Blaine's Best Friend

by PetrastellaX

Even though she moved to California when they were 12, Blaine still considered Stella to be his best friend. When she comes back to Ohio Blaine is ecstatic, but why did she come back? What secrets was she hiding behind?

1. Rookie

Disclaimer: The only part of this that is 100% original is the character of Stella Morales, all else is the creative musings of the Glee team.

"Rookie"

School starts like any other day. Blaine and Kurt go for coffee at the Lima Bean and after ordering they sit down to enjoy their morning coffee. "I have to say, I never knew I valued coffee so much after having to drive from Westerville every morning" says Blaine. "It's only half an hour, it's not like you're getting up at the crack of dawn like I do" Kurt replies. "Well that's just because it doesn't take me as long to look good in the morning, I wake up flawless" Blaine teases with a smile. Kurt can't help but smile back and says, "That may be true, but at least I take time to put socks on in the morning!" Blaine fakes a hurt face and races to the car, threatening to leave Kurt behind. Kurt laughs and walks to the car, and after being faked out about getting in a few times gets in Blaine's jeep and they drive away to McKinley. As they park Kurt sighs and says, "Next time, I'm driving grandpa. It takes you forever to get anywhere!" Slightly offended, Blaine says, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with driving cautiously. Who of us has the perfect driving record hum, hum?"Kurt rolls his eyes and gets out of the car. The boys walk across the parking lot hand in hand, enjoying every minute they have together. They meet up in the choir room where Rachel, Finn, Artie, Rory, Quinn, Tina, and Mike are waiting, Puck, as usual is nowhere to be found. Mr. Schue walks in just as Kurt and Blaine take their seats and Mr. Schue begins peppy as always, which Kurt finds particularly annoying this morning.

"Alright guys" Mr. Schue says, "It's time to figure out how we're going to recruit new members. Does anyone have any ideas?" Immediately Rachel picks up her hand and instead of waiting for Mr. Schue's affirmation to proceed, she walks to the front of the class which generates a collective groan, and Kurt mumbles into Blaine's ear, "here we go again!" "I've taken the liberty to make us these flyers that read, 'join Rachel and the New Directions on their way to nationals, all backup needed, vocal skills not required as you will not sing.' what do you think guys? I'm sure people will be dying to sign up, they won't even have to sing!" Rachel says cheerfully. Blaine, Kurt, Quinn, Rory and Tina all burst into laughter thinking she's joking, Finn, Artie, and Mike however hang their heads in shame knowing full well that she's serious. Mr. Schue not wanting this to turn into yet another tirade against Rachel proposes a solution. "Thank you Rachel but I was hoping to try something else. Actually I was hoping you guys would think of it." Mr. Schue turns his back to the students and goes to write a word on the board. The board reads ROOKIE. "All of you, with the exception of Artie, Blaine, Rory and Tina are seniors, so what's going to happen to Glee club next year? You seniors can't leave it up to them to carry that responsibility of finding new recruits." Tina and Artie agree, Artie gives a hearty "word!" while Tina says, "yeah, you guys remember how hard it was when we first started out, we can't start back from square one again, glee club will die." Mike then offers a suggestion, "I saw this freshman dancing in one of the dance rooms once, he was really good, maybe I can get him to join!" "Great!" Mr. Schue replies, after which Finn offers "Coach Bieste is having us varsity guys mentor some of the jv guys, maybe I could recruit one of them." "Excellent Finn!" Mr. Schue exclaims. "Now I want each of you to spend the day and think of a younger class mate you can recruit, maybe even bring them to practice after school to see what glee club is all about." With his last words the bell rings and each file out, meanwhile Puck finally strolls in. Mr. Schue rolls his eyes and says, "Puck, did you forget we had a meeting this morning before school?" "No" Puck replies, "it's just not very badass to show up on time to anything." Instead of arguing with him Mr. Schue tells him, "We decided that we're going to recruit younger kids to the glee club, so try to find someone younger you can mentor, you know take under your wing." "Aww that sounds cool Mr. Schue, I can't wait to pass on my badassness to someone else, the legend of Puck will live on!" Puck turns to leave and Mr. Schue turns and says, "on second thought Puck, just bring someone younger, no need to mentor them." But Puck is already gone and Mr. Schue simply shakes his head and laughs to himself.

Later we see Finn in the locker room, talking to the jv guy he's mentoring, "Come on, just come and see what practice is like, you know all the dancing we do has helped me in football, my stamina is better, and I'm a lot more coordinated." The kid looks skeptically at him, and then we cut to a scene of Puck talking to what appears to be a younger version of him saying, "Come on, what's more badass then glee club? It's like a whole 'nother level of not caring what people think." The kid simply sneers at Puck. Next we see Rachel in the bathroom talking to a closed bathroom stall saying, "I can really help you with your singing, you know. I can help you sing on key and in tune, and maybe one day you can even learn how to belt!" The stall door swings open to a girl that is clearly upset and she punches Rachel in the face. Next we see Kurt and Blaine in the hall between classes, Blaine is facing Kurt saying, "I've only been at this school for a week, I don't know how I'm going to recruit someone for glee club!" Kurt smiles and then someone walking behind Blaine catches his eye, he says to Blaine, "don't look now but there is a fashionable hipster midget walking this way and I don't think she knows you're gay. Why don't you ask her?" Blaine, thoroughly confused, turns around to see who Kurt is talking about. What he sees shocks him and he begins running to the girl screaming, "STELLA!" Kurt, never having seen Blaine this excited about a girl is startled. Blaine runs to her and gives her a big hug, picking her up and swinging her around wildly. "What are you doing here in Ohio? It's been so long since I've seen you! How are you? How long will you be here?" Stella smiles and says, "Slow down Blainey, all will be explained." Kurt, even more confused, scoffs at the pet name. "Blainey?" he says quietly to himself. "Oh my gosh, I'm so excited you're here, come meet Kurt." Blaine takes the girl's hand and leads her over to Kurt and introduces them. "Kurt I want you to meet my best friend Stella, Stella, this is my boyfriend Kurt." Before he can even say hello Stella throws her arms around Kurt's neck and gives him a big hug. "I've heard so much about you, I'm so happy to meet you." Finally Kurt begins connecting the mental dots, and says, "Wait, you're the Stella from California, the one with the famous producer dad?" "Yeah, that would be me" Stella says modestly. "I'm glad to meet you too, Blaine talks about you all the time, it's nice to meet the girl who helped us get together." Stella smiles and says, "Aww, well I didn't do much, I just told him to pull his head out of his butt, be a man, and go for it!" Kurt and Stella laugh, and Blaine gives her another hug. "I'm so glad to have you here." he says. "So where are you staying?" he asks her. "I'm staying with you silly! My mom called your mom and worked it out, we're gonna be roomies!" she says. Blaine grins to the point that he almost looks silly, and asks "so how long are you staying?" "Well, remember that promise we made when we were ten?" Stella asks. "How could I forget? We were gonna take high school by storm!" he replies. "Well, I'm here to honor that promise. Now that you're at McKinley we can actually go to the same school. So, tell me where English class is." They start to lead her down the hallway and Stella says, "Blaine, how can you have so little style with such a fabulous boyfriend? I mean come on at least start wearing socks!" Kurt laughs and says "Wait, he's always had this sock problem?" Stella smiles and says, "Ever since I can remember. When we were four he threw a huge tantrum because his mom said he had to put on socks if we wanted to play in the snow. He finally put them on after she convinced him there were little trolls in the snow that would bite his toes off if he didn't wear socks." Kurt laughs hysterically and Blaine says, "Alright, no more trips down memory lane" while getting her in a headlock. They stroll down the hallway laughing.

Stella walks into her new class and introduces herself to the teacher. The teacher says, "Welcome to McKinley High Stella, why don't you take the seat next to Santana, and here's the instructions for your timed essay today." Stella takes her seat and doesn't pay any attention to the smiling Santana next to her; she's excited that she'll be writing an essay about the symbolism in a poem rather than on the subtext and theme of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Not that she minded writing an essay like that, but for once she was in a school where she could just be a normal kid and not worry about subtext and a character's motivation. Santana flips her hair and sighs to get the beautiful new girl's attention, but to no avail, "this kid's a smarty pants ain't she" Santana thinks to herself. Stella writes her name at the top of her paper, and when she does Santana leans over and looks at it. Noticing the girl's last name seems very familiar she immediately pulls out her phone and looks her up. Now armed with the information that the girl came from OSCHA and that her father is a famous producer, Santana has her sights set on getting the girl to join the Troubletones. With a smirk on her face Santana leans over and whispers "hi". Stella turns, nods and smiles politely and says hi back before returning to her essay. Santana rolls her eyes and begins to wonder if their girl's even worth it but decides to keep going, and whispers, "I know who you are, you came from OSCHA, and you're dad's famous. I'm Santana." Annoyed, Stella looks up from her paper and whispers, "how do you know that?" "I googled you, everything's on the internet these days. Nice facebook pic by the way" Santana replies. Not wanting to be bothered further Stella replies, "um, thanks now shh! I'm trying to write an essay here." Now fed up that Stella has dismissed her Santana is more forceful and less polite, "listen hipster midget, I got a proposition for you. Seeings as you come from OSCHA and all, I want you to join our glee club, we're called the Troubletones. We could use your talent, besides; we're looking to crush the New Directions at sectionals." Wishing that Santana would stop talking to her Stella forcefully whispers "no thanks" and goes back to writing her essay. Santana leaves her be until the end of the period, but as she walks into the hall Santana harasses her further, pushing her into a locker and trapping Stella in her arms she says, "look tiny, I have the power to ends you before anyone knows you even went to this school, so listen up. Today after school you're going to Ms. Corcoran's room, and signing up for the Troubletones, got it?" Not wanting to explain herself to a girl she just met Stella looks Santana in the eye and says, "so do you know where the Physics lab is?" Now reaching her boiling point Santana tells the girl, "look kid, I'm from Lima Heights Adjacent . . ." but before she can finish her speech Stella pipes in with, "and that's the wrong side of the tracks, yada, yada, yada. Look I'm not interested in joining any glee clubs; I just want to be a regular kid going to regular school. Now will you please stop harassing me?" Santana stares her down for several seconds but Stella doesn't budge, so Santana releases her and lets her walk away. As Stella walks down the hall Santana calls out to her, "you better not join New Directions or . . ." "or you'll ends me, got it" Stella calls back. Brittany walks up to Santana and asks, "Who was that?" and Santana replies, "no one, let's go" and the two hold pinkies as they walk to their next class.

At lunch the glee gang has hatched a plot to start yet another lunch performance. Finn and Artie have planned to sing "Stereo Heart" and Blaine seats Stella in a place where she can watch the performance. Once she's seated Blaine joins the gang and they perform the song. To their surprise, at the end they're being cheered on by the rest of the students, all encouraged by Stella's unabashed support and enthusiasm. Stella is clapping and whistling, and Blaine is thrilled. Some of the clubbers begin to talk to underclassmen while Blaine goes back to see what Stella thought. "So don't you want to join? Didn't that look like fun?" he asks. Stella smiles and says, "Yes, but, I really want to take a break from the performing arts. Having spent the last four years at OCSHA, I really just want to be a normal kid. Besides, I don't even sing that well, I'm an actor." Feeling persistent Blaine protests, "But all actors have to sing, besides, you don't want to get rusty do you? Come on, it'll be fun, you'll get to spend more time with me!" and then he gives her the biggest, most adorable puppy dog eyes, and she gives in. "Fine" she says, and he exclaims, "YES!" "But on one condition, I don't want to have any responsibilities other than dancing in background, got it?" Blaine nods in excitement and hugs her, thinking to himself, "Rachel wouldn't have it any other way."

After lunch, Kurt and Rachel are in English class, and Rachel, curious about the new girl she saw Blaine talking to at lunch asks Kurt about her. "So who's the girl Blaine was talking to at lunch today?" Rachel asks. Kurt keeps his eyes fixed on his paper and smiles at the thought of intimidating Rachel with Stella's impressive pedigree. "She's Blaine's best friend, she used to live next door to Blaine until her dad moved them to California, and he's a big movie producer there now. She's been going to OCSHA since she was 13, but she moved back here to spend some time with Blaine and take a break before college." Rachel felt a lump in her throat, recognizing this girl was going to be a threat to her. "So what's her name?" Rachel asked. Kurt smiled and said, "Her name is Stella." Immediately Rachel felt rage well up within herself, not only was this girl going to be better than her, she even had the audacity to have a name that meant star, and stars were Rachel's thing. Rachel was silent the rest of the class, trying to think of how she could get Stella not to join glee club.

Meanwhile in math class Finn is chatting with Mercedes about Shelby's club and how things are going. "So, are you enjoying your new glee club?" he asks. "Yeah, it's great not to be in Rachel's shadow anymore, Shelby really appreciates my talent. I mean, I miss you guys, but, it's my senior year, it's my time to shine, you know?" Finn nods his head and says, "I kinda get how you feel, now that Blaine's in glee club it's kind of like I can't get a word in edgewise between him and Rachel. I know he's the better singer, so I just let it go, but it really gets to me sometimes." "Well then stand up for yourself Finn, you were the leader of that glee club before Blaine got there and you shouldn't have to back down because of him. I know you've got it in you, you're a senior, and it's your time to shine. If Blaine wants all the glory, he can go back to Dalton for all I care." Finn chuckles, "But he makes Kurt happy. It's kind of nice to see Kurt happy to come to school." Mercedes sighs and says, "Yeah, I love him, and he does deserve to be happy. He just needs to put a muzzle on that boyfriend of his." They laugh together and then the bell rings.

Next we see everyone filing into glee club, and Mr. Schue is excited to see if anyone has brought any new recruits. "So," Mr. Schue says, "has anyone brought anyone new in?" Everyone looks around, not wanting to make eye contact with him. "Come on guys! You mean to tell me not a single one of you could convince your younger classmates to join?" Rory chimes in with, "it's hard to get anyone to join a glee club that's best known for its slushie facials." "But you guys did so well at lunch today, everyone was cheering you guys on. Do you mean to tell me that not one of those cheering kids wanted to join the glee club?" After a long and awkward silence Mr. Schue suddenly realizes Blaine is missing and asks Kurt, "Where is Blaine?" "Oh he's coming," Kurt says slyly, "and he's bringing a surprise with him" as he says this he gives Rachel an evil smile, knowing she's intimidated and loving it. No sooner than this takes place does Blaine come waltzing in to the choir room with the biggest grin on his face. "Blaine, there you are! Kurt says you have a surprise for us?" says Mr. Schue. "Yes, yes I do. Everyone, I'd like you to meet our newest member, Miss Estella Morales!" The glee club applauds as a petite girl with high cheekbones, short auburn hair, amber eyes, and a beautiful hourglass figure walks into the room. Immediately Artie, Rory, and Puck can't help but stare, and Finn says, "Wow, she's cute" after which Rachel jabs him so hard in his side he loses all of his air. Stella smiles and says, "Hi everybody, you can call me Stella." Mr. Schue welcomes her and asks, "So what will you be singing for us?" Stella looks down and nervously plays with the buttons on her military jacket, then says, "I was kind of hoping to just join as a stand in, you know, just to boost your numbers so you can qualify for sectionals." Rachel begins to smile as this is a perfect arrangement and says, "Well we are more than happy to have you as a stand in. Someone has to dance while I sing all those solos!" As she says this, she gets up from her seat, wraps an arm around Stella, and thinks to herself that she really likes this girl. Kurt however, doesn't want to see her bullied into a subordinate role and says, "Oh come on Stella, are you telling me a girl fresh from OSCHA doesn't sing?" Rachel sneers at Kurt and he smiles back at her, to which Mr. Schue says, "you came from OSCHA, that's impressive Stella, we'd love to hear you sing." "Oh, no, I really am just an actor, but I'll be happy to help anyone out that needs acting advice." Mr. Schue sighs and says, "Well none the less, we can still use your talent here Stella, welcome aboard." Rachel smiles and grabs Stella's hand saying, "Come sit here between me and Blaine." As Mr. Schue begins to give everyone instructions for the next lesson, Blaine whispers to Stella, "Why didn't you just sing? I know you can, I heard you when we were younger, I know you can!" Getting irritated Stella firmly tells Blaine, "if you don't drop this I'm leaving and never coming back, you got it?" Overhearing their conversation Rachel pipes in and says, "Really Blaine, don't push her if she doesn't want to sing. But if you'd like Stella, I can give you some singing lessons." Stella can immediately tell by the tone of her voice that Rachel Berry is only about 1% sincere and 99% condescending so she retorts with, "Oh I couldn't impose upon you Rachel. But I suppose we could trade singing lessons for acting lessons. Blaine told me you played Maria this year, and since that isn't a challenging role, I'm sure there is some work that can be done before your NYATA audition." Rachel simply smiles and knows that Stella is not going to be her friend; she's going to be her "frenemy". "Now this week I'd really like to see how far out of your comfort zone you can go. Really push the envelope. Show me you're not all one trick ponies, show a little diversity, because right now, diversity is our strength" says Mr. Schue. "Like for example, Artie, you can rap, but how about trying a little country. Or Kurt, you're amazing at female Broadway standards, but why not try something with a rocker edge, really push your lower range. So does everybody have it?" asks Mr. Schue. The class nods in agreement, and then Blaine raises his hand. "Mr. Schue, if you don't mind, I'd really like to welcome Stella back to Ohio and into glee club, do you mind if I sing a song?" Mr. Schue smiles and says, "of course, let's hear it". Blaine moves to the front of the class and points to Stella and says, "Baby girl, this one's for you!" Stella blushes and then laughs realizing that Blaine is going to sing You're Like Comin' Home by Emerson Drive.

Ridin' restless under a broken sky
Weary traveler, something missin' inside
Always lookin' for a reason to turn around

Desperate for a little peace of mind
Just a bit of what I left behind
Well, I found it now
Oh, you're like coming home

Blaine dances up to Stella and holds his hand out for her to take and then takes her out in the middle of the class and dances with her to the chorus.

You're like a Sunday morning, pleasin' my eyes
You're a mid-summer's dream under a star-soaked sky
That peaceful, easy feelin' at the end of a long, long road
You're like comin' home
You're like comin' home
You're like comin' home

The rest of the glee kids join in, dancing with and around Stella, each of the boys has a turn, and Rachel, Tina, Quinn, and Stella then start a line dance.

Oh...
You're that innocence
That serenity
That long lost part of me

Blaine and Stella slow dance to the bridge, and then begin to skip around the choir room.

You're like a Sunday morning, pleasin' my eyes
You're a mid-summer's dream under a star-soaked sky
That peaceful, easy feelin' at the end of a long, long road
Oh, you're like comin' home

At the end Blaine twirls Stella and dips her, making the class applaud with excitement and happiness. Mr. Schue smiles and says to Stella, "I think you're going to fit right in here. Welcome home." Stella smiles back and says, "thank you Mr. Schue, it feels good to be home."

Everyone leaves glee club excited, talking about their plans for new musical numbers. Kurt tells Blaine he has to get something from his locker and leaves Blaine and Stella to get his things. Stella turns to Blaine and says, "Thank you for that big welcoming number. I hope everyone in glee club likes me, I want this to be a good year for us, and for you and Kurt." Blaine smiles at Stella, "with you two by my side, I have no doubts it will be." Stella fidgets and then asks Blaine, "Um, can you show me where the auditorium is? I know it's weird, but, I just feel like I need to step on a stage for a minute, you know, clear my head?" "Sure," Blaine says and takes her into the auditorium. "Wow, it's beautiful" Stella remarks. "How about I go find Kurt and then when you're ready we can go?" Blaine offers. "Sounds great, I'll only be five minutes" Stella replies. Blaine leaves and Stella walks toward the stage and up to the piano. She smiles at it, sits down, and touches the keys. She closes her eyes and then begins to pluck out a Broadway tune, Sweet Dreams. Hearing this outside the auditorium doors Blaine instructs Kurt "go get Mr. Schue and the other glee clubbers, she's going to sing, I can tell, and they should hear her." Kurt nods and obliges while Blaine waits in the back to hear Stella sing.

He left a man in New York City
She broke a home in New Orleans
They made their way to California
Sweet dreams, children, sweet dreams

By this time Kurt has gathered everyone and Blaine motions for them to be quiet as he sneaks up to the front, hoping not to be seen by Stella.

They hit it off in a Greyhound station
When she kicked the cigarette machine
And woke him up hard from his nap beside it
Woke him up hard from his sweet dreams

Blaine sits in a seat leaning forward resting his chin on his arms folded on the chair back in front of him. Kurt smiles at him and then looks at Stella, feeling more and more entranced by her voice. The whole time Stella is so engrossed in her song that she doesn't even notice the glee club is watching her.

He talked about his sugar daddies
She talked about her mean Marine
They settled down in seats adjoining
Sharing sweet dreams, sweet dreams

Rachel makes a face that you can read perfectly, although she doesn't like this girl, she can admit she's got real star power, so maybe there is something to learn from her after all. Mike brings Tina closer to him, and hugs her while they watch her.

Well there's no man to sell your heart to
When you're dancin' across the TV screens
No husband to beat you when you're in the movies
Just sweet dreams, children, sweet dreams

Run away to another skin
A tough one, a pretty one
That won't let the badness in

Stella's voice begins to convey more emotion, and Blaine can tell she's about to cry which makes his eyes glaze over with tears. Artie and Rory have a mutual look of complete and total adoration, and Finn is on the edge of his seat, feeling drawn to the tiny girl at the piano. Shelby Corcoran walks into the auditorium and sits next to Mr. Schuster and says, "that's a star Will. Be careful, I might steal her away." Mr. Schuster smiles and says, "She doesn't even know it."

Now he's keepin' house for a big producer
Who pays for the classes and the limousines
And she's in a bar, passed out with whiskey
Dreaming sweet dreams, still dreaming sweet dreams

Run away to another skin
A tough one, a pretty one
That won't let the sadness in
Won't let the madness win

Quinn lets a single tear fall down her face as she says to Puck, "she gets it."

There is a sidewalk in California
Where they put the stars right at your feet
And people delight in stepping on them...

After she plays the final notes of the song Stella's head falls into her hands, and the glee members rise to their feet in applause. She looks up to see them, some misty eyed and Blaine is walking toward her to give her a hug. Overcome with emotion, all she can do is smile through the tears. Mr. Schuster then says to Stella, "you're not hiding in the background Stella, I look forward to seeing what you do with the assignment this week." She nods as Blaine pulls her into a warm embrace and says, "There's something you're not telling me." Stella hugs him back and says, "There's plenty of time for that later."