This is a shift day [see above]. There was another upload this morning: Step Thirteen, Share the Moments.

"Flying Solo"

5. New Possibilities

He had smiled. It may have happened before, something small, barely significant, but this… this was the first real, honest smile he'd felt take his face over since before his parents had died, and it was like he was slowly waking up from a deep sleep, remembering what it was like to feel something other than overwhelming sadness.

It had been unexpected, but at the same time he didn't want to make a big deal out of it. So he'd kept it to himself, not sharing just what had caused it… he was pretty sure that would be an even more awkward conversation.

In the meantime, as promised to Tina and Mike, he had been introduced to the other members of the Glee Club. A lot of them, he realized, he'd seen around school these last few weeks. Some were in his classes, others weren't… Their reactions to him would vary, but overall, his impression had been that they were good people.

He'd met Kurt and Blaine, recognized them as the boys he'd seen on his first day, in the boys' bathroom. Blaine had given his sympathies, and so had Kurt, and almost as though there was some kind of secret code for kids who'd lost one or both parents, looking at him Ewan knew he'd lost one, too. He'd feel it again when he'd meet Finn, who gave him a solid nod and a 'sorry about your parents.' Rachel, who'd been with him, had shown a very caring sort of softness, expressed how nice it was to meet him.

When he met the two cheerleaders, Brittany had actually hugged him, following with a quiet nod, while Santana had pulled her back before giving her sympathies. He met Mercedes, who he'd seen talking with Tina before. She was serious, like many of them, making sure to mention how sorry she was. It was the same with Puck, who'd clapped his shoulder on the way. Artie had this other sort of look on his face when they met, and Ewan wondered if this was a 'your parents had an accident, so did I' thing, or… The last he'd meet would be Quinn. Her demeanor had softened once she'd been introduced, though as she walked off he could almost see it harden again.

Here and there they would mention having heard he wanted to join Glee Club, asking what he was like, but Mike or Tika would steer them to another topic. They'd talk about classes, about Ireland… Brittany seemed particularly interested to know about leprechauns… When the whirlwind had ended, all he could think of was maybe he could do this… Well, maybe it wasn't all he thought about.

He'd left Mike and Tina to go to his locker, and there was Sugar at her own. He had confirmed she was indeed Sugar Motta, as her name had been a mystery to him at first. She was in a few of his classes, this much he knew; she had a way of being noticeable.

"Hey," he greeted her casually, the way one did when the person they encountered wasn't a complete stranger, or someone you disliked… She was neither. She looked to him when he spoke, reacted in sort.

"Irish guy, hello," she nodded to him.

"I have a name," he reminded.

"I know you have a name, but I don't remember. It's not your fault, it usually takes a few times before a name sticks… if I want it to stick," she shrugged. "So what's yours?"

"I never gave it to you," he realized. "I'm Ewan Healy. You're Sugar," he declared, which appeared to please her.

"So you've heard of me," she closed her locker and approached; he wasn't sure how to respond. "Did your friends in Glee Club tell you… nasty, horrible thing about me?"

"No, of course not," he promised. He didn't want to say as much, not to her face, but he kind of felt bad for her, for how things had gone between her and Glee Club. Now he was thinking maybe there was a way to fix things. "I've decided I want to try out," he revealed and she paused, quietly rearranging her face.

"Oh… well, good luck with that," she turned, about to leave, but he spoke up.

"You should try again." She stopped, turned to him again. She looked as though she expected herself to look in control, but knew she was failing.

"And why would I put myself through that humiliation again?"

"Because I think you really want it," he declared, freezing her. "If you didn't want it, then you wouldn't lash out so much against it." He knew he had her figured out; he also knew it wasn't always best to wave people's weaknesses in their faces, and even before she had a chance to turn and go, he confessed something further. "Please, I'd like it if you did."

"Why should I?" she asked, held in place by a strange curiosity. He took a step forward, in every sense of the word.

"Yesterday, in class, you were arguing with the teacher," he started recounting.

"Oh, him," she frowned.

"He wouldn't give, not one inch, and you were frustrated, I think."

"Hey, you would be, too, if you had to deal with his incompetence, which… I guess you will, since he'd your teacher," she stated.

"And the more frustrated you got, the deeper you frowned," he went on.

"You want me to try out for Glee Club, again, because I got frustrated and I frowned?"

"Made me smile…" he told her. She shrugged, not understanding. "You gave me a reason to smile, first time since… a-a long time. And if we were both in Glee Club, maybe you could… again." He wasn't sure how she'd react, but then she just stared at him with a dazed sort of smile.

"I think that's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me that wasn't from a parent, or someone who wanted money… or both… unless that's what you want, too?" she asked, her face begging for that not to be the case.

"Is that common, people asking you for money?" he wasn't sure he understood that part, and she gasped.

"Right, you don't know. So then… you were just being sweet?" she asked. He didn't know how to reply, didn't need to. "I'm not saying yes or no, but I'll consider it. Also, I didn't think I'd understand a word you said, but I did, so… good job. See you around, Irish."

And then she'd flounced off. He watched her go. He hoped she said yes. He'd meant every word he said. He didn't know what it was, but she had this effect on him, different than his friends, his aunt… Maybe he liked her; he wasn't sure. Either way, he really hoped she said yes.

When he told Tina and Mike he wanted to join Glee Club, Tina had looked almost relieved. He figured if anything went wrong he could back out… Hopefully that wouldn't be the case.

TO BE CONTINUED (TOMORROW)