Just a new fan fiction idea. It might get deep during some chapters, but there will be a warning before those. This is not meant to be offensive, because I always do as much research as I can before diving into a new topic. Trigger warning: There are meant ions of mood swings, stuttering, social anxiety, bad relationships in this chapter, as well as an allusion to eating issues.

Name: Blaine Anderson

Age: 18

From: Westerville, Ohio

College: NYADA

Major:Musical Theatre

Occupation: ...well, I'm working on it.

High school. They say that those are the best for years of our lives. I don't know who they are, or why exactly they feel that way, but I sincerely hope that they are wrong.

Because high school was certainly not what I expected it to be.

Maybe I brought it upon myself, you know? I know, I know. ''There's never any excuse for people to bully you.''

Yeah. I've heard it all before. That doesn't change the fact that I think that I was an easy target for them. The quiet, bow-tie wearing, show-choir-attending, musical-obsessed boy who just happens to be gay in an extraordinarily conservative town?

I'm sure that none of those oh so ''unique''-as my mom would put it-qualities that I possessed made it effortless for them to ruthlessly torment me.

For a school that claimed to have a no-tolerance bullying policy, they sure did a shit job of enforcing it. Sarcasm is implied here: Transferring to Dalton Academy during my junior year was definitely the best decision that I ever made.

Well, the best decision that my parents ever made for me.

No matter. The past is in the past, and I am on to bigger and better things.

Good bye Westerville, Ohio, and hello New York City. They say that if you can make it here, then you can make it anywhere. Okay, so maybe the only person I know in this great big city is one of my friends from high school. So Blaine Anderson wasn't good enough for the people back in Ohio, but maybe New York City is where he belongs.

It's a new city, and it's time to become a new me. A me who's going to take this city by storm. The old me wasn't good enough.

Maybe the new me will be.

Name: Kurt Hummel

Age: 19

From: Lima, Ohio

College: Parsons

Major: Fashion Design

Occupation: Waiter at the Spotlight Diner

Growing up, I always imagined my college years taking place in New York City, New York. Even as young kid, before my mom passed away, I heard the city calling my name.

Damn. Could I be anymore cliché?

Oh, yeah, I can. Turns out that the city of glamour and lights isn't always so wonderful when you're a struggling student. If it weren't for Adam and Chandler, I'm not too sure that I could afford the apartment I was living in. That was the good part about having such a supportive boyfriend and best friend.

Until said boyfriend cheated on me with said boyfriend. Of course they got together right after Adam and I broke up. Because my life is a damn television sitcom.

To throw salt on the wound, they are suggesting… okay, forcing me to move out.

High school wasn't easy for me. Why would I expect college life to be any better?

Even with the money dad and Carole are sending me, there's no way I'd be able to afford an apartment on my own. Though the idea of living with complete strangers is not exactly appealing, I don't really have any choice.

''This is desperate, Kurt. For all you know, you could get stuck with a murderer.''

There is the ever-encouraging voice of my co-worker: Rachel Berry.

''Yes, I am. Hopefully I'll end up with roommates that are just interested in splitting the rent three ways.''

Could this woman be anymore eccentric?

''I told you: there is plenty of room for you at my apartment,'' Rachel wipes the table next to me down, placing the dirty dishes in the bin she is balancing on her hip.

''The two bedroom apartment that you share with Brittany and Santana? No thank you. The idea of living with Santana actually makes my skin crawl,'' I speak, only half-joking, ''Besides. The apartment that I am looking at is closer to work and school, and I need all of the help that I can get being on time.''

This city moves fast, and I have to move as quickly as it does.

''Okay, point taken. But I think that Santana, Brittany and I should meet them before you make your final decision,'' she stands, back straight, chin tilted slightly upward, daring me to defy her.

''Whatever. Okay, fine. Let's just get these dishes to the back and get them cleaned.''

With one final glance at the stack of flyers advertising my search for a roommate that my boss Gunther so graciously let me place on the counter, I'm off to the kitchen to scrub dishes.

And so continues the not-yet-so-glamourous-life of Kurt Hummel.

Name: Mercedes Jones

Age: 19

From: Lima, Ohio

College: NYADA

Major: Voice

Occupation: I'm working in a retail store

''I swear, it's like some people don't even have manners,'' I roll my eyes at the back of the obnoxious customer I just tried to assist.

This job sucks. A lot. But, hey it pays. And maybe working in a store where constant human interaction when I have social anxiety wasn't exactly the best move, but I need the money. And it's not exactly like my chosen profession- a professional singer- allows much room for me to let my social anxiety get to me, right?

Back to working in a clothing store. It's not what I want, but it is what I have to do. At least for the time being. I can't keep relying on my parents to pay for both my tuition and my rent, right? When my brother moves to Los Angeles in two months, I will need a new place to stay, and my budget limits me to the most affordable apartment. Not being able to afford one on my own sucks, but I can afford to split the cost with at least one other person.

''H-hey,'' Tina Cohen-Chang, the one friend I have managed to make since moving to this great big city, bounces over to me, ''I'm g-going for lunch. D-do you want to c-c-come?''

Here's the thing about Tina: she has a stutter. Once you get to know her, though, you barely even notice it anymore. That doesn't stop people from actually getting to know her, though. So as long as she accepts my social anxiety, I can accept her stutter.

Even divas such as myself need friends. It can get a bit lonely sometimes. This is a big city, so much bigger than what I'm used to. Like so many people, I am still trying to fit in, and find my place in this world. Having a friend who is trying to do the same as she chases her dream to becoming a journalist definitely helps. It's not exactly easy, but it is easier.

We've said goodbye to Ohio, and hello to New York.

New beginnings, new start.

Name: Sam Evans

Age: 18

From: Louisville, Kentucky

College: None. Yet.

Major: None. Yet.

Occupation: Male model.

Okay, so maybe I don't have life all figured out like 90% of my friends do. I just graduated high school, after all. What's the rush?

''You okay there, buddy?''

Mike Chang is my roommate. We went to high school together. He already had an apartment here when I graduated, so it made more sense to stay with him until I could find my own place. My family can't exactly afford to help me out, and whatever money I have left over from the various modeling jobs i've gotten goes to them.

What I send isn't much, but it helps. Stacie needs braces, and Stevie keeps outgrowing his clothes, and mom and dad need all of the help that they can get. If what little bit I send makes it easier for them, then I'll keep modeling, and doing whatever jobs pay well enough. College can wait.

''I'm fine,'' I watch him pack his dance bag, ''Why?''

''You haven't touched your bagel. I mean, I can't stand them, but you're usually finished with your second one by now,'' he chuckles.

Obviously he's joking, but there's a hint of concern to his voice. And that puts me on edge.

''Just got a lot on my mind,'' I shrug, taking a bite.

There: it was only a half lie, and he'll be happy as long as I eat half.

''Alright. Well, I gotta get to class. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat when you get off of work. Later, dude,'' he pulls on his jacket, heading out for class.

Mike already knows what he wants to do. He had the grades and has the talent to go to NYADA. It took some fighting to convince his parents to let him go there instead of any one of the other schools they'd had picked out for him. It's been a year, and they're still not particularly happy about it. They still support him, though, if only because he's there son.

And if my parents had the money, I'm sure that they'd do the same for me.

As soon as I'm sure he's gone, I toss the rest of the bagel into the trash bin, rushing to the bathroom to get ready for my modeling job today.

Well, it's casting for a modeling job. And, sure, the other guys will be handsome and toned and muscular. But I still have a chance. I've been working out and eating healthier. Right now, this is my only source of income. I'll do anything I have to so that I don't have to lose this job. It's not like I'm doing anything really, really unhealthy. I mean, I am in control of what I'm doing.

No matter how far I have to go.

Name: Tina Cohen-Chang

Age: 19

From: Westerville, Ohio

College: Columbia University

Major: Journalism

Occupation: Sales Clerk

The beauty of writing is that you get to say everything that you want without actually having to speak. Sometimes it's hard to communicate with your mouth. Sometimes it's difficult to find the right words until you pour your feelings into words on a page.

For me, it's not that I don't know how to say it. It's what happens when I actually open my mouth to speak.

I've had a stutter as long as I can remember. As if being the ''weird, goth girl'' wasn't enough of a reason for the other girls to keep me in isolation during my days at Crawford Country Day, there weren't too many girls who wouldn't make side comments and whisper viciously behind my back at the parties my friend Blaine or roommate Quinn would drag me to.

The no tolerance bullying policy doesn't apply off of school grounds, right?

The one person besides my roommate, and besides my one true friend, who didn't make a big deal out of it was my boyfriend at the time: Hunter Clarington.

He was what every Crawford Country Day girl dreamed of: kind, caring, talented, and intelligent. He was always surprising me with flowers and surprise dates. He graduated at the top of his class, and he was on the Warblers, Dalton's a cappella boy's singing group. After all, a Crawford Country Day girl and a Dalton Academy boy go hand in hand, right? Our relationship was perfect.

Until we were behind close doors. That's when the degrading, narcissistic, player side of Hunter came out. The side that had no problem insulting me, while I stood there and took it. The side that had no problem with accusing me of cheating before nearly ending up in bed with a new girl every side I made excuses for, even though Blaine and Quinn begged me not to.

Hunter Clarington was my biggest, worse, and simultaneously most beautiful mistake. I don't know if I'm a mess, or still in love. I choose to believe my heart rather than my mind, but others will form their own opinion.

Once I moved to New York, I made a vow: It's my time to work on me. If I never get into another relationship, that's even better. Who needs the pain?

I know. A woman who doesn't believe in love just because one bad apple ruined it for her. That's only for television shows and movies, right?

Wrong. Hunter was my first and last regret. I'm going to Columbia University, I'm going to be a journalist, and I'm just fine on my own. In my personal experience, their haven't been too many people that did not find my stuttering as a tool to humiliate me.

And it's not right, because no one should ever have this feeling that I've been hiding since the day Hunter and I broke up. No one should ever feel like they have to change something for others. Yet I still do.

And I can only assume that any boyfriend I got would want to change me into his fantasy of perfection. I'm not the I'm not my friends. My days aren't highlighted with flawlessness that the boys crave. I'm not an expert flirt or all that confident in my ability in flirting period.

I wasn't meant for a relationship, I guess. Not everyone is. It will only lead to heartache and pain for me. Who wants that? I'm not looking for another mistake. I'm fine being single. Really I am.

I will convince myself that I am.

Because that's much easier than living with my regrets.

Name: Mike Chang

Age: 20

From: Louisville, Kentucky

College: NYADA

Major: Dance

Occupation: part time dance teacher.

''I don't see what's so bad about it,'' Brittany, my dance partner and one of my best friends skips down the hall, platonically holding my hand.

''How would you feel if your parents thought your passion was idiotic? I love dancing. It's my life,'' I explain, trying to calm myself as the frustration of explaining this to her again sets in.

Stay calm. Deep breaths. In and out. Take it easy.

''Sad. Like a sad unicorn,'' she pouts slightly, resting her head on my shoulder as we stroll down the halls of NYADA.

Brittany doesn't mean to be frustrating. Honestly, she doesn't. And though Santana is the only one who can constantly put up with her unintentional naivety. Brittany is the most compassionate and innocent person I know. That makes it easier to keep from lashing out at her every time I reach my boiling point, even if she is quick to forgive me only a few hours later when I do.

Brittany has been accepting of me since our first dance class together last year. Other than Sam and Santana, she's the only friend I have in New York. She's the most understanding, at least. Santana's temper can rival mine, and Sam and I have fought on more than one occasion, ending with him staying at Santana and Britt's apartment on their fold out couch.

''Look,'' Brittany squeezes my hand gently as we cross the street, ''You're a great dancer. You know that, I know that, and your parents do, too. Maybe being a dancer isn't the most practical thing, but they just want what is best for you, you know. Don't get too mad at them.''

For someone who thinks she is stupid, Brittany says the wisest things sometimes.

''You're right, I guess. I have been lashing out a lot lately, haven't I,'' I wrap an arm around her shoulder as we reach the curb.

''Yes, you have. Look, everyone has something they're fighting. Maybe if you told other people, they'd understand.''

''I don't have mood swings, Brittany. I just have a lot on my mind.''

That's not a lie, but I hope she'll take it and let this conversation end.

''Whatever you say. You don't have to pretend around me, though,'' she reminds me, blue eyes glancing at me before focusing on where she's going.

That's the thing. I believe everybody acts differently around certain people. There's who you are for the rest of the world, who you are around your friends, and who you are when you're by yourself. If I haven't begun to accept that something needs to be done about this… issue, then how could others?

Brittany wouldn't understand. My parents have known me my whole life, and they don't understand. Hell, I don't understand. I've spent I don't know how many years trying to deny what I already know.

''Thanks for walking me to work, Mike,'' Brittany presses a chaste kiss to my cheek, ''I'l see you tomorrow.''

She bounces into the diner, ponytail swinging behind her as the door closes and an air of optimism in her wake.

She's right. I need to tell someone. My parents, a teacher, anyone.

But I won't. Wake up, smile, go to class, go to work, go home, make it through the day, pretend it's okay, go to bed, repeat. That's the pattern I've been repeating day after day since I was younger. It's routine, but not easy.

Because pretending that a problem doesn't exist doesn't exactly make it go away.

Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk