Constant flashing lights. People waving. Strangers shouting. Then it was all over and Kurt found himself in a long corridor, brightly coloured and leading to a big white door. Was this supposed to be someone's strange idea of the pearly gates to heaven? He looked up at the large camera at the top before he pushed the heavy door that would be baring his exit for the next two months. He knew every camera would now be directly linked to some mysterious editor's room and every shot or video footage could be shown in every television in America. He was intrigued by the whole concept but as he entered the completely empty room to await the other reality show contestants, he wondered why he had decided this was a good idea.

---

Blaine hugged his parents and friends that had gathered at the studio before he faced the crowd that surrounded the house where he was to be incarcerated. It was strangely quiet in the studio and he mentally prepared himself to go outside and face the crowd of strangers. He had no idea who he was to meet in the house, just another eleven contestants, all from New York, all in college. It was some kind of experiment to see how young people of a certain generation and intellect would interact with each other. It was designed, Blaine assumed, to test all notions of morality and community, to see exactly how far someone would go to blend in with a crowd of strangers. He looked at his mum and dad one last time as they stood proudly by the door, and he turned to face the noise.

It almost knocked him sideways - the lights of the camera, the shouts and yells of the crowd, paparazzi and television crew determined to see how he was affected by his first taste of fame. He blinked and tried to walk confidently across the tarmac to the path that led to the house. He turned around to face the crowd again, gave a strong wave and a shaky smile and pushed the door open to reveal the long white corridor. He wheeled his suitcase along and looked up at one of the cameras that would track and record his every movement, his every mistake and smiled. This would require great acting skills but he was sure he could rise to the challenge.

He opened the big white door to find a guy with chestnut hair coiffed to perfection with the tightest pairs of jeans he had ever seen on a man. The guy smiled shyly, his blue eyes shining in the glare of the lights in the room and walked over to Blaine with his hand outstretched.

"Hi, I'm Kurt," he said and he indicated the girl next to him, "And this is Faye?" The girl next to him nodded shyly. She was petite with curly dark blonde hair, her blue eyes twinkled and already she was blushing and looking nervous.

"Hi, I'm Blaine. Are you the only people here yet?"

"There's Michael in the bedroom, he's already been checking out the place," Kurt said, "I think he wants to ensure he has the best bed." He looked as if he was already unimpressed by Michael and Blaine laughed.

Blaine only had time to have a quick look around before the next contestant was arriving.

A girl entered this time in the shortest skirt, with tanned legs to die for, her hair perfectly styled to match her confident pout. She immediately introduced herself as Nicola and began to scout her surroundings, inspecting the kitchen cupboards and the bedroom. She clearly believed she would be in charge and Kurt decided he would probably need to show her that was going to be far from the truth.

"This should be interesting," she finished, "I hope they don't expect us to live on this meagre supply of foods."

Next in was a girl with spiky pink hair and a nose ring, which earned quite the bitch stare from Nicola, already sensing that her territory would be put into question.

"Hi I'm El," she said as she entered, putting her suitcase next to the others and shaking hands with everyone present. She gave the widest grin and with her eyes twinkling she started to explain what it felt like to enter the house knowing she wasn't to escape for two months. She seemed highly intelligent and Kurt was already anticipating interesting conversations.

"El? What's that short for then?" Nicola asked suspiciously.

"Elspeth," she whispered.

"Nice," Nicola scoffed and Kurt could feel the hairs on his neck bristle at her bitchy comment. Blaine looked at the both of them and knew whose side he would be on, should this turn nasty. Nicola was going to be hard work.

Another girl came in and introduced herself as Heidi, blonde, slightly plump but seemed nice and homely. Followed by a guy called Bradley who immediately knocked the girls off their feet – short blonde hair, tanned skin and a toned body, made Blaine's mouth open slightly in awe and Kurt made a mental note. Blaine was gay too.

Ian followed Bradley. He was a few years older, clearly a mature college student and the father figure of the group. Anisa came in next an international student that everyone assumed was from somewhere in Asia with her honey coloured skin and dark eyes but as soon as she spoke revealed her Scottish roots. She was born and raised near Edinburgh. Claire followed Anisa shortly after and seemed nice and organised. She discussed her plans to order food based on everyone's choices and to organise the chores so it would be fair. Ed was the last one to arrive, clearly studious and serious and he soon announced he was studying politics. He looked like he was eyeing up the others to determine their political affiliations.

Kurt watched everyone enter, sometimes horrified, at other times glad for certain people. He wondered how everyone was going to gel together but he knew the television show was designed for the opposite to happen. He was so used to his routine he was worried about how he would manage with everyone determined to voice their opinion and to get their way but he already knew who he might befriend and who would be an ally.

The competition prize was a good amount of money but he knew the chances of him winning were slim. He had mainly applied for the challenge, determined to get used to different groups of people, to stretch himself to go beyond his comfort zone. He knew throughout high school it had seemed obvious to those around him that he was gay. His clothing choices, his voice, his hobbies – everyone assumed they knew what he was like, which irked a little if he was honest. He was wondering if he would need to say something, whether anyone would have an issue but as he looked to Blaine who was sitting quietly on the sofa, clearly observing his surroundings, he thought he might have an ally after all.

---

Blaine noticed Kurt looking his way after a while and smiled warmly. While everyone was looking around their new home, already checking out where they would be sleeping, Kurt seemed to be still, perhaps coming to terms with what he had in store for the following eight weeks. Blaine looked at him carefully, hoping he was gay, like him. He wasn't really worried about how it would be taken by the general public. He was sure though that the fear of public opinion would only grow in the next few weeks as they remained inside, unaware of what people thought on the outside.

Kurt smiled in return when he saw Blaine's gaze alight on him and he indicated the big bedroom where everyone was making their choices loudly. Blaine got up from the sofa and smiled as if indulging children and Kurt instantly relaxed. They wandered into the big bedroom with twelve beds, some singles, others doubles – the production company's ploy to encourage romance. Most of the contestants had decided which was to be their bed, the only two left were nearest the door, one single, one double, which were next to each other.

"You take the double," Kurt said politely to Blaine, "I don't mind the single." And to show him he meant it, he placed his scarf on it and sat down.

"Are you sure?" Blaine asked, "I really don't mind."

Kurt just smiled and leant back on the wall by his bed.

"So what's for dinner?" Michael asked after everyone had placed themselves in beds.

"I think maybe we should find out if they intend to provide something decent, otherwise I might have to complain," Nicola said, already striding to the living area. She looked around the room for some inspiration but suddenly one of the main television screens in the house lit up and a picture of a human eye came up. A voice suddenly boomed and Kurt was reminded of the Wizard of Oz.

"Hello contestants," it said, "We will be shortly providing you with a menu of dishes you can order tonight with a limitless budget. We want you to enjoy your stay here and the company you find yourself in. Have fun." The eye blinked then it was gone.

"They really are trying to make this a little austere and dramatic aren't they?" El said, laughing.

"It's the calm before the storm," Ian said, "These programmes are always the same; they want you to believe we're here for fun. They'll soon throw tasks at us, try to create divisions amongst us and watch us and laugh."

"I think it's not that serious," Bradley said, smiling to reveal straight white teeth, "Just have some fun."

"Don't you get the impression that we're just animals about to be slaughtered?" Faye said looking wide eyed at Kurt, who she had guessed was the kindest.

"Just a little bit," he whispered as the menus suddenly appeared on the screen for them to choose food.

Claire, already assuming she would play mum and organise the group, started a list of everyone's choices and she managed to include a few things that most people wanted, whilst sticking to the budget. Blaine guessed she was probably studying something to do with business.

Much alcohol was ordered and as the food arrived they all had their fill in the large living area. Blaine watched as the other contestants ate to reflect the character they wanted to portray to the audience at home. Ian, Claire and Faye remained quiet, although only Claire and Ian used their time to watch others to formulate their game plan. Faye continued to watch in awe of the boisterous and loud people around her. Nicola and Ed clearly wanted to prove they were most worthy to be the leader of the group by explaining themselves clearly. Michael and Bradley sat back and ate and drank, wanting to enjoy their experience as much as possible. Blaine smirked to himself as his eyes took in Kurt's expression of disgust at the food on Michael's chin as he stuffed his face. Anisa and Heidi had struck up a friendship early on and were chatting to themselves quietly, though they appeared friendly and approachable.

They all wanted to appear sociable and intelligent, some showing their true colours already without realising it. No one said anything offensive or relayed what they were truly thinking though and Blaine found it easy to play along. He managed to have conversations with everyone as the night went on. The house was big enough to allow for more private conversations, smaller groups where friendships could develop. Nicola and Anisa soon decided after the food was finished that they should carry on drinking by the hot tub and they changed to reveal perfectly tanned toned bodies in bikinis that had Michael making inappropriate gestures behind their back. Heidi sat on the side drinking and chatting to Ed and the smokers, El and Ian, were in the only smoking area of the complex in the corner of the garden. Bradley and Michael sat on the side, trying to join in with the girls in the hot tub but looking a little pathetic. Blaine shared friendly banter with everyone but occasionally he would look over at Kurt, who was talking to one of the girls, Heidi or Faye most of the time. Kurt would be smiling and talking animatedly then he would watch other people quietly as if he was trying to work out what they were really about. Blaine noticed his beautifully turned up nose and how his hair managed to stay unruffled. Blaine's hair was so unruly he had made sure he had packed an unhealthy amount of hair gel in his suitcase for the duration of his stay here.

It was past four o 'clock when one or two people started to disappear to different parts of the complex for closer chats, connections already created. A group were in the garden area, enjoying their drinks and the hot tub; a few more were in the living area chatting and laughing, alcohol still flowing. One or two had retreated to the bedroom for cosier chats under covers. Blaine found himself drifting from group to group, listening and joining in with the chats but then moving on until he settled in the bedroom where Kurt, Faye and Heidi were laughing quietly and talking. They had already changed into bed wear not really worrying about which bed they were in. Faye was tucked under the covers but laying on her side to face Kurt and Heidi who were sitting up in a double bed, the blankets covering their lower legs. As Blaine entered Kurt smiled, encouraging him to join them.

"Hi Blaine," he said.

"Get under the covers too," Heidi said and giggled, turning a slight shade of pink at her suggestion.

Blaine just laughed and asked Faye if he could temporarily share her covers, to which she nodded nervously. Once he was set up he looked at each of their faces in turn, wondering what he had interrupted.

"What you talking about?" he asked.

"Just wondering what everyone's game plan is," Kurt whispered conspiratorially, "Who do you think will be a pain in the ass?"

"Oh I don't know," Blaine said, determined to appear neutral and not make any enemies. "I think they all seem nice so far."

Kurt looked at him carefully, clearly not sure how to respond to such a comment. He wanted to be truthful here but immediately felt worried that Blaine was one to play the game too. Maybe he wouldn't be an ally after all.

"We'll see," Kurt said simply.

"I just want to be nice to everyone and see where that gets me," Faye said sincerely and Kurt, Blaine and Heidi all looked at her kindly, already knowing they would probably have to protect her to ensure she wasn't taken advantage of.

"I think this whole experience is one I will never forget," Heidi said and Blaine looked at Kurt and nodded in complete agreement.

They chatted about where they were from, what they hoped to do after college but as the hours ticked on, Kurt started to yawn in tiredness. Looking at Faye next to him, Blaine noticed that she was sleeping soundly so he carefully removed himself from the bed and got ready in the massive bathroom. He already realised there would be no privacy here, noticing the cameras in the corners of the room, and he slipped his pyjamas over his boxers after he had stripped off his clothes.

When he entered the bedroom again, Heidi and Kurt were now in their own assigned beds so Blaine snuck into his next to Kurt. The lights were off but they all knew they would probably be disturbed later on by the others returning to bed whenever they felt like it. Kurt sighed knowing he would be incredibly grouchy if he didn't get his full eight hours sleep. After a while of hearing light breathing from Faye and Heidi, Kurt turned to face Blaine's bed. He noticed Blaine was facing his bed too but suddenly Blaine opened his eyes to catch Kurt looking at him, which caused him to jump backwards slightly in the bed.

"Sorry," Blaine mouthed to Kurt, who could barely see him in the dim light of the bedroom. Kurt just laughed, very glad that Blaine couldn't see the blush creep up his cheeks.

"Are you glad you're here?" Kurt whispered, not wanting to wake Faye or Heidi.

"Yeah I think so," Blaine said nodding, "Are you?"

"I think it'll be adventure," Kurt said, the smile evident in his voice.

"Hopefully," Blaine said and winked as Michael and Bradley entered the room loudly and turned on the lights, completely oblivious to the sleeping bodies in the room. Kurt groaned quietly and Blaine laughed. He really was looking forward to this adventure and with Kurt here too he was sure it would be an amazing time.