Scene Seven


Despite the looming decisions and problems on his plate, Blaine's week improved significantly as the days wore on.

Not only did he come to find that his grades were higher than they had ever been before (nothing lower than a 95 - his hard work was paying off), but his homework amount had plummeted to the point where he almost felt bored at home, with nothing more than a page of French or a film paper to work on while he waited for dinner. Everything had gone somewhat quiet - something he wasn't used to since Cooper arrived.

However, not having work also meant no excusing himself from participating in Cooper's class and, unfortunately, his brother had gone right back to his pushy, insistent self.

It seemed that almost every chance Cooper got, he put him with Kurt and his friends, always casting that knowing smirk over his shoulder as he sauntered away. Blaine could hear his laughter echoing inside his head.

And, unfortunately for him, Blaine wasn't the only one unhappy with the arrangements. While Kurt was fine with him being around (and, if Blaine looked closely enough, Kurt's smile would get just a bit wider when he saw Cooper dragging Blaine over) and Santana was only mildly annoyed by his presence (like she was with everyone), Rachel and Finn continued to make it worse, with rude comments like, "Get out of the way, I'm the actor here," and "Blaine, I wouldn't even think you were related to Cooper. Honestly, did you get any goodacting genes?" He brushed the comments aside; after all, what did he expect?

Kurt was a different story.

Blaine honestly thought the other boy was more upset with the remarks than he was. Kurt would either reply through gritted teeth, "Let's get through this, okay?" or snap out a sharp, "You're the one pointing like you're running for president, Rachel." Blaine figured Kurt was trying everything he could to have them at least tolerate each other, so that they would have some chance at being friends. It made Blaine's stomach twist painfully when he thought about just how much Kurt was willing to try.

And it was obvious that he wanted to be Blaine's friend a lot.

On Thursday, when Santana rushed from the auditorium with no explanation after receiving a text and Cooper told them to partner up for a mirroring game, Kurt had rushed up to him and asked, with pink cheeks, "Care to be my partner?" Blaine accepted.

Blaine didn't know whether or not to be surprised when the exercise turned out to be incredibly fun. For someone Blaine thought to be uptight, snooty, and conceited, Kurt was a bit of a dork. Blaine wasn't complaining, though. He liked Star Wars battles; pretending to hold the light saber meant he didn't have to point.

Cooper had plenty to say the ride home that day.

It wasn't like Blaine was completely ungrateful for Cooper wanting the best for him, but his involvement in Blaine's personal life was aggravating. "I appreciate it Coop, but back off," he said after another push at his sexuality. "Give me some space and meanwhile, try to care about other things. Like the fact I'm top of my class in film."

Cooper didn't congratulate him.

Finally, though, it was Friday.

He slipped through the auditorium doors, rolling his eyes as Cooper followed behind him, still ranting endlessly about never being called back for some sci-fi thriller he auditioned for the year before. He tossed his things in his usual seat, his stomach doing a small somersault when he noticed Kurt's things in the chair right next to it, something that had become a regular occurrence since Tuesday.

He climbed up the stairs and onto the stage and sat. Kurt smiled at him from the other side of the circle.

Cooper only spoke for a few minutes before deciding that they deserved a day off. Blaine watched as Rachel immediately engaged Kurt in conversation and cast Blaine a haughty look. He rolled his eyes, sat back, and played a game of Angry Birds on his phone, but there was a soft tugging in his gut to go over and talk to Kurt. It felt like routine now, and it was a routine, however hard for him to admit, that he liked.

Too soon, Cooper was calling for dismissal, saying goodbye and handing out business cards as everyone left. Blaine made his way over to his seat to get his stuff.

Kurt was waiting for him there.

"Hey, Blaine," he said. "What were you playing?"

Blaine blinked. "Uh, what?"

"On your phone," Kurt said. "Or were you texting? Sorry, I'm just curious."

"Oh," Blaine mumbled, grabbing his bag from the chair. "Angry Birds. I was playing Angry Birds."

Kurt smiled. "I love Angry Birds. Sorry I didn't come over and talk to you; Rachel had me cornered and wouldn't stop talking about Barbara Streisand. Honestly, I'm surprised Finn didn't drag her off. He kept eyeing her boobs the whole time."

Blaine smiled and shook his head. "Your friends are weird."

"Tell me about it," Kurt scoffed. His fingers found the strap of his bag and nervously twisted the fabric around between them. "So, Blaine..."

"Yes."

"I - what?"

"I'll be your friend."

Blaine didn't know when he'd finally decided, but when he thought about it, he didn't even know why it had to be a decision in the first place. Friendship doesn't need to be asked of, it just happens.And, as much as it pained him to say it, Cooper was right. Social standings didn't need to have anything to do with it.

Kurt was smiling now. "Oh. Alright, then. I'm glad," he said. He glanced toward the doors. "My dad's probably waiting, I should go. Thanks, Blaine."

He leaned in for a quick embrace before scurrying away.

Blaine's skin tingled from the contact for the rest of the day.


"Wait, why's Cooper coming?"

"We're dropping him off at the airport after we take you to Mike's. Didn't I tell you over dinner last night?"

"No," Blaine muttered, though he honestly wouldn't know; he tuned out on dinner conversations on more than one occasion. "I didn't know he was leaving already."

"Don't worry," his mother said brightly, "he'll be back for New Years! Isn't that great?"

Cooper nudged Blaine as he climbed into the back seat and Blaine rolled his eyes, replying with a sarcastic, "Yeah. Awesome."

The drive to Mike's house was short and quiet. Cooper turned the radio station to an 80s station and Blaine, while quietly humming along to Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf, listened to his family talk about plans for a New Years party and how they wished Cooper could join them for Christmas. Finally, his mother turned down the familiar street and the car crawled to a stop as his mom parked on the side of the road, just outside of the Changs' house.

"Why don't you walk him up, Coop?" his mother suggested. "Say your goodbyes."

Cooper nodded and followed behind Blaine up the walkway. They stopped on the doorstep, and with a small laugh, Cooper said, "You aren't going to miss me, are you?"

And, well, Blaine wasn't going to lie.

"Not really."

Despite that, Cooper smiled. "Don't worry, I'll miss me for the both of us," he said, and then seriously added, "It wasn't the best week, Blaine, but... I meant it when I said you needed to figure yourself out. For Kurt, and for you. Alright?"

Blaine nodded. "Alright," he said. "By the way, I agreed to try out the 'friends' thing."

"Good." Cooper grinned. Blaine stiffened when he pulled him in for a hug, but relaxed and awkwardly hugged him back. Finally, Cooper pulled away and headed back toward the car, calling over his shoulder, "See you at New Years, Blaine!"

"Have a nice flight!" Blaine said back.

He knocked on the door feeling ten times lighter than before.


Blaine took a handful of popcorn and popped a few pieces in his mouth. He perched on the edge of Mike's bed while the other boy searched for the video game case, and looked around the room.

It was simple enough, with sage green walls, plain white bedding, and a wooden bedside table and dresser. There was a lamp with a crooked shade and an alarm clock sitting on the table. Some books were scattered around on the floor and the closet door was half open, revealing a pair of tap shoes and a few pairs of sneakers. There were pictures almost everywhere.

He stood up and wandered over to the dresser, picking up a few photographs and glancing at them curiously. "Who's this?" he asked, holding up a picture of a smiling, blue-eyed blonde girl and a cat.

Mike looked up from where he was searching. "Oh, that's Brittany," he answered. "She's in my dance group. That's probably the third picture of her and her cat that I've gotten this week."

"Oh, wow," Blaine said with a laugh.

"Yeah. You know she's dating that theatre major, Santana? I found out Thursday when she ran into practice after Brittany hurt her ankle. It was the weirdest thing. Santana's usually so..."

"Bitchy?" Blaine supplied.

"Yeah."

Blaine set the picture back down on the dresser. He watched Mike continue to search for the game before tentatively asking, "How does the school, uh, react to them? Being together."

Mike shrugged. "Not much different than they would act normally. It's a very accepting school... and, let's face it, itis an arts school. Abnormal is sort of normal."

Blaine blinked. "Oh," he said dumbly. "I guess so."

After a nod and a bit more rummaging, Mike held up the game with a triumphant, "Found it!" before putting it in. He tossed Blaine a remote and turned on the Xbox as Blaine walked back over to the bed.

While the console started up and Mike settled on the floor, Blaine fiddled with the controller. His eyes flickered between the screen and his hands before he asked, "Remember what I told you about Kurt?"

"Yep."

"Well, I agreed to try it out," Blaine said. "Y'know. Friends."

Mike twisted around to look at him. "That's great," he said, and Blaine could tell it was sincere. "But honestly? Good luck. A lot of people are going to give you two hell about that."

"Thanks," Blaine said. He figured he would need the luck, too. Even just sitting with Mike, a dance major, got him looks that made him think he was breaking some traditional code. Artie and Tina wouldn't like it, Kurt's friends wouldn't like it, and just about everybody at McKinley wouldn't like it. At least one person saw nothing wrong with it.

Blaine really was lucky to have Mike as a friend.


A/N: Here you go!

Now, before I leave, I must tell you all that The Land of Stories is a great book. Completely unbiased; it is absolutely wonderful. I'm not just saying it because it's Chris', if the way I read it in around ten or so hours is any clue. So go buy it and read it now! Unless you can't, then come here for a hug until you can get one.

Thanks to Caitlin for beta-ing! You all should go read her new story (at CAStonehouse) because it's good.

Also, thank you guys for the lovely reviews! Keep 'em coming! x