Super quick update because I know I've left you guys hanging for a while. And just to let you know that I have written the next few chapters, as well as the epilogue. So I just need to figure out how to get there and I'll be done!
Thanks for sticking by me!
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of these characters
Sam drove down the street with a huge grin plastered on his face. He had one hand on the wheel, whilst the other was gripping Quinn's slender fingers. He couldn't be happier. He'd made a full recovery from his concussion, and had just had the most perfect day in the world. He and Quinn had spent the entire day inside, talking to each other and getting to know one another again. They'd come full circle, back to the place where he lived when he first moved to Lima, with the girl who'd made him feel welcome in this foreign place. She'd eaten with his family - his mom fussed over how little his girlfriend ate, and, Sam had to admit, he was worried too. Then she stayed the night for the first time ever. They first tried to squeeze next to each other on Sam's twin, but ultimately Sam made the gentlemanly decision to move on to the floor when he realised that there was far too little space to sleep comfortably. Sam was surprised that his parents let Quinn spend the night in his room, even if they weren't doing anything, but how were they to know? Although, if they were going to let any girl stay over, Quinn would clearly be their preference. She was a member of the same church, she was wholesome and polite, and she had been there for the family in their toughest times. They all loved Quinn, but no one more so than Sam.
He turned to smile at the girl next to her, frowning when he found her fussing over her dress. "Hey, you look beautiful. No one's gonna know that you wore it two days in a row," he said kindly. Sam loved that dress, and the way she wore her hair down, framing her face. Although, he had noticed that she only saved this look for church days. He liked to think that she reserved it for a side of herself that she only shared with a handful of special people – himself included.
"It's a bit different to what I've been wearing lately," Quinn replied through gritted teeth.
"It's you," Sam said simply. He'd missed seeing her like this. The brief, post-Cheerios (the second time) phase before she reinvented herself at the beginning of the year.
They spent the rest of the journey in a comfortable silence. Quinn tugged her hand from Sam's as they entered the school parking lot. Sam placed his now free hand on the steering wheel then found a space and reversed into it. He turned off the ignition and turned towards the most beautiful girl in the world.
"Sam," Quinn's voice cracked. She was wearing an unreadable expression.
"Quinn?" Sam took both of the delicate girl's hands into his. "It's alright."
The girl was visibly distressed. She took a heavy breath before speaking, "Do you mind if I go in first? Alone."
Sam's heart sank, after all that had happened yesterday, she still didn't want to be seen with him? He thought that yesterday symbolised the fact that she didn't care about popularity anymore, that she wanted to be herself. Though they didn't explicitly say it. He thought that she was his girlfriend. Of course, she wasn't wearing his ring but she hadn't had a chance to go home and fetch it. He nodded slowly, forcing a smile onto his face, "Of course not. I need to read over some notes anyway, I can do it in the car."
Quinn opened her mouth as if to say something but quickly closed it again. She detached herself from Sam's hands, pausing only briefly to caress his cheek, twisting her lips upwards at him, and hopped out of the car. As she slammed the door, he noticed that the smile didn't reach her beautiful green eyes.
"Sam!" "Sam," "Sam!" "Hey, Trouty Mouth's back!" Came a chorus of greetings as Sam walked into History class later that morning. Although the only person in the room that he was interested in was one who hadn't given him any attention – a certain blonde who was not wearing the same dress as she had been this morning. Quinn was sat at a desk near the back, flanked by Brittany and Santana on either side. Her hair was scraped back into a neat pony and she was donning her red Cheerios uniform.
"Hey Sam, are you okay? Where have you been?" Mercedes asked, forcing Sam to break his gaze at Quinn in order to address the question.
"Hey 'Cedes," Sam smiled, facing her. He scratched the hair on the back of his neck, "Er- I guess you heard about my fight?"
"It was hardly a fight Sam, I heard you got knocked out straight away," Mercedes teased. "Don't worry about it though. Coach Beiste didn't believe Max's version of the story and he's been cut from the team. She said you would've at least thrown in a good punch yourself before you went down if you'd have started it!"
Sam laughed, "Well you're right about blacking out straight away. I've had concussion for a week. I'm all better now though.. I think" Sam stole a sideways glimpse at Quinn, "Max is an asshole," were only words he had to offer about the one of his ex-rivals for quarterback.
Mercedes noticed Sam looking over her, turning to follow his gaze. "What's going on with you and Quinn? Don't think we haven't noticed that you haven't been to Glee practice. Please don't tell me you're defecting too. I love her, Sam, but if you have to change everything about yourself to be with her.. It's not worth it"
Sam had been avoiding that question all morning. His mind had been running and every single path led to Quinn. So he'd put in his earphones and turned the music up so high that he couldn't even hear his own thoughts. Thankfully, he was saved from having to address it now by Mr Schue who'd just walked into the room "Morning class! Sit down, I've got a lot planned for today. Oh, hi Sam, good to see you back," his teacher smiled at him. Sam nodded his head once back.
Sam immersed himself in the History lesson. Thankfully he was sat in front of a certain blonde cheerleader, but, just because he couldn't see her, it didn't mean that his mind didn't keep wondering back to her. The only time Sam was roused out of his thoughts was when Puck sauntered in, 20 minutes late, and clapped him on the top of the head "Beiste is looking for you. Welcome back to the fray, Evans."
"Thanks, Puckerman," Sam managed to say before Mr Schue called for quiet.
Sam hung around outside the classroom, waiting for Quinn. However, after every student except her had left, Mr Schue came to the door, smiling a him tightly before shutting it in his face.
Sam didn't take part in any of the locker room goofing around as he changed for football practice. He was locked in his mind. And he wasn't worrying about the extra practices or the championship game. He was thinking abut Quinn. What was she doing? Of course he hadn't expected her to quit Cheerios, sure, it was a power position, but he knew that Quinn genuinely loved the sport and it make her happy. But couldn't she spend one day just being herself? Why did she have to put on her icy persona? Why did she refuse to be seen with him? Did she really love him? What did yesterday mean? All these questions were bouncing around Sam's head, unanswerable.
"Titans! On the pitch! NOW! We've got a long few days ahead of us and I expect you all to give me 100%" Coach Beiste shouted, "Evans, why aren't you changed? You're all already late. Pitch. NOW!" Her voice becoming louder with every word.
Sam grappled for his pads and helmet, as he tried to follow his teammates, who were filing out of the room onto the field. The blond dropped his helmet in his efforts and sighed heavily, putting down all his pads in order to bend down and pick it up.
"Sit down, Evans," Beiste said more softly.
Sam picked up his helmet and sat down on the wooden bench. "I'm sorry about what happened last week, Coach," Sam started, "I didn't start it, but I shouldn't have provoked Max."
"I know Sam," Beiste sat down next to him. "I know you. You wouldn't start anything. Can you just let me know what went down between the two of you?"
"He, well.. there was some not so friendly graffiti on Quinn and Max's campaign posters. I tore them down, I guess he took it the wrong way." Sam shrugged, Taylor was already off the team. There was no need to perpetuate this incident anymore. He didn't need to tell Beiste the truth, although, from her manner, it seemed as though she already knew.
"Alright Sam," the coach nodded, "Look, I'm going to be straight with you. The final match of the season is at the end of the week and it's between you and Hudson for starting quarterback. I know you're a behind after last week, but I think if you work your sorry butt off, then you could get the edge on him."
"Really?" without thinking, Sam leaned over and hugged his coach. He was so close to getting everything he'd ever wanted. Though he also felt a weird deja vu to last year. He'd been on the cusp of becoming starting quarterback then too, and he also couldn't get get Quinn to be his girlfriend.
"Really." She laughed, but then resumed her strict coach persona, "Now get on the pitch. You're late. 50 push ups!"
Sam shoved his helmet onto his head and ran onto the field, tenuously grappling on to his pads. He hadn't played quarterback since his brief stint just after he joined the school, the first time he couldn't get Quinn to be his girlfriend.
Just as quickly as they'd strayed, his thoughts ran circle back to the blond girl. Sam was finally going to be quarterback. He believed in himself and he knew that he could out-train Finn. He could finally be everything that Quinn wanted from him. She didn't have to be embarrassed about him. But then he remembered what Mercedes had said to him before History. Did he want to change himself to get a girl? He remembered the last time he'd tried that, when he started the Justin Bieber Experience. It had worked, he won Quinn over, for a short while before he'd dumped her, but it hadn't really been him. He loved Quinn, and he was willing to give up a lot for her, but, in that moment, Sam realised that he wasn't willing to give up one thing - himself. He had spent so long telling the girl that she was perfect just as she was, wouldn't he be selling out if he changed just to please her? He couldn't do it. Ultimately, they would realise that it wasn't right and at least one of them would be unhappy.
Sam closed his eyes and tried to make his peace with the idea that he and Quinn may have to be friends, just friends. By now, he'd run out of grass and couldn't waste a moment more on his thoughts.
Sam got on the floor and started on his push-ups, thankful that no one would be able to see the glistening water in his eyes.
Oh I am cruel - one final obstacle thrown at them...
I hope you liked it! Comments and reviews are always appreciated