Blaine Anderson - A Year in the Life
Before Dolton Academy
Halloween with the Glee Club
Monday
Zack was standing at the front of the choir room ready to address the first glee club of the week. Once Aaron and Keren had finally taken their seats the room went silent.
"Right guys, Halloween week, which means we are doing songs based on this. I know we haven't done this before but I feel that it could be a real learning experience and we could find a song for sectionals. We've pulled 3rd performance place but that doesn't mean that we're going to lose, we really have to up our A game this year."
"Who are we up against?" Jenny asked from her seat behind Vanessa.
"We are against The Unitards"
"What kind of name is that?" Sid asked which made the whole room go into a fit of giggles.
"I know what a stupid name and some school from Westerville"
"What the Dolton boy's?" Marissa asked
"No, they're in another group but I know for a fact there good so we may face them at Regionals. Now luckily for us we have not been put into a group with Vocal Adrenaline"
"I hate them, they came first last year." Stephen said louder than he intended.
"Can I finish please? Ok because of the amount of clubs that have been submitted in the Ohio area, there will be two regional competitions which mean's two glee clubs will be going to Nationals. Now Vocal Adrenaline are a shoe in for making it, but I know we can do it too, so if everyone is ready I would like to wish you all luck on this week's assignment"
They all left leaving the usual five in the room, Stephen drove Marissa, Vanessa, Zack and Blaine home every night mainly for their safety. Stephen wasn't too keen on everyone going off alone, after the past few weeks. They had all hoped that the bullying would subside once everyone got used to the fact that Blaine was gay but it hadn't, it had got worse and Stephen wasn't about to let one of his friends get the same treatment he had received.
Tuesday
Everyone filed into the room after school to hear what people had put together; everyone took their seats and awaited Zack, who was late for once.
"Sorry I'm late guy's, that Jason cornered me, don't worry I got away, that meathead is off to football practice." He looked around the room at the concerned faces of his peers. "No really it's fine, so who has something prepared?"
Coralline stepped forward closely followed by Jenny and Marissa and they got into position, beginning to sing Venus by Bananarama, several people looked confused including Zack, who gave a questioning look to Vanessa who whispered "They dress up in the video, just listen." Blaine smiled to himself, watching the disbelief on Zack's face, he suddenly noticed a small bruise forming around his eye but thought it would be best not to question it at that point. They continued watching the three girls sing and do their tight choreographed routine.
[Coralline]
Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name[All]
She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire[Marissa]
Her weapons were her crystal eyes
Making every man a man
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no one else had
Ow[All]
She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desireZack stood up as the whole room clapped "Well thank you girls, that was great, I cannot wait to see the routines you come up with for sectionals, now Keren I believe you have a song you would like to sing."
Keren made her way to the front with Aaron following her holding his guitar. They both grabbed some stools and sat on them in front of the class.
"The song is called Zombie by the Cranberries. It's not a song about Halloween but about the horror of war and violence and how it is often the innocent who are hurt. I think it's very fitting for, well how the world is."
Aaron began to play his guitar and Keren began singing, it made the whole room go silent and Blaine saw Zack slip his hand into Vanessa's, Blaine knew why. When they had first met her and Blaine had discussed their favourite songs, this one was one she made him listen too on repeat for about a week until Blaine had finally confessed that it was beautiful. Often when he felt down or victimised, he would put it on in his room, to the annoyance of his brother, and just sing along knowing that life wasn't so bad after all.
Another head hangs lowly,
Child is slowly taken.
And the violence caused such silence,
Who are we mistaken?But you see, it's not me, it's not my family.
In your head, in your head they are fighting,
With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns.
In your head, in your head, they are crying...In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, dou, dou, dou, dou, dou...Another mother's breakin',
Heart is taking over.
When the vi'lence causes silence,
We must be mistaken.It's the same old theme since nineteen-sixteen.
In your head, in your head they're still fighting,
With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns.
In your head, in your head, they are dying...In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, hey, oh, ya, ya-a...
By the end of the song there wasn't a dry eye in the room, even Sid, who didn't cry at anything, looked like he had been tearing up a little. Keren looked around the room shocked at the effect it had had on her fellow glee club members.
"Oh I'm sorry; I didn't want you all to cry."
Zack dried his eyes on his hoodie and said "It's ok Keren, I think that may be a contender for Sectionals; I think we should all go now, it gives us enough time to get out of here without the jocks forming a plan to jump us." Everyone nodded in agreement and collected their bags, making their way down the corridor and out into the parking lot. Blaine and Stephen were trailing behind as usual; they had just reached the front doors when someone behind them shouted "FAG's!" Blaine turned on the spot.
"What did you just say?" He shouted, not realizing what he was doing.
"Oh sticking up for your boyfriend FAG?" It was James the jock in senior year who had been harassing Stephen. Blaine had had enough and didn't realize what he was doing, until he felt himself being dragged from the school and put into Stephen's car. Vanessa was sitting next to him "Ok breath Blaine, calm down." The car was now moving "I am calm!" Blaine felt himself shout, he looked down and realised he was covered in blood.
"We cannot take him home looking like this" Blaine heard Zack say from the front of the car.
"Guys it's fine, I can go home."
"You're not going home, we're going to take you to Stephen's and get you cleaned up." Vanessa said taking some anti bacterial wipes out of her bag. Zack looked at Vanessa "Why do you have them?"
"For times like this, I always come prepared." She began dabbing Blaine face and he winced. They finally arrived at Stephen's and got him inside making their way to the on suite bathroom. Blaine sat himself on a small wooden box that was full of towels and Vanessa continued cleaning him up.
"I don't remember what happened." Blaine said suddenly not looking up from his feet. Stephen was standing in the doorway his arms folded; wearing a worried expression.
"You don't remember anything?"
"No I don't Stephen."
"You just jumped on him, you were both beating the crap out of each other but I had to get you out of there, he would of killed you." Stephen replied as Zack popped his head into the room carrying a pile of clothes.
"I got you some clothes; it's a good thing I stay here so often, you're about my size." Blaine nodded and whispered a thank you to all of them. They left him alone to get changed, it was the first time he had looked in the mirror and it wasn't pretty, there was already a bruise coming up on one of his eyes and he had a split lip and a gash across his head, but all things considering Vanessa had fixed him up nicely. He left the room and sat on Stephen's bed quietly.
"We're all going to stay here tonight, if that's ok Blaine?" Zack said smiling weakly at him.
"My mum will phone your parents and say you came for dinner and are staying." Stephen chipped in and Blaine just nodded. He couldn't speak; he didn't speak for the rest of the night. Stephen and Zack had fallen asleep in sleeping bags on the floor and Vanessa stayed up with him. They didn't need to speak; they just laid there in silence. Blaine didn't understand how someone could do this to another person; Vanessa suddenly turned on to her stomach raising her head to look at him. "Blaine, you need to sleep."
"I can't sleep Vanessa, what do I do? I can't go into school looking like this." She smiled at him and said "Hey if I can cover up mine and Zack's bruises I'm sure I can do it for you. Now sleep, you need it." He nodded at her and she went back to lying on her side. He heard her breathing become heavier, indicating that she had fallen asleep finally. Blaine closed his eyes and felt himself falling asleep, maybe everything would be better in the morning he thought to himself.
Wednesday
The day had gone surprisingly well for Blaine considering what had happened the day before, mainly because he had stayed out of everyone's way; avoiding the jocks at all costs. He couldn't be asked to deal with their crap today and luckily no one had noticed the bruise on his face thanks to Vanessa's ability to cover up things like that. However there was no hiding his split lip, but he had managed to hide the cut across his head with his hair so it just looked like his lips were dry. He was thankful for his friends, without them his parents would have found out, without them he probably would be in hospital right now.
He had just entered the choir room when he heard shouting from the corridor outside.
"Hey freak, where's your FAG friend?"
"I swear to god Jason if you say that word again-"
"You'll what, hit me? I'd like to see that little girl"
The whole room stopped to listen as they heard someone get thrown into a locker and then fall to the floor.
"You gonna cry Jason, cos a little girl hit you? Fucking grow up" Vanessa entered the room and took a seat at the back of the class, Blaine joined her and Zack proceeded to close the door behind her. "So Tyler you have a song you would like to perform for us?"
She nodded and came to the front and began to sing Total Eclipse of the Heart A Capella, everyone in the room listened politely but no one was really paying much attention as they were all thinking about what they had just witnessed. She finished and everyone clapped.
"Right that's it, everyone get up." Stephen said getting to his feet and standing at the front of the class, everyone followed suit. "Right here we go, Sid, Aaron I'm going to need your help with this one... Superstitious" The two boys looked excited and grabbed a bass and a guitar, Tyler followed them and sat at the drums beginning to play. Stephan began singing and dancing and eventually everyone was joining in, he had raised their spirits and put a real smile on Blaine and Vanessa's faces for the first time all day.
Very superstitious, writing's on the wall
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your pastWhen you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the wayVery superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my songWhen you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeh, yehVery superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your pastWhen you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
Stephen finished singing causing everyone to clap and cheer and then everyone gathered up their bags and left, this time they were all determined to make it home in one piece. Vanessa, Blaine, Zack and Stephen reached the car in record time. They all got in the car first stopping to drop Zack off at his and then they reached Blaine's house. He noticed his parent's cars weren't in the drive way which meant he could get up stairs and change before dinner, all he'd have to do was get past his brother. The door opened to reveal a tall boy with black hair wearing jeans and a polo shirt. He approached the car, Blaine opened the door and jumped out.
"Alright coop?"
"I'm good Blaine, Mum and Dad are out so do you wanna get a takeaway? Your friends can come in if they like?" He nodded at Vanessa and Stephen.
"I would but I've gotta get home." Stephen said, Blaine looked at Vanessa hopefully and she nodded "Yeah I'm sure my parents won't miss me, I don't even know if there in town. Thanks for the lift Stephen." Vanessa said jumping out of the car and closing the door behind her.
"It's no problem, I'll pick you all up tomorrow." Stephen said and without a reply he drove off. They all stood there for a moment then Blaine's brother stretched his hand out; flashing a grin "I'm Cooper." She shook his hand,
"It's nice to meet you I'm-"
"Vanessa, yeah Blaine doesn't shut up about you."
"Oh really?" she replied raising an eyebrow and Blaine smiled weakly. They walked into the house and into the front room where Cooper picked up his phone and ordered a Chinese. Vanessa sat herself on the sofa looking around his house. Cooper finished on the phone and looked at Blaine who looked away and then looked back.
"What the fuck happened to your face?"
"Ah crap, I told you to stop rubbing it." Vanessa muttered under her breath.
"Is that make-up?" Cooper asked rubbing his thumb under Blaine's eye.
"Ow, Cooper that hurts." Blaine said slapping his brother's hand away.
"What happened?" Cooper asked and Vanessa and Blaine exchanged nervous looks.
"I'll tell you ok Coop but please don't tell mum and dad."
"I promise"
"Some kid said something, about Stephen and I kind of got in a fight..."
"What did he say?"
"Fag." Vanessa said in a small voice looking at both of them. Cooper sat there pondering for some time, choosing his words carefully.
"Blaine you can't change the way people think. Some people are ignorant and don't realize that there is no difference between loving someone of the same or opposite sex. Love is love and they can't change that, no matter how hard they try."
The door bell rang and Cooper got to his feet and left the room returning moments later with their Chinese, which they all began eating in silence. After dinner, Cooper dropped Vanessa home and then came back to find Blaine sitting in his room on his bed. He knocked on the door and Blaine looked up and nodded, meaning that Cooper was allowed in, he sat on the edge of the bed and they both looked at each other.
"Blaine is there anything we need to talk about?"
"No, I'm fine; it just bothered me that's all."
"Well if there is anything, I'm here for you and you know it will go no further."
"I know Coop, I'm just tired."
"Ok then." Cooper got to his feet and reached the doorway before turning around and looking at him. "You know, you have a good friend in Vanessa."
Blaine didn't say anything but looked at Cooper and nodded, he nodded back and closed the door behind him leaving Blaine to sleep after a long couple of days.
Thursday
Glee club started straight after school on Thursday everyone was seated and there had been no trouble all day which had put Blaine on edge he was already on his fifth coffee and had refused to go anywhere on his own all day. Tanya was already at the front of the class ready to perform her song, everyone sat in silence as the music started up and she began singing 'I Put a Spell On You'.
I put a spell on you
and now you're mine.
You can't stop the things I do.
I ain't lyyyyyin'.It's been 300 years
right down to the day,
now the witch is back
and there's hell to pay.I put a spell on you
and now you're miiiiiine!Hello, Salem! My name's Winifred, what's yours?I put a spell on you
and now you're gone.
My whammy fell on you
and it was strong.Your wretched little lives
have all been cursed,
'cause of all the witches working
I'm the worst!I put a spell on you
and now you're mine![Watch out!]If you don't believe,
you'd better get superstitious.Ask my sisters!
"Ooh, she's vicious!"
I put a spell on you,
a wicked spell,
I put a spell on you.
Sisters!Ah-say-into-pie,
Oppa-mabey-uppen-die.
"Ah say into pie,
Oppa mabey uppen die".In-kama-koray-ah-ma.
Hey, hi, say, bye-bye-i-i-i-i-i-i!
Bye bye
Everyone clapped and cheered and Tanya bowed smiling and pointing at Blaine "it's your turn cutie pie" he smiled and Sid patted him on the back as he made his way to the front.
"Alright, so the theme is horror or spooky or whatever, so I decided to sing a song from a film from a gothic horror film maker, Tim Burton" everyone in the room exchanged excited looks as no one had ever done a Danny Elfman song before. Blaine began singing the opening lines and Vanessa smiled at him giving him a proud look.
Hey, give me a listen, you corpses of cheer *Die, die, we all pass away Well, our girl was a beauty known for miles around Yeah, so they conjured up a plan to meet late at night All: And then? Blaine: She waited All: And then? Blaine: there in the shadows, was it her man? All: And then? Blaine: Her little heart beat soooooooo loud! All: And then? Blaine: And then, baby, everything went black Now when she opened her eyes, she was dead as dust
At least those of you who still got an ear
I'll tell you a story that'd make a skeleton cry
Of our own jubiliciously lovely Corpse Bride
But don't wear a frown, 'cause it's really okay
You might try and hide, and you might try and pray
But we all end up the remains of the day
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(there's a word here, maybe and?) A mysterious stranger came to town
He was pretty good looking, but down on his cash
And our poor little baby, she fell hard and fast
But her daddy said "No," she just couldn't cope
So our lovers came up with a plan to elope
They told not a soul, kept the whole thing tight
Now her mother's wedding dress fit like a glove
You don't need much when you're in love
Except for a few things, or so I'm told
Like the family jewels, and a sachel of gold
Then next to the graveyard by the old oak tree
On a dark foggy night at a quarter to three
She was ready to go, but where was he?
Her jewels were missing, and her heart was bust
So she made a vow lying under that tree
That she'd wait for her true love to come set her free
Always waiting for someone to ask for her hand
When out of the blue comes this groovy young man
Who vows forever to be by her side
And that's the story of our Corpse Bride
Everyone got to their feet clapping and Vanessa ran over giving him a huge hug and whispering in his ear "I'm so proud of you" he smiled to himself and everyone began leaving. Zack and Stephen had gone on ahead, they collected their bags from the back of the room and they left the room arm in arm and headed for their lockers, Vanessa was throwing her books in there when Blaine felt himself be pulled backwards from the collar of his polo shirt and was thrown into some lockers with a loud crash. Vanessa turned her head and dropped her books on the floor in shock.
"Blaine! Blaine!" he could hear her shouting over and over again as he felt a fist collide with his face.
Vanessa was running pulling the boys off of Blaine with greater strength than she was expecting. The three boys were standing in front of her as Blaine got to his feet, she couldn't help it, she had to protect him.
"Seriously what is your damage Jason?" Vanessa shouted
"Look FAG, you have to have a girl stand up for you" Jason shouted at Blaine who looked down ashamed.
"Stop it, just stop it" Vanessa shouted pushing him away "you wanna go, cos ill beat the crap out of you"
"You touch me again and I'll beat the shit out of your little FAG friend over there" Jason said pointing at Blaine and the other two boys laughed, Vanessa walked right up to him, looking him straight in the eye.
"Would you give a shit if I was gay?"
"What?"
"No I mean it meat head, would you care if I was gay, would you beat the crap out of me, or make me ashamed of who I am?"
"Of course not, lesbians are hot?" one of the other jocks said smiling to himself.
"Then why do you think it's ok to do it to Blaine? Does it make you feel big? Really does it." She paused and Jason's smile faulted for a moment, he couldn't believe this freak show was talking to him like this. "Why do you think its ok, to bully people like us? So what he's gay and do you know what guy's? I like girls, so fucking hit me. Come on hit me" Vanessa pushed him again, she had never felt rage like this before and it was becoming more difficult to control, Jason's fist clenched but one of the other boys grabbed his arm "come on man, you can't hit a girl"
"Why the hell not!" Jason shouted at him.
"Man I'm out, fuck this shit, I'm not gonna stand here and watch you hit a girl" the shorter of the two boys shouted back and stormed off shaking his head. The other boy looked at him and muttered "that's low" and followed his friend out of the school.
"We're alone now, so fucking hit me." Vanessa said with venom. Jason looked at them both then stormed off punching a locker as he went which made Blaine flinch a little. She turned to look at Blaine, who burst into tears sinking to the floor; Vanessa ran to him and grabbed him. They sat there both sobbing into each other's shoulders; they didn't move until Zack came to find them and took them home.
Friday
Blaine entered the choir room arm in arm with his best friend Vanessa; nothing had happened all day, no horrible name calling, no threats and no abuse. This was something that made Blaine's stomach turn in an uncomfortable way. He was hoping that nothing would ruin his evening because he was going out for dinner after glee club with his four best friends, something he was really looking forwards to. They took their seats at the back of the room and waited for everyone else to arrive. Zack and Sid entered next, getting some stools out and beginning to tune their guitars. The next to enter was Marissa who was accompanied by Tyler and Tanya, who were closely walking together gossiping and giggling. Aaron and Keren entered next holding hands and taking seats directly in front of them. Soon after Stephen arrived and took his usual seat next to Blaine. The last to arrive was Jenny and Coralline, when they were finally all seated Zack addressed them.
"I don't know if we've found a song for sectionals yet but I'm hoping that one of the songs today will be good enough." Zack smiled at the class, then Sid continued "So we've been working all week on this song, hope you like it." He began playing the opening to Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult and everyone looked happily at each other, Vanessa had starred at Zack, with her fingers crossed in her lap. Blaine smiled to himself enjoying the music.
[Sid]
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
[Zack]
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain.. [Sid]we can be like they are
Come on baby... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man...[Zack]
Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity... [Sid]Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday... [Sid]Like Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday... [Sid]Redefine happiness
Another 40,000 coming everyday... [Sid]We can be like they are
Come on baby... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly... [Sid]don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man...[Sid]
Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
[Zack]
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared... [Sid] saying don't be afraid
Come on baby...and she had no fear
And she ran to him... [Sid] then they started to fly
They looked backward and said goodbye... [Sid] she had become like they are
She had taken his hand... [Sid] she had become like they are
Come on baby... [Sid] don't fear the reaper
Everyone gave the two boys a standing ovation and they both bowed, smiling and patting each other on the back.
"So there's only one person left..." Zack said beaming at Vanessa.
"Vanessa get up here." said Sid. Vanessa shook her head in embarrassment. Sid ran over to her grabbing her hand and pulling her to the front, she began playing with the zip on her hoodie and then with her finally biting her nails a bit.
"Ok, so I've chosen a song that is, I would say, quite difficult to sing, so please don't laugh..." Vanessa said breathing in and looked around the room at her friends, the people who accepted her for everything she was, then it hit her, they supported her, so she would give them a performance they would never forget. As the music began she started singing, making the whole room sigh in relief as she was hitting every note. It gave Blaine the chills, he had no idea that she was going to be singing Stay by Shakespeare's Sister, and he felt a sense of pride fill him up, braking into a smile.
If this world is wearing thin
and you're thinking of escape
i'll go anywhere with you
just wrap me up in chains
but if you try to go out alone
don't think i'll understand
Stay with me
stay with me
In the silence of your room
in the darkness of your dreams
you must only think of me
there can be no in-betweens
when your pride is on the floor
i'll make you beg for more
Stay with me
stay with me
Vanessa's voice changed at this point, turning rough and rocky, something that no one had heard before. Zack looked to Sid then Blaine and they all nodded as if reading each other's minds, they had found there song for sectional's.
you'd better hope and pray
that you make it safe
back to your own world
you'd better hope and pray
that you wake one day
in your own world
'cuz when you sleep at night
they don't hear your cries
in your own world
only time will tell
if you can break the spell
back in your own world
Stay with me
stay with me
She sung the last note and everyone in the room began clapping and Sid shouted "I think we've found our song for sectionals!" Every single person in the room collected their bags and congratulated her, all leaving to go there separate way's for the weekend. Vanessa, Blaine, Zack and Stephen headed to Breadstix's for their free meal, something they had all been looking forward to all week. Afterwards they were going to stay at Stephen's and watch horror films and drink beer until the sun came up and the sun was too bright and blinded them; that they had no choice but to all fall asleep wherever they were and not wake up till the early hours of the evening.