After removing his glasses, Blaine set them on the edge of the sink before moving to wipe the ice chips from his eyes. The burning only barely noticeable now that the slushie ritual has turned to twice a week, his eyes were used to it. After splashing his face once more with water, Blaine finally looked at himself in the mirror. At least today it was blue, leaving less of a stain on his skin.

The warning bell sounded and Blaine sighed, shaked his head as he reached in his bag for a new shirt and gel to fix his hair. Late to English yet again.

He hurriedly walked into the classroom, past those who had slushied him that morning. He heard Mrs. Collins make a remark to him about trying to show up on time, but he just sank into his seat trying to be as silent as possible as he rummaged around his backpack for his notebook.

In the front of the class Mrs. Collins was telling them about a partner project they would be starting in regards to the book they would be reading for the next eight weeks. Blaine took a deep breath and turned to look at Tina, who sat next to him smiling. Mrs. Collins decided that was a good time to add that partners were already chosen for them. Blaine groaned and adjusted his glasses, hoping for the best.

"Mr. Anderson, and" Blaine looked up begging his teacher with his eyes for his partner to be Tina, "Mr. Hummel."

Blaine turned pale; Kurt Hummel was the Cheerio sitting across the room from him and was one of the leads in the slushie ritual. Blaine felt Tina's hand on his shoulder as he slowly turned his head to look at Kurt. Kurt was rolling his eyes and whispering with Quinn and Santana and was obviously annoyed at Mrs. Collins' choice for his partner. Blaine quickly looked away and began writing in his notebook, involuntarily shrinking down in his chair even more.


"Oh my god, Kurt. How are you going to stand having to work with that dweeb for the next few weeks? Poor you." Santana whispered in Kurt's ear.

Kurt rolled his eyes and turned back to the front of the room. He chanced a glance toward Blaine. He really wished he hadn't. Poor Blaine looked shaken and was taking notes on…nothing? Kurt tried to hear what Mrs. Collins was saying, but she was arguing with Puck about why he had to work with Lauren even though they just broke up. Why was Blaine taking notes on this?

"Maybe we can give him an extra slushie this week to remind him of his place; that this project partnership doesn't make him one of us." Quinn laughed behind Kurt. Kurt responded with a half laugh.

"I'll think about it. I am stuck with him after all." Kurt did sort of feel bad for targeting Blaine. Kurt had received the same treatment before he became a Cheerio sophomore year.

Kurt tried to focus on the lecture about what their project would entail, but his mind was racing. Finally the bell rang. Usually Kurt was first out the door, but his mind wasn't aware the end of class was coming so he had yet to pack up his belongings. As he was putting his notebook away, a folded piece of paper found it's way on his desk. He looked up quickly enough to see Blaine walking out the door, head hung low.

Kurt's brows furrowed as he opened the note.

My name is Blaine Anderson.

My phone number is 555-0154, you may call or text to set up a day to work on the project.

I am free almost every weekday after 4 (I have Glee practice), and most weekends.

I'm sorry you are stuck with me.

Kurt read the note again. The only thing that stuck out was the apology. Shouldn't Kurt be the one to apologize? He quickly stuffed the note in his pocket and headed into the hallway only to be greeted by many students saying hi as he passed them. Kurt dutifully smiled back, but his mind was not in it.


Blaine set his lunch tray down and sunk onto the bench between Sam and Tina.

"Hey Blaine, I hear you're stuck with Kurt Hummel for the English project? That sucks man." Sam said.

"I will make the best of it. I'm just kind of nervous." Blaine said as he adjusted his glasses and looked down at his food, hoping his friends would drop it so he wouldn't have to talk about his misfortune anymore.

"Are you guys going to have to work outside of school?" Tina asked.

"I think so."

"Well, I can be like a chaperone if you would like!" Tina said, in hopes of making him feel better.

"No, thanks, I think I'll do this one alone." Blaine sighed.

He suddenly felt Sam tense next to him; he looked up at the blonde who was gesturing with his eyes toward the entrance to the cafeteria. Blaine turned enough to see a Cheerio uniform in the middle of the doorway. He just shrugged and turned back to his food.

"Sam, would you stop staring at him? He already hates us enough; I don't need him knowing we talk about the situation behind his back."

"I bet he'd love knowing we talk about him." Rachel piped up. Blaine rolled his eyes.

As Blaine went to grab his fork again, he saw a flash of red walk by and suddenly a note was dropped on the table. Blaine turned to look at Kurt as he continued walking to sit with the jocks and cheerios.

Blaine reached for the note and opened it slowly, blushing ever so slightly.

Hello Blaine, I am Kurt Hummel.

My phone number is 111-6363

I am free after 5 on Monday through Thursdays, and Saturday and Sunday I can try to be free as much as needed. I can't do Fridays as those are game days and I will be cheering at those games, obviously. Let's set up a time this week to decide how we want to split this project up.

I'm sorry too.

Though most of the note was written in ridiculously neat handwriting, the last line was thrown down as if he was in a hurry to write it, or as though he worried he would be discovered writing it. But what was he sorry for? The times he slushied Blaine? The fact they were partners? That they would have to spend time together working on this stupid project?

"What does it say?" Sam leaned over, trying to read the note. Blaine quickly folded it up and placed it in his pocket.

"Just his contact information so we can discuss how to split up the project."

"I don't like this; did you try and talk to Mrs. Collins about switching partners? I wouldn't stand for it. He is a bully and-"

"Shut up, Rachel. You are making things worse." Mercedes cut Rachel off. "Plus here comes your boyfriend, wouldn't want him hearing you talk smack about his step-brother, now would we?"

Rachel shook her head slightly and smiled up at Finn who looked like he had a headache, on top of his usual lost look.

"Stupid history test. Wait, why did everyone stop talking? Did I do something? Blaine are you okay?" Finn was more observant than people gave him credit.

"Fine." Blaine replied to his food.

The club continued their usual lunchtime banter. Blaine tuned them out today, though. He chanced a glance to Kurt who was talking animatedly at Santana. That's when he saw it. Kurt chanced the quickest of glances to Blaine. The slight eye contact made Blaine feel like he couldn't look away. Kurt had blue eyes? Since when? Kurt kept stealing glances, but Blaine just couldn't look away.

The bell rang. Blaine adjusted his glasses and stood. He and Rachel headed towards their Spanish class, but his mind was stuck in the lunchroom with Kurt.

A/N I don't own Glee, obviously. Second, please review! I need to know what is working and what isn't so y'all can enjoy it! :) xoxo

UPDATED 11/6: Thank you for the reviews! My gramatical errors in this chapter have been fixed! Also, I received a Guest question regarding how often I will be updating: Expect at least one chapter every weekend. I have a few written out, but will be reviewing and editing based on responses and how the story continues (i.e what changes happen between outline and finished chapter). So far so good! Don't forget to review and spread the word if you like the story! :) xoxo