Author's Notes:

This story is cross-posted from Ao3; it is already complete with a sequel in progress.

In my job, I work with high school students who are dealing with the same issues as Blaine. I'm excited to bring my professional expertise to this creative endeavor. I'll get more specific about what I'm referring to as it is revealed in the story.

Timeline: Assume that events in Season 1 played out as you saw on the show. This story begins in the Glee timeline where season 2 begins. From there, it will follow some of the plot lines but diverge from others. Things may happen out of order, turn out differently, or not happen at all. There are some storylines I felt the show really mishandled and I'm going to enjoy re-writing them. I have decided to make Blaine and Kurt the same age in this story because making Blaine a year younger was a total retcon that does not at all fit with how he is presented in Season 2 (which is my main inspiration for this story).

You can now listen along to all the songs on Spotify where I have created a playlist with all the songs featured in this story.

Chapter 1: Starting Over

Blaine woke up on the morning of the first day of school with butterflies in his chest. They were the result of that confusing mix of anxiety and excitement that he had learned to associate with performing on stage. For his junior year of high school, he would be starting at a brand new school and he was determined to make a good impression. This year would be different. This school would be different. He would be different. Or, you know, less different... more normal.

After a hot shower, Blaine washed his face and then studied himself in the mirror. The scar on his face had faded so it was barely noticeable. Blaine smiled, feeling reassured that he would not stand out because of it. He had stayed out of the sun all summer long and rubbed special anti-scaring cream his mother bought him into it every day to make sure that by the time he started school in the fall, no one would be able to tell he had spent 4 days in the hospital last May.

The smile on his face faded a little as he remembered why he would be attending a new school this year. His parents, overprotective as usual, had insisted that he could not go back to Bath High School with the same boys who had had given him that scar. He had listened with his ear pressed to the door as their raised voices argued with his principal about an "unsafe learning environment" until the principal had agreed to call around to the other Allen County High Schools and see if he could arrange for Blaine to have a waiver to attend from out of district.

Luckily, the principal at the nearest school had signed off on the waiver without much fuss. Blaine knew very little about McKinley High School. He had been there once for an away game when the Bath football team played McKinley. The football team had been okay but their cheerleaders were truly impressive. His best friend, Elaine, had whispered in awe that they had won something like five national championships in a row. Blaine had turned to google for more information and from what he could find the cheerleading team was McKinley's one and only claim to fame. It had taken some digging, but Blaine had found one other nugget of interesting information about his new school: an article from a local newspaper about the McKinley High Glee Club winning at Sectionals last year. Bath didn't even had a competing show choir but choir had always been his favorite class. Blaine bounced in excitement at the thought of being part of a small, exclusive group that competed and had actually won something. I wonder if you have to be a senior to get a solo, he wondered.

"BLAINE!" his mom yelled up the stairs, shaking him out of his thoughts. "If you want breakfast you'd better get down here, pronto!" Shit, I can't be late on the first day.

Blaine pulled open his closet door to survey the outfit he had carefully laid out the night before: red pants, white collared shirt, and a black sweater. Thank you, past Blaine! He shimmied quickly into the pants and took a few moments to adjust his collar before grabbing his school bag and running down the stairs, two at a time.

"Blaine!" his father admonished, "What have I told you about running down the stairs like that? Do

you want to end up back in the hospital?"

Blaine grabbed a plate of food and, with a mouth full of eggs, shrugged sheepishly at his dad. His father wrinkled his nose at him with disgust. "Alright, alright. I can see you are in a hurry to get to school. We will discuss this later." Blaine carefully loaded his dishes into the dishwasher, leaned over to kiss his mother on the cheek, and saluted sartorially at his father before striding out the door.

—

Blaine parked the Prius in the McKinley High School parking lot and stopped to take a deep breath. He pulled a red folder out of his backpack and reviewed the school map and schedule the guidance counselor Ms. Pillsbury had given him last week when his parents had brought him to register. His father had done all of the talking so Blaine hadn't really managed to ask any questions but he was pretty sure he could figure it out. He checked his hair in the sun visor mirror and nervously fussed with it. He closed his eyes and imagined a balloon slowly inflating and deflating as he took a few more breaths. You can do this.

Blaine hopped out of the car, settled his messenger bag over his shoulder, and avoided making eye contact with anyone as he entered the school. He managed to find his locker again and stow some of the extra school supplies he had brought before heading to English class. He arrived a few minutes early so he had time to survey the room and strategize about where to sit.

This was always an important decision for Blaine and if things were anything like his old school, the seat you chose on the first day could well be your seat for the rest of the year. Sit in the first row and everyone thinks you are a teacher's pet or a show off, including the teacher. Blaine hated to be called on by the teacher in class so sitting too close to the front was dangerous. On the other hand, sit too close to the back and when it was time to pair up for partner work you got stuck with the slackers. So Blaine settled for a spot on the far right side of the room, right in the middle row of chairs. Yes, this would do nicely. He could blend right in from this spot.

Things had been going pretty smoothly until Blaine showed up for U.S. History to see written in large letters on the blackboard, "Please sit according to the seating chart." Shit, shit, shit. Of course, the teacher had arranged her class in alphabetical order which put Blaine right in the first row between Desmond Adams and Rachel Berry. A girl with dark features and pristine posture primly settled into the seat next to Blaine and held out her hand, "Hi, I'm Rachel Berry. You're Blaine Anderson. I saw that on the seating chart. You must be a transfer because I've never seen you before and they don't let freshman take U.S. History. Are you a good student, Blaine?"

Blaine's eyes widened and he felt something tighten up in the pit of his stomach. People who talked fast always made him nervous. It was even harder to rely on his strategies with someone who talked a mile a minute like this girl. On the other hand, she had managed to circumvent one of Blaine's least favorite social interactions, introducing himself, so that was a big plus.

Blaine reached out his hand to shake hers and nodded in response to her question.

"Excellent, then you should partner with me for any group work. Desmond is a complete parasite when it comes to group projects; never again." Her voice shifted down to a conspiratorial whisper, "I think he smokes pot under the bleachers."

Rachel seemed intense but Blaine was starting to think that might work in his favor. She clearly did not mind doing most of the heavy lifting in a conversation. Blaine looked for signs that she had noticed the fact that he hadn't spoken a single word to her but she seemed completely oblivious. This was as good as he was going to get for a project partner so Blaine flashed her his most charming grin and nodded his agreement.

When the bell rang for lunch, Rachel turned back to him and studied him carefully. "If you don't have anywhere to sit at lunch you can always sit with me and my friends. We may not be popular but it is better than sitting alone." Before Blaine could respond, she had skipped off out of the classroom.

She might be the easiest person to not talk to that I've ever met.

—

Blaine skipped past the lunch line and started surveying the table in the lunchroom. He had been a devoted brown bagger since 4th grade. Ordering food was another situation he avoided whenever possible. An arm shot up into the air and caught his eye, waving furiously. "Blaine! Over here!" It was Rachel. While Blaine appreciated her offer, he hadn't been planning on taking her up on it. He could already feel the tension in his muscles from the first day of school stress and he was not feeling confident in his ability to make conversation. Oh no, what if I have to introduce myself? This thought did not calm Blaine's anxiety. On the other hand, Rachel was the only person who had made an effort to reach out to Blaine. He did not want to offend her. Blaine saw her nod in recognition as she caught his eye. She saw me see her. Into the lion's den we go.

Blaine weaved his way through the crowd of teenagers to a table in the back corner where Rachel sat with five very different looking people. Rachel had mentioned that they were not popular. He had already noticed that the football players and cheerleaders seemed to have the highest social status at this school. They were easy to spot because they were all in uniforms or letterman jackets even though Blaine was pretty sure there was not a game scheduled this early in the school year.

He wondered what social clique these six people before him were part of. He could imagine this eclectic mix perhaps being theater geeks. While acting on stage was not in Blaine's wheelhouse, he had always gotten along really well with theater kids at his old school. They had always had his back when things had started to go wrong. Rachel's personality certainly fit, as did the goth girl with the streaked hair and the elfin looking boy wearing three scarves.

Blaine realized as he got closer that there were no open chairs but Rachel popped up unbidden and turned to the table next door, "Excuse me fine members of the McKinley audio visual club, but do you mind if I borrow this chair?"

Blaine settled into the chair Rachel had retrieved for him and as he looked up all eyes were on him. This was already more attention than he had gotten all day and it made him uncomfortable. Breathe in, breathe out. Just like a balloon, let your lungs inflate, and then slowly deflate. Let go of the tension in your muscles. Breathe.

Rachel turned to the group and in the same oddly formal tone, declared, "Everyone, this is Blaine Anderson. He sits next to me in United States History and I've invited him to join us for lunch because he is new to the school and doesn't know anyone. As the safe haven for McKinley's misfits, I knew I could rely on the Glee Club to provide a warm welcome to a new student."

Oh my god, this is the Glee Club! The stakes had suddenly gotten way higher for Blaine. This was his chance to make a good impression to give him an edge in his audition. God, I hope I'm good enough to make their team. This year is going to royally suck if I don't get to sing. Blaine had been surprised to learn that McKinley did not have a choir class when it had been time to choose his electives so he was really putting all his eggs in the metaphorical show choir basket. Blaine, never use that metaphor out loud or people will think you are a freak.

"So let's all introduce ourselves, obviously you already know that I'm Rachel Berry. I am the biggest star Broadway will ever see and I will be the next Barbra Streisand. I have two gay dads and this is going to be your last day sitting with us if that's a problem for you. The only thing we don't tolerate

in this club is intolerance. Who will go next?"

"If that were true we would have kicked you out ages ago, Rachel, because you are intolerable," quipped a high-pitched voice from across the table. At first Blaine thought the goth girl had said it, but Blaine looked over to see that it was actually the boy he had noticed before, with the three scarves. He had sharp, delicate features and he raised a single perfectly-shaped eyebrow in disdain. "Unfortunately, she's a very good singer so we can't get rid of her."

"Kurt!" Rachel protested. "Well, I guess now you've met Kurt. His fashion is on point but he's kind of a bitch."

"At least I don't dress like I raided the Zoo Gift Shop," he shot back. Rachel rolled her eyes. "Case in point."

He's does kind of have a point, though. Rachel was wearing a sweater with a panda bear in the middle. The look would have been unremarkable on an 8-year-old but on a teenager it did rather stand out.

The girl with the blue streaked hair spoke next, "Hi, I'm Tina. And just ignore these squabbling idiots, they are actually both sweethearts when you get to know them. This is Mike," she gestured to the boy sitting next to her, "and we actually kind of have an announcement to make."

"Ooooh, let the Glee drama begin!" The voice came from a girl wearing a bold gold jacket with matching gold high-fashion sneakers but she hadn't introduced herself yet. "What's the Tea? Spill it because honey you know I don't take mine iced."

"Amen," Kurt called out and the two high-fived. So far Kurt had seemed icy but in this moment he was laughing and seemed almost warm.

"Well, this summer... we... well, we spent a lot of time together at Asian Arts Camp and...we started dating!" Cheers and clapping broke out around the table and Tina and Mike both blushed. They were an odd group, but they seemed to genuinely rejoice in the accomplishments of their friends. Well, for the most part. Kurt seemed a little half-hearted in his applause and one boy crossed his arms and frowned.

Tina's face softened as she looked at him, "Oh Artie, don't be mad. You had your chance with me and you blew it. Can't you just be happy for Mike and I?"

Artie, kid in the wheelchair, used to date Tina, got it. Blaine desperately tried to file away these tidbits of information as they flew by but it was hard when he was so out of the loop. While he was glad the pressure and attention had shifted away from him, he sort of wished they had finished introducing themselves before this fight had broken out.

"Tina!" he said with a tone of exasperation. "I thought we were going out!" "Seriously? You ignored me for all of July."
Artie rolled away in a huff.

Rachel plastered a saccharine grin onto her face and calmly stated, "So that was Artie. He is handicapable and a surprisingly adequate rapper." Blaine raised a dubious eyebrow in response. "And that—" she gestured in a circle to the whole group, "was some pretty textbook Glee Club drama. I wish I could say it is rare, but when you get this many passionate divas together in one room, well things tend to get dramatic."

"I'm Mercedes, I can belt for the gods, and I'm f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. fabulous." Mercedes, the golden goddess diva, check. "Blaine, what are your interests?"

Blaine froze. He was not prepared. He took a big bite from his sandwich and chewed slowly to buy time. This strategy had gotten him through many a strained holiday dinner around the Anderson family table. As he chewed, he planned his words carefully.

Need a word that only has continuant sounds. Let's see...

Blaine took a deep, calming breath, and slowly, smoothly said, "Singing." So far so good. Now if I can just get a good start... Blaine concentrated and then added, "and boxing." He got stuck for a moment on the word 'box' but he didn't think anyone had noticed.

Rachel clapped her hands excitedly in front of her. "Oooh, really? You should have said! Wait, how good are you?" her eyes narrowed suspiciously at Blaine and he wasn't quite sure what the correct answer to her question was.

"Rachel!" hissed Kurt. He shook his head vehemently at her, looking pissed. Here comes icy Kurt again.

Blaine just shrugged. He was already tired from the energy this conversation had taken. Using his techniques was more exhausting than he remembered it being last school year. Maybe he had just forgotten over summer break. Please don't let it be getting worse. That is the last thing I need right now.

Rachel beamed at Blaine as if that was just the answer she was looking for, "That's quite alright. We always need more warm bodies to harmonize behind me while I devastate the audience with my breathtaking solos."

Might need to update the rolodex there, Blaine. Upgrade Rachel to number one Diva. Smiles like a kitten but will destroy you with the ferocity of a puma if you threaten her supremacy.

Blaine suppressed a giggle. He really should stop being so amused by his own jokes but someone should get to enjoy them.

Mercedes rolled her eyes at Rachel before turning to Blaine, "We would love it if you would audition. Despite what Rachel might think, we really do need more members after Matt transferred at the end of last year. Keep an eye on the bulletin board outside the main office for a sign up sheet." Blaine smiled back weakly.

Tina gave him a sympathetic smile, "Honestly, it's really not that big of a deal. Last year they let in everyone who tried out." Last year the team hadn't won a competition. Tina held out her hand, "I'll text you when we schedule auditions so you can't possibly miss them. Here, give me your phone and I'll program in my number." Blaine felt something warm settle in his chest as he handed over his phone. He wondered if it was too much to hope that he might find a place to sing and find friends. It was starting to seem possible.

Anything could happen.

Please comment and let me know what you think! It always makes my day and I always respond :)

Updates will be posted 2-3 times per week.