Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 1

Mercedes's POV

Sitting in the backseat of the car, I leaned against the window looking out at how lively the city could be at night. My parents chattered on, but I heard none of it. I was too busy wishing that I had a life that didn't revolve around being Daddy's prized daughter. Yes, I was a singer – the daughter of a famous producer and a legendary Broadway star. Every move I made was scrutinized, and there were so many expectations that I had to uphold.

Through my mother's connections, I'd done plays, and through my father's record label, I'd recorded two brilliant hits. There was talk of a small tour in the works. Everyone wanted to know the girl that they'd only gotten glimpses of at public events. They wanted to hear stories from my humble beginnings. When those questions came about, I wanted to laugh. Humble my ass. I was a child star with famous parents. My parents knew – or atleast hoped – that I would be destined for great things. They practically forced me into the lime light, even if it did terrify me. I was in commercials by age two. Better than that, at only six months old, I was on the cover of People Magazine.

My life had revolved around vocal lessons, acting classes, and diets. Believe it or not, I had an image consultant, a personal trainer, a designer, and a personal make-up artist. With all those things, I couldn't say I had one single friend. Home-schooling had its disadvantages. It alienated me, leaving me without the "know how" to handle people. This little fact infuriated my mother. She couldn't understand why I couldn't simply boss the help around, but how could I when they had orders to tell me what to do. "Wear this", "eat that", "do this" was all I ever heard from them all.

Arriving home, I almost hopped out of the car while it was still moving. My dad and mom came around to my side. Dad placed a kiss on my forehead, and Mom hugged me. "Night, honey. You were wonderful." By wonderful, he meant that I hadn't said or done anything to embarrass him at his important dinner.

"It was a lovely dinner, but, Mercedes, you hardly ate. Would you like me to have Renee send you out something to eat?"

I shook my head no. I knew she meant more tasteless, bird food type entrées. Somehow, it just didn't seem fair that my father got steak while I pushed around a side salad and sipped water. They meant well, I suppose. I should be watching my weight if I want to be a big star, or so I've been told hundreds of times.

Prying myself from their grasp, they made their way into the house and I made my way around the side to the pool house. My sixteenth birthday present from my parents was a little bit more freedom. They'd allowed me to move into the pool house, which I didn't complain about. It was like a small one bedroom apartment. I had all the necessities – a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. In all honesty, I had no reason to leave, but sometimes the loneliness was almost too much.

Once I made it to the pool house, I stripped out of the constricting dress my mother had insisted that I wear, deciding on a graphic t-shirt and purple shorts, and put my hair up into a messy bun. I took out my contacts and opted for my glasses. My eyes were tired, and contacts really weren't for me, but they made life easier when I had to perform. Padding across the floor, I headed for the fridge. The only things I found there were things to make a salad, fruit, veggies, and Slim Fast. I laughed humorlessly, making way to the couch. I grabbed my phone to place a call.

Sam's POV

"Why are you…" my friend sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, I can't really hear you. Could you speak up?"

I'd gotten back from my delivery just in time to see her antics as she handled an annoying customer on the phone. I had to put my hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter as she slammed the phone down. "Hope you get what you asked for cuz I have not a damn clue what you ordered." Finally looking up, she eyed me. "Trouty, you've got another delivery in about fifteen. Good luck. From the address and damn whispering, looks like some rich Jenny Craig cult member has fallen off the bandwagon."

"Santana, how'd you get that from just an address?"

"Oh it wasn't just the address. It was the directions. It is preferred that you not be wearing your Pizzeria uniform, and not be carrying a pizza box." She rolled her eyes as she read off the special orders.

I frowned. "Then where the hell am I supposed to put the pizza?"

She shrugged. "Not my problem. I just take the orders. You figure it out."

Sighing, I went to the back trying to figure out how to make a pizza box not look like a pizza box. Santana's girlfriend and our head waitress, Brittany, joined me on the floor of the storeroom. She'd brought crayons and with childlike amusement, she helped me decorate it. By the time the pizza was ready, I was back in my normal clothes preparing for my last stop of the night. I just hoped they tipped well. I could really use it.

Living in a one room apartment with my two siblings and parents wasn't ideal. We were only steps away from homelessness since both my parents had gotten laid off. I was working my ass off to ensure that that wouldn't happen. In fact, I was meeting up with a guy tomorrow after school to inquire about a second job.

All of the guys at work complained about the job, but it was a relief for me to get out in the night air. The restaurant was my excuse to escape the four walls that always threatened to hold me captive. Before this job, I sang on the street. I didn't call it begging. I called it taking a bite out of the big apple, making it the best way I could.

Parking my car, I got out and walked around back of the mansion. There wasn't a security gate, but I was guessing there were security cameras with a blind spot. I was directed to walk in line with the hedges, and make a sharp left toward the pool house. When I knocked, the door opened almost immediately. "Ah, delivery for MJ?" I looked down at the ticket in my hand.

"Yes," a very sultry feminine voice replied.

Looking up, I wasn't expecting to see a pretty girl with dark skin, big brown eyes and plump lips. She didn't look like a Jenny Craig cult member. She didn't even give off the snobbish air that came with living in nice neighborhoods in massive mansions. There was a rustle behind me. My guess was the wind moving the trees, but the girl's eyes shot up, looking over my shoulder and she gasped. Her hand grasped my sleeve and she tugged me inside, slamming and locking the door.

"Are you okay?" I asked with a frown.

"Fine. Do you have the suff?" she asked in a testy manner.

"It's not a drug deal. I have the pizza right here." I handed her the box.

She studied it for a minute before she let out a giggled. Her face lit up with a smile as she admired mine and Brit's handy work. We'd turned the box inside out and depicted Neytiri and Jake Sully inches from kissing on the box. The background behind them was our best attempt at depicting the Tree of Souls. The entire box was blue, and we'd done our best to make sure it didn't look like an ordinary pizza box on the outside. The girl seemed mesmerized by the picture. Normally, I would have interrupted her daydreaming, but she seemed so serene and beautiful as she stood there. Feeling my gaze on her, she looked up at me.

"Irayo," she thanked me. My eyes were wide. She was speaking Na'vi. "Sorry. I'm supposed to keep that in online fandoms –" she stopped speaking, looking as if she were internally chastising herself. "What I meant to say before I geeked out was thank you."

I was too amused by this strange girl –even more so when she handed me a one hundred dollar bill. "I don't have change for such a big bill. Your pizza was only ten dollars and you were the last delivery of the night."

She shook her head, and her eyes were watery. "I know. It's yours. Just thanks."

Before I left, I looked at her again. She was definitely getting teary eyed. "Hey, lady, it's just pizza." She didn't reply, so I said, "Sìltsan txon, Hiyìk sevin tutee." I heard her intake a surprised gasp before walking out the door.

Hope you enjoyed it! I'd love to hear what you think!

A/N: This idea came to me as I was listening to Human Nature. I'm not sure if it will be a short story or if it will be a long one. It really all depends on the response I get from it.

Translations:

Sìltsan txon, Hiyìk sevin tutee– goodbye strange pretty girl

Irayo-thank you