Dirty Dancing
FunFiction
I know everyone has their own theory on when, or even how, Samcedes got together, but take it from me, there was a lot going on at the time, anyone could have missed it. But being a VIP reporter at the time, I had ringside seats on the whole affair, that week was the best gossip ridden week of my time at McKinley. They've just gone public, so now I can give you the detailed low down, these events are facts (according to this fiction)
Monday
Sam & Mercedes
"Stop" Mercedes stopped in the corridor, looking at him, serious written all over her face
"Why?" Sam asked, a smirk on his face
"Because" she looked at him, a slight smile on her face "You're with Rachel"
"Come on" he laughed "You know I'm not actually with Rachel"
"You just want to get back at Brittany then" she carried on walking towards her classroom
"Not true" he pulled at her arm "I went out with Rachel to get Brittany's back up, not to get back with her"
"Fact still remains you're with Rachel" she stepped into her classroom
"Mercedes" he walked into the class after her "Just hear me out"
"I've heard, you can't be in here" she looked around at people watching them
"Well hear me out then" the teacher entered the classroom "I'm not moving until you promise to hear me out"
"Mr Evans?" the teacher called, but he meant business he wasn't leaving
"Mercedes" he looked at her waiting
"Mr Evans" the teachers voice an octave higher
"Mercedes?" he sat on her desk waiting
"Okay" she huffed "After class in the auditorium"
"Straight after class" he jumped up "Don't make me come looking for you" he smiled at the teacher, and walked out
Today, for some mysterious reason, this boy had latched onto Mercedes, she couldn't tell if he was being serious or just on some sort of dare, but her guard was up, she wasn't letting so much as a tenth of an inch through her shield.
She didn't concentrate much on the lesson, her mind was on what they were going to talk about. Plus she'd got these daggers piercing her, Artie or Quinn were giving her vile looks, she knew there were going to be a thousand questions to follow.
As if on cue, they were attacking from both sides when they left the classroom "What are you up to Mercedes?" Artie slipped up next to her asking
"Like?"
"I saw Sam Evans talking to you earlier, what did he want?"
"He wanted to know some shit about Rachel" she lied
"Why would he ask you about Rachel, why not Quinn or Brittany?"
"I guess he thought we were close" she laughed
"You sure it was Rachel?" Quinn pulled up behind them "Because I think he still moping over our split"
"One word Fabray" Artie held his hand up at her input "Matt"
"Yeah, make your damn mind up" Mercedes told her
"I'm still deciding" she flicked her hair at them
"Whatever" Artie gave her his middle finger and walked off grabbing Mercedes arm "He doesn't want her back does he?"
"Why?"
"Because I'd be torn"
"He doesn't want her back, he's with Rachel now"
"I have eyes" he huffed
"What?" she asked
"You coming to Math club?" he dropped the conversation
"I need the bathroom; I'll be there in a bit" she carried on with her journey to the auditorium
"About time" Sam shouted "I was just coming to find you"
"Where are you?" she shielded her eyes to see the dark space at the back
"Just follow my voice" he giggled "Mer-ce-des" he laughed "Mer-ce-des"
"You're so freaking irritating Evans" she got to the top giggling at him
"I'm irritating?" he laughed, implying she was the irritating one
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
"You know exactly what I want to talk about Miss Jones" he looked at her serious now
"Rachel?"
"No" he looked at her "About us"
"There is no us Sam" she chuckled "Not while there's a Rachel and Sam"
"Okay, I'll call everything off with her"
"And here I was thinking you were the nice guy"
"I am a nice guy, in an impossible situation" he raked his hand through his hair "Everyone, including Rachel, knows I went out with her to get back at Brittany"
"And now?"
"Seriously" he looked at her "We've kissed a couple of times, and honestly, there's nothing there, for either of us"
"So, why haven't you said that to her?"
"Mercedes" he looked at his fingers "I can tell she's not bothered"
"Surely there's a conversation to be had between you two?"
"I asked you to meet me here because I want us to be together Mercedes"
"So, talk to her, properly" she smiled "Come back when you're a free man Sam Evans and we can talk again, no promises" she got up "I have a club to get to"
"Mercedes" he called after her "We will talk again"
"That was it Sam, are you going to leave me alone?"
"Hell no" he laughed "We've got a week to regionals, and we're going to be together by then"
"You're sure of yourself" she laughed, still walking
"See you in club later" he called after her
"I'll see Rachel and you in club later" she called back before slipping out the door
Club
"So here's what we've all been waiting for, the assignment for regionals" Mr S held the envelop up before opening it "Oh, Dirty Dancing" he held it up to cheers "Okay we've got just under a week, best three songs get air time, it's as simple as that" he announced, there was going to be competition, everyone sensed that, but who was going to win, was anyone's guess.
Tuesday
Sam & Mercedes
Day two and Sam was still wearing Mercedes down but she was nowhere near giving in, she was so hung up on the Rachel of it all, she couldn't see past that, he admired her loyalty, but had the shoe been on the other foot he knew, there'd be no loyalty. "She's not what you think you know; she has no code" he walked her to class telling her
"I know that" Mercy laughed "But I respect myself"
"You sure know how to make a man beg" he jumped in front of her, not caring who was watching them right now "Come on Mercedes, a date, just one date and I swear you'll fall for me"
She giggled "Sam Evans you are freaking crazy" she looked past him at Artie watching them "I have Math club after this lesson"
"Screw Math club, come spend some time with me, I've got that spot in the back of the auditorium, nobody goes there, we could write a duet together"
"Sounds inviting, I'll call Rachel, we could all meet up there" she looked at him seriously
"Come on Mercedes, it's a duet, everyone teams up for them" he stopped walking "Artie will be doing one with Rachel"
"They will" she stood thinking "Choose something and I'll let you know"
"I'll choose us the best love song" he smiled, he moved around her singing his feelings by way of 'She's Like The Wind' by Calum Scott not a drop of embarrassment between them
She's like the wind to my dreams, she rides tonight next to me
She leads me to moonlight, only to burn me with the sun, she's taking my heart, she doesn't know what she does
I feel her breath in my face, her body close to me, can't look in her eyes
She's out of my league, just too fool to believe I'm anything she needs, she's like the wind
"Sam" she stepped away from him and rolled her eyes "I'm not a cheat, or a boyfriend snatcher, stop trying to make me into one" she turned to walk away
"I'm trying to make you my girl" he called after her
Rachel
Rachel had been as busy as a bee; she'd got so much going on Sam was right at the back of her mind. She'd told Matt her true feelings just two weeks ago and hadn't received anything back and that was messing with her head at a rate even she was frightened of. Now she needed to find the winning song for regionals, something to suit Artie's voice, because Quinn and Mercedes were always strong candidates for the solo and this year was no different, and most importantly, pretty soon Quinn was going to find out she was sleeping with Matt behind her damn back, and snap, regionals over.
She'd already lost her popularity, over her kiss with Sam at the party, behind Brittany's back, she wasn't about to let anything else go, so it was more of an inconvenience when Brittany came to tell her the gossip she'd heard from the most unreliable source in school, Quinn
"What you saying Britt?" she stopped to listen to her, already pissed that she'd had to stop following Quinn and Matt to their secret place
"Sam, Quinn said he's after Mercedes"
"And from 1 to 5 how accurate would you say that information was?" Rachel rolled her eyes squeezing her books to her chest
"Knowing Mercedes I'd have said maybe a 2 with a push" Brittany waved her hand in the air about her decision "But Quinn said he ignored the teacher when she asked him to leave the class because he was talking to her"
"They're not even in the same class" Rachel fanned her off
"That's why the teacher had to ask him to leave" she laughed
"Are you sure about this?" she stood trying to fit the pieces together "So what happened after that?"
"Well Artie went off to Math club and Mercedes" she flicked her hands in the air telling Rachel she didn't know
Rachel stepped off, she wasn't going to be played, and definitely not by Sam Evans, she found herself at the back of the arboretum, where she always met up with Matt, checking if he'd taken Quinn there, she was shocked to see Sam and Mercedes sat there.
Any other girl would have maybe been tearful at hearing their boyfriends saying the shit he said, but she stood getting angry as she listened to him telling Mercedes about not feeling anything, she heard everything, he was being honest for both of them, but she just wasn't ready to hear it like that
She walked quickly down the corridor, needing to get to the bathroom, "Sorry" she bumped into someone and looked up into some gorgeous brown eyes "Sorry" she smiled "I was rushing"
"No, I'm sorry" the voice soft and friendly
"I don't believe we've met" Rachel held her hand out to him "Rachel Berry"
"Jessie St James" he smiled grabbing her hand "It's my first day, I hear they have a singing club here and I was about to introduce myself"
"We meet at the end of classes" she kept hold of his hand "Listen" she looked around "If you want to try out, I have this great idea"
"Will it be alright?"
"I'm the captain of the club, everything goes by me" she smiled "Do you have some time now?"
"Sure" he grabbed her arm and went to make music
Club
Everyone walked into club and went quiet at Rachel sitting there with this new guy, her smiling while he whispered in her ear. Sam shared a 'told you so' look with Mercedes, watching as she took the seat next to Rachel, he sat behind them watching the two giggling. Suddenly Rachel stood up, calling the random to the front with her, everyone rolled their eyes, of course she'd have something in her damn back pocket, this was Rachel.
"This is Jessie everyone, he just came to McKinley this morning, he's auditioning" she looked at him smiling, she wasn't the only one smitten by the looks of it "We're singing the classic 'I've Had The Time Of My Life' by Katie Price & Peter Andre "We decided on this song because it just brings everything about that movie together and seals the romance of it all" she smiled as they started in on the song, everyone sat watching Rachel making love to this random, with her eyes,
….Now with passion in our eyes, there's no way we could disguise it secretly
So we take each other's hand, cause we seem to understand the urgency
Just remember, you're the one thing, I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something, this could be love….
This guy was throwing it all back, either he was a great actor or the attraction was genuine, everyone's eyes moving from Sam to Rachel and back again, wondering what was going to happen next
Sam's eyes finally left the mess that was happening in front of him and looked at Mercedes, everyone was giggling at this, at him, but the only one that hurt was Mercedes, sat there with her damn shoulders jumping up and down, her lips bursting to laugh out loud at this mess "That's enough" Artie jumped up stopping the song
"Artie" Mr S jumped up, holding his hand out to stop him from getting to her
"She said she was doing that duet with me" he told everyone
Sam sat watching Rachel's mouth moving, but he had no interest in what was coming out of it, he tapped Mercedes shoulder sharply, making sure she was looking into his eyes, she stopped laughing abruptly, shocked at the look "What?" she asked smiling
"I don't believe you" he hissed at her
"What?" she asked again, looking around the room to see who was watching, everyone was getting excited about Artie and Rachel's argument, so their mini argument went under the radar. The session finally finished, and everyone sat commenting on how good the song was, and talking about the new guy
"Trouble in paradise" Quinn offered, smiling
"And for you that means?" Matt asked, getting up to leave the room
"Just saying" she stood up and followed him out, with a smirk on her face
Mercy followed them out with Artie in hot pursuit "What was that look about?" he whispered in her ear
"What look?" she asked
"I saw that look Sam gave you, what was..."
Sam & Mercedes
"A word Mercedes" Sam came up behind them grabbing her arm
"What?" she tried to pull her arm away from him, he gripped it harder and dragged her along with him down the corridor "Get your damn hand off me" she wriggled trying to get lose
"Mercedes are you alright?" Artie asked after her, she turned and smile not wanting to attract any more attention than they already had
"If you don't stop struggling, I'll pick you fucking up in a minute" he hissed at her, he didn't sound like he was joking, she followed him quietly, scary Sam was never his nicest version of himself. They got to the changing room, he looked in to make sure it was empty before dragging her in "What the fuck was that?" he snapped at her, angry enough to shout but it didn't come out loud
"What?" she looked at him wondering what merited his shit
"What was funny about what Rachel did?"
"Come on Sam" she giggled "She'd just met the guy, she was acting like she'd known him all her damn life, it was funny" she smiled "Is that what your dragging me around like a fucking rag doll for? Everyone was laughing"
"And the only person that hurt my feelings in there, was you, I thought you were different"
"I am different" she stepped closer to him, caring what he thought of her
"Well it didn't feel like it" he snapped
"What did you expect me to do, slap her damn face, she's your girl, you should have said something" she snapped back
"She's not my fucking girl, was she just acting like my girl?"
"You said it yourself Sam, everyone duets with everyone"
"I" he looked at her and smiled, he'd taken this way too serious "I just want you to act like my girl"
Sam: Hey, hey baby, I wanna know if you'll be my girl,
Mercedes: hey, hey baby, I wanna know if you'll be my guy
Sam: When I saw you walking down the street, I said that's a kind of girl I'd like to meet
She's so pretty, Lord she's fine, I'm gonna make her mine all mine
Both: Hey, hey baby, I wanna know if you'll be my girl..
"Look Mercedes" he laughed with her "I'm sorry I blew that up, you know what to do, just say the word"
"Why should I be the one to say the word, you're in the damn relationship, why can't you say the word?"
"I..."
"You're scared of her, aren't you?"
"No" he looked at her
"So, you're scared Quinn or Britt might want you back if you're free?"
"No" he grabbed his hair in his hands "I just need to be with you"
"Why?" she asked desperately needing to understand
"Look, forget it, let's go do something, anything" he grabbed her arm
"No" she pulled away from him, frustrated that he wasn't giving her any answers "There is no us Sam, there's a Rachel and you, please show me some damn R.E.S.P.E.C.T." her head wobbling as she spoke
"Wow, scary Mercedes" he stepped back "Fine" he looked at her "I want you, I've not hid that, but I've tried everything and I'm fed up of hitting your damn brick walls, if you want me, find me, I'll be waiting" he brushed past her and walked off
Wednesday
Quinn
It was inevitable that at some point Quinn and Brittany were going to argue there was something underlying happening there "Britt" Quinn rolled her eyes at the question "It's none of your damn business"
"Well it is when in our drunken conversation last week, you admit that you loved me"
"But then I realised, I was in love with Matt, just let that go, I was drunk for Christ sake" she got up slamming her hands on the piano
"Bull shit" Britt spat at her "You were begging me to get with you"
"I was drunk Britt" she rolled her eyes "I'm in love with Matt"
"Artie told me about your conversation the other day" Brittany walked towards her
"What conversation?" she sat down again
"You're hoping Sam gives you another chance"
"And Rachel's hoping Matt gives her another chance, while you're also hoping Sam gives you another chance, but what's the likelihood of all that shit happening?"
"Matt will see you for exactly what you are, and he'll go running back to Rachel, you watch" she snapped
"I didn't hear you deny that; Artie not rocking it for you either?" she got up again
"Artie and I are fine, why don't you leave Sam alone?"
"Why don't you leave me alone?" Quinn snapped, the two women stood looking into each other's eyes "Damn you" she grabbed her neck, pulled her in and kissed her deep "Damn you Britt" she let her lips go
"Damn me?" Britt asked, pulling her back to take her lips again "Really?" she asked stepping back "Be true to yourself Q"
"I am, I'd just heard some shade about Sam and Mercedes, I was checking it out, that's all" Quinn told her
"I heard it too but…" Brittany shrugged her shoulders "I don't think Sam… I don't believe it" she looked at her shyly "But I still get vibes from him, I don't think he's moved on yet"
"Please, I can't work out if you came her to defend Sam, Matt, Artie or your damn self" Quinn laughed
"I have every faith Matt, or you, will have a change of heart, you watch" Brittany turned to walk out, smiling at Quinn banging some notes on the piano "Oh and Quinn" she smiled "You weren't the first for Matt"
"And bitch, neither were you" she snapped at her, shaking her head smiling "Are you coming to practice later?"
"Have you got a song?"
"Not yet"
"Find us a song" Brittany smiled at her before walking out
Club
Rachel was still hanging onto that new guy Jessie, not that Sam minded he just wished she'd let him know what was going on, so he had an answer for Mercedes. He hadn't seen her all day and feared she was getting tired of waiting for him to grow a pair and sort his shit out, he was rushing to club because he'd be sure to see her there "Where have you been all day?" he bumped into Mercedes coming out of the ladies bathroom
"We've been practicing" she smiled "They finally roped me in, it was all so awkward" she laughed "I guess you guys had an eventful evening?" she asked, fishing
"What; you're doing a song with them?"
"Yeah, Quinn suggested it, she's still so into you" she stroked his new appearing face fluff "What did you get up to last night?"
"Us guys got something together last night too, Matt's idea, although he was super late" he laughed
"So you weren't with Rachel then?" she stopped to ask
"I thought you girls were rehearsing?"
"We were but Rachel wasn't there"
"She was probably with Jessie, anyway, forget that" he looked at her "I've got our song, if you want to meet me after practice, we'll run through it, hopefully it will be ready for tomorrow"
"I'll be there" she giggled "Coming?" she walked off towards club
Everyone had brought their A game, Artie had dismissed the prospect of singing with Rachel and was giving her the silent treatment. Sam had something bubbling he wanted to sing to Mercedes but feared Rachel would take it as him singing to her. Matt had the perfect song to sing to his true love and was feeling very much like the cat that was getting all his well-deserved cream at the moment, he was on form, Jessie was his usual 'it's all about us' self, whispering in Rachel's ear, if only he knew
"We have something to share" Quinn and Artie called out at the same time
"Competition" Mr S smiled, Rachel looked at Jessie, her eyes telling him maybe they'd played their ace card too early
Artie got up, Sam and Matt following "We thought we'd do something upbeat" he nodded at the band, everyone rocking around to 'Do You Love Me' by Colt Prattes, Nicole Scherzinger & J Quinton Johnson Sam struggling to keep up with the steps, but having a laugh about it, and playing up more, because today he was enjoying Mercedes laughing at him.
Sam: You broke my heart, cause I couldn't dance, you didn't even want me around…..
And now I'm back, to let you know, I can really shake 'em down
Matt (Guys): ….Do you love me? (I can really move) Do you love me? (I'm in the groove)
Artie (Guys): Ah, Do you love me? (Do you love me?) Now that I can dance (Dance)
Sam (Guys): Watch me now Oh (work, work) Oh, work it all baby (work, work)
Artie (Guys): Well, you're drivin' me crazy (Work, work) With a little bit of soul now (Work)….
"Ladies" Mr S gave them the floor when the guys had done their best and everyone had settled back in their seats,
Quinn jumped up, Brittany and Mercedes following her "This has to be in the running" she told everyone pointing for the music to start. The girls stood in true traditional girl band style singing 'Be My Baby' by Bea Miller the song dripping with innuendos
Quinn: The night we met I knew I needed you so, and if I had the chance I'd never let you go
Brittany: So won't you say you love me, I'll make you so proud of me
Mercedes: We'll make 'em turn their heads, every place we go, so won't you please
Mercedes (Quinn & Brittany) (Be my be my baby) Be my little baby (I want it only say) Say you'll be my darling (Be my be my baby) Be my baby now (I want it only say)….
"Both good contenders, remember we only have three spots" Mr S told them "I guess I need volunteers to start thinking about costumes and stuff, anyone?"
"I'll do costumes" Quinn put her hand up
"I'll do the shopping and vocal training" Mercedes volunteered
"I can shop" Rachel put her hand up, looking at Mercedes
"I guess that leaves me with costumes" Brittany looked at Quinn, unsure how to feel about that "And choreography"
"Of course" Mr S nodded "Guys you all know what I expect" he told them "Can we get some ideas down for the props before you go?"
"Well, it all took place on a holiday camp, didn't it?" Matt asked
"Yeah so let's maybe revisit the main hall for all of this but without the classic song at the end, so it's in there, but not in there" Artie suggested
"You're just saying that because it's my song" Rachel snapped at him
"I'm saying it because you can bet the other 13 groups are going to be singing the hell out of that song, and by the time the judges get to us at number 12, they'll be more than sick of it" Artie snapped
"You have a point" Mr S looked at the group
"It's the only point, it's a fact" Sam added
"We've used the full hour guys" Mr S alerting them to the obvious bell going off "I've asked for some of you to be excused from dance club tomorrow, so Matt, Brittany if you have anything bring it tomorrow"
"I have something" Matt smiled holding his hand up to say okay
"Tomorrow" Mr S told them watching as they got up to leave
"Mercedes" Sam called after her watching everyone leave "We could practice our song, now, for tomorrow"
"Matt's doing his now, we'll leave it till the morning" she smiled "Plus I know you got the message from Artie"
"Yeah" he slit his eyes at her "But I don't fancy another night of fake"
"Come on, we don't want to be left behind when everyone starts the routines, it will be fun"
"Is that what you call all that?"
"Come on, you can walk me home afterwards" she teased
"You live what, four doors away from Artie?"
"Short and sweet" she giggled
"Okay, I'll see you there" he got up and followed her out the door "Goodnight Mr S"
"Sam, Mercedes" Mr S' voice questioning
The Basement
Matt
Matt was staying out of harm's way, he didn't know it but he was giving Quinn plenty of time to follow Sam around, he'd made a mistake in choosing her over Rachel, he had some feelings for her, but they weren't as deep as those he'd discovered he had for Rachel. It all boke down because Rachel wasn't putting out, but now their affair had gone to the level he'd always wanted, he was finding it hard to tell Quinn the truth.
He sat on the couch looking around the room, everyone practicing the routines, he could do without this environment, everyone was still assuming Rachel's song was going to be the finale.
It was something exactly like this that had got him into trouble in the first place, Rachel and he had called it a day at the end of the school year, he was going off to Mexico for three weeks, she didn't like it, gave him options, and he went on holiday, which wasn't even all that in the end.
They'd all ended up at the beginning of year party, everyone was drinking, it got out of hand way too quick, and suddenly he was standing in the bathroom looking at Rachel. "What?" she asked watching him lock the door "Matt what the hell are you doing?"
"Rachel" he looked into her eyes "I made a mistake"
"Don't even play with me like that" she held her hand up at him
"I'm not playing, Quinn's not the one"
"But you said she was, I asked you this damn question and you said she was"
"I know, maybe I was still angry, I don't know, but I was wrong"
"So, what are you saying?"
"I have no right, I called it on this relationship"
"Matt you know I love you, I always have but…" she didn't get anything else out, he flew at her and before they knew it she was sitting on the sink having lustful sex with him. They were both as bad as each other, the slamming seemed to go on forever, then in the silence there was a knock at the door
"I'll be a minute" Rachel shouted at the door, rummaging for her underwear
"Hurry up Rachel, you know there's only one damn bathroom down here" Artie shouted back at her
They held back for as long as they could, eventually they had to own up to being caught and walked out of the bathroom together. The look on Artie's face merited a picture, but the seriousness of the situation didn't allow it "Art" Matt nodded as he walked past
"We'll do the regionals duet together, I promise" Rachel told Artie
"Walk that walk of damn shame Dude" Artie snapped after them, and he really hadn't given any of them the time of day since, but one thing Matt knew, Artie was never going to tell on him, there was code
The Basement
"Come on" Quinn pulled Matt, jerking him out of his thoughts "Practice is over, let's dance" she pulled him onto the makeshift dancefloor everyone singing along to 'Love Man' by Otis Redding
I'm a love man, call me the love man, oooh, baby I'm the love man
That's what they call me I'm a love man, six feet one weigh two hundred and ten
A long hair... real fair skin, a long legs and I'm-a out-a sight
There ain't no doubt I'm gonna take you out, cause I'm a love man
That's what they call me I'm the love man
The one thing he wasn't doing tonight was drinking, but he was determined to dance the hell out of this song, he was in his zone. The only thing firmly in his head was that he had no intention of becoming anyone's love man tonight, he danced around looking like nothing was wrong, watching Rachel sharing herself between Sam and Jessie "I'm nipping to the bathroom" Quinn finally let go of him and walked away
He didn't waste time, he picked his moment to speak to Rachel "What are you doing, I agreed to you fucking about with Sam, I thought we agreed last night you'd stop with that damn guy?" he rested on the makeshift bar, watching Artie and Brittany slow dance
"When you commit to me, we can talk seriously" she hissed at him spinning round with two drinks in her hand, Mercedes sat watching the girl all night and noticed the conversation, that in itself wasn't odd, everyone spoke to everyone, but the way he watched her as she walked away, left questions
"I'm sort of ready to go home, this shit is boring" Sam appeared next to Mercedes, whispering in her ear
"I thought you'd never say" she giggled, putting her drink down "Ready when you are" they stood waiting for a second when no one would notice and walked out.
"It always feels like we're in the middle of a crime scene when everyone's around"
"You know" she giggled "I thought I saw something between Matt and Rachel, I'm so paranoid of everyone watching us"
"Am I right in thinking Ms Mercedes Jones might be warming to an us?" he walked backwards in front of her
"Are we in different universes?" she laughed "Look" she stopped walking "Quinn; a definite we're done I'm with Matt now, Brittany said; I'm with Artie now, we're done, Rachel; nothing" she giggled "You're making this bigger than it needs to be Sam"
"I'll deal with it"
"You really are a nice guy, scared to hurt a girl's feelings, I like that" she rested her hand on his chest "But living a lie, I don't like that very much at all" she pushed him away "Honesty Evans, is sexy as hell"
"That's it, honesty?" he asked puzzled
"Goodnight Sam" she opened the gate and went into her house
Thursday
Sam & Mercedes
Sam and Mercedes had planned to spend the best part of their lunch hour going over their song, Matt was surely going to do the first song and they knew he was good but next to him Sam was sure Mercedes could get the solo spot if she wanted and definitely this duet was going to knock everything else out the ball park
"About time" Sam smiled at Mercedes walking into the choir room "We're running out of time"
"I'm two minutes late" she laughed
"We don't need much practice anyway; your voice is perfect and mine's alright" he laughed
"Your voice is perfect Sam, don't put yourself down like that"
"I was fishing" he laughed "So" he walked over to the piano, picked up the sheet music and passed it to her "You know it, right?"
"Yeah" she smiled "It's my favourite song of the movie"
"Girls usually like the one Rachel and Jessie sang" he looked at her strange "But then you're no ordinary girl" he looked into her eyes
"Compliments will get you nowhere" she giggled
"I think this is the best song, because it's just after they decide they want to be together and that they're truly in love"
"Did you read my diary?" she asked before giggling "Come on, let's get this perfect" they sat getting their harmony's right
Brittany
Brittany had been in love with her dance teacher; Santana Lopez, for as long as she could remember, well two years actually, it literally broke her heart when she heard the woman she thought was waiting to be her life partner had gotten engaged to this random guy. She convinced herself it was all just a screen Santana was using to move herself up that ladder of fame she'd vowed to get to the top of, but the punch in the heart took her breath, when the papers announced Santana had married the man.
Around the same time, they'd had to work on their performance for regionals, she'd been paired with Sam, he was charming, hot and he listened, they fell into a relationship that she thought she wanted. She soon realised there was nothing between them, waking up empty every day and falling asleep crying. Artie sent her a message it was simple but it brought all those feelings back to two years ago, he'd left her because of her damn crush, but she was ready for real love now. As soon as she realised that, she took the opportunity to have a conversation with Sam, and told him she loved Artie, but she wasn't ending their relationship.
Later that evening the first party of the school year was rocking hard, everyone was drinking, laughing and dancing, things soon got out of hand and Sam quickly reached his limit, he felt it all coming up and ran for the bathroom. It was occupied, so he went into one of the bedrooms, hoping to use a bathroom, he opened the door to Brittany and Artie at it in bed
"Dude" Artie jumped up looking at the door "Shit Sam" his eyes rolled for the disrespect "Dude"
"Bathroom" Sam asked holding his mouth, Artie pointed at it and he ran to get there before the mess exploded from his mouth. They were sat on the bed waiting when he returned "Dude" he smiled at Artie "Don't sweat about it" he knocked fists with him, and walked out the room
"Sam" Brittany called after him, looking upset
"It's fine" he told her waving his hand at her, after all it wasn't the first relationship he'd had where the girl found someone else, he was wounded, he couldn't deny that, but it was fixable
When they finally came out of the room Sam had Rachel on his lap singing loudly to some random song, everyone knew something had gone on and that Rachel was a stopgap.
Brittany had gone out on a limb to get Artie back, so she couldn't work out how, just three months into the relationship she found herself in bed with Quinn. She'd been in love with Miss Lopez for two years and of course she thought she was a lesbian but that had never manifested itself in her reality, and now Quinn. Everything she'd told Artie to get back with him had turned out to be a lie, and when Quinn told her she loved her she felt something, she wasn't sure what though, because she knew she loved Artie
Club
"I have every faith you're going to crush it" Quinn straightened Matt's cap
"I'm singing every word to you" he told her, his eyes catching Rachel walking into the room with Jessie, that guy seemed to be hanging onto her skirt real tight
"What's up?" Quinn asked turning to look at what had changed his expression "Do you think he really likes her?"
"I don't know, I just feel like he's planning on being the next lead"
"Well your captain, you have a say, don't you?"
"Joint captain and yes I do" he smiled at her "I don't understand Sam allowing all this shit to happen"
"He ain't got time to deal with anything nowadays" she nodded at him walking in with Mercedes in tow
"That's going to be a duet" Matt nodded watching them come in "Compo fucking tition" he huffed rolling his eye
"Okay" Mr S clapped his hands, "Who's up first?"
"Mr S" Matt got up smiling "I want to get this over with" he let go of Quinn's hand and went to the front. Matt melted everyone with his version of 'Cry To Me' by Seal everyone swaying to the smooth sound, hands raising at the notes coming out, it was perfect
When you're all alone, in your lonely room, and there's nothing but the smell of her perfume
Don't you feel like crying? Don't you feel like crying? Don't you feel like crying? C'mon, c'mon, cry to me
Whoa, nothing can be sadder than a glass of wine alone, loneliness, loneliness, such a waste of time, whoa yeah
You don't ever have walk alone, you see, come take my hand, and baby, won't you walk with me? whoa yeah
"I'll need some tame dance moves to that one" Mr S warned "It's definitely a strong contender, good job Matt" he tapped his back as he took his seat back next to Quinn
"Felt every note babe" she smiled grabbing his arm to rest her head on his shoulder, her eyes already on Sam, Matt didn't notice he was busy giving Rachel daggers
"Anyone else?" Mr S asked
"Yeah" Sam grabbed Mercedes' hand "We have a song" he announced
"Let's hear it" Mr S sat back smiling
"Sure" he looked at Mercedes "We're doing what we perceive to be the iconic song of the movie, we think this is it because this was their song when they literally affirmed their relationship to each other" he looked at Mercedes again, she was stood open mouthed, she knew that was a knock at Rachel. They stood waiting for the music to start, a sound of pleasant surprise coming from the group as they sang their version of 'Love Is Strange' by Abigail Breslin and Colt Prattes
…Sylvia
Yes, Mickey
How do you call your lover boy?
Come here lover boy!
And if he doesn't answer?
Oh lover boy
And if he still doesn't answer?
I simply say: Baby, oh-oh baby, my sweet baby you're the one
Baby (oh yeah), ooh baby (no, no) my sweet baby (oh yeah) you're the one
"Wow" Mr S got up clapping at the end "Some serious competition" he looked at Rachel's fuming face, she was sat next to an uncomfortable looking Jessie "Just finally to welcome Jessie into the club, make him feel welcome guys" he called after them as the bell went and everyone scattered for lessons
"How did you think that went?" Sam rushed across the room to Artie
"I seriously thought it was the best performance, no joke" he grabbed his hand "You two will be singing that on Saturday"
"I hope so Mercedes deserves it"
"What's happening with you two?"
"Mercedes and me?" he looked across the room at her "I wish" he rolled his eyes "I want something to happen, but she's all bent up on Rachel and I still not being officially over"
"I thought that was over before that Jessie came on the scene"
"To be honest we haven't spent hardly any time together since before he came on the scene, and that's fine with me, it's just having that damn conversation, Mercedes wants the evidence"
"Have it, set yourself free" Artie gave him a knowing look
"You know how I am with all this confrontation stuff, it's just not me"
"So, watch Mercedes get snatched up by another guy then"
"I need to speak to Rachel" he stepped off
Friday
Club
"Morning" he smiled at Mercedes coming towards him "Missed you yesterday so I thought I'd wait at your locker, just to say that"
"Morning" she giggled
"I'm still waiting for you to give me that sign"
"I know" she looked at him, her eyes sparkling "Have you had that conversation yet?"
"Not yet, but it's high on my agenda" he replied
"I haven't told any of the others, but Mr S liked our song, I just know we're singing it tomorrow" he looked at her for a reaction
"Seriously" her eyes lit up, he knew how long she'd been waiting for a centre spot "I could kiss you Evans" she smiled "But"
"You're not going to, I know" he laughed, they walked off talking about the song all the way to her class "See you at lunch time" he called after her, smiling at her waving at him without turning around
Lunch time came quickly, they were already sat waiting to hear who was going to be performing on Saturday, the night was going to be taken up with final preparations and practice, they'd never had to cut things so fine before. "Okay everyone" Mr S walked in clapping his hands "Sam you said you had something else?" he looked up the back row at him
"Yep" he jumped up smiling at Mercedes "This is totally to you" he whispered as he got up "This song is so where I am right now in my life" he looked at Mercedes, making no secret of his feelings as the music started to 'Hungry Eyes' by Greyson Chance
I've been meaning to tell you, I've got this feelin' that won't subside
I look at you and I fantasise, you're mine and tonight
Now I've got you in my sights, with these hungry eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise, I've got hungry eyes, I feel the magic between you and I…
"Okay" Mr S smiled "Quinn and Brittany; you guys need to get on with the costumes, Artie, Matt and Sam; props for the stage, Mercedes and, where's Rachel?" he looked around to see she was missing "Accessories" he told Mercedes
"Don't know" Sam told him, wondering why the man was looking at him
"Later everyone" Mr S got up "I've got to check travel and hotel bookings"
The afternoon went fast, it seemed like the blink of an eye there were sitting in the Choir room again, "Okay" Mr S came into the room "Pay attention" he clapped his hands demanding order "Boys opening number, girls follow and Sam and Mercedes do the closing number"
"Rachel and Jessie didn't get the closing number?" Matt asked shocked
"Artie was right, it's too classic, everyone will be doing it, plus Jessie pulled out" Mr S told them
"Pulled out?" Matt asked, his question left in the air
"I need to get some boots Mr S, can I get some money?" Mercedes asked, he took some money out and gave it to her
"I'll help" Sam got up following her, they left for the shops
"Where's Sam?" Rachel walked into the auditorium some time later, asking, watching Artie lifting pieces of the stage alone
"He's gone to buy boots with Mercedes" Matt told her
"Boots?" she asked "Did you agree that?" she asked Matt
"Yeah" he laughed, happy she was pissed
Sam & Mercedes
"This isn't a date Sam" she laughed at him trying to hold her hand instead of letting her hold the gear stick
"It could be, or a drink, maybe lunch"
"You're here strictly to carry boxes" she laughed "I knew this was a bad idea" she shook her head
"What was it you sang last year?" he looked at her asking
"I sang a lot of stuff last year" she giggled
"And you, and you, you're gonna love me, oh..." he laughed at his weak attempt of the song "Back at you"
"I thought you'd stopped chasing?"
"I have, just reminding you it's your turn" his head rocking forward at the car stopping sharply outside the shop
"Come on let's get this over with" she opened her door and jumped out
"Why are you rushing this?" he jumped out asking, frustration in his voice
"Because your girlfriend will soon be wondering where the hell you are" she rolled her eyes at him and pushed the shop door open
"Here you go with your dumb conversation again" he rolled his eyes
"Well you know what to do to stop these dumb conversations" she picked up some boots
"Yeah, grow a pair" he whispered to himself rolling his eyes
"These are what I thought" she held up some yellow doc martins
"That's for you girls, yeah?"
"I thought everyone could wear them" she grinned
"Joke right?"
"Joke Sam" she rolled her eyes "It's for the girls" she grabbed what she needed and paid for them, piling two into Sam's arms and hanging a couple of bags on his fingers
"What are you carrying?" he laughed
"The money" she held the change up to show him, before leading the way back to the car
"Surely I deserve at least a kiss for that?" he threw the last bag in the trunk
"I'll get Rachel to line that up for you, when we get back" she slammed the trunk shut and went round to get into the car, giggling at his attempts to get to her, she was sure he'd forgotten she was supposed to be chasing him all the way back to school
"You do know you've lost your challenge?" she stood piling all the boxes in his arms again, now they were back in the school carpark
"What challenge?" he huffed, exhausted for trying
"Regionals is tomorrow and we're still not dating"
"I've..." his response stopped by Rachel walking towards them
"Where did you go?" Rachel asked him
"Shopping" he rolled his eyes, looking at the obvious evidence in his full arms "Why, you haven't noticed me for nearly three weeks?"
"Can't I ask where my boyfriend's been?"
"Is that a fucking joke?" he snapped at her
"Course you're my boyfriend Sam" she stepped to him, stroking his face
"I made sure he behaved himself" Mercedes told her, taking no notice of Rachel's fake shit, she walked off leaving them to themselves. Something was going on that evening, because Rachel made sure she didn't leave Sam's side an inch, she was like glue, and although her body was all over his, his eyes were firmly set on Mercedes.
Saturday Morning
Brooklyn
The day of nationals was on them and everyone jumped on the bus for the journey to Brooklyn, Sam sat next to Mercedes on the coach, and smiled at Rachel stood watching him, waiting for him to get up "What?" he looked up at her
"I thought we were sitting together"
"She's clinging to me because Jessie isn't coming, and she wants me to sing our song with her instead of you" he told Mercedes "I already told her no" he laughed at Artie starting up on 'Big Girls Don't Cry' by Karmin from across the isle, everyone joining in
Big girls don't cry, big girls don't cry, big girls don't cry-yi-yi (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
My girl said goodbye-yi-yi (my oh my), my girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
"Okay" Mr S jumped on the bus quietening them all down "I've just had the okay to add Matt's solo" everyone sat clapping, it was a good call, Sam chuckled at Rachel walking off to go sit in the back with the dancers
"I hold to my challenges" he leaned in to whisper in Mercedes ear, his smile telling her he had a plan
They sat deep in conversation, excited about their duet, he told her how Rachel had given him the sob story, about Jessie not wanting a girlfriend, dashing her hopes, and how he was pissed that at no time had she even mentioned a sorry. He told Mercedes how it had all felt very 'been there before' especially with her show last night, she was trying to make something out of nothing between them, and he knew there had to be a reason, but he didn't think it was Jessie
"You think she's seeing someone else?" Mercedes looked at him shocked "Remember I said I thought I saw something with Matt the other night?" she looked behind her at Matt
"Behaviours classic" he watched Mercedes looking around
"I'm going to work this shit out before the end of the day" she giggled
"We'll do it together" he looked around excited
By the time they were getting off the bus they had bits of information to share, Sam had heard a conversation between Brittany and Quinn that sounded suspect, Mercedes had felt there was something going on with Rachel and Artie, they were full of conspiracy theories
Jessie
Being the new kid on the block, he'd come in knowing nothing about anyone, he'd sung that song with Rachel on good faith that everything was above board. For the first few days he couldn't believe his luck, to have just walked into his new school and hooked up with the captain of the club, he was bound to get all the lead position.
Their reaction had taken him by surprise, but when Rachel explained the jealousy thing, he understood. Day two they spent getting to know each other, the night of day three he caught her kissing Matt at the back of auditorium "Cheat" he snapped at her, he couldn't lie he cried, at being so stupid, liking her even
It wasn't until his conversation with Quinn the next day, he found out Rachel was seeing Sam, he didn't want to be a part of a group that thought behaviour like that was appropriate he walked. Rachel called him wanting an explanation, showing her true colours when the important subject of their conversation was the song for regionals
"But we have our song for regionals, and I like you"
"Sucks for you" he replied and clicked the phone off
Saturday Afternoon
Finally they got to the hotel and booked in, ready to do their last minute prep, lucky for them they weren't on stage until around nine fifteen tonight "Okay" Mr S clapped his hands "We've got three hours practice before dinner, any questions?"
"Not so much a question as an answer" Sam stood up and made his way to the front, Mercedes sat looking at him, this wasn't anything they'd talked about "Sorry Mr S I just feel if I don't say this now, I never will" he looked back at the others "Rachel" he found her face in the crowd "I'm officially breaking up with you"
"About time" she let out air smiling, her response making him feel better about what he'd done, he found his seat, happy in the knowledge that he'd just closed all of Mercedes reasons to say no, down
"Okay, Jump to it" Mr S chuckled
"So" Sam sat behind Mercedes leaning his chin on her shoulder "Will you be singing this duet with me as my girlfriend?"
"I guess we'll call it our first date" she grinned "I thought you were going to blow our whole investigation open"
"And spoil our fun" he smiled jumping in front of her "And as your boyfriend, I'll get to do this." he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips "Any damn time I want"
"Any damn time" she pulled him back, kissing him deeper, his fist punching the air as their lips parted, not caring about some of the others cheering
He looked up to see Matt and Quinn coming towards them "You grab Quinn, I'll deal with Matt" he got up walking over to meet Matt halfway
Mercedes & Quinn
"Q" she smiled "Can we talk?" she got up and moved across the room to the bathroom
"You know, don't you?" Quinn asked as soon as she shut the door "I'm sorry Mercedes, I only realised when I got with Matt, that it was Sam all along"
"Wow" Mercedes drew the conversation back "I was talking about Brittany; you can't hide your shit"
"Brittany?" Quinn looked at her blankly
"Don't even play like that, when you're not looking at her, she's looking at you, something went down, and our guess is at the party when you guys went missing"
"Our guess?" she asked shocked "Who else knows?"
"Sam and I figured it out" she grabbed Quinn's hand "You need to be true to yourself, always, follow your heart, it's usually right"
"I'm in love with Sam"
"I didn't say trip, don't follow that heart girl, that man is definitely taken, for the foreseeable" she laughed that don't fuck with me laugh she always used on her "Go find Brittany and tell her how you feel"
"That's just it, I know it's not Matt, I don't think it's Britt and maybe it isn't Sam, I think" she stopped to work out what to say
"Girl?" Mercedes asked in disbelief "There's others?" she waved her hand at her and walked off
Sam & Matt
"Sam" Matt smiled nervously at the man walking towards him "How can I help?"
"I think you could do with having an honest conversation with your girl"
"My girl?" he stepped back asking
"If we sussed it out in less than a day" he rolled his eyes "I'm talking about Rachel"
"What about.."
"Don't even insult my damn intelligence like that" He laughed "She's never been mine in any damn way" he held his hand up to him "Sort that shit out, my advice is to pick one and stick to her"
"Sorry about the Rachel thing" he sheepishly told his friend
"It's nothing, I've actually got the girl I need" he smiled looking back at Mercedes
Regionals
18:00
They'd had their conversations, been more than happy that they were right and sat wondering what choices Quinn and Matt were going to make "We missed Brittany" Sam reminded her as they put their make up on
"I thought you could do that one, she's been giving me daggers all day, something tells me she doesn't want to hear anything from me"
"I don't think I'm the right person either" he frowned
"But it has to be sorted, it's prom next weekend, we don't need everything blowing up there"
"True" he kissed her lips quickly "I'll go find her now"
Sam & Brittany
"You're early" Brittany looked up from her book at Sam walking into the hotel room
"Yeah" he looked around to check the room "Britt" he sat next to her "I just needed to check in with you, how are things with Artie and you?"
"I don't want you back Sam, if that's what you're thinking"
"It's not what I'm thinking Britt" he laughed "We're thinking Quinn and you, are we right?"
"No" she looked around the room "Who told you?"
"What happened?"
"We slept together, I thought that was all just a teacher crush, but it happened for real and now" she looked at him "I love Artie, I really do, but Quinn" she didn't know what else to say
"You know Quinn was just testing the waters, she's not.."
"She said she loved me"
"She says she loves me too, but she's with Matt" he huffed "We both know, just like Rachel, Quinn always wants to have her cake and eat it, it will wear off and then what?" he looked up at the door opening "Quinn" he smiled
"Can I get a minute with Britt please?" Quinn asked, Sam got up and left them to it
Brittany & Quinn
"This is so awkward" Quinn sat down on the opposite side of the bed to Brittany "I'm sorry I led you on, I really didn't mean to, and I'm not saying it wasn't fun because it was, but it's not for me"
"You said you loved me" Brittany snapped at her
"Britt" she looked at her "It's just something I say, I love everyone"
"Except Matt"
"I love him too, but not enough"
"That's fine because I love Artie enough"
"Do you?" Quinn got up to go sit by her "It was easy for you to jump into bed with me, do you really love Artie?"
"I do"
"Well come clean to him, tell him everything, you don't start a serious relationship on a lie" she frowned "I'm about to do the same with Matt"
"He's got his solo" Brittany looked at her
"And something tells me after this breakup, it will be the best he's ever sung" she kissed Brittany's cheek and left the room
That evening after dinner Sam and Mercedes watched as the couples went off to have their conversations, hoping they'd done the right thing
21:10
"Places everyone" Mr S shouted across backstage, shuffling bits of the props, ready for when the current club left the stage
"Sam" Mercedes nodded at Matt and Rachel walking towards them hand in hand
"Dude" Sam fist bumped him, a smile on his face for them sorting themselves out
"Guys, get ready" Mr S moved the curtains to put the props in place, the music started, he counted them in, the stage lit up to Sam, Artie and Matt stood singing 'Do You Love Me' by Colt Prattes, Nicole Scherzinger & J Quinton Johnson the girls with dancers in the background doing their best, everyone having fun
"Jessie" Rachel and Quinn said at the same time, as they got to side stage
"What are you doing here?" Rachel asked
"I came back for, you" he looked at Quinn "If you'll have me"
"I want to try" she smiled
"Quinn" Matt whispered "Girls are on"
"I'm being saved" she mumbled
"Shit, do my song" Matt told the band "My song" he told them panicking, before taking centre stage
"I really didn't see that one coming" Mercedes giggled as Matt started singing his rendition of 'Cry To Me' by Seal everyone dancing around the stage somehow remembering the moves, with everything else going on.
"Britt" Artie grabbed her as they came off stage "I'm willing to give this one last try, I've invested and I can't just walk away without trying, but you have to promise me"
"Artie, I promise, on everything I hold dear, I won't fuck up again"
"Consider this the last line in that sand we keep drawing in" he smiled
"Thank you" she stepped to him and kissed him, happy
Sam and Mercedes did their rendition of 'Love Is Strange' by Abigail Breslin and Colt Prattes everyone slow dancing and at a loss as it should have been the last of four songs
"The girls" Mr S shouted
"We're changing the song" Rachel told them "We all know it" she smiled 'Yes' by Merry Clayton, I think it fits"
"Yes" Quinn laughed "Come on" they grabbed their guys hands and ran out onto the stage, leaving the dancers to liven up the song, they were moving but the couples were singing to themselves, presenting the song in a more personal way than it had ever been intended.
Quinn & Jessie: Driving around, I just can't hear a sound, kept my own wheels turning
Brittany & Artie: Wasting the day I'm just running away, from a heart that's a burning
All: But I can't run forever, Yes,
Mercedes & Sam (girls): We're gonna fall in love and it (feels so right) yes, we're gonna make love it's (gonna be tonight)
Rachel & Matt: I can just imagine hugging and teasing and loving and squeezing all night
Mercedes & Jessie: I've made up my mind, this is gonna be mine, I'm so glad I waited oh
Rachel & Sam(All): Why did I try, to figure out why, (everything can't be anticipated)
All: I can't wait to tell him
Mercedes (girls): Yes, we're gonna fall in love and it (feels so right) yes, we're gonna make love it's (gonna be tonight)
Quinn: I can just imagine hugging and teasing and loving and squeezing all night Rachel: oh yes
Everyone singing the last chorus, the crowd loved it, they were up clapping, while the group smiled at each other, singing to their audience, Rachel nodding knowingly at Artie, he was right for them not to do the classic ending.
"I can't believe we won, with all that stuff going down today" Matt smiled slapping hands with Sam
"We were the best" Artie told them
"You do realise we've set a bar now?" Quinn asked
"We just won regionals doing an off the cuff finale, imagine nationals after we've practiced" Rachel laughed
"But first prom" Mercedes looked up at Sam
"I get a second date?" Sam laughed
"Play your cards right, and that will be our third" she laughed taking his kiss
"What?" his head jumped back at the comment
"I thought we could maybe do some dirty dancing of our own" she grinned
"Goodnight guys"
I stood watching them walk through the foyer, happy I'd sneaked around enough for the week, unearthed some truths and cleared some consciences. That night, for that moment, the world was at one with itself, I stopped my Dictaphone and went to my room, smug because I'd just got the exclusive downlow on how Samcedes actually got their shit together