Chapter One: Responsibility

"Hi."

The senior turned to look down at the freshman. "Hi?"

"You're Tyler, right?"

"That's me. Do we know each other...?"

"No, I'm a freshman. I was just- Do you have a minute?"

It must've been the look of terror staring at him, but Tyler's face softened in concern. "Sure. What's up?"

"I just- Could we talk... not in the hallway?"

"Sure, sweetie."

The younger student flinched a little at the endearment, but if Tyler noticed, he didn't say anything. They stole into a classroom. "Convention of the gays," someone muttered as they passed.

"Don't let it bother you," Tyler smiled charmingly. "They're just trying to get a reaction."

"Oh."

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Tyler seemed to shift instantly into protective mode, wrapping the suddenly crying student in a hug. "What's up?" he asked again.

"I- You're... gay, right?"

"Uh," Tyler let go and tried to laugh a little. "Yeah, why?"

"How do you know?"

"Just do," Tyler shrugged. "I just... have no interest in girls. I really don't know how else to explain it. Are you having some-"

"I think I'm gay."

"Okay," Tyler nodded, taking the admission in stride. "Is there a specific girl making you feel this way?"

"A boy."

"But then-"

"I don't- I'm not- I've never felt like... I just feel like I was born wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, I just... I don't like my body."

"You're really pretty, though."

"That's the problem. I don't want to be pretty. I want to be... I dunno, handsome? I don't like... I just feel like a boy. I feel like I was supposed to be a boy. I wish I'd never hit puberty."

Tyler considered for a long moment. "Have you heard the term transgender?"

"Yeah. It's like drag queens, right?"

"Okay. Sort of. Your definition's a little sparse. Unfortunately, we are both going to be very late to class, so... Why don't you do some googling when you get home? I bet it'll help."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Sure. And, if you want to talk again... Just let me know."

"Thanks. Oh, god. I didn't even- I'm C-"

"Why don't you hold off on the introduction?" Tyler suggested kindly. "I'll see you around, okay?"

That was how one freshman ended up surreptitiously googling new words in an incognito window. After an hour or two, one thing stood out as fact: he was not as crazy as he thought he was.

***

"Hey, mom, can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, sweetie. What's up?"

He held out a slip of paper. "I want to get an after school job."

"Honey, you don't need to get a job."

"I know, mom," he replied. "That's why I want one. I want to earn my own money. Learn the value of a dollar. All that cliché stuff."

"But you don't need money, sweetheart. You're 14."

"I want to save up for a car," he lied quickly.

She paused, and then a smile sliced its way onto her features. "That's really nice," she told him. "What sort of job do you want to get?"

"I was thinking of applying to the grocery store down the street. That way I can just walk and I don't have to get a ride."

"I don't know how I feel about my fourteen year old daughter walking around the city by herself..."

"I'll carry pepper spray or something if it'll make you feel better," he mumbled. "I really want to do this, mom."

She hesitated, but in the end smiled her approval. He brandished the signed work permit like a diploma. The grocer was perfectly happy to take on a bag boy, and it barely even bothered the new employee that they all called him "her." He was working four three-hour shifts a week, and making almost $100. He'd even finally picked out a new name.

"Hi," he said, popping up next to Tyler's locker the next day.

"Hey," Tyler greeted. "How is it going, my fine young friend?"

"It is going quite well, aged mentor," he bantered back. They'd taken to playful monikers and neither had used the other's name. Of course, Tyler still didn't know his. "I thought it was about time we were properly introduced."

"Oh?" Tyler's eyebrows rose. "How exciting."

"I'm Blaine," he said, extending his hand to the older boy.

"Tyler. Very pleased to meet you, sir."

Blaine grinned at the title. "So, I was thinking- the Glee club has some kind of concert tonight and... would you like to go?"

"Sure," Tyler said. "But you should know- the Glee club is kind of uncool. Actually, going to their concert might sort of paint a target on your back."

"So we shouldn't go?" Blaine clarified.

Tyler shook his head. "If you want to go, you should. As for me, I'm the only openly gay kid at this school. I've already got a target on my back."

Blaine tried not to acknowledge the feeling that he was somehow a coward for being in the closet. "I want to go," he nodded. "Actually, I kind of wish I could join Glee club."

"So join."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I got a part time job," Blaine beamed triumphantly. "The rehearsals would conflict with my shifts. Besides, they'd probably make me sing girl songs anyway."

"We'll see," Tyler said. "Come on, sour grapes. You're going to be late for math."

Blaine couldn't help the small grin that popped up on his face. Tyler knew his class schedule. "I'll see you tonight then," he said and waved as they backed away from each other.

That afternoon at work, he made use of his employee discount for the first time. "My mom missed a step and hurt her ankle," he lied easily as his manager rang up the ACE bandage. It was tight, scratchy, and rubbed painfully at his sides. It was perfect. He put on a t-shirt and marveled at how flat his chest was. A knock at the door startled him and he grabbed frantically for his trusty grey hoodie.

He was just pulling it down over his waist when his mom entered. "You ready to go, sweetheart?"

Blaine nodded. "Just need to put shoes on."

He glanced at his dresser, quickly stepping into his mom's sightline to sweep the packaging from the ACE bandage into his sock drawer before she saw it. He pulled out two pairs of white socks and began to lace on his tennis shoes. They had pink stripes and he was really not excited about that. "So how was work today?" she asked easily.

"Good," he replied. "I stocked mostly. Someone broke a jar of pickles so I got to use the mop."

"Your father and I are very proud of you, you know," she said. "Not many girls your age have the drive to get a job this early."

"Well, I just thought it would be fun. Besides, it'll be nice to have some spending money saved up for college or some kind of class trip. Or anything else that might come up."

She only smiled at him fondly, and he sort of hated it. He could practically hear her thinking something that involved "my little girl" or something to that effect. "Well, I'll meet you downstairs."

She left and he glanced at his sock drawer again, thinking about whether or not he could get away with shoving one into his pants. Better not. He shoved his wallet into his back pocket and trailed down the stairs after his mother.

"So." His mother broke the silence between them in the car as though they'd been talking the whole time. "You're going to this concert with a boy?"

Blaine felt his cheeks heat up. "Tyler."

"Is he cute?"

"Mom!"

"Oh, come on."

"Yes, he's cute."

"And?"

"And I'm totally not his type, mom."

She scoffed. "Sweetie, I know you're a little uncomfortable with your body, but all girls your age are. You are beautiful. Trust me. You're his type."

Blaine decided not to argue. He'd heard his father's comments when they repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell and his mother hadn't argued. It was best if he didn't mention the word "gay" around his mom. "Thanks, mom," he mumbled.

"So, how did you meet him?"

"Our lockers are near each other. We just started talking." It was only a partial lie, anyway. For the first time, it seemed to occur to Blaine how much he was lying and it was starting to make him uncomfortable. In fact, dressing like a girl was starting to feel like a lie. Everything about his life was starting to feel like a lie. They pulled into the school parking lot and he saw Tyler. He was totally honest around Tyler. That wasn't a lie. The discomfort in his stomach bubbled away and he smiled.

"Is that him?" his mother asked excitedly. Blaine's face must've answered for him. "Hang on. How old is this boy?"

"He's a senior," Blaine mumbled.

"Corinne-"

"Mom," Blaine interrupted, the sound of his birth name threatening to send him spiraling into depression. "We're just friends."

"Honey, he's a senior. I know it may seem like-"

"Mom, I am not a kid anymore. I know exactly what you're afraid of, and Tyler's a good guy, okay?"

She looked hesitant, but it was too late to turn back now. "Do you have your pepper spray?"

Blaine gave her a look and got out of the car. "The concert's over at nine. It's only an hour. Not nearly enough time for my senior friend to try anything, okay?"

Tyler gave him a questioning look as he approached and Blaine shook his head. "Just convincing my mom you're not going to slip something into my drink to drag me off and have your way with me."

"Does she know you're...?"

"No."

"Then my being gay wasn't a big enough clue?"

Blaine opened the door and held it for his friend. "Let's just say there's a reason I talked to someone I'd never met instead of my parents."

"Oh." Tyler, perfect person that he was, took the opportunity to change the subject. "So, what if I told you that you could be in the Glee club and still make it to your job on time?"

"What?"

"Well, I happen to be very important people-" Tyler laughed- "Okay, I have a friend in the Glee club. Apparently, you only have to make one after school rehearsal a week as long as you're keeping up with the choreography."

Blaine's eyes widened and his heart leapt. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," Tyler nodded. "You just need a signed permission slip that says you have a ride home."

"Oh, my god!" In excitement, Blaine hugged Tyler who laughed good naturedly at his enthusiasm. "This is so cool!"

"You'll have to wait until next semester, but this is their last show until spring anyway, so..."

"Thank you," Blaine said sincerely. "Really."

"Sure thing. Now, let's see what you're getting yourself into."

Blaine grinned through the entire concert- even the mind-blowingly impressive rendition of "Gethsemane" which was definitely not a happy song.

By the time his mom picked him up, he was practically exploding with enthusiasm. "I guess it was a good concert?" his mom laughed.

"It was so good, mom!" Blaine exclaimed. "They're so talented. Can I join the Glee club, mom? I only have to make one after-school rehearsal a week. I promise I can keep my grades up, and-"

"Alright, alright," she beamed. "You have me convinced. I have never met a more responsible fourteen year old."

"Seriously?!"

"Yes," she nodded as they pulled onto the main road. "Just promise me that if you're having trouble keeping up, you'll tell me."

"Promise," Blaine agreed eagerly. "I'll get the form for you to sign tomorrow, okay?"

They spent the drive home with Blaine almost entirely in monologue, interrupted occasionally by his mother's curiosity in his nonexistent love life.