Chapter 1: And That's What You Missed On Glee

I'd been listening to my Glee CDs all day - I have quite the collection thanks to a certain curly-haired actor - but they just weren't satisfying my craving for the show. I almost wished that I had at least one class on Tuesdays this semester to distract me from the fact that the third season was premiering that night.

Even though I was dating one of Glee's stars, I wanted to be surprised by the McKinley kids' craziness just like any other fan, so I'd made Darren swear on a stack of hair gel bottles that he wouldn't tell me what was going to happen before any episode aired.

Despite this request, we'd had many conversations similar to this one since I'd returned from LA about a month before:

"I have to know, Dare! Is Blaine going to transfer to McKinley?"

"Rhi, you told me not to tell you. Are you changing your mind?"

"No! Don't tell me! No matter how much I beg, don't tell me! Oh, but I really want to know..."

"Rhi, I'm going to save you from your own curiosity and change the subject. Did you find that reference for your thesis?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As the opening recap started, I was glad Darren hadn't given in to my cajoling. And, in an hour, I would be skyping with my boyfriend to discuss whatever did happen.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Darren was doubled over with laughter, making it impossible to see him on my laptop screen.

"Darren! Come back here! I'm not done! The bow tie was adorable and unique, but what's the deal with those ridiculously tight, short pants and no socks? Don't you get any say in what Blaine wears now that he doesn't have uniforms any more? And why is he STILL gelling his hair? Blaine's transfer to McKinley should be about him leaving the gilded cage of Dalton behind and showing his true self to the world...which means NO MORE GEL!"

"Stop, Rhi!" he begged between guffaws. "I can't breathe! I told Chris you would analyze every detail and assign psychological meaning to it all. And, no, I actually don't get any say in what Blaine wears. Besides, my curls are just for you," he finished with that grin that went straight through me.

"Oh...um...well...um..." I sputtered.

"I love that I can stop you in your tracks like that," he teased with a wily grin.

"I'm sorry, Darren. I'll quit. And you know I love your curls."

"I love that you love my curls. And I want you to tell me what you think about the show. It's interesting to hear your reactions. We live in such a bubble out here, and of course, we film the episodes weeks before they air. They're old news to us by the time the fans start weighing in online or wherever. Speaking of which..." Darren paused and ran his hand through his hair like he was agitated.

"What's up, Dare?"

"I should have mentioned this sooner, but I guess I hoped if I ignored it, it would go away..."

"What are you talking about?"

"For the last couple of days my publicist has told me that blurry photos and videos of us together have been showing up on TMZ. They probably saved them to release in conjunction with the premiere."

I didn't say anything, mostly because I didn't know what to say.

"Rhi? Are you okay?"

"I think so. This is completely out of my frame of reference. Should I do something?"

"There's not a whole lot anyone can do. You might want to warn your family, though, and maybe Mrs. Donovan, and Laura at the book store. Oh, and your advisor at school. It's possible that the paparazzi might track you down, and try to get a comment about us from them."

"Holy crap, Dare! Are you kidding? Why would they care about me?"

"Because, you're my girlfriend, and the tabloid media is always looking for a new crumb of information to spin a story around. I'm really sorry, Rhi, but, this is how my life is."

"It's not your fault, Darren. I knew this could happen. Truthfully, I wondered why it didn't start in Vegas."

"They weren't expecting anything. Then we zigged instead of zagging when I didn't go back to LA with everyone else. I shouldn't have posed for pictures with all those fans at Disneyland!" he scolded himself.

"Dare! You did exactly what makes you YOU. And your friendliness is one of the million things that I love about you. This will blow over, and they'll move onto someone else. As my mom says, 'Everything's a phase.'"

Darren's sweet grin returned. "What did I do to deserve you, Rhiannon?"

"Nothing but be yourself, honey. Now I have to get ready for school tomorrow." I kissed my fingers and put my hand up on the screen. Darren did the same and placed his hand so it lined up with mine.

"I love you so much, Rhi. Thanks for being so understanding about all of this."

"There's nothing to be understanding about, Dare. And I love you more."

That was our sign-off signal, so we both clicked off.

I sighed heavily, contemplating the interesting conversations I would be having with my family and friends in the very near future.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Yes, Mom, that is exactly what I'm saying. Reporters might contact any of you to ask about Darren and me...saying as little as possible would be my best advice...Dad...Dad! I realize that these people shouldn't be able to call themselves journalists. The fact remains that they might approach any of you...Yes, freedom of the press applies even to them. Kevin, you'll tell Beth when she comes home from the beauty shop? You should probably tell Eliza and Billy in the morning too...I know they're only kids, but these people don't have any ethics...He is taking this really hard...he hates that we're all caught up in it. Yes, Mom, he is the sweetest boy ever...Let me know if anything happens...We're really looking forward to Christmas too...I love you...I'll call you in a few days...Bye."

I exhaled in relief after hanging up with my parents and brother where they all lived together in a huge farmhouse in Pennsylvania. They knew immediately that something was wrong when I called mid-week, but I didn't see the point in putting it off. I would e-mail Laura and Professor Statten next and talk to Mrs. Donovan first thing tomorrow.