Chapter 3

"Em, where have you been? Dad's really mad… I've been trying to get him to calm down…" Blaine tells his sister quickly as she walks through the door.

"EMMA KATHLEEN ANDERSON!" Their dad yells as he shoves Blaine out of the way to get to her. "WHERE have you BEEN!"

"I-I went to a friend's house… but I fell asleep… I'm really sorry, daddy, I…" She tries to explain before her father slaps her clear across the face and throws her on the ground beside her brother.

"You kids don't respect me AT ALL! You can't just go somewhere without my permission. Go to your room, both of you. No dinner. NOW!" He yells as stomps back into the kitchen and finishes off his can of beer. Emma and Blaine rush down the hall to the bedroom they both share. Emma sits carefully on her bed as quiet sobs rack through her body.

"Hey… Em, don't cry… I'll get you some ice for your cheek…" Blaine says as he quietly slips into the kitchen and runs back into his room with a dishtowel full of ice cubes. He carefully presses it to her face as he wraps an arm around her shoulders.

"Blaine… why does dad hate me…? He never hits you like he does me, I…" She shakes her head as more tears pour down her face.

"He doesn't hate you, Emmy. Come here." He pulls her into a hug as she cries into his shoulder.

~oOo~

The next day, Emma walks through the door to the cafeteria with her sack lunch in her hands. She sits at an empty table by herself and pulls out her peanut butter sandwich.

"Hey, Em! How're yo-… what happened to your eye!" Sam Evans asks worriedly as he sits beside her.

"Nothing happened… I, uh… ran into something." She says as she shrugs and takes a small bite out of her sandwich. Sam eyes her suspiciously, but doesn't ask her about it. He looks inside her bag and raises an eyebrow.

"Why don't you ever bring more than just a sandwich? I've seen you eat, Emma. You must be hungry!" He sets an apple beside her and gives her his carton of milk.

"Thanks, Sam…" She says with a small smile. They eat their lunches quietly until the bell rings.

"Let me walk you to class."

~oOo~

Jeff straightens his tie in the reflection of the window before leaving the choir room from practice. Being a Warbler is one of the best decisions he ever made. He loves to sing. Even if he doesn't get that many solos, it's still a lot of fun, and all his friends are in it. Including Nick.

"Hey, Jeff." Nick says as he trots over to him. "Wanna go get some coffee or something…?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Jeff says with a smile.

~oOo~

"Gosh, Kurt… You should have seen him… He slapped her right across the face, I just… I should've done something… He never hits me. He pushed me to the ground, but that's about all he does. He slaps her around like she's a rag-doll…" Blaine says as he rests his chin in his hand and shakes his head sadly. Kurt looks at him sympathetically. He doesn't know what to tell him. His parents never hit him… Carole never does, either. He takes Blaine's free hand and tilts his head up.

"Why don't you report him or something..? I'm sure the Child Protection Services would GLADLY take care of him."

"Because Emma and I might get separated… I couldn't just let a random family take away my little sister from me… But I'm not doing her any good by making her stay with my dad…" Blaine squeezes Kurt's hand and takes a deep breath. "Mom will be home in a week. He always cleans up when she's around. She'll be home for two months… That'll give me some time to think…"

~oOo~

Rachel straightens out her plaid skirt as she walks into the choir room for Glee club rehearsal. She's been practicing a duet with Finn and she's DYING to show Mr. Shuester. As soon as she walks in, she stops in her tracks as she sees a younger girl sitting next to Sam.

"Um, Sam..? Who is this?" She asks as she eyes her suspiciously.

"Oh! This is Emma! You know Kurt's boyfriend, Blaine? This is his sister! I heard her singing the other day and I think she'd be a GREAT addition to Glee club! I asked Mr. Shue and he said she can join!" Sam replies with a grin. Emma slowly looks up at Rachel and smiles shyly.

"Well, Emma, do you have a song prepared so we can hear how talented you are?" Rachel spits as she looks her up and down.

"Actually, yes I do. I'll be singing Gimme Gimme from the Broadway musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. If that's alright with you guys…" Everyone nods their heads in agreement at her song choice.

"Alright then. To the auditorium..!" Rachel says as she leads the rest of the group into the room and motions for Emma to go up on the stage. Emma takes a deep breath and starts to sing.

"A simple choice, nothing more. This or that, either or. Marry well, social whirl, business man, clever girl. Or pin my future, on a green glass love."

After Emma finishes singing the song she looks out to the group and the all have their mouths wide open. For a sixteen year old, she has so much talent..! They clap and whistle loudly as Mr. Shuester walks in.

"I heard it all. Guys, welcome Miss Anderson to the group!" Mr. Shue says as the group hoots and hollers. All except Rachel, that is.

This girl is REALLY good… Rachel thinks to herself. I actually have competition with her…