My mouth drops, just like everybody else’s in the hall. Never before have I seen anyone walk through it with such confidence and... ego over himself as him. He's wearing a leather jacket and a white polo shirt combined with black skinnies. His hair has enough gel in it to support a third world country. Altogether he looks fit, and if it wasn’t for the cocky smirk on his face I would think more of him, but now I just feel like he’d be another troublemaker in my life.

As he walks past us, our eyes meet. His look is dominant and overpowering, I feel so small... Stumbling a bit on my feet, my back touching my locker, this takes me back to last year. I already feel sick and regret coming back. He seems to have noticed and maybe I'm mistaken but I think he chuckled to himself.

I already dislike him.

“I’d so tap that...” Gina sighs longingly, “Kurt, I’ll talk to you later about auditions okay?” She taps on my shoulder before running off and following the new guy.

I look around me, all the girls are giggling and gossiping; I roll my eyes. Yeah, he is fit but just the smirk itself is a turn down. Rolling my eyes again, I shake off the image of those deep brown eyes that were so piercing, as if they looked right through me.

-

“KURT!” I haven’t even properly closed my locker when I get pounced on by what sounds like an overexcited Rachel.

“Hey, Rachel.”

“Where’ve you been?” She demands, her voice shrieking.

I shrug. “Sick.”

She raises an eyebrow, obviously not believing me, before clapping excitedly in her hands.

Rachel, how do I even start to describe her… Saying she’s driven is an understatement, but I don’t think a different word would cover it either. She’s definitely high maintenance but sometimes I think she’s like that on purpose. I met her for the first time in the choir room and she’s been my friend ever since we realized that we also went to the same school. It’s nice having her, because apart from the people I got to meet through her, I don’t have many friends at school. Most of my friends are from choir but I’ve met some lovely people thanks to her.

“WHY haven’t you auditioned for the school musical yet?!” she demands, poking me.

“Oi!” I slap her hand away, “Ugh Rach, I don’t think that’s such a good idea...” I sigh.

“Kurt, come on! It’s your chance to shine! You can’t let the past keep on controlling your life.”

Wise words from Rachel Berry, but well, she only knows half of it.

“I’m not auditioning, okay?” I say sternly before walking away. I can feel her gaze on my back but I keep walking.

I enter the science lab, sitting at my usual spot and waiting for Finn to join me. He's Rachel’s boyfriend and a good mate of mine. He's just an all around good bloke and never has a hidden agenda; one of the top things I most like about him.

I give him a nod as he enters. “Hey Kurt, how’re you doing today?” He smiles. What I really like about Finn is that every emotion, every smile or tear, is real. He never pretends. Something I really envy in him, but of course it helps that he's always cheerful and hopeful. His smile feels warm and familiar. An optimist like him doesn't need much to make him happy.

“I’m good”, I lie. I always lie when they ask me that question. I don’t think people really want to know how I feel. Actually, I don’t think I want to let people know how I feel. Hell, if I’m honest I don’t even think I want to admit to myself how I feel.

“I’m awesome!” Finn continues, “Did you know there are talent scouts coming to check the team out soon? I’m so psyched!”

“That’s amazing. I’m sure you’ll make it!” I smile.

“What about you?” he asks, “Have you thought about what you want to do after this year?”

I briefly wonder if ‘disappear’ is an option.

The teacher enters, joined by him . I feel his glare on me and try my best to avoid eye contact. “Class, this is Blaine. He’s a transfer and will be with us for the rest of the year. I hope you will all welcome him with open arms.”

That sounds very unlikely. I look up, my eyes meeting with the stranger's again. He only looked at me for a brief moment before looking away with a mocking smirk.

I already dislike him.

I don’t like his smug face.

I don’t like his obnoxious over-gelled hair.

I don’t like his ginormous ego.

Around me, girls – and guys – seem to be dying to be his friend though.

Blaine, what kind of name is that even.