Home is where the Heart is

Lab Partners

Sam burst through the door with a look of worry and a late slip in hand. 

"And what is it this time Mr.Evans?" The teacher asked, clearly sick of his behavior. Sam handed him the late slip and searched for a good excuse.

"I...Uh... I didn't- Crap I got nothing." He mumbled to himself but the whole class heard. A few students laughed and even the teacher let out a small chuckle.

"Take a seat, we'll talk after class." The teacher informed with a small point to the back of the room. Sam walked towards his seat and sat down with a smile because of the perfect view he had; it was right next to a girl who knew all the answers and rarely covered them up.

"Alright class, today we'll be choosing lab partners. They will be your partners for this week's assignment. These partners were made at random...um...Alright, let's see, Santana Lopez and Brittany S.Peirce, Mike Chang and Artie Abrams,"

A few smirked as he called out the list, and a few sighed, Sam however did neither when his name was called.

"Sam Evans and Mercedes Jones."

Sam looked up at the front row to see her reaction, but she stayed silent. Sam didn't exactly know her besides being in his English class, but he did know she was probably upset to be with the guy who's always late all the time. She probably assumes he has a bad reputation.

"Alright, it's due at the end of the week. Good luck." The teacher said after rambling about the very important assignment. Everyone sighed as there was a massive list of instructions to follow, but the bell ringing relieved them.

Sam got up from his desk and was about to walk out of the class, but a teacher coughing stopped him.

"Remember our talk, Mr.Evans?" The teacher asked. Sam gulped and turned towards his large desk.

"I do." He replied, causing the teacher to smile as he twisted a pen.

"Great." He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk as he now started playing with the cap. "I want to know what's up. Why are you late all the time?" Sam scratched his head.

"Look, I understand there needs to be an explanation, but there isn't. I'm just not a morning person."  The teacher raised his eyebrows and set the pen down.

"Well, be sure to set your alarm clock extra early or detention is coming your way, possibly suspension." He said sternly. "This has gone on for too long."

Sam didn't really comprehend what he was saying, but he knew the teacher would be happy if he acted as he did. So, he replied with a yes sir and walked out of the room to be greeted by an eager lab partner.

"So what days are you free?" Mercedes asked outside of the science room. She held a binder in hand and a pencil to mark down whatever they schedule.

"I have a busy schedule," Sam replied while walking away, but Mercedes caught up to him in an instant.

"What the heck does that mean?" She asked, now with a tone of aggression.

"It means I don't have time." He said while passing through a crowded hallway, walking faster past the loitering. Mercedes followed him, growing expression of disgust.

"You're being a bit rude for a guy who doesn't have any friends," Mercedes added, trying to keep up. Sam finally slowed down his pace. It was his first month at McKinley high. He had to move for his senior year, and even though he didn't want to, he had to for his family's issues. Issues he doesn't like to talk about.

"I'm sorry Sam, I know your new here. I shouldn't have said that." Mercedes said after noticing the small change in his stride. Sam didn't let that stop him, and continued to walk to his destination.

"Whatever, it's no big deal," Sam said as his shoulders shrugged and his thoughts brought back to something other than his past. Mercedes got blocked from a couple holding hands eager to make out any second, and so-called out the last words.

"Anyway, I want to get a good grade, so you better find a way to help with your "busy" schedule." She turned away with a scoff and Sam was thankful she did. He didn't want to talk about what his busy schedule was, or why he was always late to class due to the possibility of her finding out his secret.

After school, Sam walked into a mini restaurant filled with tables of people, one person was so annoyed his food was late that his foot tapped faster with every minute. Sam had never seen the place so busy.

"Oh great, your here." The boss said while passing him an apron. "We're busy tonight so be prepared." He then passed him a note pad and pen.

Sam grabbed it but was hesitant.

"But I'm just a dishwasher."  The boss ruffled through a stack of menus and ignored his confusion.

"Not today you are...or forever."

"Sir-I-I don't understand," Sam said. The boss finally found four menus and shot up from the counter.

"We lost our waiter, so if you want to argue that's fine, but don't keep the costumers waiting." He said with a wink. Sam smiled because he knew how much more it paid.

"Yes, sir. I'll have them served in-

"That's enough talking."

Sam agreed and put on the apron, happy that he was doing something other than dishwashing. Plus, it was more money, and he knew how much the extra dollars would do for his state of living.

After serving costumer after costumer, the dark sky and reading of midnight on the clock indicated his shift was over. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and put the apron on its rack before heading out the door.

He then grabbed his backpack and went into a mini-mart to buy a few snacks. He sat down beside a sketchy building and took out a hot dog and a bag of chips. He quietly sat eating the food, too tired to accomplish his homework for the day. He brought his gaze to the sky.

"Nice night." He muttered to himself. "Better than last night."
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So Sam has no place to stay. What happened with his family? And will the clues unravel for Mercedes to figure out his secret? Thank you so much for reading the first chapter, I really appreciate any and all support!

*Will update soon*

*I do not own Glee*