This is my second Glee fanfic. My first Glee fic is still ongoing but I had to do this because it suddenly came to mind and I just had to write it. I'm in need of a Beta. So if you like it please PM me. Also please review it will be highly appreciated. Keeps me going. This is a Tina and Finn fanfic but it has a lot of Klaine as well. Brittana is present. Enjoy reading.
P.S. I have a BETA now! Drawn To Those Who Never Yawn! XD I shall be updating again soon XD
"Stop glazing at me!" Finn frowned at her.
"Glazing?" Tina raised an eyebrow at the skinny boy in front of her. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb." He walked towards her evading the mound of sand he created in the pit. "The teachers always do it to me when I do something bad." He squinted his eyes and pointed his fingers towards them. "You've been looking at me like that and I don't like it." Finn spoke in a whiny tone.
"That's racist." Tina crossed her arms in front of her. It was a word her mom taught her when she told her the kids in the playground were teasing her.
"Racist?" Finn repeated. "You mean racer? Like the car?"
Tina rolled her eyes. "No! Racist as in people who judge other because of their race."
"Oh." Finn tilted his head to the right. "So?"
Tina let out an exasperated sigh. "A while ago you said I was glaring at-"
"Glazing." Finn corrected her.
"Glazing is when you caramelize sugar, Glaring is when you look at a person with bad intentions."
"Oh!" He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm not good with words." He stiffened and the heavy pout reappeared on his face. "Then stop glaring at me."
This time Tina was really glaring at her. "I'm Korean so I was born with thin eyes." She stepped forward and poked the middle of his chest.
"You judged me because I have thin eyes." Tina poked him hard again and he stepped back.
"I'm not glaring, I'm just Korean!" She poked him hard again and he was pushed back even further.
"You're racist!" She gave him another poke.
"And mom says racist people are bad!" She gave him a final nudge and he fell on his back on the pile of sand he was molding a few minutes ago.
She looked down at him with the most disgusted look she could muster. Her mom told her to never let racist people treat her badly, ever.
"You are-" Tina was about to say more but she heard a tiny sniffle. "Are you…" Before she knew it the boy's shoulder was shaking hard and hot tears rolled down his chin.
"Are you crying?" Tina couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty.
"I'm not a b-bad p-per-person." He spoke in between sobs. "I just th-thought you were glaring at m-me." Tina bent down and sat on her heel. "I don't like p-people gl-glazing at me." Finn covered his face with his hands and sobbed harder.
Tina rubbed his back stiffly. "Hey…don't cry. I'm not mad anymore ok."
Finn moved closer to her until his face was pressed on her shoulder. She rubbed his back until he stopped shaking. He looked up at her and their faces were a few inches apart. Tina fell on her back in shock. Finn let out a tiny chuckle.
"Hey!" Tina moaned. "Sorry," Finn blurted. "I'm not a bad person."
"Ok, ok." Tina crossed her legs as she sat on the sand. "Maybe I just over reacted a bit…you didn't mean to hurt me." Finn glowed a bit at what she said. His light brown eyes flickered. They looked like coffee.
"You're just stupid."
"Hey!" Finn glowered at her.
"Ok, ok sorry." Tina smiled apologetically. "Let's make up ok?"
Finn nodded quickly.
"I'm Tina. I might look like I'm glaring but I just have thin eyes like some Koreans and I hate racist people." She offered her hands to him.
Finn smiled and grabbed it immediately. "I'm Finn. I assume people are glaring at me. I'm not stupid I'm just slow. Mom says I'm just nine years old so I'm still learning." They shook hands for a minute before letting go of each other.
"Do you want to help me build a castle?" Finn beamed at her. "Ok." Tina smiled back. They busied themselves for minutes as they concentrated on making the best sand castle ever (or so Finn calls it).
"Why are you in America?" Finn asked out of blue. "Americans live in America, Germans live in Germany. Why are you in America?" Finn looked up to her after making sure the lower wall on his side wasn't crumbling.
"Not all the people in America are Americans idiot. There are foreigners from other countries who choose to live here. " She grabbed a handful of sand and carefully pressed it on top of the mound. "My mom told me they moved to America when she was a teenager." Tina slowly lifted her hands away to see if it would hold. "I'm not really sure why."
"Maybe because it's safer here." Finn stopped building the sand castle and lay back on his hands. "My dad's a soldier. He says he'll make sure all Americans are safe."
"Maybe." Tina hugged her knees. "Soldiers are cool."
"Yeah! My daddy is cool." Finn grinned proudly.
"What daddy? You don't have a daddy Finn." A taller kid who was probably a year or two older walked towards them from outside the sand pit. Two other kids followed his lead. "My mom said your dad is crazy and he left you and your mom to starve." Said the boy on the right side with red hair. "She said he's a criminal."
"My dad's not a criminal! He's a hero!' Finn shot upwards and walked towards them.
"Your dad is trash Finn and you'll be trash too!" The tall boy grabbed Finn's collar.
Finn grabbed his arms but he was too strong. Finn's eyes were starting to water. He closed his eyes to fight the tears.
He heard a loud thump and a groan from the tall boy and the hand grabbing his collar loosened. The tall boy fell on the ground as he cupped his groin with his hands. His face was red and he was tearing up.
The other two boys crouched by his side and glared at Tina. "You Asian freak!" The plumper boy shouted. "You'll pay for this."
"Are you going to hit a girl, gorilla face?" She moved one step towards them. "Or do you want to be kicked down there too." She pressed her fist on her side.
The two flinched with what she said and grabbed the tall guy shaking on the floor. "Jerks." Tina hissed as the three boys disappeared from behind the jungle gym.
She turned towards Finn who was looking down at his feet. "Don't listen to them Finn." She placed a hand on his arm but he flinched.
"I'm a pathetic cry baby." Finn's fist clenched tighter on his side. "I'll never be as cool as my dad. That's probably why he left us."
"Your dad didn't leave because of you, I'm sure of it." She gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
"You're not pathetic Finn." Tina grabbed his hand and dragged him back to the sand pit. "I didn't even know you know you knew the word pathetic." Tina teased. Finn pouted at her but it immediately crumbled into a smile.
"Don't listen to those dummies, they're just jealous because you have a super cool dad and that you made the best sand castle ever." Tina dramatically presented the sand castle behind her. Finn chuckled a little. "You're really cool you know. Not like other girls." Finn beamed at her as he rubbed the tears of his face. He looked at her from head to toe. She wore a baggy shirt and jersey shorts. Her hair was short and messy. "I really like you."
Tina didn't know why but she was blushing. She looked up and assumed it was the heat. "You're cool too Finn." She patted his shoulder. "Just like your dad." Finn hugged her in thanks. Tina stiffened a little at first but she hugged him back.
"Can we play again next week?" Finn grabbed his bag that rested at the edge of the sand pit. "I want to see you again." Finn shifted from his right to left feet.
"Of course! Next time we'll make an even bigger castle." Tina gestured with her hands.
"Promise!" Finn held out his pinkie.
"Promise." Tina locked her pinkie with his. He smiled back and said goodbye before disappearing into the school building. Tina looked at her hands. She could still feel his pinkie locked with hers, and couldn't help but smile. She made a friend today, her first one.
She wasn't able to come back the following week.
It took her six years to come back to Ohio…
…Her mom died 3 days later after he met Finn. Since that day her life changed. She changed.
It felt like she was deep underwater. She wasn't drowning. There was just a sense of distance…from everything. She felt like she was just floating around. When her mom died she tried to be strong. Her mom always told her that she was a fighter and that she shouldn't let anyone bring her down. She cried so hard on the first few days but afterwards she won't let a single tear drop.
During the funeral all her relatives were there. They were giving her pitiful looks and condolences but at the same time there was worry. It turned out they were debating on which one of them would take Tina in. Since her dad died when she was still a baby she no longer had a guardian. Uncle Lee and Aunt Polly decided to take her in for a while but they were a bit hesitant.
After the funeral she moved to their home all the way in Kentucky. She remembered looking back at her house as the car drove away wondering if she'll ever be able to comeback.
She never truly had a home after that. She moved from relative to relative from Kentucky to Oregon to New York. They saw her more of a burden. An extra mouth they had to feed. Some were more affectionate than the others but no one truly cared. She lost her confidence through the years. She felt so small. She lost her voice and her courage. She distanced herself from people and enjoyed solitude. She turned to the cyber world and Goth culture. Tina was no longer the tough little girl six years ago, now She's a meek Goth girl. A wallflower. A loser.
She wished she could see her mom again. She felt ashamed that she was reduced to such a state. She missed her mother's strong arms. How she rubbed her head. It made her feel like everything was going to be all right.
Tina's life was now a blur of disappointments.
This year was a bit different though. Maribel Lopez her mother's close friend back in Ohio told her relatives that she'd be happy to take her in since she owed her mother a lot when she was still alive. Her relatives agreed immediately to the offer like it was a dream come true.
So she stood there six years later in Ohio. The Tina then and Tina now were worlds apart. She looked a like a character straight from a horror movie with her black gothic dress. There were blue streaks on her long black hair and dark eyeliner around her eyes. Her skin was pale against the sun. She walked towards the house as her high cut leather boots squeaked on the concrete. She pulled her luggage behind her with both hands. She stopped in front of the gate as she struggled to lift it up from the road to the sidewalk.
Tina rang the doorbell. She played with the bracelets on her wrist to calm her nerves. She wasn't good with meeting people. She wasn't good with people period.
The house wasn't big but it wasn't small either, from outside it looked like a pretty normal two story house. The door creaked open and a petite woman appeared from inside. Tina stiffened a little when their eyes met. She smiled wildly and almost ran to open the gate. "Tina, is that you?"
"Good- Good afternoon Mrs. L-Lopez." Tina bowed her head a little. The woman opened the gate and ushered her in. She waited for her to raise a brow like most people do when they say how she dresses but she just smiled at her brightly.
"You've grown so much, hija." Tina nodded back politely.
Tina struggled a little bit on the steps towards the door but she managed when Maribel lifted the back of her luggage.
"Thank You Mrs. Lopez." Tina smiled a little at her.
"No problem, hija, and please call me Maribel."
"Thank You M- Maribel." Tina mumbled awkwardly.
She rested her hand on Tina side and guided her inside. "Welcome to our humble abode."
She gave her a tour of the house. It had a very bright and lively ambiance. Tina who was not a big fan of burnt sienna, found it somewhat appealing on the walls but maybe it was because of how the autumn shaded colors on the curtains contrasted with it. Fall was Tina's favorite season. She remembered when she was still in Oregon. She loved watching the leaves cascade to the ground as she walked Aunt Marie's dogs in the park. She found it funny and sad how the people thought she was some sort of crook because of her hair and clothes and would excuse them selves when they were on her way.
Tina gulped in her throat. She stood out from the house like a sour thumb. She wondered if she'd be getting the same treatment. She fidgeted at the thought.
Maribel seemed to have noticed her anxiety cause she suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist. "You will love it here, I'm sure of it." She smiled brightly at Tina. They continued to walk upstairs where she showed her the master's bedroom. She wondered how much money the Lopez's made. They had a really nice house and they were generous enough to support all her finances without any form of payment.
"Hija! This is Santana's room." She pointed to a door at the end of the hallway. "She's going to throw a tantrum if we barged in without permission though." She joked. "So she can show you her room in the future." Tina nodded politely.
The children of the households she lived in were crucial points. When she was in Kentucky she never had a break inside the house because her nephews seem to find it funny to just mess everything up in the house for her to clean up. Every time they broke something they'd put the blame on her and let's just say her aunt, Mildred wasn't really the most unbiased person out there and so some days Tina had to sleep with an empty stomach as a form of punishment.
She could say the same for her times in New York but at least her Niece there was obsessed with Broadway so the amount of times they to had watch because she complained on how her parent's were "ruining her life" was enough of to drain away Lucy's annoyingly tiny voice. Heightened when she complained about her homework and made Tina finish them.
She wondered if there was something about her that made people want to make fun of her. Lucy wasn't really the most popular girl in school but even she had power over her.
"Santana is so excited to meet you." Maribel continued to blabber on about her daughter as they made their way down stairs. Tina looked down while she played with her fingers as Maribel spoke. "She's part of the cheerleading team, I'm sure she'll eventually be the captain. She's really good." Tina's face shot upwards.
"Ch-cheer leader?"
Maribel noticed the color vanish on Tina's face. "Oh dear, Are you ok?" She placed a hand on her cheek.
"Yeah I'm… I'm ok." Tina shook her head. "Maybe I'm just tired… Long trip." She shrugged. There is no way a cheerleader would be nice to someone like her. She knew things were going too smoothly. Something- or someone was bound to mess things up.
"I guess it's time for you to rest." Maribel gave her an empathetic look. "I'll show you you're room."
Maribel opened the door that led her to the basement (Now Tina's room). She chuckled a bit in her head. The room had dark grey walls, the least colorful place in the house. Perfect.
She pulled the luggage down the stairs, and then she looked around the room. A bed was set up already with a desk beside it. A cabinet and a shelf were pressed on the walls. A door on the right led to her personal en-suite.
"Thank you so much Mrs. Lopez." She faced her as she played with her bracelets. From all of her relatives she has never been given a room of her own, much less a room with her own bathroom and furniture. "I promise to work hard in school and I'll take a part time job to at least make up f-
"No problem, hija." Maribel cupped her hands on her cheeks. "Your mother and I are practically sisters." She traced her cheek with a finger lightly. "You are like family to me." She held on for a few more seconds and climbed up the stairs. "You can rest here for a while. I'll call you when dinner's ready." She beamed at her before closing the door.
This is unreal. Tina thought. She wondered why Maribel was so nice to her and offered to take her in. It was unusual for someone to do something so kind for Tina. She'd like to think that it was a temporary facade since it was her first day but her eyes seemed very sincere. Is she really that nice?
Tina contemplated on resting for a while but decided on unpacking first. The last thing she wanted was for Maribel to think that she took in a bum, plus she had a lot to unpack. Tina invested a lot in her clothes. It was the only thing she saved for (except for her anime figurines). It was her only way of expressing herself since she wasn't good with speaking. Singing was nice as well but it was something she did to relax herself. It was her personal escape. She's never sung in public and has no plans to. It was stupid though because she dreams of going to broad way. She can't even speak straight sometimes. How can she perform on stage in front of an audience? She tossed away the idea for now. She had more urgent problems to fix. Being the new girl, Surviving high school, living in the house a cheerleader but right now first on her list is unpacking.
She placed her skirts on a pile to her right. She grabbed her fishnets and placed them on top of her beanies. She looked around the sea of black and white made by her clothes. It looked depressing, and she liked it. It was her own personal form of payback for how bad the world has been to her. She could never do bad things to others. That was something she can't live with. It wasn't anyone's fault that she was alone in this world, but in the same way some people feel better when they shout out their problems, she also feels good when she expresses how sad she is through her clothes. It was stupid, really, and she was no punk. She never skipped classes and does nothing but schoolwork but it works for her, and kept her going.
Tina pushed the cabinet close and looked around the room. She decided to fix her other stuff later. She stiffly walked back towards the bed and sunk on the soft cushion. Tina couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh. She turned on her back and looked at the ceiling. She wasn't in the cramped white apartment in New York anymore she was in her own room in Lima Ohio. It was a new place but it would probably be the same old story. She wondered how long she'd stay here. Maybe this time she'll be able to do something different. She groaned at the thought. Optimistic just wasn't her style. Forever alone, that was her motto. She closed her eyes and basked on the darkness.
"So you're not, like, a witch or something right?" Tina sat up immediately. She must have drifted of because she didn't notice anyone enter the room. A beautiful Latina girl sat on her bedside. She brushed her black wavy hair with her hand. Her skin, which was perfectly tanned, glistened under the florescent light. Her dark brown eyes were looking over at Tina's clothes. "I mean I like black and all but I checked your closet and it's like ninety eight percent midnight in there." She played with the ruffles at the edge of Tina's skirt.
Tina flinched like she was burned by her touch. She wasn't used to skin contact, especially on her thighs. Her face colored a bit. "I…Who?"
"Relax, I won't eat you." She raised her palms in surrender. "I'm Santana, I live here."
Oh. Tina immediately jumped out of bed. She bowed her head a bit in front of her. A habit she picked up from watching a lot of animes. "I'm s-sorry for intruding in your ho-home. I'll try my best to behave and get out of your w-way."
Santana laughed hard after she spoke. Tina wondered if she did something funny or she just looked ridiculous. "I…"
Santana let hair back fall on bad as she let her chuckle die off. She patted the space beside her. Tina didn't get it at first but when she patted harder she realized she was motioning for her to sit next to her. She smoothened her skirt and did as she was told.
"Lie down." Santana grabbed her shoulder and pushed her down so they were lying on the bed next to each other.
Tina didn't know what to say. Her eyes glanced from the ceiling to Santana. For some reason Santana found it funny and laughed again. When she was over, they were both silent for a few seconds.
"Mom says your mom is like her best friend and stuff." Santana rolled her eyes as she faced Tina. "They're like the sisterhood of the travelling pants or something."
Tina knew Maribel's face from her childhood, the same umber hair and shiny dark brown eyes. She was always beside her mom in her memory. "They were." Tina mumbled quietly.
"And…Even though I'm a straight up bitch I know that my mom is always right. I trust her a lot." Santana noticed how Tina flinched a little with her cussing. Santana found her innocence endearing. "And you seem…pretty cool." She studied her face. "So let's try our best to be friends, ok?" Santana sat up and Tina shot up quickly beside her. "You're Tina right?"
Tina nodded quickly.
"Tina what?"
Tina stiffened for a second before answering. "Tina Cohen-Chang."
"Cohen-Chang? What kind of last name is that?" Santana frowned a bit.
"My dad is half-Jewish." Tina replied. "So they merged my grandparents' last name together."
Santana nodded slowly. "So are you like a Christina or just Tina?"
"Just Tina."
Santana stood up walked around the room. "Well just Tina we're stuck together from now on and my mom ordered me to help you around and to give you the best Ohio experience possible." She grinned as she pressed the edge of her fingers together. "I needs my tanning allowance so I have no choice."
"You don't have to trouble yourself-"
"Don't worry, Chang." Tina flicked her hair. "Mommy Tana's got your back, so no worries, ok?" Santana walked up the stairs. Tina couldn't help but notice her amazing figure. She was definitely a cheerleader. "As long you don't use dark magic, we're cool." Santana joked.
Tina let out a faint chuckle.
"By the way, dinner's ready." She smiled back at her before closing the door. Tina couldn't help but feel nervous. There's something about Santana that seems so dangerous. Even a simple smile makes the hair on her forearms go up. Tina stood up and climbed the stairs. She paused as she held the doorknob. She said she'd be my friend. Tina remembered her past six years. She wasn't able to make a single acquaintance and now on her first day in Ohio she's already made a single friend. Maybe she really was meant to be here. Where her mom lived before she died. Where she met her first friend, Finn.
Tina can't believe she still remembers his name. It's been years since she saw the boy. She wondered if she'd be able to meet him again. There felt a tinge of joy just thinking of him.
"Tina!" Santana screamed from the kitchen. Tina was sucked back from reality and dashed towards the kitchen.
She apologized when she arrived but they all said it was okay. Mr. Lopez (or Carlo as he said Tina should call him) seemed like a nice man. He arrived from the hospital he worked at before dinner when Tina was probably sleeping. He was a plump man who always had a smile on his face, and spoke loudly like Maribel and Santana. They were all laughing while they ate around the table. Tina couldn't help but smile as she watched them. Their happiness was somewhat contagious. She spoke only when asked about her past and what she remembers from Ohio. Maribel and Carlo also told her how things went around in the house like curfews and chores; they smiled warmly as they talked to her. Tina felt nervous. She wasn't used to such hospitality. "Tina you're family now, ok?" Carlo spoke after he chewed loudly on his food. "Just feel at home."
Tina just nodded back to him. Maribel also told her that tomorrow she was also to begin going to school. McKinley High. She told her about the needed paperwork and where to go when she gets there.
"Help her to the Principals office, hija." Maribel motioned to Santana. "Of course." Santana smiled at Tina. "Tina and I bonded a while ago right."
She nudged her elbow. "Yes, we… bonded." Tina added.
"That's nice." Maribel smiled fondly at them. "You can ride with Santana as well. She has her own car."
"Yeah…but afterschool I have cheerios practice so you'll have to wait around 5." Santana bit her lips.
"It's ok." Tina replied.
"Oh I know Hija." Maribel placed her hand over Tina across the table. "You can join a club too so you won't just be waiting around and you'll make more friends that way."
Tina just nodded. Friends? Clubs? Those words were foreign to her. With her relatives, she had to take part time jobs so she didn't have time join a club, and she seemed to naturally make people go away with her presence so friends were also non-existent to her. She was able to meet some people for group projects and stuff but she never became close with them.
When they finished dinner Tina offered to do the dishes but Maribel just brushed her off and said that she should rest because she must be tired from the travel. Santana sneaked up behind her and said goodnight before going up. Tina went back down to her room and decided to fix her other belongings first before turning in for the night. When her skull decorations were placed nicely on her desk and her Lolita figurines were displayed in the shelf she changed her clothes to her white pajamas. She climbed on the bed and rested on her side as she hugged her panda doll. She had a nice feeling about this home but she decided not to linger with the thought. She should prepare herself to be disappointed that way she won't hurt as much when it's all over.
She woke up the moment she closed her eyes. The alarm went off and she looked at the time. It was already five in the morning. She climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. She didn't notice yesterday but her bathroom was already filled up with the toiletries she needed from the shampoo, to the conditioner to the soap. She wasn't sure how it was going to be in Ohio so she bought a few things she might need while she was still in New York. She set those aside in the cabinet under the sink so she could use them when she ran out.
She let her mind wonder while she showered. Today was her first day in school. She could only hope it would take the end of the week before bullies started targeting her. She wrapped herself with a towel and went back to her room.
She zipped up her black dress and admired herself in the mirror. She knew she going to be bullied more because of her clothes but it liberated her. It's how she fought back, her way of saying that she doesn't care what others think and that she's proud to be who she is. She finished up the look with a skull bracelet. Perfect.
With a final look she went up to the kitchen. Maribel was cooking pancakes while Carlo was drinking coffee. They greeted her good morning at the same time and Tina greeted back trying to sound as cheerful as them but failing. Maribel placed a few pancakes on her plate and Tina drizzled a lot of syrup on them. Santana arrived when she'd already finished, wearing a red and white polyester cheerleading outfit. She grabbed an apple and hugged her parents goodbye. Tina thanked Maribel for the food and said goodbye to both of them as well, then followed Santana to the car. When she opened the passenger's side to sit, Santana was already inside.
"Can you drive?" Santana smiled at her.
Tina nodded and went around to the driver's seat. I guess driver duties isn't that bad. She asked Santana for directions as she drove while the Latina concentrated on putting make-up. When she parked the car, Santana had just finished styling her hair into a ponytail and making sure that the end of it was perfect twirl. "All done." Santana turned towards Tina. She didn't notice what Tina was wearing until that moment.
"You look… like yesterday." Santana lightly frowned.
"This is how I always look." Tina played with her fingers.
"Well as long as you dig it, that's your deal." Santana raised her shoulder and got out of the car.
Tina didn't expect her reaction and followed her out immediately.
She ran to Santana's side and returned her keys.
"I'll get you to Figgins, but I needs to get to my class early since I can't risk being late again. I'm sure he'll send someone to help you in finding your classroom when he gives you your schedule, alright?" Santana babbled as they walked through the hallway. Classes were about to start. Students headed for their respective classes while some chatted loudly against the lockers. Typical high school, Tina thought. She tried to look around and identify the specific clichés each student fell into. When they arrived at the Principal's office, Santana gave an apologetic smile and ran to her class. Tina stood there for a few second before knocking.
"Come in." Tina followed the voice's order.
The principal was a short Indian man, and Tina had a hard time understanding what he was saying due to his thick accent. He was going on and on for a few minutes about the mission and vision of the school and its history. Tina didn't need to understand what he was saying to know what he was talking about. She switched school five times for the past six year. She was always the new kid.
"So this is your schedule." Mr. Figgins handed her a red folder. "The school pamphlet and student hand book is inside as well."
Tina nodded in thanks.
The door opened and a boy entered the office.
"You called for me, sir?" The boy spoke. He was only a few inches taller than Tina, his hair was obviously curly but thick layers of gel flattened it. Tina wondered if he felt comfortable as he wore a tight buttoned up shirt and a red three quarter pants that showed of his ankles but then again she wasn't one to dress for comfort.
"This is Blaine Anderson, from the student council." Figgins gestured at the boy. "And this is Tina Cohen-Chang. She'll be attending McKinley High starting today."
Blaine effervescently smiled at her and offered a hand. Tina stood up and shook it. "It's nice to meet you."
Tina just nodded in reply.
"Please help her find her classes and to get comfortable with the school for today." Figgins added.
"My pleasure." He opened the door for Tina and they walked through the halls. Tina felt comfortable around him. She was sure he was popular in school with the way everyone greeted him as they walked, and he was pretty cute, too. "Is something wrong?" Blaine noticed that Tina was studying his face.
"Nothing!" Tina blurted.
When they reached her class, Blaine paused first before turning the knob.
"My class is just across the hallway. Wait for me so I can help you to your next class, ok?" He smiled brightly at her. Tina noticed that how his eyes looked like honey as they stared back at her.
"Thank you." Tina bowed down a bit stiffly.
"No problem." Blaine returned the gesture and went to his class.
The morning flew by quickly. Blaine guided him through every class and she would listen attentively to the teacher, jotting down notes. She didn't even remember the students who sat around her much. She was never really good with faces…or names. She avoided eye contact with anyone.
When lunch came she found an empty table and decided to eat there alone. She never really had lunch buddies ever since and it look like things won't change. Sweet.
Suddenly, two students sat in front of her.
One was a black girl who was on the heavy side. She blinked enthusiastically as she looked at Tina. "You're the new girl right?" The girl spoke. "I'm Mercedes."
"I'm Kurt." The boy introduced himself. "I'm in your French class." He tightened his blue necktie that complemented his white blazer. Marc Jacob.Tina knew a thing or two about brands.
She was still confused why they sat in front of her but she decided the proper thing to do was introduce herself.
"I'm Tina…Tina Cohen-Chang." She smiled at them politely.
"Well, we thought that maybe you didn't know anyone yet so we decided that we'll keep you company!" Mercedes exclaimed.
"And we noticed that you've got a flare for fashion." Kurt winked at her. "That's kind of our thing."
"You like what I'm w-wearing?" Tina fidgeted in her seat.
"Dear anyone who can pull off knee high length boots with a maroon plaid skirt is a genius."
Tina's face colored with what he said. No one's ever complimented her for her clothes.
"I mean I'm all bling and prints, that's my style." Mercedes showed of her shirt. "You've got your own personal flavor and I think it's cute."
"I th-think you two look great as well." Tina smiled shyly.
"Uh… She's sweet. I told you we should sit here." Kurt made a pouty face.
"No complaints here." Mercedes ate a spoon full of beans.
Tina had a nice time as she listened to the two ramble on and on about an upcoming movie and gossip about an actress in the movie. Tina wondered how much time the two invested on reading that kind of stuff.
"Do you have a club?" Mercedes asked as she scooped the last kernel on her plate.
"Not yet."
"Do you sing?" Kurt asked suddenly studying her face.
"Sort of…" Shoot, I should've lied.
The two looked at each with wide smiles like they won the raffle.
"Join the Glee Club!" Kurt and Mercedes spoke at the same time.
"I- I'm…" Tina stuttered. Glee club. She can't sing in front of people. How she even join a glee club.
Kurt noticed the color draining on Tina's face. "Alright how about this. You can sit in for awhile and if you like it you can join."
Mercedes nodded in agreement.
Tina felt guilty turning down the two who were kind enough to keep her company so she agreed.
The second half of the day went on like the first. By the time she noticed it the bell rang and the student ran out to go home or to visit their clubs.
Tina walked slowly through the hallway. Kurt and Mercedes gave her directions to the club, but she was still getting used to the place (although she told Blaine a while ago he didn't need to guide her anymore). She knew Blaine didn't mind but she felt uneasy making him go back and forth for her. Everyone was so nice to her. She remembered how she fought off kids who bullied her before when she was in Ohio. Did they all grow up to be such nice people?
Suddenly, something cold hit her.
"At least now you have more color!" A deep voice spoke in front of her.
She tried to open her eyes but it stung. She could feel the sticky liquid dripping down her face.
Another guy spoke. "Try this one, maybe pink fits her more than blue. "
A chorus of laughter followed. Tina could see them a bit now. Four guys wearing hockey jerseys stood in front of her. She knew this was bound to happen. She knew it couldn't be this perfect.
Tina braced herself for another surge of the cold drink but she heard a stomping of the feet and someone suddenly stood in front of her.
"Not cool guys!" A tall boy in front of her spoke.
"What're you going to do Hudson? Call your dad?" The guy with the mullet spoke. "Wait he's got no daddy anymore!"
The group laughed it off. The boy stood there unfazed.
"You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to beat you up the same way I beat you up last year."
The boys shifted a little. "That's because you caught me off guard, Hudson."
"Really? One on one is off guard? And weren't you the one who told me to meet up at the dumpster?"
"You just got lucky Hudson!" One of the guys spoke.
"Well then how about we do it right here. Try punching me now and I'll tell Figgins."
The boys scowled. "Next time." The boys slowly move away. "This isn't over for you, either, Witch girl."
When they were out of sight Tina started shaking. She didn't notice how cold she was.
The boy turned around to look at her. He was really tall at around six foot and four inches. He had dark brown hair and light brown eyes. They looked very familiar. They looked like coffee.
"Are you ok? I mean of course you're not, you just got slushied." He took of his football jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"I-I…" Tina stammered.
"It's ok, they're not coming back. Let's get you cleaned up."
"W-who…"
"I'm Finn Hudson. I'm here to help you."
Suddenly, things became clear. She knew she'd already seen those eyes. He was Finn, the boy from her past, her first friend, and her first love.
So yeah. Hope you liked it. Please review! Might re-edit this first chapter but for now this is it! XD Thanks for reading!