Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.
Such a late update. I apologize. Hopefully, you won't hate me after this chapter. The amount of alerts, favorites and reviews have been incredible. I certainly wasn't expecting that reaction. Be prepared to meet someone new!
Enjoy!
Sara xx
Uh, I'm really sorry if this sucks. Writer's Block + Horrid RL situations.
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Honest, I Do
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Around one month later...
"It's been exactly four weeks, three days and twelve hours since you called me to say you told Sam you just needed a little bit of time to get over Shane but that you loved him."
Mercedes slammed her locker shut and turned to Quinn, who was leaning against the wall. "Your point?" she asked, trying hard not to sound bitter. She didn't want to talk about Sam. Not today or any day soon.
"How long exactly, does it take to get over a rebound?" The blond arched a brow.
"As long as it takes. I've been over that for a while now, by the way." This time, she did nothing to hide her desire to change subjects.
"But you're not with Sam. How does that makes sense? You love him and said so." said Quinn, ignoring her attitude.
"Sometimes you miss your shot. I waited too long." said Mercedes, taking a deep breath. "That chapter of my life is over. I'm just going to enjoy being single for now."
"Is this a joke?" amused, Quinn crossed her arms and shook her head. "Your story isn't even close to being over. Maybe you should swallow that pride and talk to him. Then you'd see he's still crazy about you." She had a point. Lack of communication between them had been the base of all their previous problems. The smart and mature thing to do would be to sit with Sam and talk. The problem was that was also the hardest thing to do, and they weren't exactly on speaking terms anymore which made things even harder. Mercedes only had herself to blame. Sam had given her space, just like she had asked, but she had never given him the green light to show him they could be together again.
"Doubt that." said Mercedes drily. "We haven't spoken in a while. At least, we haven't had an intimate conversation since that night. Like I said, sometimes you miss your shot. No big deal." Even to herself, her words were unconvincing.
"Are you an idiot?"
"No, I'm a realist. I can't just walk up to him and say 'hey, I'm ready! Let's date'. That's not how it works." With each second that passed, Mercedes grew more annoyed. It was too early in the morning for this kind of talk.
"So, you're just going to be a coward and ignore everything that happened between the both of you?" asked Quinn in disbelief.
"I guess so."
"Fine. If you won't listen to me, I'll just have to get someone that's more convincing." The blond wore her signature smile, the one that made you wonder just what she was plotting. "This isn't over, Mercedes. You just wait."
SMSMSMSMSMS
Mercedes spent the rest of the day thinking about Quinn and what she had told her. Was she being a coward? Perhaps. All she knew was that ever since she had told Sam she needed time, they hadn't spoken more than a handful of words at a time. They never texted each other, or touched each other if they could help it. He'd done just what she asked, for that she should have been grateful. It was with a clear head that she had dealt with the breakup, just like she wanted.
Maybe he had given up after the second week, she couldn't be sure. There was a time when she could have read him like a book. He could never keep a secret from her. But now, his expression when looking at her was unreadable and she hated it. But what really stressed her out, was seeing Sam and Shane having a deep conversation in the cafeteria. They weren't arguing. As silly and irrational as it was, her mind immediately went to a dark place. What if the were swapping stories about how much of a horrible person she was? They weren't the type to do such a thing and it was only once, but still, her mind went there.
Had she taken too much time to get over Shane? Goodness knows, Mercedes loved Sam. That much was certain. She wanted to be with him for as long as God was willing. Whatever Quinn was plotting worried her more than she cared to admit. As much as she loved her soul sister, the girl had a vicious streak. When she wanted something, she went all out. So Mercedes did the only thing, she could do. She went to Tina.
"I don't understand why you can't just talk to Sam." Tina was saying, as they walked down the crowded school hallway towards Glee club. "Sometimes it's like you're avoiding those big discussions because you're scared to lose him or something."
"I'm not exactly unafraid." said Mercedes slowly. "I wasn't this scared when we first started dating last summer. It was easy then."
"You're scared now because you know it's real." said Tina wisely. "Because there's a lot more at stake if something goes wrong. You're sabotaging yourself because you want to avoid that heartbreak you think is inevitable. Which is stupid, if you ask me."
"Did you ever feel like that with Mike?"
"Not really, we were never in your situation. But we argued and even threatened to breakup a few times. His father wasn't a fan of mine. It was hard between us sometimes, but we got through it." Tina smiled. "I know I want to be with him for a long time."
"You're perfect together."
"Yeah, we are. But don't compare our happiness to yours and Sam's. We aren't the same people and we don't deal with things the same way."
"You're ri-" Mercedes stopped speaking when a woman caught her eye. She was at the end of the hallway, scanning the scene before her. She wasn't very tall, but taller than Mercedes. Their gaze locked. No. It couldn't be. Mercedes stared at the woman who was marching down the hall towards her in red pumps. It couldn't be and yet it was. Dressed in tight high waisted jeans and a tucked in read blouse à la 50's, was her mother.
"Mercedes?" beside her, Tina stopped dead in her tracks. "Why is your mom here?"
"I- I don't know." seeing the expression on her mother's face, Mercedes turned around quickly. She needed out of this hallway, and fast. "Let's go. Now."
She'd barely taken a step when a hand grabbed her shoulder. "Mercedes Jones. Turn your ass around and look at me." She felt an unpleasant shiver dance itself up her spine as she turned to face her mother. That was the same tone that was used when Mercedes was in trouble.
"Mama."
"Don't 'Mama' me." Isabelle Jones glared at her daughter. "I just heard about everything."
Isabelle Jones, who went by Izzy, was only a few inch taller than Mercedes. Despite their slight differences, there was no denying they were related. She was a thinner, taller version of her daughter. Perhaps her nose was straighter and smaller, but those were the only big differences. Her dark hair was a loose tumble of curls that reached her waist and hid the gold hoops that hung from her ears. Her dark eyes were narrowed in annoyance as she looked at her daughter.
"Everything?" Mercedes visibly gulped. Crap. "I don't-" she glanced to her side in hopes of some type of support from her friend, but found that Tina had escaped. Lucky bitch.
"You aren't with Shane anymore. When were you going to tell me?"
"It just... skipped my mind." lied Mercedes, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry?" She'd been careful to keep all details of her relationship problems from her parents. Since Isabelle neither knew Shane's parents nor cared much for the boy himself, keeping that secret had been easy. She should have known it wouldn't be a secret for long.
"oh, that's not what bothers me. I've known that for a while, I just wanted you to tell me yourself. Besides, you know I felt about him. Though I can't understand, for the life of me, why you never talked about it. I could have comforted you." Isabelle had never quite liked Shane. Not that he wasn't a good boy, he just wasn't right for her daughter and she had stuck to that sentiment. But she would have dried her tears and given advice as only a mother would. "What I heard was that you ended that mess because you still had feelings for Sam. Truth or lie?" Oh, boy. Things were serious when Izzy played the Truth or Lie game.
"Truth."
"You told him a month ago that you needed some time. Truth or lie?"
"Truth, ma'am."
"And now, you think you've waited too long and that he's over you. So, you aren't going to open old wounds because, as you put it, sometimes you just missed your shot?"
"Who told you that?" exclaimed Mercedes, blushing furiously.
"Truth or Lie, Mercedes."
"Truth."
Isabelle gave her a light tap on the cheek and glared. Shocked, Mercedes could only stare at her mother. What on earth was going on? Why was she here talking to her about Sam when they could do so in the privacy of their own home? At eighteen, the last thing Mercedes wanted was to be seen being scolded by her mother. She was too old for this.
"I didn't raise a fool, young woman, and that's just what you've been these last few months. You're going to fix this, Mercedes. And you're going to fix it today."
"Nothing's broken! You could have waited until I got home."
Izzy raised her brows, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "You've had a few months to sort this out the way you wanted. From what I hear, you aren't doing so well. Which would explain why you've moping around the house lately. Thank God Quinn called me, because we were going to have a chat about-"
"Quinn sent for you?" Mercedes groaned. She knew that smile could not be trusted. She just hadn't expected her to work so quickly.
"I'm not some package, you can't 'send for me'." said Isabelle, with sass. "Quinn called me to express her concern for your love life, or rather lack of it. You should have told me how serious this was. I'm your mother, I'm supposed to know these things. I knew you were unhappy, but I thought if I gave you space you'd come to me. You're just like your father. Both of you don't like asking for help. It makes it hard for the people who love you."
Mercedes flinched. She knew behind the amused expression, her mother was hurt. They had always been close. Not going to her for guidance was silly. "Mom, I'm happy." said Mercedes carefully.
"Right, and my name's Lisa." she rolled her eyes and grinned. "Come on, Mercy. We have Glee Club practice."
"No, no and no. We don't have anything." But her mother ignored her and made her way to the choir room. This was bad. Isabelle Jones was as reckless as they came. She'd been wild, as a child, and eventually settled down enough to have two kids, a husband and a good job. But she'd never lost her sass and had never gained a filter. She said what she wanted when she wanted, however inappropriate it was. Usually her husband, who was her exact opposite, calmed her, just like she added passion and excitement in his life. But Thomas Jones wasn't here today, which meant that Glee Club was going to be very interesting.
SMSMSMSMSMS
If Mercedes had some sort of hope before, she no longer had any. Mr. Schue hadn't just let her mother sit in on practice today, he had welcomed her with open arms. He had even offered her the floor to sing a little number after the lesson if she desired- which of course, she did. Mercedes loved her mother with all her heart, but she wasn't naive. Isabelle Jones was a woman on a mission. She wanted her daughter happy again. It would have been foolish to forget she was here for that reason. As she chatted with the band about her song choice, Mercedes turned to Quinn, who sat next to her.
"You're a traitor. That's all you are." she whispered furiously.
Quinn only smiled. "You'll thank me one day."
"I'm more likely to die of shame before that." replied Mercedes, shaking her head. "You know how she is. She shows no mercy."
"Which is exactly why I called her. I don't know why she didn't know about your situation. You were always so close."
"I wanted to deal with this myself."
"There's no shame in asking for help, Mercedes." said Quinn softly. "Besides, everyone's fine with her being here." That was true. Sam had been surprised when he entered the room only to be pulled into a tight hug, but he hadn't complained. Not that he would, he'd always got along superbly with her parents. There had been a murmur of hellos, but no one had really questioned Isabelle's presence. But it was still early, and there was still time for Mercedes to be humiliated.
"Guys," Mr. Schue smiled at the class. "Mercedes' mom will be joining us today, she's on a little mission." Well fuck, thought Mercedes. He knew. Isabelle took her seat, directly behind Mercedes as Mr. Schue went to scribble something on the board. Duets.
"Who can tell me the most important thing in any type of relationship?" He asked once he was finished. Plenty of hands went up, but Isabelle clapped a hand on Mercedes' shoulder.
"Mercy can." she said loudly.
"Alright, go on."
"Communication." mumbled Mercedes.
"Sorry? Couldn't quite catch that." said Mr. Schue with a smirk. Oh, they were going to pay for this. All three of them; Schuester, Quinn and her mother.
"Communication." she repeated, louder this time.
"That's right. Can anyone tell me why it's important?"
Hands shot up in the air again, but Isabelle grinned.
"Yes, Mercy can." There were a bunch of snickers in the room as people slowly began to understand what was happening. Sam seemed especially amused.
"It's important because if you don't communicate, things get blown out of proportion and people assume things. No one knows where they stand. Honesty is key."
"Perfect. Now this week, we'll be doing duets. Since you liked our competition last year, we'll be doing that again. The prize is the same- dinner at Breadstix. But, to make this a little more interesting, your duets will have to be a mash-up. Each person has a song, and they use the lyrics to respond to their partner's singing."
"So, basically our duets will be a singing conversation?" asked Santana.
"Exactly. I don't want anyone dropping out like last year, so we're making the teams now. When I call your name, tell me who you'll be partnered with and I'll write it down."
Mercedes groaned. Her mother was probably were a smug expression behind her, pleased with herself. This was horrible. Something told her she wouldn't be with Santana or Quinn. The woman had planned everything, right down to the lesson plan and had even managed to get Schue on her side.
"Rory." said Mr. Schue.
"with Sugar.
"Tina."
"With Mike."
"Rachel."
"With Finn, of course."
"Kur-"
"Blaine!"
"Sam."
"Mercedes." answered Isabelle. Sam glanced at her, startled. Before he could comment, Mr. Schue nodded and scribbled the name on his paper. He wasn't upset though, on the contrary, he smiled widely and settled back into his chair.
"Great idea, Izzy." So Schuester was calling her by her nickname now. What the hell? This was all kinds of wrong. "Where was I? Oh, Santana?"
"Britt-Brat."
"That leaves Quinn, Puck and Artie... you can do a group number. Mercedes, are you feeling okay?" Of course she wasn't okay. Why was he asking such a stupid question? And why was her mom so insistent? God, everyone hated her. Quinn would pay.
"She's fine, Mr. Schue." said Quinn, patting Mercedes' knee.
"She looks like she's in pain." said Rory.
"Not like the pain my daughter inflicts on innocent men, of course. More like the crap-I-have-to-work-with-the-boy-I-love-after-I-may-have-broken-his-heart-but-I-wouldn't-know-because-we-don't-speak-anymore-so-instead-I-assume type of pain."
"Really, mom?" Mercedes whirled in her chair, to glare at Isabelle, who simply shrugged.
"I cosign that statement." said Santana, shrugging. "And there pills for that, 'Cedes. A special brand called 'Communication'."
After everything, she was turning on her as well? Mercedes groaned when Isabelle reached over Puck to high-five Santana.
"We shouldn't be ganging up on Mercedes like this." said Tina. "But since we are, I just want to say that if I could, I'd kidnap her and Sam and lock them in a room together. This needs to be sorted."
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Puck. "I would have helped you."
"Puck," said Sam, no longer amused. Oh, so there was something he was hiding, thought Mercedes noting his expression.
"Hey, I'm sick of your mooning over her."
"Watch what you say, Puckerman." warned Isabelle. "That's my daughter."
"She's amazing, Mrs. J." said Puck quickly. "The thing is he's obsessed. It's kinda weird."
"That's true." Mike spoke up. "He still draws little hearts with Mrs. Mercedes Evans written in them on his notes. Sometimes he draws these pictures- these interesting pictures- of the both of them."
"I do not." Mortified, Sam turned to Mike. Mercedes would have laughed if she hadn't been equally embarrassed. Her mother was here! This wasn't the type of stuff a mother should know. "Mike, that's not true."
"Yeah, it is." Puck cut in. "And you still have five pictures of her in your locker."
"Your chapstick filled locker." added Artie. "You'd think he had ten sets of lips to take care of."
"Glad to see you're keeping your lips in good condition, Sam. It'll come in handy when you and Mercy get your mac on again. No one likes chapped lips." Isabelle smiled at Sam, who blushed. "Except my daughter. She'd kiss you if your lips were cracked and bleeding, without a care in the world."
"Mom!"
"Don't deny it, Cedes." Quinn said sharply.
"Can we please stop talking about Sam and Mercedes' lacking romance?" exclaimed Rachel. Mercedes would have kissed her right then and there. "We have more pressing matters to attend to, like preparing a set list for Regionals."
"You are completely right, Rachel. Regionals is important, but I seem to recall a little incident that cost you Nationals, last year, because there was some tension between two people. I'm sure you remember that. Vividly." Isabelle smiled warmly, though her eyes were serious. "I think it's better if they settle this in here rather than on stage. Don't you?"
Rachel visibly paled and nodded. "She's right, of course."
Fuck you, though Mercedes. For once, Rachel's selfishness and obsession with set lists could have come in handy. But no, Isabelle had put the diva in her place quickly enough. Mercedes would have been amused and impressed if her pride wasn't on the line.
"But I'm going to stop teasing, Mercy. I have something to say that I hope will help some of you." said Isabelle, and all eyes turned to her. "Will is right. Communication is important, but there's something else that you can't get anywhere without and that's courage. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, the important thing is to get back up. Every time. And they say you need to think before you act, but that's not always true, because you know what happens when you always look before leap? You hardly ever make the jump. Sometimes you need to need to listen to your gut, and roll with your instincts."
"But my instincts got me to crash and steal an ATM. I went to Juvie." said Puck seriously. "Mine can't be trusted."
"Is that really you?" asked Isabelle. "I know, you're a bad-ass, Mercy told me. But is that really what your instincts tell you to do? Or is that what you do, because it's what's expected?" at his silence she nodded. "You're young, so I understand. Just know that as the years pass, it gets harder to be what others want you to be. In the end you're only hurting yourself. You have to be you and you have to do what makes you happy."
"What if other people don't like the real you?" asked Quinn.
"Then that's their loss, sweetie. I'm not going to tell you that it won't hurt. Rejection hurts like a bitch." the was a murmur of agreement before she continued. "But at least you tried. In the end you have to ask yourselves if it's worth it. If being an entertainer is your dream, then go for it. If you really love someone, then swallow that fear and that pride and go for it. I'm telling you, there's nothing worse than looking back at your life with regret and wondering if things could have been different. Except maybe, feeling alone in a room full of people because no one knows the real you. There's no shame in fear and uncertainty, there is however, shame in cowardice. You have to try, even if you're scared. That's what makes you brave." The glee clubbers nodded, taking her words at heart.
"What happens when you find someone that knows who you really are and loves you for it?" asked Sam, with a pointed look at Mercedes.
"You marry them." Isabelle grinned and patted Mercedes' shoulder. "And if that's not option, you keep them close. Friends like that are hard to find. One that note, I better be going."
"Wait!" said Mr. Schue, who had been listening to her every word attentively. "You promised a song."
"That's right." amused, Isabelle stood. "I forgot."
Mercedes watched as her mother took the floor. Now that the initial embarrassment was over, she was grateful Quinn had done what she couldn't. Shane had wanted to join Glee club to control her, and Isabelle coming here today seemed to have taken that bad energy away. Mercedes couldn't explain it. It was as though she had given Mercedes back the rights Shane had threatened to take from her.
Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn
Isabelle smiled at Mercedes and took her hand, leading her to the center of the floor, where she put an arm around her. She pulled her close to her side and motioned for Mercedes to take the next verse.
And I've been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around
Abruptly, Isabelle let go out Mercedes' shoulders and turned to face her. Her eyes were serious, and her smile comforting. To anyone else, the scene would have been confusing, but Mercedes had noted the slight changes her mother had made in the next lines she sung and recognized the promise of help that was being offered.
That love is pastured, such a mournful sound
Tonight we're gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it's always darkest before the dawn
The class joined in for the chorus, all except Sam who watched, his expression unreadable. She wondered what was going on in his mind. Without realizing it, Mercedes sang the next verse, her eyes locked with his.
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn
Her mother's voice sounded distant in her ears as she let the lyrics sink in. It was time to let go. No matter how much she loved Sam, it wasn't going to work. Not when they wanted to go back to that summer. They could never do that. They could, however, move forward. So she would bury the past once and for all tonight. They wouldn't be getting back together. No, if they started dating, it would be something better than before. A new beginning. She'd leave her fears at the door.
[Isabelle]
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
[Mercedes]
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
[Isabelle]
Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me
[Mercedes]
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me
As the class, who had joined them on the floor, sang the chorus, Isabelle pulled Mercedes in for a hug. She'd been so set on dealing with everything on her own that she had forgotten how much help and how supportive her mother had always been. Isabelle Jones may have been slightly eccentric, and she was never really what Thomas Jones' parents had envisioned as a daughter in law, but she was the best mother Mercedes could have ever asked for. As much as she wanted to hate her for marching into McKinley, Mercedes was now only thankful.
"Tonight we're saying goodbye to that summer romance and to Shane. Tomorrow, you'll say hello to your love story. The better one." whispered Isabelle in her ear.
"Mom, what if he's upset?"
"oh, he is." she answered, glancing at Sam. "But he loves you. You, Mercedes. Not who everyone thinks you are. He's waited this long. Don't make him wait much longer."
"Why did you come here today? We could have talked at home."
"My daughter needed a kick in butt. I put you on the spot. You don't have a choice now. You'll thank me later. The way he looks at you..." Isabelle smiled. "Your father looked at me that way. It's not love if it's easy. I better go. I'll meet you at home." she kissed the top of Mercedes head. "Invite Sam for supper. I miss him."
SMSMSMSMSMS
"Your mom both scares and amazes me." Mercedes dropped her car keys at the sound of the voice and silently cursed herself. Before she could bend to pick them up, Sam already had. They had just finished Glee practice, and she wanted nothing more than to get home.
"I've always liked her, which I guess is a good thing since she'll be my mother in law one day." he continued. Mercedes frowned at what he was implying, but made no comment. There was no way she was getting into that conversation when they weren't even dating. She held a hand out for her keys, but he shook his head. After ten minutes of arguing, they managed to come to an understanding. Sam had taken the drivers' seat, saying he wanted to drive her home and that he'd walk home from there. Mercedes agreed, but only because he was determined. The car ride was full of pleasant chit chat. She hadn't expected him to suddenly pull over to the side of the deserted road, and step out of the car.
"Sam..." she warned as she slammed the car door shut and walked over to him. "I need to get home."
"I promise I'll let you go... after we've talked." he said. "You said I was everything to you. Did that change?"
"Not at all." What was it with people having personal conversations in the stupidest places? Why couldn't they have just talked in the car? Or her house. "I just... took so long that I figured you were done waiting. I didn't want to be rejected."
Sam stared at her for a moment, before laughing. "You know what your problem is? You always make this insane story in your head where I don't love you, or that you aren't good enough." when his eyes met hers, she saw they were dark and humorless. "When are you going to understand that you're never going to get it right without me? We got screwed the moment we got together. We aren't going to be happy with anyone else."
"You don't know that and you make it sound horrible."
"You're going to tell me it isn't? Come on, I know you. You're scared." he pointed at her shaking hands. "You're terrified. You're scared you're going to get your heart broken and you'll never be happy again."
"Well, what do you expect?" yelled Mercedes, finally loosing her cool. "I'm always making a mess of things. God knows why you're still interested. You're insane!"
"I prefer the term 'in love'." he said, unaffected by her tone. "You make a mess of things because you want to make a mess of things, so who's really insane? Only an idiot would take a pass on love."
Mercedes gaped. Had he really just called her an idiot?
"You know," she said once she recovered. "I thought we could bury the past and start fresh together. A new relationship, a better one. I see now that we can't."
"oh really?" amused Sam, cocked his head to the side, not bothering to hide his smile which only infuriated her.
"Yes, because I can't stand you!" she raged, slapping his hard chest. "You and your stupid bolo ties, and your impressions, your ugly hair and don't get me started on that stupid smile of yours- oh my God, stop smiling at me!"
Sam only laughed as he watched her. "You're always beautiful, but when you're angry... wow. You take my breath away."
Mercedes blinked. Damn him. "You know what? I hate you, Sam Evans." she said. Before she realized what was happening, Sam had her pinned against the car. His green eyes were on her, and not at all amused like before.
"You hate me?" he asked, his voice low.
"With passion." she spat. He was too close, only an inch away from her face. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, and could smell the faint scent of his aftershave.
"You're lying."
"I mean every word."
"People who hate other people don't kiss them like that."
"I don't-" The rest of her words were cut of by his mouth. His hand raked through her hair, and cupping her head with enough pressure to bring her to the tip of her toes. There was nothing sweet and hesitant about his kiss. His mouth was hard and hot against hers. She should have recognized the look in his eyes and stepped away when she had the chance. His hand fell to her shoulder, then her hip. Gripping her tightly with both hands, he yanked her close, his mouth never leaving hers. He had never been like this, all demand and no patience. When he deepened the kiss, she let out a catchy little moan. He had her and he knew it, but now wasn't the time. He was trying to make a point and damn her for being so inviting. He managed to release her, leaving them both breathless. Sam recovered quickly, and watched with amusement as Mercedes battled between fury and lust.
"Like I said, you don't kiss someone you hate like that." he smirked and stepped back.
"You cheated. You weren't supposed to kiss me."
"Since when have I ever played fair when it comes to you?" he slipped his hand in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Anything to keep his mind off kissing her again.
"Fine. I might love you. A little bit." she admitted, softening. "And I like your impressions."
"My smile?" he asked, grinning.
"No, it's still pissing me off."
Sam laughed and pulled her in for a hug. "Fine. I might love you. A whole lot."
"Since you're driving me home, anyway, d'you want to have supper with us?" asked Mercedes after a moment, resting her head against him. "They haven't seen my boyfriend in a while. They kind of miss him." her voice didn't waver, though she was terrified. This was it. This was her asking.
He smiled at the term she had chosen and squeezed her tightly. "I kind of miss my girlfriend's parents too, but I miss her more."
"We better go then, they'll be setting the table soon." Mercedes wiggled out of his grasp and turned to the car. As she tried the handle, she felt the blood drain from her face. Looking through the window she saw that the keys had been tossed onto the driver seat carelessly, but the doors were locked. She tried the handle again and groaned.
"Please tell me you have your phone with you." she whispered.
"No, it's in your car. Why?" Sam nudged her aside to try the door.
"We locked ourselves out." And the walk to her house was a long one.
"Well, shit." muttered Sam.
.
Song
Shake It Out – Florence and the Machine
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had a hard time finishing it, as I just lost someone very important to me via suicide. So please forgive me if it's not my best work. Writing just… helps to cope.
Also, I can't remember if they ever told us how Mercedes' parents were- probably not, since they barely tell us anything... Anyway, I like Isabelle. She's fun but motherly.
Please leave me reviews! Tell me what you think. :] xxx