A/N: Sorry for the long time in between chapters. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep writing but I had some beautiful nags that kept on me to write it and so here it is. Please review! :D

Kurt walked into his third period class and dropped his satchel on the lab table. His best friend Mercedes jumped at the sound and rounded on him.

"I swear boy you are going to give me a heart attack before we graduate!" Mercedes grumbled good-naturedly. She tucked a strand of her black her behind her ear. She was looking at him with an eyebrow raised. Kurt was now seated in the seat beside her, his eyes trained almost blankly at the board.

"Yes 'Cedes I am fine. I just got slushied and missed most of last period. I was supposed to work on that project on the Russian Revolution with Mike and I didn't even get to start." He rolled up the sleeves of the soft black sweater Alexi had lent him. She had been right. He was smart not to wear it right away. At least that day's slushy round was over. The thought of another slushy in the face made him shudder. It was like getting bitch-slapped with an iceberg. The trails or purple or red sticky ice sliding down his face into his chest and back was always a pain to wash off. The amounts of clothes ruined by the wretched, disgusting, icy concoction could probably clothe an army.

Yanking his Chemistry book from his bag, he set it down before setting a tentative glance on his friend. "Sorry I didn't call you last night. I had some stuff to work on with my dad at the shop." Kurt lied, praying that she wouldn't see through him. He had never really lied to her. Well, except for the time he told he liked Rachel. He still couldn't believe she thought he liked Rachel. Disgusting.

"Don't worry about it. I had errands to run with my mom and last night was Wednesday, remember? I always go to church." She patted his arm and ran her hand over the fabric of his sweater. "Where did you get that? It looks like the sweater from the mall that you were eyeing. I didn't see you buy it. Did you go to the mall without me?" She glared at him. He smirked a bit. Like he would venture into a mall without Mercedes. What, was he asking for a death sentence?

"No, I just realized I already had it in my closet. No big deal. I wouldn't go to the mall without you! How can that thought even cross your mind?" he exclaimed. A giggle bubbled from his lips as Mercedes muttered a 'damn right white boy' under her breath.

He opened his Chemistry book and listened in on the lecture but as always his mind was wandering. But instead it was Alexi. Her reaction to him trying to hug her really upset him. He was used to people reacting that way to him but why did she? Maybe she found out he was gay and it made her react like everyone else. Deciding that couldn't be it due to the simple fact that she had lent him her sweater. Reacting like she did to a simple attempted hug was not normal by any means. It had really hurt his feelings whether she knew it or not. Being gay wasn't contagious. It wasn't a handicap like some people assumed. Being gay just made him a freak in most people's eyes. At least in the cow-town he lived in.

Before he knew it the bell was ringing and Mercedes was elbowing him painfully. He glowered at her as he shoved his belongings into his bag. "Must you do that? You are going to wrinkle my clothes!" He snapped, his diva flair in plain view. Her only response to him was an eye roll. He snatched up his bag and sauntered past her. "See you at lunch!" he called over his shoulder as he walked out of the classroom. His last class before lunch was English and he knew that all they would be doing reading chapter from their latest book. It was a book he had read 4 times cover to cover.

As he walked through the doorway, Kurt stopped in his tracks when he saw Alexi in the desk beside his assigned seat her head buried in her book. Her long black and pink streaked hair was covering most her from his view but he could see she had stuck an ear phone into her ear.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to get her attention. Maybe it was better that her let her come to him. She was the one who hurt his feelings. He hadn't done anything to her. What he didn't understand was why he was even letting it bother him. It wasn't like he even knew her that well.

Taking a notebook from his bag, Kurt quickly jotted down a few words and tore the paper from it confines. He folded it neatly and flicked it like a paper football at her desk. The note hit her in the head before dropping to the desktop. The sudden distraction caused Alexi to nearly fall from her seat. She had glanced around to see who had hit her. Kurt kept his head down pretending to be extremely interested in his book. He peeked out from the corner of his eye to see her frown before slowly opening the note.

'-What happened this morning? You ran off before I could even say thank you.'

He could hear her pen scratch across the paper quickly answering his question. Folding it back into a football she looked around for the teacher. Spotting him at his desk too involved with something on his laptop to notice, she flicked it back at Kurt hitting him squarely in the cheek. He looked at her affronted. He swiped it from his desk and opened it.

'-It was nothing. I just hadn't had my morning coffee yet. Sorry? '

A quick nod and a few words written on the paper followed with the paper sailing back towards Alexi though this time it got as far as her shoulder. He watched her use her heeled boot to pull the paper under the desk before she took it from the floor.

Kurt had decided to ask her to eat lunch with both him and Mercedes. He didn't know if she had people she normally ate with but he felt like he could use that time to get to know her. A poke in his side caused him to jump and he looked over to see Alexi giving him a curious look. She then nodded indicating she was accepting his offer. A grin spread across his face.

While turning the pages of his book he kept shooting side glances at her. He noticed that she was constantly tugging at the scarf around her neck. He cocked an eyebrow and leaned over. Jabbing a pen softly into her side, he pointed to his neck giving her a questioning look.

A blush crept across her pale cheeks. 'Nothing' she mouthed quickly taking her hand away from the scarf. He saw her play with the inside of her pocket and realized that she had turned her music back on to block everything out. He shrugged. It was something he could always ask her about at lunch. Lunch…now that would be interesting. He had yet to tell Mercedes about the new girl. His best friend wasn't too keen on newcomers to their little group.

When the end of class bell rang, he stowed away his book inside the front pocket of his satchel and walked from the room. Standing at the edge of the doorway, he watched Alexi gather her things and head out. As the girl was leaving the classroom, a pair of hands shoved him shoulder first into the set of lockers outside the door. The words 'fag' and 'homo' soon followed. Kurt rubbed at his now very tender shoulder and hissed at the pain. It was going to bruise for sure. A whimper escaped his mouth a he pulled his hand away. Crying wouldn't help. In fact it would probably only make the jocks, whom had a tendency to be the ringleaders in his torture, increase their level of bullying.

Students walked by as they always did, oblivious to the every day torture he endured. He wished that one day, someone would notice, but alas it seemed that today was not the day. Students continued to mill around gossiping and laughing as normal.

The tears burned stronger in his eyes and he dart for the nearest bathroom, which as per normal, was the girl's bathroom. Kurt slammed through the wooden door and threw his satchel against the wall beneath the sink. His anger bubbled beneath the surface and he lifted his gaze to the finger print smudged mirror. He longed to be like any other testosterone fueled boy and slam a fist into the wall but he wasn't normal. Again, he would do as he normally did and take a few deep breaths. He'd let maybe one or two years fall before brushing all evidence of said tears away. What he couldn't hide normally, he would hide with a fresh covering of powdered cover up and he would be as good as new… at least for a few hours, maybe.

After taking a minute to compose himself, he touched up his make up, and headed towards the crowded lunch room. His eyes scanned the room and saw Mercedes sitting at their usual table, a plate of tots in front of her and his usual group of friends sitting around the table. He strode over and gracefully sat down, making sure not to set his elbows on the table. Kurt gave Mercedes one of his bright smiles hoping to soften her up for the news of someone new joining their group. When it came to Kurt, she was very protective, sometimes to the point of smothering him. It was rare that she trust anyone outside of glee and then again she didn't trust half of them either.

Mercedes glanced up in time to see the smile and sighed. "What do you want now? I am not sharing my tots with you." She said, popping one into her mouth for emphasis. Kurt returned her sigh with a grimace.

"No offense 'Cedes but I wouldn't be caught eating those lard soaked things if those were the last food on the planet. Those would go straight my hips." He reached into his bag and pulled out a bag of fruit and a sandwich on whole wheat bread.

"It's better than that rabbit food you eat." Mercedes grumbled back. "Now spill white boy. You don't give me that killed pearly white smile unless you want something."

"There is this new girl I met yesterday. She is really sweet and I think she could use some friends. I invited her to sit with us." Kurt explained quickly.

"Kurt…" She whined a little. Her time with Kurt was already quite limited and it hurt her that he invited someone else not even thinking of her. "There is no room at the table."

Kurt's eyebrow rose as he motioned to the empty chair next to him. "Ha. Nice try. Next time come up with something better than that." He gently reached over and patted her hand. "Just give her a chance…for me. Okay?"

"Fine, but if I find anything off about her I swear you will hear about it." Mercedes warned him, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

Kurt squealed excitedly. "You won't regret it! I promise!" He jumped up and down in his seat as he waited for Alexi to show up. He hoped she hadn't decided to skip out. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Alexi appeared through the doorway, her eyes scanning the crowd for him. As soon as she spotted him, a small smile spread over her face. Kurt waved his hand over his head just in case.

Alexi quickly made her way to his table and sat down, almost slumping into the chair.

"I went to the library thinking that was the cafeteria…" She muttered dramatically. Kurt giggled.

"That old librarian will skin you alive if you bring food in there. Only way to get past her is sing some M.C. Hammer. She'll be putty in your hands." Kurt joked, causing Mercedes to burst into loud laughs with Kurt soon joining in. Alexi looked between the two in confusion.

"Am I missing something?" She asked, suddenly feeling a bit left out.

"Just a thing from last year. Nothing major." She tentatively put her hand out. "I'm Mercedes Jones. White boy over here's best friend."

Alexi shook Mercedes hands daintily, using only her finger tips. "Alexi Deturro. Transferred here from New York."

"New York? Wow! What brings you here to little old Lima, Ohio?" Mercedes questioned as she set to work on her tots.

"Family wanted to started over." Alexi said, not adding any more to the explanation.

Kurt sat back and watched as Mercedes and Alexi slowly talked, feeling each other out for weaknesses. It bothered him a little that Mercedes acted like he wasn't allowed another friend besides the ones from glee. Even with all the friends he had, it was easy to feel lonely. Kurt broke of his musings when he felt a tug on his sweater.

"When did you buy this? I know you didn't go shopping without me." Mercedes asked, as she touched the soft material again.

"It's mine." Alexi said quickly, thinking she was helping.

"Wait, how come you are already borrowing clothes from her?" Mercedes voice had a slight edge to it. Jealousy was evident in her voice.

Before Kurt could answer, Alexi cut in again. "After I plowed him over yesterday it was the least I could do. He looks good in it anyways. He told me last night…"

Mercedes cut in again. "Last night? Kurt, you blew me off last night to talk to her? What the hell? She was good enough to talk to but you make up some lame ass excuse to why you can't talk to me? Whatever." Mercedes quickly stormed off, leaving her half eaten plate of tots on the table. Realizing she left them, Mercedes stormed back and grabbed the plate, before storming off in a huff again.

Kurt stared after her in shock. He knew Mercedes was a bit possessive of their friendship but he hadn't seen her act like this before. He turned to Alexi.

"Did you really have to rub that in her face?" He asked, a snotty tone evident.

"What?" Alexi asked clearly more confused than he was by her actions. "I was only trying to help. I don't understand."

Kurt shook his head. "Did you not read what I wrote when I asked you to eat with me? I told you not to mention last night. And this was the reason why."

"You know, I left my old school thinking I would leave all this crap behind. The whole who sits with who, who can be who's friend, who is cool and who isn't bullshit behind. I guess it's the same every where. Whatever. Dry clean my sweater and give it back. See ya." Alexi grabbed her bag and stormed off in the opposite direction not even sparing a look at Kurt.

Kurt let out a loud sigh and continued to eat his lunch in silence.

The last couple of hours before glee seemed to pass slowly. Neither Alexi nor Mercedes were talking to him which gave him absolutely no distraction. Finally, the last bell rang and he raced out glad to see neither hide nor hair of any jock. Maybe this time he would make it to glee unharmed. He reached the door to the choir room and saw and hastily written note tape to the door.

GLEE PRACTICE: AUDITORIUM

Kurt looked at the sign in surprise. He shrugged as he made his way to the auditorium. He saw that a few members of the club and were already seated. Mike and Tina were seated on the back railing deep in some conversation, probably Asian. He could see Artie and Brittany talking softly on the other side. Though it seemed more like Artie was discussing something while Brittany stared off into space with a dopey smile spread across her lips. Rachel was seated on the each of the stage, piled of sheet music spread around her. She looked deep in thought.

Kurt sat in his usual seat towards the aisle of the auditorium. It wasn't long before everyone had arrived. Puck had, as per usual, arrived last and Kurt couldn't help but watch as Puck strolled in looking as if had had not one care in the world.

"Alright everyone. Attention!" Mr. Schuester called out. Everyone's voices tapered off. "I am holding practice in here due to an audition!" He clapped his hands excitedly then frowned at the lack of enthusiasm. "Come on guys, with Matt gone we need a twelfth member. So, please be kind and courteous while she tries out."

As soon as he finished a loud squeal echoed through the auditorium as Alexi made her way out to the center of the stage. "Sorry!" She said, her eyes widening. Five seconds in and she was sure she was already making a bad impression.

Alexi took a deep breath and spoke, her voice as soft as the first time Kurt ever heard her speak. "I-I'm Alexi Deturro and I'll b-be singing Avril Lavigne's 'I'm w-with You'."

The slow and sad melody began to play through the auditorium and it wasn't hard to get caught up before the words even began.

Alexi closed her eyes and began.

I'm standing on the bridge.

I'm waiting in the dark

I thought that you'd be here by now

There's nothing but the rain

No footsteps on the ground

I'm listening but there's no sound

Her eyes looked sad and her voice was soft as if almost afraid to sing out. As the song picked up in power so did her voice.

Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home?

She sang out just a bit more, her voice raw and beautiful. She reached her hand out as she was reaching for someone.

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

Alexi's arms were wrapped tight around her body. She was feeling more comfortable and she knew her best was yet to come. She moved to the edge of the stage and sat down, curling her legs beneath her slender body.

I'm looking for a place

I'm searching for a face

Is anybody here I know?

'Cause nothing's going right

And everything's a mess

And no one likes to be alone

Her voice softened as she sang the next two lines.

Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home?

Alexi stood up and went back to the mic. She trained her eyes on the crowd and sucked in a deep breath. She sang out with all her heart, putting all her emotions into the song.

Oh!

Why is everything so confusing?

Maybe I'm just out of my mind

Yeah.. yeah.. yeah!..yeah.. yeah,

yeah.. yeah, yeah yeah,YEAH...

She wrapped her arms around herself then reached her hand outwards again.

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I...!

I'm with YOU...

I'm with YOU...

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I!

I'm with YOU...

I'm with YOU...

Take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I

I'm with you

I'm with you

I'm with you

She ended out of breath, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. The applause around her was thunderous. She had never gotten this kind of ovation at her old school but then again she had never really sang in front of anyone except her best friend before. She gave a quick bow and walked forward.

Mr. Schue grinned widely. "I think I speak for everyone when I say welcome to glee club.

A soft voice that only Kurt heard, spoke. "For a girl she sure does have big shoulders…" Puck spoke then shrugged blowing it off. Kurt bit his lip, the words making him think a bit. He shrugged as practiced continued.