Hi guys, so sorry for not updating. Although I did just take a nine hour flight and wrote 3 chapters so they're ready to post pretty soon.
Once again thanks for all your reviews/ follows/ favourites and I won't ramble any longer because I've kept you all waiting long enough.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Glee etc.
Mercedes was walking down the hallway during lunchtime towards the God Squad meeting room. She was humming softly to herself, finding that it distracted her from her thoughts. Guilt was still eating up at her about her kiss with Sam and she had yet to tell Shane.
"Hey, 'Cedes!" Came a male voice from behind her and she fell silent.
Mercedes couldn't help the little smile from creeping onto her lips or her cheeks from flushing deep red. She had had this reaction whenever Sam approached her since Prom last year but now the feelings seemed to have deepened. However, despair and heartache had laced themselves somewhere in between the crush and Mercedes also felt a little green.
Regardless of whatever Mercedes was feeling; she stopped to wait for him, as she always had. Mercedes still found it hard to believe that someone as perfect as Sam would even look at her. She knew that she was beautiful, everyone was in their own way, she just wasn't as obviously good looking as others, but two boys had helped her build her confidence to what it was now. Sam had been the first to help her, when he told her she looked beautiful at Prom she had swooned and fallen for him straight away. Never believing that he might return her affections. Though, he didn't now, did he? Especially with what happened with Quinn at the party.
A new emotion came over her, anger. She curled her fists at the thought of Sam using Quinn, especially while she was so fragile, but Sam wasn't like that, and she had seen the two having a fair few intimate moments together, and perhaps there was something more going on. But where did that leave her?
"Hey Sam" she greeted him softly, eyes glued to the ground.
"Can I walk you to the god squad meeting?" His smile was so genuine and cute that Mercedes immediately nodded in ascent. But what could be the harm in walking together? They were going to the same place after all.
"So, Regionals are next week, are you excited?"
Mercedes frowned, she had been half expecting for Sam to bring up something about the party, or at least Quinn, but he was acting as though nothing had happened and this conversation could possibly be completely platonic. She couldn't help the way her expression drooped at this realisation, she knew that wanting two guys to fawn over her was cruel and unfair but she hadn't made a decision and it seemed as though one had already been made for her, and she didn't like it. But, if he wasn't going to bring up the party then she wouldn't either, "Yeah, it'll be fun to be singing with the New Directions again" she said, trying to keep her voice from wavering.
"I missed you" Sam smiled and Mercedes' heart leapt, but he quickly added on "Well, all of you guys. It was weird, I just came back to Mckinley but it seemed as though everything was different without you all"
"Well, we weren't really happy that everything was about Rachel" Mercedes said quietly, remembering what had happened with West Side Story.
Sam laughed, shaking his head "I heard about that. They should have cast you, you're amazing Mercedes"
"Wow, thanks Sam" Mercedes was conflicted, she couldn't figure out whether that was a friendly comment or if it meant something more, and she still had no idea what was going on with Quinn. She knew that this would be good for her, that it was what she had wanted all along, so why was there an ache in her chest at the thought that Sam was no longer hers?
"I really have missed you, our rela- friendship. We need to catch up" Sam said quickly.
"Okay" Mercedes found herself replying instantly, as if her sub-conscious, the part of her that wanted Sam's love and adoration was taking over.
"Sit next to me on the bus down to regionals?" Sam looked at her with sad eyes, as if expecting her to decline.
Taken in by his endearing charm, Mercedes smiled and nodded at him "Of course, Sam"
Sam's grin could have lit up the entire school, and it certainly lifted Mercedes' heart, especially when he pulled her into a tight hug, mumbling "irayo lor"
They made idle chat as the carried on the rest of the short walk to the classroom where the God Squad meetings were held.
"I now call this meeting of the God Squad to order, thank you all for coming" Mercedes started, lightly hitting the gavel twice as she did at the beginning of every meeting. "First order of business is to welcome Quinn Fabray back into the fold, it's nice to see you Quinn"
Mercedes smiled at her friend, she truly was glad that Quinn had returned, but there was a little tugging of resentment at the back of her mind, that she would no longer be alone with Sam at meetings, and therefore no longer had an excuse to spend time with him. She tried to think positively, if she wasn't alone with Sam any more then she would have no reason to be drawn to him, not that he wanted her anymore.
"Thank you, I know it's been a while. When I was at my lowest, I turned to prayer, not even sure who I was praying to really, but, it seemed to lead me on the right track." Mercedes couldn't help but notice how elegant Quinn looked, she was beautiful and poised, even her speaking voice was perfect. No wonder Sam wanted her. However, there was a sadness in her eyes, one that she couldn't quite define.
"Amen" Sam nodded, pulling Mercedes out of her thoughts.
"Praise" Mercedes echoed absentmindedly.
"So, valentines day is coming up after Regionals" Mercedes started, trying to keep her voice as professional as possible. "and it seems like a great opportunity for community service-"
Sam cut in "Valentine's day is right around the corner" he said, repeating Mercedes' last point but also sliding a glance in Quinn's direction, who raised her eyebrows at him. What was going on? "And there's an open slot for singing telegrams. All three of us sing and I can play the guitar so I thought, we could use the money to send to charity"
"Praise" Mercedes echoed again, she was at a loss for words, unable to concentrate on the God Squad meeting when there was so clearly something going on between two of the members. Green jealousy flowed through her veins, spreading over her entire body and consuming her thoughts.
"I like that idea" Quinn smiled back at Sam "It's cute"
During their exchange, Mercedes had been turning back and forth between looking at Sam and Quinn, she felt like the third wheel in someone else's relationship and so, finally settled on staring at her hands, twiddling her thumbs. But she couldn't help her gaze from sliding slowly over to Sam, but he was looking at Quinn so intently that Mercedes was sure he didn't notice. Her eyes widened when she noticed two small red bumps blossoming on the side of Sam's neck. Mercedes drew a sharp breath, which luckily was not noticed by the other members. This confirmed what Sam and Quinn had done the night of the party. Before her eyes began to brim with tears, Mercedes focused back on the meeting in hand.
"I may not be a smart man but I know what love is" Sam said in a deep tone, reverting to his usual voice, he added "Forest Gump"
Quinn giggled, but, before she could reply, Mercedes cut in, deciding that she had had enough of their flirting. "Okay so all in favour?" she asked curtly.
Three hands raised followed by three 'I's
"Good, so that's settled. After regionals we'll put up posters saying $10 for a song" She sighed, partially feeling guilty about butting in on their conversation, but she tried to justify herself with the thoughts that this was God Squad and was no place for flirting.
"Yeah, actually Finn and I have an announcement we would like to make" Rachel's voice rang just before the end of Glee club.
Mercedes was sitting on a chair at the back of the choir room, and had the perfect view of Rachel tugging a flustered looking Finn out into the centre of the room. However, she also had the perfect view of Sam and Quinn sitting next to each other, they had been nudging and whispering to each other throughout the entire practice and their rudeness was getting on Mercedes' nerves, though perhaps it was only jealousy.
"As most of you well know from Saturday night, Finn and I are proud to confirm.. that we are finally getting married!" she squealed excitedly, waving her left hand in front of her.
There was a collective "What?" around the room. Mercedes herself was speechless in shock. She was sure that Rachel had been joking, or too drunk to know what she was saying and hadn't given her confession at Santana's party a second thought, but now she was announcing it in front of the entire Glee club, so it must be serious.
"When's the baby's due date?" Puck smirked.
"Wait, guys, have you both carefully thought this through?" Mr Schue voiced the thought that was on everyone's mind.
"Yes, and our parents are totally behind us" She said boldly. "You're all invited of course. Finn wanted to have it as soon as possible" she beamed at him, placing a hand on his chest "So, straight after regionals, we're going to have a very simple and elegant ceremony at the justice of the peace"
"You guys aren't mature enough or old enough to properly face this type of commitment" Quinn said, Mercedes could only see the back of her head but, by the tone of her voice and the way she was shaking her head, Mercedes could tell that she was both shocked and appalled by the announcement. Instead of worrying over Rachel and Finn like she know she should be, all that was running through Mercedes' mind were the thoughts of what Sam and Quinn were doing upstairs alone that prevented them from hearing Rachel's screechy announcement that night. She blew air out of her mouth to try and calm herself slightly.
"If you don't support us then I feel sorry for you and you're not invited to the wedding." Rachel stated, looking up at Finn sadly "Which makes me really sad because I would have loved to see you in a bridesmaid's dress Quinn"
"We hope you change your mind because it would mean a lot to us if you were all there" Finn added in.
"Let's stop the fighting and remind ourselves that Valentine's day is rapidly approaching so, if you'll excuse me, I've got some sugary sweet game to spit" Artie interrupted, effectively ending the argument as he began to sing.
After Glee club finished, Mercedes noticed that all the Glee girls had hung back, so she copied them. Finn and Rachel were the last to leave and, just as Rachel was walking out of the door, Santana shouted "Oh no no no, you get yourself back here, Berry"
"Rachel" Quinn walked up to the brunette and took her by the hand, guiding her back into the room. "What are you thinking?"
Rachel sighed, but began explaining anyway "I love Finn, and nothing's certain about NYADA, he's the only thing that I've got and I don't want to lose him. I know we're going to get married someday so why not just do it now?"
"And what about what we talked about in the washroom?" Quinn asked "Or Never Can Say Goodbye?"
"Quinn, I-" Rachel started but Mercedes, who had been feeling rather limp and quiet for the entire Glee practice, ever since she seen Sam's hickeys, cut her off. "No, come on guys, we can't talk about this here. How about, we have a Glee girl's sleepover at my house tomorrow night, just before regionals?"
There was a murmur of agreement around the room and Rachel shot Mercedes a relieved 'thank you' look.
"I'll see you all there then" Mercedes smiled, before grabbing her bag and walking out of the door to meet Shane who was driving her home.
A/N: I hope this was what you guys wanted! any comments, constructive criticism are always welcome? Thanks for reading!
Sorry this took so long! To make it up to you, I'll take in all your comments/ criticism, tweak the next chapter and have it up ASAP
oh and also I changed the orders of events like Valentine's day & Sectionals for storyline purposes