A/N: Thanks for everyone who's alerted this and reviewed. You guys are awesome. I hope the lack of actual Kurt and Blaine is ok with people for these chapters. They're being incorporated as much as possible. But obviously they won't be playing a bigger role until the girls figure everything out ;) Also feel like I should mention I know nothing about sewing, or Ohio, so if I have things wrong, please forgive me

Disclaimer: I don't really own much. I created some of the characters, but otherwise.

Lydia had been pleasantly surprised to find out that her roommate was likeable. She'd been so afraid she'd be stuck with a weirdo who was permanently attached to her ipad or something. But Sophia was nice, even is she was a little bit of a suck-up, and they were already getting along just fine. Lydia supposed it wasn't the worst thing in the world to have someone basically kissing your ass.

She'd yet to hear from her dad yet. Granted, it was only 7.30 am on her first full day at Dalton… but she'd hoped for at least a goodnight message. Which she didn't get. She shrugged it off with a 'whatever', he'd probably had another 'dinner meeting' and forgot that his daughter had just started a new school. She put her uniform on, before brushing out her hair, and tying it up into a pony.

'Oh my God, Lydia, how does your uniform look so good?' Sophia asked when she returned from the room after going and taking a shower. 'Mine looks like it's trying to eat me alive.'

Lydia shrugged. 'I've been customising my own clothes since I was six.' She looked at the way Sophia's uniform engulfed her tiny frame. 'I can fix yours tonight if you'd like.'

'Oh my God, yes, that would be amazing! Seriously yours actually makes you look really good. Also, I love your hair.'

She smiled. 'I know that balayage is a little, twenty years ago, but there's something just so classic about it. You know?'

'You're going to single-handedly bring it back… anyway, I'm starving so let's go and get breakfast.'

'Oh, you go on ahead, I'll meet you there.' Lydia said. She didn't eat breakfast unless it was one of her Dad's rare bacon and egg breakfast's. Cereal was too soggy and gross, and toast was about the blandest food on the planet. She would drink a coffee, and that would sustain her until lunch. Sophia shrugged and left her alone in the room where she sat down and sighed. She checked her phone again, there was still no message from her Dad.

'My roommate is nice, so that's one less thing to worry about. Excited to start my first day. I miss you. xo'

She slipped her phone into her pocket and grabbed her book bag she'd packed the night before and headed down to breakfast.

x x x

When Grace woke up she was starving. She actually hadn't eaten much dinner the night before because by about that time it had hit her that it would be a month until she saw her Dad again. The one person she'd seen everyday since she was born was suddenly not just three steps away, in the room across from hers. He'd called to wish her goodnight and that had helped her sleep. But it still hadn't been the same. She'd dug out a picture she'd stolen from an old photo album of his and put it on her bedside table. In the photo he was in New York (of course), at the Bryant Park ice skating rink. He wasn't looking at the camera, but was looking at another man, they were facing each other, hands joined, with huge smile's on their faces. You could actually see little crinkles in the corner of Kurt's eyes, which were lit up with a joy she personally had never seen in him.

The photo was from before she was born. She knew only because she'd never seen the man with dark, slicked down hair, thick eyebrows and the biggest smile she'd ever seen on someone. But she also knew that whoever the man was... he had been special to her dad. She was determined to find out who he was, and where he was. And maybe, if she reunited them, her Dad wouldn't be so lonely anymore.

Her stomach grumbled and she sighed, turning away from the picture and getting up just as her roommate Janelle's alarm went off. Janelle grumbled and reached blindly for her phone before hitting the snooze button and falling back asleep again. Grace shrugged and grabbed her uniform before heading to the bathrooms to get changed.

The breakfast room was buzzing with an oddly calming sound of cutlery clattering against each other and coffee machines whirling. Grace quickly helped herself to some toast before finding an empty table and sitting at it. Being alone didn't bother her. She had a feeling that it maybe sometimes bothered her Dad. But she was happiest when left on her own with her thoughts.

'Lydia, you got here really quickly, how did you get your breakfast before me when the line is so long?'

A tiny girl with blonde hair and tanned skin sat down opposite Grace who looked up from her toast in confusion.

'Anyway, I was just talking to this guy over there and, ugh, I think your uniform looks even better now, how did you get the blazer to not make you look like you have man-shoulders? But yeah, this guy over there, his name is Spencer and he's a junior Warbler, a Warbler, and I was just talking to him and he said we could join them for breakfast so come on Lyds, we need to go right now.'

'Um, I think you have me confused with-

'Sophia, what are you doing?' Another girl walked up to the table, she had a very demanding air about her as she looked steadily at the other girl.

'Lydia? But I...' Sophia turned and looked at Grace frowning. 'Um... ok... I thought she was you.'

The girl who was Lydia glanced at Grace. 'She looks nothing like me. Come on... I think I have an in with The Warblers.'

Who were the Warblers and why were they so important?

'Oh me too, I was just telling you, um, her thinking she was you about it, wasn't I?'

Grace nodded. 'Some guy named Spencer was talking to her.'

Lydia shrugged. 'Ok, whatever, let's go.'

'Did you want to come with us, um... what's your name?' Sophia asked her.

'Seriously Soph, you're just going to invite a random to come with us?' Lydia huffed.

'Grace, and, no thank you.' She gave Lydia a steely look. She didn't know why the girl immediately disliked her, but it really didn't make Grace want to be friends with her. 'Oh and you take the shoulder pads out.'

'What?' Sophia asked.

'You asked how to get the blazer to not give you man-shoulders... you take the shoulder pads out of it. And then unpick the seam and sew it back so it's not as loose, because otherwise it'll just look like your uniform is too big.'

Sophia's face lit up in a smile. 'Thanks Grace.' She turned to Lydia. 'She's cool, why can't she come with us?'

'Because I said so, now come on.'

The girl Lydia dragged Sophia away leaving Grace extremely confused about several things. For starters, how the girl Sophia had gotten them confused, maybe they both had the same almond shaped blue eyes, and round nose, but Lydia's face was clearly much sharper, and had a permanent scowl etched into it. And who the hell were The Warblers and why was it the be all and end all that Lydia and Sophia sit with them?

'Why do we have to up at the crack of dawn? I hate this.' Janelle sat herself down across from her cradling a cup of coffee, yawning wide, still with her bed hair, and her uniform slightly askew.

'It's eight o'clock, hardly the crack of dawn.'

'I became accustomed to midday sleep-ins and they've been cruelly ripped away from me. I hate life.'

'Just drink your coffee.' Grace said, just before there was a loud shout, and one table full of boys all stood up.

'Wablers.' One guy, who clearly was a senior snapped his fingers and they shuffled themselves into place. The guy who had snapped at them taking his place at the front. They started off by humming a four-note chord, before breaking into the latest teen pop song. They moved around the cafeteria, dancing, flirting with some of the girls, who watched them with wide, fascinated eyes. The lead singer had picked one girl out from the crowd and sung almost the whole song to her.

By the time they were finished the cafeteria was dead silent for about three seconds before a loud round of applause and cheering broke out.

'Oh, so... they're The Warblers.'

'And aren't they dreamy?' Janelle sighed.

x x x

'I'm so glad to hear you're making friends already. I want to hear all about your first day so call me when you can. The house is very quiet without you.'

Lydia rolled her eyes at the message. Where did she say she was making friends? She said her roommate was nice. How did that mean she was making friends? Of course, she had a feeling she'd started a very wonderful and magical 'friendship' that morning with a boy named Liam. He was only a freshman too, but he was already part of the Warblers, because his older brother Elijah was one and got him an audition early. That obviously meant he was really good, which meant he could be leading them in a year or two, which would make him the most popular boy in the school, and her the most popular girl by default, because they'd be dating by then.

So far though, she didn't like Dalton, at all. She wanted to move back to Sandusky and go to the local high school there, no matter how crap it was, where her friends were. Sophia talked, all the time, in an irritating high pitched voice. And then there was Grace.

Grace freaking Hummel who seemed to be in all of her classes. Who she'd somehow been mistaken for six times already, by teachers and other students. Grace who was the most irritating stuck up princess she'd ever met. For starters, she barely spoke to anyone, as though she was superior or something, apparently she was from New York, and that was probably why. Who the hell came to a school in Hicksville, Ohio when they lived in freaking New York City?

And they didn't even look a like. Grace's face was kind of chubby, and her nose was rounder, her ears kind of stuck out, and she very obviously needed to get her teeth whitened. It was basically an insult to have been mistaken for her so much. The only thing Grace had going for her was that her uniform fit just as well as hers did. Maybe, even though Lydia hated to admit it, even better.

Only adding to her dislike of Grace was the fact that she'd just walked into her music class, running late, only to find Grace sitting next to Liam. She'd probably caught onto the fact that people here were idiots and thought they looked the same and had tricked him into thinking she was her. She sat in the empty seat behind them, rolling her eyes when Grace giggled at something Liam said.

'I like you Grace, I'll keep you around to boost my ego.'

'Right, I've known you all of five minutes and I can already tell your ego doesn't need a boost.'

Lydia wanted to gag. Instead she tapped Liam on the shoulder. 'Hi Liam,' she smiled at him.

"Oh, hey Lydia, how are you?'

'Good, I'm great actually. I should have known you'd be taking music.'

'Yeah, no way I'd miss out on Mr Montgomery's class. Did you know he used to be head of the Warbler's Council? Back when Blaine Anderson was lead.'

Lydia perked up at her Dad's name, and her eyes glinted as she smiled, quickly seizing the opportunity.

'Funny you should mention that, Blaine Anderson is actually my Dad, and Wes, I mean, Mr Montgomery is a good family friend of ours.' It was actually the only reason she was taking music to begin with. How hard could learning a bit of theory and singing be? Plus Wes was going to give her a pass, considering she was basically his niece.

'No way, Blaine Anderson is your dad?'

She pointed to herself. 'Lydia Anderson, duh. Yes, he is.'

'Oh my god, you're a legacy. You're practically Dalton royalty. Do you happen to know why he ever left? Apparently it was because of some kind of Romeo and Juliet love affair, but no one really quite knows and-

'There will be no talking in my class unless I instruct it, young man, turn around and face the front. This is your first lesson and I assure you it will be the most important.'

Everyone sat up a little straighter and picked up their pens, ready to start. Lydia smirked, Wes was about a frightening as a kitten. It was funny to see him putting it on for the class of freshmen.

'My name is Mr Montgomery, and this is Music Theory and Practice, emphasis on the theory there. You are not here to bludge around strumming out of tune guitars all year, so if any of you think this class will be a walk in the park and picked it accordingly, you might want to speak to admin and transfer to a different subject. Are we clear?'

There was a mumbled 'yes sir.' and Wes smiled.

'Very good then. Let's get started.'

x x x

'Hello? Kurt Hummel speaking.'

'Dad?'

'Oh, Grace, hi honey, sorry I was just walking through the door and didn't check caller ID.'

Grace laughed. 'That's ok. You just got home then?'

'Yes, you know how busy this time of a collection gets. Model's were running late, pants didn't fit properly… all the usual kind of stuff.'

'Sounds like a lot of fun.'

Kurt sighed. 'Don't you know it? But enough about me, how was your first day?'

'Um, good.'

Grace could practically hear her Dad sit up a little straighter. 'You sound a little unsure.'

'Well, it's just one day. But everyone's been nice enough so far. I uh, I've actually had a couple of girls ask me to help them with their uniforms to get them to fit better.'

'I am so proud you. You're definitely Kurt Hummel's daughter.'

She laughed. 'Yeah. And my roommate is nice. A little grumpy in the morning, but it's more directed to the world and life for needing her to get up, I think. And there's this boy-'

'Boy? What boy? No boys Grace. Not until you're 35, and even then he has to go through a thorough screening before he gets an ok.'

'Dad, you're aware Dalton used to be an all boys school.'

'But it's not anymore.'

'I know, but this is the first year they've allowed girls to enrol. Most of the student population are boys.'

'Yes, that's exactly what I want to hear. My baby girl surrounded by hormonal teenage boys and little teacher supervision. You're painting a wonderful picture for me. Maybe I should just come and get you right now. You've got a very keen eye for colour co-ordination; you can help with me the last couple of pieces. In fact, who even needs high school anyway? You can intern for me.'

'Dad, relax, it's fine.'

'Ok. But if you get pregnant you are coming straight home and will be grounded until that child is thirty.'

'Oh my God, dad I'm fifteen. I'm not about to go getting pregnant.'

'Hey, when I was in school the president of the celibacy club got pregnant, anything goes.'

'I promise I won't get pregnant.'

'I'm holding you to that. How were your classes?'

'Great, actually. And speaking of them, I've already got a mountain of homework so I'm going to have to go if I want to get done because my door in knocked down by girls who want their skirts shortened.'

'Dalton's resident tailor. I'm so proud of you.'

'I'll call you tomorrow, ok?'

'My phone will be in my hand waiting. I love you.'

'Love you too.'

x x x

On the third ring, her Dad answered.

'Lydia! Hi sweetie, how are you?'

'Good. Tired, but good. It was a good first day.' She rolled her eyes at herself, how many times did she want to fit the word good in?

'That's great to hear. Tell me all about it.'

'Um…' She paused, unsure of where to start. 'Uncle Wes is my music teacher.'

'Good, I can get him to keep an eye on you.'

'Daddy! I'm not a kid anymore, I don't need constant watching.'

'I know, I know. I'm sure you'll have a great time in his class. What about the friends you've made?'

'Sophia is my roommate, she's pretty cool. I think we'll get along really well.'

'That's great.'

'Yeah, and Liam, who's in a couple of my classes is a Warbler.'

'Wait, you're a freshman, a freshman is a Warbler already?'

'Yeah, his brother is one as well, so he auditioned for them early. I haven't heard him sing but I guess he's pretty good.'

'He must be.' Blaine said. 'I'm glad you're making friends though.'

'Me too. How are you Daddy?' She asked.

'Good. I'm really good. The house is extremely quiet without you though. I miss you being here, and, as much as I'm surprised to hear it, your music blaring loudly from your room.'

'I'm sure you're just saying that.'

'No! Really.' Blaine insisted.

'So, permission to play music as loud as I want when I come home.'

'Well, we'll see.'

'It's not like there are neighbours to disturb. Or… I guess… I could try to play it loud enough to reach them.' She laughed, they lived on a large property, with their nearest neighbours being at least two miles away. It had its advantages at times.

'Yes… anyway, how are your other classes?'

'So far? Alright I guess. Same old… lot's of homework already. But I guess that comes with high school.'

'Trust me, the moment you get to college you'll be wishing you had a high school amount of work to do.'

'Woah, let's just have me survive high school first, it's my first day, then we can talk college.'

'Right, right. Well, you said you had a lot of homework didn't you?'

'Yeah…' she sighed.

'So I should probably be a good father and let you go.'

I…' she sighed again, there was no use protesting. 'Yeah, I've got a lot to do.'

'Ok, make sure you call me soon ok? I'm going out of town over the weekend, but I'll do my best to have my phone on hand and I'll call you back if I miss you.'

'Where are you going?'

'Uh, LA, actually. It's just a couple of meetings and then I'll be home.'

'You didn't tell me you were going away.'

'It only just came up in the last couple of days.'

'Oh.'

'Ok, I've really got to know. Goodnight.'

'Goodnight, I love you.'

'Love you too sweetheart.'

She stayed on the phone until she heard the dial tone and then hung up taking a deep breath. It was all going to be ok. Maybe it was just a business thing and not… a weekend in Santa Monica hooking up with some guy he'd never introduced to her.

'Ok, Sophia's blazer. Let's just… focus on that.' She muttered to herself, picking up the navy blazer and her sewing kit and got to work.

A/N: Reviews genuinely do make me smile. And I try to reply to them all, so... that's worth the review? Maybe. Haha. Also, I'm on tumblr under the same username (only no capital letters) if you want to follow me for the occasional writing update/preview. Though most of the time I'm just fangirling about things.