Nellie placed her books in her locker as she closed it shut. Matteo was currently in the bathroom which left her all alone. Sam walked over to her, tapping her shoulder making her turn around.

"Hey, Sam. What's up?" She asked.

"Hey, Ellie. Could you do me a favor?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck. Nellie nodded and flashed him a smile.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well I two little siblings and I was wondering if you would be able to babysit them for me. Quinn already agreed, so I was just hoping you would do the same."

"Sam, you don't even have to ask me. We're friends, I got your back. What time do you need me there?" Nellie asked.

"Maybe 5:00?" Nellie nodded and wrote down the time.

"Text me the details. See you then." Nellie walked off and bumped into Matteo.

"Hey babe." She smiled kissing him. Matteo didn't say anything, just watched Sam walk off.

"What was that all about?" Matteo asked nodding his head towards Sam.

"Oh, we were just talking. Something wrong?" Nellie asked rubbing his shoulders.

"Nothing, just the fact that he looked real smug and happy to talk to you." Matteo said.

"Matteo!" Nellie backed away from him and shook her head.

"Don't be jealous babe. Nothings going on between us. I promise you. It's you and it'll always be you." Matteo gave her a small smile and pulled her in for a kiss.

"I'm sorry for getting snappy. I'm just......I'm scared you're gonna leave me." Nellie shook her head and ran her fingers through his hair.

"I'll never do anything to hurt you. I promise." Nellie kissed his cheek one more time before grabbing his hand and walking down the hall with him.

                               🎤🎤🎤
The next day Nellie sat in the choir room waiting for Matteo when him and Finn stormed in furious.

"What the hell is this?" He asked holding the newspaper up in front of Sam's face. Nellie shot up and snatched the newspaper from his hand.

" What former cheerleader, prom queen candidate, is having a secret moonlight motel rendezvous with a big lipped blondie?" Nellie read out. She was with Sam and his siblings last night as she was babysitting as promised. He lived in a motel which broke nellies heart seeing as he didn't even have a place to live.
Today, Nellie was supposed to bring over some of her old dolls so Stacey, Sam's younger sister could play with them. But apparently times were gonna change.

"Wanna explain why you were with my girl at a motel?" Matteo seethed as he snatched the newspaper back from Nellies hand.

"You don't seriously believe this do you?" Quinn asked. Nellie glared at Matteo.

"Yeah, do you?" Nellie asked him.

"I don't know what to believe." Matteo responded.

"And why shouldn't I? Why wouldn't he do the same thing I did to him."

"Because you're a hypocrite." Jay shrugged.

"This is your fault! You told everyone that I played for another team on your ridiculously melted cheese show." Santana exclaimed walking inside the choir room. Nellie groaned and rolled her eyes. As if this couldn't be any worse.

"Wait. Are you mad? You do play for another team. You were on the Cheerios. And now you're only in the New Directions."

"And you couldn't have thought of any other way to say that?"

"I swear I'm gonna punch your face off." Finn shoved Sam back making a mini fight break out. Matteo was about to jump in until Nellie pulled him back.

"Hey, you got a lot of nerve accusing me of cheating when you're the one who snuck in and stole my girl!" Sam yelled. Well, Sam was right.

"Hey!" Mr.Shue finally jumped in and Finn stormed out of the choir room.

"Hey Finn where are you going? Hey, we got rehearsal!" Mr.Shue yelled.

"Not today." Nellie looked at Matteo who has an angry and unreadable expression on his face. She sat down in her chair before trying to grab his hand. He moved it away, placing it in his hoodie pocket.

"Hey-"

"Why don't we just pay attention to the lesson, hm?" He said not making eye contact with her. She looked away before nodding, wanting to give Matteo as much space as needed.

🎤🎤🎤
The next day April Rhodes had came back from New York to help with his weeks assignment. Nellie and Matteo still weren't really on talking terms which was really hurting her feelings.

[Dream-April Rhodes Plus Mr.Shue]

"Rumors, a classic record by Fleetwood Mac. One of the greatest albums of all time. Written as the band was breaking apart....to keep it together. Now this week, we are done with the backstabbing and the gossip, and we're channeling all that energy into working together. So, pick a song from the album, put your own spin on it. Simple as that." After the bell rang as Matteo was trying to get to his locker as fast as possible Nellie was faster. After all, having a brother on the football team did have it perks.

"We need to talk. I hate this. I'm sick of you ignoring me these past few days. Listen, it's a stupid newspaper! One that isn't even true! Ok?"

"Then what is the truth? Because as your boyfriend I can't help but feel a little suspicious when you're with a guy at a motel of all places!" Matteo hissed.

"Matteo, it's not like that I swear." Nellie begged. Matteo sniffled.

"Just tell me the truth. That's all I want. No, all I need."

"I swore I wouldn't tell. Don't you trust me?" Nellie grabbed both of his hands and he pulled back.

"I don't know anymore. But until you trust me enough to tell me what's going on, then you can sit on the other side of the choir room."

"B-But we always sit next to each other! Don't do this."

"I'm sorry, but how can I expect to trust you if you don't tell me what's going on? You were at a motel with a boy, and when I try to ask you what the hell is going on you don't answer me. What am I supposed to do with that?"

"Trust me enough to know I'm not cheating on you!" Nellie yelled capturing the attention of students around them.

"Whatever. My parents want me home anyways. See you around." Nellie watched Matteo walk off wiping his eyes and nose. She felt horrible for what she was doing. But at the same time, she promised Sam she wouldn't say anything about his home life.

So what the hell was she supposed to do?

Later that night Nellie was at the motel again with Kurt as she was babysitting.

"You look sad." Stacey mentioned and Nellie sent her a small smile.

"I'm alright kiddo. Ok, it's about that time for bed. Come on. Let me braid your hair. Stevie, you too. Get in bed." Nellie started braiding Stacey's hair as Stevie was getting ready to go to bed. Just as Nellie was done braiding Stacey's hair Sam walked in.

"Hey, Ellie. Everything ok?" Sam asked and Nellie nodded standing up.

"They're ready for bed. How was work?" Nellie asked him.

"Good. Thanks again for doing this. You're a really good friend." Nellie nodded and grabbed her jacket stepping out of the motel, Sam following.

"See you at school." Nellie hugged Sam one more time before walking out getting ready to call a cab.

Little did she know Rachel Berry and Finn Hudson were spying on her the entire time.

🎤🎤🎤
The next day Nellie and some of the glee club had went to the Lima Bean for a meeting. Apparently Rachel and Finn caught Kurt leaving the motel that Sam was at. They caught nellie too, just didn't bring it up.

"What do we know about Sam anyway? I mean, what town is he from? What state? What's his old school like? Maybe he's a serial killer." Nellie rolled her eyes at the theory.

"You guys, I'm telling you, Kurt wouldn't cheat on Blaine." Quinn commented.

"Yeah, they're madly in love and Kurt wouldn't do anything to ruin that." Nellie added.

"It's just like the Rumors album. I mean, being apart or on the road is hard for two artists. Performers have this "love the one you're with" mentality. I mean, look at all of us. Look at all the different combinations that we've had. Finnchel, Puckleberry, Mello."

"Mctina Cohen Chang Chang."

"Artittany."

"Pizes."

"Guys, we're sitting here squabbling over what? A rumor." Finn said.

"Finn's right. We need more information."

"What you need is to mind your own business." Nellie snapped getting irritated with this whole conversation.

"I don't want to get into it, but all I'm gonna say.....Sam's not gay." Quinn said.

"So that puts an end to this." Nellie stood up as well grabbing her bag (image above) and walking out of the cafe.

"Dude, she's cheating on you for sure." Artie commented to Matteo who almost spit out his coffee.

"Shut up Artie. She wouldn't." Matteo snarled.

"We didn't want to say anything while she was still there, but we found her at the motel again. And we got these pictures." Rachel pulled out two pictures and handed them to Matteo.

"I-I-It's just a hug right? W-What's so wrong with that?" Matteo asked handing the picture back to them with shaky hands. Finn gave him a sad look.

"My advice? Talk to her. Sam's taking advantage of her, dude. He knows she's a good person and he's using that against her." Matteo nodded and stood up.

"You're right. I'm gonna find where this kid lives, and beat his ass." Matteo smirked.

"Woah woah woah. Violence isn't the answer!" Tina exclaimed.

"Oh it is when you find out a big lipped blondie is trying to get with your girl. Puck, tell me you're not pissed off about this!" Puck had his fists clenched as well.

"Of course im pissed. He's taking advantage of my sister which is something the Puckster doesn't approve. But, I promised Nel I wouldn't get in anymore fights." Matteo scoffed and sat back down crossing his arms over his chest.

"Whatever." He grumbled.

                            🎤🎤🎤
The next day Matteo didn't even show up to glee club making Nellie grow worried. She sat next to Santana and Lauren as Quinn and Finn were singing their song for the week.

[I Don't Wanna Know-Quinn Fabray and Finn Hudson]

"Okay! Terrific job, guys. Um, might want to try and smile a little bit more next time." Finn and Quinn gave a forced smile before sitting down.

"Yeah, it was lovely but I prefer Quinn's duet performance of Lucky with Sam better. Since you and Sam have become a lot closer lately, maybe you guys should do duets together more often."

"Shut your mouth before I shut it for you." Nellie defended Quinn.

"Where is Sam? Quinn, Nellie and Kurt are all here today, so we know he's not doing the dirty." Artie mentioned.

"I know what you're doing. You want Finn and I to stop singing together so that you can sing with him again." Quinn said.

"Frankly, yes. Finn and I have amazing proven harmonies. And when it comes to nationals, I think it makes more sense for him to be paired with me."

"Woah woah woah. Matteo and I wanted the duet for nationals." Nellie interrupted.

"Like you had a chance." Rachel scoffed making Nellie shoot out of her seat getting ready to beat her ass. Santana held her back.

"Well, it's not happening. Not as long as Finn wants to be with me." Quinn retaliated.

"Wait, I thought you said this relationship was about trust."

"Oh I trust you, I just don't trust her." Nellie thought this was absolutely insane. Couples were being torn apart because of one stupid rumor. One that was far from true.

"Quinn, I don't think you can mandate who pairs up for nationals Alright? Vocal adrenaline doesn't need any help from us." Mr.Shue jumped in.

"I love being here, and I want to win, but my relationship comes first. I'm sorry but Finn, if
You wanna be with me, no more songs with her." Quinn walked out the choir room and Nellie sighed holding her head in her hands.

🎤🎤🎤
The next day Matteo returned to glee club however he was not sat next to Nellie. He was in the corner, his cheeks dry with tears.

"Alright guys, who is up first today?" Mr.Shue asked walking inside the choir room.

"Mr.Schuester, if it's all right with you, I'd like to do my own reinterpretation of my favorite Fleetwood Mac song." Rachel said.

"Great Rachel. Which one?" Mr.Shue asked.

"Go your own way. It's a song about the painful breakup between Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Traditionally, it's sung by a man, but today, Rachel Berrys gonna put her own feminine twist on it. Hit it."

[Go Your Own Way-Rachel Berry]

"Don't you think it's a little inappropriate that you chose to sing a love song to my man." Quinn said.

"You're such a hypocrite! You little Miss Perfect Prom Queen! You're a cheater who cheats in cheap motels with Sam." Rachel yelled.

"Back off Rachel!" Nellie shouted.

"Why do you keep defending him?" Matteo asked standing up.

"Because he's my friend and I always defend my friends!"

"Is he? I saw you at the motel that day. You were with Sam! What were you doing huh?" Rachel asked.

"Nothing is going on between Sam and I." Quinn stressed.

"You know, I blame Sam for all this. And Rachel too I blame her." Santana commented.

"What did I do?"

"You're a little snake, that's what you did." Nellie snarled.

"See, I'm with Santana. I mean, why hasn't Sam have anything to say about this?" Lauren asked.

"Guilt." Mike mumbled.

"Seriously dude what you're doing is not call. All of them have boyfriends."

"Yeah and I'm not so sure about that!" Matteo snapped. Nellie sent him a hurt look.

"Shut up! I'm not messing around with Quinn or Nellie or Kurt or anyone of those guys. They're just helping me."

"Oh is that what we're calling it now?" Mercedes asked.

"Mercedes." Jay warned in a low tone.

"Hold on. How were they helping you out?" Mr.Shue asked.

"Mind your damn business Shue." Nellie growled.

"Kurt was bringing me some clothes, and Quinn and Ellie were helping me baby-sit my little brother and sister." Sam explained.

"Then why were you at that motel?" Finn asked.

"Because that's where I live now. My dad lost his job a few months ago, then we lost our house, so now we live in that motel in one room. Are you all happy? The truths finally out." Nellie glared at Matteo who had a sad expression on his face.

"You guys are such losers. It was none of your business from the start. And I can't believe you of all people Finn would spy on me. After everything, I thought you'd trust me. Don't even get me started on you Matteo. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to comfort my friend." Nellie walked out the choir room to see Sam at his locker crying.

"Sam." Nellie softly said. He closed his locker and wiped his eyes.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry. If I had knew this was going to happen-"

"You couldn't have known. It's their fault for spying on you. I just can't believe they would think of me like that. I'd never hurt either of you guys." Nellie nodded.

"I know. Matteo was being an ass this week, but don't worry. I'll yell at him later." Sam nodded and pulled Nellie into a hug which she  gladly returned.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"Anytime."

Later that day Nellie was walking out of school when she felt someone grab her hand.

"Let go of me Matteo." Nellie said calmly.

"I wanted to apologize. I accused you of all these things when I should've trusted you enough and not jump to conclusions. Is Sam ok?"

"Oh now you wanna know if he's ok? After you threatened to kick his ass yesterday? Yeah, he told me. Sometimes, your jealousy gets the better of you and I hate it."

"I keep making these promises I can't keep. So at least let me try. I'll try more. Please give me another chance." Nellie sighed and kissed his cheek.

"Fine. One more chance, and then I think we'll have to take a break." Matteo's eyes widened but he nodded.

"Ok. That's fair."

                               🎤🎤🎤
The next day Nellie forced Matteo to apologize to Sam for what happened. Luckily Sam forgave him immediately telling him how he would've done the same if it was his girlfriend. Finn apologized to Nellie as well for spying on her. But the newspaper wrote that Mr.Shue was going to quit to join April Rhodes on Broadway.

"All right, clase." Mr.Shue walked in the choir room.

"Mr.Shue is this true?" Mercedes asked cutting right to the chase.

"Yeah the Muckraker says you're bailing on us to do April Rhodes big show." Puck added.

"Guys, if there's anything we learned from this weeks assignment, it's that you can't believe every rumor you hear." Mr.Shue said.

"But isn't it your dream to sing on Broadway?" Tina asked.

"I have a lot of dreams. My top one.......being taking you guys to nationals." Nellie smirked at that.

"So you're gonna stay?" Quinn asked.

"Look, we are going to nationals together, and we are going to win." Just then sam walked in with Stacey and Stevie. Nellie beamed at the two little kids in the choir room.

"Hey, everybody. Kind of wanted to get these guys out of the motel for a little while, I hope it's okay if I brought them."

"Of course, of course come on in." Stacey went to sit down on nellies lap.

"I was also hoping they could help out with a number today. I have the perfect song I want to sing to them, and don't worry, it's good for the assignment Mr.Shue." Sam said.

"The more the merrier."

[Don't Stop-Sam Evans, Quinn Fabray, Nellie Puckerman, Rachel Berry, Finn Hudson]

Word count:3,061

happy thanksgiving everyone!