Casual chatter echoed throughout the Warblers practice room. Series of idle gossip of classmates new and old, and desperately flipping papers of various song sheets and comparing which songs would be best for which competitions. The Grandfather clock, donated by a certain William Coolidge, near the front of the room ticked away calmly, slowly making itself known that soon practice would start.

Between the words Pink, Fun and One Direction, the clock began it's chiming, alerting the students to it's afternoon hour.

Bong...

Bong...

Bong...

Suddenly, the doors to the practice room flew open, reveling James wearing aviator sunglasses and an outfit of attitude you couldn't buy in the most priciest stores. He silently walked into the room and headed straight for the piano, stepping onto the seat below the keys and using it as a step ladder to launch himself onto the top of the black baby grand. The other students crowded around it, waiting to see what he was going to do.

The pretty boy surveyed his subjects below him with a smirk; a musical king amongst a background of backup peons. He took a deep breath, and then...

Leeeeeet's get it started...in here...

As he finished off the note for the beginning of the Black Eyed Peas song, the new and old Warblers were expecting the beginning strands of that particular pop song to begin, but were pleasantly surprised when a large boom box came gliding into the room from the front doors, duck tapped to a rolling skateboard, and the beginning beats of LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem began blasting through it's speakers. Following it, while doing the very popular shuffle dance, was the energetic Latino, wearing matching aviator glasses. As he entered the room, he began singing. (1: The song Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO was originally posted here, but ffnet forced me to remove it)

Just as he finished that note, James jumped off the piano, landing next to Carlos. In tandem they danced the shuffle next to each other, both singing the next set of lines.

Suddenly Blaine and Kendall burst through the doors, wearing their own aviator glasses as well. Behind them a few upper underclassmen Warblers followed, doing front flips and cartwheels as the boys shuffled to meet their friends. The rest of the group of students moved to the back of the room, giving the older boys room to dance. As they lined up together, Blaine stepped forward, the other boys behind them dancing synchronized hip-hop moves. Playing with his aviators in synch with his dance moves, Blaine rapped out the next part of the song.

Launching himself forward, Kendall threw an arm around Blaine, twisting him playfully before goodnaturedly tossing him back to the group of dancing boys behind him as he took the center, moving to his own moves as he continued the song.

The boy's audience watched in fascination as the boys moved together, syncing their moves to jump and shuffle and grind to the song, singing in perfect unison to the hip hop lyrics. They fist pumped in the air, encouraging the other boys to join them, getting them psyched for their performance.

In keeping with his swagger, James jumped back up onto the black piano, his voice carrying as he sang.

James bent down and placed a hand on the piano before flipping himself in the air then landing gracefully in front of his friends. They then separated, Blaine and Kendall on one side, James and Carlos on the other.

They then turned, lining up, before continuing to dance in the same manner, singing and mimicking their words movements;

Then the two groups collided, the dancing lead Warblers and the rest of the students. In the chaos and commotion of pure fun everyone was having, no one noticed the door to the practice room creak open, and a small form slowly and painfully sneak inside.

Logan watched the scene with amusement, glad that he could sneak in without being noticed. He made his way to the back of the room, hiding just at the edge of the chaos so he could blend in when it was over. He didn't fully recognize the song, but as Carlos sung out the last strain of "Shake that. Everyday I'm shuff-fuf-fuf a-lin." Logan couldn't help but smile at the mess of fun everyone was having.

When the song ended and everyone stopped dancing, the crowd of students surrounded the four boys, laughing and offering their congrats and exclamations of being impressed with their performance. They all took of their sunglasses and spoke with the group, smiling at being proud of themselves, which was deserved.

Logan hung to the back, not wanting to be noticed. He was late, but he was here. Unfortunately, since he missed the last practice, he had no idea what to do or expect, so he kept quiet and hidden, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

While he waited, he decided to contemplate what just happened. Granted, he knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. He had dealt with bullies before at his old school, that he was used to. But Jett was a different breed. Whereas the guys who pushed him around before would smarten up as soon as a teacher strolled by, Jett actually had the power, and the encouragement, from Hawk to mess with him. This posed a problem, especially since Logan wanted to stay with the Warblers. If it was just him that was getting the brunt of it, he could take it, nothing new there. But his friends were getting pulled into it, as he saw from today with Cam.

Cam.

Now there was a whole other conundrum.

"Logan!"

The little brunette jumped and looked up, seeing that James was staring at him with a pointed finger. He looked unamused with his icy blue eyes, and Logan couldn't help but gulp nervously.

"Uh...yes?" Logan squeaked out, turning to the boy and shoving his trembling hands into his pockets to hide his fear.

"You were late." James said, pulling his hand back and crossing his arms, quirking an eyebrow at the boy, "What's your excuse?"

Now every pair of eyes in the room were on him. Logan would be damned if he said he was late because he spent a good ten minutes dragging his bruised ass off the floor of Burton dorm. He was in enough trouble with his own classmates as it was, he wouldn't want Fletcher to know he was Jett's new punching bag.

"S-sorry." Logan stumbled out, "I got...sidetracked."

"And what was so important that you came in late?" James continued, walking over to the boy, a large group of the Warblers following in his wake, also wearing expectant looks.

"James lay off. It's his first practice. Give him a break." Kendall said, walking around James and cutting off his path to Logan, holding his hands up as if to ward off his friends annoyance.

The pretty boy looked up at his tall friend, opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, his eyes narrowed disapprovingly. "Fine." But then his smile returned, sneaky and full of tricks, "But he has to pay his late fees."

Blanching, then frowning, Kendall said, "C'mon James-" But the pretty boy turned around, regarding his fellow peers, and called out, "You know what a Warbler has to do when he's late?"

"Pay his late fees!" The rest of the group exclaimed, cheering and whooping in excitement.

Logan walked up to Kendall, tugging gently on his sleeve. When nervous green eyes met his curious brown ones, he whispered, "What...what does that mean?" Logan really, really wasn't sure if he could handle another bought of injuries if this meant getting beat up again. He could barely stand as it was.

Kendall looked into Logan's eyes, wanting nothing more to wrap an arm around the boy and shush his worries. He gently took Logan's hand in his, watching the boy nervously jump a bit, then alternate looking between Kendall and their interlocked hands.

"You have to sing a solo, alone, in front of everyone." Kendall answered.

"Okay..." Logan said, biting his lip in fear. What was he going to do? He didn't know how to sing, and barely knew any songs as it was. The last time had been a stroke of luck. Now...he wondered if he could get away with Row Your Boat?

"But..." Kendall continued, giving their still held together hands a small squeeze, "The group get's to pick the song."

The little brunette almost didn't hear Kendall's words, his mind was still on hands being held mode, and had to replay Kendall's words over in his head.

"What?" Logan nearly shrieked before looking over the side of Kendall and saw the Warblers all huddled together, tossing out various names of songs that Logan was not in any way familiar with. He even heard Carlos yell out, "No Blaine. No more Katy Perry!"

What kind of band was a Katy Perry?

Panic began to well up in Logan's throat as he turned back to Kendall, "I-I don't know...what am I going to do?"

"Shh..." Kendall said, flashing the trembling boy a quick smile, "We'll figure out something." Kendall made a mental note to make James pay for putting Logan through this. Normally they only enforced this rule on long term Warblers who were getting lax in their commitment to the group. By forcing them to sing in front of everyone, it was reminding them how important it was to be on their game. If they sang and were horrible, then they knew they had to step up.

Putting Logan through this, who James knew was musically...new, was just mean. But Kendall couldn't override it, since James had gotten the rest of the Warblers in on it.

Suddenly the doors to the room burst open, and a heavy breathing Kurt came into the room, his hair a mess and his arms full of books and papers.

"Hey!" He called out, dumping his stuff onto one of the side sofas, "Sorry I'm late." He dashed over to the group of Warblers, trying to get his breath even, "What did I miss?"

"Where have you been?" Blaine asked. He had been a little worried when Kurt wasn't at practice when he got here.

"Sorry." Kurt said, waving a hand, "Got an emergency call from Rachel. Apparently all of Glee club is mad at her for sending a new girl to a crack house instead of practice." Kurt gave a casual little shrug and laugh, familiar with his former classmates crazy antics, but then stopped when everyone was staring at him in confusion, "She's all right though!" Kurt then exclaimed, frowning and crossing his arms. Honestly, these students here have no idea how easy they have it!

"Well..." James began, "If were done with our weekly horror tales from the dredges of public high school, then how about we move on to our main event?" James turned and regarded Logan with an evil smile.

Logan trembled a bit, then straightened his shoulders and walked forward, reluctantly letting go of Kendall's hand, "Okay James. Do your worst." He said, trying to keep his voice brave, but inside he felt like running out the door and hiding under his blankets. Honestly, he wanted to say this was better than facing Jett...but truthfully he would take another tumble down the stairs before making a fool of himself in front of everyone...again.

Just as James was about to open his mouth, Kendall suddenly was at Logan's side, "Wait!"

Grunting in frustration, James whined, "What now Kendall?"

With a triumphant smile, Kendall said, "Kurt was late as well."

"So?" Kurt and James both said, then shot each other looks.

"So...that means they have to do a duet...together." Kendall answered, hoping this would be easier on Logan to have someone up there singing with him.

"Wait...why do I have to sing in front of everyone?" Kurt asked, looking at Blaine for an explanation.

His prefect boyfriend was nervously rubbing the back of his head, then answered almost painfully, "Well we have this rule where...if you're late you have to sing a solo in front of everyone."

Almost beside himself with glee, Kurt exclaimed, "What! Why was I never told about this rule?"

Sighing in frustration, James muttered, "Oh yeah...damn it we weren't supposed to tell you."

"Why not!" Kurt exclaimed again.

"Well...cause..." Blaine began, then threw his hands up in the air, "Cause we were kinda worried you might always be late...on purpose...so you could sing...a lot."

Though Kurt had his mouth hanging out in shock, inside he was kind of surprised because...honestly that was the first thing he thought of when he heard the rule just now.

"Blaine!" Kurt said, almost in defiance, "I would never take advantage of-" But he stopped when all the Warblers crossed their arms and gave him a look. Eventually he let out a sigh, admitting defeat."Fine. But you all try to be in a Glee club with a diva worthy of Barbra Streisand's temper and get some solos in!" By the end of his sentence, Kurt's voice had risen to it's own diva worthy tempo, and he had no regrets. Many of his classmates took large steps back to avoid getting caught in the line of fire.

"Fine." James muttered, turning first to Logan, then back to Kurt, "Okay boys. New song."And with that he turned and the Warblers once again huddled into a small group to choose a new song.

Kendall turned back to Logan, "I'm going to jump in. See if I can get them to go easy on you."

Gratitude...and something else Logan was not going anywhere near anytime soon...welled up inside Logan, and he gave Kendall a grateful smile before breathing out a, "Thanks."

Kendall had to wrench his eyes away from the boy before walking over to the group, "Who the hell said Kanye West? I swear to God if anyone suggests the only countertenor to rap..."And his voice then faded into the interlaced suggestions being thrown out.

Sliding a hand slicked with sweat up the back of his neck, Logan let his smile stay where it was as he watched Kendall fight for him. He had to honestly say, no one before Dalton ever defended him. Well...besides Kelly. But her defense was getting him out of the hellish high school he faced daily. No, no one had ever stood beside him and gone out of their way to make him feel wanted...part of something bigger, and better, than everything he had once known.

A finger gently probing his arm jerked him out of his thoughts, and his denial that he was not staring at Kendall in any sort of fashion, then turned to Kurt, who was currently using his thumb and finger to straighten the lovely curve of his hair above his bright blue eyes.

As much as the memories still tugged at Logan's mind, he knew he needed to put them aside if he was going to do this whole Warblers thing. He had to tuck them away, and deal with them later. Right now, he needed to figure out a way to get through this practice.

"So...no better way to learn how to swim than by being thrown in with the sharks huh?" Kurt said, attempting at a joke in hopes of making the boy smile, but he wasn't one to offer much more comfort than that. He had suffered through McKinley and all the trials and tricks that school and it's inhabitants had thrown at him. As much as he wanted to help Logan, he knew the boy would never learn unless he fought his own battles.

Giving a small jerk rather than a shrug, Logan said, "Yeah...I guess. But is it bad that sharks right now seem more appealing than..." He turned to the arguing boys, "them?"

Smiling, glad that Logan seemed to be holding his own well enough, Kurt noticed that Logan looked much more rumpled and dirty that when they had last seen each other nearly a half hour ago. He absently reached out and grabbed Logan by the lapels. But he quickly removed his hands though when Logan turned back at him with that all to familiar fear in his eyes before he jerked back, arms raised as if to defend himself.

"Whoa there. I'm a singer not a fighter." Kurt said, holding his own hands up as if in defense, then slowly lowered them to place his soft white hands back on Logan's jacket. "You're all sorts of a mess. Your collar is crooked, your white shirt is wrinkled, and you've got dirt all on your jacket." Kurt ran a hand along Logan's left arm to help clean him up, but then raised a surprised eyebrow when Logan hissed a bit and stepped away in pain.

"Are you all right?" Kurt said, alarmed as he held his hands at bay once again. He hadn't touched him that hard.

Gently wiping the dirt off himself, Logan nodded and said, "Yeah. Sorry. Still a little sore from that fall earlier." As he fixed his collar, he quickly avoided Kurt's piercing blue eyes filled with doubt. Logan knew when he fell in the library, he had fallen on his right side...he was hoping that Kurt wouldn't remember. Unfortunately Kurt had brushed against his left arm which he fell on hard when he began his tumble down the stairs from Jett.

Whether he did or not, Kurt wisely kept quiet about, instead folding his arms and saying, "Okay. Well since your mildly presentable now, how about we do a quick asses of your musical repertoire?"

Logan, who had since given up trying to brush off his jacket and instead had settled on taking it off and placing it, gently since it was only one of his two pairs that he owned, onto the couch, glanced up at Kurt with confusion, "My...musical repertoire?"

Nodding, Kurt took a seat on the couch, crossing his legs with more grace and flow than any woman, or anyone really, that Logan had ever met. "Yes. What do you listen to? Musicals? R&B," He paused to let out a little shudder, "Country?"

Blinking, Logan shrugged, "I don't."

"Don't what?"

"Listen...to music." Logan confessed, almost in shame. Here he was part of a group of people who practiced music like a religion, and he felt like some sinner imposing on their holy grounds.

It was made even more so evident by the look of complete scandal perched upon Kurt's delicate features, "Not...even...a little?"

Biting his lip, Logan squeaked out, "I know...row your boat?"

"But..." Kurt said, jumping up, "You sang that last song so well!"

Admitting defeat, Logan managed to strangle out, "That...was a fluke. I-I learned it for a class project." As Kurt continued to gape at him as if he were a strange foreign being, Logan muttered, "My brother listened to Eminem a lot...I maybe...could...try-"

"All right! We've got it!" Carlos's voice echoed through the room, causing Logan to look at him, though Kurt was still standing opened mouth and gaping at the boy.

"Mouth." Logan whispered out the side of his mouth, "You look like a singing fish ornament."

Shutting his trap with a quick clip, Kurt turned to the others, answering Logan, "I'll die before I rap to a singer who dissed the Spice Girls."

"You were a fan of the Spice Girls?" Logan asked.

Fixing his tie and watching as the rest of the Warblers walked over, a mischievous look upon their faces, Kurt replied, "I'd like to say more of a dedicated follower."

Now there's an image Logan never wanted to imagine.

"Okay boys, we have all agreed-" James began, only to be cut off by an annoyed Blaine.

"Not everyone." The well groomed prefect muttered with his arms crossed. Logan noticed that Kendall was also sporting a sour face as well. This made him even more nervous.

"All right. By majority vote then, we have decided on the song you will sing." James continued.

"Okay. Lay it on us Diamond. What'll be? Backstreet Boys? Weird Al?" Kurt paused, "Is it to late to toss in Gaga as a possibility? I do quite a good Fame Monster." He turned to Logan with a smile as he began to dig out his phone, "I have pictures!"

"No." James said, ignoring Kurt's somber pout as he continued, "We feel that the Warblers need a little bit more...sensitivity this year." As he said his words, they were dripping with sarcasm that matched his almost snide smile, "So...we decided-" Here James paused, building up the drama, "On Lady Antebellum's Kiss Goodnight."

Logan blinked a couple of times, desperately trying to decide if that song triggered any memories, but none came to mind.

"I-I don't know that song." Logan confessed, frowning when he felt his cheeks grow red with embarrassment. He couldn't even look at Kendall in the eye, knowing the blond had fought for him and Logan had failed him.

"You want us to sing a love song...to each other?" Kurt said, frowning as well, his face growing somber and serious. Now he knew why Blaine was not to thrilled with this at all. "C'mon James. This is his first time as a Warbler...and...the choice of song might be a little...uncomfortable for him." Kurt didn't want to put Logan on the spot, making the boy feel as if he needed to clarify his sexuality in front of the entire class. As if in answer, Logan's face only went even more red, creeping down his neck

The room grew silent with this observation, apparently no one had realized it, but it quickly ended with James scoffing and saying, "Whatever. That is the song, and you guys have to stick with it."

"But he doesn't even know it!" Kurt shot back, then deliberately looked over to Carlos, his eyes pleading with the boy for help. Logan didn't miss this exchange at all.

But Kurt didn't need to silently voice his plea. Carlos was already placing a hand on James's shoulder and saying gently, "How about this. They keep the song, but we give them a day to practice it." He turned to Logan and Kurt, "I know the song choice might be a bit weird, but it'll be good practice for Logan to get familiar with some mainstream songs, since Blaine has a habit of fighting tooth and nail for them during our competitions." He paused to smile at his blue eyed friend, "And normally winning."

Sighing, Kurt turned to Logan, who was still red faced and silent, "How does that sound? At practice tomorrow?"

Not knowing what else to say, Logan only ran a hand along the back of his neck and nodded his answer, but his eyes were trained on Carlos and James. Would the pretty boy go along with it?

But as soon as Carlos had placed a hand on James's shoulder, it was like a transformation for the blue eyed diva. The tense shoulders loosened, the eyes that looked like ice faded into calm blue skies, and where his frown was a permanent fixture, it suddenly became altogether different. "Sounds like a plan to me!" James said, turning to Carlos with a bright smile, to which the shorter Latino returned with just as much shine. Logan had to blink a few times, surprise etched openly on his face. He would have thought James would have fought to have them stumble their way through the song, miserably making a fool of themselves. But a small touch and a few words from Carlos and James gave in no problem.

Suddenly Logan remembered the kiss between Blaine and Kurt, which made him wonder if perhaps Carlos and James had something going on to. The comment Blaine had made the other day to Carlos about which side of the bed James woke up on hadn't been forgotten. But other than that, James and Carlos never seemed to act like a couple. Then again, Logan wouldn't have known about Blaine and Kurt if he hadn't accidentally stumbled upon them. They must be keeping their relationships quiet then.

"All right. Now that that's settled, let's get going with practice." James exclaimed, and he and Carlos began rounding up the students, splitting them up into grounds around the piano.

Logan stepped back, watching as Blaine came up to Kurt with a disgruntled pout and began commenting quietly about how he really wasn't comfortable with Kurt doing this. Purposely, Logan looked away, not wanting to get caught even more in the middle of something he couldn't get out of.

As he stepped away, he walked straight into the the folded arms and concerned eyes of Kendall, who was staring down at him with a frown, "You all right?"

Blinking up at the boy, Logan nodded, "Thanks for your help. I think once we get some practice in I won't be such a bother."

"Your not a bother." Kendall admonished quickly, frowning even more at the boy, "I'm sorry I couldn't do better. But it's a real easy song, and it wont take you long to learn it."

Nodding, Logan opened his mouth as if to ask something, but then quickly closed it, bringing his hands up to wring them together nervously.

"What?" Kendall asked, then chuckled softly when Logan shook his head, "C'mon. What?"

Looking up to the blond boy, Logan stumbled out,"Will...if I do this...will it...cause...trouble for me?" Then he quickly looked away, almost ashamed of his question. But he had to know. He had enough already with school and trying to dodge Jett, he didn't need more guys pushing him down stairs.

"What do you mean?" Kendall asked, not sure what Logan was trying so say.

"Um...if I sing...that kind of song...to another guy. Will...I mean...in the group...will they...give me a hard time...afterward?" Logan said, his voice lowered down to just above a whisper.

"Logan." Kendall said with a small laugh, "I don't know what happened at your last school...but you're safe here. This is a zero-violence school. No one's going to hurt you here."

Logan nodded, ignoring the pain shooting through his back and the memory of Jett and his actions less than an hour again.

"And the guys here? They don't care about that stuff. We'll sing anything. Just because you're singing a love song to a dude, doesn't mean you have a thing for him." Kendall continued, then paused a bit, almost hesitation before he continued, "Just cause...in case you were wondering...you...I mean...you know...Kurt. He's taken you know."

Logan looked up at Kendall, and almost believed that the blond looked a little nervous, "I know Kendall." When the blond looked at him in surprise, Logan nodded over at Blaine and Kurt, who were still talking quietly. Kendall looked over at Logan's face, and was relieved to see a smile there. Logan then replied. "I'm not interested in Kurt anyways."

Looking immensely relieved, Kendall nodded. "Good. Not that it's any of my business." Kendall finished quickly.

Logan had to hold back laughter at how Kendall was acting, but nodded again, "It's okay Kendall. But you and I should really get going on those lessons. I don't know how much more of James's hazing I can take."

Kendall smiled, but inside he was already plotting ways to get back at James for his actions towards Logan, "Okay. After practice we'll set up our schedule. I know we talked about it a bit the other night, but we can, ya know, set it in stone and stuff, okay?"

Nodding, Logan smiled back at the boy, "Okay."


Almost feeling like he was about to walk into a horror movie, Logan crept silently along the abandoned and darkened hallways of the theater, feeling his way along the wall to keep himself steady.

It was late, nearly midnight. And though Logan knew he would pay for it in the morning, after coming back to an empty dorm room, he knew he had to straighten things out between him and Cam. After practice he and Kurt went back to Fletcher dorm. He was unceremoniously dragged up to a rather gorgeous 'common' room on the third floor. Kurt explained that it was his and the other three boy's common room. They had the whole floor to themselves. Though Logan wondered how they accomplished that, he didn't ask. Better not to know, he figured.

Between Kurt's strict lessons and Kendall's comforting encouragement, Logan eventually learned the song. It was strange, singing it to another guy, but he knew there was no way out of it. He even felt a little better when Kendall seemed to become more relaxed with the situation, joking with Kurt not to put to much effort into it or else he'd get Blaine jealous.

Logan acted like he didn't hear, but his slight blush said otherwise.

Practicing the song gave him time to be distracted from what happened with Cam, but he knew now he couldn't put it off any longer. So he had come to the only place he was sure Cam would be, the safety of his element.

Eventually Logan came to the door that was marked Backstage. He pushed it open, and was immediately greeted to all the hidden secrets behind the curtain. Levers, props, costumes...the world of theater Logan knew only vaguely through television and books. He kept quiet, trying to discern if he could hear Cam anywhere, and only after he let his ears adjust a moment, did he hear the soft murmuring coming from the other side of the curtain.

Pushing back the large red velvet material, he was greeted with relief at seeing Cam, lounging on a large sofa that was part of a larger set making up a modern day living room. Although he was no actor, Logan had to guess the mix of colors and patters meant they were just there as a skeleton set, props to help them become familiar with their surroundings. But like Logan said, he was no actor.

Cam had a large script in his hands, and he was reading it out loud, his voice naturally picking up the perfect pitch and tone of each world. Logan was almost loath to stop him, but he knew that he couldn't put this off any longer.

"Cam?" Logan said tentatively.

His roommate jumped, not excepting to hear a voice in the darkness, "Logan! What are you doing here?"

Walking over to the set, Logan took a seat on one of the chairs across from the actor, "I came to...talk I guess?" He answered, rubbing the back of his head and completely unsure of where to start.

"About what?" Cam asked, feigning ignorance as he looked away from the boy.

Sighing, Logan said, "Look...I would appreciate if you don't punch me out because of what I'm about to say next. If it helps, I'm covered head to toe in bruises, and I really would appreciate not getting another one." He paused, gauging Cam's now expressionless face, "Are you...yanno?" He couldn't even get it out

Laughter cut him off before he even finished his sentence, and Cam stood up with a jerk to begin walking around the set, ranting, "What? Logan stop being ridiculous. Why would you even-"

"Cam." Logan said forcefully. Probably with more force than he'd ever used in his voice before, "I...I haven't had a lot of friends in my life. So the ones I've got now...I don't want to loose." He hated talking like this...about feelings and stuff. But it was true, and somehow he knew that he was right.

Cam looked at him, a heavy decision weighing in his eyes.

"I wont tell...if that's what your worried about." Logan looked down at his hands, quietly continuing, "I've got more than a few secrets of my own. And those aren't coming out anytime soon." He shrugged, "Just gonna ball yours up with mine is all."

Only when Cam sighed and returned to his seat did Logan look up, only to find Cam looking down at the floor, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Cam?" Logan asked, his voice quiet but encouraging.

"...It's exhausting...pretending all the time." Cam's whispered, but his voice was different now...softer...more...feminine. "You'd think I wouldn't mind...being into acting and all. But you gotta stop sometimes..." He paused before continuing, "You were right." A soft laugh, then those deep brown eyes looked up into his, "I'm a girl."

Swallowing, Logan nodded, "Okay." He paused for a second, then, "Um...I promise I wont check you out when your changing."

Laughter erupted from Cam, and this time it was more freeing...real. And Logan realized he had never heard Cam laugh like that before.

"Please. If I was worried you were straight and into girls I would have probably switched for a single a long time ago." She wiped at her eyes, which were tearing from laughter, as well as emotion, and not noticing the stricken look on her roommates face, "Anyways, with the way Kendall looks at you I'm not to worried."

Blushing bright red and stuttering over his words, Logan tried desperately to convince the girl she was wrong, "I'm...I don't...I'm not-" But he was cut off with a wave of her hand.

"Don't worry Logan. We don't have to talk about that right now." She heaved out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as if they had been carrying a huge weight. Which, in reality, they pretty much were.

"So..." Logan began, hoping to change the subject, and the only thing he could think of was... "Why?"

She shook her head, "It's kind of a long story, but to make it short cause I know were both tired, here's the jist." She looked away from Logan, her eyes searching her scattered thoughts to pinpoint where she should begin...so she just decided to start at the beginning.

"Ever since I could remember, all I've ever wanted to be was an actress. Every one told me it wouldn't be easy, so I worked hard for it...to be the best. I practiced, auditioned, did everything I could to become better than I was the last time I was on stage." She sighed, her story now coming to the point where everything went wrong, "When I started high school...everything was fine. We had a great Drama teacher, and everyone got along really well. But then our teacher had to leave and move to Florida...family issues I heard. But...that's when Mr. Barthos showed up." Her voice took on a bitter tone, and Logan was sure that this man was the reason for Cam's current predicament.

"He was a sleaze from the start...but was cheap and the only teacher our school could afford. Every day he was always grabbing at girls and making remarks. We complained but...no one ever listens to us. We were just being silly and overreacting everyone said." She gave a stark laugh, and then her eyes looked away from Logan, growing watery and distant, "One night, early last year, he cornered me in the changing room. I clawed at him to get away, left a huge scar right here." She traced a gentle finger along her pale cheek, starting with just below the eye and finishing under her chin, "He was livid. Said I'd never get a role in his theater again."

"And your school didn't even do anything then?" Logan asked, but he already knew the answer. He had been on the receiving end of blind stares for to long to not recognize a fellow overlooked victim.

She shook her head, "Said I was being hysterical...a typical overeating female." She held up hands to do air quotes, her face sour. "Almost got expelled." She turned to Logan, eyes pleading for him to understand, "I didn't know what else to do. How do I get into college drama programs when I don't have any portfolio? Any experience?" Holding up her hands, she held them in front of her, as if to show how empty her portfolio would have been if she didn't do something, "I couldn't get into Our Lady Of Sorrows, the all girls school, because of my attack on Barthos. But..." Here she smiled for the first time since she began, yet this smile was filled with all the sneaky cleverness that had gotten her all the way here to Dalton, "I knew some people. They helped me out. Got a new name, an new everything. For a price of course."

"You paid them?" Logan asked, then frowned when she laughed.

"Some yeah. I had some money saved up from commercials and modeling jobs I did when I was younger. But you'd be surprised how desperate some lonely computer nerds are for a date to a dance or a cousins wedding." She shrugged, "Next weekend I'm going to a bar mitzvah. I'll be, Lucinda, an exchange student from L'Italia." She finished, accenting the Italian word with a smile.

"Wow." Logan breathed out, "That's...crazy." He shook his head, "But...did you really need to do all this? Go here? Wasn't there other schools you could go to? Other public schools?"

She shook her head, "We'd have to move to another district, and my parents...they just couldn't afford it. New jobs...new house?" She sighed, "I had to do something. This was my dream. I couldn't let this-this man just take it away from me."

Nodding, Logan understood, better than she realized. "I get it. I'm sorry...that you had to go through all this."

She shrugged, "It's just...it's so hard sometimes. Being a girl I mean." At Logan's confused stare, she continued, "If I was a guy this probably never would have happened. But because I'm a girl, I have to go through all this...and there's no guarantee that it'll even work. All this could just end any day, and I'll be left with nothing." She gave a small, bitter laugh, then said, "You know the real reason I didn't try out for Warblers?" At Logan's head shake, she answered, "Because I can pretend to be a boy when I talk...but I can't hide it when I sing."

"Really?" Logan said, surprised.

She nodded then stood, walking over to the piano at the side of the stage. Logan got up and walked over with her, sitting on the bench and watching as she lifted up the cover over the keys.

"I don't normally do musicals. I'm not that great of a singer. But I learned how to play the piano so I could use that technique to keep track of rhythm, to study the importance of beats." She splayed her fingers over the piano, playing some notes softy. "A lot of girls were scared of Mr. Barthos," She said, her voice above a whisper as she turned to Logan, "And rightfully so. But I don't have to worry about stuff like that here. I can't be myself...but I don't have to worry about certain things as much...because I'm pretending to be a boy."

Playing some more notes, she turned back to the piano, and softly continued. "Girls can wear jeans, and cut their hair short...wear shirts and boots. 'Cause it's okay to be a boy..." she trailed off, her voice full of sadness.

Logan wanted to say that he did understand. He got what it was like to be cast aside, branded a certain way by people who were to damn dumb to look past what they saw and acknowledge something more. He, though someone so different from her, could get what Cam was going through. How, being here at Dalton, it held so much for their future And that any small mistake could take it all away.

But he didn't know how to express those words.

So instead, he listened.

Taking a deep breath, Cam continued, her fingers playing a soft melody along the black and white keys that went along with her gentle crooning. (1: The song What it Feels Like for Girl by Madonna was originally posted here, but ffnet forced me to remove it)

He looked at Cam, really looked at her. She was strong. She had to have been to have gotten to this point. Fooling the world because she believed in her dream, in herself, so much. He knew that the two of them had to prove to the world how wrong they were about them. That they were worth so much more than what people thought. Dalton was giving them that chance, and they would be damned if they blew it.

She had a lovely voice, but he could tell it wasn't strong. It wasn't the kind of voice directors of My Fair Lady and Oklahoma would salivate over. Yet, she had the talent to be a great stage actress, to achieve the heights of her dreams. But she had a lot more she would have to overcome to get there. A lot more.

He got it. He knew. He wanted to explain it to her, to share his own sorrows with someone...but he wouldn't. She was already holding her own issues, her own secrets, and even now his own troubles (namely Jett) were spilling over to her. No. He would keep his mouth shut. Keep her out of the troublesome line of fire that belonged to people who intended them nothing but hurt.

It was the least he could do.


"Get much sleep last night?" Kendall asked Logan, nudging him gently with his shoulder as he walked down the hallway with a sleepy eyed Logan.

The brunette gave him a small side smirk, the kind that Kendall was constantly trying to get from him, and replied, "Just going over the song in my head. I really want to make a good impression on everyone. I'm sure they're all not to thrilled with me so far."

Again, that strong urge to slide his arm around Logan and pull him in close overwhelmed Kendall. He wasn't able to deny it, he totally had a crush on the little brunette. As much as he wanted to just come out and express to Logan how he felt, he knew he couldn't. The boy was unbearably shy, and Kendall had no way to discern if it was the shyness that made Logan shudder and blush when the blond was around, or if he felt the same way. Either or, Kendall was now settling for just getting to be friends with the boy, inserting himself into his life to get closer. That was fine...for now.

They both walked into the Warbler practice room, already a large group of students inside waiting. They all turned to regard Kendall and Logan as they walked in, and Logan had to try hard not to cower under their stares. He could see in each set of eyes that they were judging him, demanding that he prove himself worthy to join their group. He had so far fumbled his basic responsibilities, such as showing up to practice on time...or at all...and needed to redeem himself. Here was his chance...he could not blow it.

Behind him he heard loud humming and turned to see Kurt come strolling confidently into the room, a bright smile shinning on his face when he came across Logan. Throwing a casual arm around the Logan's shoulders, Kurt exclaimed, "We get to sing solo's today! I'm so excited!"

In truth, Logan was excited as well. He had finally had a chance to hear Kurt sing yesterday, and was immensely impressed. His voice was unique and strong, so Logan knew that his voice was an excellent addition to this group. He enjoyed hearing the boy sing, and was glad that he got the chance to perform with someone so talented.

Trying not to wince with Kurt's arm on his shoulder (his back was still immensely sore) Logan forced the boy a smile and nodded. He had gotten better at pushing away his unwanted memories, and was instead focusing on trying to be around the boy and see Kurt for who he is...not shrouded by the ghosts of the past. Logan remembered last night, with Cam, her eyes when he learned the truth about her. There was so much more to people than what was shown on the surface, and Logan didn't want to be the kind of person who only took people at face value.

James's voice echoed throughout the room, and all heads turned to the brunette who came strolling into the room with Carlos and Blaine. "Okay boys. Before we start off, solos first today!"

A loud cheer erupted from the Warblers, and they ushered forward to push Kurt and Logan to the front of the room. They then all took seats around different parts of the room to sit and enjoy the show.

Logan shot Kurt a nervous glance, but the slightly shorter boy was already running a finger and thumb along the edge of his hair on his forehead, his signature move that was both vain and perfect. He looked cool and confident in front of everyone, like he was born to do this.

On the other hand, Logan, who was used to shying away from the spotlight, looked like he was meant to be anywhere but in front of this group.

At the piano, Blaine had taken a seat, and was playing the cool soothing notes to the song Kurt and Kendall taught him. As if in remembrance, Logan looked over to Kendall to see the boy standing just off to the distance a bit, his fierce green eyes trained on him with silent encouragement.

Suddenly his memories came flooding back, Buddha Bob in his darkened office and Kurt and Blaine hidden in the stacks. Something was off about Kendall...something bad. But for some reason...Kendall was using all his goodness to help Logan.

Strong inside but you don't know it...

Breathing in that strength, from himself and from Kendall, Logan turned to Kurt who was staring at him, and then nodded. He was ready. (1: The song Kiss Goodnight by Lady Antebellum was originally posted here, but ffnet forced me to remove it)

With a nod and a quick smile at Blaine, who was still not looking to happy about the situation, Kurt turned to the group, waited for the right note, then began.

Knowing it was his turn, that it was now or never, Logan locked eyes with the only person who could give him strength to get through this...

Together Kurt and Logan began to sing next, turning to each other with a smile when their voices then began to blend perfectly together, just as they had practiced.

Kendall was nearly beside himself. He kept it cool on the surface, as impassive as he could be, but inside he was thrilled. Logan's voice was beautiful. The way he worked those words, he did so with a grace and strength without even realizing it. And when Logan looked at him just before he began to sing...was that it? Was that Logan slowly coming to realize that he might have feelings for the blond? Kendall wasn't sure...but it was hope. He would hold onto that, even now, as Kurt began the next part of the song.

Kurt had to admit, Logan was doing excellent. He was nervous the night before, as they practiced the song, and it took a while for him to get everything right, but the diva had to admit, the boy was doing much better than he thought he would. Though, he knew Logan didn't deserve all the credit. Kurt smiled as he looked over at Kendall, whose eyes were trained solely on Logan. The blond had been an immense help in encouraging Logan. Right then Kurt decided that it was time those two needed a little help from the love bug, and was more than happy to fill in those shoes.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying it, Logan couldn't help notice as he sang with Kurt. Their voices did match well, and he was glad that things were working out. Even James seemed slightly impressed, but Logan didn't tread to hard on that thought. He had every intention of staying out of the divas way from now on. His eyes trailed back to Kendall, and he continued, making his cheeks flush a bit at the words he was saying. He still wasn't going...there...but Cams words echoed in his head from last night. About him...about Kendall.

As they finished that last note, the entire room erupted in applause. Logan and Kurt were beaming, and Kurt grabbed Logan to push him down so that they could do an awkward bow. Blaine walked over to the two, clasping Logan on the shoulder with a small smile, "You did a great job." Logan nodded, but his eyes slid over to Kendall, who was beaming as he walked over.

Blaine nodded to Kendall, then moved over to Kurt who was surrounded by a few other Warblers expressing their congratulations. Blaine had to smirk at the sight, knowing that Kurt was probably soaking all this up.

When Kendall got to Logan, he pulled the boy in for a hug, saying, "I'm so proud of you. You did amazing!"

Logan had to bite his lip to keep a hiss of pain from escaping, but he returned the hug the best he could. It helped that Kendall smelled so good, felt so good, that his mind was only mildly distracted from the pain.

When Kendall pulled back, he still held onto Logan's arms. But his face turned into a frown and he held up a hand and placed it on Logan's face, "You're really pale. Are you all right?"

Was he all right? Right now a million emotions flew through Logan. Relief from finishing the song, giddy from Kendall's touch, tired from the pain from his back, but he nodded. "Fine. Just...glad that's over."

"For now." Came James voice as he walked over to the two, "Both of you are required to try out for solos for Sectionals." Then he turned to Kurt, "Like I'd have to order you though."

Kurt shrugged, "What can I say?" He gave a dramatic sigh as he ran his hand along his hair again, "I'm just destined for the spotlight."

As Blaine smiled and held back a chuckle, James rolled his eyes, and Kendall gave a soft laugh, Logan even broke out a grin at the boy.

"How about we let them enjoy this one for now James?" Blaine said as Carlos came bouncing up to Kurt and launching himself into the boys arms, "You did amazing!" The Latino exclaimed.

"Whoa!" Kurt yelled, not expecting this sudden weight. They both toppled over to the ground, causing the rest of the boys to laugh.

"Carlos!" Kurt yelled from under the boy, and the Latino was smiling and laughing as he helped his friend up.

After watching the two, Logan turned back to Kendall, and realized the boy still had his hands on him. He gently took a step back, shaking off the boys touch, but kept a smile in place. Kendall noticed the movement, and let his hands fall back to his sides, but kept his green eyes locked onto the nervous chocolate ones.

"So tomorrow begins our own lessons huh?" Kendall said, trying to sound casual.

Logan smiled and nodded, "Yep. Make sure you bring your text book from Professor Glendales class. You keep falling asleep as soon as he talks about theoretical physics."

Letting out a small whine Kendall said, "But its sooooo boring."

"You can still change classes." Logan answered, crossing his arms. He heard James beside him calling everyone together to come around the piano and begin practicing.

"No way." Kendall said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Logan's shoulders. He was not liking not being able to touch Logan, "If I changed classes then I wouldn't have you poking me in the side to wake me up." He smirked, "It's the challenge I enjoy."

"The challenge to keep sleeping when I'm poking you?" Logan answered with a small laugh.

"...Something like that." Kendall said with a smile, it only growing wider when Logan shook his head.

"Dalton students...so weird." He said, earning a laugh from Kendall.


Aw they're all becoming friends! I guess this means it's time to cause trouble!

xoxo BA