Mercedes took her phone out of her pocket as it vibrated. She took a covert peek at the incoming message then gasped. It was from Jessica.
Mike bumped her shoulder. His eyes clearly asked why she'd gasped.
She touched his pocket where his phone rested. It vibrated.
His eyebrows shot up. Magic? He mouthed.
She smirked. No.
He fished his phone out of his pocket & read the incoming text. His eye twitched. He knew no good could come from this.
Mercedes slyly texted something back to Jessie. She didn't want to have to explain her relationship with Mike to anyone else.
Quinn leaned over & whispered, "I just got a text from Jessie."
"Us too." Mercedes whispered back.
"Who else sees this as bad?"
"Like I said, Momma will not be having a good visit."
They sat forward & paid attention again. It only lasted for seconds because Jessie kept texting them details on the situation. Then a bombshell came through as class was almost over.
Quinn's eyes widened & her jaw dropped. She gasped & stood up. "No way!"
The entire class looked at her strangely. Mr. Shue looked at her in concern. "Are you okay, Quinn? Do you need something?"
Quinn blinked as she tried to process the information she'd just received & lie at the same time. "I just got an alert on a big shoe sale. See?" She shoved the phone in Mercedes's face.
Mercedes was wondering if her sister had finally lost it when she read what the text said. "Holy crap!"
"Must be a good sale." Mr. Shue blinked. "Well we're almost done here. You'll be able to make your sale."
"Okay." Quinn sat down & tried to calm down.
Mercedes tried to un-widen her eyes but feared they were stuck.
"All that over a shoe sale?" Mike didn't buy it.
"It's the two of them." Puck snorted.
Mercedes leaned around Quinn & hit his arm.
He grinned. "Shoe addict."
"We really should go shopping after this." She told Quinn. "We went this morning."
"Who's we? I've been stuck with the Ice Queen." Quinn rolled her eyes.
"It's not like you were alone with her." Mike taunted.
"Shut up."
"Don't you love your sister?"
"Better than you."
"I'm telling her you said that."
"She won't believe you."
"Yes, she will. You're the liar, not me."
Quinn turned to look at him darkly as Puck held his breath to keep from laughing & Mercedes's jaw dropped. "What did you just say?"
"Okay. You can leave now." Mr. Shue told the room. "Go home & practice."
Mike popped up but Quinn caught his arm. "Oh no, you don't!"
Tina raised an eyebrow. "Why are you mad at Mike?"
"How do you know she's mad?" Mike swung his arm but Quinn had a good grip.
"Because she has a specific mad face.
Mike took a peek a Quinn. "Nah. She's not mad."
"He said something rude to me!" Quinn clutched his arm tighter.
"Mike's never rude. Well almost." Tina smirked.
Mike pouted as Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"
"What'd you say?" Blaine asked.
"Nothing untrue." Mike defended himself.
Quinn used her nails to dig into his skin.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! I'm sorry!"
Quinn increased the pressure then let him go. "Rude."
"See if I'm taking you home!"
Quinn sat next to Mercedes. "Make him take me home."
"Be nice, Mike Chang. It's your thing." Mercedes chided.
He groaned. "Fine. But I'm not stopping. You're going to have to roll out."
Artie fell out laughing.
Quinn pursed her lips. "I don't like you."
"You're okay." Mike sat back down & put his hands behind his head.
"I change my answer. Mike's only sometimes rude." Tina gave him a look.
Mercedes narrowed her eyes as he flinched. "Okay, everyone out. I want to talk to Jake."
"Yes!" Jake raised a fist.
Puck facepalmed. "Don't get happy."
"Too late."
"Pig." Marley left with pleasure.
Unique & Tina went after her (after Unique got her hug in). The guys all left & Kitty pushed Artie out. Mr. Shue went to his office.
"What did you want to talk to me about? Want me to be your boyfriend?" Jake batted his lashes flirtatiously.
"No!" Mike snapped.
"You sure?"
Quinn laughed. "I don't think you want to continue down this road."
Jake gave a long suffering sigh. "What do you want to talk about, Ms. Lady?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to come over." Mercedes was deeply amused.
"Yes, I do!"
"You don't even know what for."
"As long as I get to be by you-" Mike growled so he grinned. "Or your sister, I don't care."
"She was right. You are working hard."
"Just imagine-"
"Little bro!" Puck clapped him on the shoulders. "Stop before he kills you!"
"Okay. I'll save it for your sister."
"Aren't you going to warn him about Mal?" Quinn questioned.
Mike shrugged. "That's his problem."
"Come on. We have a party to get to." Mercedes stood up. "& a sister to interrogate."
M&MC
"Why are you moving so fast?" Mike questioned as they walked up the steps.
Mercedes unlocked the door. "I want to know if it's true."
"If what's true?"
"Haven't you checked your phone?" Quinn chuckled.
"Nope. After Jess texted about Marcy & Mal, I ignored everything else."
"That was a long text."
"Can I read it?" Puck wanted to know.
"Why? You already know what happened."
"Well what happened that Mama's so tuned into looking throughout the house that she just has us following behind her?"
Mercedes reached back & hit his chest. "Shut up!"
"Well you do!"
"Who are you looking for?" Mike didn't get it.
"Ha!" Mercedes pointed to Laura as they entered the den.
The blonde jumped. "You got the text."
"Yes, we got the text! How could you tell Jessie before you tell us?! How come you didn't tell us?!"
"Tell you what?" Mike decided to just go through his messages. His jaw dropped. "You're divorced?!"
"You're so late, Mikey." Laura sighed.
"Apparently we all are." Mercedes wanted answers.
"I'll tell you when Mom gets off work."
"When will that be?"
"Really soon."
Mercedes narrowed her eyes as if gauging her honesty. "Fine. Guys, meet Puck & his brother, Jake. Puck is Quinn's boyfriend."
The whole room waved.
"Puck? Isn't that the guy-?"
"Yes!" Mercedes cut her off. "He's Beth's father."
India raised a brow. That wasn't what she was going to ask but it still answered her question. "Nice to meet you, Puck."
"It's nice to meet you, too…?" He floundered.
"India." Mercedes whispered.
"India. That's a pretty name."
"I know." India smiled.
"Told you. This whole family is mirror struck." Marcy rolled her eyes.
Jake made a beeline for her. "Hi again, Ms. Lady."
"Hey, Jake." Marcy grinned. "How are you today?"
"I'm extremely fine now that I'm in your presence."
"Mighty big talk for someone who doesn't know a thing about me."
"I know all I need to know."
"Meet my children." She held in her laughter at his crestfallen face & introduced her kids. "Mickey & Mally."
"You probably have a boyfriend."
"It's not their father if that's what you're thinking. But yes, I do."
He pouted. "This sucks!"
"Well I don't see him around."
He perked up. "I don't either."
"Marcy!" Laura pinched her. "Be faithful!"
"Ow! That ship has sailed." She pushed Laura away from her.
Victoria made a face. "Have you cheated on this poor boy already? How long has it been? six months?"
"It's been one month & don't blame me! It's Mal's fault!"
"I like hearing how you blame him for stuff." Mike leaned on the back of the couch behind her.
"It is!"
"What'd he do? trick you into it?" Quinn smirked.
"He talked me into it!"
"I don't believe that." Mercedes said. "You wouldn't even let us talk you into leaving in Italy."
"Well he did." She sassed.
"What'd he say?" Karou taunted.
"He said let's be together."
The whole room looked at her. "That's the worst excuse I ever heard." Po told her.
"Don't worry. When I tell Pierre, I'm going to cry & that'll make it sound better."
"You're going to tell him?!" Jake gaped.
"Shouldn't I?"
"No!" Marc snapped. "Take that to the grave!"
"Shouldn't I tell him that the guy who's going to be living with me has a plan to make it a different situation?"
"Why have him count down the moments?" Karou teased.
"Why have him in the dark?!" Quinn pushed her. "He needs to know that Jr. is coming for her."
"Didn't know I was an award." Marcy muttered.
"It's funnier if he doesn't know." Joey said. "It's just gonna come out of nowhere."
"You people should be ashamed of yourselves!" Xhi-Xhi told them. "She should be honest with this young man & tell him that she's going to be with Malcolm."
"What?!" Marcy yelped.
"Where's the fun in that?" Po asked in his serious way.
"Boom! Grandfather agrees with us!" Marc raised his arms above his head.
"Honesty is the best policy."
"When have you ever believed in that?!" Xhi-Xhi snapped.
"Now."
Victoria shook her head. "Tell that boy you don't want him."
"Or… you could surprise him." Marcus Sr. said.
"That's unethical, Grandpa." Mercedes narrowed her eyes on him.
"I know that word! I am not!"
"Grandpa, she should tell him he doesn't have a chance." A new cousin said.
Marcy tugged Jake down to whisper in his ear.
"Why?" Joey demanded. "So he can get all girly & cry?"
"If he's sensitive enough for that then he deserves to cry. She cheated on him." Mercedes said.
"So what? You want her with him anyway!"
"Not by cheating. Cheating is wrong."
"Didn't you cheat?" Marc demanded.
Her mouth hung open. "Marc!"
"I think we win." Joey high-fived him.
"Mercedes Catherine would never cheat." Xhi-Xhi sniffed.
"On Mikey maybe." Quinn grinned.
"Weren't we talking about Marcy & her inability to commit?!" Mercedes set her hands on her hips.
"Hey!" Marcy snapped.
"Point is; she should tell him." India went on.
"I don't think so." Marcus Sr. shook his head.
"Men!" Victoria threw her hands up.
Jake whistled loudly. Marcy thanked him as they all fell silent. "I'm with Pierre & nothing is going to change that."
"Are you going to tell him you cheated?" Mercedes asked.
"No."
"Yes!" The men (& Karou) cheered.
"& why not?" Laura crossed her arms.
"No need for him to get hurt… Or have him break up with me." She shrugged.
"You believe in honesty!" Quinn didn't get it.
"& if he asks, I'll have no choice but to tell him the truth but what kind of fool would I be to volunteer information?"
The men clapped.
"This is going to blow up in your face." Laura warned.
"How? The only way he's going to find out is if someone tells him."
"I'm not getting involved in your mess."
"Then let's talk about yours. When were you going to tell us you were divorced from that happy sucking leech?"
"He was not that bad!"
"He put you to sleep!" Marc taunted. "But who could compare to me?"
"A mirror." She bit off. "You both only reflect what's shone instead of having depth of your own."
"Are you calling me shallow?!"
"You are." Karou play whispered.
"You're shallow! I bet your girlfriend is beautiful & stupid!"
"Ha! Show's how much you know! I don't have a girlfriend!"
"Is it because you took Marcy's advice & dumped her?!"
Her mouth opened & closed a few times before she sat back with a pout. "So?!"
Joey laughed. "Why'd she tell you to dump her? She couldn't tie her shoes?"
"That's more than Penelope can do." Mercedes muttered.
"You need to stop, MercyCat!" He obviously heard her.
"She was clingy." Karou went on.
"Crazy was more like it." Marcy said. "Crazy sex is only good once per psycho."
Xhi-Xhi's & Victoria's mouths fell open. "Marceline Anne!"
"Maybe twice if they don't know where you live."
The guys were cracking up.
Laura hit her hand. "You don't respect women!"
"Of course I do! I adore me!" She rubbed her hand with a pout.
"Let's change the subject!" Mercedes wanted to talk about something different. "Mike-"
"Yes, I respect women." His eyes twinkled.
The room laughed but she wasn't to be deterred. "Why did Tina say you were almost never rude?"
"What do you mean?" His eyes moved away from hers.
"What's the big deal about that?" Marc questioned.
"When you think of Sonny, what is a word you never think of?" She threw him a heated glare.
"Mean."
"Nasty." Joey threw in.
"Jerk." Marcy & Karou added.
"& rude." Mercedes finished. "Why did your ex-girlfriend say almost & why did you look guilty? Like right now?"
Mike thought of all the ways he could get out of this. Only one came to mind; lying. But he was a terrible liar & didn't want to lie to his girlfriend anyway. "You know how I broke up with her?"
"Yes." Mercedes didn't know where he was going with this.
"I wasn't exactly nice (or honest) when I did it."
"You weren't nice?!" Marcy gaped.
"You're not helping!"
"What did you do, Michael?" Xhi-Xhi wanted to know
"It's more of what I said."
"What'd you say?!" Karou wanted to know so very badly.
"I told her she wasn't Asian enough…" He murmured with a bowed head.
It was quiet for exactly four seconds until Marc, Joey, Quinn, Marcy & Karou fell out laughing.
"You didn't!" Mercedes breathed.
"Dude!" Puck was seriously confused.
"What does that even mean?!" Victoria demanded.
Marc wiped away some tears. "Saying a girl (or boy) isn't enough of a race was my way of breaking up with a girl for no real good reason."
"Do you have any idea how many times I've used that line?!" Joey clutched his stomach.
"I can't believe you did that to her! She called me crying over you!" Mercedes grabbed a pillow & hit Mike with it repeatedly.
"Ow! I'm sorry! I just didn't want to be with her anymore & I didn't know how to get out of it!" Mike flinched with every strike.
"How about the truth?" Victoria pursed her lips.
"What was I supposed to say? "You get on my nerves now"?" He snatched the pillow from Mercedes & held it above her head.
"You're a smart boy! You could have thought of something!"
"I did! It wasn't perfect but I did."
Marc broke out in fresh peals of laughter. "That was amazing!"
"It was not! & you four stop laughing!" Mercedes refused to jump for the pillow.
Quinn reined in her giggles. "I just can't believe you of all people used that line!"
"I'm ashamed." Mike said.
"Not that ashamed! You didn't take it back!" Marcy grinned.
He shook his head. "Not that ashamed."
"Well I'm ashamed of you." Mercedes stuck her bottom lip out at him.
He kissed her. "I will never do that to you."
"You can't. She'll know it's a lie." Joey pointed out.
"Thank you, Joseph!"
"I heard the front door. Someone's here." Marcy sat up.
"You & those dog ears!" Laura sighed.
Marcy stuck her tongue out. "When is this party supposed to be happening anyway? We're just sitting here, watching TV."
"I think it's when Momma & Daddy get home." Mercedes said.
"Hello?!" Rose's voice called out.
"I can't wait to talk to her!" Victoria stood.
"Showtime!" Joey shouted.
Marc pushed him. "Fireworks!"
"Either way, be nice! Please, Grandma?!" Mercedes begged as she went into the hall to meet her mother. She didn't want fighting. She wanted her family together.
"I make no promises!" Victoria yelled.
Mercedes went into the hall & saw her mother stepping out of the office. "Momma!"
"Mercy." Rose smiled. "I love your hair!"
"Thank you." Mercedes let her touch it. "There's something you should know."
"What'd you break?"
"Nothing. It's just that family is here. Like Grandma."
Rose made a despondent sound. "She is?"
"& she knows about Marcy."
"She probably has some choice words for me."
"Some."
"Where's your brother?" Rose stopped messing with her daughter's hair.
"In the den with everyone else."
"Tell him to come here. I need him to do something for me."
"Okay." Mercedes went back to the den. "Marc? Momma wants you."
Marc found that suspect but left to see what she wanted anyway. "Yeah?"
Rose looked at her strapping son with pride. "I need you to hook up the music & call for everyone to meet here. We're having a party!"
Marc raised an eyebrow. "Okay…"
"I'm going to go to the store for more stuff. You just put on music. Hopefully by the time I get back, everyone will be having fun."
"Will do."
M&MC
Jake leaned in close to Mercedes. "So what's the deal with your family? There's a lot of you."
"Close to five thousand & five generations." She reported.
"& you're all related?"
"Kind of. Most of us are related to at least one other person here by blood or marriage. Some are adopted."
"I meant you, Quinn & Mike. Are you related?"
"Not technically. But we've been close since we were three. We've been like this since we were three & I couldn't imagine it any different but you cannot tell anybody."
"More secrets?" He smirked. "I should be getting paid for this."
"Go bug my sister." She pushed him away.
Puck leaned into her ear. "He's hard to train."
"Where's your mom & sister?" She giggled.
"On their way. I told them to follow the music. Speaking of which, won't your neighbors get mad?"
"I don't know. They're used to the Halloween & New Year's Eve parties but it's May."
"We'll see when the police get called."
She laughed. "They wouldn't do that to us!"
"& it's a work night?!"
She pushed his shoulder. "Shut up!"
Mike & Quinn came over with drinks. They sat next to their spouses. "Hey!"
"Hey!" Mercedes greeted. "What's that?"
Quinn handed her a pink fizzy drink. "Strawberry fizz."
"Ooh!" Mercedes took a sip as Mike handed Puck a can of beer.
"How does it taste?"
"Like strawberries."
Quinn took a sip of her own drink. "Joey made them."
"He just ought to have! He's the bartender!"
Quinn laughed. "Want to go up there & sing?"
"As long as we bring back Pink Palmer." Mercedes grinned.
Mike laughed. "I remember that! When was the last time you performed? four years ago?"
"No way! It had to have been closer!" Quinn insisted.
"No, I think he's right. We haven't been together since before you got pregnant. Or at least since we knew you were pregnant." Mercedes thought back.
"Aww man!" Quinn pouted. "We have to go up there! Where's Marce & Laura?"
"I sent Jake after Marcy but I don't know where she is. I think I saw Laura leave a couple minutes ago."
"Leave the house or the room?"
"The room."
"You go find her & I'll get Marcy."
Mercedes tipped her head back & chugged her drink. Quinn did so, too. They split up to find their sisters.
Puck raised an eyebrow. "Pink Palmers?"
"Laura loved boy bands & she thought they were the best of both worlds like an Arnold Palmer but she likes pink & pink lemonade so that's how the name came about." Mike explained.
"Wow. I hope my mom & sister get here quick. I don't want to miss this."
"How far away are they?"
"I don't know. Let's go outside & see." The two slipped out, knowing their seats were going to be taken by the time they got back.
They went out the front door & stood there waiting. "So…"
"Yeah."
"How's your mom taking you leaving now?"
"She's better. She's no longer guilting me by mouth. Now she just gives me the "I-abandoned-her" stare."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "That's kinda weird."
"She's weird." Puck assured. "Oh! I see her car!"
A brown sedan drove up to the house & found a place to park. It had to be a few houses down but she found a place. Two people popped out & walked down the street towards them.
"Hello, Mrs. Puckerman." Mike waved.
"Hi, Mike." Nadine waved back.
"Hi, Mike!" Nic waved enthusiastically.
"Hey, Nic." He held his hand up for a high-five.
She slapped his hand. "What are you drinking?"
"Domestic." He made a face.
"What's that mean?"
"It means it was made here."
"Oh." She still didn't get it but thought that maybe it was a teen thing.
"You're drinking beer?" Nadine looked at the can in her son's hand.
"It's not very good. After having Doc's, this stuff tastes like Mini Mama said. Bottled piss." Puck shrugged.
"Tasteful, Noah." She wrinkled her nose.
"We should get inside before they perform." Mike reminded him.
"Oh yeah!" Puck nodded.
"Who performs?" Nic wanted to know.
"You'll see. It's going to be great." Mike led the way back inside & they went into the living room, where microphones were set up.
"Wow! There's a lot of people here!" Nic looked around.
"It's only some family." He lifted a shoulder.
"Some? I'd hate to see most." Nadine couldn't see the walls there were so many people.
"Would you like a drink, Mrs. Puckerman?" Mike asked. "I can bring you something."
"Oh. Do you have any pop? I have to drive home."
"I can do it." Puck shook his head. "Get her that thing Mama & Q had. I'll drive home."
"What do you want, Nic?" Mike asked the ten year old.
Before Nic could tell him what she wanted, her mother interrupted. "Non-alcoholic!"
"Fine!" She pouted with crossed arms. "Do you have any orange juice?"
"They're making screwdrivers." He nodded.
"What's that?"
"Vodka & orange juice."
"What's vodka?"
"Too old for you!" Her mother steered her straight. "She'll take plain orange juice, Mike."
"Okay. Puck, hold my beer." Mike handed the can over & strode into the kitchen. He went up to Joey, who was doing his own share of drinking as he mixed drinks. "Can I have a strawberry fizz & orange juice?"
"MercyCat drank hers that quick?"
"Yeah but it's for Puck's mom. The juice is for his sister."
"She didn't want anything better than plain OJ?" He wrinkled his nose as he began making the pink drink.
"Her mom doesn't want her to have it. Americans."
Joey smirked. "Don't get 'em, Cuz. I don't get 'em."
"Me either." Mike took the pink drink.
"That's why I got an Eastern girl."
"You know if you marry that girl, they'll string you up by your toes."
"They need to butt out. Who I marry is my own business."
"If they didn't hate her so much, I think you'd be in the clear."
"Why do they hate her so much?" Joey sighed.
"Don't know. But it started with Mercy."
"I know. I still can't believe she told the PETA people on her. It's been almost eight years!"
"& she hates her as much as if it were yesterday."
"I don't think she even got that stain out of it." Joey finally handed him the orange juice.
"Now that's funny." Mike inclined his head. "See you in there."
"What's happening?"
"Laura & the girls are going to sing."
"Oh, I can't miss that!"
Mike laughed as he walked to the living room. He squeezed by people until he found the Puckermans. He handed Nadine her drink then Nic her orange juice. He took his beer back from Puck. "Have they started yet?"
"Nope. They're arguing." Puck took a draught of his own beer.
"About what?" Mike didn't get it.
"I don't know. They're not speakin English."
"I'll stop them." Mike sighed as he strode up to the front. "Hey, guys! What's the problem?"
"Your sister has lost her natural born mind." Marcy crossed her arms.
"Uh oh! She's only my sister when you're mad at her."
"Why can't you just sing my song? It's not like you've forgotten the words!" Maddie crossed her own arms.
"You don't know!"
"Maddie, we don't want to sing that song! It's embarrassing!" Quinn tried to make her understand.
"Why?!"
"It's emotionally baring." Laura said.
"I don't know what that means! I think you just don't love me anymore so you don't want to sing it!"
"Maddie, that is not true!" Mercedes was upset she even said that.
"It feels like it!"
"All because we won't sing one stupid ass song?!" Marcy spat.
"You cursed."
Marcy glared hotly. "We're not singing that song. Or at least I'm not. Pick something else."
Maddie pouted with tears in her eyes. She looked at Mercedes, who was the easiest to bend. "I want my song but I guess I Want You Back is good enough."
"You want N*Sync!" Marcy laughed. "Yeah, we can do that."
"Why are you so amped for them but not her song?" Mike asked.
"Because I get to dance & there's no damn feelings talk."
"Have you been drinking?"
"Yes."
"Ah! That explains the cursing."
"I'm not drunk! Nor am I an angry drunk."
"No, you're just an angry sober."
She punched his arm.
"Ow!"
Mercedes smirked. "Let's just sing before they riot us for turning off the music & not giving them anything?"
"Alright!" Marcy spoke into a mic. "We need Karou, London, Paris & Coraline to come up here!"
"When are we gonna hear some music?!" Someone shouted.
"Keep your skirt on!" She yelled back.
The four mentioned ladies walked up to the front. "You called?"
"We're doing I Want You Back." Laura said.
"Yay!" Paris clapped. "That's my favorite song!"
"Then let's do it." Quinn shifted her hair behind her.
Maddie & Mike went to stand in the audience as the girls got in position & Laura found the right song to play.
Nadine leaned forward. "They all sing together?"
Mike nodded. "We all do. Some of us shouldn't though."
"You can sing, bro." Puck hit his shoulder.
"Thanks but I was barely talking about me. Paris is tone-deaf."
"Which one is she?" Nadine asked.
Mike pointed to the light skinned girl with light brown & black hair. "That's Paris. She wants to be a makeup artist."
"Really?"
"She's been doing that stuff since we were young. London, too. She wants to be a hairstylist. She's the one with neon pink hair."
"What about the one with blonde & is that grey?"
"Yeah. That's Karou. She wants to be an actress."
"& the one with rainbow hair?"
"That's a wig. Coraline has blonde hair but she likes all the colors of the rainbow."
"Why doesn't she dye it like Mercy did?" Nic asked.
"You noticed her hair? Yeah, she doesn't want to commit. Core would dye her hair every other day & end up bald or she would have to get it done all at once & not sit still & mess it up."
"She's a mover? Can she sing?" Nadine asked.
"As well as I can."
"You can sing, bro." Puck repeated.
"I'm not like Artie. Or you."
"But you can still sing."
"Alright, you're stuck on being supportive I see."
"Yup." Puck drank the rest of his beer. "So what are they about to sing?"
"N*Sync."
"What?! Why?!"
Just then, Quinn went to the mic. "Mad? We have a problem."
Maddie went up there & they conversed for a moment before Maddie nodded & went back to sit down.
Quinn got back in position & the music started. It was not N*Sync.
"That doesn't sound like any boy band I've ever heard." Puck commented.
"That's because it's not. It's a girl band." Mike grinned. "They're singing Run Devil Run."
"Run Devil Run?" Nadine asked. "Is it child appropriate?"
"Yeah. Just listen." Mike swore.
The girls took turns singing, each of them getting a couple lines in a row before trading off to another family member. They had simple yet effective choreography & they blended voices well. Besides Paris anyway.
When they finished, the house applauded heavily.
"I didn't know they could sound like that!" Nadine cheered loudly.
"I think they're about to sing again." Nic pointed to the front of the room.
The girls got into a line in order of age & danced together, doing an old routine.
Laura opened her mouth & started singing.
"I can tell by the way you feel
Something ain't goin your way
Jeans too tight & your hair ain't right
We all get some of those days
Oh
Throw that mirror away
Oh
You know it's going to be okay
London & Coraline sung.
"Take it down
Shake it out
On the floor you'll get over it
Let it drop
Make it stop
Oh
The girls came together to sing, keeping their routine tight.
"When you feel like nothin
Everybody somethin
You & your friend
Everybody jump in
Look at us now
Everybody shout out
Oh
In the spotlight
No matter what your outside
Get it with your inside
Open your eyes
You deserve the spotlight
Don't be frontin
Everybody somethin
Oh
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Laura stood in front slightly as she sung.
"Got enough of oh my face
Wish I could dress & leave
We all got something we don't like
Even Angelina Jolie
Oh
Throw that mirror away
Oh
Don't be going M.I.A.
Coraline & London sang together.
"Take it down
Shake it out
On the floor you'll get over it
Let it drop
Make it stop
Oh
The girls came back together to sing, never falling out of step.
"When you feel like nothin
Everybody somethin
You & your friend
Everybody jump in
Look at us now
Everybody shout out
Oh
In the spotlight
No matter what your outside
Get it with your inside
Open your eyes
You deserve the spotlight
Don't be frontin
Everybody somethin
Oh
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Mercedes & Quinn linked arms as they sang together.
"I can tell by the way you talk the talk
That somethin ain't going your way
Cuz your jeans too tight & your hair ain't right
Well we all get some of those days
Just take another deep breath
Try to hit your reset
You know that I can relate
Put your hands in the air now
Let me hear you shout out
We'll get out of my way
Marcy went out in front & danced differently than the line behind her as Karou sang.
"Take it down
Shake it out
On the floor you'll get over it
Let it drop
Make it stop
Oh
All: When you feel like nothin
Everybody somethin
Marcy: (Everbody somethin)
You & your friend
Everybody jump in
Marcy: (Everybody jump in)
Look at us now
Everybody shout out
Oh
In the spotlight
No matter what your outside
Get it with your inside
Marcy: (Inside, come on)
Open your eyes
You deserve the spotlight
Don't be frontin
Everybody somethin
Oh
Marcy: (Oh)
When you feel like nothin
Everybody somethin
Marcy: (Everybody somethin)
You & your friend
Everybody jump in
Marcy: (Everybody jump in)
Look at us now
Everybody shout out
Oh
Marcy: (Oh!)
In the spotlight
Marcy returned to the line & fell back in step with the moves they were doing.
"No matter what your outside
Get it with your inside
Open your eyes
You deserve the spotlight
Marcy: (Open your eyes)
Don't be frontin
Everybody somethin
Oh
Oh
Marcy: (Oh!)
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight
Marcy: (Oh, spotlight)
Oh
In the spotlight
Oh
In the spotlight"
The whole house went crazy as they finished.
Nadine had to raise her voice over the din. "Are they always like this?!"
"Like what?!" Mike yelled.
"Professionals! I feel like I'm at an awards show!"
He laughed. "They do it enough! You should see us at Christmas!"
"What happens at Christmas?!"
"Carolers have nothing on us! We always sing from the time we get there until New Years!"
"I've never seen Mercy at Christmas & Quinn wasn't with us then! What do you do for the holidays?!"
"We all go on vacation! We switch every year! One year we go someplace hot then the next, it's some place cold! Like last Christmas, we went to Switzerland!"
"Switzerland?! What did you do there?!"
"Everything! Skiing, snowboarding, snowball fights! Everything!"
"You ski?!"
"No way! That's not my thing! I'm into the fights!"
Nadine cracked up. "Mike!"
"Hey! I'm good at it!"
Puck clapped him on the shoulder as he laughed. "I'd pay to see that go down!"
"You might one day!"
"What's that that man is giving Marcy?!" Nic asked.
Mike turned to see his grandfather giving her & Karou cigars. "It's a cigar!"
"A cigar?! Why is he giving them cigars?!" Nadine frowned.
"He gives all the boys cigars!" He shrugged.
"Uh…" Puck tapped him on the shoulder. "I know girls & they are most def. girls!"
"He kinda sees them as boys! Always have!"
"That's rude! They're girls! Young girls at that! They don't need cigars! Do they even know how to smoke them?!" Nadine fussed.
"Yeah! Just wait! They're going to try to light up…!"
Exactly like he said, the duo tried to light their cigars after prepping them but Rose came over at once. "No! Go outside & smoke those nasty things!"
Karou took Marcy's hand & pulled her through the room to go outside.
"I've never smoked a cigar or seen anybody do it!" Puck wanted to know how it was. "Would they share?!"
"You've never smoked a cigarette before! How are you trying to smoke a cigar?!" Nadine threw out a hand.
Puck sighed heavily with a major eye-roll. "It's called trying new things!"
"That's a bad habit to try!"
Puck made a face. "I'm going to see where they went!"
Mike shrugged. "I might as well, too! Somebody put on country! I don't want to listen to that!"
Puck laughed. "No country for old men!"
"Shut up!" Mike snickered.
They left, Nadine & Nic on their heels, to find Marcy & Karou. They went out the front but no one was out there. Then they went around to the back. The backyard was full of people.
Puck was the one to spot Marcy & Karou on a lounger. Marcy had a lighter in her hand & ran the gear over the edge of her shoe. The wick caught on fire & she held the flame up to the tip of the cigar, taking puffs to get it to light all the way.
When she finished, Karou took the lighter & repeatedly lit the cigar. The group walked over.
"Hey!" Mike still had to raise his voice but not as much. "You guys did good!"
Marcy blew out puffs of smoke. "Thanks! I think we did, too!"
Karou laughed. "We did!"
"I liked your dancing!" Nic told Marcy.
"Thanks, kid!" The blonde & green haired teen blew out more puffs.
"Are you going to drink more?!" Mike asked.
"Not until the twins go to sleep! Then I plan on gettin lit!"
"Whoo!" Karou raised her fists above her head.
"Let me get a hit!" Mike held his hand out. "I'm getting kinda hungry! Are we going out for food or what?!"
Marcy handed over the cigar. "You're always hungry! Do you have a tapeworm or something?!"
He shrugged as he took a drag. He blew the smoke out. "Maybe!"
Karou snapped her fingers for his beer can. "You should get that looked at."
He gave it up. "There's not much in there!"
Karou made a face as she drank the rest. "It's also not good! Ugh! I need something to take that taste outta my mouth!"
"It's domestic!" Mike took the can back.
"Where's Uncle Marcus's real beer?!"
"He's probably hiding it!" Marcy laughed. She took her cigar back. "I do want a drink though! That whiskey was nothing!"
"That's because I didn't let you drink the whole bottle!" Karou grinned.
Marcy touched Nic's shoulder. "Can you get me a hurricane?!"
"What's that?!" Nic knew about real hurricanes.
"It's a drink! Just find a tall blonde making drinks in the kitchen & ask for a hurricane for me! His name's Joey!"
"I'll go!" Nadine didn't want Nic to sneak a drink.
"Could you get me a cranberry martini, Ms…?" Karou realized she didn't know this woman.
"Nadine! I'm Noah's mother!" She stuck out a hand.
"Who's Noah?!" Karou shook it.
Marcy leaned forward & whispered in her ear. "Oh! Sup, dude!"
Puck fist-bumped her. "Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Karou!" She inclined her head slightly. "My fam calls me Rou, 'cept for CC! She calls me VB!"
"Who's CC?!" Nadine asked.
"Me!" Marcy raised her cigar. "It stands for Chocolate Cream!"
"VB is Vanilla Bean!" Karou said.
Puck sputtered with laughter. "Why?!"
Marcy shrugged. "Forgot!"
"You want to see a trick?!" Karou asked Nic.
The ten year old nodded.
Karou took a deep drag of her cigar then cupped her hands together & blew. The smoke came out in spirals.
"Whoa!"
Marcy grinned. "That's nothing!" She took a long drag then bit her bottom lip to keep the smoke inside. She pressed down on her right nostril & smoke came out of the left as she exhaled sharply with her mouth closed.
"Wow! How'd you do that?!"
Karou took another long drag & blew the smoke out between her lips & teeth, making it come out in two separate streams.
Marcy took an extra-long drag then inhaled air before closing her mouth. She yanked on her ear & smoke trailed out of it.
"That is so cool!" Puck was amazed!
Karou, her competitive side showing, took a drag before twisting her mouth. Smoke came out sideways.
Marcy was especially competitive & it showed as she took the biggest drag yet, gulped in as much air as she could then exhaled from left to right like a great dragon. The smoke came out like a big sheet of fog all in Karou's face.
Karou waved a hand in front of her face to dispel the smoke. "Stop doing that one!"
"I win!" Marcy hit her chest. "& I think I just caught lung cancer!"
"That's what you get!" Karou slapped her back.
"That was the coolest trick I've ever seen!" Puck stated. "How did you learn to do all that?!"
"We've been smoking for years!"
"It's why they're so short!" Mike taunted.
Marcy pushed him. "Shut up, string bean!"
Nadine shook her head before going inside to find that tall blonde making drinks in the kitchen. She found one shaking a shaker vigorously. "Are you Joey?!"
He grinned. "Yes, I am, pretty lady! What can I get you?!"
She blushed. It seemed they were all flirts! "Marcy wants a hurricane & Karou wants a cranberry martini!"
"Coming right up!" He finished the drink he was mixing before doing a shot & starting Marcy's hurricane. He used tequila instead of rum, knowing she hated the dark (or light) spirit.
"What side of the family are you on?!" Nadine made small talk.
"I'm a Fabray!" Joey poured the drink in a solo cup. To cut down on dishes, Rose had bought plastic cups, paper plates & paper napkins.
"What's in a hurricane?!" Nadine asked.
"Traditionally or what MarcAn gets?!"
"I'll take it how she does!"
Joey made another & poured it in a red cup before mixing the martini. "Can you carry it all?!"
"Yeah! As long as I don't get too jostled!"
He handed over the red tinted drink. "Be careful!"
"Thanks! Did you see them perform earlier?!"
"No! I heard them though! Are they still in there?!"
"I don't know about the rest of them but Marcy & Karou are outside smoking!"
Joey was busy making his own drink. "I'll take a drag out there with them!"
"Who's going to make drinks?!"
"I don't care!" He took a cigarette from behind his ear & left the island with his drink.
She was shocked as people began complaining about him leaving but he just walked to the back of the house as if he couldn't hear them. She giggled as she followed him.
They spotted their group with no problem. She handed Karou her drink before giving Marcy one of the hurricanes.
"Joey!" Marcy, Karou & Mike cheered.
He lifted his drink. "I heard you were getting lit out here!"
"Just chillin!" Marcy said.
"I need a light!" He held his cigarette out.
She fished her lighter out of her pocket & gave it to him.
He lit his cigarette before giving it back & taking a deep drag. "That's good."
"Thanks for this!" Marcy said about her drink.
"No problem!"
"We were just telling Rou about the house in Italy!" Mike told him.
"What house? Grandmom's & Granddad's?!"
"No! Mine!" Marcy brought out her phone & showed him pictures.
"That's nice, Cuz! I saw the text Jess sent out! You sure you want everybody in your business?!"
"I'm not answering anymore questions!"
"You know when people are sleeping away their hangovers tomorrow, the elders are going to grill you like a steak!"
"That's why I'm going shopping in the morning!"
"You're going shopping?!"
"Yeah! Mercy wants to find some shoes to go with the clothes we found today!"
"You went shopping?!"
"Stop it! I promised Mercy!"
"She can wring those kinda promises out of a person!" Puck agreed.
"& you end up keeping them even though they make no sense!" Mike continued.
"It's like she has this superpower to make you a better person!" Karou went on.
"It sucks!" Marcy finished.
Nadine laughed. "You can't be a better person?!"
"Being bad is way more fun!"
"Yeah!" Puck high-fived Marcy.
"No! You need to be good! You won't have your parents to help you out in Italy! Stay outta trouble! You're adults now!"
"Yeah! Yeah!" Puck waved a hand at her. "Ain't nobody goin to jail!"
"I might!" Marcy lifted a shoulder.
Joey fell out laughing. "That's your thing, Cuz!"
He suddenly lurched forward as a person fell into him. "Guys!"
"Mercy?!" Karou looked around him.
"Yeah!" She waved. "Come inside! We're going to sing again!"
"Sing what?!" Marcy wasn't budgin for no bull.
"Nivea!"
"Alright! Let's go!" Marcy tapped the butt against the sole of her shoe & stood up to down her drink.
The group made their way inside where Mercedes, Marcy, Karou & Laura sang Don't Mess With My Man by Nivea.
Quinn put on a different song & the five of them started doing moves they hadn't done in years.
"Just ask & I'll do
I'll do it for you
There'll be no more games that we'll play"
Mercedes sung out to the crowd.
"Tonight is the night
& the moon is bright
Baby, let me tell you
I'm in love with you tonight"
Laura took her turn.
"The more love we make
& the more love we take
Can I tell you
I won't let you get away"
They all sung together.
"Girl, you for me
& girl, me for you
I don't care what people might say
Just ask & I'll do
I'll do it for you
There'll be no more games that we'll play"
Karou stood out in front.
"The night we met
Is the night I won't forget
How you touched my heart
& you make me realize"
Quinn sang.
"I knew you were the one
After all was said & done
Baby, let me tell you
That I want you by my side"
They all sung together again.
"Girl, you for me
& girl, me for you
I don't care what people might say
Just ask & I'll do
I'll do it for you
There'll be no more games that we'll play
Girl, you for me
& girl, me for you
I don't care what people might say
Just ask & I'll do
I'll do it for you
There'll be no more games that we'll play
Girl, you for me
& girl, me for you
I don't care what people might say
Just ask & I'll do
I'll do it for you
There'll be no more games that we'll play"
M&MC
"Do we have to go?" Nic mumbled as she rode on Puck's back.
"Yeah, Runt. You & Jake have school tomorrow & Moms got work." He'd stayed true to his word & made his two beers last the whole night.
Nadine was tired & more than a little tipsy. She hoped she could go to work in the morning! "I shouldn't have drunk so much!"
"Why didn't you eat any of the pizza?" Jake asked. He'd snuck three beers.
"The alcohol was more tasty."
Puck snorted. "You're going to have one hell of a hangover."
"Don't say that! That's mean!"
He set Nic down so she could get in the car then helped his mother, who was quite honestly having a little trouble. "Don't hurt yourself."
"I'm fine!" She slapped away his hands.
"Fine!" He let her get in by herself.
She moved slowly but she was able to get in & put her seatbelt on by herself. "See?!"
He just slammed the door. "Get in, Jake."
Jake snickered as he got in. He was delightfully buzzed.
Puck got in the driver's seat & made sure everyone had their seatbelts on before pulling off. He dropped his brother off first before taking his mother & sister home.
His mother def. needed help getting in the house so the two Puckerman children helped her in before going to their own rooms. Nic changed clothes & fell asleep instantly while Puck called Quinn.
"Hey!"
"What's up? Party not winding down yet?" He could barely hear her.
"Nope!" She giggled.
"You're tipsy!" He recognized that Quinn. It was the one he knocked up.
"Maybe?!"
"Shouldn't you guys call it a night before someone calls the cops on you?"
"No one calls the cops in the Adjacent!"
"They will tonight!"
She giggled again. "I don't know. We might have to then. I'll tell Momma Rose."
"How is that by the way? I don't see her & Mini Mama in the same room ever."
Quinn whimpered. "That's not goin to get better any time soon."
"I just killed your buzz, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did!"
"My bad. Seriously though. Get some sleep."
"I will. Are you coming over tomorrow?"
"You're partying again?!"
"Well yeah but I meant during the day. The men in our family will be here. They've never met you."
"I don't think so. They might want to know stuff about me!"
"Please, Puck?!"
"Nope!"
"I'll get Mercy on you!"
"I'll hang up! Maybe one day but this is a little soon."
"Fine! Be that way!"
"Don't do that! I hate that! Why are you pushing this?!"
"I just asked for you to do something for me! You never do anything for me!"
"I sneaked you bacon when you lived here!"
"That was then!"
"What are you really mad about?"
"I'm not mad at all." Her voice had grown cold.
"Yes, you are. Is it really that important that I see your family tomorrow?"
"Nope."
"That means it is."
"It's really not. Don't come over."
He stared at his phone after she hung up. "This girl is crazy!"
Spotlight by Selena Gomez & the Scene, U 4 Me by Silk