A/N: And everyone is off to New York City. In this chapter I introduce a couple original characters who will play a very small role in the group's time in the city. I hope you enjoy!
"That's the last of it. I cannot believe we're officially settled in our own place in New York City," Blaine bounced up and down after dropping a pile of his clothes in the dresser. "All of this is ours. Well, obviously it's ours to share with Tina and Artie. But still... We're doing pretty well for ourselves, Sammy."
Sam looked up at his boyfriend and nodded giddily from where he was sprawled across the bed they'd be sharing for the foreseeable future.
Both boys' parents insisted they rent a space with four bedrooms. "Just in case you break up or get in a fight and want extra space for a night or two," Blaine's mom explained when they were apartment hunting over spring break. "We get that you two are adults and recognize you want to sleep together. But we also need you to think logically."
Luckily the flat across from Rachel, Kurt, Santana and now Brittany was large enough to fit a fourth room, which they planned to use as a guest space. Puck already claimed it for nights that he was too tired to ride the subway back to his apartment across the city.
Blaine smiled as he threw himself down on the bed and wrapped his arm around Sam. He surveyed the bedroom with a sense of pride. Admittedly it was still fairly bare, but his parents provided a bed and dresser. Some of Sam's art already hung on the wall, and Blaine unpacked a framed photo from their dance as royal couple at prom. They'd fill out the rest with odds and ends over the coming months.
"We made it. And we have the whole summer to get settled in before classes start up. It's really cool that your parents are helping us pay rent and were able to get some furniture in here, Blaine. But I want to find some sort of job. It doesn't seem fair to just slide by while they pay for everything."
"That was actually part of the deal when they agreed to this setup. All of us have to balance work with our class schedule. I was going to start looking later this week. I don't know about you, but I'm still exhausted after yesterday. The ride up wasn't exactly relaxing, either."
"That's an understatement. I cannot believe Brittany brought Lord Tubbington in her suitcase." After waving goodbye to their family and friends, the New York New Directions found a compartment on the train. It wasn't until a very hungover Santana laid her head on Brittany's bag that anyone realized the blonde snuck her cat along. "I get she was afraid he'd rejoin the Cat Mafia and turn to a life of hard drugs if she wasn't there to keep an eye on him. But only Brittany would move to a new city and only pack her fondue kit and cat. I dated her for months and still don't understand the way her mind works sometimes."
"Are you guys talking about Brittany?" Tina asked as she peeked into the bedroom. "That girl lives in her own world, and it is truly a magical place. Artie and I are calling a house meeting so that we can figure out plans for dinner. I think Brittany and Santana are going on a date. Rachel has rehearsals, Puck's working and Kurt was meeting up with Adam. That means it's just the four of us."
Sam hopped off the bed and held out a hand to pull Blaine up. They followed Tina into the common space where Artie was already sitting and talking to Kitty on his phone. Everyone looked up in surprise as they heard a knock at the door.
"I wonder who that is," Tina said. "It's not like anyone else knows we're here yet. Do you think it's Santana coming to tell us about some other surprises in Brittany's suitcase?"
"I doubt Santana would knock; she probably already had a key made." Blaine joked as he opened the door. His expression shifted to a welcoming grin when he saw two women standing in the hall. One had miles of wavy hair and the best eyebrows he'd ever seen. The other had a mane of sun-streaked hair and wore a shimmering crystal necklace over a tie-dyed shirt.
"Helloooo, darling," the curly haired women took the lead. "I'm Emma, and this is my best friend Debbie. We just moved in the flat below you and wanted to come introduce ourselves. We saw you all hauling your stuff upstairs and figured you may be new, too."
Blaine noticed that Emma spoke as exuberantly as Unique and took an instant liking to her. "Nice to meet you both," he smiled politely and made introductions. "I'm Blaine. That over there's my boyfriend Sam. Then over here we have my friends Tina and Artie. Our other friends actually live across the hall, but I don't think anyone's home right now."
He stepped back and welcomed the girls inside.
Emma looked around and whistled her approval. "Looks nice in here. But I'm so glad we're on the ground floor because there is no way we could have gotten this one's crystals up here even with an elevator. It was bad enough getting them through the subway." She pointed at Debbie and laughed at the mere thought.
Debbie rolled her eyes, but Blaine noticed she made no denials. He smiled as the two women grabbed a seat on the couch next to Tina.
"Girl, I love your makeup," Tina gushed at Emma. Then she turned her attention to Debbie. "And your nails are flawless. Where do you get them done?"
"We actually work at a salon. It's on this block, which is why Emma and I moved. Our commute is officially the best ever." Debbie exuded a very calming presence, whereas it was quickly becoming obvious that Emma vibrated with energy even when sitting still. Blaine could tell they were perfectly balanced as a pair. "What about you? Where are you from?"
"We're all new to New York. We just moved from a town called Lima in Ohio and are starting school in the fall. It sounds like you two are experts at life in the city so I'm sure we'll be coming to you for advice all the time." Sam explained from his spot on an oversized chair. He pulled his boyfriend onto his lap without missing a beat.
"Actually," Tina said. "Maybe you can point us in the right direction now. We were hoping to go somewhere for dinner. Do you have any recommendations?"
Emma bounced back to her feet and clapped her hands. "Oh, you're in good hands. Let's take them to Zeph, Deb."
A short walk later, the group found themselves sitting in a local pub called Zephyr and laughing over drinks. The bar didn't look like much based on its bland façade. However, the four friends were surprised to see it boasted a back patio that was comfortably nestled into the block. Sparkling fairy lights added to the ambiance. Live music played in the background and drowned out the city sounds.
Blaine blushed as Sam pulled him in for a kiss at the table. "We're finally in New York, so I can kiss you anytime I want," the blonde teased. "It's so nice not to be at McKinley anymore."
"How long have you two been together," Debbie asked. Blaine and Sam explained how they'd made the transition from best friends to more than friends and grimaced as their friends added some additional insight. Tina's retelling of how the pair quite literally came out of the closet had everyone laughing.
After dinner, they made their way back toward the apartment building. Emma and Debbie pointed out their salon as they walked by the chic space.
"Oh, you're hiring a receptionist," Blaine noticed a Help Wanted sign in the window. "I was actually looking for a job that I could do while going to school. Do you think I could make that work?"
"Yaaas, honey! Meet me downstairs tomorrow morning, and I'll introduce you to our boss, Cathy. If Deb and I vouch for you, I guarantee you'll get the job."
"As long as you manage to show up regularly and smile at the clients, you'll be better than half the other receptionists we've had. And the perks are really nice." Debbie chimed in.
Emma's eyes lit up. "Blaine, you have to let me do your nails. You'd look so cool with black polish. And just a little bit of eyeliner. Tina, we're obviously doing your nails, too. You'll both look fabulous."
"Wow. Things are moving fast. I didn't think we'd end our first night with new friends and a lead on a job. And I've actually always wanted to get my nails done. It just didn't seem like the smartest thing to do back in Ohio. You probably picked up on it earlier, but Sam and I have dealt with small-town homophobia before."
"New York isn't perfect, but it's a lot more accepting than Ohio," Debbie promised. "People are different here. Plus, it looks like you've already got a great support system. Now we'll keep an eye on you, too." She sounded so earnest that Blaine couldn't help trusting her. "Believe me, neither a boy wearing nail polish nor two guys kissing will be the strangest thing you see on this street."
For evidence she subtly pointed out a lady who was wearing a floor-length fur jacket and thigh-high leather boots while strutting down the street. Blaine felt like sweating just looking at the jacket in the early summer heat. The lady came to a sudden halt as she passed their group.
"You there," she demanded imperiously and vaguely pointed into the crowd of friends. Artie looked up. "Not you. The breathtakingly handsome blonde behind you. Come a little closer please, boy." Sam hesitantly walked up to the lady who grabbed his face and inspected it closely.
"Yes. You have the perfect bone structure." Sam yelped as she pulled his shirt up and inspected his stomach. "And those abs. They're simply divine. Have you ever modeled before?"
He shook his head. "Ah. An undiscovered talent. I have an eye for those, you know? How would you like to lead a life of intrigue and fame, boy? I can see it now. In three months, I'll have your face on billboards all over this town."
Sam blinked. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"
"How silly of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Bichette, and I own the city's most prestigious modeling agency. You'll go far with me, boy." The lady reached into a tiny purse and pulled out a business card, which she slipped into the collar of Sam's shirt.
His eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect. "As long as I can work on my degree at the same time, I'd love to hear more about the opportunity. I can't believe I met you tonight, Bitch-ette."
"It's Bichette, boy. Please don't let me hear you mispronounce it again. Now I must run or I'll be late for drinks at Vogue. Call me at that number tomorrow, and we'll set up another meeting." She abruptly turned and continued on her way leaving everyone gaping at the exchange.
"You don't even know my name! It's Sam, by the way. Sam I am. I'll call tomorrow." Sam shouted at her rapidly retreating form. "Guys! I could be a super model. Imagine that." His smile was radiant.
"As if any of us doubted that was a possibility, Sammy. Definitely call her in the morning and see what she has to say. If you want I can get Cooper to look over any contracts she presents." Blaine's brother was always begging for an opportunity to help Blaine and his friends become famous.
Debbie looked hesitant as she spoke up. "I'd recommend someone look over those contracts closely for sure. You're in New York now, guys. That means that you've got to watch out for the crazies. And I've heard of Bichette before. She certainly has a good roster of talent, but there are rumors that she works some of them way too hard. Just take care of yourself, ok? We like you and don't want to see you get hurt."
"Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll have a lot to think about. But right now we need to get home before I fall asleep standing up." Sam led the way back to the apartment. He, Blaine, Tina and Artie said goodnight to their new friends and trudged up to their flat.
"What do you think about all that, Blaine?" Sam quizzed his boyfriend as they pulled the emerald quilt over their bodies in bed.
"Honey, you'd be a fantastic model. Talk to Bichette and see if that's a good fit. If not, there will be other talent agencies. I guarantee you that one will be interested in working with you. So why don't you take it as it comes. Just know that I've got your back no matter what you decide."
"That's why you're the best boyfriend of all time. Now what do you say we christen this bed before falling asleep?" Sam tickled Blaine's sides as he rolled on top of the curly haired boy.
"I thought you'd never ask."