Thank You For Being A Friend Pt. 2
PART 1
4. Ryder
Ryder’s still pissed at Glee Club. All of them. Sam and Artie were complete jerks to him after he shared his secret. He thought Marley and Jake were his friends, but they had no problem jerking him around. Unique was a liar, Tina and Kitty are mean, and he can’t figure out what Blaine’s deal is, but he’s friends with Sam, so clearly, he’s a jerk too. Birds of a feather tend to flock together, and he knew he should never have joined. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and maybe it was when Finn was leading them, but he’s not around much and Ryder didn’t need them anyway. He was fine on his own, and he didn’t want to go to LA anyway.
This is why Ryder was annoyed that different people from Glee club kept bothering him every time they saw him in the hallway. Marley and Jake texted him constantly. Tina and Kitty double teamed him in the hallway. Artie cornered him in the bathroom, which was just awkward and creepy. Sam caught him in the locker room and told him that Glee club was his destiny, but he did so in Yoda’s voice. Unique never approached him, and most avoided his eyes when they passed each other. This only made him feel bad, which then made him angry, because she has no right to make him feel guilty, when it’s her fault that he quit.
The thing is, even though Ryder would never admit it, but he did miss singing and performing. Now he was back to just singing in his room, and it’s just not the same. His parents keep asking him what’s wrong, and he doesn’t know how to explain any of it to them. The only people who he knew would understand how he felt were the very ones that made him feel that way. Funny how that happens.
So after a particularly bad day, where he’d been partnered with Marley in Biology class. She spent the entire period bugging him about glee club and talking about Nationals. Then found out he’d flunked his history test, Ryder waited until after he knew Glee club would be over and sneaked into the auditorium. He knew they’d all be gone on time, because it was a Cheerios practice day, which meant Blaine would cut practice short so he and Kitty could make it to practice on time. Ryder only remembers that because of one particular day when Sam and Blaine were in charge again, and they decided to sing their favorite songs from childhood. They had so much fun that they lost track of time. He found out the next day that Coach Roz made them run laps until Blaine almost puked, and Kitty actually cried. From that moment on, Blaine had an alarm set on his phone to make sure they were never late again. As much as he hates to admit it, he still smiles when he thinks of that day, and going off on a tangent about Power Rangers with Artie and Sam.
Ryder sits on the stage, taking a deep breath as he remembers that he did actually have a lot of fun in Glee Club. It makes him sad that the whole time that was going on, he was being lied to, right to his face.
Ryder takes out his ipod and is scrolling through his music when he hears the door open. He jumps up and starts looking around, school has been out for almost two hours, there shouldn't’ be anyone around.
“Hello?” he calls out. He looks up and sees Blaine walking towards the stage.
“Oh, hey Ryder, I didn’t think anyone would be here,” Blaine says, walking up the stairs of the stage.
“You’re not here to try and get me to come back are you, because everyone’s already tried and it won’t work.’
“I just said I didn’t think anyone would be here, so obviously I’m not. I have my NYADA audition in a few days and I was hoping I’d get some practice in. And I’ve got a song I’m working on arranging for Nationals and I want to have it ready to show Mr. Schue.”
Ryder grabs his backpack.
“You can stay. I kind of wouldn’t mind getting someone’s opinion on my audition number. Tina and Sam aren’t exactly the best judges.”
“I don’t know anything about Broadway.”
“I know, but you know music, right? Just tell me how the song makes you feel, and you know if I’m pitchy or something.”
“You’re never pitchy,” Ryder says, confused.
“Not usually, but the song I’ve chosen is a little difficult for me and I’m kind of freaked out about it.”
Blaine, admitting to be freaked, out is surprising to Ryder, since he’s never seen him nervous about performing before. He considers leaving, maybe helping Blaine with his song would be the distraction Ryder needs.
Ryder ends up staying for two hours, listening to Blaine run through his song a few times, and offering feedback as Blaine talks through the song he’s arranging for Nationals. It’s not until Blaine’s Mom calls to ask where he’s been that they realize that it’s nearly 8pm.
Blaine turns to Ryder as he packs up his stuff, “Thanks for your help tonight, I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime. Thank you for not trying to force me to go back to Glee Club.”
Blaine stops, and Ryder mentally kicks himself for bringing it up.
“It’s no problem, but I just want you to know, I had no idea what was going on, and if I did, I would have tried to stop it somehow. I really do miss having you in Glee club, but I understand why you feel like you can’t be there right now.”
“Thanks, man, seriously. You’re like the only person I believe that’s in that club.”
They awkwardly look around.
“You almost quit and went back to your old school earlier this year, right? When you all were dressing like superhereos and the trophy got stolen?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why? Was it just because your boyfriend broke up with you?”
“That was part of it. But mostly, I didn’t feel like anyone really cared whether I stayed or went.”
“Why would you come back? Why not go back to your old school where you know exactly where you stand with everyone?”
Blaine sighs, and sets his backpack down on the floor at his feet, “Well, I couldn’t see it at the time, but I had people here who cared about me, and they wanted me here because they were my friends. My old school only wanted their lead soloist back.”
Ryder puts his backpack on his back and starts to head out of the auditorium.
“I know it feels like everyone was lying to you, and if you don’t come back, we can still hang out and be friends, but I would really love it if you helped us win a National trophy.”
Ryder doesn’t say anything. Just heads out of the auditorium, but he knows he’s got some real thinking to do. The thing is, he’s still not sure if he can trust anyone in glee club, but he knows that Blaine’s always been really cool to him, and for some reason, he really doesn’t want to let him down.
5. Unique.
“Blaine Anderson!” Unique calls out as she approaches him at his locker. He smiles brightly at her.
“Hi Unique! You sounded amazing in practice today. Mr. Schue would be crazy not to give you that solo at Nationals,” he says as he takes some books from his bag and puts them in his locker.
“Thank you, but you and I both know that his triflin ass is not trying to give Unique the solo that she rightly deserves. But that is not what I’m here for today. What are you doing with this fine Friday afternoon?”
Blaine stops, frowns, “Coach Roz canceled practice today for some reason, so I’m free until 9 when I have to meet Kurt on skype. Why, what’s up?”
“Unique needs a shopping partner. If she’s going to be forced into performing at prom, she’s going to look snatched while doing do,” she says, snapping her fingers for emphasis.
“Okay, I can do that. I still haven’t really decided what I’m wearing to prom. Honestly, between you and me, I was considering just reusing last year’s tux.” Blaine winces at his own words.
“Oh, child, no. You are not. What would Kurt say?”
“Well we’re not together and it’s not like he’ll be there so it doesn’t matter what he thinks,” Blaine snaps.
“Ooh, okay, calm down. No need to bite my head off. I’m just saying you should still take the opportunity for fashion and to shine that adorable behind off in something fierce. You’re Class President and soon to be two time National Show Choir Champion, I’m sure there’s someone dying to get that behind on the dance floor. You gotta look good while you’re doing it.”
Blaine frowns at Unique, “I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s just a sore spot.”
Unique pats Blaine on the shoulder and takes his hand.
“Where’d you park? You can tell me all about it on the way to the mall.”
Later, after Unique found her dress and Blaine picked out a bowtie and a new pair of shoes, they decide to grab some dinner in the food court. Blaine grabs a slice of pizza and a salad from Sbarro, while Unique decides to go to Panda Express. They meet up with their food and decide to grab a table in the corner away from the crowd.
“You know, I wasn’t sure about you at the beginning of the year,” Unique says, pointing her fork full of chow mein at Blaine, “ You weren’t exactly the most welcoming to me, and well, I heard about your break up, and I thought that anyone that would cheat on a dime piece like Kurt Hummel is clearly out of his mind.”
Blaine opens his mouth to interrupt, but Unique waves him off, “But, after a little kiki with my fairy godmother, the Fabulous Ms. Mercedes Jones, I decided not to write you off. Frankly she likes you alot and I’m glad I had my come to Jesus moment about you. Unique always knows the T, and I know a lot more about you than I did back then. I know all about what happened and how you wound up at Dalton.”
Blaine nearly chokes on his drink, but manages to swallow, “How do you know about that? Kurt would n-”
“Oh no, honey, Kurt didn’t tell me. I got the T from your girl. Yes, Miss Tina can’t hold water in a bucket and if you expect a secret to stay that way, I would recommend you not tell her. Go tell it on the mountain or something, because she puts everybody’s business in the street. Girl loves her some drama, bless her heart.”
Blaine frowns, but nods for Unique to continue.
“Anyway, that’s why I invited you here. I’ve got the T on you and it’s made me want to ask you something. Does it really get better? You’re like the poster child for that whole thing as far as I’m concerned. I mean, what happened to you at that dance is my worst fear. And yet here you are, and you’re okay. How are you okay?”
Blaine puts his fork down and watches Unique, who avoids his eyes, as she plays with her food.
“Unique, is everything okay?”
“Unique is fine, baby. Or she will be. Having Marley, Jake and Kitty walk me home has helped. Those girls don’t really bother me anymore. And I can handle the whispering in the halls. McKinley is definitely better than Carmel ever was. I never really bought into that whole ‘high school is the best time of your life’ crap, and I knew it wouldn’t be that for me. But it’s hard not to be frustrated when I just want the same things everyone else wants, but there’s the entire extra level of crap that no one will really understand. I can’t just like a boy and hope he likes me back, you know? I just want what any girl my age wants.”
Blaine takes Unique’s hand, “Well, Unique, honestly? I’m not always okay. It’s hard. But I had my parents help, and when I went to Dalton, I thought I’d made good friends there. Music really helped me. And I still get frustrated, I’m sure you heard all about what Kurt went through and the slushy from last year, and that kind of stuff still frustrates me. And well, I never expected to fall in love in high school, I thought I had to wait to get to college in a big city or something, and one day, literally, I turned around and Kurt was there.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, he was there to spy on us, but yeah, just like that. I think you’re amazing, you're so talented and driven, and you’re going to go so far. And you have really good friends here, Marley would do anything for you, Jake and Kitty too, they all really care about you, and that’s what will help you get through the rest of your time at McKinley. And I think there’s going to be a guy out there that’s going to love you too.”
“Just have to be patient, right?”
“Sadly, yes. But you never know, you could turn around and he’ll be standing right there, and you won’t have to pretend to be anyone else. He’ll just see you, all of you, even the not so fierce parts, and he’ll love you anyway.”
Unique smiles sadly, “I think Kurt would be a fool not to take you back.”
Blaine sighs, before smiling at Unique and taking her hand.
“Unique, would you do me the honor of being my date for the prom?”
Unique smiles brightly, “Of course I would, but not if you’re going to wear last year’s tux. Unique will not be seen with an outfit repeater.”
+1. Blaine
Blaine stands in front of the mirror in his steamy bathroom, hair freshly gelled, and takes a deep breath. Tomorrow he finally graduates high school. Part of him considered blowing off today. All of his finals have been taken and passed with flying colors, Glee Club has no performances lined up (the seniors revolted when Mr. Schue suggested they perform at their own graduation) and he could really use this time to work on his speech. He should blow the day off. He’s made it through four years of high school, and he’s only cut class once. Last year to go have sex at Kurt’s empty house. He’s earned the right to ditch a day, but after a flurry of texts from Marley last night, he agreed to show up. He can use the class time, which will no doubt be spent playing hangman and other similar games, to work on his speech.
This has been the longest year. With everything that’s happened, it felt much longer than a normal school year. Blaine’s exhausted. He’s really kind of surprised that he got through it and that it turned out to actually be a really good year. He’s got the best friends he’s ever had (that won’t stand by and watch as people throw toxic slushies at him), he was Captain of the Glee club, he took them all the way to Nationals, and they won.
The only real negative is that Burt told Kurt about his plan and Kurt wasn’t very happy to hear that Blaine had bought him a ring. They didn't’ fight, per se, but the conversation didn’t go well. While Kurt promised he’d be back for Graduation, things between them are a bit strained, and Blaine’s frustration with that has been building. It’s why he didn’t even bother approaching the subject of prom with Kurt, and while he was apprehensive about another school dance where he couldn’t be romantic, taking Unique was the best decision he could have made. She was someone who understood how he felt watching all the couples around him, and after awhile, they were having so much fun, that they stopped caring about everyone else.
Blaine’s still frustrated, however, because every time he feels like he’s taken a step forward with Kurt, they end up taking two steps back. He tries not to think about it, he’ll be in New York in a month and a half, in his own apartment with Sam, Tina and Artie. He won’t feel like his life is on hold, which is how he’s felt for most of this year. He’s dreamed about going to New York for years. Most of his friends think it’s only been his dream since he met Kurt. Really, he just thinks New York is more his speed, the fact that Kurt would be there too just became an added bonus. Blaine has a lot of dreams. Kurt is only one of them. He’s ready to start making those dreams come true.
Just two days between Blaine and freedom and he can’t wait.
***********************
When Blaine arrives at school, the first person he sees is Sam, shirtless again, but, it’s not because he’s going through an existential crisis. Sam is going to be going to Community College in New York while working on his macaroni art. According to Sam, he’s shirtless because it’s the last day of school, he’s a two time National Champion and it’s his last chance to gift McKinley with his bod. He then, grabs Blaine and picks him up, throwing him over his shoulder and running down the hall yelling “Class of 2013! Woo!” at the top of his lungs.
Sam is ridiculous, but he’s one of the people that helped Blaine get through this year. He’s glad that he doesn't have to say goodbye to him.
They run into Tina on their way to first period, and she just laughs and smacks Blaine on the ass as they pass.
The day goes by in a pretty similar fashion. The other seniors around the school, the ones that bothered to show up, running around and cheering, their excitement obvious.
Coach Roz called Blaine to her office, and when he arrived, he found Sue there waiting for him. Sue shook his hand and told him he was a much more worthy adversary than Mr. Schuester and that she respects him for being upfront about his plans to get rid of her. It was the most normal conversation he ever had with his cheer coaches.
By the time the day is over, Blaine’s hand is cramped from the number of yearbooks he’s signed. He and Tina have already cried twice signing each other’s yearbooks and reminiscing about last year’s graduation and the things that have changed since then.
He’s pretty much exhausted by the time he gets to Glee that day, and he knows it’s going to emotional when he walks in and sees Marley already wiping her eyes. Kitty grabs him and pulls him into the room, and pushes him down into a chair in the front row. Once everyone arrives, the younger Glee club members stand in the front of the room, which reminds him of the previous year, when he was in their shoes.
“Guys, we just wanted to say that this has been an amazing year,” Marley starts, voice already choked up, Unique rolls her eyes and pulls a tissue out of her shirt and hands it to her. Marley clears her throat and continues, “It started off so tough, with losing Sectionals and everything, but you guys have really been great.”
“But let’s face it, there’s one of you, more than others who deserves an extra special thank you, and before you get excited, lips, it’s not you,” Kitty states.
“Blaine, if Unique had to lose the title of New Rachel to anyone, she’s glad it’s you, honey.”
“You’ve been really cool with us, helping us with stuff, even when you have your own problems to deal with,” Ryder says.
“Anyway, we just wanted to make sure you knew how much we appreciate you, and how much we’ll miss you. You’re gonna kick so much butt in New York, and we promise that we will make you proud. You’re like the big brother I never had.”
Blaine starts to get up and say something, but Kitty pushes him back down in his chair.
“Chill out, we’re about to sing to you, dummy,” Kitty warns are the music starts.
As they sing to Blaine, he tries to keep his composure, laughing as Sam, Artie and Tina join them. He’s doing a pretty good job of keeping his emotions in check until the door to the choir room opens and Kurt, Rachel, Santana, Mercedes and Mike come into the room and join the song.
As they dance, Kurt catches his eye and smiles, skipping over and grabbing Blaine’s hand and spinning him around. When Kurt lets him go, Blaine looks up in time to catch Unique winking at him.
By the time it’s over, they’re all crying.
Blaine may have only been at McKinley for two years, but he found a home there, and he’s surprised when he realizes he’s going to miss it, but mostly, he’s going to miss these people. Through all of the drama, they’ve all been there for each other, and he couldn’t have asked for a better team.