Disclaimer: I do not own any of these fantastic characters, nor do I own Glee.
Finn is a simple kind of guy. He likes simple vocabulary, being popular, and his two-person, perfectly functional family. He loves playing football and would never dream of quitting the team. He throws nerds into dumpsters (even if it makes him uncomfortable) and he's currently failing Spanish. He thinks loud people are obnoxious and he's dating Quinn Fabray, the head cheerleader. Life is good.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
He still isn't a fan of big words, but sometimes he stays up late at night looking up lists of SAT words he can use the next day. He still cares about popularity, but he doesn't need it like he did. His family is no longer small, but dysfunctional and so much more than it was. He quit the football team before, and he would do it again. He offers his hand to help people (because labels are overrated, he's learned that much) out of dumpsters. He is being tutored for Spanish, and he has a B. His first B. Loud people make his life more interesting. Quinn Fabray is in the back of his mind, and he's falling for the last person he'd ever dreamed he'd fall for.
And somehow, through all the changes and bumps and conflicts and fights and betrayals and hurt and heartache and accidental name-calling, life is better.
Xxx
Rachel Barbra Berry knows what she wants. She's dreamed about starring on Broadway ever since she was three years old. Popularity isn't worth her time, as far as she's concerned. One day they'll all want her autograph. She can count her friends on one hand, and none of them truly care for her. She doesn't truly care for anyone either. It's lonely at the top.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
She suddenly finds herself wanting different things. Things that she never thought about before. Things like a certain boy who she used to glare at when she saw him tossing people into dumpsters. Her dreams are filled less and less with Broadway and more with Glee. Popularity still isn't worth her time, but she finds that maybe some popular people aren't so bad after all. She spends time tutoring and finds that she is good at it. Good enough to bring an F to a B. Suddenly she finds herself in Glee club and she understands the people there. She appreciates them. And she cares for them.
And through all the hurt and confusion and longing and anger and singing and yelling and stomping out that same door, the top is a lot less lonely.
Xxx
Kurt Hummel has it tough. Being the only gay guy out at school does that to you. The only crush he's ever had was on a straight guy, and he's never even met someone who could reciprocate his feelings. People make fun of his style and his voice, but he knows he's going to make it big someday. His dad is great, kind and accepting. But there are times when he needs his mom. And those times hurt the most. He's never even dreamed about popularity, it was never an option for him. He considers himself to be "an honorary girl" and his closest friend is Mercedes Jones. She knows all of his secrets. Kurt can't walk through the hallways without being shoved into a locker or getting an unwelcome icy facial. He lives in fear, but he forces himself to keep his head held high through it all.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
He's still the only gay out at McKinley, but he has company in the closet. His crush? Finn Hudson-Hummel, his new stepbrother. He's finally met someone out and proud, and it turns out that his feelings can be returned. He is admired for his style and his Glee club fought to get him back. His voice is treasured. He misses his mom, that won't ever change, but he finds that he can make it through the day without needing her. He can take care of himself. He still isn't necessarily popular, but he has more friends than he ever did before, and connections with two Glee clubs. He isn't an honorary girl so much as a friend to girls. He still loves Mercedes with all of his heart, but there are things he won't tell her. Especially now that Blaine is there to confide in. There's a club at McKinley dedicated to his safety, and his main danger last year in the halls is one of the founders.
And through all of the pain and pride and crushes and courage and duets and solos and confidence and kissing, his head holds itself up of its own accord.
Xxx
Blaine Anderson has always been described as dapper. It never really bothers him, it's just another characteristic. But Blaine is so much more than his characteristics. Nobody knows how he pores over Vogue late at night when his roommate is asleep. Nobody knows that he has been wishing for a boyfriend so long it feels like it'll never happen. He's never told anyone that he left his old school when the bullying got personal. Nobody knows that he joined Warblers because he was lonely. And nobody knows that he stayed because it was an outlet. He is always repressed, polite, perfect. He spews mantras about virtue and goodness and courage, and believes none of it. He's a shell during the day. But when he performs, it's different. He lights up.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
Most people still call Blaine dapper, but there's one person who knows how ridiculous he can be. He doesn't care if his roommate is asleep or not because all he has to do is go next door and he has a reading partner. He has the best, most perfect, most incredible boyfriend he never knew he wanted. He tells him all of his secrets, even stories about his old school. He doesn't have to be afraid to be who he is anymore. The Warblers are still incredible, but even more so because now he has someone to share them with. He's more mature, but sillier, and so much freer that his old friends have started to take notice. He tries to use his own advice, and realizes he doesn't need any of it. He has better things to follow. He willingly gives up solos, yet he's happier than he ever was before.
And through all of the fear and tears and manners and experimenting and shame and love and losing yet winning more than he ever wanted, he's shining brighter than ever before.
Xxx
Quinn Fabray is loving life on top. She's head Cheerio, and at the top of the pyramid and the popularity food chain. She's thin and toned without really having to try, and she's convinced she's got the sweetest, most popular boyfriend alive. She has the perfect family, and they love her. Her goal is to make Rachel Berry's life a living hell. She doesn't fail. Ever. She might be in Glee club, but she doesn't have to like it. She is a spy, after all. When she walks through the hallways with Finn on her arm, people stare, and she knows that they love her because she is Quinn Fabray.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
She is no longer at the top, though she's getting close. Pregnancy kind of ruins your figure. She quit the Cheerios and without Finn, she's not nearly as popular as she was before. She works out every other day to stay in shape after the baby wrecked her teenage metabolism. Her boyfriend is now an ex. Again. As much as she hates Rachel Berry, she isn't out to get her as much anymore. She failed. She actually finds herself enjoying Glee every once in a while, and she's got no one to report back to. When she walks through the hallways, no one stares, but every so often she'll find Mercedes or Sam at her side, talking about Sectionals or Regionals or Nationals.
And through all of the drama and hurt and lying and kissing and growing up faster than she ever should have, she finds that people start loving her because of who she really is.
Xxx
Noah Puckerman is a badass. End of story. If you aren't on the football team and have the pleasure of meeting him, it usually comes with a toss in the dumpster. He moves from girl to girl more often than he attends math class, and his reputation is fearsome. His best friend is Finn, who he hangs out with, plays video games with, and watches zombie movies with. He has a pool cleaning business that keeps him rolling in dough and he cares deeply for his mother and little sister (but don't tell anyone). He joins Glee because he can pick up babes. They love his sensitive side. But who wouldn't? Puck is pretty much the coolest guy ever.
Two years later, nothing is the same.
He's still a badass at heart, that could never change, but people are starting to question it. He's stopped throwing people into dumpsters (for the most part) and he only comes in contact with slushies when they're thrown in his face. He finally found a girl that he actually loves, and she can push him around just as hard as he can push her. Maybe even harder, though he'd never admit it. He kind of lost Finn as a best friend when he lied to him about who the father of Quinn's baby is. He really regrets it, and he doesn't blame Finn for being mad. It's a good reason to hold a grudge, at least. He never quits Glee, and ends up really, really enjoying it. He learns that he has a hell of a voice.
And through all of the betrayal and shock and lies and parties and drinks and pining and wooing and learning and loving and opening up, he really is cooler than he ever was.
Xxx
Finn. Rachel. Kurt. Blaine. Quinn. Puck. Six people whose lives are devoted to music. Six people who dared to dream. Six people who pushed boundaries, who fought for what they believed in, who were brave enough to change. Six people who were brave enough to stay the same. Six people who were brave enough to be themselves.
The young musicians, some of which don't even know each other personally, are about to go for a wild ride involving many of the things that plagued them over the past two years.
Heartbreak. Desire. Love. Lies. And a heck of a lot of singing.
They're six teenagers who will change each other's lives in a way none of them could ever have imagined.
They'll come together, all completely different, and become a unit. None of them will understand how or why it happens, and some don't even understand what happens, but they will know that through everything they go through, they won't have to be brave for themselves anymore.
They'll be strong for each other.