Holding Onto Stars

Chapter 1

The sound of footsteps echoed around the deserted hallways. Bland colours painted the locker doors gleaming in the light. The walls were plain with the occasional poster advertising whatever sports match was happening that week. None of this bothered Cooper Anderson as he navigated the familiar hallways of McKinley High School.

A nostalgic smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he remembered his time at the school. He remembered the way that he held the hearts of every girl in his hands and how all the boys would want to be him. Cooper closed his eyes as he walked and he could just imagine his old school friends, stopping him for a high-five, or one of the many girls trying to get a date with him. He could picture himself smiling as he walked the hallways, without a care in the world.

At the time, that had seemed like the most important thing to him; his reputation, how everyone would see him. He never cared much about the nerds, losers and pretty much everyone else who wasn't the norm. Cooper didn't bully any of them, not at all. He was accepting of them, and coming from a very open minded family, he knew how to treat others. Cooper never bullied anyone, even when all of his friends did. He just didn't want to get involved in it. He accepted that it was High School and that is what happens when you're different. Then his brother came out to him. Cooper was the first person Blaine, his brother, had told. At first he had been shocked because Cooper had really not expected this, but he still loved Blaine; nothing would change that. After his brother had come out to him, he supported him all the way and was there for him when things inevitably went downhill.

Blaine was the reason he was revisiting his past. Not that he minded, Cooper would do anything for his brother. If that meant going back to his old school, then so be it. Blaine was transferring to McKinley, to this hell-hole of a school, at the start of next week. And Cooper knows what people are like at High School; selfish, always thinking about themselves. No-one cares about other people, and it always end up with people getting hurt; physically and emotionally. Cooper couldn't have Blaine getting hurt again. He would do all he could to stop it.

Cooper had a plan to help his brother. All Blaine needs is someone who's on top of the school to guide him through it. He hasn't really got any friends, and although coming here is a fresh start, Cooper knew how the 'new kid' would be treated come Monday. If Blaine had a friend that wouldn't happen to him, he wouldn't have to put up with the bullies.

After talking to a few people during the day, Cooper found the perfect person that he needed to talk to. It was just after Cheerio's practice, so the only people who would be in the school are the cheerleaders. If Coach Sylvester's rigorous practices were still the same as they used to be Cooper knew he would be able to catch the boy he desperately needed to talk to. Cooper just hoped he had been right, and the boy would be alone.

Turning the corner, Cooper found he was no longer alone; a boy was standing by an open locker. The tall boy with perfectly styled hair and wearing a red cheerleader outfit took a step back and looked around him. His sparkling blue eyes that held thousands of secrets behind them landed on Cooper standing there and mask of confusion covered his face.

"Kurt Hummel?" Cooper asked, clearly already knowing the answer to his question.

The boy replied. "Yeah? Sorry, do I know you? I recognise you from somewhere..."

"I used to go to school here, was somewhat of a prodigy." Cooper said, walking towards Kurt, "Cooper Anderson"

A look of recognition graced Kurt's features and he gave a small smile, "Oh! I know who you are."

Not bothering with the formalities, Cooper decided to get straight to the point. "Anyway, I need to talk to you. See, I have a little brother Blaine. He's transferring to this school on Monday."

Kurt just shot Cooper an odd look. "And what does that have to do with me?"

"I want you to be my brother's best friend."

"Why would I do that?" Kurt said, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I'll pay you." Kurt mouth dropped open. "I'll pay you to be his best friend."

"How- No. No, I can't do that. Why would you pay me to befriend him? I might have done it without money..."

"He's different. He's nothing like you. He's what you would call a 'loser'. He loves his music, and is also extremely clever, but at school that is what the stereotype for a loser is. Right? Oh, he's also gay. So that's even more of a reason for people to dislike him." Cooper noticed how Kurt's eyes widened at the last part, and Cooper could see behind the bright eyes noticing there was something Kurt was hiding from everyone.

"I- I- Uh- I can't. It- It's not fair on him. It'll-"

"Ruin your reputation. I know. Like I said, I'd pay you, I'm sure you could use the money for something."

"No- no. I can't. I just built this reputation; I'm not going to see it crumble right before me, just because of some boy that I don't even know."

Cooper began to get desperate; he needed some leverage on the boy. He knew he would never get the boy to agree with him. He needed something, anything...

"I'll tell everyone."

"Tell everyone what exactly?" Kurt shot back. His voice wavering slightly, giving Cooper the knowledge that there was something the boy was hiding from everyone else.

"I'll tell everyone that you're gay."

Cooper couldn't believe he just did that. He doesn't even know if it was true. It was just a hunch. He would never out anyone. That was beyond cruel.

"What?" Kurt cried, "How did you- This isn't fair. You can't blackmail me. No, you can't do that."

"I just did." Cooper heard his voice, without acknowledging it was him talking. He couldn't back down now. He knew he had to carry this on. "Think about it. Blaine starts on Monday. You have the rest of the week, and the weekend to think it over. You become friends with Blaine or I'll tell everyone your secret. If you think I won't find out, trust me. I will."

Without waiting for a reply, Cooper turned around and left Kurt standing there, gaping at the back of Cooper Anderson.

The rest of the week, and the weekend passed in a daze for Kurt. He didn't know what he was doing. Time passed by along with everything around him and he didn't notice at all. He snapped at anyone who spoke to him and didn't pay attention in any of his classes. He even shouted at a teacher, resulting in a detention. Kurt's friends noticed something was wrong with Kurt, but they didn't say anything. No-one wanted to get on the bad side of Kurt when he was on full-bitch mode, which he seemed to be on all week.

Kurt had no idea what he was going to do. After a weekend of lying in bed, running through his options in his head, he decided that he would just wait until he saw Blaine. But in the back of his mind, Kurt knew he only had one option. He would have to become friends with Blaine. He didn't want anyone else knowing that he was gay. Kurt didn't think he would be able to cope at school if everyone knew.

Soon enough, it was Monday morning. Kurt found himself looking into the mirror in his locker, wishing the bags beneath his eyes would just disappear, along with the rest of his problems. He was nervous. He didn't want to meet this Blaine Anderson. He didn't want him in his life. He wanted it all to go away and leave him in peace. Kurt could tell that Blaine had arrived; he could hear the not-so-discrete whispers from everyone around him about the new kid. Trying to get away from any mention of Blaine, Kurt left to go to his first lesson.

The morning passed slowly, Kurt dreading the next lesson, wondering whether or not Blaine would be in his next lesson. It turned out that Kurt didn't have any lessons with Blaine that morning. But, he still couldn't get away from him. Everyone he spoke to was talking about the 'new kid'; the loser with slicked back hair, a broken arm wearing a bow tie and suspenders. Kurt knew that making friends with Blaine would break his reputation but he didn't realise how big of an impact it would make until now.

Blaine was Kurt's living nightmare. A nightmare he hasn't even met.

The rest of the day passed by, and before long he was walking into the choir room and Kurt noticed he was early and it was empty. Normally he walked in just as the bell went or slightly late. He didn't want to seem too eager to get there. He wasn't supposed to enjoy it. He was supposed to be there to spy for Coach Sylvester. But, secretly, it was the best part of his day. All the glee kids thought they knew why Kurt was there, spying on them. But they knew that if they kicked him out, they wouldn't have enough people for competitions.

Kurt loved it though. He loved the way that even though he was a complete and utter bitch to them, they still accepted him there. As if he was one of them. But he was anything other than them. He didn't belong, he didn't belong anywhere.

Slowly, the glee members began to trickle through the doors, giving Kurt a nod or small smile as they sat down around him. He loved it. He really did. But Kurt had so much trouble trying to keep up his façade, he didn't want anyone to see through him.

Finally, the bell went and everyone was there, waiting for Mr Schuester. Looking over at the office door, Kurt noticed it was closed. But before he could wonder why, the door was flung open revealing Mr Schue and a short boy.

He had curled black hair, smoothed back into perfection held in place by a lot of gel. His jeans were turned up at the bottom, and he was wearing a green checked shirt, with green suspenders and a bow tie. Then Kurt looked up into his eyes. He saw bright golden eyes looking back at him filled with an emotion Kurt couldn't place, and his breath caught in his throat. The amount of emotion behind those eyes scared Kurt. He felt like the boy could see right through him. On first thought, Kurt thought he was absolutely gorgeous, but then he realised who he must be.

"Hey guys! Meet Blaine Anderson, new member of the New Directions!" Mr Schue addressed everyone, then turned back to Blaine. "Do you want to audition now? Or when you have something ready?"

"Can I- um- have a few days? Just so I can prepare something?"

"Sure. Take a seat." Blaine just looked around nervously. This was Kurt's chance. He could easily speak up now, and get him to sit in the empty seat next to him. But he doesn't. He just lets Blaine sit in the seat in the front, next to the glee club 'leader' Rachel Berry.

The rest of Glee Club passed by in a blur to Kurt and soon enough, he was heading out of the choir room. Throughout the lesson, all Kurt did was decided how he could introduce himself to Blaine. He couldn't seem suspicious, or he would suspect something. And if Cooper found out, he was sure he would tell everyone Kurt's little secret. Kurt also didn't want to hurt Blaine, he seemed too adorable and kind for Kurt to just hurt him. Then again, Blaine would never find out about the blackmail, so it wouldn't matter too much. He then began to create little situations in his head, some unrealistic whereas others were downright stupid. If Blaine was in Kurt's lessons, he could sit next to him, and they would become friends. But, if not, Kurt would have to find another way to befriend the boy. Finally, Kurt decided that if Blaine wasn't in any of his lessons tomorrow, he would somehow talk to Blaine Anderson.

AN: Thanks for reading! :)

This is just a random idea that I had, and I thought I had to write it down! Let me know what you think! :D