Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or the characters. Or any of the songs, they go to their respectful owners! (Although, my slight obsession for Sancedes' rendition of 'River Deep, Mountain High' is my own!)
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"Mercedes!" Santana called out as she caught up with her best friend. She still hadn't talked to her since yesterday.
"Are we being nice today?" She asked while turning toward Santana.
"Yes."
"Pinky promise?" Mercedes asked, holding up her pinky. Santana took it with her own.
"Pinky promise." She answered, bringing their hands down.
"You really made me mad yesterday."
"I know."
"Do you? I expected better from you. Whats the problem? Did Sam do something to upset you that I should know about?" Mercedes asked.
It was a loaded question. Technically he didn't do anything. Santana was admittedly just being jealous. Besides, she knew her anger was unjustified since she couldn't even admit her feelings to Mercedes anyway, and in her jealousy she did blame Sam because he was showing some interest, subtle as it was. And more frustrating than anything, so was Mercedes. Santana knew this because she learned how to read Mercedes over the summer.
Santana shook her head, "I was just stressed about home." She lied.
"Then you should've talked to me! Not lash out at some innocent person that hasn't said more than two words to you altogether." Mercedes reprimanded.
"I know, I'm extremely sorry."
"Its okay. Hows everything at home now?" Mercedes asked, truly concerned. It warmed Santana's heart, till she remember she just lied to Mercedes about her family.
"Water under the bridge." She answered.
"Really?" Mercedes asked, and Santana raised their joined pinkies.
"Really." She answered, emphasizing their pinkies in promise.
"Good, then lets get to class." They both smiled and headed toward class, Santana hesitated in her step.
"One more thing, Mercy?"
"What?"
"Be my duet partner?" She asked
"I thought we already were!" Santana smiled at her response.
During Glee, Santana laid low. She smiled politely when it was needed, and was so sweet that not even cotton candy could melt in her mouth, but it was hard. She watched silently as Mercedes and Sam interacted. He was leaning toward her, and she was mostly facing his way. Santana crossed her arms. She wasn't going to do anything to screw anything up again.
"Santana." She turned toward Quinn who was behind her.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" That seemed to get Mercy's attention, because she turned to see what was going on.
"I'm fine, why?" She asked.
"No, you just look a little upset." Santana tried her best to seem nonchalant.
"I'm cool, Q. Thanks." With one sharp look back to Mercedes and Sam, she looked to the front of the class where Mr. Shue was gathering everyone's attention again.
Mercedes didn't really notice it, but Quinn did. Quinn noticed a lot of things about people lately, but especially the way Santana's been looking at Mercedes.
"Okay, so what are we going to do for our duet, woman?!" Santana asked. They've been searching hours for a song.
"I'm telling you, 'River Deep, Mountain High.'" Mercedes responded. She'd been listening to that song on loop, and had no idea why.
"But, its so… old." She said.
"Santana, its a classic! Tina Turner? You know she's practically a legend." Santana rolled her eyes, "Fine. Got any better ideas?" Mercedes sassed.
"…No." Santana admitted.
"Besides, it seems like a fun dancing song. We could definitely shake our booties to it!" She said, while shimmying her shoulders, and a smile that Santana couldn't let down.
"Okay, okay, fine!" She agreed with grin.
Turns out, it wasn't that bad of a song. Mercedes was right, they got to play up the choreography. She realized her best friend wasn't joking about some bootay shaking, there was definitely some of that displaying for everyone to see. After they finished the choreography she wished she wasn't her duet partner, because really, what wouldn't San give to see Mercedes doing that dance? Ass shaking? She was all for that!
But another thing was, the lyrics. She wasn't in love with Mercedes… at least she didn't think so, but like the song says everyday it got deeper (yes the song was talking about love, but 'like' would be appropriate to.) How the lyrics described her not going anywhere, that she'd always stay by her side, like that lost puppy. Santana sighed, that last part about the puppy was a bit much, but it still seemed relevant. But anyways, the lyrics hit home with her current feelings for Mercedes.
Santana glanced at Mercedes as Mr. Shue stood in front of the class. They already said they wanted to go first, and the teacher granted that request.
"Alright guys! We have our first volunteers! Santana and Mercedes!" Mr. Shue said, inviting the girls up. They took their positions and motioned for the band to start.
During their performance, Santana was legitimately enjoying herself, till she accidentally glanced at Sam Evans. He was sitting next to Quinn and had a sappy ass grin on his face. She decided to ignore it since it was a fun performance. Her irritation grew worse as the instrumental break came up and they did a cute little booty shake. Santana turned and saw Sam practically falling over his seat, with a smile so wide she didn't even think his mouth could manage, with eyes glued to her woman! She looked over at Mercy who just winked at him.
Unbelievable. She thought sadly.
"Hey Sam! Wait up!" Santana called. She watched the blond tense up and turn around.
"Uh, hey Santana, whats up?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.
"Are you busy?" Sam looked at his watch, 3:05. He started practice at 4 so that gave him some time.
"I have practice at 4, but nothing till then…" He answered nervously.
"Yeah, me too. Can we talk?" She asked and Sam became scared. This girl hated him, he knew it. The only thing that was missing in this conversation were the jedi death glares she usually shot his way.
"Yeah, what about?"
"How about we go on the bleachers?" Santana suggested. Okay, something was off here, but at least they would be in a public place. Where people were running on the field. They would make excellent witnesses if she decided to kill him. His death wouldn't go unnoticed! But what if everyone in the school feared her just as much, if not more than he did, and they wouldn't say anything, then he definitely would be screwed. But what if sh-
"Sam!" She snapped. He shook his head against his thoughts. He was over-reacting.
"Okay, lets go." He said. Santana eyed him as they walked toward the bleachers. Was he an idiot?! She thought. She already didn't like him. So staring blankly at her like a fool wasn't going to make her warm up to him.
Once they got situated on the bleachers, Santana looked over at Sam. He was fidgeting with the strap of his backpack that was on his lap.
"So what did you want to talk about?" He asked after a minute of silence. Getting scared when one by one everyone was starting to exit the field.
"I wanted to say something to you…" she started, and just ended there.
"Well, yeah, I got that-" Santana's icy glare cut him off, "I mean, oookay…"
"I'm…" she made a face as if she were in absolute pain, and Sam was starting to worry when suddenly the grimace was gone.
"You're?" He blurted.
"I'm… so-" Santana shut her mouth quickly, and the 'in pain' face was back. He watched in amusement as she kept stuttering over the word. "So-" she closed her mouth again, but this time along with her eyes as if she were concentrating, "…sorr…y." She finally said, as if she were tasting the word on her lips.
Sam knew this was hard for her, and didn't want to push it, so he just nodded.
"Its okay. New guy always gets hate. Whats new about that, right?" He asked, and Santana smiled a tiny bit, grateful he didn't ask her to elaborate, or say the word again since she done such a bang up job the first time. But then she remembered why she was apologizing, and the potential of her girl and him walking around being a couple made her anger flare again.
"Mercedes is my best friend." Sam was quiet as he listened to her point. "So, of course I'm going to protect her. She really is an amazing girl." Sam thought Santana looked a little dazed.
"I know" He said. And her head snapped to him.
"I saw you looking at her like a piece of ass during our duet." She stated.
"I wasn't-" Santana's patience was running out.
"Look, I'm pretty much apologizing to you because I owe it to Mercedes. She's pretty, talented, supportive, and the only great thing in this old, miserable, banged up town, so step on her toes, and I will end you." Sam flinched against her warning. About five seconds after staring at him, she grabbed her pack and walked off the bleachers.
That wasn't how it was supposed to go, but she couldn't help it. Santana knew she was acting immature, but everyday Mercedes got to know Sam, the more she liked him. She often spoke about their conversations, or mention one of his lame impressions, or how she thought he was really funny. And it really did honestly hurt her.
"Hey Santana!" Quinn greeted as soon as Santana walked in the locker room.
"Hey." She responded.
"Was that Sam you were talking to on the bleachers? I thought I saw you two when I was stretching." The blonde observed.
"Sure was." Santana said while putting in her locker combo and jerking the locker open.
Quinn rose an eyebrow, "Everything okay?"
"Peachy." She said.
"Santana…" The blonde said softly. It was only them in the locker room, and Santana sighed.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Its about Mercedes, isn't it?" Quinn asked gently.
"Why would it be about Mercedes?"
"Well, why would you be talking to Sam otherwise?" She challenged.
"Q, I really don't want to talk about it."
"Okay, but do remember, I'm always here for you, Tana." The fellow cheerio put her hand on her shoulder.
They were busy doing their own thing when Brittany walked in.
"Everything seems gray, but strangely, I see a rainbow, too. Like a sense of hope or something." Brittany looked around the locker room with her eyes, both of her hands were griping their respective strap.
"What do you mean Britt?" Quinn asked.
"Like something sad is going on, but theres hope or support or something for whatever it is to get better." Santana widened her eyes. Lots of people said Brittany was dumb, but she wasn't. She was just so simple, she noticed the obvious. "Anyways, ready for some intense cardboard guys? Coach Sylvester said 'It was all about the cardboard so we can built our endurance'." Brittany quoted while pulling her backpack tighter.
"Cardboard?" Santana asked.
"Yes. You know what Jillian Michaels makes us do most times during her work-out videos? Because she says it pumps the heart really fast to shred fat. You should know Santana, you complain about doing them all the time, in fact, more than all of us." Brittany elaborated, as if Santana should already know.
"You mean cardio?" Quinn asked, and Brittany turned to her. She moved her head closer, looking to the side once before looking back at the head cheerleader.
"Isn't that what I said?" Santana and Quinn started laughing, and despite Brittany's confusion she smiled.
"Now everything is colorful again." She said, it only made them laugh harder.
"I'm so glad we're doing this, Kurt! Its been too long." Mercedes said while looping her arm through Kurt's. Its been a while since they really hung out alone.
"I know diva. Never hiatus' that long ever again!" He declared.
"Deal." She said, leaning her head on his arm. "How have you been?"
"I've been okay…" Kurt tensed. She stopped them from walking and looked at him. Mercedes saw the clouds in his eyes, and she wanted to know why he was lying.
"Want to try that again, and maybe this time tell me the truth?" She asked.
"So, you know I'm the only openly gay kid at school,"
"You're also the only fabulous one, but continue." Kurt smirked, despite his mood.
"So naturally… that leads to… complications." He said.
"What kind of complications?" Mercedes asked skeptically.
"Like, bullying… complications." He looked down at her.
"Bullying?!" She nearly yelled. "Who is bullying you?!" She was definitely yelling now.
"Its no big deal, nothing I can't handle."
"Bullshit. Is he on the football team?" Mercedes asked, racking all the potential offenders.
"Yes."
"Its Azimio, isn't it?" She asked.
"Surprisingly, no."
"Joshua? You know, somethings seriously wrong with that kid…" Mercedes trailed off in thought. Thinking of every possible way she could threaten whoever it was that was messing with her boy.
"No."
"So it must be Br-"
"Mercedes, its Karofsky." She froze, then she felt rage.
"WHAT?! That receding hair line mofo?! He is harassing you?!" Mercedes yelled, and Kurt shushed her when some passerby's looked at her. She simply glared back at them. The receivers quickly looked away, clearly not up to confronting the angry teen.
"Just wait till I see him." She said much calmer, still glaring at whoever else that was still having a problem with her outburst.
"Don't worry about it, 'Cede."
"Thats like telling me to watch something horrible happen in front of me, and not being able to do anything about it." She turned her gaze to him.
"It would make things worse!"
"You're so sure?"
"Yes. He'll grow out of it eventually." Kurt responded solemnly.
"And again, you're sure of it because…?"
"Just please don't." He pleaded. Mercedes wanted to swear, or even yell for him to come to his senses. Someone was harassing him! Bullying him! No one messes with the people she loves. No one. Especially not a jock.
"Fine." She lied.
"Hey Mercedes!" Sam greeted. He and Mercedes hung out often, and sometimes with the other glee members. The more Sam got to know everyone, the more he liked them. They were all different, yet they had enough similarities to still be friends. Almost like Yin and Yang.
"Oh, hey Sam," Mercedes greeted back with a small smile as they reached her locker.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, why?" She looked at him, and he could see that she was lying.
"Hmm, wanna try that again, and this time you tell me the truth?" Sam mimicked, and she smirked.
"Stealing my lines I see." Mercedes mocked while switching out her books for the next day.
"Only when its relevant, like now." He pressed.
"Fine, Kurts been getting bullied by this guy on the football team, and I don't know how to help." She sighed.
"Want me to beat him?" Sam half-joked. If Mercedes wanted him to, all she had to do is say the word and he'd do it.
"For as tempting as it sounds…" The diva looked thoughtful, "I don't think its going to solve anything."
"Well, if you need me, you know where to find me." Mercedes closed her locker.
"Thanks, Sam." They started toward the front of the school. "Hows your duet coming along? Did you find a partner yet?" She asked.
"You really expect me to follow your and Santana's act?" Sam asked seriously, "I don't think so." He shook his head.
Mercedes laughed, "Don't be ridiculous."
"But as for finding a partner, I think I did. Quinn asked me if I wanted to team up with her." He said.
"Quinn?" She smiled, "And what did you say?"
"I said 'Sure.' I mean why not? Santana quickly snatched you up, I barely had time to ask. Then again… I'm glad I didn't, you would've let me in the dust with all your runs." He smiled at his statement, and she laughed.
"Sorry, Sam. You're a nice guy, but this she's my best friend." Mercedes exclaimed.
"I know." Sam smiled.
"He's been getting bullied by who?!" Santana yelled.
"Karofsky." Mercedes said, trying to calm her down.
"That little bitch. Wait till I see him." She trailed off in spanish.
"Santana, don't, it'll only make things worse. We need to come up with a plan." Mercedes said reasonably. Santana sat next to her. They were in Mercedes' back yard sitting on a bench near the side of the yard. Her backyard was gorgeous, and huge. In the back corner they had a green house where there were flowers of all sorts. There was a long porch right when you got out of her house, and railings covered it till the middle where there was a wide opening of 2 steps that lead to the yard. There were a few trees, and flowers everywhere. There were a number of benches and a shed for her dad's tools. Everyone loved it back there. There was even a pretty decent sized gazebo that was white, and reminded Santana of 'A Cinderella Story' the one with Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray, where they danced at their school's halloween party. In the center of the gazebo there was round table flanked by three benches where they were currently sitting.
"What'd you have in mind, Mercy?" Santana asked quietly.
"Well, I was thinking maybe confront him?" Santana scoffed,
"And if that doesn't work?"
"Then, we'll need to think about another approach." Mercedes said and caught Snix coming on, "If the opportunity needs to be taken. Until then, we just confront him." Don't get her wrong. Mercedes wanted a beat down just was much as the next person, maybe even more, but with the competitions this year, they couldn't take any risks. At least not for now.
"Okay." Santana reluctantly agreed.
"Hey, damn girl! You got some nice ol chocolate bootay!" Some rude guy yelled at Mercedes while she, Quinn, and Santana were walking around Castle's field. Castle was their rivalry High School and they were getting ready for the big game. Mercedes wasn't on the Cheerios, but Coach Sylvester had a soft spot for the diva, so she was allowed to sit in the cheerleading section. All three of them stopped walking.
Everyone looked at her and she blushed. Santana looked beyond furious, Quinn looked like she was scared. Mercedes just shook her head. If he said one more thing...
"Guys, just let it go." Mercedes insisted.
The game ended without a hitch and the crowd cheered at McKinley's win. Mercedes stood and jumped up and down. Santana ran up to her and pulled her from the bleachers so they could all do a victory dance.
After congratulating the players, Sam approached them with a huge smile on his face.
"Good game, Trouty." Santana said. Everyone gave her dirty looks, Sam just smirked, "What?" She shrugged.
"Thanks, Santana" He smiled wider
"Hey Quinn," He greeted, then turned to the next girl, "Hey Mercedes."
"Hey Sam," They both greeted. They were about to congratulate him when the same guy from earlier leaned over the small fence to yell at them.
"Damn girl, that game blew. But if you were cheering, it sure would've been a sight to watch. I mean, that ass… in that skirt… just damn. But next time, don't tease if you're not willing to please." He stated boldly in front of the four friends. Mercedes felt embarrassed, and she felt the anger from the rest of their small group.
"Excuse me?" Sam was the first to react.
"She heard me, didn't you darling?" The guy asked, and Sam walked up to the fence.
"I said, 'Excuse me?'" Sam repeated, his face and voice was deadly.
"She got a nice booty. And whats it to you? If she didn't like the attention, she shouldn't have worn that skirt!" He pointed a finger to her skin-tight skirt.
"She can wear whatever the fuck she wants to." Sam defended, and Santana walked up behind him slightly. Quinn remained by Mercedes, putting her arm around her in comfort.
"No-"
"YES" Sam sneered. "Now if I ever hear you talking to Mercedes like that again, I swear, I will end you. If you ever look at her outside of a way a gentleman should be looking at a woman, if you say another offensive thing, I swear I will try my hardest to rip your balls off." He backed away slightly, "And I do mean it when I say try, as I'm sure theres nothing there." Sam was done talking to that pig and quickly turned, causing him to almost walk into Santana. He thought she'd chew his head off, but she simply smiled. Then she turned her attention to the boy. If Sam ever thought Santana's glares to him were deadly, he was wrong. The way she looked at the jackass now was in no way compared to the way she looked at Sam.
"Well, what the fuck are you just standing there for. I'm sure he's serious, and after he deals with you, you'll have to deal with me. So ski-dazzle, bitch!" Santana yelled. The coldness in her voice even chilled Sam. After he left humiliated, Santana and Sam looked at eachother and smiled, obviously proud of themselves. They turned when they heard a sob.
"Mercedes its okay, he was just being a jerk." Santana ran to her, and brought the shorter girl into her arms in a protective embrace.
"I'm so embarrassed," She said behind her hands.
"Don't be." Santana cooed. Sam was infuriated. No one talked to his friends like that, especially Mercedes.
"Mercedes, its okay." Sam said, standing in front of her. Sort of crowding her personal space, but not really.
"Yeah, Mercedes, you know how boys are." Quinn said. She was rubbing circles on her back.
"But he was right, I shouldn't have worn this stupid skirt." Sam agreed, but for an entirely different reason. Mercedes looked so much like a woman now. She shouldn't have worn it, but thats just because he could barely handle it, and it was turning him on.
"Mercedes, listen to me." He gently moved her hands from her face so she could look at him, "Thats no excuse. You are free to do as you please. And if you want to wear a trash bag with tape holding it to your body its your right. Sexually harassing someone, no matter how they're dressed, is so unacceptable. You did nothing wrong tonight. Its just unfortunate that you got a boy so excited, he couldn't handle himself." Sam said sincerely looking into her eyes. To his surprise Santana winked at him in thanks, with a smile on her face.
"You're right, thank you. All of you." Mercedes said looking from Sam to her other friends.
"We have to change, but you can come in the locker room. It'll be quick, so at least you won't be alone." Quinn said.
"Yeah, wait up for me? I'd say we can go for a celebratory dinner!" Sam said. Mercedes watched Quinn's expression change. She liked him, Mercedes could tell.
"Sure." Santana agreed, and took in the flabbergasted looks from everyone around her. But she owed Sam a thanks. He may be into her girl, but the more she got to know him, but better he seemed. Don't be fooled, she's still a little bitter, but for as much as she loved Puck, she'd rather see Mercedes with Sam than him… or any other guy for that matter.
Santana felt that in her head, she'd always root for Sam if she couldn't get Mercedes. She didn't like the idea, but knowing a good guy like Sam was with her, it comforted her a little.
"What?" She asked defensively as everyone just stared at her.
