You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans

74. Guilty pleasure

It had been a couple of weeks since Melanie had made the decision to get an abortion, and she'd expected life to slip back into normal, like nothing had happened. But as time passed, she couldn't shake the weight pressing down on her.

Everything around her seemed unchanged—her friends laughed, the Glee Club rehearsed, and the world spun on like usual. Even she felt the same. But at the same time, not at all. It was like a shadow lingered over her wherever she went.

She walked around like it was business as usual, hoping that if she pretended long enough, eventually it would feel true.

The others had picked up on it. She still showed up—joined in the performances, trained with the Cheerios, joked around, argued with Kitty—but they knew. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, something was off.

As she made her way through the hallways toward Sam's locker, his face lit up when he saw her. That smile—it felt like home. Familiar, comforting. But the odd heaviness inside her didn't lift. Not completely.

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, drawing a small smile from her. His warmth always helped.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and laced with concern. His green eyes searched hers, gentle but slightly worried.

She nodded and gave him the most convincing smile she could manage. "Good," she replied, her voice steady.

Sam tilted his head, not buying it. "You wanna try that again like you mean it?"

She rolled her eyes playfully, a more genuine smile tugging at her lips. "I'm better," she corrected. "How about you?"

Sam returned the smile, but there was something in his eyes—a quiet weight that mirrored her own. "Better," he said softly, shutting his locker.

Just then, Blaine approached, glancing around before leaning in and slipping a folded fifty-dollar bill into Sam's hand.

"Here," he said quietly.

Melanie raised a brow in confusion.

"Don't thank me. Don't tell anyone. Just take it," Blaine insisted, leaning casually against the locker next to Sam's.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Sam asked, just as confused as Melanie.

"It's only fifty bucks. I know what you've been up to—and it needs to stop."

Melanie turned to Sam with a curious look. "What have you been up to?"

Sam gave a clueless shrug, still looking at Blaine. "Seriously, what are you talking about?"

Blaine sighed, like he didn't really want to say it out loud. "Last week, I found a shortcut to the parking lot through the cafeteria... and yesterday, I saw something."

Sam gave a knowing nod, realization dawning. Melanie stifled a chuckle behind her hand.

"Look, I know your dad's been struggling. I just wanted to help," Blaine said earnestly. "Help you feed your family. Hunger's a big problem in this country. Although so is obesity, which is confusing..." he added, mumbling the last part.

Sam groaned and gently tugged Melanie's hand, trying to walk away before the conversation got more awkward.

"Okay, can you keep a secret?" he asked, stopping and turning back to Blaine.

"Of course," Blaine said, nodding.

"I have been stealing pasta. But it's not for dinner... it's art," Sam confessed.

"Really good art," Melanie chimed in, smiling at Sam as he glanced down, a little sheepish.

"Come on," Sam said, guiding them toward an empty classroom. Melanie reached for the door, but Sam stopped her.