"Are you ready?"
"You have no idea!" Marcy rolled her eyes. "This thing is driving me crazy!"
"Just think; this time tomorrow, you'll be rid of that sling forever!" Mercedes said.
"This cast can kiss my ass, too. It itches like a mother!" Marcy tried to fit a knife in her cast to scratch her bruised skin.
Mercedes snatched it away. "Stop that!"
Marcy side-eyed her. "When are you giving birth again?!"
Mercedes pursed her lips as she set the knife in the sink. "In about four months. & you're gonna miss this time with me."
"Doubt it!" Marcy banged her head against the island. "This is stupid!"
"Calm down."
"At least I won't be in this thing during the competition." Marcy lifted her head. "Coach likes uniform."
Mercedes refilled her teacup before sitting. "She's making Becky sew an arm sleeve to fit over your cast in McKinley colors."
Marcy rolled her eyes hard. "Ready for Regionals?"
Mercedes wiggled in her seat. "I really am! I'm so excited for Britt to have the solo."
"I knew voting when Streisand was absent was a good idea." Marcy smirked behind her cup.
"Oh! I have to tell you something. Or ask you rather." Mercedes set down her cup. "When you & Mal go into the locker room, do you see anybody hanging around?"
Marcy frowned. "Uh… no. I see a couple people when we leave but they're just putting their stuff away."
"Oh." Mercedes was disappointed.
"Why?"
"No." Mercedes looked around before whispering, "Someone leaves me stuff."
"What?!"
"Shhh!" Mercedes looked around wildly. "It's a rose. Everyday I find a rose pinned to my locker but I throw it inside as soon as I see it. At first, I thought it was from Noah but when I thanked him, he didn't know anything about it."
"Wait. Every day? How long has this been happening?"
"Sometime in January." Mercedes sighed. "Every day, a red rose. I don't get it."
"Maybe he's being modest?" Marcy waited two seconds before laughing. "I'm sorry. I can't say that with a straight face!"
"Stop it! I don't know what to do! Should I tell Noah? Should I find out who it is?"
Marcy shrugged. "Does it feel innocent?"
"In a way, yes. But the fact that I don't know who it is makes it seem weird."
"Just wait. I'm sure whoever is doing it will tell you eventually."
Mercedes sighed again. "How excited are you for Joanna?"
"I don't know what I did in a past life to deserve that bitch but I'll never do it again."
Mercedes laughed. "It must have been pretty bad."
"I heard Joanna & instantly had a chill." Quinn walked into the kitchen.
"Demons do that." Marcy agreed.
"You guys are having tea without me!" Quinn accused.
"We are not! I knocked on your door!" Mercedes defended.
"I was talking to Sam." Quinn sniffed. She went to get a teacup & a saucer.
"Nice excuse." Marcy smirked.
"It's not an excuse." Quinn sat down at the island & fixed her cup of tea to her liking. "So why are we talking about Satan's bitch?"
Mercedes choked on her tea. "Why'd you say that?!"
"This is the moment I've been waiting for my entire life." Marcy breathed with wide eyes. She raised her hand for a high-five.
Quinn slapped her hand. "You know I'm right, Mercy. Why does she have to visit at all? We don't like her! & she knows it."
"She said she wanted to visit Momma & see me before I gave birth. That's so weird!" Mercedes took a sip.
"That heinous witch is so weird." Marcy tried to stealthily sneak her spoon into her cast but Mercedes caught her.
"You know she's going to embarrass us." Quinn frowned. "& tell horrible stories & hit on our men."
"I'm married." Mercedes moved all of the silverware from Marcy's side of the table. "I don't think Noah cares what she does."
"I think she's talking about Sam." Marcy hit the table with her fist. "It itches!"
"I am. But Marc needs to watch out. All this drama will make his braids fall out." Quinn warned.
"Marc's staying away from Laura so he might be safe." Mercedes commented as she slapped at Marcy's hand. "She only wants to piss off Lady."
"You really think Joanna doesn't want in Marc's jeans?" Quinn wasn't buying that. "She wants him. She can kill two birds with one stone if she hooked up with him. She'd have him & Laura wouldn't."
"I hope she spends all her time with Momma." Marcy remarked. She'd given up trying to steal flatware. "I really don't want to put her in the hospital."
"Are you done lying?" Mercedes side-eyed her before facing Quinn. "I hope she sticks to Momma like glue as well. Things are stable right now & I'd like to keep it that way."
"You mean at home or school?" Marcy rolled her eyes.
"Rachel's announcement sure was a whirlwind." Quinn said. "I couldn't imagine going through that."
"& Eliza flirting with Puck is too much." Marcy agreed. "She's pushing it."
"You're only saying that because Sophie keeps winking at Mal & you don't want to hurt her." Quinn grinned.
"I can only fake nice for so long." She muttered.
"You act like you don't want Cammi in a coma when she's anywhere near Sam." Mercedes teased.
Quinn scowled. "She's always flipping her hair. I hope all of it falls out."
Marcy laughed. "It will if we put hair thinner in her shampoo."
"Marcy!" Mercedes was alarmed. "Did you cause Heather Winkler's bald spot last year?!"
Marcy smiled innocently. "I should go. My appointment's soon."
"You devil!" Quinn snickered.
Marcy said nothing as she rose from her seat & went upstairs to get ready.
Mercedes facepalmed. "She's going to jail one day."
"Just imagine her pregnant!" Quinn laughed. "Mal will have a time on his hands!"
"Don't say that!" Mercedes clapped her hands on her ears. "You'll put it in the universe!"
Quinn snorted. "Now that you've left the realm of the sane-"
"Seriously though." Mercedes smiled. "Two Regional competitions in two weeks? It's going to be crazy."
"Then Evil Joanna staying for two weeks. Just in time for your baby shower."
"Yay." Mercedes deadpanned.
Quinn repressed a smile. "What about the group date? You excited for that?"
"It's in April." Mercedes shrugged. "I can wait to lose my mind."
"I know I'm glad the snow's going away!" Quinn refilled her cup. "I hate wearing the pants for our uniform!"
"It doesn't make your butt look saggy!" Mercedes repeated for the hundredth time.
"Yes, it does!" Quinn insisted.
"I don't know you!"
M&Q&M
Puck frowned as he eyed the stage. "This is the weirdest thing I've ever done."
Mike hit his shoulder. "Not only is that a lie, you're here for Mercy. A cheer competition is not going to kill you."
Karofsky smirked.
"Says you!" Mal was bored already.
"Marcy told you not to come." Sam grinned.
"I thought she was being sarcastic!" Mal swore.
"So you don't want to see her do the splits in midair?" Artie questioned.
Mal bit his lip. "Let's get this show on the road!"
The guys laughed.
Finn shook his head. "Tana said they were last so we could check out if we were bored."
"Got it!" Puck leaned back. "Wake me when Mama's on." He closed his eyes.
"Shame on you!" Ellen admonished.
"What's that?" Puck asked.
The guys laughed again.
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"From William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio; the Cheerios!" The announcer moved from the stage.
The Cheerios appeared on the stage in a whirl of flips. They got into formation & began their routine.
The crowd howled as they performed.
"She was right!" Puck whispered in wonder. He still hadn't made it to a cheer practice but he saw he was wrong now.
The Cheerios moved into their next routine smoothly & the crowd went wild. The cheerleaders moved as one & the audience couldn't get enough. The other teams were good but the Cheerios were obviously better.
Mercedes grinned as they went into their last routine. It was routine 45, otherwise known as the Adam Lambert number.
Confetti exploded as the routine ended. The crowd jumped to their feet & the guys lost their minds. They'd never seen anything like that before.
The Cheerios went off stage as the judges made their decision. The guys went backstage to see their spouses.
Santana jumped around & when she spotted Finn, she cartwheeled to him & jumped into his arms. "How'd you like us?"
"You were amazing!" He gazed at her like a lovesick puppy.
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"Do you think so, Artie?" Brittany asked as she tried to come down from the rush.
He nodded. "You were so good."
"Yeah." Lila agreed. She'd come to support Brittany & was now thinking about joining her school's squad the next year. "You guys were great."
Brittany hugged them. "Yay!"
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Kurt jumped on Karofsky. "Did you hear that note? I've been practicing night & day & I finally nailed it!"
Karofsky kissed him to cut off the stream of words. "Yes, you did."
Kurt sighed happily.
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Marcy tried to stick her finger inside her cast. "Stupid plaster!" Ellen jumped on her back. "Agh! What the hell, Elle Woods?!"
"You guys were on fire! I didn't know cheerleading was like that!" Ellen let her go.
Mal punched her shoulder. "I guess it can be called good."
She punched him back. "Forget you! I know we're great."
"& you're modest!" Mal chuckled.
"Wanna go sneak some food?" Marcy whispered, looking around for the ornery cheer coach.
"Is that allowed?" Ellen whispered, too. She didn't know why but she was a little apprehension.
"No. But if we can sneak it, she won't know." Marcy tiptoed past the other squads.
Ellen held onto her arm. "What if she sees us?"
"You mean like now?" Mal pointed.
"Run!" Marcy yelled & the three took off.
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"Is it still easy?" Mercedes smirked as Puck sidled up to her.
"I officially apologize." He conceded. "I didn't know you could do all that. Why don't you do that in bed?!"
Mercedes's eyes widened & she blushed as she looked around. She hit his chest. "Shhh! Stop that!"
He grinned. "You don't want anyone to know how much of a freak you are? That's okay, Mama. They already know!"
"You can't come back here!" She buried her face in his chest.
He tickled her cheek. "Are you ashamed of me?"
"So much!" Her face was so red; she thought she could glow in the dark.
He picked her up & swung her around. "Well, you're not gettin rid of me!"
"Stop it, Noah! I'm getting dizzy!" She laughed.
He set her down. "You were really good though."
"Thank you." She snuggled into him.
"But you're not going to be doing flips anymore, right?" He frowned. "Cuz you're like five months along…"
She laughed. "I won't be doing anymore stunts. You can relax. But I'm going to have to stay in my pants though."
"Aren't you supposed to?" He was totally confused.
"I meant when we go back to school. The weather is getting nicer & some of the girls are just wearing their skirts."
"I'm fine with you in pants." He spoke fervently.
"Why? You don't like my legs?"
"I love your legs. I don't want anyone else to love your legs!"
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"I think you're gonna win." Sam smiled.
"I think so, too. We've practiced enough." Quinn put her hands on her hips.
"You guys were better." He complimented.
"Thank you!" She smiled softly.
He slid his arms around her slowly. "Can I get a kiss if you win?"
"You can get a kiss now. If we win, you can…" She whispered the rest in his ear.
His eyes lit up then darkened. "Please win!"
M&Q&M
Tina rushed into Mike's arms. He caught her easily & twirled her around. His wounds were completely healed & he flaunted his strength every chance he got. "Mike! Did you see us? Did you see us?"
"You're so good! I can't believe it took you so long to join."
She giggled as she squeezed his neck. "Don't tell the girls or they'll totally roast me alive but I love it. I never thought I'd like something as much as performing but I do."
"Isn't this performing?"
"Kind of. I've never been sporty before but it's amazing. I'm healthy & I'm having fun. I feel like I belong. In glee, we're freaks that are unheard behind Berry & Mr. Shue's ancient music but as a Cheerio, I feel like I'm heard."
"I get it. I felt like that when I joined the Titans." He set her down but held her close. "It's not the popularity that you like, it's the group. Even if members of that group are boneheads."
She nodded. "Yep. Even with all the fighting & backstabbing, being a cheerleader makes me happy. Singing & dancing, fashion & gossip, cheerleading & you."
He cocked an ebony eyebrow. "What?"
"Things I love about high school." She grinned.
M&Q&M
Coach Sylvester brought her bullhorn to her mouth & shouted, "Cheerios to the stage!"
Kurt & the girls waved goodbye & raced to the stage to find out who won. Ellen, Lila & the guys walked back to their seats.
The announcer tapped the microphone. "Now for the moment you've all been waiting for, third place!" He was handed an envelope. "TwirlGirls from Dayton, Ohio!"
The squad jumped excitedly as the crowd cheered.
"Second place!" He opened the envelope he was handed. "Tumbles from Chicago, Illinois!"
The squad screamed as they were handed their trophy. The remaining squads held hands as they waited for the envelope to be handed to the announcer.
"First place in the 2011 Regional Cheerleading Competition! The Cheerios from Lima, Ohio!"
The Cheerios screamed & jumped & had a natural fit on the stage as Coach Sylvester was handed the large trophy. The crowd lost their minds.
Sam fist-pumped. "Yes!"
"I know we're happy but you're doing a little much." Mal smirked.
Sam returned the expression. "I was promised something if they won."
"How is that fair?!" Puck laughed. "They did the work!"
Sam blushed & everyone got the idea (except for Lila; which made Artie happy). "Like I said; yes!"
M&Q&M
When the girls walked in Monday, cameras were shoved in their faces.
"Quinn! Quinn! How do you feel about winning Regionals?"
"Kurt! We heard that note! How'd you do it?"
"Tina, how does it feel to be on a winning team?"
"Marcy, was it a struggle in the cast?"
"Brittany! Three flips in the air! How'd you do it?!"
"Santana! There are rumors about the other squads just not being up to par. Is that true?"
"Mercedes! That hand stand was fantastic! Looking good out there!"
The girls turned & posed as pictures were snapped. The "paparazzi" consisted on the school's newspaper reporters, JBI & random students.
Like a queen, Quinn led the group away in a mist of blown kisses. "See Coach Sue for an official statement."
The boys followed behind slowly in awe. It was silly the way the school treated the popular kids but they were used to it. The awe came in with the way their girls didn't brag. They accepted the praise graciously.
Once their morning routines were finished, everyone met up in the choir room.
"I saw the entire performance on JBI's website!" Rachel raved. "But there's something else, too."
Quinn waved it away. "No one really cares what that freak thinks."
"But it's about Cedes."
"Then we care even less!" Sam muttered. "We know Mercy so what ever lies he prints, no one will believe them."
"But it's not a lie."
"Then what's the problem?!" Santana gave up trying to be polite.
"He posted a story about Puck & Mercedes." Rachel stressed.
"Why does that sound ominous?" Marcy frowned.
"Because he had a direct quote of Puck saying something about their martial affairs!" Rachel whispered.
"What?!" Mercedes's whole face dropped.
"Look it up!" Kurt ordered. "Look it up right now!"
Tina took Mike's laptop & clicked onto the website. She quickly found the article & read aloud. "I've got the first scoop on one of the Princesses of McKinley High, Mercedes Jones & her badboy boyfriend, Noah Puckerman. Backstage at their Regional Cheerleading Competition, Puckerman let it slip that Ms. Jones has been holding out on special favors in their sexual exploits. Click on the link below for the complete audio."
The room was so silent, the clock sounded like bombs going off.
Puck stood carefully. "I'm going to kill him."
"I'll help." Mike stood up.
Sam & Mal joined them. "I'm in!"
"Us, too!" Karofsky, Azimio & Blaine stood.
"We're locked & loaded!" Artie had his angry face on as Finn got behind his chair to push him towards the other guys.
"Let's go!" Marcy, Santana, Kurt, Tina & Brittany were ready.
Shauna looked at the angry group. "Won't you kill him?"
"That's the plan." Puck looked at her.
"I'll stay with Mercy." Quinn wrapped the shell-shocked diva in a warm embrace.
"Me, too." Rachel sat on her other side. "I'm sorry, Cedes."
Shauna put her hand on her shoulder. "So am I. He shouldn't have done that."
Ellen nodded. "He's such a creep!"
"Where is that tool anyway?" Mal asked.
They stopped as they didn't know.
"Check the library." Rachel suggested. Usually she was against violence but Jacob had crossed the line.
"Got it!" Mike propelled Puck forward as he was blocking the doorway. The angry mob raced to find the blogger as Mr. Shue walked in.
"Where's everyone going?" He got a good look at Mercedes's face. "What's going on?"
Rachel handed him the laptop.
"Oh no!"
M&Q&M
"Stop!" Mr. Shue finally caught up to the crowd as they had JBI pinned to a wall. "You can't do that!"
"Why not?!" Santana seethed. "Do you know what he did?!"
"I do." He tried to catch his breath. "But he wins this way."
"Can't we win by beating him?" Sam asked.
"No!" Mr. Shue threw his hands up. "Return to the choir room now!"
"Come on, Shuester!" Karofsky begged. "He deserves it!"
"I know but I'm taking him to Figgins & Sue. They'll deal with him. You all can get in trouble & you're good kids. You have too much going on for you to mess it up by beating up a… misguided youth."
"Mr. Shue's right." Marcy grinned. "I think we should let the adults handle this. We need to focus on Mercy & protect her from this more than we need to physically punish this kid."
Everyone's mouths fell open.
"What?!" Mike looked at her like she was crazy. "You can't be serious!"
"I am." She smiled sweetly. "Now go back to the choir room before I put each of you in traction." They all glared at Jacob before doing as ordered. Mr. Shue & Puck stayed behind to wonder at the tiny commander. "What?!"
"I'm shocked you agreed with me!" Mr. Shue spoke honestly.
"Take him away before they double back." She pointed to the retreating group.
"Good idea. Come with me, Jacob."
"Thank you!" Jacob groveled.
Marcy just watched as they left. Puck eyed her. "What was that?"
"We're going to wreck his life." She spoke in the same calm, sweet voice as she waved the pair off.
"I knew you were my favorite." He smirked.
M&Q&M
"& she told us to leave!" Brittany was hurt.
"Calm down!" Puck walked through the door. "Mini Mama's got a plan!"
"What is it?!" Tina was bloodthirsty.
"It's on a need-to-know basis." Marcy shook her head. "I thought I told you guys I wasn't letting you in on any other plans."
"We didn't know you were serious." Santana grumbled.
"Well, I am so keep your traps shut about it. Mr. Shue won't be long & I don't want anyone spilling the beans."
"Why are you looking at me?" Ellen was indignant. So were Rachel, Brittany & Sam.
"Because you four are the easiest to get information from!" Marcy sat down. "Someone can bribe Sam with food or confuse him & he'll sing like a bird. Brittany will accidentally tell on herself. Rachel can't hold water. & Elle says the first thing to come to mind."
All four scoffed. "Not true!"
"Sam, I have a package of crackers in my purse." Mercedes remembered suddenly. "Do you want them?"
"Cheese & crackers?!" His face lit up. "Quinn said she hoped you returned that fugly maternity shirt Kurt made you buy."
"Sam!" Quinn screeched.
Kurt glared at the blonde. "It is not fugly!"
"Obviously you can't see." Marcy muttered before saying normally, "& that proved my point."
Sam pouted until Mercedes handed over the crackers. "Yay!"
It was Finn's turn to pout. "I want food!"
Mercedes laughed & looked through her purse. "I have Dots©."
"Thank you!" He quickly grasped the box before she could change her mind.
"Fatass." Puck rolled his eyes.
"Can you tell us?" Santana brought the subject back to pain.
"No. None of the boys can know because Coach Beiste doesn't play that bullying crap, which this could be considered as if it's spun right." Marcy insisted. "Kurt & Tina blab almost as much as Barbara Jr. & I don't want Shauna in anything I come up with. She's too new & too nice."
"Thank you?" Shauna was sure it was a compliment.
"What about Tana & me?" Quinn asked.
Marcy's smile turned devilish. "You'll have your moment. But you can't know beforehand."
Santana pouted. "Why not?!"
"Because you'll do it ahead of time & mess everything up." Puck said.
"He knows?!" Brittany was too hurt.
"Maybe." Puck looked down.
"Won't Coach kick him off the team?" Artie asked.
"They're married. She'll understand." Marcy waved away the concern. "& if she doesn't, I will take full responsibility."
"You're going to cash in one of your favors." Kurt guessed.
"Nope." She shook her head. "This will serve as a reminder to not piss us off."
"Us or you?" Mike teased.
"Shut up, Mr. Abtastic!" She hit his gut.
"I'm proud of you guys!" Mr. Shue walked in. "You did the right thing & Jacob is being punished as we speak."
The class smirked collectively.
"What's the plan for this week?" Rachel asked.
"Rest. Except for your other sports please don't do anything too strenuous. I don't want anything to happen to you guys. Keep talking to a minimum & get plenty of sleep."
"What will we do at rehearsals then?" Tina questioned.
"Nothing. Rehearsals are cancelled until Monday." Mr. Shue ignored the cheer. "Keep to your diets. No soda or sugar. Eat a light breakfast the morning of & be here by nine o'clock sharp. The bus will leave at 9:15."
Marcy looked up. "Art club."
"We gotta go." Sam finished off his crackers & threw away the wrapper.
Tina, Sam, Marcy & Karofsky kissed their respective partners & left for their meeting.
"Let's go put away our cheer bags." Brittany suggested. "We might as well do something."
"& going out now as opposed to waiting until the bell rings will stave off the rumors of it being illicit." Kurt agreed. "We need to get out into the front of this."
Mercedes sighed. "Okay. Let's go."
The remaining cheerleaders left.
"Want to go see if anyone is talking about it in the newsroom?" Mal asked Ellen.
She nodded. "Maybe we can talk them out of printing anything." The two left.
"I'm glad that you guys are being so proactive & nonviolent." Mr. Shue congratulated. "The room will still be open this week but other than that; enjoy your week off!"
Shauna, Rachel, Blaine & the basketball players watched as he left.
"You're really not going to tell us?" Mike queried.
Puck shook his head as he took his wife's vacant seat. "You'll see soon."
"It's going to happen soon?" Artie wanted to make sure. "Won't it be obvious?"
"In a way." He agreed. "But it'll prove a point."
M&Q&M
Mercedes sighed as she found a red rose tapped to her locker room locker. "Not again!" She threw it on the top shelf quickly & pushed her duffle bag in.
"Are you okay?" Brittany sat on the bench between the lockers.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Mercedes closed the locker.
"No one's said anything yet so I think you're gonna be okay." Santana wrapped her arms around her.
"You're going to be fine." Quinn hugged her.
Kurt peeked around the wall. He snuck in when no one was watching. "You're better than this, Diva! You will overcome!"
Mercedes laughed. "You're right. I don't have anything to be ashamed of & honestly? I don't care anymore!"
The five cheered at the proclamation.
M&Q&M
It was fifth period & Mercedes was studying in the library. She had a test in sixth period & though she felt prepared, she wanted to be extra sure.
She didn't hear him calling her name as she was poring over the text & her notes with her headphones in. He tapped her on the shoulder. "Mercedes!"
She started but calmed when she saw who it was. "Anthony! You gave me a heart-attack!"
He smiled sheepishly. "My bad."
She turned off her music as he sat down. "What's up?"
"Nothing. I just heard about what that geek wrote about you & Puck on his blog." He ran a hand over his neck. "I can't believe some people would think you'd have sex with Puck!"
She frowned. "What?"
"No! No!" He waved his hands as he blushed. "It's just that you have morals & you're a good girl. I mean you broke up with him last year for being a jerk so I know you're real smart about these things. You would never engage in pre-martial sex."
"Oh." She didn't know what to say.
"You're classy. Not like the other girls in this school & especially not like your squad. You're pure."
She blushed heavily & began to feel bad. She wasn't anywhere near pure. "Thanks, Anthony but I'm human. I make mistakes the same as everyone else."
"& modest!" Anthony showed off his white grin. "Puck's real lucky to have you."
"I'm lucky to have him, too." She smiled softly as she thought about him.
"Do you?" He questioned softly.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not trying to be in your business but I've noticed some things." He was uncomfortable as he lied. "I don't know what's going on but I think you should have a heads up, just in case."
"What are you talking about, Anthony?" She frowned.
"Puck. He's been eyeing other girls."
She rolled her eyes. "I doubt it."
"At first, it seemed innocent but when I was putting the rose on your locker, I noticed he was chatting up a Cheerio that was decidedly not you."
"He can talk- wait. You're the one who has been leaving me those roses?!"
Anthony's blush darkened. "Uh… yeah."
She sighed in relief. "I'm so glad!"
"You are?!" His jaw dropped.
"I thought it was some freak or something! I was so scared!" She punched his arm for scaring her.
He smiled hesitantly. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." She smiled warmly. "Why do you give me roses? You know the red ones are supposed to mean love."
"I thought all girls liked roses?"
She shook her head. "I kinda hate them."
"Wow! I'm sorry!"
"No! No! It's okay. I just don't like roses. I like daisies." She soothed. "But you still haven't told me why."
"Oh. I figured you were going through some stuff & needed a pick-me-up. Then I couldn't just stop. It'd be too weird."
"Makes sense." She shrugged. "But you don't have to buy me flowers. I really appreciate it but don't spend your money on me. You should find a girlfriend."
"I'm looking." He blew out a breath. "Believe me; I'm looking!"
"Do you want me to set you up? I have a ton of friends looking for a good guy."
"I actually have my eye on somebody."
"Really? Do I know her? Is she cute? Is she a good girl?!" She fired off the questions.
He laughed. "Calm down! You know her. She's very cute. & she's a very good girl."
"Awwww! I can't wait until you get together! You can double with Noah & me." She sighed dreamily.
His smile became fake before brightening again. If I have it my way, you & I will double with my friends whileNoah can go **** himself.
M&Q&M
Puck sat on the ground in front of his locker. It was second period & he was too bored to go to class. He wanted to skip straight to basketball practice but the gyms were used for actual gym classes.
Eliza walked up with a smile. "Hi."
He blinked at her before returning his attention to the wall of lockers in front of him.
"Awwww! What's the matter?" Eliza sat next to him. She was one of the girls who'd taken off the boys bottoms.
He frowned. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just bored."
"Why aren't you in class?"
"Why aren't you?"
"I'm skipping."
"No sh¡t; why?" He turned to look at her.
She shrugged. "Why not?"
He snorted. "It's bad for your education?"
"Who said that?"
"Mama."
She schooled her features into a pleasant expression. "How quaint?"
"I guess." He wasn't entirely sure what she said.
"How are you two doing by the way?"
He bobbed his head. "Good."
"That's really great."
"Why are you being so nice?"
"I'm always nice!" She tittered.
"Not to Mini Mama. You two always go at it like a championship belt is on the line."
"It's the way Marcy & I communicate." She waved away his words. "We're friends."
"So when she says that she hopes you catch your death from wearing your cheerleading skirt without the pants in late February, she's kidding?" He looked doubtful.
Her eye watered slightly. "Yup. She's a kidder."
"Right." He faced the lockers again.
She cleared her throat after a moment of silence. "I saw you were at the competition Saturday."
He nodded. "For Mama."
"I saw that article that jewfro freak posted about you & Mercedes." He blinked. "I think it's terrible how people spread such vicious gossip about folks. It's destroying her reputation!"
He turned to her sharply. Things had been relatively quiet for Mercedes since yesterday but it might have been due to Jacob's punishment. "What do you mean?"
"People have been saying terrible things about her! That you weren't even her first & that she gets around more than Santana & Brittany!"
"Tana & Britts don't get around."
"Before, I mean." She backtracked. "It's hurtful the names they call her. She's a stronger woman than I. If anyone even thought the things they say about her about me, I'd transfer!"
"What are they saying?"
"Have you not been around anyone?"
He shook his head. "I missed practice yesterday. Had a doctor's appointment. Woke up late today."
Her eyes widened. She hoped it was in sympathetic remorse instead of the hostile glee she was actually feeling. "The guys are somehow worse than the slut-shaming girls! They talk about how good she must be to keep you interested."
He saw red momentarily. "Thanks. For telling me. No one else has."
"What are friends for?" She batted her eyelashes.
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"How come you didn't tell me?!" Puck growled.
"How exactly would we introduce that topic?!" Artie shot back.
"I don't know! Someway!" Puck threw his hands out before the ball hit him in the face. "I would tell for you guys."
"Aren't you going to execute that brilliant plan you & Marcy won't tell anyone about?" Sam bit off.
"That's in the works. We need something now. Her rep is in shreds!"
"Puck's right." Finn agreed. He threw the ball to him. "Cedes is a good girl but they're talking about her like she's some dirty chick. That's not right."
Puck caught the ball with narrowed eyes. "I def. wanna know what these assholes in here have been talking about."
"Actually, they've been pretty quiet." Sam looked around. "Someone said something to Mike yesterday that completely pissed him off. No one in here wanted to take the chance."
The team was split into fours for drills & Artie had to step in because there was an odd number of players. They looked at Mal, Mike, Azimio & Karofsky on the other side of the gym.
"This morning was only slightly better." Finn sighed. "But she kept her head up."
"I can't believe she left me." Puck mumbled. He knew Mercedes had tried to wake him up but the bed had been so cozy, he couldn't bear to part with it. When she said she was leaving with or without him, he had thought she was joking. She was not.
"You know how she is about classes." Artie said.
"Still didn't have to leave me." Puck insisted.
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"How are you holding up?" Blaine asked at lunch.
"I'm good. No one's said anything to me." Mercedes shrugged. "Except I can't go anywhere without guys whistling."
Puck frowned. "Who?!"
She shrugged. "Guys I don't know."
"I should walk you to your classes."
"No. A lot of our classes aren't even on the same floor. You'll be late every class period."
"That's okay."
"Noah."
"You should have someone with you."
"I don't need someone to walk me to class. I don't care what these idiots think. & they're only whistling. I can get bent out of shape or ignore it."
"Inspirational!" Rachel praised.
"The sign of a classy lady." Kurt went on.
The girls applauded her like she had given a great speech.
"As long as you're okay. The moment you need somebody-"
"You'll be the very first to know." She told Puck.
He nodded in satisfaction. "The last game is going to be awesome."
"I'm just upset the season's over already." Sam stuck his lip out.
"We need a new sport to play." Mal agreed.
"How about track?" Marcy suggested.
"Running?" Karofsky looked doubtful. "I don't know."
"You run in football & basketball." Shauna reminded him. "You just won't have a ball."
"I already have a backup." Artie bragged. "Bowling."
"Really?" Finn contemplated. "Are you any good?"
"Yeah. It's easy & fun. The shirts aren't too bad." Artie joked. The shirts were terrible.
"I have a backup, too." Sam admitted.
"What?!" Azimio's jaw dropped.
"Baseball."
"Who the hell else has a backup?" Puck demanded. Mike & Mal raised their hands. "Didn't you just say we needed a new sport to play?!"
"Yeah, but I meant for you." Mal grinned.
"Mal plays rugby." Marcy wiggled her fingers. She'd been odd about the digits on her injured arm since getting the sling removed. It was as if she was checking to make sure they still worked.
"What the hell?!" Puck sat back.
"What's rugby?" Finn asked.
"Too rough for you!" Mike laughed. "I'm only saying this because I don't want you to die but rugby is rough!"
Finn pouted. "Then what do you do?"
"Golf."
Karofsky wrinkled his nose. "Golf? Really? Aren't you a little young for that?"
"It's boring as hell but my dad signed me up years ago & it's easy. I basically get a letterman for going to sleep." Mike rolled his eyes.
"You get an automatic varsity?" Azimio grinned. "Hell yeah, I wanna join!"
"Mikey forgot to say that he's good at it." Mercedes shook her head.
"You should do track, Finn." Marcy said. "You're skinny & you don't have to worry about some sumo wrestler hip checking you into next week."
Finn looked at Santana. "What do you think?"
"Nothing's wrong with track." She shrugged. "Just try it. You never know."
"Okay. I'll sign up after lunch." He decided.
"What about us?" Karofsky looked around.
"Join rugby with me." Mal suggested. "It's just football with less rules about hitting."
Karofsky & Azimio grinned. "We're in!" They high-fived.
"You're not doing that." Mercedes eyed Puck.
"What? Why not?"
"I've seen a rugby match. Mal's had his nose broken five times!"
"Maybe he's not good?"
"Hey!"
Mercedes ignored her indignant brother. "That's the point. He is good. Really good."
"I'm surprised you're good at such a bloodthirsty sport." Rachel eyed Mal, who shrugged.
"I don't want to run track." Puck insisted.
"Bowl." Brittany offered.
"I suck at it."
"Baseball?" Quinn threw out.
"Do you really want to put a bat in his hands?" Marcy smirked.
"Right!" The table eyed him as he scowled.
"Golf will kill him." Mike cracked.
Puck shot him the bird.
"You could always box." Blaine suggested.
"Box?" Puck raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I've been boxing for a couple years & it's incredible. It's more than sticking your face in front of someone who wants to mess it up. It's poetry in motion."
"That sounds stupid."
"Hey!" Marcy punched him in the arm. "I box!"
"Since when?" Ellen's mouth fell open.
"Since the beginning of the month." She shrugged. "I didn't want my arm to get all weird so I signed up for a class to keep it in shape. Plus, it comes in handy for my martial arts training."
"But he can get hurt." Mercedes insisted.
"He can get hurt crossing the street." Quinn rolled her eyes.
"Are you sure it's safe, Blaine?"
"I promise. There's protective gear & he's going to start small. It's also a great way to relieve stress & anger."
"Fine! But if he comes home hurt, I'm blaming you!"
"What the hell are you looking at me for?!" Marcy's jaw dropped.
"You seconded the decision."
"Have Raven already so I can push you down a flight of stairs!"
"Your mothering instincts are intense." Quinn agreed.
"No, they're not." Mercedes denied before handing Finn a moist towelette. "Finn, take smaller bites before you choke!"
"Point proven!" Artie chuckled.
"You're insane!" She refused to admit it.
"Mercy, I have a tummy ache." Mal complained.
She rifled through her purse. "I have Pepto Bismol©, Tums© & Alka Seltzer©."
"I think we're done here." Mike shook his head. "You're on mom mode."
She crossed her arms as they laughed. "You're going to miss me when I'm gone!"
"Okay, let's stop teasing my Diva." Kurt wiped his eyes. "Let's instead talk about Regionals!"
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"From William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio; the New Directions!"
Who run this motha?
Girls!
M&Q&M
"For the romantic duet, from William McKinley in Lima, Ohio; Noah & Mercedes Puckerman of the New Directions!"
M&Q&M
The New Directions stood on stage vibrating with nerves as the announcer opened the envelope & held hands as they prayed.
"The New Directions!"
They jumped up & down, screaming. The crowd went crazy. Mr. Shue shook hands with the judges as he was handed the trophy. Flashes went off as pictures were taken.
M&Q&M
The bus ride home was quiet as the kids dreamt of their win. For the moment, they had no problems.
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"The baby shower is completely taken care of. Kurt has been such a godsend!" Rose squealed.
Mercedes huffed. "I'll like it, right?"
"It's befitting someone of your station, dear." Her mother said. "It will be the baby shower of the year!"
"Oh no!" Mercedes tried to remain calm. She rested her head on Puck's arm.
"Oh, stop it!" Judy snapped. "This party is going to be amazing & you're going to be grateful, young lady."
"Yes, Aunt Judy."
"You're going to love my present." Laura grinned.
"Why can't you tell me now?"
"It's a surprise!"
"Can I guess?"
"No!"
"I bet I can guess!"
"Please don't!"
"Girls!" Michael clapped once. "Enough. Mercedes, just wait. Laura, stop teasing."
"Yes, Uncle Michael." They chorused.
Family Dinner was proving to be fun. It was twelve hours until Joanna's plane landed & not one kid was happy.
"I hated having to work with your colors but it did inspire me to look outside of the box." Rose went on.
"Raven will love my gift." Jeanette bragged.
"Not moreso than mine!" Judy argued.
"Would you like a refill?" Tammi asked Marcy.
She smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem!" She disappeared in a cloud of heavy perfume.
Marcy frowned as her sinuses took offense. "Why is she wearing so much of that?"
Sam smirked. He still hadn't told her that Tammi was trying to get her attention. "I have no idea!"
"When you get home, Joanna will be so excited to see you." Jeanette gushed. "We're her favorite branch."
Quinn brightened her smile. "I just bet!"
"I miss her!" Marc said.
Laura looked at him sharply. "What?!"
"I didn't get to see her last year." He explained.
"Lucky you!" Mal whispered.
Mercedes played with Puck's hand under the table but he wasn't as responsive as usual. She wondered what was wrong & made up her mind to ask when they went home.
"Here you go!" Tammi returned with a flourish & didn't see Marcy holding her breath.
Marcy took the glass & gave a thumbs up. When Tammi left, she opened her mouth. "Dear la, it seems to be getting worse!"
Judy coughed daintily into her napkin before waving it in front of her face. "You're right."
"How hard is it to put on perfume?" Russell shook his head.
Tina took a sip of her tea. "I can't wait til Saturday! It's going to be so much fun!"
Rose brightened. "Thank you, Tina!"
Jeanette's smile faded.
"As long as it's low key, it should be." Mercedes shot her mother a warning look. That was promptly ignored.
"When exactly is Joanna going to be here?" Quinn asked again.
Marcus sighed heavily. "Ten o'clock."
"Oh." She's going to ruin my life! Sam took her hand & she instantly calmed.
Mal finished scratching a symbol onto Marcy's cast with his knife. "It's cool."
She eyed it. "You're stupid."
Maddie rose slightly to see it. "What is it?"
"It's a heart!" Mal defended. "This knife is too dull!"
"Right. Because your severe lack of talent wouldn't have anything to do with it?" Marcy quipped.
Mal licked her cheek. "Shut up!"
Marcy excused herself to go to the bathroom. Seconds later, they heard a loud Ew!.
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Always a drama queen."
Mal grinned. She'd kill him for it but for now; he'd won.