Long Time No See Chapter 6, a glee fanfic

The weekend passed quicker than I might have liked.

Saturday I spent playing video games with the Three Stooges and pigging out on chips and pizza while Sebastian took Kassie and a friend of hers out. Shane called me in the middle of a snack break and I ended up having to chase Wes around after he stole my phone and started talking to Shane whilst running. I gave him a good sized bruise on his arm and leg before finally getting the phone back. Of course, Shane thought the whole thing was hilarious, as did my brother and his friends. Wes and David had to leave after dinner but Blaine continued to whoop my ass at Guitar Hero despite their absence. Naturally, I turned that around when we played Dance Dance Revolution later on.

Sunday, Kassie, Blaine, and I had a little welcome home party for me by pigging out on sweets and watching all the Harry Potter movies. Again. Kassie isn't nearly as obsessed with it as Blaine and I are but she still loves to watch them with us, if only to see our impromptu spell battles over which male is the most attractive and hear us quote nearly every line word-for-word.

It was on Sunday afternoon that I realized it wasn't by accident that I hadn't seen Phee yet. She had been avoiding me. Or, rather, giving me the cold shoulder. About half way through the marathon, I managed to suck up to the small cat enough to get to to let me pet her without being scratched. Giving her a full can of tuna for dinner earned me her full forgiveness, thank goodness. I love Phee, she's my best friend. I tell her everything, and the creepy-in-an-awesome-way thing is that I'm pretty sure she understands me. I know that I, for the most part, understand the points that she tries to get across to me.

Then, it was Monday.

I put together an outfit the night before so I wouldn't have to worry about getting up too early. Which turned out to be a good thing considering it took me nearly an hour to pick one out. Finally, with a little help from Kassie (Blaine is helpless when it comes to fashion), I settled on dark wash skinny jeans, a black and white and zebra striped tank top, black ankle boots decorated with buckles, and a black leather jacket with a diagonal zipper that fit just right.

It was a good thing I got up early on my own anyway especially since I had to leave the house by six thirty to get there on time.

I drew quite a few stares as I parked my Thunderbird but I ignored them as usual. I removed my plain black helmet and shook out my hair, trying to eliminate any traces of hat hair I might have gained. I took a look around the parking lot but spotted no familiar faces, only curious eyes. With a sigh, I heaved myself off my bike and walked across the lot and into the school, feeling almost like I was on some sort of runway from all the attention I was getting. I reached into my bag and pulled out some papers – my schedule and locker assignment.

As I walked down the halls, I finally spotted a familiar face. Kurt stood at what I assumed to be his locker gathering his books. With a sly grin on my face, I walked up behind him and put both hands over his eyes, causing him to stiffen and suck in a breath.

I rose up on my tiptoes to get as close to his ear as I could. "Guess who?"

He relaxed at the sound of my voice before spinning around, a smile on his face. "Alden!"

I pouted, my hands on my hips. "That's cheating! You're supposed to guess before you turn around!"

Kurt laughed and I dropped the façade to grin at him. "So you really have transferred here," Kurt remarked as he went back to gathering his books.

"What, did you think I was lying the other day?" I asked, nudging him with my shoulder a bit.

"Well, no, but you're going to wish you were."

I noticed the way he seemed to grow warier as a pack of large boys in red letterman jackets passed by. "That bad, huh?"

"It is for people like us," He said, peeking at me out of the corner of his eyes.

I nodded, searching my head for a way to lighten the mood. Then, I spotted the inside of his locker door. A grin spread across my face. "Am I hallucinating or is that a school picture of my brother in your locker?"

SLAM!

Kurt swung the locker closed so fast it blurred, his face tomato red. "You are most defiantly hallucinating."

"I am most defiantly NOT. I couldn't even get him to give me one of those! Where did you get it?"

The pale boy's blush deepened as he mumbled something, looking at the floor.

I raised a brow. "What was that?"

Kurt seemed to gather his strength before he looked me straight in the eye, his face red. "I got it off Facebook. There, happy?"

I grinned. "Yes, very much so, thanks. Hey, would you mind helping me find my locker?" I asked, taking pity on the boy.

"Sure," The brunet replied, obviously eager to get away from the topic of my brother's picture. "What's the number?"

I showed him the number on the paper and he gave me an 'are you serious?' look.

"What?" I asked.

He merely pointed at the locker I had been leaning against with a smile. I read its number and realized that it matched the one on the paper.

"Oh," I said with a blush, opening my new locker.

"So what's with the helmet?" Kurt asked as I placed the object in question on the shelf. "Going for the Harley Davidson look this year?"

I smirked, taking the books I didn't need yet out of my bag and placing them in my locker. He has a sense of humor, good. "Something like that. Blaine got me a new motorcycle as a welcome back present."

Kurt's mouth dropped open. "He got you a motorcycle?"

"Yep." I closed the locker door and leaned my back against it, turning my head to look at Kurt. "It's pretty awesome, too. Want to take a ride with me sometime?"

"No, thank you," the petit boy replied. "I think I'll stick to four wheels."

Laughing, I shrugged, "Suit yourself." The bell rang, sending the halls into a flurry of kids trying to get to class on time. "Hey, I've got History first. Think you can point me in the right direction?"

"I can do you one better. I'm heading there right now."

I followed Kurt to a small classroom filled with desks and maps of countries taped to the walls.

Kurt sat next to a black girl dressed in stylish, bright colored clothing while I took the seat behind him.

"Hey, Mercedes," He greeted. "Mercedes, this is Alden. Alden, meet Mercedes."

We shook hands. "Nice to meet you, Mercedes. Cool name, by the way."

"Thanks. I'm just gonna call you Al, if that's okay."

I shrugged. "Sure. People have certainly called me a lot worse without my permission."

Mercedes frowned. "Why?"

"I'm gay," I replied as though it explained everything. The sad part is, it did.

The girl nodded, ignoring all the stares my declaration had earned us, a sadness – but not pity – in her eyes. I liked this girl already.

"Alden's trying out for Glee club," Kurt stated.

Mercedes seemed cheered by that news. "Can you sing?"

"Can you?" I countered sassily.

"Oh, bring it, white boy," Mercedes retorted with a teasing smile.

"Oh, it is brung." The three of us laughed.

Then the teacher started class, so we hushed up.

The day passed quickly and, surprisingly, absent of bully confrontation. Besides History, Kurt was in my French class and Mercedes was also in my English and Math classes. I was alone for Gym, Chemistry, and my free period, though.

I had free period last. I wondered the halls of the school, finding my way around mostly. I still had a good amount of time left in the period when I stumbled across the auditorium. I opened the double doors and smiled.

The place was small, quaint. It was kind of refreshing after being surrounded by grand buildings and rooms all my life. That was one thing I liked about public high schools; they were a break from all the aristocracy and diplomatic shit that my parents were forever dragging my siblings and I into, regardless of our protests.

The stage was small but on stage right was an attractive looking grand piano. Placing my bag atop the cover, I sat gingerly on the bench. Nostalgia washed over me as I sat on the piano bench, brushing my fingers lightly over the bicolor keys. I used to play piano pretty well, better than my brother, even. But I hadn't played in so long, over thirteen months. I smiled and tapped out a basic scale with my right hand.

Getting an idea, I shifted in my seat a little and positioned my fingers over the right keys. Tentatively, I began to tap out the first notes to the song I had in mind. I hummed the first few notes, loving the feeling of playing again. Then, I began to sing.

I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me.
I still feel your touch in my dreams.
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why
Without you it's hard to survive.

I sang with one person in mind – Shane. I let my eyes fall closed as I played from memory, allowing the song to slowly move its way through my veins.

'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling.
And every time we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static.
And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

I pictured his bright, playful green eyes, his amazing red hair, his toned body, the feel of his lips on mine, the feel of his arms around me. I pictured his cute mannerisms, the way he couldn't seem to sit completely still for more than a minute or two.

Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky.
They wipe away tears that I cry.
The good and the bad times, we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall.

I remembered his family and their relationships with each other. I remembered the day we said goodbye, the pain and love in my heart leaking into my voice and fingers.

Every time we touch, I get this feeling.
Every time we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static
Every time we kiss, I reach for the sky
Can't you feel my heart beat so
I can't let you go
Want you in my life

The final note echoed in the small auditorium. Taking a deep breath, I pulled my hands away from the keys to wipe a traitor tear away.

"Alden?"

The voice was muffled but it was unmistakable.

My eyes widened as I searched this way and that. "Shane?" I said softly.

"Alden? Alden?" He called, getting progressively louder.

I finally located were the sound was coming from and bemusedly took my iPhone from my pocket.

"Um, hello?" I asked uncertainly.

"Al!" Shane's voice said in my ear. "I was worried there for a minute."

"Um, Shane, it's not that I'm not happy to hear your voice again – I am! – but…how long have you been on the line exactly?"

There was some shuffling and then, "Four minutes, seven seconds."

I groaned. Great, so he had heard the song. I wasn't too sure if I should be mortified or ask if he liked it.

"I take your reaction to mean that you butt dialed me," I could be the amusement in his voice. "Hey, Alden?"

"Yeah?" I asked.

"That song…was that for me?" Shane asked, a smile in his voice.

I rolled my eyes. "No, it was for my other incredibly sexy boyfriend who lives halfway across the country from me." I paused for a moment. "Of course it was for you!"

Shane laughed. "I love your sense of humor."

"What a coincidence, so do I."

We both laughed for a moment. I loved hearing Shane's laugh. It could be loud and boisterous or low and throaty, like it was now.

"So, if you didn't know I was on the line, why were you singing? Any particular reason?" I could picture perfectly how Shane would be looking at me if he were here. His brow would be slightly furrowed as he stared down into my eyes intently, trying to figure me out as best he could.

I shrugged. "Not really. I just was alone in a room with a piano and started thinking of you."

"I never knew you could play piano."

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Mm-hmm. Piano, guitar, violin, and bass."

"Wow." Shane's voice was shocked and I pictured the way his eyebrows would raise, is eyes widening, his mouth moving into an impressed smile. "I can't play any instruments."

"Well, I really sucked at violin, to be honest," I admitted. "But that was okay because I wasn't really into into it to begin with. The only reason I tried it at all is because my parents said that if my brother and I were going to learn guitar, we might as well learn a classical instrument as well. We ended up compromising on piano lessons instead after my brother and I broke over half the strings on our violins."

Shane was laughing again by the end of my tale, the loud, boisterous one this time. I laughed right along with him.

Then the bell rang.

"Shit, I gotta go," I said, getting up and grabbing my bag.

"Oh, alright." I pictured the way his face would fall, no more smile, no more dancing eyes.

I paused on my way out the door. "I'll call you tonight?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah," he said, perking up. "That would be great."

I smiled. "Okay, talk to you then. Good bye, Shane."

"Good bye, Alden."

Time for Glee club.

I waited by my locker, hoping to catch Kurt as I was not quite sure where New Directions were meeting.

"Hi," said an overly happy voice. I looked around and found the speaker to be a preppy looking brunet girl who's outfit looked like an un-sexy catholic school girl had raided her granny's closet. I thought I recognized her and after a moment realized that she was in my Chemistry class.

I smiled at the girl. "Hi."

The girl held out her hand with a bright smile. "My name's Rachel Berry. You're the new boy, right?"

I nodded, shaking the offered appendage. "Yeah. I'm Alden."

"Welcome to McKinley, Alden. Now, I couldn't help but over hear you singing that ballad in the auditorium. You have a good voice. Have you thought about auditioning for this schools glee club?"

I smiled, finding her enthusiasm rather endearing. "Actually, I was on my way to do just that but I'm afraid I'm not sure where to go."

"Oh, well," the girl took my arm, making me stumble a bit as she pulled me along, "just come with me, then. I was just on my way to rehearsal myself. What are you going to sing?"

I shrugged. "Not sure. What do you think I should sing?"

Rachel looked at me, horrified.

"What?"

"You don't have anything ready?" She asked incredulously.

I shrugged. "I play it by ear usually. I don't see any reason to get all worked up or anything."

The shorter girl shook her head. "Well, New Directions is all about… expressing yourself and who you are, or who you want to be."

I nodded, flipping through my mental hodgepodge of songs.

Suddenly, she stopped, pushing open a door to our left.

I checked out the small room, a third of which was easily taken up by a band who all looked like students, except for a strawberry-blond man with glasses and a top hat who sat at the piano, ready to play. I looked around at the other kids in the room, who sat on three rows of chair covered risers. There was a Goth Asian girl and a lanky Asian boy sitting in one corner of the top row holding hands and occasionally kissing. Near the other corner, I recognized Mercedes and then Kurt. In front of them was a blond couple – a blond female cheerleader and a nicely sculpted boy who looked like he could be McCauley Culkin's older brother. A few chairs down from them was muscled boy with a Mohawk who practically screamed badass. In the front row, in front of the blonds, was a nerdy looking boy with glasses in a wheelchair. He was talking with a slightly vacant looking blond cheerleader. On her other side, leaning back to talk with the bad boy, was a pretty Latino girl who was also in a cheerleader's uniform. Two seats down from her sat a ridiculously tall, slightly lost looking brunet boy, who Rachel immediately flounced over to sit next to. She patted the chair next to her but I shook my head and went to take the seat to Kurt's left.

"Hey, Kurt. Hey, Mercedes," I greeted.

"Hey, Al," Mercedes greeted.

Kurt turned to me, a smile on his face. "Hi. I'm glad you found your way here."

"Yeah, well, Rachel helped with that. I was lost but she lead me to the right room."

Just then, a man with curly brown hair and a button up, tie, and vest walked in.

"Alright, guys! I see we have a new student with us today," he said, excitedly clapping his hands together once. "Why don't you come up here for a moment?"

I did as he asked, smiling at the open stares everyone was giving me.

"Tell us your name and something about yourself," I he said as he leaned against his desk, crossing his arms.

I faced the students. The Latino girl wolf whistled and I laughed a little. "Right. Well, my name's Alden Anderson. I love singing and music, obviously… I have a twin brother and a little sister…" I scratched the back of my neck, something I'd picked up from Shane. "That's, uh, pretty much it."

"Okay," the teacher said. "What song are you singing for us?"

I turned to the strawberry-blond behind the piano. "Does King of Anything by Sara Bareilles sound good to you?"

The man held up his thumb as the other glee kids reacted positively to the choice.

I turned back to face my peers. "This song always sounds so much better when there's more than one voice singing it, so please feel free to join me." I dragged a chair into the center of the floor and sat in it, nodding at the piano player. "Ready when you are."

I was pleased to hear the Asian girl and Mercedes jump in with the first round of uh-oh's.

I leaned forward to sit with both my knees on my lap, my left hand 'supporting' my chin, doing my best to look bored.

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

I ticked off fingers as I sang the last six words, pretending to count cars. I looked at the other students, dropping my hands.

You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em
But I never asked

I stood and walked around the chair to lean on the back of it.

So let me thank you for your time
And try not to waste any more of mine

I gestured with my hand towards the door.

Get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save

I threw up my hands with a smile, beginning to move around and dance more.

Who cares if you disagree? You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So, you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?

Oh-

I put my hand over my heart, my eyes wide and 'innocent'.

You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
Swear you know best

But you expect me to

I hopped up to sit onto of the piano.

Jump up onboard with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset

I jumped down again, planting my feet firmly for the moment.

I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction, oh
But you'll never see

I threw my hands up in an exasperated motion.

You're so busy making masks
With my name on them in all caps

I spread my hands like I would if I were reciting a news article title.

You've got the talking down
Just not the listening

I did little movements for talking and listening that drew laughter. The others were having fun, clapping and singing backup when called for, shoving each other playfully from time to time.

I got a little sillier and bigger with my movements.

Who cares if you disagree? You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?

Suddenly, I slowed and became serious, crossing the room as memories of the past floated to the forefront of my mind.

All my life I've tried
To make everybody happy while I just hurt and hide

I stopped and shook my head a bit, looking at the floor.

Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide

Then I lifted my gaze. All of the girls joined in with the uh-oh's this time. Slowly, a large smile spread across my face as I took in my new group of friends and I began singing with more energy than before, moving around the room to interact with them.

Who cares if you disagree? You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?

I held out the note and slid up behind the piano player.

Let me hold your crown, babe

I swiped his hat and placed it on my own head with a grin, dancing around and singing a bit more. When the song came to an end, I was once again in the chair, this time with my right leg crossed over my left, my hands folded atop my knees, and a large grin on my face.

Everyone clapped and cheered when I was done.

"Nice job!" The teacher said, moving to clasp my shoulder. He made a sweeping gesture with his free hand. "Welcome to New Directions."

Songs (in order) are Every Time We Touch (Slow Version) by Cascada and King of Anything by Sara Bareilles.

I worked my ass off and neglected my homework/make-up work to give you this. Why? Because THIS STORY OFFICIALLY HAS OVER FIFTY REVIEWS! BVJHZXCVJZXFHVCZDUSJVBFXJDZ HFC VC VJHDBF HJZV JH VJB ZXCLJX! *takes deep breath* sorry, I'm just SO BEYOND excited! I mean, I never thought that so many people would like my story, let alone that they would actually take the time to review to it! And now I have 52 reviews and counting! I mean, talk about pleasantly surprised! Gosh, I am so blown away by all the really sweet comments and I just want to take minute to also thank those of you who took the time to read this story, even if you didn't review. THANK YOU ALL, SO MUCH!

That being said, what do you guys think? Like the song choices? Hate them? Think it's weird I made Alden sing two girl songs? (Which I actually just realized, LOL) I'm not so sure about this chapter. I don't think I did as well with keeping the characters IC but tell me what you think!

Check out my profile for new links to see pictures of Phee, Blaine's car, Alden's motorcycle, and Al's outfit for this chapter.

Reviews:

Supermegafoxyawesomehot7: Aww, I missed you, too *hugs* Thanks!

AlyssaMae4: Here you are! Also, I checked out that fic you recommended to me. I like it! It's cute, and Charlie is hilarious!

SwiftPaw96: LOL, that's okay. No Klaine in this chapter. ): Next chapter, though! I promise!

Reject S.B.A.: *hides, whimpering* I'm so sorry, please forgive me-!

Emaknz: Oh Gaga, I hadn't even thought about that, but you are SO RIGHT! That would be ADORABLE! I will see if I can fit it in sometime! Thank you!

JasonDragon64: Thanks, Jason! Glad you liked it! I was worried I had made it a little too much, you know? But I'm glad I didn't!

MaddieAlice108: Thanks! Here you go!

Again, I just want to thank all of you guys so much!