Normal

“Kurt!” Blaine cheered happily as he linked his arm in the other boys.

“Hmm?” Kurt hummed matching with Blaine’s steps and smiling at Sam as he left Blaine ducking into the nearest classroom. Blaine stumbled, tripping on his untied shoelace as he reached for a letter in his pocket.

“My Mom gave me a letter today; could you read it to me?” Kurt held the letter with uncertainty and carefully ripped the edge of the envelope slipping the piece of paper from it.

He unfolded the sheet then glanced at Blaine before reading, “‘This is a reminder that Blaine Anderson’s congenital blindness treatment is scheduled to be proceeded on Thursday of next week at 10:50am. The procedure will be approximately 45 minutes long.’”

Blaine frowned nervously and took the letter from Kurt rubbing the paper with his fingertips. “It’s real, Kurt, it’s going to happen,” he said leaning closer to Kurt. The other boy forced a smile as he turned to a different hall leading Blaine in the same direction.

Sudden fear hit Kurt when he repeated the words from the letter over and over in his head. Blaine’s was getting surgery next week. Next week he was going to have a crowd of doctors around him with sharp instruments penetrating his eyes. Kurt felt uneasy and squeezed Blaine’s arm, “Are you nervous?”

Blaine shook his head, “A bit,” he then let out a long sigh and bit his lip, “I’m really scared, Kurt. What if it doesn’t work?”

Kurt turned his gaze to the other boy then took his hand, “We’ll see when we get there,” he forced a shaky laugh that somehow instantly relaxed Blaine.

Kurt held up his wrist to check the time, gasped, the quickly jammed his hand into his satchel and took out a walking stick. Blaine’s frown deepened as he listened to Kurt rushing to leave. He always felt like this when Kurt had to go; it was a constant reminder that he was going to have to deal with students who treated him different. Everyone being all sympathetic about something he was used to dealing with since birth, but now, he just wanted to prove to everyone that he can take care of himself. They stopped outside of Blaine’s classroom and Kurt rushed a quick kiss on the boy’s cheek and handed Blaine his walking stick, “I’m sorry, I have to go to class but we’ll finish this later, okay?” Blaine stretched the stick and tapped it on the floor before giving Kurt a sad smile. The other boy patted Blaine’s shoulder then continued down the hall at a faster tempo.

Blaine grunted dragging the stick along the ground into the classroom as the bell rang. The teacher instantly stood from her chair to close the door behind him and gave Blaine a sympathetic look as she led him to a desk in the front. Blaine sighed sitting in the chair and pressed his hands on the cleared desk. He struggled as he stood after he remembered he needed his type writer. “Blaine, what are you doing?” the teacher asked worryingly.

The boy gave an annoyed look gripping his walking stick and tapping it along the ground, “I need my Brailler,” he said mono toned.

The teacher rushed over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder, “Just sit down, sweetheart, I’ll get it for you”.

Blaine shrugged her hand off and continued tapping his stick on the ground taking a few steps, “No, I can do it myself”. He reached a short table and searched for his typewriter with his hand. Once Blaine held onto the bulky writer, he headed towards his desk until he tripped on his shoelace and stumbled to the ground shattering his typewriter into pieces.

He stiffly sat up mumbling frustratingly and skimmed his hands on the ground collecting the pieces while pricking his fingers with the sharp broken ridges, “Blaine, allow me to-,”

“No! I- I can take care of myself!” he yelled returning to picking up the shards into a pile and stood trembling with his walking stick in one hand and the bundle of shards cradled in his other arm. He reached the trash can and aggressively threw the broken pieces into it, turned around, and took a few steps before tripping again on his still untied shoelace.

The teacher put a comforting hand on Blaine’s back as he straightened, “Just let me tie your shoe,” Blaine gave an angry look, not replying, then sat on his behind, gripping tightly on his shoelaces and going through the motions of tying his shoes. After a few failed attempts he grunted and held out his leg as the teacher knelt down and quickly tied his shoe, “There,” she whispered, “that wasn’t so hard, was it?” She asked in a kindergarten voice. Blaine stood muttering ‘thank you’ and sat at his desk taking in the silence of the classroom.

The lessen dragged on as Blaine’s stomach twitched in embarrassment every time he heard his peers whispering about his outburst at the beginning of class with each other. He sighed in relief when the bell rang and packed his books quickly into his backpack. Blaine crossed his arms impatiently waiting for Kurt to get him but after a few long minutes, he didn’t show. Blaine reluctantly gripped his walking stick and tapped it towards the door and out of the classroom. He stopped in the frame of the door and listened to the sounds of students rushing around him towards their classes; he then dropped his head and shook it. Who was he kidding? There were no Braille signs to help him to his next class so why was he even trying?

“Blaine!” a voice sounded from the other side of the hallway.

He jerked his head up and listened to a pair of footsteps running towards him then felt a firm hand placing on his shoulder, “Did Kurt not get you?” Sam asked.

Blaine shook his head and pulled the other boy into a tight hug, wrapping his arms in a comforting squeeze around the broadened chest, “What’s wrong, bud?” he asked breaking away from the embrace and furrowing his eyebrows at Blaine.

The curly headed boy shook his head nervously as he held onto Sam’s arm, “I’m getting eye surgery treatment next Thursday,” he said quietly twisting his fingers around his folded walking stick.

Sam widened his eyes and slowly began walking down the hall, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Blaine shook his head and dragged his feet along the ground, “I don’t know, I just- I didn’t know if,” he let out a long sigh, “if you’d leave me or something because you wouldn’t need to be, I don’t know, pressured to help the crippled”.

Sam stopped in his tracks and faced the other boy. “Blaine, you’re my best friend, you know that?” the other boy dropped his hands to his side.

“But, you have so many other friends that have more in common with you, I just feel like I’m-,” Sam hushed him by clamping his hands on Blaine’s shoulders and shaking him.

“Those football players can’t even compare to how great of a friend you are to me. You being able to see won’t change how our friendship is,” Sam nudged Blaine then added, “And don’t you dare even think that I treat you like a charity case because I don’t. I help you because you mean that much to me as a friend.” Blaine wiped invisible tears gave a quick sniff, and smiled at Sam brightly letting out a small giggle. Blaine had a friend, a real friend. A friend that won’t ever bail on him or trick him into doing things for his benefit like his previous ‘friends’. Sam was Sam, and that was probably his favorite thing about him. Sam never changed or felt bad about Blaine when they were with each other, he treated him exactly how he wants to be treated. A human.

“Enough of this sappy talk!” Sam announced straightening and laughing as they reached the next class.

Blaine groaned rubbing his neck and yawned thinking of the how this was only second block and he had to put up with these people for the next six and a half hours, “Sam, can we go?”

The boy looked at him in confusion and stretched Blaine’s walking stick for him, “Go where?”

Blaine chuckled and shook his head, “No, can we get out of here?” Sam stared at Blaine in surprise and considered the option. Sam didn’t like school but never really minded it either. He looked forward to Glee Club and Weightlifting class but as he looked at Blaine’s hurt look on his face, it really didn’t seem to matter. Yes, he could get in trouble but… it was Blaine, how could he say, ‘no’? Sam folded the walking stick and shoved it into his pocket; he then offered his arm to the other boy and cleared his throat in an exaggerated way. Blaine gripped his arm and let out a surprised laugh, “Really?”

“Yup,” Sam quickly replied as they ran down the hallway and slipped through the double doors before any teacher could question them.

“Kurt, could you stay after class for a moment?” The teacher announced as the bell rang.

“Sure,” Kurt said nervously packing his supplies in his satchel and walking up to the front of the classroom.

The teacher pulled one of Kurt’s essay that had a bold ‘100’ stamped to the front of it. “Kurt, your writing is phenomenal,” the teacher said gesturing to the essay, “Seriously, colleges are looking for this type of writing. Their looking for writers that are truthful, real, clever, and… different,” Kurt let out a shocked chuckle. The teacher set the essay down so Kurt could have a closer look, “Have you considered in going that direction?”

Kurt shook his head shamefully and adjusted the strap of his satchel. “Honestly, I want to be a designer,” the teacher lowered his head,

“Kurt, sometimes you need to be… realistic. There are more jobs available when you have a natural writing talent like this and…” The teacher sighed and shook his head, “the designer or art world can be… harsh and less likely to become a successful profession or, you know, pay the bills,” Kurt felt anger bubble inside of him. Why can’t anyone accept Kurt’s passion and support him?

“You know, it’s a passion… designing. Isn’t that good enough?” The teacher took Kurt’s paper and shoved it in a folder with the rest of the classes.

“Teaching is a passion of mine, but you don’t see me owning a nice car or a decent home. Kurt, I’m barely feeding my family because of my stupid passions. Now I have to work three jobs. Is that how you want to live? Kurt, this is a natural talent that almost guarantees success, why don’t you just give a though okay?” The teacher sat behind his desk and clicked his mouse through e-mails. “See you on Monday,” Kurt hummed in reply and slumped his shoulders heading down the hall to meet Blaine. He spotted Sam and Blaine rushing towards the double doors at the other side of the hall.

Kurt watched after them as he felt a friendly shoulder bump into him. “Hey, Kurt, are you still on for our sleepover tonight?” Mercades asked at his side with a grinning Rachel and Tina. Kurt forced a smile pulling his focus from the odd sight he saw.

He did a little dance and squeezed the three into a tight hug, “Of course!” Rachel, Mercedes, Tina, and Kurt linked arms and walked together to their next class chatting about all they were going to do tonight. They planned to watch ‘Funny Girl’ again and share a tall pile of boxed pizzas. They also planned on gossiping and reading the latest issue of designer magazines while gorging their faces with bowls of buttered popcorn. They giggled in excitement passing notes to each other between classes and humming tunes from ‘Funny Girl’ as the passed. Yes, tonight will be fun.

“So, where exactly are we headed?” Blaine asked curiously after several hours of riding Sam’s car in almost complete silence. That always happened; Blaine and Sam were determined to hold a conversation but their minds would drift to something else after one of them would slip a CD into the car. Music took complete control of their thoughts; they could be in the deepest of thoughts but music naturally pulls and helps them think more clearly; how can you even talk when music does that? The other boy gave a small smile humming softly putting on his blinkers and rotating the wheel. He the days he would surprise Blaine like this. On those days Sam thought Blaine deserved a little ‘pick-me-up’, he would take him to their spot under a tree by the lake where they would break away from the world and just be themselves.

The Sun shined brightly and reflected off of the sparkling water of the lake crowded with ducks that had rippled rings of water following behind them. The truck rumbled over the gravel making muffled noises of the tough rubber tires pushing rocks against each other. Blaine’s eyes widened at the faint sound and a smile pulled among his lips. The car came to a stop where the gravel met the bright long green grass sprinkled with sand. Blaine grinned playing with his fingertips and waited for Sam as the other boy slipped out of the car and reached to pull open the passenger side door. Blaine gripped Sam’s arm urgently and pushed himself out stumbling to plant his feet on the familiar feeling gravel and rocking on the balls of his feet.

Sam laughed at the way Blaine’s face lit up when he took in the strong warm scent of grass, sand, and salty water. Blaine’s feet wobbled beneath him as the memories rushed through him. This was his spot. His spot where he was free to think, where nobody would judge or feel sorry for him, where he had the support of the grass brushing his ankles and waves crashing into the sandy rocks and the wind that howled happily through the tall trees. He had the support of the Sun warming his face comfortably, and the birds chirping their songs of wisdom. This was his spot where nobody cared if he talked in poems, made philosophies, or broke into cheerful song. Yes, he had days where he was brought to let go and cry on Sam’s shoulder from how badly he was treated when nobody understood what it meant to be blind. He didn’t even know he had a disability until everyone asked why he was not acting like them. Well not here. He was normal here.

It was normal for Blaine and Sam to sprawl on the grass and take in the warmth of the Sun. It was normal to jump into the lake fully clothed and chase the ongoing wind. It was normal to dance terribly to the sound of the birds chirps. It was normal to attempt to catch the butterflies Sam said were surrounding them. It was even normal to imagine the millions of butterflies that surrounded them. It was normal to dream and create pointless stories with happy endings. It was normal to love his best friend who pretended it was normal with him. They may not be able to grasp the full concept of ‘normal’, but here, it didn’t matter.

Sam and Blaine untied their shoes and tiptoed into the scorching grass, burning the bottoms of their feet as they yelped and rushed towards the lake. They sighed contently as they slowed feeling the cool water soaking their clothed legs. Sam knelt down and scooped a good amount of water and threw it in Blaine’s direction. The other boy gasped and giggled shaking the water off of him and kneeling pushing water on Sam. They splashed water on each other as they giggled and squinted at the droplets of water that flung at their faces. The ducks quaked uncomfortably as they were being splashed as well and went in a fit trying to swim away from the water fight.

“Okay! Okay! I surrender!” Sam gasped choking a little at the bitter taste of the lake water. Blaine chuckled and wiped his face and shook his dark wet curls flinging water at the other boy.

“Hey!” Sam laughed shoving Blaine, “Watch where you shake that mop you call hair!”

Blaine laughed then touched his hair self consciously, “You’re not serious, are you?”

Sam shook his head and giggled, “You’re insane, and incredibly insecure, Blaine!”
The other boy smiled and raised his head and let the warmth of the Sun drench his soaked skin. “Do you ever just wish you could get away from it all?” Blaine asked dreamily closing his eyes and stretching his arms out to take in more of the heat.
Sam grabbed Blaine’s arm firmly and squeezed it, “Aren’t we now?”

Sam led Blaine out of the water and towards the tree settling them on the warm unkempt grass. Blaine sighed and curled into his knees listening to the sounds around him. The wind blowing through his hair and the water splashing into the rocks. The faint sounds of quaking ducks and the rustling of grass. It almost felt like too much. “Do you want to sing?” Sam asked staring at the tall trees behind the lake.

Blaine nodded into his knees and cleared his throat, “You can start,” Blaine said softly scooting closer to Sam. The other boy’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his neck as he looked at the curly headed boy thinking of how Blaine was going to see him for the first time next week. He sniffed at the thought and turned away.

“What if there was no lie
Nothing wrong, nothing right
What if there was no time
And no reason, or rhyme
What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life
What if I got it wrong
And no poem or song
Could put right what I got wrong
Or make you feel I belong”

Blaine buried his face more in his knees taking in all of the words Sam sang. Blaine felt guilt pull at his gut; did Sam really think that if Blaine was able to see that he would just leave Sam? Blaine shook his head listening to the deep emotion coming from Sam.

“What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life”

Blaine lifted his head trying to think straight while harmonizing with Sam. Was- was this the first time Sam sang this soulfully to him? He usually sang his silly songs he made up to cheer Blaine up, but this- this was so pure and real.

“Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
Let's take a breath, jump over the side
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
How can you know it, if you don't even try
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
Every step that you take
Could be your biggest mistake
It could bend or it could break
That's the risk that you take”

Wait; was Sam scared of Blaine getting surgery? Blaine shook his head hearing Sam’s voice crack heart breaking as they sang together. He couldn’t believe it; Blaine looked up to Sam as the strongest person he knew yet, in this moment, he was crumbling so easily.

“What if you should decide
That you don't want me there in your life
That you don't want me there by your side”

Blaine knew then. Blaine knew that Sam really was his best friend and nothing will ever change that. He hoped that not even being able to see will change that. Who would want to lose the strong relationship they had? It may have took Sam years to actually have the courage to do something like this but waiting that long made it all the better.

“Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
Let’s take a breath, jump over the side
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
How can you know when you don't even try
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right”

Blaine bit his lip as he heard Sam let out a single soft sob. His hand skimmed the sharp grass searching for his Sam’s hand and tightly held it as they sang.

“Oh - Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right,
Let's take a breath, jump over the side.
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right,
You know that darkness always turns into light.
Ooh-ooh, that's right”

Blaine wrapped Sam into a hug and squeezed him for a long minute. Sam pulled away and sniffed looking up at the other boy. Blaine furrowed his eyebrows and dropped his head a little, “Are you scared that I’m going to have surgery?” he asked quietly.
Sam nodded knowing that he can’t see him, “Yeah,” he croaked.

Blaine cupped Sam’s face and ran his fingers along his face trying to get a picture of what he looked like, “I might be able to see you,” he laughed releasing his hands and crossing his arms.

Sam dropped his head at the response and whispered, “Yeah”. Sam shifted in his uncomfortable wet clothes and eying the sun that set a blazing orange across the firing sky and reflecting on the water. The wind calmed, the birds quieted and the ducks were lazily sailing across the river to sleep.

“I’m not going to leave you when I can see, Sam,” The other boys head shot up as he stared sadly at him, “You’re too good of a friend to let go of,” he let out a soft chuckle, “Hell, you’re my only friend”. Sam laughed lightly sniffing and wiping his eyes.

He took Blaine’s hands and stood, he dropped one of their linked hands to their side and released Blaine’s other hand after the curly headed boy stood. “It’s pretty late and we have a long drive home,” Blaine smiled and let Sam lead them to his truck grabbing their shoes on the way and settled in the truck. Blaine fiddled with his fingers listening to Sam flip through a pile of CD’s, “Stevie Wonder?” he asked setting the rest of the CD’s in the backseat.

Blaine grinned, “You know me so well,” he sarcastically said. Sam chuckled lightly and opened the case, took the CD, and pushed it into the player. The music filled the small truck as Sam drove out of the graveled section and back onto the road humming and occasionally singing along on their ride home.

Blaine thought of how that might have been the last time he wasn’t going to see the lake. A feeling of sadness hit Blaine, what if the lake didn’t look like he’d imagined it? What if he goes back and doesn’t feel the magic and beauty of this place anymore? What if there really weren’t millions of butterflies surrounding them? What if the sounds he heard were all made up? What if it never felt real to him anymore? Blaine relied on this place to run away from all the pain that was brought to him, it was his escape. But what if the escape didn’t feel right when he was able to see? Where would he go? Where would he go to be himself? To sprawl on the grass and take in the warmth of the Sun? To jump into the lake fully clothed and chase the ongoing wind? To dance terribly to the sound of the birds chirps? To dream and create pointless stories with happy endings? What if it never felt the same? What if?