Sorry this took so long guys! I was on holiday, but now I'm back and in the mood for writing so here we go..
Thank you for your lovely reviews, I really appreciate them and they make me feel good about writing this even when I feel like I'm writing a load of crap.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or Glee etc.
"Alright guys, I've got a good feeling about this. So let's just go on up there, sing your hearts out, and we'll come home with another Sectionals win, okay?"
"Right Mr Schue!" shouted the collective Glee club, and they began to pile on to the bus.
Mercedes climbed up the steep, plastic steps just after Quinn, who took a place at the front, immediately plugging in her iPod headphones and shutting out the world. Mercedes was worried about her friend, and wanted to help her, she'd made a decision though, and hopefully, everything would work out and be sorted by the end of the day.
Today was a big day for the New Directions, with sectionals in the morning, they had all arrived early at school to drive down to, and then Rachel and Finn's wedding in the afternoon, which no one seemed to be able to talk them out of. Today was also a big day for Mercedes, she'd told herself that today, she would fix the mess between her Sam, and Shane. It was unfair of her to string either of them on for any longer, and they were both great guys.
"Hey 'Cedes, over here!" Sam called out happily.
Mercedes smiled, and settled in to the seat next to Sam. "Hey, do you want to shout a little bit louder? I don't think they heard you over in New York"
"Ah, New York" Sam grinned, "Good times". Mercedes rolled her eyes; it was a bad decision to bring up New York, because that was the place where they had started their summer fling.
"Alright you" she laughed, patting his hand. "Are you feeling nervous?"
"No, not really.. we've got you back so what's there to be nervous about?" Sam smiled sweetly.
"Well thank you Sam," Mercedes blushed beetroot "I'm not really either, I love performing"
"You were born to do it, you're amazing Mercedes. And I know you're going to lead the New Directions to victory today. I'm excited to see the Trouble Tones number as well"
"Yeah, it's going to be great"
Mercedes couldn't help staring at the tiny red lumps on Sam's neck. They had mostly gone down now, but were still clearly visible. A pang of sadness hit her stomach.
"So what do you think about Finn and Rachel?"
"They're too young, but if they're happy with their relationship, then I'm happy for them. I'm not one to mess in other people's lives"
"So you're going to the wedding then?"
"Yeah, I think the only people who aren't going are Quinn and Kurt"
"Yeah," Sam echoed, "Speaking of relationships-"
"Sam" Mercedes interjected quickly, cutting him off. "I need to say something"
"Okay.." his voice was uncertain.
"Sam, you and me, we were a summer fling. It was fun but the thing is, we didn't have any closure. If we did, then I'm sure neither of us would want a relationship with the other. It's just because you moved away so suddenly, we were pulled away so fast. So this is it, Sam, this is closure. I just want you to know that I liked you a lot, and I still do, but as friends Sam. From now, we're nothing more" It broke Mercedes' heart to say the words but she knew that she had to. She had to end the love triangle which had been going on for far too long. She owed it to Sam to end it. So now he could be free.
After a lot of thinking, Mercedes had finally realised that she was merely attracted to Sam, and she liked him a lot, but she loved Shane. Quinn had said to imagine life without either boy, and, without Sam, it was said, yes, but liveable; life without Shane was unthinkable. But that didn't mean that Mercedes didn't feel a sharp pain in the left side of her chest when she saw the distraught clearly written on Sam's face.
"Mercedes, no" His green eyes were filled with sadness in water form. "You're wrong, I really do care about you. More than just a summer fling, I want us to be together, properly together. At least give us a chance, please"
"Are you sure Sam?" She eyes him questionably, he wasn't thinking straight now, well, he was a boy, she would have to explain everything to him. "If you really loved me, why did you kiss Quinn? Why did you to go up to Santana's room on the night of the party?"
"I knew this was about that." Sam scratched the back of his neck, looking down sadly "Look, 'Cedes, I was trying to make you jealous. It clearly had the wrong effect. We're perfect for each other, we should be together"
"No, that's not what it was about. I promise. You're sweet, Sam, but if we really are perfect for each other then why do things keep getting in the way, huh? Why with Shane, and Quinn?"
"Quinn means nothing to me" Sam blurted out.
Mercedes gasped, "Now Sam, you think about what you just said. Quinn does not mean nothing to you. She was your first love, I know that, because every time her name is mentioned you sit up a tiny bit straighter, your lips always upturn. And, whether you were trying to make me jealous or not, there was a reason why you picked Quinn, wasn't there? You're a good guy Sam, you don't use girls so it's obvious you have feelings for her. And don't you know she likes you too? Why do you think she constantly opens up to you? I saw you two in the hall a little while ago, and I can guess what happened at Santana's party. You nee-"
"But-"
"No, please don't cut in Sam, I need to say this, for both of us, and for Shane. I'm sorry but I love Shane, and we were just a fling. You know it in your heart Sam, you just need to think about it. It'll be easier now. Closure, like I said"
Mercedes paused to take a deep breath, and noticed that tears were falling from her own eyes. She'd known this would have been emotional but never could have expected this. Luckily, everyone seemed to be consumed in their own conversations, music or just generally too groggy in the morning to notice the crying pair sitting in the back of the bus. She felt as though her heart was being ripped in two, and pressed her hand against her eyes, trying to control her emotions. She was upset that whatever she had with Sam was going to be over, although she was also relieved because it meant that the guilt that had been looming over her was diffusing, like smoke in a closed room, but someone had just opened the door.
"Mercedes.." Sam trailed off, clearly unsure of what to say.
"Sam" Mercedes sighed, her shoulders drooping, "I didn't want to say this, but what's happening between you and me, doesn't it seem like what happened between you and Quinn last year, with Finn. How did you feel? I can imagine that's how Shane's feeling, and I don't to hurt him anymore, and I don't want Quinn dragged into this mess either, but she really likes you."
"Just think about it Sam, please. I'm sorry, I really am" she reached out to touch his hand, but he pulled it away and furiously wiped the tears from his face. "Alright, Sam" she whispered, "Last thing, I think you need to be with Quinn. You two are perfect for each other, and you always seem to be drawn back to each other, like you have some kind of gravitational pull. She's beautiful, Sam, but fragile. And I know that you know how to put her back together again, to look after her. Be good to her, please"
"Whatever" Sam sulked, turning away from her, and he spent the rest of the journey staring gloomily out of the window, ignoring Mercedes.
The New Directions gave a breath-taking performance at Sectionals, beating the other show choirs first place, meaning that they had won a place at Nationals. During the cheers and happiness of celebration, Sam hadn't hesitated to envelop Mercedes into a long embrace, and she was gad, hopeful that he had forgiven her and thought her words through.
The journey back to McKinley High as uneventful, except for Rachel and Finn staring goofily into each other's eyes, clearly excited about their wedding and Santana making light-hearted but snide remarks about them.
The wedding was at four at the Justice of the Peace, meaning that, once they arrived back, Mercedes would have to go straight to the venue, and change into her bright pink bridesmaid's dress there. Although she didn't exactly approve of the wedding, Mercedes was excited after their sectionals win, and nothing could bring down her mood. Even Quinn and Rachel's loud arguing about the wedding or her encounter with Sam earlier.
Mercedes didn't know where she stood with Sam anymore, their hug after they won could have meant nothing, they could have just been caught up in the moment or it could have meant that Sam had forgiven her. She wasn't fond of the cheesy 'we can still be friends', but, with Sam, she truly wanted to be. They had been great friends before their fling, and she hoped that they could be after, it would be a shame to lose their friendship over this.
She glanced over at Sam, who was sitting in front of her on the other side of the bus. She only see the back of his head, which was pointed directly at her, meaning that he was looking out of the window again. Her heart sank, but she caught sight of the glassy reflection of his face and saw that he seemed to be deep in thought. She smiled with newfound hope, perhaps he had come to his senses, and this was definitely an improvement from crying.
Strong fingers pulled against Mercedes' left arm as she walked off the bus, making her way over to her car.
"Hey" the owner of the hand murmured.
"Hey Sam, what's up?" her tone was light and breezy, but the question was loaded.
Sam smiled "Hey, no need to worry okay, I was just caught off guard this morning. I thought about what you said throughout the competition, and on the bus ride home, and I think you're right."
Mercedes nodded, smiling with relief.
"I still care about you, I really do. But it's probably better this way, you're right. We needed closure and I actually feel a lot better now. But, you'll always be in here, okay?" he pointed to the left side of his chest. "Anyways, about Quinn.. I don't know. I don't want to use her as a sort of rebound."
"Is she a rebound though, Sam? Or is she what you really want? I think you're saying this because you're scared. I know you lost her once but she made a mistake, we all do, look at you and me, I kissed you whilst I was with Shane. Anyways, Finn's getting married today but I don't think that matters, she only has eyes for you"
She could see the cogs in Sam's mind turning as he processed the information, "You're right," he agreed, after a long while "Okay, I guess I'll talk to her after the wedding. At the reception.. if she goes. I hope she doesn't turn me down" Sam grinned and hurried away, a new spring in his step.
"Good luck!" she called out after him, feeling much better than she had in a long time. As all the guilt and worry she had felt in the past weeks had just been lifted. Now, she had to convince Rachel to let Quinn come to the wedding, and Quinn to actually go.
A/N: Finally, confrontation scene! any comments, constructive criticism are always welcome? Thanks for reading!
I've already written up the next chapter and I'm pretty happy with it.. as my writing goes, so it should be up pretty soon