You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans

48. Heart

Tina sat next to Melanie, her eyes glued to the new Cheerio uniform Melanie was now adorning. She couldn't help but marvel at the transformation her friend had undergone. "I can't believe you're a Cheerio now," Tina said, with a small smle.

Melanie nodded, glancing down at the uniform as she smoothed out the skirt. "I know," she replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Honestly, it's surprisingly more fun than I thought it'd be." While she had initially joined the cheer squad for Sam, Melanie had discovered she genuinely enjoyed it. She was good at it, and to her surprise, it gave her a boost of confidence she hadn't expected. Now, she understood why Kurt and Mercedes had been so gung-ho about staying in the uniform back when they were part of the team.

Just then, Sam and Mike walked into the room, drawing immediate smiles from both girls. Without hesitation, Tina and Melanie sprang from their seats, rushing to greet their boyfriends. Tina gave Mike a quick kiss on the cheek as he took out his phone and snapped a selfie of them, both grinning happily.

Meanwhile, Melanie threw her arms around Sam, who effortlessly lifted her off the ground before giving her a soft peck on the lips. She giggled as he set her back down, her heart feeling light and carefree. Across the room, Rachel and Finn were giggling behind the drum set, while Brittany and Santana danced hand in hand by the side, their laughter echoing throughout the choir room. Love seemed to be in the air for the couples of New Directions.

"Okay, everybody, let's hear it for love!" Mr. Schue announced, walking into the choir room with his usual upbeat energy. As the students slowly made their way to their seats.

"Your assignment for Valentine's week is to find and perform the world's greatest love songs," Mr. Schue continued after drawing a large heart on the whiteboard. "Now, Regionals is next week, and we still need to raise $250 for costumes and hair spray."

"Oh, God, not another bake sale," Kurt groaned from his spot at the piano, his mood visibly bleak. Since Blaine, was still absent due to an eye injury, and the distance had left Kurt feeling more than a little down.

"If any student gives ten dollars, we will sing these 'world's greatest love songs' to their Valentine. We will serenade each classroom—"

"No!" everyone shouted in unison, cutting off Mr. Schue mid-sentence.

"Yes!" Rachel exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Two years ago, we went room-to-room Christmas caroling. They threw food," Tina pointed out, her voice carrying a note of exasperation.

"And shoes," Melanie added, rubbing the part of her head that had once been hit by a flying shoe. She frowned at the memory, but her expression softened as Sam, whose arm was draped over the back of her chair, leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her head. The affectionate gesture made her lips quirk into a smile.

"Yes, Sugar?" Mr. Schue asked, noticing her raised hand.

Sugar dramatically removed her heart-shaped glasses and stood up. "Here's a spoonful of Sugar for you all: Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff when you're rich," she said with a flourish. Unzipping her designer bag, she pulled out a thick wad of cash. "So, here you go," she added, handing it over to Mr. Schue.

"Uh, Sugar, I can't take that," Mr. Schue said, shaking his head in surprise.

"Take it!" Kurt snapped, impatiently.

"Okay," Mr. Schue said hesitantly, finally accepting the cash. "Everyone, give it up for Sugar for paying for our FinalNet and cummerbunds!"

The room broke out into applause as Sugar turned to face her fellow glee club members, holding her arms out dramatically as if basking in the sound of their clapping.