A/N: Yeah, so here's another relatively short chapter. I'm sorry it's so short, and I'm sorry it's so introductory, but I hope you like it anyhow! Thank you, everyone who has alerted this story! It means so much, you don't even know. :)
This chapter takes place both before and after the prologue: the parts before will be in italics (so flashbacks/past=italics), and parts after are normal.
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Blaine opened the door of his new locker and carefully placed his new textbooks inside. He reached into his leather bag and pulled out a still crisp and unwrinkled class schedule, scanning the list. First period World History with Mrs. Yentz in room two-twenty-four. He shut his locker door and turned down what he hoped was the right hallway.
Ten minutes later found Blaine creaking open the door to room two-twenty-four and stepping into the front of a crowded classroom. Mrs. Yentz paused in the middle of whatever she was saying about the Cold War and took his late pass and introduction note before turning to the class and saying, "Everyone, this is Blaine Anderson." Looking back to Blaine, she added, "Mr. Anderson, there is a seat over by the window that you may take."
He nodded in response, clutching the strap of his bag tightly and heading for the desk in the front of the room. When he got there, he pulled out a notebook, pen, and a yellow legal pad, which only had a few pages left. He sighed. He would have to get a new one soon if he wanted to be able to talk to anyone.
He opened his notebook to the first page and began doodling in the margins as Mrs. Yentz talked on. An air balloon floating to the sky, a bird sitting in a tree, a-
"Mr. Anderson?"
Blaine startled, his pen clattering to the wooden desk top as he lifted his head. Mrs. Yentz was looking at him from the front of the classroom. "Mr. Anderson, did you learn about the Cold War at your previous school?"
He nodded in response.
"What countries were involved, then, if you don't mind me asking?"
I do mind, but, okay, Blaine thought. The Cold War was between the US and the Soviet Union.
He picked his pen back up, planning to write the answer down, but before he could even touch the ballpoint to the paper, Mrs. Yentz stepped over and plucked it out of his hand.
"Mr. Anderson, I asked you a question," she said sternly, looming over him.
Blaine opened his mouth, but he knew no words would come out. He reached for his pen, still in Mrs. Yentz hand, but she pulled it away from him. "Mr. Anderson, I would appreciate if you would answer the question. Who was involved in the Cold War?"
Tears began to burn in the back of his eyes, but he swallowed and choked them down, instead reaching for his bag to find another pen. He could feel the class' eyes on his back.
When he turned, however, Mrs. Yentz sighed, put his pen back down, and turned on her heel to head back to the front of the classroom. "I'll ask that you pay more attention, Mr. Anderson, in the future."
Blaine just nodded, staring at his desk. He had never been so embarrassed (mostly because he had never gotten on the bad side of a teacher at all, let alone so quickly) and that was saying something.
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"Hey, Blaine, what are you doing tonight?"
The boy in question set his history textbook in his locker and turned to face Peter. "Hmm, let's see, November sixteenth," he replied in a teasing tone, scratching his chin. "I don't know, maybe I have a hot date."
Peter grinned and leaned his shoulder against the bank of lockers. "Oh, do you?"
"I don't know, do I?"
"I would hope so."
Laughing, Blaine reached out to grip Peter's hand in his own. "Pick me up at 6 and head to the movies?"
"Sounds perfect. I can't wait," Peter answered. He squeezed Blaine's hand before remembering the crowded hallway and letting go of it.
Blaine sighed in response and turned back to his locker. He grabbed his math book before shutting it firmly.
"B, I'm sorry-"
"No, don't worry about it. I understand, I do." He glanced over his shoulder. Seeing a jock pass by out of the corner of his eye, he instinctively tensed up, waiting for the shove into the lockers or the smack on the head. Instead he got a yank on his satchel that had him stumbling backwards over an outstretched foot. Next thing he knew he was falling, his hands reaching out to catch himself, but to no avail. He landed painfully on his butt amidst laughter.
Peter watched with squinted eyes as the bullying football player walked away. When he disappeared, he reached out to help Blaine up. Blaine rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet.
"That was new," he said, brushing off the seat of his khakis and straightening his bag on his shoulder. The bell rang, and the hall emptied out as students hurried to their respective classes. One of them bumped into Blaine's shoulder forcefully, causing his glasses to slide down his nose.
"Okay, yeah, that" -Peter gestured down the hall- "is one of the reasons they can't know, Blaine." When Blaine sighed again, nodding, he added, "I just- I don't want to give them another reason to torture you." He stretched out a hand to push one of Blaine's curls out of his face, but the boy just ducked his head, fixing the plastic frames balancing on his nose. "They wouldn't give you an easy time," he said, his hand falling back to his side.
Peeking up through his eyelashes, Blaine mumbled, "They wouldn't give you an easy time, either." He shoved his hand in his pocket.
Peter nodded, smiling sadly. "Then I guess this is what's best for both of us."
"I guess so."
"Blaine, your family doesn't even know."
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, I have no right-"
"You have every right," Peter interrupted. "You're in this relationship, too. I just don't think it's a good idea to, you know, let everyone know. Not here, not yet."
"Right."
"So… tonight? Movies? Are we still good?" Peter asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
Blaine smiled, pulled his hand out of his pocket, and gripped Peter's once more in the empty hall. "We're good," he said, pulling the boy in for a quick kiss.
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A/N: And there we have the first official chapter. Let me know what you thought in a review! :) Love y'all!
