Happy New Year everyone! We're meeting the glee clubbers today, so here are some faces to go with names if you'd like them. Hope you enjoy!
Christina Knight- Perrie Edwards
Dara Jackson- H.E.R.
Macy Liu- Brianne Tju
Janelle and Joelle Owens- ChloexHalle
Riley Ramirez- Cierra Ramirez
Derek Adams- Lucky Daye
Colin James- Troye Sivan
Elijah Hart- Khalid
Reid Chandler-Gianni Paolo
Saturday, t-minus 4 weeks until Mercedes' departure
Mercedes took a deep breath as she pulled into the parking lot of McKinley's football field. She had to be there before any of the kids, but Sam had to be there even before then, so she decided to drive herself. She got out of the car, went to the press box, and waited for her cue like Sam told her.
When all the students arrived, Sam wasted no time in getting started, eager for his surprise to make an appearance.
"Alright, everyone," He said, looking up at the kids as he stood on the lower level of the bleachers. "We've got a lot to get done today, and as we can all feel right now, it's super hot out here."
"Yeah, like cooking-eggs-on-your-car-hood hot," Reid said.
The group agreed.
"I'm sorry about that. The forecast didn't say it would be this blazing, but we've got to manage. The custodians just started waxing the gym floors not too long ago, so it will be a few hours before we're able to move in there if they let us move in at all. That being said, time waits for no one and we still have to get our performances ready." He noticed a student had their hand up. "Yes, Joelle?"
"Mr. Evans, I still really don't understand why I'm doing this performance. First Day of Class Assemblies are a New Directions tradition. I'm a Troubletone."
"Yeah, same here," Colin piped. "I don't see why DN needs to be involved in this."
"We've talked about this, guys," Sam said. "If we're going to do anything worth noting at Internationals, we have to build up our team, which will include all of the senior clubs. We have to work on our comradery and companionship. We have to get closer to one another—"
"We have to hold hands and harmonize like we're trying to summon a show choir spirit," Said Christina, one of the Cheerios.
Everyone laughed.
"See," Sam smiled, "you're laughing, but that's exactly the attitude that we need to make our mark in Moscow. Sure we can all sit back and hang out every now and then, but unless you're a double dipper and you're in more than one club, you rarely spend any quality time with the others. We have to become more of a team and that starts with performing together."
"This isn't one of those times where you bust out an explanatory song, is it?" Asked Derek, another student.
Christina groaned. "Oh, God. Please tell me your guitar's not in the press box."
"Nope, not today. Today, it's all about you guys. I do have a little surprise for you, though." He ran down to the ground just below the bleachers. "Drum roll, please."
Hearing the other students join in, Mercedes knew this was her cue. She walked out of the press box, hoping they would all continue to fall for the distraction of Sam and his drum roll. She was in luck. She reached the bottom of the steps and called out, "Excuse me, I'm looking for the McKinley High glee clubs?"
She couldn't hide her smile at the noise that promptly erupted. As she walked over to them, she heard a variation of screaming, 'Is this for real?', 'Pinch me', and way too many people shouting 'OH MY GOD'. She laughed while Sam got them to settle down.
"So, I'm guessing we all know who this wonderful woman is," He said.
"Um, duh," Christina said. "Miss Jones, I'm like, your biggest fan."
"You are not." Riley whipped her head around. "I introduced you to her." She looked at Mercedes. "If anyone's your biggest fan, Miss Jones, it's yours truly."
Janelle side-eyed them. "Who cares who her biggest fan is?" She muttered. "This is Mercedes Jones. Act like y'all got some sense." She shot Mercedes a bright smile.
Mercedes chuckled. "Thank you, Janelle."
The student gasped audibly. "You know my name?"
"I know all of your names." Mercedes nodded as she pointed out specific students. "Janelle, double-dipper, Cheerio, President of the Troubletones, Christina, the Cheerio with a mind for harmonies most people have never even heard of." She frowned. "I'm not exactly sure why you're wearing your uniform on a Saturday during summer vacation, though."
"Coach requires that we wear them anytime we're on campus, even during summer and on the weekends. It's a whole thing." Christina brushed it off with a wave of her hand.
"Ok then." She went back to calling out students. "Derek, the double-dipper who's also a dancing machine. And Dara," She looked at the small girl sitting closer to the back of the group, "the quiet one whose pipes are out of this world. Your voice is awesome, girl."
Dara smiled, thanking her.
"Excuse me, Miss Mercedes," Macy waved her hand. "Hi, you didn't mention me, but I'm—"
"Oh, I know who you are," Mercedes said. "Macy Liu. The ingenue who's had more solos than she has hairs on her head. No one could forget that name."
Macy smiled and smoothed her hair back.
"Like I said, I know every one of your names. Which is a good thing, because it means that I can tell that each and every one of you has talent as well as areas where each and every one of you could improve.."
"Because," Sam spoke up, "talent isn't enough to win us Internationals. So, while Mercedes is back soaking up the last of her vacation, I asked if she could come and give us some pointers on our performances."
"I've been watching your performances and rehearsals, studying them closely for the past few weeks. Seriously, they've been just about my only form of entertainment," She laughed. "Now don't get me wrong, y'all can sing and dance your asses off. But there are certain things that each of you lacks. So, that's what we're going to focus on today."
"Mercedes is your mentor for today, so let's just treat her as that. I know this may be a little difficult for some of you—"
"Christina." A bunch of the students called her out.
"But let's do our best to remember why she's here and why we're here," Sam said.
"We're going to start with a pretty laid-back approach. Everyone has a flashcard with their name on it in this basket." She motioned to the tub beside her. "Find your name, read your note, and focus on that aspect of your performance today. When we break for lunch, I'm going to be talking to all of you individually to go over how you're doing that. Alright," Mercedes clasped her hands together. "Everyone off their butts and on their feet. Let's get to work."
Sam was surprised at the kids. They were doing even better than he expected. He had a feeling that Mercedes' presence had more than a little something to do with that. Watching her wipe the sweat off her brow for the fifth time, he went and got her a bottle of water from the cooler. "You don't want to get dehydrated out here," He said. "It happens really fast."
Mercedes took the bottle from him. "Thanks." She looked at him then down at it.
"You know, you've gotta drink it for it to work." He smiled as he drank from his own bottle.
Mercedes opened her bottle and stared at him again. They hadn't talked about their argument since it happened. He was out running errands after work and then with her brother until late Friday night, and they didn't have time to talk before they had to come to the school. He wasn't being weird or anything. Obviously, he just brought her some water. But she still felt horrible about what transpired and was stuck somewhere between wanting to apologize because she was so upset that she hurt him and wanting to forget about the entire thing because she was so embarrassed that she even said such a thing.
Sam watched on as the students continued working on their performance. He took a bit of a laid back approach to his coaching, which was why he convinced Mercedes to take a laid back approach to her mentoring. He always wanted to see what the students could do for themselves before he stepped in. It worked for him so far. He felt Mercedes looking at him and wanted to look back, but was unsure of what to do. A part of him was still reeling from what she said on Thursday and while he wasn't avoiding her, he knew she probably thought he was. But now they were alone, out of eye and earshot of the students, and in a position to have a conversation. She was about to say something. He could feel it.
"Sam…" She started her sentence, but couldn't figure out where to go from there.
"It's okay," He said. "I know you didn't mean it. Whenever you're ready to talk about what's going on, I'm here. But until then, we just need to give each other some space, I think." He didn't get a response but could tell she was still looking at him. "So, for right now, can we just be here and do this for them?" He looked at her.
She was unable to hide her sad expression. Something about the way he looked at her rendered all of her defenses futile. She nodded. "Yeah."
Making sure no one was looking at them, he briefly placed his hand on her knee and squeezed it. "I love you."
Mercedes drew in a sharp breath. She was so relieved to receive that gesture from him. "I love you, too."
"Don't forget to drink your water," He said as he got up from the bench, rounding the students up to watch them run the number again.
When the clock struck 4:45, Sam and Mercedes walked the clubbers into the gym to go over the advice she had been giving them throughout the day.
"Everybody worked really hard today, guys." He complimented. "It looks like you all are taking the things Mercedes said to heart. Nice job. Keep working on those notes until the assembly. Let's thank Mercedes for coming in again."
As they thanked her, Mercedes blushed. "I've got to hand it to you, each and every one of you stepped up to the plate today. I think that if you work on your notes, you'll be better for all of your performances, not just the assembly. It was great meeting you guys." She looked over to Sam. "Walk me out?"
"Wait, are you not coming back?" Colin asked.
"And you're not even going to sing us a song before we leave?" Christina pouted.
"Yeah, you've worked us half to death," Riley said. "The least you can do is sing something before you go."
Seeing the club agreeing, Sam looked over at Mercedes with a smile and a shrug.
A smile slowly took hold of her face as she shook her head. The clubbers began to chant her name and she eyed Sam, who was no help at all, chanting along with them. She decided to make them a deal. "Ok. The assembly is a week from Monday, correct?"
They gave her affirmative nods.
"And you have rehearsal next Friday and Saturday?"
Nods again.
"Alright, here's how this is going to go. I'll come back on Friday and sing for you guys on Saturday IF-"
The students cheered, not hearing her condition.
"IF!" She shouted. "And only if y'all impress me on both days."
"Oh, you're so on," Elijah said.
"I'm serious," She said. "I want y'all to knock my socks off. And I want to see y'all demolish this awesome choreography— shoutout to you, Derek —and come in with killer vocals all while showing me that you've been working on your notes. Do that, and we will have our own intimate engagement."
The students were over the moon.
"I'm going to practice harder than I've ever practiced. Ever," Joelle said passionately.
Sam walked Mercedes out to her car. "You know, I didn't see that coming, but you're kind of a genius for it."
She shrugged. "I figured it was the least I could do since I did work them like indentured servants for the last seven hours."
When they reached her car, he opened the door for her. "So, are you going back to the house or?"
"Yeah. I was going to go see Mason but I need a nap after being in the sun all day." She laughed. "You?"
"I'm probably going to stick around for a few more hours."
"Sam, it's Saturday." She frowned at him. "You shouldn't be working on a Saturday."
"I've got some work to do that I didn't finish on Friday and this would be a great time to get ahead on some other stuff."
She sighed, finally asking what had been on her mind. "You're avoiding me, aren't you? Being home with me?"
"I'm not avoiding you, just giving you space."
"What if I don't want space?"
"Are you ready to talk? And be honest about what's going on?" He asked somewhat sternly.
She looked away from him and didn't respond.
He pursed his lips. "Space it is, then." He took her hand and kissed it. "I love you. Drive safe."
Next Thursday t-minus 3 weeks till Mercedes' departure
Mercedes entered the door to her father's practice, smiling at one of the dental assistants.
"Mercedes, hello again!" She smiled back.
"Hi, Moira. Is my dad free yet?"
"He sure is. I was just about to lock up for lunch when he told me you were coming in. According to the morning assistants, he's been teeming with excitement all morning, giving patients extra mints in their goodie bags." She laughed.
"Oh my goodness," Mercedes grinned. She nodded her head. "Yup, sounds like him." She knocked on her dad's door, opening it slightly. "Dad?"
"Babygirl." He hugged her and they sat down at the small roundtable near the window. He opened the container, taking a long whiff of the salad she brought him. "I've been craving these salads all day," He said. "I'm glad you went to In The Mix. The last time your brother came to have lunch with me, he brought Taco Rita's." He gave her a look. "My office smelled like Carne Asada for a week."
Mercedes laughed at him as she started eating her own salad. "Well, I know that this place is your favorite."
"It is," He agreed. "So, what's brought you here? I haven't seen you in person since your first dinner back at the house." He only slightly complained.
"Uh uh, you can't blame me for that. I am not trying to have to deal with Mom at such a close distance for the next month."
"I told you I talked to her."
"And she listened?" Mercedes tilted her head.
Marvin looked at her for a moment before shaking his head. "Probably not."
"See?" Mercedes grinned. "This is my time to relax. Now, when we're on the phone in two different parts of the country or y'all are in L.A. for a few days and doing tourist stuff without me, then it's whatever. But me being back for two straight months is a completely different ball game."
"Okay, I understand that. Will you at least come to dinner on Saturday?"
"I don't think so, Dad," Mercedes said. She hadn't been back so far and didn't plan on going back. Not for a family dinner, anyway.
"Come on, Mercedes. For your old man. Who knows how many family dinners I've got left?" He pointed at his short greying hair.
"Wow. So we're going there now?"
"Oh yeah. I've got one foot in the grave already, I'm telling you." He laughed.
"I'm not going to make any promises, but I will really think about it. But if I do decide to come and Mom gets to tripping out for even a second, I'm high-tailing my butt out of there. I'm serious, Dad."
"I'll get back to work on that part. You just focus on coming. And make sure you bring Sam. I helped you two get together. I should at least be able to see the fruits of my labor in person."
Mercedes didn't respond, mostly because she didn't want to agree to her father's request. There was no chance in hell she was bringing Sam to family dinner. Not ever, if she could help it.
"So, let's get back to why you're here."
She frowned at him. "Why would there be a specific reason for me coming? You're my dad, I can't just want to have lunch with you?"
Marvin smirked just a little. "When my daughter calls me late at night when I'm in bed almost fast asleep, by the way, and offers to have lunch with me from my favorite restaurant in Lima and completely on her ticket, it tells me that you want to do more than 'just have lunch' with me."
The two stared one another down for a moment before Mercedes closed her container and looked back up at him. "I need relationship advice." She winced.
Marvin nodded, satisfied. "Sam?"
She nodded and began telling him about all of the spats they'd been having up until last Thursday and explained that while they were still on good terms, Sam was still giving her her "space."
"So you want to ask me what you should do? How you should go about it? If you should stand your ground and keep silent or give in and let him have what he wants?"
She nodded. "I just know that when we break the news, things are going to get crazy. Not just for me, but for him too. He's never exactly dated someone like me before and honestly, I think he may be in for more than he's bargained for without realizing it."
Marvin digested the information given to him and sighed, preparing himself for his response. "Babygirl, you know that I love you and I would never say or do anything to hurt your feelings or make you feel like I'm underestimating you or selling you short."
"That doesn't sound good."
"But, I've always noticed that anytime you and that boy get back together, you're the one who always needs convincing or nudging or extra affirmations. And frankly, to an outsider, it looks like maybe Sam is right and maybe you don't care."
Mercedes' face drew into an offended expression as she prepared to get defensive.
"And I know that's not the truth!" Marvin put his hands out to stall the impending attack. But it looks as if you don't give your relationship the same credit that he does and that you really just don't have faith in it. Again, I'm not trying to hurt you, but you asked for my advice."
"I mean, I could understand that that's how it looks, but that's not the case." Mercedes switched her gaze down to her fingers as she played with them and whispered. "It's just really scary."
Marvin sat up at this. "What's scary?"
"The idea that we might not make it. Sure, things are good now, but how do I know that whenever I leave, we won't decide to end things or crack under the pressure of being long distance? And even if we don't crack then, then what happens? Sam has a life in Lima. I have a life in L.A. We can't do that forever. When we were together in New York, things were perfect and we still ended up breaking up. Dad, I've never experienced heartbreak like that in my life."
Marvin nodded, finally understanding. "So, you don't want to tell anyone because you don't want to get hurt again should things not work out."
"If things go south, my heart will be ripped out of my chest again," She emphasized the last word, "and I'll have to pick up the pieces and start from scratch again. I don't think I could take it. I feel like if we tell fewer people it can feel less real."
He leaned forward and squeezed one of her hands. "You have to tell Sam this—"
"I can't—"
"You have to. If you want to avoid ending things again, you're going to have to commit and you're going to have to face your fears. You're treating him like a disaster waiting to happen."
Seeing the worried look on her face, he moved his chair beside hers, rubbing her back.
"Mercedes," He said. "I can't guarantee that things are going to work out between you two. I can't guarantee that you'll be able to make your relationship work once you leave Lima or that you two won't find a way to make it work and then end up cracking under the pressure of life in the spotlight. Hell, I can't even guarantee that you won't move out to L.A. together, get married, and live happily ever after only to wake up 5, 10 years later and realize that you're not in love with one another anymore."
"Wow, Dad," Mercedes said sarcastically. "That makes me feel really great."
"Let me finish. I can't guarantee that you guys are gonna make it. But I can guarantee that you won't if you become intent on keeping things from him. You're an adult and you have to start being open and honest like one. A relationship isn't about avoiding the hard conversations. It's about two people tackling the hard conversations and facing their fears together. Without it, you two won't survive."
Mercedes wanted to resist, but she knew her dad was right. Whatever they were facing, they had to be able to do it together as Sam said.
"Now, as for this Daniella person, I'm afraid I can't quite help you with that. All I can do is tell you to talk to him. Be open and honest. That's the key."
She nodded. "Thanks, Dad." She motioned toward their closed food containers. "Sorry for coming in being all melodramatic over our salads."
"Oh, that's alright," He said as he side-hugged her. "I'm your father. If I'm not used to the melodramatics by now, God help me, right?"
"Hey." Mercedes smiled as she gently pushed him away from her. "I am not always this melodramatic. I just care. A lot. Contrary to popular belief."
Marvin sat back down in his seat. "Yeah, okay. You just make sure you tell Sam that. Now, let's finish our lunch and talk about something not relationship related."
The Next Day
"5, 6, 7, 8!"
The students had been hard at work all morning, just like last week. The assembly was on Monday and they wanted the intimate engagement with Mercedes as a prize for their hard work.
Truth be told, Mercedes planned to give them their concert anyway, but no reason she couldn't make them work for it, right? As the students finished their umpteenth run of their assembly performance, one of the students raised their hands. "Yes, Elijah?"
"Miss Jones—"
"What did we say about that?" She shot him a look.
He smiled a little. "Sorry. Mercedes, I don't get why we keep doing just our assembly performance over and over again. Aren't there more important things at hand?"
"He's got a point," Macy said. "Internationals are only a couple of months away. Shouldn't you be critiquing that set instead of having us run this one so many times in a row?"
Seeing the other students agree, Mercedes called them off the stage. "Everybody come to the center of the room. Let's sit in a circle." When they were all seated, she looked around at them. "Does anybody know what all performances have in common? Other than the fact that you're singing and dancing in front of people?"
"Costumes?" Joelle asked.
Mercedes chuckled. "Other than costumes. Other than all the obvious things. Anyone?"
"There are usually a lot of hot guys in the audience," Colin said. "That's always a plus."
Everyone laughed.
"Anything else?" Mercedes smiled and looked around one more time. After a moment of silence, as she went to speak, someone beat her to it.
"Maybe it's just me," They said quietly. It was Dara. "But anytime I perform I feel a little better about my singing. And more confident in my abilities. I mean, unless the performance goes bad."
Mercedes tilted her head a little in shock. This was the most she had heard her speak since she met her. "Thank you for that, Dara." She smiled at her. "Not only was it very profound, but it's exactly what I was about to say." She looked back at the rest of the students. "If there's one thing I've learned about performances or a packed out stadium in Moscow, is that each and every one of them is a chance to do better than the last time. Each performance is a clean slate and you get to learn and improve. Always."
Unbeknownst to her, Sam had walked back from the bathroom just in time to listen in. His smile reached his ears.
"And, we've established this, but y'all are all talented as hell, okay?" She laughed with the students. "Every single one of you has a precious gift that has been given to you and when you perform, you get to share that gift with others and you get to have a certain kind of effect on them." She laughed to herself before beginning the next part of her spiel. "My junior year, we performed at an assembly here and caused a literal sex riot. It was insane."
"Oh, we've heard about the assembly to end all assemblies," said Christina.
"Wait," Derek put his hand up. "I thought the assembly to end all assemblies was the one where you guys puked all over the stage?"
"Ooooh, that was a good one, too." Joelle pursed her lips and nodded.
"Who even told y'all about this? Was it Sam?" Mercedes asked.
"No, it was Santana Lopez," Janelle answered. "She keeps in touch."
"Anyways, at that assembly, we had an effect on people. Albeit a weird and more than slightly inappropriate effect."
"Yeah, that's, like so not okay," Macy spoke up. "How did Principal Schuester even allow you to do that?"
"Wait, isn't that the one that he did with you?" Reid made a face of disgust.
Sam laughed to himself. Time to save the conversation before Mercedes let these kids derail it. "I think what Mercedes is trying to say," He walked into the gym, "is that every time you perform you get to make a lasting impression on someone. And what's more is you then get to form a connection not just with the audience but with one another." He sat down beside her.
Mercedes looked up at him, silently thanking him. "Yes, exactly. That assembly performance was an absolute mess and catastrophe, but it brought us closer together as a team. So, anytime that you guys perform, you're doing all of those things. And you get to look cute for hot guys while you do it." She pointed her look at Colin and everyone busted into boisterous laughter.
"So," Sam stood up after the laughter died down, motioning for everyone to follow suit. "No performance is by itself more important than another. They're all equally important. We'll work on Internationals more as the time comes. Simple as that."
"Alright," Mercedes said. "For listening to our boring lecture, everyone gets a break. Take 10."
The students dispersed and Mercedes went to Sam's office to get something from her purse.
Sam followed behind her after a few minutes. "You're a natural, you know." He said leaning up against the doorframe. "And they really like you. Like not just as a celebrity, but as a mentor."
She turned around grinning. "Yeah, they're great. And you know I love mentoring. It's so weird because they're just like us but also unique in their own way, you know?"
"Believe me, you have no idea."
"Thanks for saving my ass back there. They are great at distracting from the conversation. I wonder where they get it from." She laughed.
"Oh, no." He shook his head. "They were all like that way before they met me."
They both laughed again and stared at one another for a moment. Sam pushed himself off the door, closed it, and went over to her. He traced her arm with one hand and used the other to hold one of hers.
"Giving you your space is a lot harder than I thought it would be," He whispered.
Mercedes didn't even fight the shivers sent down her spine at his touch. She looked up at him and squeezed his hand, letting him know without words that she understood and was sorry.
"You look so beautiful today." He smirked. "If I weren't giving you your space I would—"
She cut him off by grabbing ahold of his head with her free hand and bringing his lips into hers. They shared a soft, intimate kiss. Then another, then another. Then, one last quick peck.
"Do exactly that, actually." He blushed and laughed.
Her laugh rang into his ears, beautiful as ever. With her hand still against his face, she rubbed her thumb across his cheek. "I want to talk to you tonight," She said softly.
"Ok." Sam didn't exactly know what she was hinting at.
"You were right. There's something deeper going on. I want to share it with you so that we can approach it like two people who are in a loving, caring, committed relationship. I want us to face it head on together."
Hearing this, Sam wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. "Whatever it is, I've got you."
"So tonight at home, then?" She said, while still in the hug.
"For sure."
Aww, looks like they're finally on the right track! The next chapter will be just Samcedes and their conversation with a couple of surprises toward the end! Please leave reviews if you feel so inclined. I love reading them!
