Back To The Start Chapter 26: Broken Pieces, a glee fanfic

Avery was at Connor's house. She had been staying there since she packed her bags and left her old home because she wasn't happy. Connor had to admit she loved having her there, especially since she seemed happier than usual, but he didn't think it was right. He knew how she felt and wanted to help her, but he honestly thought it would better to go back home and talk to them; of course Avery wouldn't make it easy.

Connor knew he had to take matters into his own hands so he went over to the Preston house and knocked on the door. There a car in the driveway so he knew that someone had to be home. Then a man answered the door, it was her father.

"Can I help you?" He asked Connor.

"My name is Connor Hummel and I'm a friend of Avery's and—" The man cut him off as he turned into the house and started calling Avery's name a couple times. Connor sighed, serious the man didn't even know that his daughter had left home. "I don't—" The man cut Connor off again.

"I guess she isn't here. I'm sure she will be back later." He said. Not only did he not know that his daughter had left home, but he obviously didn't know that she was unhappy. "I'll never know why she spends so much time doing." A part of Connor wanted to turn around and walk away, he couldn't believe this; it's like they barley acknowledge that they have a daughter.

"She won't." Connor said.

"What?" The man asked, he seemed confused.

"Avery isn't home because she is at my house." Connor told him.

"Then why are you here?"

"You seriously didn't even notice that your daughter left home a week ago?" Connor found this unbelievable. He shook his head as the man was getting even more confused, he didn't even seem to believe what Connor was saying.

"Why would she do that?" He said, not really believing it.

"Because she couldn't take it anymore." Connor told him, he had a feeling that he should just walk away because he wouldn't worry about it when his wife got home. "She was so unhappy living here. Watching her parents fight about everything, always doing everything they could to worry about her brother and how he is doing and they never seemed to worry or care about what she was doing. She left because she was broken and she lives with me because she thinks I am the only one who cares about her." The man stared at Connor like he could believe he was hearing this.

The man left to quickly go check Avery's room, she had taken most of her things, but not everything. She left books, a few pieces of clothing, and the bed. He came back quick enough to where Connor was and brought him inside as he then called his wife into the living room.

"What is going on?" The wife asked and then grinned at Connor.

"Friend of Avery's?" She asked and Connor nodded. That was when he told her what Connor told him. She didn't seem to believe it at first, but then realized she had no choice since it was coming from her husband and the boy who clearly knew Avery.

"She's safe?"

"Yes, she has been staying with me." Connor told them.

"And you're a friend."

"Boyfriend actually, we've been together since Avery started going to McKinley." Connor explained. "Look, I love Avery and I think we all care about her—"

"Of course we do, she is our daughter!" She said.

"Then you need to show it because as far as Avery knows you guys barley know she exists anymore. You're her parents and she is your daughter. She is broken and it's your job to pick up the pieces. Don't just assume she is okay because she is a teenager or older than others." Connor said as he got up. He wrote down his address if they wanted to come by later after school to talk to her.

Connor and Avery were able to get home early. They weren't having Glee Club that week because Marley was sick and Finn taking a few personal days. They had left a note since Nationals was coming up that they should practice singing even without to go with.

Not long after they got there, there was a knock on Connor's door. Maybe it was a good thing for no Glee Club this week. Connor opened the door and her parents came through the door. "Thank you for coming. Luckily we're here because we usually aren't back this early." Connor said as Avery stood up and looked angry.

"What are you doing here?!" She questioned and then looked at Connor; she knew this had to be him. "Why would you tell them to come here?"

"I didn't tell them to come here. I told them they could if they wanted to." Connor corrected. Avery didn't want to see or talk to him; she was just starting to feel happy again and didn't want them dragging her back home to feel the same lousy way again.

"Avery—"

"Get out!" She exclaimed.

"Avery, here them out." Connor pleaded.

"Why should I? They never would hear me out. They never listen to me. They don't care about me!" She said.

"Avery, we do, we love you." Her father said, but she pushed him away.

"No you love Kevin. It's always about Kevin and you don't care about me or even know I'm there! You probably didn't even know I left until Connor went over there!" Avery said and looked at Connor to see if she was right; she was. "Thought so."

"Avery, I know, this isn't ideal and we haven't been the best parents to you." Her mother said and Avery could strongly agree with that. "But you're our daughter and we love you. We always love you."

"Please come home with us." Her mother said and that is when she turned to them with tears forming in her eyes.

"Av, it will be better this time. We are going to make sure to pay attention to you as much as Kevin and we'll try our best to stop fighting." Her father said, but that wasn't what she wanted either.

"You guys aren't happy together, all you do is fight. You can try, but it will end up the same way: with both of you screaming. I don't want to deal with that again." Avery said as she started to cry and Connor put his arms around her.

"Come home with us and we'll do our best and try to figure things out." Her mother said, extending her hand to her daughter. "Avery, please give us a chance."

"Do you know how I felt at home? Invisible. All the time."

"You won't anymore. We promise you that." She said and Avery wiped her tears and hugged her parents, she wasn't completely sure if she could believe it, but she was willing to give it a try. That was when Connor started to sing.

[Connor]
Do you ever wonder, when you listen to the thunder
And your world just feels so small
Put yourself on the line and time after time
Keep feeling inside like they don't know you're alive
Are you on their mind or just invisible

But I won't let you fall
I see you, through them all
And I just wanna let you know

Oh, when the lights go down in the city
You'll be right there shining bright
You're a star the sky's the limit
And I'll be right by your side
Oh, you know, you're not invisible to me
Oh, you know, you're not gonna be invisible

[Avery & Connor]
Don't gotta look far, I'll be where you are
I wish you could see what I see
So don't ask why, just look inside
Baby that's all you need
And I don't understand why you won't (you won't)
Take my hand and go
Cause you're so beautiful
And everytime that

Oh, when the lights go down in the city
You'll be right there shining bright
You're a star and the sky's the limit
And I'll be right by your side
Oh, you know, you're not invisible to me
Oh, you know, you're not gonna be invisible

Tobias knew he messed everything up with Fiona. He wanted her to know so if she ever found out in the future it wouldn't be worse. The thing was, he didn't know how it could be worse. He hated himself for what he did, he hated agreeing to it in the first place, but he knew he had no choice; what he didn't expect was to fall in love with her.

He watched her in the halls, he knew if he tried she would walk way or even ignore him. She has been doing those things since she found out. Tobias didn't blame her, but he wished she would let him tell her why he did.

He knew he had to, so when the halls were clearing out and she was still in the hallway, he was walking quickly towards her, but he made it look like he didn't even notice her. Then he grabbed her and pulled her into a supply closet and stood in front of the door so she couldn't leave.

"What are you doing!?" She exclaimed.

"I need to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to you." She said and started hitting him as a way to get him to move which didn't work.

"I need to tell you this. After I do, you can leave." Tobias told her. "I know I don't deserve you, but you deserve to know why I did it."

"Because Trinity told you to and you would do anything for that girl like anyone would. You're probably in love with her or something." Fiona guessed. She was wrong however.

"No. Not even close, she is nothing like a girl I would want to be with." Tobias said. "She is a horrible person."

"Did you just figure that out?" Fiona asked. Tobias lifted up his shirt, which revealed a lot of burn marks; that sight surprised Fiona. "What happened to you?" She asked.

"A fire happened."

"When?"

"A few years ago. Our building caught on fire…I used to live in an apartment with my parents, but then it caught on fire. It was probably some knocked over candles or something—that doesn't matter now. Anyway, they were able to get me out, but I have all these burns." Tobias explained.

"Do they—?" She started to ask.

"At first they did. When they first took me to hospital to get treatment, I screamed so loud that people from the next town could probably here me."

"What happened to your parents?" Fiona asked, realizing that he never mentioned them.

"My father was out at the store when it happened so he was okay. My mom died in the fire." Tobias told her. "He got there like a half hour to an hour after I was admitted,"

"Wait what does this have to do with Trinity forcing you to play me?" Fiona asked, she knew it did, but didn't know what it was.

"Trinity said that if I didn't help her she would go to the cops and make a claim saying that my father started the fire on purpose as a way to kill my mother." Tobias admitted.

"Would it be believable?"

"My father and my mother weren't on great terms during the final moments of their marriage. And since he was at a store nearby, it could be believable." Fiona sighed, she understood and frankly it sounded like a good answer. "Fiona, he is my dad and all I have left. I couldn't chance losing him."

"I know. Believe me, I know." Fiona said, she knew it was like to truly have no one and understood that Tobias should have to risk going through that.

"And when she told me about you…she didn't really tell me about you." Tobias added. "She said you were a horrible bitch."

"Probably describing her own personality." Fiona said and Tobias laughed along with her. Fiona and Tobias then hugged. "Okay, I forgive you." Tobias was thankful for that. He let her out of the closet, but then took her to the auditorium.

"Tobias, I have class." Fiona said, but Tobias was already on stage. Fiona went up after him, but by the time she got up there, he was sitting down at the piano and playing a very familiar tune.

What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you

My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

I give you all of me
And you give me all, of you, oh oh oh.

Tobias got up and walked over to Fiona. "I never expected to fall in love with you—but Fiona, I love you." He said and then Fiona kissed him.

Skylar and Hope were walking out of school together when a tall man approached them. Hope looked at Skylar, but he didn't see to know who he was. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, I'm looking for Skylar Capone."

"That's me." Skylar said, but he wondered what this man wanted with him. The man smiled at him and just looked at him. Skylar didn't know if it was creepy or not. But strangely, the man seemed familiar to Skylar somehow; he just couldn't put it. "What do you want?" He finally asked the man.

"Who are you?" He asked Hope.

"This is Hope." Skylar told the man. "Who are you and what do you want with me?"

"I'm your father." He told him and if Skylar had been holding something at that moment, he would have dropped. He shook his head in disbelief; he couldn't be his father. His father has been gone since his sister was born.

"No you're not. My father is dead. He's been dead for years." Skylar stated, he refused to believe it.

"Is that what your mother told you?" He asked and Skylar glanced down; technically it was. Chloe was in the hospital a little longer than most babies because she was premature and when his mom came home with her, she told Skylar that his dad got into a car accident and died. Skylar couldn't believe that this man was his father. That his father has been alive this whole time and just abandoned him and Chloe and left them with their mother. "How's Chloe?"

Skylar now knew that this man was his father and now rage was building up. "Let's go Hope." Skylar said taking his girlfriend's hand and walking away.

"Skylar!" He called, but Skylar kept on walking.

Antonia was taking care of her grandmother as she was having one of her episodes again. And this time she again didn't remember Antonia—well she remembered her, she just didn't recognize her. Then the door rang and Antonia went to answer it.

It was Ethan, she was surprised to him there; especially since she didn't remember giving him her address; she didn't want anyone finding out about her living situation with her grandmother.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Antonia asked. It came out sounding like a bad thing he was here, but it wasn't intentional.

"You're my girlfriend, I want to hang out with you." He said and Antonia smiled, she really loved him. "Is this a bad time?"

"I guess not." Antonia said, maybe if she got him upstairs quick enough he wouldn't notice her grandmother's state and ask questions. He was using his crutches today, so it might take him a little time to get him upstairs. She closed the door once he was in and tried getting upstairs quickly, but then her grandmother came out.

"Who is this?" She asked. "Is he stealing stuff?"

"No, this is Ethan. A friend of mine." Antonia said, she had to say it like she was talking to a normal person so Ethan wouldn't notice.

"You look a lot like my granddaughter, Antonia, let me tell you, that girl is the sweetest thing. It's a shame what happened to her—" Maybe lies wouldn't be working today.

"Okkayyy, maybe you should go watch TV." Antonia said as she then put her grandmother in the room she was up before and then got Ethan upstairs into her room.

"What was that about?" Ethan asked as they walked into her room. Antonia wished he hadn't seen that. Now she wishes she had said it was a bad time. She shrugged as started to feed her pet mouse, Georgia.

"What do you mean?"

"Antonia, you know what I mean—I am not stupid." Antonia glanced at him and sighed. She knew he was bright and sometimes hated that; it was like one of those Spencer Reid situations. "She has Alzheimer's." Ethan stated and Antonia nodded, not looking at him.

"It's been about a year or so." Antonia admitted. "But it's okay. I'm taking care of her."

"It's not your job, Antonia. She is sick and needs help. And it shouldn't be her sixteen year old granddaughter, who is currently needing help with an eating disorder." Ethan stated, Antonia wasn't happy about him going back to that.

"I'm getting better. I haven't puked in a while and I am eating." It was true, she was. Not fully, but she was better.

"Yes, but that is not the point, she needs help."

"She is all I have Ethan. My mom dead and my dad is in prison. She has raised me since I can remember and she is all I have." Antonia cried.

"You have me." Ethan said. "You will always have me and everyone else in Glee Club and Ms. Rose and Mr. Hudson." Antonia grinned, he was right in a way.

Then Ethan started to sing softly to her.

Slowly fading away, you're lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold?
Looking for a distant light, someone who can save a life
You're living in fear that no one will hear your cry
Can you save me now?

I am with you, I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you, I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not, you're not alone

Your heart is full of broken dreams, just a fading memory
And everything's gone but the pain carries on
Lost in the rain again, when will it ever end?
The arms of relief seem so out of reach
But I, but I am here

I am with you, I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you, I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not, you're not alone

And I will be your hope when you feel like it's over
And I will pick you up when your whole world shatters
And when you're finally in my arms
Look up and see, love has a face

I am with you, I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you, I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not, you're not alone

And I will be your hope, you're not alone
And I will pick you up
And I will be your hope
And I will be your hope

Slowly fading away, you're lost and so afraid
Where is the hope in a world so cold?

"Are you okay?" Hope asked as she handed him a drink and sat down next to him.

"My dad is alive. He's been alive this whole time." Skylar said, he still couldn't believe it.

"Isn't it a good thing?" Hope asked.

"Hope, he left me and Chloe with my mother. This whole time we could have been with him. She told me that he died and that it was my fault he was dead; that was why she always did what she did. Now it doesn't make sense anymore." Skylar said, he didn't understand how his father could just abandon him and his sister and leave them with a monster like their mother.

"Maybe he didn't know." Hope stated. "I doubt he would have stayed as long as he did or have children if she was like that before."

"There must be another reason to why he left." Hope said.

"There is." They turned to see Skylar's father standing in the doorway.

"You brought him here?" Skylar asked and Hope nodded.

"He called me. He wants to talk to you." Hope said and got up; those two needed to be alone. Skylar at first didn't even want to look at him. They just stood there in silence.

"How's Chloe?" He finally asked.

"It's not like you care."

"Of course I do." He said, but Skylar didn't believe that for a second. If he really did care about him or Chloe he wouldn't have left, right?

"You left after Chloe was born, you left Chloe and me with her."

"Your mother loves you and Chloe."

"She almost killed me!" Skylar practically yelled and his father stared at him like he didn't know what he meant. "For years…ever since you left us, she abused me. I spent every minute taking it. Every hit, punch, kick, and whatever she threw at me. The only thing that got me through it was Chloe; making sure she was safe."

"That's why she's in prison." He stated.

"You didn't know?"

"Of course not, you think I would have left you and your sister if I knew that your mother was sick? I would have fought harder."

"Harder? What?" Skylar asked, confused.

"She divorced me. She kicked me out and said I was never allowed to come near you or Chloe." He explained. "That's why I am coming to you now. You are now eighteen and legally she wouldn't be able to do anything."

"You shouldn't have left us! The last 10 years of my life were hell because you left us alone with her." Skylar said.

"I know, but I'm here now. Will you give me a chance?" He asked, he really wanted a chance to make things right with him and get to know Chloe as well. But Skylar didn't know if he should or shouldn't give him the chance.

"I don't know." Skylar replied and his father sighed.

"Please think about it." He said and he left him alone as Skylar began to sing.

Take cover
Signs don't show
You drove me off the road

But you let go
'Cause your hope is gone
And every question fades away

It's a shame you don't know what you're running from
Would your bones have to break and your lights turn off
Would it take the end of time to hear you heart's false start

You know this is your biggest mistake
What a waste, what a waste, what a waste
And of all the things you never explained
When you know this is your biggest mistake

You tread water
Fighting for the air in your lungs
Move, move closer
Maybe you can right all your wrongs

But you let go
'Cause your hope is gone
And every answer fades away

It's a shame you don't know what you're running from
Would your bones have to break and your lights turn off
Would it take the end of time to hear your heart's false start

You know this is your biggest mistake
What a waste, what a waste, what a waste
And of all the things you never explained
When you know this is your biggest mistake

So Avery is going home with her parents, Fiona and Tobias made up, and Ethan is going to help Antonia. Also Skylar's father is actually alive and is trying to make up for being absent. 2 more chapters left!

Songs: Invisible (Big Time Rush), All Of Me (John Legend), Not Alone (Red), & You're Biggest Mistake (Ellie Goulding).

Don't forget to review.