never been so difficult.

They stared at each other in silence for a long moment before Mercedes said, "Goodnight, Sam."

He smiled at her softly and she returned it. "Goodnight, Mercedes," he replied. She touched his arm once before heading back to her BMW. Sam watched as she climbed inside and started the vehicle. He stared at the spot that her truck had been parked long after she had driven away.

Oh yeah, his feelings for Mercedes Jones had definitely changed.

Now he had to figure out if they were real or not, because he'd be damned if he hurt her by rushing into something like he'd done with Quinn and Santana.