On Friday, at about noon, everyone at McKinley High is excited about the Homecoming festivities, especially the pep-rally which is when the Homecoming Courts will be announced, and the Homecoming game. Today is the last day of 'Spirit Week,' the theme of the day being 'School spirit,' so everyone is wearing McKinley school colors, clothing, and the football players are wearing their team jerseys.

In addition to the parade, the Homecoming dance is tomorrow.

The week has been particularly exciting for Mercedes. Not only has she been nominated for Homecoming Queen, while Sam has been nominated for Homecoming King, but today is also the day that she gets her cast removed.

Mercedes is at her locker, putting her books and other school items inside of her backpack.

In a little while, she'll be leaving the school to go to her doctor's appointment and she'll be away for the rest of the day.

After her backpack has been completely packed, Mercedes closes the door of her locker.

"Hey, beautiful." Sam said to Mercedes as she turns around and faces him.

Mercedes smiled. "And a 'hey' to you too, handsome."

Sam smiled too. "Do you have time for a quick lunch, or is your godmother already on her way here to pick you up?" He asked as he grabbed her backpack with one hand and held one of Mercedes' hands with his other one.

Mercedes used her thumb to rub the back of Sam's hand. "She'll be here soon, but I have time to eat." She said.

They began walking to the cafeteria.

Sam looked at the cast on Mercedes' arm. "Is your arm still better? I know you said that it's been practically back to normal for the last few days."

She nodded. "Yeah. And I hope that the X-rays show that everything's okay. I've gotten used to this cast and all, but I can't wait to get rid of it."

Sam laughed. "Well, if you're sure that you don't need it anymore, then I want that for you too." He said. "Trust me, over the years, I've dealt with a lot of injuries, so I know what you're going through."

Mercedes laughed too. "True." She said with a smile.

After they entered the cafeteria, they went to the table that they shared with their friends, including football players, cheerios, and of course their fellow glee club members. They greeted everyone and Sam put down their backpacks before he told Mercedes to have a seat while he got lunch for both of them. He, Puck and Finn went to get in the line.

Rachel was seated next to Mercedes. Between having a few bites of her salad, she spoke. "Mercedes, just so you know, we voted for the Homecoming Courts in my last class. You got my vote." She said with a smile.

Mercedes smiled back at her before she thanked her.

"Me too." Quinn said. She and Mercedes 'high-fived.'

"You are SO going to win, Cedes." Kurt said. "Tina, Mike, Artie, Blaine and I voted earlier this morning."

Santana finished sipping her diet soda-pop before she spoke. "Cedes, even I was tempted to vote for you. And you know I wantZ me my crIZown," she said playfully. "But, seriously, from one nom. to another, good luck, chica."

She stood up and walked around the table and over to Mercedes. Mercedes stood up and the two girls hugged.

Mercedes smiled. "Thanks, girl."

Totally touched by the moment, Brittany couldn't resist getting up and running over to join the other girls in the hug. She wrapped her arms around them both. "That was so sweet, you two. And I'm so glad that you said what you said, 'Tana. Because I was starting to feel bad about not voting."

The other two girls looked at her.

"Huh?" Santana asked.

"Why didn't you vote?" Mercedes asked.

"I couldn't decide between the two of you. I think you would both be the best Homecoming Queens ever! Santana, you're my lady-love, and you want to win. Mercedes, you're awesome and everybody likes you. It would have been, like, the toughest decision ever." Brittany said.

They looked at each other before smiling at Brittany and giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Brittany smiled with a blush as they all sat back down.

Sam and the other boys came back to the table with their food.

Sam put a tray in front of Mercedes and placed upon the tray a cheeseburger, a bottle of water, and an order of her favorite tater-tots that were on the other tray, while leaving the hamburger, coleslaw, and a bag of chips for himself.

Mercedes thanked him as he sat down next to her.

"So, speaking of 'decisions,' Mercedes, have you finally decided which dress you're going to wear for the dance tomorrow?" Kurt asked.

Mercedes shook her head before she bit into her burger. After she ate the bite, she responded to Kurt. "No. It's still between the two that I liked the best. But I probably will end up choosing the red, white, and black dress that's satin and sleeveless, with the bow in the back."

"You guys have it easy," Tina said, referring to the boys. "All you have to do is make sure your tux fits correctly, and you're done. For us girls, it's a process to pick the perfect outfit."

"Ah, but it doesn't have to be," Mike said. "You ladies always think that you have to try when it comes to looking 'perfect.' When, really, us as guys don't care about any of that."

Finn and Puck nodded.

Sam agreed. "You ladies always look beautiful, and no new hairstyle or amount of make-up could improve what we see every single day."

The girls were surprised yet happy to hear this from the boys.

"…So would it be okay with you guys if we showed up in our pajamas and slippers with curlers in our hair?" Quinn asked.

The boys were quiet as they carefully considered their next words.

Artie spoke up. "Well, let's not go crazy." He said.

Everyone laughed.

For a few more minutes, the teenagers continued talking and eating.

Not much later, Mercedes got a text message from Roberta, alerting her that her godmother had arrived.

She put away her cell phone and grabbed her backpack as she stood up. "I'll see you guys a little later."

Sam stood up and held her hand. "Text me when you're heading back. You know that I want to know how everything went." He said.

Mercedes smiled. "I know. And you know that I will."

As they kissed, their friends playfully made 'kissing' faces and noises.

Sam smirked and flipped them all off as Mercedes laughed.

She began walking towards the cafeteria doors. Before exiting the cafeteria, Mercedes turned around and saw Sam smiling at her. She smiled as well. She waved at him before he waved back.

"Thanks for driving for me today, Auntie Robbie." Mercedes said.

"Oh, now you know you don't have to thank me. Besides, I'm glad to be back in town, spending time with you all." Roberta said as they drove to the hospital in Fairfield County. "And I'm excited to see you get crowned as Homecoming Queen."

With a smile, Mercedes playfully shook her head. "You sound just like everyone else."

Roberta nodded. "Is that a surprise?" She laughed. "You're grandma is probably even more excited than you are. And Marie and LJ are finishing up some things at work so that we can all be there at the pep-rally." Roberta was curious about something, so she asked Mercedes a question. "Really, Mercy, just how excited are you about all of this stuff with Homecoming?"

Mercedes laughed. "I am excited." She said. "But, at the same time, it's all overwhelming. Not just the Homecoming Queen nomination, but also the new 'status' in school because Sam and I are dating…and because of the accident, obviously."

Roberta listened as Mercedes continued speaking.

"I've learned to accept it all…but it can still be a bit surprising, especially compared to how things were during the last school year." Mercedes sighed. "Anyway…Having fun with my friends and family today and tonight will be awesome, and I'm glad that this cast is finally coming off because that'll make today and tonight even more awesome."

The godmother nodded with a smile.

They drove into the parking lot of the hospital.

They parked the car and then they began walking towards the hospital. After entering the hospital and approaching the front desk, they made their way to see Dr. Grigoryev.

The waiting time could not have been any shorter, and soon the doctor greeted them with a smile.

"Hi, Mercedes." He said.

"Hi, Dr. Grigoryev." Mercedes said.

They hugged each other.

The doctor and Roberta shook hands and said "hello" to each other as well.

"Now, Mercedes, I know how much you love your cast and all, but I think today is finally the day that you two will have to begin to learn what it's like to be on your own again." Dr. Grigoryev said before they all laughed. "Besides, as I've heard, someone has a lot to do this weekend, starting today with being crowned as Homecoming Queen."

Mercedes closed her eyes. "…Unbelievable…" She said. "I'm not even going to ask how it is that you know that."

After school ended for the day, and before the pep-rally began, Sam was in the gymnasium, sitting with his friends and teammates, as well as the other nominees for the Homecoming Court while he waited for Mercedes to arrive.

They spoke not too long ago on their cell phones and she said that she was on her way back to the school.

The gym was getting crowded as more and more people began walking in and sat down.

Sam looked towards the double doors of the gymnasium and saw Mercedes entering. He smiled.

She smiled too as she approached him.

He stood up. "I was hoping you'd get here before the pep-rally started."

They hugged.

"Oh, sure, and miss out on all of this? Never." She giggled.

Sam held her left hand and looked at her now healed arm.

"See? I told you my arm was better." Mercedes said.

He smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Well, hey, I believe you now."

They sat down and Mercedes greeted everyone else. She turned around and observed the crowd, trying to spot her family and her godmother. She smiled as she heard Roberta calling her name. They all waved at her and she waved back.

"So, that's them, huh?" Sam asked, referring to her godmother, aunt and uncle. He smiled at them all as they waved at him, then he waved back as well.

"Yeah." She said. "They were excited about my Homecoming nomination and they wanted to be here since they think that I'll win." She said.

"That's nice of them." Sam said. "And you will win." He put his arm around her shoulders. "WE will."

Mercedes smiled and kissed his cheek.

The pep-rally began as Principal Figgins used the microphone to speak. "Hello, everyone. Students, administration, friends and family," he said. "Welcome. And thank you for attending our annual Homecoming pep-rally."

The crowd cheered.

"We'd like to begin with the Alumni, football team ceremony for the retirement of the jersey numbers of some of our school's most memorable players. And I'd like to ask this year's football team Quarterback and nominee for Homecoming King, Samuel Evans, to do the honors."

Everyone clapped as Sam walked up to the microphone.

After Sam presented during the jersey retirement ceremony, the marching band performed, as well as the Cheerios.

Soon, it was time to announce the winners of the Homecoming Court.

The students that won the Court positions for the freshman class and the sophomore class as well as the junior class stood next to Principal Figgins.

The principal spoke again. "Now for our Homecoming King and Queen." He said. "Our King…Samuel Evans!"

Sam smiled as the crowd applauded and he was congratulated by everyone sitting near him, including Mercedes. He took his place next to Figgins with the other winners.

"And, now, our Queen…Mercedes Jones!"

The crowd applauded again and Mercedes was surrounded by her friends and fellow nominees as they chanted her name. She smiled as she stood next to Sam, Figgins and the other winners.

"Let's give a round of applause to the Homecoming King and Queen, Sam and Mercedes!" Mr. Schue said to the glee club members as they all sat in the choir room.

Everyone clapped and the couple got 'high-fives' and hugs from their fellow members of the glee club.

"I know that tonight is a big night, so practice will be quick today." Mr. Schuester said. "Since last week's 'competition' resulted in a tie, I figured what better way to end the controversy then with a fun tie-breaker. I thought that we'd try something different." He smiled. "You all have expressed interest in an 'edgy' performance, so not only is today's theme 'Sexuality,' but, obviously, the performance will be improvised."

The students were excited.

The glee club members stood in the center of the room as the band began playing the music.

The girls were dancing seductively as they sang.

Rachel:

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard!"

Quinn:

"And they're like, it's better than yours."

Santana:

"Damn right, it's better than yours!

I can teach you, but I'd have to charge."

Mercedes stood in the middle of the group as she began singing.

Mercedes:

"I know you want it,

the thing that makes me what the guys go crazy for.

They lose their minds,

the way I wind.

I think it's time."

Sam stood in front of Mercedes as he began singing.

Sam:

"Just shoot for the stars-"

The girls:

"La, la, la, la, la."

Sam:

"-if it feels right,

and aim for my heart-"

The girls:

"La, la, la, la, la."

Sam put his hands on Mercedes' hips and put his lips against her neck and cheeks.

Sam:

"-if you feel like.

And take me away-"

The girls:

"La, la, la, la, la."

Sam:

"-and make it okay.

I swear I'll behave."

Sam gave a sexy smirk.

The girls:

"La, la, la, la, la."

Mike danced as well while he sang.

Mike:

"You wanted control,

so we waited.

I put on a show,

now I make it.

You say I'm a kid,

my ego is big-"

The boys:

"I've got the moves like Jagger."

Mike:

"-I don't give a shhhhhh-"

The girls:

"La, la, la, la, la."

As Tina sang, she rubbed her hands up and down Mike's torso while standing behind him.

Tina:

"I can see you're on it-"

The Boys:

"Oooooh."

Tina:

"-you want me to teach the-"

The Boys:

"Ahhhhh."

Tina:

"-techniques that freaks these boys."

The Boys:

"Oooooh.

I've got the moves like Jagger-"

Brittany:

"It can't be bought."

Brittany began dancing with Santana while singing.

The Boys:

"-I've got the mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oves like Jagger."

Brittany:

"Just know thieves get caught.

Watch if you're smart."

Puck walked in a circle around Quinn, staring into her eyes as he sang.

Puck:

"You wanna know-"

The Boys:

"Oooooh."

Puck:

"-how to make me smile-"

The Boys:

"Ahhhhh."

Puck wrapped his arms around the waists of Santana and Brittany while they caressed his body.

Puck:

"-take control, own me just for the night."

The Boys:

"Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-ooh."

Finn approached Rachel. They moved together until she was leaning against the piano and he lifted her up and sat her on top of the piano.

Finn:

"And if I share my secret-"

The Boys:

"Oooooh."

Finn:

"-you're gonna have to keep it-"

The Boys:

"Ahhhhh."

The boys and girls stood back in the center of the room, the boys were on one side and the girls were on the other.

Finn:

"Nobody else can see this.

Ay! Ay! Ay! Aaay!"

The girls danced again.

The Girls:

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

and they're like, it's better than yours.

Damn right, it's better than yours!

I can teach you-"

The boys approached the girls.

The Boys:

"And it goes like this!

Take me by the tongue and I'll know you.

Kiss me 'til you're drunk and I'll show you all the moves like-"

The Girls:

"But I'd have to charge!"

The Boys:

"-the moves like-"

The Girls:

"But I'd have to charge!"

The Boys:

"-the mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oves like Jagger.

I don't need to try to control you-"

The Girls:

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours."

The Boys:

"-look into my eyes and I'll own you-"

The Girls:

"Damn right, it's better than yours! I can teach you, but I'd have to charge."

The Boys:

"-with the moves like Jagger-"

The Girls:

""My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours."

The Boys:

"-I've got the moves like Jagger-"

The Girls:

"Damn right, it's better than yours! I can teach you, but I'd have to charge."

The Boys:

"-I've got the mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oves like Jagger."

They all danced with each other.

The Girls:

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

and their like, it's better than yours."

The Boys:

"Take me by the tongue and I'll know you-"

The Girls:

"Damn right, it's better than yours!

I can teach you, but I'd have to charge."

The Boys:

"-kiss me 'til you're drunk and I'll show you all the moves like Jagger-"

The Girls:

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

And they're like, it's better than yours."

The Boys:

"-with the moves like Jagger, I've got the moves like Jagger-"

The Girls:

"Damn right, it's better than yours!

I can teach you, but I'd have to charge."

The Boys:

"-I've got the mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oves like Jagger."

They members of the glee club ended their performance.

Mr. Schue was awestruck. He clapped as he walked towards the students. "That sure was something," he said. "I think it goes without say that, once again, this is a tie."

Everyone agreed.

"Maybe the reason that the group 'competitions' always result in ties, is because we are perfect as a group." Mr. Schuester said. "Well done."

Hours later, before the Homecoming football game began, Sam is in the locker room with his teammates.

As he put on his cleats, he thought about Mercedes' advice on just having fun instead of focusing on winning.

Usually, before a game, he would be a bit nervous, mainly because of the pressure he puts on himself to lead his team to victory.

But the pressure is at an all-time high tonight. Not only is it Homecoming, but as such, his family is here, and so is Mercedes'. He'd met them earlier that day, but it was still important to him to perform to the best of his ability while playing tonight. Not that they would think less of him if the team lost, but as far as Sam was concerned, it certainly wouldn't hurt their impression of him if he ended the night as a winner, not just as the Homecoming King.

He put his t-shirt back on, then he stood up and opened the locker room door.

Sam stood in the hallway for a while before he heard footsteps behind him.

"Sammy! Sammy!"

After he heard voices yelling his name, he turned around and saw his younger siblings running towards him. Their parents were walking behind them.

He smiled and knelt down to grab them both as they ran into his arms. "Hey, you two." He said as he hugged them. Sam picked them up and spun them around a bit, earning laughs from the twins.

His parents hugged him as well.

"I know you're going to make us proud, son." Paul said.

"Yes, you will. And be safe." Nancy said.

Sam smiled at his parents. "Thanks. I will." He said.

Sam looked behind his parents as Mercedes and her family approached them.

He walked over to them and gave her a hug.

"Have a great game." Mercedes said as she hugged him.

Sam thanked her.

They took a moment to greet everyone else.

Mercedes smiled as she greeted Sam's parents. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Evans."

They gave her a hug.

"It's always great to see you, Mercedes." Paul said.

"It certainly is," Nancy agreed.

"Hi, Mercedes!" The twins said as they hugged her by wrapping their arms around her waist.

Mercedes smiled and rubbed their backs. "Hey, you two," she said.

Sam shook LJ's hand and hugged the ladies. "Thanks for coming to wish me good luck, you all."

Edna-Ruth smiled. "You're welcome."

"I've heard a lot of good things about your skills on the field, man." LJ said as he gave Sam a 'high-five.'

"I'm sure you'll play excellently." Marie said.

Sam introduced all of the adults. "Mom, dad," Sam said. "This is Mercedes' family. Her grandmother, Miss Edna-Ruth, her aunt Marie and her uncle LJ. And this is her godmother, Roberta." He said, then he spoke to the other adults. "These are my parents, Nancy and Paul Evans, and these two are my little brother and sister, Stevie and Stacey."

They all greeted each other.

"It's nice to meet you all," Paul said as he and Nancy shook hands with Edna-Ruth, LJ, Marie and Roberta.

"Thank you, you all as well." Edna-Ruth said. She held her hands out for Stevie and Stacey to shake and they did so before giving her a hug. "I guess we have something in common as the families of this year's Homecoming King and Queen."

Nancy smiled. "Yes. And I can't wait to get photos of them when they get their crowns." She said.

"I agree." Edna-Ruth said as she grabbed her own camera and held it up with a smile.

Everyone laughed and continued to get to know each other.

A little while later, Coach Beiste came out of her office. "Okay, players. We've got a few minutes until we've got to get out there. So finish getting ready. Let's go." She said.

Sam parents hugged him once more and Edna-Ruth and the other adults wished Sam "good luck." Then, the adults, as well as Stevie and Stacey, walked towards the exit and headed for the stadium.

Mercedes and Sam stood in front of each other, smiling.

Mercedes put her arms on Sam's shoulders and around his neck, and Sam put her hands on her hips.

"You know you guys are going to win, right?" She asked.

He smiled. "Duh." He said, chuckling.

They gave each other a kiss.

As predicted, Sam did played well. He scored two touchdowns during the first half of the football game.

And at Half-time, Sam and Mercedes were a perfect pair as they stood in front of everyone, receiving claps and cheers and having their pictures taken while the Senior-class President, Jacob Ben Israel, gave them their sashes, flowers for Mercedes, and then their crowns.

During the football game's second half, the McKinley Titans continued playing well.

With little time spent off of the field for water-breaks and strategic 'time-outs,' it became obvious that the win was McKinley's.

They won, earning a total of 60 points!

Afterwards, the teenagers spent the rest of the night celebrating the victory with their families and friends.

A/N: Song used in this chapter:

"Moves Like Jagger/Milkshake" by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera and Kelis (performed by the Cast of the second season of 'The Glee Project')