So, I figured, for the most part, the chapters are going to be short until Kurt comes in. Then the chapters will gradually start getting longer—I'll say at least 2,500 words to 4,000 which is where I like it to be at. 3,000 words is my ideal minimum for chapters, but that's not working for this story yet, so, yeah, lol. Did you guys hear "Baby, It's Cold Outside" full yet? It's AMAZING! And I guess there is a rumor going on that all 12 songs will be in a 90 minute episode? HELL YEAH! Less-than-three
Edited: Chapter is fixed and edited thanks to my new (and first) beta UchidaKarasu! He's totally awesome. =)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs and the plot… for the most part.
Oh, and poor Blaine. DX
Blaine had opinions on a lot of things. However, normally one tends to have opinions on the things one cares about. Blaine was not an indecisive person, which also helped strengthen his own opinions about multiple subjects.
And there was one such opinion that he couldn't help but have as he eyed the teenagers in the parking-lot of the school, bats held in their hands. Maybe it was just him, but he didn't understand why teachers—even on a day such as Halloween (maybe especially on a day such as Halloween)—would hand teenagers bats, give them a rundown care—that a teacher or another student or a parent usually donated for the carnivals—and tell them to beat the car up and make it even less useful than it already was.
He winced as one of the boys smashed in a window of the car, some of the girls standing aside cheering their men on.
"It's going to be suicide to try to perform tonight, you know." Lesley glanced her nails over as the Glee Club waited inside their club room, costumes on and ready to perform once the clock hit 7:30 pm.
"It won't be that bad," Blaine replied, inwardly knowing that what he said was a downright lie, and he winced again as the sound of something breaking from the car sounded in his ears. "At least as long as they don't bring those bats we should be fine."
"Who the hell even gave them bats and a car?" a Muslim girl by the name of Nazia Ameen questioned, hand placed on her hip.
"Probably the same person who didn't punish them for throwing rotting tomatoes at us the last time we performed," muttered Taro Smith darkly, not being able to help but throw a glance at Blaine, one which was slightly angry and annoyed.
Blaine sighed silently, knowing automatically what the half-Japanese teenager was thinking, and he really couldn't blame him for it. It wasn't that the people at school had a problem with the Glee Club—in fact, a lot of them loved the performances they gave the school, however little that be—it was that they had a problem with him. That was because not only was he gay, but he also came across very confident and at times even 'holier-than-thou'.
Maybe his personality and attitude was a bit annoying, but he wasn't about to change it for someone he wouldn't even talk to after they graduated. "Tell me, Taro, are you having trouble with anything?" he asked curiously, politeness seeping from his voice, and Taro scowled, glaring hard at him.
"Stop trying to get in my head, Blaine. It doesn't want you there."
"I'm just trying to help a friend who may be in need." Blaine knew that 'friend' was definitely not a word he should use when describing most of the other Glee Club members, but he couldn't help how it slipped out and his head raised that little bit higher, his back straightening up as if he just knew everything there was to know.
By no means did he think he did. In fact, it was probably the exact opposite, but somehow this trait of his seemed to mold itself into him and it made it rather difficult for him to make friends, especially with others who came across just as arrogant as he seemed.
"Friend? Bull shit." Taro stated nonchalantly, and Lesley sighed as the others just awkwardly ignored the somewhat-banter between their two best male vocals—granted, it was mostly Taro who was doing the bantering. They were used to it and as much as they didn't like it, they had to put up with it.
"Can you two stop this?" Lesley finally questioned, annoyance thick in her voice. "We have to perform in less than an hour and I for one do not want to go out there with an obvious tension between us."
"That reminds me of something…" a blond male by the name of Jared Turner began, fidgeting nervously as all fourteen of them turned to look at him. "I think… Taro should sing lead tonight."
Blaine stiffened as everyone fell silent, the distant laughs from down the halls floating inside of the room. "What?" Casey Reade began. "But Blaine is singing lead—we've already rehearsed it with him singing. To change it now would be even more suicide than it already is. If we mess this up we can't perform at sectionals this year."
"I know…" Jared continued slowly, not looking at Blaine in the eyes and instead looked everywhere but at him. Blaine wished he wouldn't. "Which is why I think Taro should lead. Look, we know Taro would be able to do it and as he said, that last time Blaine led we literally got rotten tomatoes thrown at us." He looked around at the others and slowly looks of agreement began to form on their faces.
Blaine frowned, burying his hands into his pockets to keep them from clenching. He wasn't even mad that they thought he shouldn't lead, but to say it and act as if he weren't even in the room…
"But Blaine is supposed to lead." Lesley stated as if it was unthinkable that Blaine wouldn't lead, especially since it had already been practiced for a few weeks.
"Yeah, but—"
"No," Blaine shook his head, urging looks his way. "It's fine; I understand. Obviously they would rather not be associated with me. It's fine, I understand. Maybe… maybe I shouldn't perform with you all. It may be for the best."
"Hm, we'd actually have an even fourteen." Taro pointed out as if it was his idea and Blaine couldn't help a bitter smile at that. Of course it mattered that there would be an even fourteen. It would look a lot more organized with one less member.
"Yes, so I suppose I'll leave you all," Blaine stated, nodding slightly and heading for the door.
"Blaine! Wait, are you quitting?" Lesley's hand was suddenly on his arm and Blaine sighed, looking around at her.
"Well, I wasn't going to but that is probably the best idea." Lesley went to reply but Blaine shook his head with a small smile, gently moving her hand. "I'm not so self-absorbed that I would do what's best for me and not the Glee Club. It's not the club people have a problem with, it's me… quitting will be the best for all of you." He let himself glance over them before turning back to the door, suddenly feeling very empty inside. "Don't worry about me. I'm used to harassment."
He had to admit that Taro had really rocked the song and instead of throwing tomatoes—or any other such object—people were cheering and dancing along, singing if they knew the song. The opposite of what the majority would be doing had he sung lead.
They were in their element; they all looked natural up there. And while Blaine loved being up on stage, singing his heart out, he had to admit he never felt at home there on that stage. He felt as if he were in foreign territory, an outsider invading someone else's spot.
Maybe it really was for the best that he quit the Glee Club, but what was he to do now? He loved Glee, loved being on stage and being recognized for his talent. Then again, he never was, what with the close-minded assholes that seemed to enjoy making his life a living hell and bringing the others down with him as well.
It would be selfish of him to stay around them. None of them would be able to go on to sectionals and that was the exact opposite of what he wanted. He wanted to beat Vocal Adrenaline just as badly as any other Glee Club in Ohio wanted to do—any Glee club in the USA, actually. If that meant his Glee Club had to do it without him, then that was that. There really was nothing more to it.
Did it hurt? Of course it hurt. Terribly so as well. But Blaine was used to that. It wasn't anything new and he just had to 'suck it up' and let them believe it didn't bother him. That was what this mask he had molded onto him since middle school was for.
Too bad that for the most part it didn't work. Everyone still saw through him and it tortured his mind trying to figure out how they did so.
Perhaps Blaine would never figure it out.