Trigger Warning: social anxiety, unplanned pregnancy, eating disorder, body issues, interventions, insecurity, serious health issues, self-hatred, and mentions of casual sex.

MercedesPOV-

The thing about having social anxiety is that people tend to pass it off as something that isn't a big deal. Which most likely means that they don't understand, and- in a weird way- I'm sort of happy that they don't.

They don't understand being afraid to eat or drink something in public because you're afraid of spilling on yourself, or what others will say. They don't understand the terror of being called on in class, even if you do know the answer. They don't understand the fear that makes your stomach clench whenever people near you are whispering, because there's this nagging voice in the back of their mind.

They don't understand how you have to force yourself to make phone calls, the pressure of ordering in line and desperately hoping you won't make a fool of yourself, of constantly fearing you're being judged, talked about, and laughed at. They don't get the blushing, the nausea, the dizziness, the shortness of breath.

I've made it very clear to Sam that I want to wait until marriage before having sex. That doesn't stop us from fooling around, and things get heated. The other week, what began as a hot makeout session quickly turned into sour, awkward silence when he flinched away from me… after my hand brushed up against his ribcage.

He's obviously lost a lot of weight, and we need to talk to him. Before it's too late.

To say it's not a big deal, or to make assumptions when you don't actually know how awful it feels from experience, isn't right in my. Not in my mind at least.

Which is why I made the decision to confront Sam before making any assumptions. It's the second week in February now. Who knows how long this behavior has been going on?

''Sam,'' I hold his arm tighter as we cross the busy New York street, heading towards his and Mike's apartment.

''Yeah,'' his voice comes out breathily, as it has been a lot lately.

In the month since we've been back , I've noticed several things: he's been more irritable, exercising more, eating less and less, refusing to eat in public…

Mike sees it. He was grateful that someone else noticed it, so he didn't have to confront Sam alone.

''Are you feeling okay? You haven't been yourself lately,'' I watch as he nervously tugs on his baggy jacket ,''I just want to make sure nothing's wrong.''

''I'm good,'' he smiles at me, eyes betraying how worn down and tired he really is.

This could be worse than we thought.

''Hey, dude,'' Mike greets Sam before nodding towards me as we enter the apartment, ''Listen, buddy. Can I talk to you?''

''Sure,'' Sam nods wearily before turning to me ,''Would you mind giving us a minute, 'Cedes?''

''Actually, it's best if she's here. We both need to talk to you.'''

''Okay,'' Sam crosses his arms over his chest ''So talk.''

''Sam… we are worried about you,'' I begin gently ,''You're not the same.''

''What's that supposed to mean,'' he quirks an eyebrow, staring between Mike and me.

''It means that something's wrong, and we want to help,'' Mike sighs ,''We care about you. You need help.''

''I'm fine. You guys worry too much,'' Sam tries to wave us off ,''I'm just tired lately, you know? More photoshoots, more working out.''

''That's funny, Sam. Because Santana says she sees you at the gym every day. And when you're not there, you're here. I know you don't eat in the hours that you spend at the gym, and Mercedes says you don't eat on your dates, and you eat very, very little when I'm around. Sam, you need help.''

''I don't need any damn help, because I'm fine,'' he stresses, eyes wide even as he attempts to keep his cool.

''No, you're not,'' Mike's obviously getting frustrated, and I just hope his anger won't overpower his need to help his friend, ''Please. We see that now. Don't run from your problems.''

''Mike, you're a damn hypocrite,'' Sam hisses, ''When are you going to stop running from the fact that you need help for your constant mood swings?''

''This isn't about me, Sam. It's about you,'' Mike's hand clenches as he struggles to keep calm ,''Please, let us help you get your life back in control.''

''You don't even have your own damn life in control,'' Sam snaps, ''You knocked Tina up, and you're just acting like nothing even happened! You're letting her go through this alone!''

My gaze snaps to Mike, who's face is covered in shame and anger.

''And you, Mercedes,'' Sam turns his attention towards me ,''You're my girlfriend. I can't even trust you!''

''Yes you can, Sam! We want to help you. Just let us help you!''

''I don't need your damn help! Neither one of you know what kind of pressure I'm under! And how could you,'' he laughs bitterly, ''You've got it all: good looks, brains, nice bodies. I'm nothing without my body, and I'm not stopping until it's perfect.''

This sickening feeling returns to my stomach, because this goes deeper than Mike and i even imagined.

''Sam, you need to sit down, and calm down,'' Mike takes a step forward.

''No! I'm getting out of here. Screw this!,'' Sam leaves in a rush, slamming the door so loudly that the room actually shakes a bit.

''Don't just stand there, Mike! We need to go after him!''

''Woah, Mercedes, wait!,'' he grabs my hand, ''I know Sam. When he gets like this, it is best to just give him a bit of space. At least for a while.''

''Are you sure,'' I bite my lip.

''Trust me,'' he rubs my arm comfortingly ,''I know him. We'll give him some space, he'll come back here, and then we can talk properly. Get him some help. Until then, why don't you go on home, and I'll call you if he comes back soon. Promise. I'll walk you, if you want me to. Or at least walk you to the lobby.''

Mike wants to be alone, and I can understand that. If what Sam said is true, he has a lot of thinking to do.

I guess that we all do.

''No, I'm fine. I'll see you later, I guess.''

''Call me when you get in,'' he nods, closing the door behind me.

The moment I walk into my apartment, I can tell something is wrong. The television's off, but Tina and Kurt are home. The kitchen light is on, and the door to Tina's and my room is open.

I walk in timidly only to find Kurt sitting on the bed, one arm wrapped around Tina. And she's crying, nearly hyperventilating.

''What's going on,'' I drop my bag, rushing to them.

''We… we have something to tell you,'' Kurt admits.

''So Sam was right,'' I sit next to Tina after the truth has been spilled.

''W-w-what? How did y-you already know?''

''Sam kind of told me. That's not the point, though. What happens now?,'' I place a hand on her knee in comfort.

''I… I am k-keeping my baby. S-so I'll t-tell my parents when they c-c-come visit me next week. I'll m-move out as s-s-soon as I can.''

''Tina Cohen-Chang!,'' Kurt looks slightly hurt, ''Don't be silly. We're not kicking you out.''

''But-''

''No. We're here for you. If the dad won't be involved, then we'll help you out. You won't have to go through this alone,'' I promise, and the look of gratefulness on her face is enough to reassure me that we're making the right choice.

''You g-guys mean mean so much to me. You have n-no idea,'' she whispers, wiping at her red, puffy eyes, ''You're t-taking this a lot better than my parents will, and I haven't known you too long.''

''Do you need us to be there when you tell your parents?''

''N-no… I think that's something I have to do on my o-own,'' she nods sternly ,''I'll f-find some way.''

''Whatever happens, whatever you need, we'll be here for you,'' I remind her.

''Totally. Of course Blaine will be, too,'' Kurt insists, a small smile on his face as soon as ''Blaine'' slips past his lips.

''Exactly. We're in this together now.''

We all have our own problems. Of course we do. Kurt doesn't see how jaded he really is, Sam has eating issues, Blaine is horribly insecure, Tina is pregnant at nineteen, and Mike is running away from all of it. Me? I can't even call my family members back without feeling anxiety over it.

Like I said, we all have our own issues. That doesn't stop us from taking on others', too, though.

Even if we know it will eventually be too much.

TinaPOV-

Breathe in. Breathe out. In. Out.

There.

My professor's discussing something I know is important, but I can barely keep my eyes open.

One of the side effects of waking up to morning sickness at five in the morning. I'm so nauseated. I haven't been able to keep anything down. Morning sickness and stress? Bad combination.

A condition only worsened by the fact that my parents got an earlier flight. Only two days after telling Kurt and Mercedes that there will be a new addition to the apartment, I have to tell my parents.

They're going to be so disappointed. They're already upset that I didn't kick it off with the new neighbors son, Artie Abrams. He's nice, and we get along. He goes to NYU, so it would be perfect. If I was interested dating, that is. He has a girlfriend that goes to McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, so he's not interested in me either. He's just a friend, and that's the way it should be. After this baby comes, I won't have time to date anyway.

''I do hope you'll me be more attentive the next time this class meets, Ms. Cohen-Chang.''

''Yes ma'am,'' I nod, gathering my books as class is dismissed, ''Th-this w-w-won't happen a-again.''

Especially considering the fact that I may have to drop out to get a full time job. From my understanding, babies cost a lot of money. Money I don't have. There are a lot of changes that have to be made, and I don't have any clue where to start.

''Tina!''

With a very irritated groan, I turn to find Mike Chang making his way towards me.

''W-what do y-y-you want,'' I face away from him, beginning to cross the street, ''I d-don't have anything t-t-to say to you.''

''I want to talk to you,'' he sighs, obviously frustrated and trying to keep his cool ,''About the baby.''

''Y-you said you didn't want this b-b-baby. I g-gave you the choice, you b-backed out. G-g-goodbye,'' I snap at him, wishing he'd leave me alone already.

Why does he insist on opening up old wounds?

''I changed my mind,'' he states ,''I want to help you out with the baby.''

''A-and in a f-few months' time, you'll change your m-mind yet a-again. So, no. I… I-I've got this.''

''Tina, please,'' he pulls me over outside of the Spotlight Diner ,''I'm not giving up without a fight. I've been thinking a lot lately. You shouldn't go through this alone. It is my kid, too.''

''Y-you're being serious,'' I realise, the iciness melting a bit when he nods.

Just a bit.

''Fine. If you're serious, t-then you can come with me n-now. I'm about to t-tell my parents.''

Who definitely won't take this well. I doubt that your parents will, either. They're going to be angry, disappointed… anything but supportive.

Looks like we'll be on our own.

''Shit…,'' he hisses, running his hands through his hair ,''okay. Yeah. Let's do this.''

My parents are running late, which laves Mike and I sitting alone at a table. He may not notice, but Blaine and Kurt are sending glares over at him.

''Tina, I… I'm so sorry that I left you to deal with this alone. That was shitty, and I should not have done that.''

''You have to be h-here for the b-b-baby, Mike. You c-can't just come in and out of h-his or her l-l-life.''

''I know that. I'll be here for you, too. It's just… we're both so young. You especially. It's like… shit. Do you think we should get married?''

I choke at that, spitting out my water.

''M-Mike! We aren't e-e-even dating.''

''My parents are going to be pissed off that I got you pregnant. They're going to be even more pissed off that we're not married,'' his voice is quiet, and he's truly terrified.

Then again, so am I.

''W-we will deal with that when we tell your p-parents. Sooner rather t-than later,'' I place a hand on my stomach ,''It s-s-seems like we have m-more time than we really do. I am already a-about two months pregnant, I think.''

''What do you mean? Haven't you been to the doctor, Tina? What the hell!''

''Not s-since I found out, n-no,'' I look down timidly ,''This is a-all very new and s-scary, Mike. At least I'm t-t-trying.''

''Right,'' he calms himself down ,''Okay. Sorry. Right. We'll handle that later.''

''Tina!''

''Mom,'' I stand, letting her engulf me in a hug as the scent of her perfume and something that distinctly reminds me of home feels my senses.

''You look so beautiful! You should come visit more often. Or we'll come visit you!''

Looking at my mother is like looking into a mirror of what I'll look like when I'm older, if I'm lucky: kind, talented, intelligent, and beautiful. We have the same long, raven black hair, the same smile, the same brown eyes. She has this gracefulness to her that I don't seem to have.

''There's my little girl,'' my dad embraces me, pressing a kiss to my head ,''And who;s your friend?''

''M-mom, dad, this is Mike Chang.''

''Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cohen-Chang,'' Mike beams brightly, politely shaking my parents' hands.

''It's nice to meet you,'' my mom grins back ,''So, how do you two know each other?''

''We m-met on the Subway. And w-w-we have something to tell you,'' I feel Mike take my hand on top of the table, thankful for the silent comfort.

''Oh?,'' my mother raises an eyebrow, obviously expecting good news.

''M-mom? D-d-dad? We're g-g-going to have a… a baby.''

BlainePOV-

''I really hope she doesn't get hurt. She's already terrified,'' Kurt looks over to where Mike and Tina are sitting with her parents.

And from the look on her parents' faces, they've told them about the baby.

''Shit, I didn't even think about that. Well, she has you, 'Cedes and I. We'd all be pretty happy to help out with the baby.''

''True, true. Thanks for helping me while you're on your break, by the way. I appreciate it,'' Kurt speaks, filling another ketchup bottle as he does.

''No problem. I guess it'll make up or us not being able to go on a date until Saturday.''

''Hmmm, I can't wait,'' he smirks a bit flirtatiously ,''A nice night in with my boyfriend.''

That's right. Somehow, this incredible man wants to be with boring old me. Although I don't understand why, I won't be complaining.

''I was thinking: we could cook dinner, rent a movie, maybe go to that new bakery that opened last week?''

''Sounds great,'' I nod ,''And a lot better than just hanging out at my place.

I'm anxious to be alone with you, kiss you without any noisy interruptions from my neighbors.

Kurt and I are keeping are physical relationship pretty mild for the most part. We haven't been dating that long, and neither one of us wants to rush into this and have to deal with regret.

''Can I ask you something? Why haven't you dated much in the past? And, no, Sebastian does not count,'' Kurt teases, twisting a cap back onto a ketchup bottle.

''I mean, come on. Look at this face,'' I try to smile, my sad attempt at a self-deprecating joke when that's just how I feel about myself.

Silence.

Fantastic.

''I wish you wouldn't do that,'' Kurt says after a while, voice soft and fragile.

''Do what?''

''Put yourself down. I don't know what you see when you look at yourself, but you are a lot more than you give yourself credit for. The past few weeks, you have been making self-deprecating 'jokes'. You have a bad self-image about your looks, your talent, and your personality. You are a very handsome, very smart, very talented young man. Don't do this to yourself.''

There he goes again: stopping me before I go even further into this black hole of negativity created by years of neglect and bullying.

How the hell did I get this lucky.

''I know it's only been a few weeks since you asked me to be your boyfriend,'' I begin ,''I think this could work out, though. Long term, that is.''

''You know what, Blaine Anderson,'' bright glasz eyes meet mine as I will myself not to blush, ''I do, too. We're not in a fairytale, and life is hard. It's nice to have someone along side me. Shit, that was lame.''

''It was,'' I laugh along with him, glad for a break from the serious moment.

''Well if it isn't Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson!''

''Sebastian,'' I greet the tall, green-eyed man ,''Hey! Uh, what are you doing here?''

''Oh, I just finished grabbing lunch with this guy I met online. He had to get back to work, though. Recently single, and hot as hell,'' Sebastian smirks before looking at Kurt ,''So. You and Blaine. I guess this would explain that conversation we had last year.''

''What conversation,'' I look between my current boyfriend and Sebastian, my present and my past.

''Oh,'' Sebastian puts his hand on his chest, looking genuinely surprised, ''So you didn't tell him? Guess I can't blame you. I wouldn't want to have that conversation, either. Talk about selfish. Ouch.''

''Shut the hell up,Sebastian,' Kurt seethes.

''Whatever, Hummel. I've got to go. See you guys later. Take care of Kurt, Blaine. And at least try to do as good a job as I did.''

Kurt's face is flushed, his head in his hand a moment later ,''He is such an… such an ass.''

''Kurt, what was he talking about,'' I can feel my heartbeat speed up, a dozen worst-case scenarios running through my head, making it spin.

''Look: I'm going to tell you something, and I don't want you to get upset. You shouldn't be, because we weren't even dating at the time. Can… can this wait until after work? We should do this in private.''

So I don't fall apart in a crowded restaurant? So I don't embarass you? Good thinking.

''Yeah. I'd better get back on stage, anyway,'' I set the last ketchup bottle down, picking up my guitar case and strolling towards the front of the restaurant.

Whatever's going on, I have the right to know. Kurt seemed too distraught for it to be something minor. If it didn't matter, he would have just told me. Right? I guess I'll find out soon enough.

I just hope that I'll be able to handle it.

SamPOV-

Run faster. Work harder. Eat less.

Lose more weight. Look better.

Stop being so freaking worthless.

I've been avoiding Mike and Mercedes for a couple of days now. I returned to the apartment after I knew Mike would be asleep, and leave for a run before he's awake. Repeat.

Mercedes' calls and texts have gone unanswered, except for the casual ''I need time to think'' that I sent her the day after she and Mike confronted me.

They don't get it. Mercedes is beautiful, smart, and talented. Mike is handsome, smart, and talented. They've got so much going for them, they are so much more than their bodies and faces.

They don't know what it's like for me.

My feet hit the pavement as I continue to run, thankful for the surprisingly nice winter day.

''Keep going, Sam,'' I pant out, running faster ,''You can't give up.''

Not until you're perfect.

I ignore my aching legs, ignore the sweat making my hair stick to my forehead and the back of my neck, ignore the way my lungs work even harder as my breathing gets heavier and heavier.

What I can't ignore is the dizziness that literally forces me to take a break, leaning against the armrest of a park bench as I attempt to feel better.

Vomit spews from my mouth involuntarily, the taste bitter and the bile burning my throat as I upheave again.

This continues until I'm dry-heaving, the dizziness only getting worse.

''Hey, man, you alright?,'' a guy jogs over to me.

''I'm fine. Just f-fine,'' I say despite knowing that couldn't be farther from the truth.

That's the last thing I hear before everything goes black.

If you or anyone you know ever needs help, don't feel afraid to seek help.

Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk.