Sorry for the late update guys, I went on a Mother's day retreat on Sunday and didn't get home till after midnight. I didn't start writing this chapter until today, hence the late update.

First off, I reread chapter 4 and found some mistakes (it was minor, some spelling and I missed a word here and there), so I apologize about that. I wish I have someone to help me edit. Lol. Thank you guys again for the reviews, I feel so loved whenever I read them. I'm glad many of you liked that I added the peck between Sam and Mercedes. You can thank my husband for that, he suggested I add a peck on the cheeks but I decided to go a little further. ;)

Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter.

Summary: Quinn Fabray has a crush on the new boy at school, Sam Evans, but is afraid to get close to him. So she decides to seek help from her best friend Mercedes Jones. Little does she know that Sam is interested in Mercedes. What happens next? This is a fun and angsty Samcedes fic with bits and pieces of season 2 but the story will mostly be original.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Glee or any of the songs that might be featured. I would be rich if I did. :)

Mercedes was in a perpetual good mood the next morning. What happened yesterday was probably the best thing that had ever happened to her. She got to spend time with Sam and the kiss, that wonderful kiss made her heart soar.

When she got to Algebra, she couldn't help but feel nervous. Although she knew that Sam had no interest in Quinn. Mercedes was still unsure of Sam's feelings towards her. Sure, they'd shared a kiss but before either of them could say anything, Sam had to leave. There were unanswered questions that still lingered between them.

Sam walked in just then; he looked straight at her and smiled. When he was seated he said "Morning, Mercedes."

"Morning, Sam. You look happy" Mercedes returned his smile with curiosity.

"I do, don't I? I'm just a happy guy I guess."

"Mmmhmm…" Mercedes wondered if the cause of his happiness had something to do with the kiss last night. She felt delirious by the prospect.

"So can you still help me with Algebra? We never did get to it yesterday. We were too busy discussing other things to start." He smirked.

She laughed at his comment and said. "Sure Sam, but can we do it in school from now on? It would be so much easier for the both of us."

"Ok…."

xxxxxx

When school ended, they met up in an empty classroom and started working. After about one and half hours, they both stopped.

"I don't know about you but my eyes were starting to cross from seeing all those numbers and letters." He laughed, Mercedes joined him.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Sam continued, looking anxious.

"It depends… If you're going to tell me that you killed 50 women and stuffed them in your back yard than I don't want to know." Mercedes joked to lighten the mood.

"I can assure you that it's nothing that serious. Besides if that were the case you would be victim number 51 by now." He leered at her making a point.

Sam took on a more serious look after that.

"Not many people know this but I have Dyslexia. Sometimes when I read, words and letters would jumble up, I'm not a bad student but I have problems with some subjects, Algebra being one of them." He looked at her embarrassed.

"People struggle with Algebra even without Dyslexia, Sam. So don't worry about it, ok." Mercedes grabbed his hands and squeezed them as a sign of understanding.

"So, have you talked to Puck about the double date yet?" Sam asked her, changing the subject.

"Not yet, I'll talk to him today though."

"Good, we need to get this plan moving."

"Yeah, I think so too… I hate seeing Quinn so confused." Mercedes sighed.

"You girls are close huh?"

"Closer than you'll ever know. I've known Quinn since I was 5, she moved in next door and from that day onwards we've been inseparable. Her happiness really matters to me. She can be so stubborn at times. Like right now, when she refuses to see the attraction she has for Puck." Mercedes sighed.

"Don't worry, it will happen in due time." Sam reassured her.

"I hope so, I really hope so…"

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Mercedes was sitting on her bed; she dialed Puck's number and waited for him to answer. It rang three times before he picked up.

"Hello…"

"Hi Puck, its Mercedes… Listen, I have a plan… Actually, Sam came up with it but that's not the point…" Before she could finished what she was going to say, Puck interrupted her.

"Whoa... Wait a minute what does Sam Evans have to do with what you have to say?" He asked.

"Well… I met up with Sam the other day to tutor him in Algebra and I told him what was going on. I had to tell him, Puck. He asked me what was going on between the two of us and I couldn't lie."

"I can't believe you told him, have you seen how he acts around Quinn? The guy is pretending to help me so he can sabotage me Mercedes!" Puck sounded annoyed by her revelation.

"No, Puck... Sam is not interested in Quinn that way. He's just worried about me." Mercedes tried to convince Puck.

"Why would he help me out for no reason? Unless…" Puck sounded like he had a theory but he stopped without explaining.

"Unless, what?" Mercedes questioned him confused.

"Nothing…"

Mercedes was befuddled by this but she didn't press. Instead she continued, "Like I was going to say earlier before I was so rudely interrupted, Sam came up with a plan. He suggested that we go on a double date. You could take me and he could take Quinn. Except for Quinn is not going to know that this is a double date. We're going to accidentally bump into her and Sam, and somehow join them."

"I don't know Mercedes… If Quinn were to find out about out about this plan, it would hurt her or piss her off enough that she might try to kill us. Either way, this plan is just going to blow up in our faces." Puck sighed.

"Running into them will be accidental Puck, it's not like she can blame us... Lima is a small town; there are only a few places people could go to for dates. Besides, she will never know unless one of us opens our mouth and blab about it."

"Alright… But if she freaks out it's all on you. So when is this date going to happen?"

"I'm not sure yet, I'll have to talk to Sam about it and get back to you."

"Ok, just let me know" Puck stated.

"Will do. I'll talk to you tomorrow alright?"

"Alright." Before she could hang up the phone he said "And thank you Mercedes for all that you're doing for me, I really do appreciate it."

"No problem Puck." Mercedes smiled when they ended the phone call.

Finally, everything is falling into place.

xxxxxxx

The next day, when she was done with tutoring Sam, she said. "So I talked to Puck about the double date we set up for project Quick and he agreed to do it."

"I'm sorry, project what?" Sam asked looking puzzled.

"Project Quick. Puck and I came up with it, its Quinn and Puck's names mashed together."

Sam burst into laughter. "I can't believe Puck would do something so cheesy."

He's so adorable when he laughs.

"Hey, don't mock the guy. He may act big and tough but he's actually quite the romantic." She smiled.

"The things people do for love." They said together. They both burst into laughter at their synchronicity.

After a while, Sam spoke again. "I'm a bit worried that this will end up hurting Quinn."

"I felt the same way too Sam but I'm sure that Puck would never hurt Quinn, besides I told him that I would kick his butt if he does."

"I would love to see you do that." Sam smiled at her.

"At this point, I don't really care if she finds out. She might be pissed at first but she'll thank us for interfering once she's with Puck." Mercedes ended confidently.

When Sam walked in to Algebra the next day he immediately greeted Mercedes. She greeted him back with a smile and asked him why he was so happy. The truth was, Sam was still reeling over the previous night's kiss but he wasn't going to tell her that. Sam decided to change the subject and ask her if she was still up for tutoring him in Algebra. To his relief she agreed.

xxxxxxxxx

He was at the locker room getting cleaned up after gym, when Mike came up to him.

"So have you made any progress with Mercedes yet?"

"She's helping me with Algebra and we're getting to know each other. Yesterday when I was getting ready to leave, we accidentally kissed." Sam smiled at the memory.

"Wow, you definitely move fast." Mike joked.

"It's not like that man, like I said earlier the kiss was accidental."

"So are you going to ask her out?" Mike asked curious.

"Not yet, we're helping Puck with something first. I'll do it after." Sam said not wanting to divulge Puck's secret.

Their conversation ceased when Puck walked in. He approached Sam and said "Can I talk to you?"

Mike walked away leaving Puck and Sam some privacy.

"So, I would like to thank you for your help." Puck said referring to Project Quick.

"No problem man, it was the least I could do to repay Mercedes for helping me with Algebra." Sam lied.

"Cut the crap Evans… There is no way you would go out of your way to help me just because you're indebted to Mercedes. Now, tell me, what are you intentions towards Mercedes?"

Sam had no choice but to tell Puck the truth. "I really like Mercedes; I've had a crush on ever since I first saw her."

Puck patted Sam on the back and said, "I thought so."

Then his demeanor changed "You better treat her right Sam, Mercedes is a very nice girl and if you break her heart, I will break you!"

"I promise I would never hurt her man, just the thought of hurting her makes me mad."

"Good cause I would hate to bruise my hand just to teach you a lesson." Puck laughed.

Sam was glad he decided to help Puck; he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Plus now that he knew Puck was not interested in Mercedes, he's actually starting to like the guy.

xxxxxxxxx

Monday and Tuesday, passed over quickly. Sam pondered over the past two after school meetings with Mercedes. Sam had told Mercedes of his Dyslexia which was why he was having a hard time in Algebra. Instead of making fun of him she supported him, telling Sam that even people without Dyslexia struggled with Algebra.

Sam was getting more enamored with Mercedes by the day. It seemed like the more he spent time with her, the more he fell for her. Mercedes was witty, charming and compassionate. What guy in their right mind would not fall for a girl like that?

They talked about Project Quick; Sam had thought it was precious when Mercedes told him that the name was a combination of both Puck and Quinn's names. If Puck and Quinn are Quick then what would my and Mercedes combined names be? Mersam? Samcedes? He smiled as he thought of this.

Puck had already agreed on the double date, now it was Sam's turn to play his part. He had to ask Quinn out and he was going to do it tomorrow. He felt a little guilty for having to deceive her but he would do anything for Mercedes.

xxxxxxxxxx

On Wednesday morning before school began; Sam approached Quinn "Hi, Quinn."

"Hi, Sam!" Beamed Quinn.

"I was wondering if you would like to go out on a date with me on Saturday night."

"Really? I would love to…" Quinn looked so happy that Sam felt bad for lying to her.

"So… I'll pick you up at 7 pm ok?"

Quinn nodded, wrote down her address on a piece of paper and handed it to Sam.

"Thanks. I'll see you on Saturday then." Sam finished awkwardly and waved her off.

Sam talked to Mercedes at Algebra after he asked Quinn on the date. He told her that the date will happen on Saturday.

At lunch Quinn told Mercedes about how Sam had asked her out on the date. She told Mercedes that they had to go shopping together. Quinn wanted to pick up a new dress for the date.

"Sure I wanted to pick up something to wear for my date with Puck anyway."

Quinn seemed jealous and said "He asked you out on a real date?"

"Yeah."

"But I thought you guys were taking it slow?"

"We are taking it slow; you can date someone and take things slowly. Just because, I am going on a date with him doesn't mean that we're in a relationship Ivy." Quinn looked relieved when Mercedes said that.

After school, they went to the mall together. They both bought a dress for their dates. Mercedes bought a black silk figure hugging jersey dress while Quinn got an emerald colored domino cap sleeve dress. Both dresses showed off their figures without making them look trashy.

Mercedes called Puck that night. "Hey Puck… so Sam talked to Quinn today and the date is happening on Saturday. Make sure you dress up nicely; I want Quinn drooling when she sees you."

Puck laughed at the comment. "Should I wear a suit and tie then?"

"No you freak, we're going on a date not to the opera." Mercedes giggled. "Just wear a fitted t-shirt and slacks; Quinn likes a guy who has a good sense of style."

"I'll keep that in mind."

We chatted for a while longer before hanging up.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saturday night came quickly; the doorbell rang at precisely 7 pm.

"Wow Mercedes, you look beautiful. Maybe I've been going after the wrong girl. Should I cancel the double date and take you out instead?" Puck joked.

"Stop it Puck." Mercedes giggled.

"No wonder Sam is crazy about you." Puck said under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing, I was just saying that you looked crazy beautiful in that dress." Puck lied.

"Well thank you. You look great too, I love your new hair cut." Mercedes praised.

Puck was wearing a black fitted t-shirt with khaki slacks. He had shaved off his mohawk and was now rocking a buzzed cut. He looked like a male model. Quinn would definitely be drooling tonight.

"Why, thank you Ms. Jones. Shall we?" He held out his hand for her to take.

Mercedes took his hand and said "We shall."

Saturday night came quickly; Sam was feeling jittery about the double date. He knew he should be nervous about taking Quinn but he was actually more worried about what Mercedes would think. Sam was wearing a white and navy blue striped polo shirt with dark jeans. He wanted to look good but also casual. He wasn't sure what the double date would lead to, so he decided to be prepared, just in case.

Sam left his house at a quarter till 7; he had asked his parents permission to let him drive on his own tonight. At first they told him no, but after much persuading they both had agreed. He was relieved that they did, because having one of them chauffeur him on a fake date would just be too weird.

He picked Quinn up at precisely 7 pm. They both complimented each other on their looks and headed to dinner. When they arrived at The Breadstick's, the restaurant was already packed. Fortunately, Sam had already made a reservation so they didn't have to wait for long before being seated.

When they had both ordered their drinks, Sam decided to break the ice. Funny thing was, he didn't know what to say to her. He decided to try anyway, before he knew it he had blurted out. "Ummm…. So do you Na'vi?"

Why did I say that?

"What is Na'vi?" Quinn gave him the crazy look.

"Don't tell me you've never seen Avatar too… Mercedes had not seen it either."

"Not our kind of movie I'm afraid."

After that they went into an uncomfortable silence. Sam was about to die of boredom until he saw Puck and Mercedes being seated by a hostess at the table beside his and Quinn's. He couldn't take his eyes off Mercedes; the dress that she was wearing made her look ravishing. Sam didn't think that Mercedes could be any more beautiful, but he was wrong. Puck looked like a polished version of himself. I see he shaved off his stupid mohawk. Way to go, Puck!

"Puck… Mercedes… What are you guys doing here?" Quinn asked curiously.

"Oh hi guys, we didn't know you guys were coming here…" Mercedes replied fraudulently.

Puck finally looked at them, he nudged Mercedes and said. "Umm… Mercedes, maybe we should go somewhere else. Sorry guys, we didn't want to intrude."

He was helping Mercedes up from her seat when Quinn said "No… Please don't go. We don't mind you both being here, do we Sam?" Quinn looked at Sam.

"Yeah... No problem." Sam replied relieved that Puck and Mercedes were both here.

"In fact… Why don't you guys join us?" She added. Wow… I can't believe how easy this is.

"Are you sure? It's your first date, we don't want to impose." Mercedes said. Good one Mercedes.

"Yeah, we're all here anyway. We might as well have dinner together."

Puck and Mercedes both took their seat; they were sitting next to each other, Mercedes facing Sam and Puck facing Quinn.

"I didn't know that your date was tonight Mercedes." Quinn said with fake enthusiasm.

"Oh sorry, it must've slipped my mind. Besides, you never asked."

"So, don't you think that Sam looks good tonight?" Quinn asked while looping her arm around his.

"You look great Sam." Mercedes smiled at him. For a minute he felt his heart stop.

"Aren't you going to compliment my date on how great he looked tonight? I just love his new haircut." Mercedes said as she caressed Puck's buzzed head.

Quinn rolled her eyes, she released Sam's arm and said. "You look great Puck."

Deciding to change the subject just then, Puck said "Have you guys seen the new Avengers movie yet? It looked awesome."

"I've been wanting to go see it actually, I have a thing for Thor. I think he's super cute." Quinn replied with excitement.

"Hey why don't we go catch it after dinner?" Quinn looked at the three of them expectantly.

Mercedes put the back of her hand against Quinn's forehead and asked. "Are you having a fever? I've never seen you excited about an action movie before, maybe you do have a fever…"

Quinn swatted Mercedes' hand, while Mercedes laughed at the action.

"I'll have you know, I do like action movies. I've never gone to see them with you because we always end up watching a romantic comedy." Quinn said smiling at her best friend.

"So… Are we on for the Avengers after dinner or not?" She asked the question again.

They all nodded their heads in agreement. After that the conversation just flowed between the four of them. Sam noticed that Puck and Quinn were constantly looking at each other. That's a good sign.

After dinner, they headed to the cinema to book their tickets. They had an hour to spare before the movie started, so they all decided to take a walk around Main Street which was a 5 minutes' walk from the cinema. They were walking by an antique store, when Quinn stopped. "Can we go in here for a minute?" She looked at them pleadingly.

"Sure." Mercedes replied smiling.

So they all head in to the store. Puck followed Quinn, which leaves Sam alone with Mercedes.

"Well, it looks like our plan is working." Sam said.

"Yeah… It surprised me when Quinn suggested we should join you guys, I was so sure she would freak out at our appearance but she surprised me by asking us to join you guys instead."

"I think she likes Puck more than she's letting on." Sam said pointing to Quinn and Puck.

They were both looking at an antique jewelry box smiling as they carried on a private conversation.

"You're right, I've never seen her this happy around a guy before." Mercedes said as they walked along the lamps section.

"It took a double date for Quinn to realize her feelings for Puck but I'm glad it worked. You did a great job Mercedes." Sam looked at Mercedes sincerely.

"Don't sell yourself short Sam; I wouldn't be able to pull this off if it weren't for you. So thank you." She gave him a sweet smile.

All Sam could think of at that moment was how good her lips looked and how he wanted to kiss those lips again, intentionally this time. Sam took a step closer to her but before he could put action to his musing, Puck and Quinn interrupted them.

"It's time to go guys; Quinn here wants to get some popcorn before the movie starts." Puck pointed to Quinn who was standing next to him. Quinn smiled at him.

Sam had no choice but to step back. He hated the fact that when things were starting to move forward with Mercedes, they would get interrupted. I really need to ask her out, and I have to do it soon. Hopefully nothing would disturb us then.

So what do you think? Did you love it, did you hate it? I know some of you are going to complain about the cliffhanger but you know the next chapter is going to be better because of it.

A shoutout to krazykay23, I used your suggestion about being touchy feely. I know it's not that major but I would like thank you anyway.

By the way if any of you have Tumblr please feel free to follow me, I'm under the same name. I'm still quite new to Tumblr so all I do there is post about my work. It would be nice if someone would show me how Tumblr works. Lol. Also, if you all could do me a huge favor, please spread the word about my work. I would like to see more reviews whether its good or bad.

Well, that's all I have for now. Please review. Until next chapter…