I don't own anything.

Chapter One

"Alright honey, are you ready for school to start tomorrow." Alisha Jones asked her daughter as she sat a plate full of pancakes, eggs and bacon along with a bowl of freshly cut fruit down on the table in front of her daughter. Mercedes stared at her plate for a moment before slowly shaking her head. Of course, she wasn't looking forward to school. She wasn't ready to start a whole another year at McKinley High, even though she knew this year pushed her one step closer to fulfilling her goal of getting the hell out of there. Picking up her glass of orange juice she took a quick sip before grabbing her fork and twirling it between her fingers.

"No, I'm not really ready. Besides it's just going to end up being the same old same anyway." Mercedes said as she forced herself to smile just a little. "We're all just a littler older nothing to really be excited about." Alisha sent her daughter a worried look and opened her mouth to say something but stopped as her husband wandered into the kitchen. Malcolm Jones smiled at his wife as he brushed a light kiss against her cheek before heading over to his daughter to do the same. Reaching down, he snatched some of her bacon off her plate but frowned when Mercedes didn't react like she normally did.

"Baby girl you alright." Mercedes looked up from her food, her fork still poised in the air and glanced at her father while shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm fine, just a little tired. I really don't feel like getting back into the swing of school and stuff like that. I wish summer break lasted a little long, I still need a break." Mercedes admitted with a smile, hoping her words would put her father at ease. She knew how protective he could get, so she didn't tell him certain things. Malcolm studied his daughter for a few more moments before gracing her with a small smile.

"I'm sorry about the summer break baby girl, I know you were enjoying yourself this summer with your friends and all." he said as he bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Who knows though, maybe school will surprise you this year."

"I don't consider pop quizzes surprises." Mercedes deadpanned as she looked at her father who just smiled and shook his head.

"Young lady you're to sassy, you do know that right." He watched Mercedes playfully roll her eyes and did so as well while mumbling under his breath. "Can't really expect much though, you do act just like your mother." Alisha popped him on the shoulder as he just chuckled. "I'll see you two lovely ladies when I get back home tonight, oh and Mercedes." He waited till she looked up before sending her a playfully wink. "Have fun on your last day of freedom." With that parting shot he quickly headed out of the house. Alisha and Mercedes were quiet as they listened to his car pulling out of the drive. Leaning against the counter, Alisha looked at her daughter silently while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Are you sure everything's okay? Your father might not have picked up on it because he's been so busy lately but I have. Don't think I didn't notice you avoiding some of your friends call and telling them that you were to busy to hang these last few weeks." Mercedes sighed and pushed her plate away and stood up from the table.

"Just cause I decide to take a break from my friends, you act like I need an intervention."

"Girl, please stop being so dramatic." her mother said with a shake of her head. "I'm just a worried mother right now." Mercedes groaned and looked up at the ceiling wishing that she could be any place but right here in the kitchen having this conversation with her mother. Lowering her head, she looked over at her mother.

"Nothing is wrong okay. Nothing's wrong if I don't want to go out for a few nights," she paused and looked down at her feet. "Besides maybe I just didn't feel like going out because I don't like being the third or whatever odd number wheel I am when we all hang out." she replied back truthful. "And then while I'm out doing all that, I have to sit there and watch them all being all lovey-dovey and mess with a smile on my face cause I don't want to bring the mood down." Alisha sighed and pushed herself off the counter and walked over to her daughter and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Mercedes I know that you're upset about-."

"Not upset just disappointed. . .again," Mercedes admitted softly. "I just don't understand it, Mom. I'm beautiful right and-."

"Of course you're beautiful." Alisha cut in, not liking the sound of self-doubt that was slowly creeping into her daughter's voice. Mercedes was and had always been a confident child but high school had taken it's toll. Especially when her daughter saw so many her friends dating and breaking up only to date again, while her daughter remained dateless. "You're my beautiful baby girl, Mercedes let me just tell you again cause you need to hear it. High school doesn't define who you are, that school is a small pond compared to the world out there."

"I know, I get what you're saying Mom-but it would just be so nice if just once some nice guy just paid me a little attention." Alisha could see some tears pooling in her daughter's eyes as she finished her statement, without even thinking about it Alisha moved forward and pulled her daughter into a tight hug. She rubbed her hands up and down her daughter's back and rocked her from side to side. After a few minutes, Mercedes slowly pulled away from her mother and sent her a small smile. Alisha framed her face between her hands while Mercedes just sent her mother a small smile.

"I'm fine Mom." she said, while inwardly berating herself from having broken down this morning in front of her mother. Mercedes prided herself on hiding her problems and dealing with them privately. None of her friends were truly aware that she was a little miserable and envious of what they all had. Not one of them. Though then again, if she did decide to show them they probably wouldn't even notice and that would hurt even more cause then she would have proof that they really didn't care about her. "Maybe this piece of news will make you feel better."

"What news?" Alisha asked as she looked at her daughter curiously.

"I'm going out today, Mr. Shue is having a barbecue at the park to you know bring in a new school year for the glee club." Alisha just nodded her head.

"Do you really want to go?"

"Might as well show my face." Mercedes said with a shrug as she looked at her mother. "Don't worry I'll be fine."

Fine, however wasn't how she felt as she walked into the park later on that afternoon. Although she looked every part of the diva she believed herself to be, today her heart just wasn't into keeping up appearances. "Mercedes there you are, I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up." Mr. Shue called out as he spotted her from her position over by the grill. He lifted his arms and beckon her over. Mercedes quickly crossed the field and gave Mr. Shue a quick hug then stepped back.

"Sorry about that Mr. Shue, I just lost track of time at the mall. Had to do a little shopping." she said with a wink and a smile. Mr. Shue smiled back and nodded over to the picnic tables that several members of the glee club were sitting at.

"Well now that you're here," he said as he gave her playfully stern look. "Everyone's here, why don't you go over and talk to everyone." Mercedes just nodded her head and did as he instruction as she neared the table she gave everyone a quick hug and then settled down besides Kurt and Blaine, both of whom had been invited by Mr. Shue.

"Mercedes you look lovely today." Kurt said with a smile as he leaned over and pulled her into quick hug.

"Thanks I do try." she replied back with a smile. "So what's everyone talking about?" she asked looking around, when she had walked up, she had heard the boys talking excitingly about something but the topic died down as she made her rounds of hello. Puck, looked over at her and just smiled.

"Well, little momma we were just talking about how good the football team is going to be this year." Mercedes raised an eyebrow at that and shared a look with some of the other girls who all seemed to wear a similar look of disbelief on their faces. Beiste may have been a good Coach and helped the football team improve to actually winning a game or two a season, the McKinley football was still pretty bad. Puck noticed their shared looks of disbelief and rolled his eyes. "We're serious man, the team is going to be butter," looked over at Sam and Finn. "Come on guys help me out here."

"Puck's right," Sam said with a little smile. "We got several new players and this one guy is really and I mean he's really good defensive player. I never really feared the defense before in practice till now." he said with a shrug. "The guy's good." Santana just smirked at that while looking over at Mercedes.

"I think we'll just have to see about that." As the day went on, Mercedes noticed that the couples of the group started breaking off from the table to go and have some alone time and once again she felt that all to familiar feeling of loneliness wash over her like a cold bucket of water. Leaning onto the table, she pulled out her phone and started to surf the web, willing to do anything to look busy.

"Mercedes?" she looked up and smiled as she saw Sam standing at her side. Placing her phone down, she turned and gave him her complete attention.

"What's up Sam?"

"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked, rocking back on his heels and he looked down at her. When all Mercedes did was nod and motion to the empty area beside her, he quickly sat down with his back facing the table, while Mercedes just turned slightly to the side. They sat like that for a little while before Sam finally began speaking. "Mercedes I just wanted to thank you for your help this summer." Mercedes' features turned into a frown for only a quick second before she forced herself to smile.

"Not a problem anything for a friend."

"That's the thing," Sam said as he turned and really looked at her. "I really want to thank you for being such a real friend. Someone I can hang out with, chat with and just tell my problems too." He leaned over and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks." he added awkwardly as he held the hug a little longer than necessary. Once he pulled back, he sent Mercedes a lopsided smile.

"So how are you and Santana doing?"

"We're alright I guess," he looked across the field at the girl in question and shrugged his shoulders. "Your advice really helped me work things out." Mercedes just nodded her head and sent him a small smile.

"I'm glad." she pulled out her phone again and looked at the screen. "Dang!" she said as she lifted a hand and snapped her fingers. Sam looked over at her curiously as she stood up from the picnic table.

"What's wrong?"

"I promised my mother I'd help her with dinner tonight, if I don't want to be late I better get going." she said as she looked over at Sam surprise to see that his smile had dropped just a bit.

"Dang for real are you sure you can't text her back and-."

"No I've been putting her off long enough." she said with a small smile. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she turned and looked at everyone else. They all seemed to be completely wrapped up in their significant others so she just turned back to Sam. "Just tell everyone I had to run." With that said, she quickly turned and left the park. As she headed out of the park, she repeatedly told herself that she didn't see the look of disappointment in his eyes. Besides she had already disappointed herself one time to many this summer and she wasn't looking to start the school year off with another disappointment.

The next day Mercedes parked outside the McKinley High. Turning off her car, she took a few deep breaths and pulled down her visor so she could look into the mirror. She checked her hair and make-up and then climbed out of the car after grabbing her book bag off the passenger seat. Pulling one strap over her shoulder, she quickly made her way towards the entrance of the school. As she walked up the steps, her phone vibrated signaling that she had gotten a text. Pulling out her phone, she smiled as she read the text from Kurt asking her how she felt about a little after school get together at his house. As her fingers flew across the keyboard, she didn't look up to see where she was going. As she stepped into the school someone bumped into her shoulder rather hard. She would have fell to the ground if a hand hadn't shot out and grabbed hold of her. The person steadied her and then stepped back. "Sorry about that." A deep baritone voice said, looking up to see who her savior was, she paused as she took in the what she deemed one of the finest men to ever walk the halls of McKinley High. The guy was tall, taller than Finn and absolutely fit. He had light blonde hair that was cut pretty low on his head along with a small beard of hair at the bottom of his chin, plus his bluish-gray eyes were absolutely gorgeous. He smiled down at her and flashed her two deep dimples. "You alright?" he asked. She just nodded at her first before clearing her throat.

"I'm fine." He sent her another smile and nodded his head.

"Good, that's good. I wouldn't want to get in trouble for knocking over such a lovely girl on my very first day." he said with a wink, just as a random Cheerio came up and latched onto his arm. The girl cut her an annoyed look before looking up at Mercedes' mystery man with a bright grin.

"Tristan we better get going," she sent one last look at Mercedes before saying. "You don't want to be late on your first day." he only nodded his head at her before looking back at Mercedes and flashing her another smile.

"See you around." He said as the little cheerleader dragged him away, she watched him go and then turned around and quickly headed for her locker. She hoped Azimio and Karofsky didn't find her today with their slushy mix and welcome her to another same old same year at McKinley High. Thankfully for her, they didn't find her and she was able to go through the morning without being bothered by her normal bullies. However, in a few of her classes she did feel like someone was staring at her extra hard. The feeling made her extremely nervous cause she just knew that meant that dumb and dumber where planning something. As soon as the bell rang, she rushed out of the room and headed towards her locker.

"Mercedes!" Turning around, she released a relieved smile when she saw that it was just Sam. He walked over to her with a sheepish smile on his face.

"Hey Sam."

"Enjoying the first day back," when all Mercedes did was send him a look, he laughed and shook his head. "Okay then." he said with a bright smile.

"So what's up are you enjoying your first day back." Sam sent her a look back as well and Mercedes just grinned. "So what brings you by?"

"That english assignment we just got," he lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his neck nervously while looking down at her. "I'm not any good at Shakespeare and I was wondering if you wanted to study together, maybe we can help each other understand Macbeth." Mercedes just nodded her head as a smile broke out on Sam's face. "Thanks Merc."

"You welcome." he nodded as he started walking backwards down the hall. Mercedes looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. "See you later on in Glee."

"Yeah," he said. "See ya." Once Sam turned and headed down the hall, Mercedes turned back to her locker and starting putting some of her books away, just as a voice spoke from over her shoulder.

"Alright let me go down this list of things I've picked out-you're stunning, talented, sassy," he the voice paused and released a sigh. "Or feisty, I'll leave that for you to decide cause I think either one makes you sexy. Oh and did I mention that you're absolutely beautiful." A look of pure disbelief went across Mercedes' face at the guy's words. Turning around, she immediately felt disappointment as she realized it was the guy from this guy the cheerleader had sunk her claws into and called Tristan, sighing she looked around for Azimio and Karofsky to come out and laugh her.

"Is this some type of joke?"

"Geez, I put myself out there like that and you think it's a joke." Tristan said as he rubbed a hand over his short hair. When all Mercedes did was tilt her head to the side, he blew out a breath and shook his head. "Naw, this ain't no joke." he said, surprising Mercedes with his thick southern accent, that she didn't remembering hearing that morning in the hallway. "I'm being real truthful right now," he said in confusion before a blush colored his cheek. "Oh I get it," he rubbed the bottom of his chin nervously. "You're dating Sam." Mercedes sighed and just shook her head as she looked up at him.

"No I'm not, I'm not dating anyone." she said softly. She watched as Tristan displayed a look of disbelief. He stood there looking at her silently before raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"You're kidding." he said with a shake of his head. Mercedes rolled her eyes at his words and just sighed.

"Yeah, I'm kidding about that." she said softly with a frown. "I'm sorry but why are you asking me all these questions. I don't even know you." Tristan grinned at her and leaned over on the locker next to hers.

"And that's something I'd like to change," he looked her up and down before continuing. "However I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself first, I'm Tristan Shepard and I'm brand new." he stated as he offered her a lop-sided grin that made her look down at her books as she tried her best not to blush. "Aw, now that's cute, don't hide that smile, Ms. Lady." Mercedes looked up at him and saw his smile grow deeper, his eyes seemed to twinkle as he looked down at her. "Sorry about earlier if it embarrassed you or something, we had quite a few classes together and I wanted to speak to you. Thought I could wait till the end of the day, but since I'm here right now I guess that didn't work out." Mercedes blinked at his words and looked at him again as if he were joking.

"Speak to me?" she asked unable to keep the surprise out of her voice, because she really couldn't believe what she was hearing. After this morning, she would have bet her last dollar that he had already been claimed by some Cheerio. Tristan laughed and leaned in towards her while adjusting the strap on his book bag.

"Is that really so hard to believe, beautiful. I already listed all of the reasons why I liked you earlier. Should I go through the list again," he said with a bright smile. "But seriously you're going have to tell me whether you prefer feisty or sassy." he said with a wink. Before Mercedes could response, the bell rang, without a second thought she started towards her next class. Tristan quickly fell into step with her. Stopping outside her classroom, she looked at Tristan as he shared her down.

"No," she said softly. "No, I don't think that's so hard to believe."

"Good," he said. "I was hoping it wasn't. So how about that talk," he took in her face, he could tell she was still a little caught off guard. "How about this, you eat lunch with me today."

"I really don't know." Mercedes murmured as she glanced into the classroom to make sure that the teacher hadn't started class.

"Oh come on, I really wanna get to know you," he said as he placed a pout on his face that Mercedes thought was absolutely adorable. "Please." The look he was currently sporting caused her to giggle before releasing a reluctant sigh.

"Fine."

"I'll meet you by your locker after class," Mercedes only nodded her head. "Great, now I just need one more thing." Mercedes stepped back in surprise, wondering what he was going to do next. So far he had proved to be quite unpredictable. "You need to tell me your name, Ms. Lady."

"Mercedes Jones." Extending his hand, he waited for her to put her hand within his, when she did he gave her hand a light squeeze and smiled.

"Mercedes what a lovely name, it's nice to meet you," he reluctantly released her hand and stepped back. "Can't wait for lunch." he said before giving her another smile and heading off down the hall. She watched him until he turned the corner and then slipped inside the classroom just as the late bell rang. All throughout her history class, Mercedes had been nervousness. She still didn't know if this was cruel joke devised by Azimio and Karofsky but after her little talk with Tristan, she was starting to think that maybe it wasn't. Tina, who had class with her could tell she was excited about something so when the teacher turned her back to them she leaned over.

"What's up with you Mercedes are you okay?" Turning to look at her friend, Mercedes just nodded her head.

"Yeah I'm fine." she murmured back, just as the teacher turned around and sent the classroom a look. Once the she turned back around and began writing on the board again, Mercedes looked back at Tina. "I'm fine, there's no need to worry." Once class was finished, Mercedes and Tina headed off in different directions. As she walked towards her locker, she saw Tristan leaning on the locker next to hers. Offering him a quick smile, she pulled open her locker and began putting her books away.

"How was class?"

"It was alright." she said shyly as she looked at him. He smiled and looked at her for a moment before pushing himself off the locker.

"Can I ask you a question?" Mercedes closed her locker and gave him her attention. "Why did you look surprise when you walked up to your locker? I told you, I'd meet you here."

"I just thought that you'd meet me in the lunchroom." Tristan smiled and crossed his arms over his chest.

"That wasn't what I said I'd do, Ms. Lady. Besides I figured the best way to make a good impression on you was to meet you here and walk you there like a southern gentleman should." Holding out his arm, he looked at her with a small smirk. "Come on let's go, I don't know about you but I'm staving." Smiling, Mercedes slipped her arm into his and allowed him to led her to the lunchroom. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, he didn't seem to be trying to avoid anyone. He took the easiest route to the lunchroom and waved at several football players along the way. He just looked happy to have her with him, proud to have her on his arm. As they entered the lunchroom, Mercedes could feel a lot of people looking at them. Tristan reluctantly released her as they entered the lunch line, but he remained as close as possible. As she exited the line, she saw Tina waving her over to the glee table. Turning around, she looked at Tristan. "That your friend?" he asked as he grabbed his tray and nodded his head over to the table that had several of his teammates and a bunch of girls.

"Yeah, I usually sit there." Mercedes admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. "How about you go and pick a spot and I'll um tell them that I won't be eating lunch with them today." Tristan raised an eyebrow at that.

"You promise not to stand me up."

"Of course, I wouldn't do that-that's just rude." Tristan nodded his head and did a quick glance around the lunchroom.

"I'll be over there." he pointed out the table to Mercedes and walked off while Mercedes hurried over to the table where Tina was giving her a small smirk while the rest of the glee club just looked at her in shock.

"So that's why you were so excited in history today," Tina paused and looked over towards Tristan who was just sitting down. "I understand now."

"Wait so are you dating him?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah, I mean he is new here." Sam added as he looked over at Mercedes who resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"No I'm not dating him," she said as she fixed a glare on Sam before sighing. "I'm just getting to know him. There isn't any harm in that. I'll see you guys in glee." With that said, she picked up her tray and walked over to where Tristan was currently sitting. As she made her way over to the table, she noticed the smile on Tristan's face.

"So you had to tell your girlfriends about me?" he asked while wiggling his eyebrows. Blushing Mercedes sat down across from and shrugged her shoulders.

"I had to tell them about this guy so they would know who to suspect if I didn't make it to my next class." she replied back with a small smirk, Tristan grinned at that and chuckled while picking up a fry and popping it into his mouth. "So. . ." she trailed off nervously as she looked at Tristan. "I thought we were going to talk."

"Oh yeah, of course. . .of course." he murmured with a small shrug of his shoulders. "First thing-sassy or feisty?"

"You just won't let that go will you."

"Nope, I gotta make my list correct." he said with a smirk. "So Ms. Mercedes Jones, what is it-sassy or feisty?"

"Sassy." she replied with a small smile. Tristan grinned then and leaned back in his seat as if he were talking in all that she just said.

"I like that, alright so do you have any questions for me." Mercedes fumbled with the end of her shirt while looking at him.

"Why are you-."

"If that's a question about why I like you or something, I think you need to save it," he paused and simply stared at her before shaking his head. "I don't know what goes on in this school cause frankly all the people I know are some football players and of course you. However I really don't like the way you're constantly doubting yourself. You're beautiful and I'm lucky you're giving me the time of day." Mercedes blushed at his words and sighed. "Do you have another question you want to ask me?"

"Yes I do-where are you from?"

"Georgia." he said, Mercedes smiled as he let his southern accent slip through again. "I lived outside of Atlanta." Nodding her head at his answer, Mercedes picked up her drink and took a quick sip. She'd have to watch herself around him and that accent cause his voice when it slurred with that southern lisp certainly did things to her. "I moved up here cause my parents were worried I was getting into to much trouble down there."

"And were you?"

"I suppose, though I only saw it as having some fun. Dublin isn't the most fast paced town in Georgia gotta make due with what's around." he said with a shrug as he looked at her. "So tell me what it is that you like to do for fun."

"I like to sing, I'm apart of the glee club here at school." Tristan's eyes widened for a second before he smiled.

"Will you sing me a love song?" he asked boldly as he flashed her a grin that would have melted her there on the spot had she not been made of tougher material. "I'd sing you one."

"Can you sing?"

"No, girl I can't. I'm awful-simply awful but you know it's the thought that counts right." he said with a wink, Mercedes grinned at him and shook her head. "Well maybe the thought would count if I didn't sound like a dying farm animal." Mercedes covered her mouth with her hand and giggled as Tristan just sighed. "Go ahead, laugh it up."

"Oh I'm so sorry, Tristan." he waved off her apology and simply shook his head.

"Nothing to be sorry about," he said as he leaned over the table even more and Mercedes found herself getting lost in his eyes. "So tell me more about the lovely Mercedes Jones."

A/N: I hope you guys liked the first chapter, please tell me if I should continue.

Baby S