Funny how it all started with a phone call. My entire life, my entire way of feeling and thinking, changed with one single call on my cell phone. I was scared, and alone. My face and chest radiated pain as I sat on the low stone wall outside the park near my former home, shivering from the cold October breeze. I wanted to cry. To throw myself on the ground and scream, just to make everything go away. I wanted it all to end. It was then that I did the one thing I swore I would never do. I called my brother and told him everything.

Flashback

My fingers shook unsteadily as I scrolled through my contacts and clicked on the name I needed, I shook as I listened to the familiar tune of Marry You by Bruno Mars, and I fell into tears as the familiar voice answered. What a mess I was.

"Hello?"

My lips trembled. "Blaine? I need you." I whispered, sniffling in an effort to choke back my tears.

I heard a sharp intake of breath from the other end of the line, followed by a deep, stuttered exhale. "Wh-Amaranth? What's going on?"

So much had happened. I told him all. How Dad had been getting angrier and angrier ever since he left, and how he snapped when I told him I was bisexual. How he slapped me around whenever he was upset, and how he went mental and attacked me after I told him about my sexuality. How after I fought him off he tossed me out of the house with nothing but what I had on me. I was lucky I had my phone. When I finished, Blaine was totally silent. "Blainey?" I whimpered, crying harder. "Blaine, please say something." I needed my big brother to tell me it was okay. I'd fall to pieces if he didn't.

"It's going to be okay, Amaranth. I'll be there soon."

End Flashback

That was how I came to be seated in Blaine's black Camry with him and his (admittedly adorable) boyfriend Kurt, listening to Blaine ramble on about his plan. "Since I'm at Dalton Kurt's Dad and Step-mom agreed to let you stay with them."

"Okay." I whispered, snuggling into his thick wool jacket he'd given me. It felt so warm and safe, just like my brother.

His voice seemed to take on a nervous note. "I, um, called mom…"

"You what?" I squeaking, tearing up again.

"Chill, chill. She's not coming back, but she is sending over money for you. She's going to send some to the Hummel's for rent and food, and she's setting up a credit card for you to get clothes and things. She also approved a transfer to McKinley High for you, and is calling a lawyer to go with us to Dad's to get your things." He rushed to explain, pulling into the driveway of a fairly large two story home.

I nodded numbly, forcing my body to work and carry me out of the car. Blaine wrapped an arm around my shoulders while Kurt squeezed my hand lightly and gave me a reassuring smile.

As soon as we stepped into the house, I was assaulted by a plump and pretty older woman, who smothered me in a hug. "Oh, sweetheart, you poor thing. I'm so sorry." She whispered, leaning away to look at me. "You are welcome here for as long as you like. I'm Carol." She had a warm face and demeanor, and kind of reminded me of Molly Weasley. Constantly mothering.

"Thank you, I'm Amaranth." I said softly, taking note of the two other men in the room and edging a bit closer to Kurt and Blaine.

Following my gaze, Carol waved the two forward. "Amaranth, this is my husband, Burt, and my son, Finn." She said, pointing first to the older man with a slight gut, and then to the taller teen who reminded me strangely of Frankenstein. How odd.

"Hello." I whispered, edging even closer to Blaine and nudging into him. I knew they were probably very nice, but I was just too nervous to get to know them right then.

Blaine got the hint. "Um, Kurt, why don't you and Finn show Amaranth where her room is while I talk to Burt and Carol?"

I immediately gravitated to Kurt, trying to keep the blatant fear of Finn off my face. Judging by his hurt expression, I think I failed.

One hour later

"Do you really get slushied?" I asked curiously, smiling tentatively at Finn. After the two brought me to the pale gold bedroom, we all sat on the bed, covered in an old gray bed set that Kurt and I both agreed had to go, and chatted, which mostly consisted of Kurt telling stories about glee club and Finn trying to get me to feel comfortable around him. It was only the mention of slushy facials that brought me a bit out of my shell.

"Yeah. Not as much now, but it still happens." He said, grinning largely now that I had spoken to him.

As I got ready to reply, Blaine walked in. "Ama, I've gotta go." He said, standing in the doorway. I immediately sprung up and wrapped my arms around him, burying my head in his chest. "Whoa, hey, I'll be back tomorrow. Relax." I eventually let go of him, and soon I was alone, drifting to sleep on the hideous gray bed.

So, here's my second story. I hit a snag with IDLIR, and then began furiously writing this. I want reviews! Working hard to get my stuff in order.