Chapter One
November 16th
It was hot, and Blaine Anderson was sweating in his blazer. Only recently had the temperatures dropped to a typical autumn climate, so the heaters in Dalton academy were on full blast. Artificial heat was blasting on his face and he was getting lightheaded. Blaine closed his eyes for what seemed like a minute, and was jolted awake by the final bell. He rubbed his eyes, which had dark purple bruises under them. Somebody put a hand on his shoulder and he looked up into the face of Jeff Sterling, a tall blond boy that was one of his best friends.
"Insomnia back?" Jeff asked. Blaine nodded, and received a sympathetic look from his friend.
"Sucks, man."
Insomnia had plagued Blaine for the past several years. It wasn't easy to get to sleep when you had a lot on your mind, and to say Blaine had a lot on his mind was an understatement. In 12 months from last Tuesday, it would be voting day. That day would determine whether Blaine's father, Pierce Anderson, would be spending another four years as presidents of the United States. The past few years had been a whirl wind. His life had been uprooted, moving from his family's mansion in Georgia to the White House. He had left behind his friends (not that he had many) and started attending an all-boy's private school called Dalton. He had found four close friends, who he stuck to like glue, and discovered how much he liked music. Lead singer of Dalton's show choir, most people assumed he got the role because he was the President's son. That wasn't true, he just had pure talent. He also fenced and played polo, and he liked both, but he couldn't think of anything that would be considered more of a "rich boy" sport.
Blaine had finally found a place where he thought he belonged (Dalton, not the White House, he didn't belong in the White House at all.) His therapist said that was good for him, but his parents didn't seem to agree. Pierce and Abigail Anderson wanted the perfect, poster child son. In most people's eyes, that's what Blaine was. To his parents, however, he was just a nuisance. He was too sensitive, he wasn't sensitive enough, he ate too much, he ate too little, he worked out too much, he worked out too little, he slept too much, he slept too littleBut that didn't matter. What mattered was getting courage before time ran out.
That's how Blaine ended up standing in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve, his back to the fire, facing the three members of his family. His father, who scared him. His mother, who he disappointed. His brother, who was his best friend. He took a breath, opened his mouth, and was promptly interrupted.
"Blaine, what are you going to tell us? We don't have all night, we have a special dinner being made for us and we don't want it getting cold." It took all his self-control to not yell at his mother.
"Mother, Father, Cooper, what I'm telling you isn't easy for me to say, and it won't be easy to hear. But please, remember that we're family. Forget for just a second we're the presidential family of the United States. Forget what other people will think of what I'm about to say, it'll make it easier. GuysThey've decided. You're going to hold a press conference. To, y'know, tell the world you're gay"
New Year's Day
Sleeping was impossible. Blaine tossed and turned all night, eventually wandering into Cooper's room and laying on the floor by his bed until it was time to get up.
Now he was behind the curtain on the stage where he would come out, to everyone. His family was dressed to impress- His father and brother in suits, his mother wearing Chanel and diamonds. He was surprised when Senator Hummel and his family appeared, however. He glanced at Cooper, who looked equally as confused. Blaine slipped around Garrett and walked over to Coop.
"What even." He muttered. Cooper shook his head.
"It's a publicity thing."
"Publicity for what? The gay sons of politicians convention?" Cooper snorted at Blaine's remark.
"Well, does it matter that they're here? They'd obviously find out anywayI'm not going to beat around the bush or drag this out or anything, I'm just going to say it. I, Blaine Anderson, am gay. And that's that."