Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Blaine watched the last client get out of the dinner and sighed. He finished cleaning the small restaurant. It looked like the ones in the 50's with white and black tiles and red seats. When he finished, it was half past eleven. Finally he could just do home and sleep. The whole week had been exhausting: school, work, homework and of course glee, cheerio, been school president and the infinite amount of club he had been stupid enough to sign for. The worst part was that he was sick every morning. At first, he thought it was just the result of the cold air in is apartment or the serious lack of sanitary equipment of the diner, but the nausea kept getting worst. Tomorrow, he decided to get check at the free clinic. Daydreaming about his schedule, he missed his boss arrival. The older man stood right behind him, way to close for Blaine taste as usual. When he placed his hand on the boy thigh, Blaine thought he was having a heart attack. He turned around to find himself face to face with the huge man. He was way taller and broader than the teenager. On the outside, he was the perfect example of the average American dad, with a wife and two kids. But Blaine knew better. Robert chuckled: «You're done for the day. I can take you home if you want? »
After putting some distance between them, Blaine shook his head and declined politely. He had to be respectful even if his boss made inappropriate comment or inappropriate physical contact. He needed his job. It was the only place that would hire inexperience 18 years old. Blaine always thought that Robert hired him because he figured the boy was gay. The creep probably assumed that he would be an easy target to sexually harass. The teenager was only thankful he didn't make any move so far to attack him. He wasn't stupid even with his boxing, he didn't stand a chance. He tried unsuccessfully to open the door. «Damn, he thought, the bastard locked it. » He gulped and gesture the exit to the other man.
-Oups, I must have forgotten to unlock it for you after the last client. My bad… he moved closer than necessary to Blaine before open the door for him like the perfect gentleman he wasn't. Goodnight Blaine, see you on Monday.
-You too, Blaine mumbled.
As he walked past him, Robert grabbed his ass roughly. Blaine bolted out of the door and sprint to the bus stop without looking back. His frantic heart rate covered the other man sinister laugh. He calmed his self on his way home. It was a freezing Saturday night. March was just beginning, but he couldn't wait for spring any longer. After half an hour of walking and bus, he reached his apartment. It was on the higher level of a scary building in a scarier neighborhood. The stair case was painted by graffiti, windows had bars on them. He opened the door of his tiny place. It was his home now, he kept remind himself. His bedroom (a mattress on the floor and sitting next to it was and old chest for his clothes and some food) was next to the small counter with the sink, mini refrigerator and gas oven. The bathroom was about the size of a big closet. The water heater was broken, but it was still better than taken his shower in the boy's locker room at school. He hung his coat on the hook on the door and locked his three locks. He sat heavily on the bed and stared at the letter on the floor. He left it there this morning. Why would he open it if he already knew what's inside? In spite of him knowing that, he read it.
Dear mister Anderson, we have the regret to inform you that your application for our scholarship had been rejected. Despite your impressive file, your parent financial situation makes you inadequate to receive the money…..
He didn't read the rest. It's always the same thing. He had amazing A.C.T score, a perfect record and pretty much everything required and more, but his father made to much money. It didn't matter to them that he had been kicked out of his house or that he had no money at all. Of course not, he was supposed to be filthy rich! Why would they bother with the other facts? They saw the name Anderson and assume he would be fine. They didn't know, nobody knows. On his eighteenth birthday in the middle of November, he walked home and his parent where waiting for him with a suitcase. He hadn't expected them to show up. Ever since he came out, they didn't attend any of his birthdays or special occasions. They went on vacation and business trip even more than before. He basically lived alone already. When he saw them a part of him was excited. Maybe he could be their son again. He had another thing coming; the small hope made it hurt more. He remembered his father cold business tone «You're turning eighteen today. You're now considering an adult and no longer our responsibility. In the suitcase, you'll find some clothes and belongings; we have no wish to keep. After today, you are no longer aloud to come in this house, your credit card have been cancelled with the health insurance we got you. You can keep your account with the money you made with your summer jobs and your debit card. You're on your own now. » When he was done, he pushed the suitcase in my arm and held the door open for his son to leave. He watched him with a cold and empty expression. Blaine would have preferred scream and anger. Now, he felt the ultimate sorrow. They just didn't care about him. His mother sitting on the couch wouldn't meet his gaze. She didn't protest, let it happen. The teenagers didn't say a word. He kept a strong face, but inside everything was crumpling on itself. Two hour later, sitting on a bench in the empty park, he broke. That night, for the first time, he slept outside after crying himself to sleep on that bench.
He changed his uniform for his sweatpants and jumper and went to bed. He shivered under the thin cover. It was better than leaving in the street. He did it for three weeks. He tried to stay in school as long as possible, but ended up sleeping under a bridge. He was so scared and cold. Most night he would not sleep at all. At school he was like a zombie and blamed it on a cold. During this time he lost a lot of weight as well. The small amount on his account kept him a flow for a little while, but after that he could barely eat at all. On the weekends, he tried to sleep at Tina's or Sam's house, but he never wanted to ask for charity. He didn't want to be a burden. Tina's parents were nice enough, but they worked so hard to make sure she could go to the best college. They couldn't afford another teenager in their home. Sam lived with Kurt family, so no, just no way… Kurt. One more thing he tried not to think about too much. After his two weeks of researched he managed to find his awful job and a week later a nice old lady let him have this apartment. Miss Gallagher was an angel. On the outside, she was a tough old Irish woman with a killer tone that never let any place for discussion. Her heart was big though. When she first saw Blaine, she made a rude comment about him looking like a starving puppy. He was in fact paper thin and looked sick. He still couldn't believe she let him inside her building looking half dead. She cooked him dinner and watched him devoured the food silently. When he was done and completely embarrassed by his manners, she only asked his age and then if he had a job. He answered, hopeful. People usually refused him once he told them his age. After a short nod, she led him upstairs to the room and announced that she gave it to him for half the price. He wanted to cry and hug her tight. He thanked her about a thousand times, before she left him with a small smile on her face. She gave him hope once more. He could do it, he could live again. The future seamed brighter to him that afternoon unpacking his few belongings (at least the room was «furnished»). The future, he thought… Glancing at the letter, he forgot about his dreams. He would never attend a great college that was for sure. He still hoped to leave Ohio and maybe he could save enough money to go to community college or something. Maybe a miracle would happen and he would have a shot at musical somewhere. He knew better, life was a bitch to him. It was probably god punishing him for being gay or his bad karma for cheating on Kurt… Kurt. He needed to stop thinking about him. He put himself to sleep that night focusing on school work and the rent's payment….