A/N: Apologies for the time it's taken to get another chapter of this up - but as you can imagine with so many stories on the go; it's hard to keep all the thoughts and ideas in my head at bay, and I write bits and pieces as they come to me of certain things, which normally don't formulate into that of complete chapters!
But thank you for sticking by whilst I have written this next one.
So this next chapter, sees Blaine taking a step towards that of a future for himself; that he probably should have done a long time ago, but it at that time wasn't right for him. It also sees how Hannah is willing to step up and take a stand for him; as she does maybe see a future with him, and thus proving more so that their relationship might be a long term one and not something like his previous one with Mikki was.
That is all I will say, without giving away too much; so as usual you know the drill. Any character you recognize from Glee, don't belong to me; but any characters you don't, they are property of me and can't be used without my permission.
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 10 –
With the Thanksgiving break over; and back in California, Hannah walked into the staff room of the high school where she taught and saw Marley sitting at one of the tables, eating her lunch and looking to something on her phone.
"Hi" said Hannah as she approached the table, looking to the girl who she had once roomed with and also only a few months ago had been a bridesmaid for at her own wedding.
"Oh hi" replied Marley, looking up to her with a smile as she put the roll that she was in the process of eating down. "How was your Thanksgiving?"
"It was good" said Hannah, as she sat in one of the vacant chairs at the table. "Went and saw my parents, took Blaine along with me also"
"Wow, meeting the parents already, huh?" asked Marley, with a laugh. "Must be serious"
"Maybe yeah" replied Hannah, going slightly pink in the face. "He's a nice guy, and he's been through a lot lately with stuff"
"Yeah" said Marley, with a nod and giving her friend a quick smile. "I guess it took his mind off other stuff as well"
"It did, yes" replied Hannah, with a nod also. "So how was your Thanksgiving?"
"Really great" said Marley, looking to her friend with a small smile. "It was nice, being able to spend it with not just my Mom's side of the family as we would maybe usually do; but also to see my Dad's side as well, and my cousins there, was really good"
"Not to mention your sister also did get married the weekend just before it too" said Hannah, with a small smile also. "I saw some of the photos that you posted afterwards, I loved the bridesmaid dresses"
"Yeah, they were really nice" replied Marley, with a nod. "And now we're all kind of wondering, when possibly my other sister Kitty is going to be getting married; since it's very obvious that she likes Artie who she is dating, but at the moment via long distance since he's in South Carolina and she at the moment is in Las Vegas"
"They will I'm sure, when they're ready" said Hannah, as Marley gave a nod of her head. "And I was actually wondering if I can ask you a serious question?"
"Serious question?" asked Marley, looking to her. "Sounds rather serious"
"It is, kind of yeah" replied Hannah, with a small laugh. "But as I am sure you're aware, Blaine did study to be a teacher"
"I do remember him saying something about that once, yes" said Marley, with a nod.
"Okay, good" replied Hannah, as she took a small little breath. "There was some discussion over Thanksgiving, and I'm not sure if you're aware as to why Blaine didn't use his teaching degree; but he's now kind of maybe interested in seeing if that could possibly be something he'd be interested in; and I thought since he is really good with music and that; that you might possibly need assistance"
"Well it wouldn't be up to me, to hire him" replied Marley, looking to her friend. "You'd have to ask Haskins that one, I can't say yes or no"
"I wasn't asking you to say yes or no, as to hiring him" said Hannah. "I was just wondering if you would be okay with me broaching the subject with Haskins, about maybe giving Blaine a small little job here; not having him take over your job; but helping you out where it's needed, say like with piano or guitar, stuff like that"
"You can ask, yes" replied Marley, with a nod. "I certainly don't have any problems with Blaine, and I don't have any problems with getting the help. It might be something that will be good, later on down the road, if I need to take any time off"
"Okay, great thank you" said Hannah, giving her friend a smile. "I just really hate to see Blaine having all this potential and it going to waste; and he does seem really interested into maybe starting actually teaching for a job"
"It will be good to have some help" replied Marley, giving her a smile also; and the two girls continued to speak whilst eating lunch, until it was time to head back to their afternoon classes for the day.
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That same week, Friday, after Hannah had spoken with her boss on the Tuesday, and also given him a copy of Blaine's CV, after parking in the visitors car park; Blaine headed up the to the main building of the San Francisco School of the Arts, where both Hannah and Marley worked; and where maybe he could be quite soon also potentially working as well.
Going to head up the stairs to the where the office was located; he saw Marley standing just near the door; and taking a deep breath headed over to the sister of his ex girlfriend, reminding himself that it was not in his best interest to say anything rude to her, as it could very well ruin any chances of him working at the school, if she was to relay this to the principal of the school.
"Marley, hi" he said, as he climbed the stairs; and Marley who was looking at something on her phone, looked up to with a smile.
"Blaine, hello" she replied, as she placed her phone into the pocket of her jeans. "How are you?"
"I'm good" said Blaine, with a small nod and smile to her. "And yourself?"
"Very well" replied Marley, also with that of a nod. "I got Principal Haskins to organize this meeting with you on my free period, since he did ask that I be there as well, and thought I would meet you out front, so that way you wouldn't get lost trying to find your way to his office, since it's not entirely at the front of the school"
"Thank you" said Blaine, as Marley opened the door to the building; the two of them walking inside. "That's kind of you"
"Well it's only because I wish someone had done so for me when I first came here for an interview" replied Marley, with a laugh. "It's very daunting stepping into a school and not knowing at all where to go"
"Much like how it was when we started high school, I'd imagine" said Blaine, with a laugh; as the two of them walked down the corridor, heading past one office that read Guidance Counselor; before heading into a large area with big reception and what was also that of sectioned off offices.
"Hi Courtney" said Marley, as she approached the girl seated at the desk. "Principal Haskins is expecting myself and also Blaine Anderson for an appointment"
"Sure Marley" replied Courtney, looking to her with a nod. "I will let him know that you're both here"
"Thanks" said Marley, giving her a quick smile; as Courtney picked up the phone to call through to the principal; and turning she looked to Blaine to see him looking around the office of the school.
"Everything okay?" she asked; as Blaine looked to her with a nod.
"Yes, fine. Just been a while since been in an actual school that isn't for that of younger children" he replied.
"I guess the only schools you've been to recently" said Marley, with a small laugh. "Are the ones where you have had to pick up your nieces from"
"That indeed" replied Blaine, with a small laugh also; as the door to one of the offices opened, and a man aged in his late forties headed over to them.
"Marley" he said, quickly looking to her; and Marley quickly returned a smile to him, replying "Hi Mr Haskins" as he looked to Blaine. "Blaine Anderson, is it?"
"Yes sir" replied Blaine, holding out his hand. "Lovely to meet you"
"You also" said Mr Haskins, shaking that of Blaine's hand; and looked to Marley and Blaine. "Why don't you both come into my office, and we can talk"
"That would be great" replied Blaine, with a nod; as Mr Haskins started back to his office, but momentarily stopped by that of the receptionist on the desk.
"Courtney, please hold my calls for me" he said. "And any trouble, have Jen deal with it"
"I can do that" replied Courtney, with a nod. "And I'm sure Jen will just love having to deal with the trouble students, if there are any"
"Sure there won't be" said Mr Haskins, with a laugh; and continued to his office, both Marley and Blaine following behind him. "Please take a seat" he said, as they entered into this office; and him closing the door behind them as he then went to his own chair behind that of the desk.
"So Blaine, I got your CV from Hannah" said Mr Haskins, as he opened a folder that was on the table; and looked to it quickly. "I see you're a San Francisco native"
"Yes, I am from here" replied Blaine, with a nod. "Went to St. Ignatius"
"Very good school" said Mr Haskins, with a nod also. "We actually liaise with them in regards to programming quite a bit, so having an ex student interested in being apart of the teaching staff is always quite good"
"It was a really great school, yes" replied Blaine, looking to him. "And I still have some very good friends, from my time there as well"
"That is good" said Mr Haskins, looking to him with a smile. "And I notice here that it says at the moment you are managing the bar at the Smash Club; can I ask as to why that is, and not utilizing your teaching qualification which I can see from here you have?"
"I don't know how much Hannah divulged to you" replied Blaine. "When she asked if she was able to pass my CV over"
"Not actually much at all" said Mr Haskins looking to him. "All she did was ask was that if I was maybe interested in taking a meeting with you, and I said I would"
"Okay" replied Blaine, with a nod as he also took that of a small breath. "When I was doing my teaching placements, towards the end of the degree; I found that female students, were often quite forward in their approach to me, and it made me rather uncomfortable; not that it's something that I would ever act on, just back then not having more life experience; I wasn't sure how they would take the my turning down of their advancements against me, and maybe thus ruining my career before it could even start"
"It's good to hear that you would never act on it Blaine" said Mr Haskins, looking to him with a nod. "I have heard, but shall I make clear not known any; where teachers, and not just male ones but also females as well; have had advancements made on them by students and have acted on it"
"Yes, I have too" replied Blaine, with a nod. "And I don't want to end up in jail"
"I doubt anyone would" replied Mr Haskins, with a laugh. "But in getting back to why you are here; I can honestly see from what I have read, that you do seem to have a good background; having gone to Ignatius, and the fact that you have also given yourself life experience; can also be rather helpful as well in this kind of work as well; as it does make the students respect you more"
"I'm not asking that you give me too much to begin with" said Blaine, looking to the man sitting before him and Marley. "I just want to maybe see if this is good for me, follow Marley and take lead from her"
"And Marley" said Mr Haskins, looking to her. "I know you asked if you were able to be here, since this is on your free period when you asked when I have it; so can I assume you're okay with maybe giving Blaine a trial run at the school"
"I'd be fine with it" replied Marley, nodding. "I think it will be good to have some help; and I do believe that Blaine has a lot of musical talent"
"I hope you're not basing that of a certain performance?" asked Blaine, with a small laugh; as Marley shook her head, and Mr Haskins looked between the two of them.
"You would have no problems with having to take direction from Marley, Blaine?" asked Principal Haskins; as Blaine shook his head.
"No" replied Blaine, looking at him and then quickly to Marley. "I've known Marley for quite some time now, and whilst I will be completely forthright in saying there were for a while some issues there; I can and would do as Marley said, knowing full well that she is the music teacher and I would be something of an assistance to her"
"May I ask what issues these were?" asked Principal Haskins, looking to both Blaine and Marley. "Purely because I don't want it to spill over in to work; and have to play the bad guy more or less so to speak, and reprimand anyone for inappropriate conduct"
"If Marley is okay with you knowing then I can tell you" said Blaine; and looked to Marley and nodded.
"I have no problems with Richard knowing the past history between you and I" said Marley, as Blaine nodded and looked back to Principal Haskins.
"You might be aware that Marley's older sister, was living here for a while" said Blaine; as Principal Haskins nodded, looking to Marley.
"The journalist" he said. "The one who was co host of the morning show"
"Yes, Mikki" replied Marley, with a nod. "That's her"
"Okay, and did you know her also Blaine?" asked Principal Haskins, looking to him. "Did something happen between the two of you, that I should be concerned as to what that was?"
"No concern to be had" replied Blaine, shaking his head. "It's just I dated Mikki for a few months, and we ended and not in the best way; when she realized she still had feelings for her ex back in South Carolina, and I was kind of bitter about that for quite a while; and even at one point took some of that out on Marley, because being Mikki's sister and all that; it was like I could vent my anger towards her to Marley"
"I'm sorry to hear that happened, Blaine" said Principal Haskins, giving him a small smile. "But they do say that everything happens for a reason; and what happens makes us stronger and can also lead us to more where we really are meant to go"
"I do think that now" replied Blaine, with a nod. "If Mikki hadn't gone back to her ex, then I wouldn't have met Hannah; and probably wouldn't be sitting here today"
"Very true" said Principal Haskins with a nod also. "So maybe there is even a small reason to thank Marley's sister"
"I think that would be possibly pushing it Richard" replied Marley, with a laugh. "But I do understand your point as to what you're saying"
"Well as long as you're both confident that this won't affect your work" said Mr Haskins, looking to the both of them. "Then I am quite happy to give you a trial run here Blaine, to the end of the year, and then next year at the start of January; we can maybe consider something permanent"
"Thank you, so much" replied Blaine, with a nod. "That would be amazing"
"Now, it will take me a while to get the paperwork all sorted for you to sign and all that" said Mr Haskins, looking to Blaine. "And officially I can have you start on Monday, but if it's okay with Marley here; then maybe you can shadow her for the rest of today, and get a feel for the school and all that"
"That's fine by me" replied Marley, with a nod looking to Mr Haskins and then Blaine, with a smile. "My Friday's are pretty laid back, so it will be a good introduction for Blaine; before that of the madness that can be Monday"
"Yes, Monday madness" said Mr Haskins with a laugh. "Something we all know too well here"
"If I can follow Marley around this afternoon that would be really great" said Blaine, with a small smile. "That's if I am not going to be an inconvenience for her"
"None at all" replied Marley, shaking her head; as the bell signalling that the current period had ended and that it was now lunch time for the student body as well as staff.
"And with that being lunch time" said Mr Haskins, with a small laugh. "I should let you both go and have something to eat. Marley can show you to the staff room"
"I can do that" replied Marley, with a nod; as Mr Haskins looked to Blaine.
"And if there is anything I can do for you then please know my door is always open" said Mr Haskins.
"Thank you" said Blaine, with a smile to him. "It's so kind of you to give me a chance here"
"You're very welcome" replied Mr Haskins. "And I will see you first thing here Monday morning, to officially start work"
"You will see me then" said Blaine, with a nod; as Marley stood up, as he too did also. "Thank you again"
"Yes thanks Richard" replied Marley, giving her boss a smile as she walked over to the office door. "I'll keep you posted on how Blaine goes"
"That will be good" he replied, giving Marley a smile as she opened the door. "See you both later"
"Yes bye" replied Blaine, giving his soon to be boss a smile as he walked over to hear Marley.
"Bye Richard" said Marley, with a smile; her and Blaine exiting his office, with Marley closing the door behind them.
"And I should thank you as well Marley" said Blaine, as he and Marley exited that of the office area; with Marley giving Courtney a small wave, before they started down the corridor heading to the staff room, among a influx of students who were now also heading to lunch. "After all the stuff I did, which you should maybe hate me for; it's nice to see you not holding that against me"
"We all have things that we should maybe be sorry for Blaine" replied Marley, looking to him as they walked. "And I do know that Mikki is also truly sorry for how things went down in the end; but everything for a reason right"
"Everything for a reason" said Blaine, with a nod; as they neared the staff room.
"So this is the staff room" said Marley, as they headed into the large sized room that was set aside for teachers. "We have a local bakery come in of a morning and bring muffins, that we obviously have to pay for; but it's just nice to have something if we're not particularly feeling like our actual bought in lunches"
"So we don't have to eat what the cafeteria serves to the students then?" asked Blaine, with a laugh; as Marley shook her head.
"No, not that the food here for them is bad" she replied. "But it's nice to have something provided for just the staff"
"Yes" replied Blaine, as he looked around the staff room; as other staff members walked into the room. "What about coffee, and all that"
"That is free, coffee machine right there" replied Marley, pointing to a coffee machine that was set up under one of the windows in the staff room. "And it does make excellent coffee"
"I might just grab a coffee then, if that's okay" said Blaine, as Marley nodded.
"That would be fine" she replied, giving him a smile. "And I will just get my lunch from the staff fridge"
"Sure" replied Blaine, returning the smile as Marley headed over to the fridge and he in turn headed over to the coffee machine, grabbing a paper cup from the stack and selecting to make himself a hot coffee.
Seeing Marley, having had gotten her own bought in lunch from the fridge, and had taken a seat at one of the tables in the staff room; he headed over to near her.
"Can I sit?" he asked; as Marley who had just taken a bite of her roll that she had bought with her, nodded. "Thanks" said Blaine, as he quickly sat down at the table with her, giving her a quick smile.
"Hannah should be here soon" said Marley as she swallowed the mouthful of food that she had. "Just takes a little longer for her to get out of her classes, since the students do have to clean everything up"
"That's fine" replied Blaine, giving Marley a smile. "I think this time talking with you one on one, is good; let's us put any past issues behind us"
"It does" said Marley, with a nod. "So your Thanksgiving was good? Hannah said you went to her parent's house for it?"
"I did go there, yes" replied Blaine, with a nod also as he took a sip of coffee as well. "And it was good. What about yours?"
"Mine was really good" said Marley, giving him a quick smile. "I obviously went to South Carolina, a little earlier then what would normally go; but it was a good day"
"And umm, before that?" asked Blaine, looking to her quickly before taking another sip of his coffee. "That was a good day as well?"
"You mean the wedding?" asked Marley; as Blaine gave a quick nod and small smile. "It was, yes. And right now, they're on a cruise heading to the Bahamas for eight days"
"Wow, sounds really nice" replied Blaine.
"Yes it will be" said Marley, with a small nod. "Ryder and I did a European one for our honeymoon, and it was amazing. I definitely recommend doing one, even if not for honeymoon; but just in general"
"I don't know how I'd go sleeping on a ship though" replied Blaine, with a laugh; as Hannah having finished up her in art room, headed over to the fridge and got her own lunch out and then headed over to where Blaine was seated with Marley. "But I'd be game to maybe give it a go"
"Give what a go?" asked Hannah, with a laugh as she took the seat next to Blaine; and looking to her boyfriend.
"Umm a cruise" replied Blaine, looking to his girlfriend in reply. "Marley was just saying that Mikki and Sebastian, were going on one for their honeymoon"
"Oh, really" replied Hannah, looking to Blaine and then Marley; who nodded. "Wow, that is something I could never do; I get really sea sick"
"Sea sick?" asked Blaine; as Hannah nodded.
"Yeah, it's terrible" she replied, looking to him. "As I really do love going out on the ocean, but I end up spending a lot of time by the toilet throwing up"
"Guess us ever going on a cruise then is out of the picture" said Blaine, with a laugh.
"I wouldn't say that" replied Hannah with a smile to him. "If I can get something that will curb the sickness then I will take it"
"Okay, yeah" said Blaine, with a nod; as Hannah looked to him and then Marley.
"So can I assume that all went okay with Richard then?" asked Hannah, as Marley gave a nod; but thus allowing Blaine to tell his girlfriend how all of it went.
"It did" replied Blaine, looking to Hannah with a smile. "I start officially on Monday, but am also going to be shadowing Marley today"
"That's really great" said Hannah, with a smile and looked to Marley. "And thank you for being so open with this idea, of having Blaine help"
"As I said to Blaine, it's fine" replied Marley, looking to the both of them. "And I will need time off in a few months anyway, so having Blaine here to take on the classes whilst I am gone, it works well"
"Are you and Ryder thinking of maybe starting a family?" asked Hannah, as Marley shook her head.
"No, not for a little while" she replied. "But I do want to be able to have the flexibility to be able to go to South Carolina, when needed"
"Because Mikki could possibly have a child?" asked Blaine, as Marley looked to him with a small smile; not wanting to let on that it was indeed the reason why, and the three adults continued to talk and eat lunch, before the lunch period ended and Blaine went to follow Marley for the rest of the afternoon; and thus take his first steps into the actual world of teaching.
End Note:
Obviously in this I wanted Hannah's relationship and her support of him, to be vastly different to that of what he had in the past with Mikki. Not that she wasn't (and also wouldn't be in the story 'Everywhere You Look', where they stay together; be anything but supportive) - but I did need her in ways to be an opposite of Mikki here; and for her to be helping Blaine come to the teaching job (as opposed to him in EYL); doesn't parallel that of his other relationship.
The next chapter, which will be up soon; and one that will contain spoilers for that of another story in progress of here, should be done soon; although I am not going to give a definite time frame on that one, as I can't say exactly when it will be; but just it will be soon.
But what I can say, it's going to throw some curveballs for Blaine to overcome, not necessarily to do with his past; but more so do with his future.
Thanks for reading, and I will catch you soon on another story!
Love always,
KJ xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo