---

Going to school the following weeks proved that Blaine needed a better schedule. He worked at the Lima Bean almost everyday after school and going to sing at the cafe sometimes on the weekends. He felt exhausted by the end of the week.

"Blaine dude are you okay?" Finn asked as they sat down at lunch.

Blaine sat up, "Huh what?" He rubbed his eyes, "Did I fall asleep again?"

"No, I don't think so, but you were staring off into space," Finn said.

Puck nodded, "It's like you were lost in space," he teased.

Kurt came and sat down beside Blaine, "Blaine how much sleep have you gotten the past few days?"

"Told you," Finn said.

"I've just had a lot of things going on lately with work and Cassidy and then my second job," Blaine explained.

"Woah dude slow down," Puck said.

Kurt rolled his eyes at Puck, "How about I come over and pick up Cassidy this weekend, I will take her out for a few hours and you can do whatever you need to do."

"No," Blaine said shaking his head, "I could never ask you to do that. That's way too much."

Mercedes was sitting across from them, "I think that sounds like a good idea," she pointed at Blaine, "I know Kurt would probably want to dress her too."

"I couldn't," Blaine said with a sigh.

Kurt watched Blaine, "Look I can tell you don't like asking for help, but I can tell something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong, I can handle it," Blaine said, "Its just school isn't exactly as easy as it used to be."

"Are you having problems in any of your classes?" Rachel asked.

Blaine shook his head, "No, it's just the amount of work. I just need to plan better," he stood up, "Thanks for the offer Kurt, but maybe some other time," and he walked out.

Kurt stared as Blaine left, "And you are just going to sit there because?" Mercedes glared at him.

He glared at his friend, "I can't push him 'Cedes, there is something he isn't telling me, but I can't figure it out."

"I think he has parent issues," Santana said, "I mean he refuses to talk about them."

"True, but sometimes even we don't like talking about our parents," Tina added to the conversation.

"That is true," Mike said with a nod.

"He mentioned a second job, what is it?" Artie asked eating some fries from his tray.

"He sings at some cafe sometimes on the weekends," Kurt said.

"Wait he can sing?" Rachel asked standing up and taking Blaine's spot, "How well can he sing?"

Kurt stared at her, "I don't know I've never heard him before."

"You are practically in love with him and you don't how well he can sing?" Santana said to him. Kurt glared at her, "What we all know it, you don't have to act like you don't."

"You...wait...what?" Kurt said confused.

Finn gave a shrug, "Look we get it you like him, but you also seem to be torn on telling him."

Kurt groaned and put his head in his hands, "Even Finn knows."

Rachel patted his shoulder, "We all see the way you look at him and the way you act around each other, we think he might like you back."

"Doesn't matter," Kurt said standing up, "Look I get it, I have bad luck with the people I've had crushes on before and this is probably just another stupid thing that will lead no where." And he walked out of the cafeteria leaving his friends behind.

"I think that could have gone better," Puck said with a shrug.

"We just should have handled it," Mercedes said gesturing towards the girls.

"He's our friend too," Artie pointed out.

"I agree," Quinn said who was quiet, "But here's the thing he always mentions taking care of his sister, all the time. I mean Kurt even mentioned seeing her at where he worked."

"What are you getting at?" Finn asked.

Quinn shifted in her chair and then dropped her voice, "I think he lives on his own with her."

Rachel made a face, "That would make sense, I mean like we discussed he rarely talks about his parents and is always taking care of her."

"We'll never know though," Finn said, "He doesn't really let people in. I mean look at the way he pushed Kurt away when he just offered to watch her for the weekend for a couple of hours."

The group of friends all looked at one another confused on how to handle a situation like this one it was new to all of them. With a collected sigh they finished there lunches and went on with the day the best they could.

~~~~~~~

Blaine shrugged his backpack off and shoved it into his locker. "Hey Anderson," Puck said walking up to him.

"Hi Noah," Blaine said grabbing a few folders from his locker.

"It's Puck or Puckerman," Puck said.

Blaine shrugged, "What do you need?" he asked shutting his locker.

"It's about my boy Hummel," Puck said leaning on the set of lockers, "I just wondered about you two."

Blaine made a face, "I don't understand what you're asking."

Puck groaned, "Dude what are your intentions with him?"

"What?" Blaine asked, "We're just friends."

"Oh," Puck said taking a step back.

"What are you trying to imply?" Blaine asked.

Puck shifted uncomfortably, "I just thought that since you know you two are the..."

"Right, that we're the only two gay guys in the school we should hook up. I get what your saying Puck, but I wouldn't do that to Kurt," Blaine said.

"Wait, what do you mean?" Puck asked.

Blaine sighed, "I mean that Kurt and I are sort of new at all this and I'm taking it one step at a time."

Puck looked at him, "Are you saying you do like him?"

Blaine tugged a smile, "Noah where ever you are getting your dating advice from," he paused, "Don't, just don't."

Puck nodded his head, "I'll be sure to do that," and he walked away more confused than he was before.

Blaine smiled to himself as he walked into his first period. He took his seat next to Kurt, "Good morning."

"Morning," Kurt mumbled as he was buried in his book.

"Are you alright?" Blaine asked.

Kurt looked up, "Huh, oh yeah."

Blaine looked over at Kurt, "I'm sure it would help to talk about it."

Kurt sighed, "Karofsky just gave me a bit of trouble this morning, nothing big."

"Oh, anything major?" Blaine asked opening his notebook.

Kurt shook his head, "No, he just pushed me into the lockers like he usually does. Like I said it's nothing big."

"It sort of is though Kurt," Blaine said, "You shouldn't have that happening to you at school."

Kurt was about to say something when someone walked by, then he lowered his voice, "I've lived with it last year I can get through it this year."

"But you're not alone," Blaine said.

Kurt shook his head, "He doesn't react to you the same way he does around me. It's probably because I..."

"No," Blaine said shaking his head, "He shouldn't be doing this either way."

Kurt looked over at Blaine, "I can handle it."

"Maybe this time you can't," Blaine said quietly.

Kurt groaned, "Do we have to talk about this now?"

"Fine but we are going to talk about it later," Blaine said.

Kurt just looked over at Blaine, he was going to say something but then the teacher started talking to begin class. Kurt was worried because Blaine didn't mention it for the rest day. He was at his locker taking his things out when he saw Blaine's shoes, "What is it?"

Blaine smiled at him, "I think it's time for that talk now," he said in a calming voice.

Kurt nodded his head slowly, "Where should we talk?"

Blaine shrugged, "I called Katherine and she said she could watch Cassidy for an extra hour or two tonight. So you want to go to your house?"

"Sure," Kurt said quietly, "You can follow me in your car."

Blaine followed Kurt in his car, while Finn got the hint to stay at Puck's house for a few hours. Kurt opened the door to the house, "My dad is still at the shop and Carole is probably still at work."

Blaine nodded his head, "Okay, where would you like to talk?"

"My room I suppose," Kurt said, "You hungry or thirsty?"

"No," Blaine shook his head, "You're house is really nice."

"Yeah," Kurt nodded, "My dad bought it when Carole and him got married last year."

"They got married just last year?" Blaine asked.

"They did. I planned the wedding and everything, the Glee club sang Marry You when we all walked down the aisle," Kurt stated thinking back happily.

"I bet it was beautiful," Blaine said happy to see Kurt smile.

"Course I wanted to have a hundred doves fly as Carole entered, but someone overruled that idea because they thought it would be too messy," Kurt rolled his eyes.

Blaine let out a laugh, "Feed them glitter."

Kurt started laughing too, "That's what I said." When they finally stopped laughing, Kurt looked over at Blaine, "My bedroom is this way," he pointed down the hall.

"Okay," Blaine said with a nod.

They walked into Kurt's room and he glanced over at Blaine wondering what he thought of the room, "I designed it myself when we moved my dad gave me full control."

"I like it," Blaine said with a smile, "You really did a good job."

"Thanks," Kurt said with a blush on his cheeks, "I tried to utilize the space in an effective manner, since I didn't have much."

"It's great," Blaine said as he sat down on the bench by Kurt's mirror.

Kurt sat down on the edge of his bed, "So..."

"When did it start?" Blaine asked.

Kurt let out a sigh knowing it was coming, "I suppose you could say it started when all of us joined Glee club. I mean it was different and you know where we live, different isn't necessary an option. I would get tossed into dumpsters and stuff by the football players, but you know..."

Blaine nodded his head, "I know what you mean. How come Karofsky started on you though," he asked," I mean I've seen him bully the others, but not as much as you."

Kurt bit his lip and pulled his knees up to his chest to hug them, "Something happened last year."

"What happened?" Blaine asked.

"He told me not to tell anyone," Kurt said.

Blaine's face fell and he found himself sitting next to Kurt on his bed, "What did he do?"

Kurt buried his face in his knees and mumbled something.

"Kurt I can't understand you," Blaine said nudging his shoulder with Kurt's.

"I confronted him one day," Kurt explained, "And I sort of got mad at him and then he kissed me."

"Oh," Blaine said looking straight ahead.

"Yeah," Kurt said shifting a little, "And it was sort of my first kiss, well one that counted anyways."

Blaine looked over at Kurt, "I suppose he didn't want to be friends after that?"

Kurt shook his head, "No, he threatened to kill me if I told anyone. I would personally never do that to something though. I know what it's like I was there too." He looked over at Blaine who wasn't looking at him and he was rubbing his wrists.

"I wish I could have been there," Blaine said, "I can only imagine how awful that was."

Kurt smiled at Blaine, "Thanks."

"For what?" Blaine asked finally looking at Kurt.

"Everyone says things like I'm sorry or that must be tough, I just can't stand it when the do that," Kurt said letting he legs fall off the side of the bed.

"I know the feeling, before my...I was going to a public school and things got tough, before I knew it had gotten way out of hand," Blaine said.

"What happened?" Kurt asked.

"Well I had just come out and there was this Sadie's Hawkins dance. I asked the only other gay kid at my school. We weren't dating, just going as friends together," Blaine said telling his story, "While we were waiting for his dad to pick us up, these guys came along and beat the crap out of us."

Kurt sighed, "I'm sorry that happened Blaine, no one should have to go through that." Blaine just gave a shrug. "I think we should promise something to each other," Kurt proposed.

"What's that?" Blaine asked.

Kurt grabbed one of Blaine's hands, "I think we both should try and be stronger for ourselves..."

Blaine smiled looking down at there joined hands, "for Cassidy..."

"For my dad..." Kurt added.

Blaine looked up at Kurt, "For each other."

Kurt nodded his head, "I like those."

"I do too," Blaine said with a smile.

~~~~~~~

Blaine and Kurt were sitting in there writing class when the teacher made the announcement. "We are going to start our partner projects this week. You may pick your partners for this project, but you can not change them after you have chosen. I am handing out the rubrics now, you may pair up."

Blaine and Kurt looked at each other before the teacher even stopped talking, "So I guess we'll need a partner's for this project," Blaine teased.

"I suppose so," Kurt said opening his notebook, "I wonder who would be the best partner though?"

"That is a good question," Blaine said.

Kurt looked down at the rubric, "It looks like the teacher will assign us a book and we have to give a presentation on it."

"On how the heroes in the myths reflect on their environments in there communities," Blaine read off of the paper.

"This one definitely sounds like it's going to be exciting," Kurt said looking down at the rubric.

"You two will have The Odyssey," their teacher said as she walked by giving them there novels.

"Great the longest one," Kurt said flipping through it.

"You haven't read it before?" Blaine asked looking through his own copy. Kurt shook his head, "Oh, I did a unit on it at my old school during ninth grade, we read a majority of it."

"Well I guess you can fill me in then, what's it about?" Kurt asked.

Blaine nodded, "See it takes place after the first story which is The Iliad that one is about the war, the hero from that war is trying to come home from. Basically the entire book is Odysseus trying to find his way home."

"Interesting," Kurt said, "What kind of troubles does he run into?"

"Too many," Blaine explained, "A Cyclops, a woman who kidnaps him for years, monsters, liars, deceivers, it's basically the ultimate trying to get home story."

"Guess I should read it," Kurt said flipping through the pages again, "It's just so long."

Blaine shook his head, "Just read it in parts and it will get confusing, but we can talk about it."

Kurt looked up at Blaine, "How are you so good with this sort of thing?"

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked.

"I don't know how to explain it, it's sort of a mix between comforting someone, but it's like you know how to word things," Kurt said trying to explain.

Blaine blushed, "Oh, thanks I suppose."

"Trust me, it's a good thing," Kurt said putting his hand on Blaine's arm before he blushed himself and took his hand off, "I sometimes seem to say the wrong thing at the wrong time."

Blaine shrugged, "Everyone does that from time to time."

"No, you never do it," Kurt said. They sat in silence for a few minutes, "So should we start with reading the book?"

Blaine nodded, "Probably since you've never read it before."

Kurt let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah, that's a good idea."

"I have a feeling this project is going to be awesome," Blaine said smiling.

Kurt didn't say anything he just smiled back at Blaine. He was more then happy to do this project with someone who would actually pull there own weight and help with the decision making. He has had one too many project partners that leave him to do everything, or he just does everything in fear it won't turn out right. For the rest of the time Kurt started reading the story and Blaine flipped through it reminding himself of the story.

The bell rung signaling the end of class, "See you at lunch?" Kurt asked as he put his stuff in his bag.

"Yeah," Blaine said with a nod, "I might be late though I have something for Chemistry."

"Okay," Kurt said as they walked out of the room, "I'll talk to you later."

"Yep," Blaine said as they went in different directions. He walked down the hall towards his locker and switched out his books. He smiled to himself then suddenly someone walked up to him and the next thing he felt was the icy sting on a red liquid.

"Welcome to McKinley new kid," someone wearing a varsity jacket said walking away.

Blaine wiped the wetness from his face, "Great," he said looking down, "This shirt is ruined."

"Blaine," a voice said running up to him, "What happened?"

Blaine looked and saw Rachel running to him, "I guess someone thought it would be a good idea to slushie the new kid."

"Oh dear and red is always the worse," Rachel said and offered her hand, "Come on we'll get you cleaned up and I'm sure one of the guys have a shirt they could spare you."

"Thanks," Blaine said, "Although you don't have to help."

"Nonsense," Rachel said opening the door to the girl's room as she texted someone, "One of the guys should be by soon. And you're Kurt's friend which makes you our friend too."

Blaine just nodded his head; he never really had a close group of friends. He hid the smile he had forming as Rachel helped him rinse out the slushie from his hair.

There was a knock on the door, "Come in," Rachel called as she continued to rinse out Blaine's hair.

"Here you go," a voice said, Blaine stood up, "Here's a clean shirt and towel too," Puck said handing it to Blaine.

"Thanks," Blaine said grabbing the towel and rubbing it through his hair. He lowered it and Rachel and Puck just stared at him with wide eyes. "What is it?" he asked wondering if the red stained his face or something.

"You're hair man, it's totally curly," Puck said stifling a laugh.

"Puck stop, I think it looks cute," Rachel said smiling.

Blaine ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah I know I usually gel it down to keep it in control."

"Wow," Puck said, "No one is going to let you live it down."

"Hence the use of gel," Blaine said taking off his shirt and placing on the new one. He looked down at the McKinley High football shirt and laughed, "Reminds me of when I used to play."

"You played football?" Puck asked making a face.

Blaine nodded, "Yeah, I was running back, but then I got hurt and that injury caused me from never playing again."

"What did you do?" Rachel asked as they walked out of the bathroom together.

"I landed funny on my leg and then someone else fell on it," Blaine shrugged, "Scared the crap out of parents, so I haven't played since."

"Man," Puck said, "I never would have guessed."

"Kurt was on the team for awhile too Noah," Rachel said to him.

Blaine perked his ears up, "Kurt was on the football team?"

"Yep, for the only winning game of the season as the kicker and then he was a cheerleader for awhile too," Rachel said thinking, "Anyways, you should head to class and tell them your teacher needed you or something."

"Yeah," Blaine said with a nod but not paying attention.

Kurt didn't see Blaine sitting at the lunch table as he went to sit down. He saw someone sit down next to him with a mop of curly hair on the top of his head. He turned and saw his face, "What is on your head?"

Blaine laughed, "Hello to you too."

Kurt stared at Blaine, "What happened?"

"Some jerk decided to slushie me," Blaine explained, "Rachel helped me clean it off and I don't carry gel with me all the time, so I have this right now."

Brittany pulled one of the curls, "Is there little gremlins living in there?"

Blaine laughed and turned towards Brittany, "You know what I think sometimes there is."

Brittany smiled, "Oh I want to learn all there names."

"What is on your head Anderson?" Santana asked sitting across from them.

"It's his hair's natural form and there are gremlins living in it," Brittany explained staring contently at it.

Santana looked at Blaine who just shrugged, "Whatever."

Most of the group made fun of him, but Blaine didn't seem to care when they called him out over his hair. Kurt notices him smile through most of it. Once they were all in there different conversations, he leaned over, "I like it," he whispered into Blaine's ear.

Blaine turned towards him, "Thanks."

"So do you want to come over to my house this weekend?" Kurt asked him a bit louder.

"Ooo, wanky," Santana said with a wink.

"Wait what for?" Finn asked.

"It's for our project you guys, geez," Kurt said.

Blaine thought for a moment, "I can, but I have to bring Cassidy with me."

"Really," Kurt said smiling, "Well if you want to meet at yours instead I could do that."

Blaine shook his head, "No that's alright as long as you don't mind."

"No, that sounds like fun, you should bring her, I'm sure Carole would be happy to do something with her," Kurt said to him.

Blaine smiled, "Great, when should we come over?"

"Do you work this weekend?" Kurt asked.

"Yes," Blaine said shaking his head, "Saturday morning and Sunday all day."

"Oh okay," Kurt said thinking, "Why don't you two come on Saturday and you can have dinner with us too."

"Are you sure Kurt?" Blaine asked.

Finn nodded his head, "Yeah, you should have dinner with us, Burt and my mom are probably sick of just hearing about you."

"Finn," Kurt hissed at him.

Blaine smiled, "Okay, as long as we're not imposing or anything."

"Don't be silly," Kurt said, "We have our family dinners on Friday."

"Well I'm sure Cassidy will be excited," Blaine said with a smile.

"Oh how is she doing?" Kurt asked.

"Wonderful, although I don't think she is making to many friends at school," Blaine said.

"She was telling me all about the girls she met though," Kurt said.

Blaine nodded, "I know, apparently they have been talking to her less and less though, it concerns me."

"I'm sure she is alright," Kurt said putting a hand on Blaine's shoulder.

"Yeah," Blaine said and then smiled, "It will be okay in the end."

~~~~~~~

Blaine and Cassidy were standing in front of the Hummel-Hudson residence, "Remember what I told you," Blaine said to his sister.

"To be polite," Cassidy said pulling on his arm impatiently, "Can I ring the doorbell please?"

"Sure," Blaine said with a smile.

Cassidy reached up and pushed the button with a giggle. The door opened and revealed who Blaine could only assume was Carole, "Hello you must be Blaine and this must be Cassidy."

Cassidy quickly hid behind Blaine's leg. He walked in and his sister stayed close, "Hi, thanks for letting us come over."

"No problem," Carole said, "Kurt is in his room, I'll go get him while you two take your coats off," she disappeared calling for Kurt.

Blaine helped Cassidy take off her coat, "One sleeve and then two sleeve," he said.

Cassidy giggled, "You're so silly."

Blaine smiled, "I'm suppose to be silly remember I'm your older brother," he then tapped her nose.

Kurt watched them interact and couldn't get over there relationship together, "Hi Cassidy," he said walking out from the hallway.

Cassidy smiled and ran over to him, "Kurt!" she shouted jumping up and he picked her up.

"I guess I may as well just leave," Blaine said with a smile.

Kurt and Cassidy looked over at him, "Yep, you can leave now," Cassidy said waving her hand.

Blaine laughed, "Oh well if that's the case then I might have to bring out the Claw," he said holding out his hand.

Cassidy wiggled out of the Kurt's grasp and laughed as she hid behind him, "No not the Claw," she giggled.

Blaine reached around and started tickling her, "Got you," he said.

"Blainey," she said through her giggles, "Help me Kurtie!"

Kurt stopped and smiled at the nickname he had just received, "No, I think I will sit this one out."

"The Claw should get Kurtie," Cassidy said.

Blaine laughed, "I think that's enough Claw for now," he said picking up his sister. Finn walked into the room, "Oh Cassidy this is Finn, he is Kurt's step brother."

Cassidy wrinkled her nose and looked up at Finn, "Hi," he said to her.

Blaine set her down back on the ground, "You're really tall," she said looking up at him.

Finn gave a half smile, "Thank you," he said confused.

Carole walked back in the room, "I was wondering if anyone wanted to make cookies with me."

Cassidy's eyes widened and looked up at Blaine who nodded, "I do! I do!" she said jumping up and down.

"Well then Cassidy why don't we go do just that," Carole said holding out her hand which Cassidy took.

Blaine smiled, "You ready to work on our project?" Kurt asked him.

"Sure," Blaine nodded, "I brought my stuff with me."

"Great," Kurt said as he started to walk down the hall, "It would probably work best to do it in my room."

"Alright," Blaine said following Kurt.

Once in Kurt's room they looked around, "Here," Kurt said pulling out his desk chair, "You sit here and I'll sit on the bed."

"Okay," Blaine said taking the seat while Kurt sat on his bed, "How far did you get in the reading?"

"Pretty far, I read some of it last night. Odysseus is actually quite the character," Kurt said flipping through the book, "I mean the way he tricked the Cyclops that was clever."

"That's one of my favorite parts," Blaine said.

"Yeah and last night I was researching and read more about the Iliad. I found it interesting how the whole war started, with the apple and the three goddesses," Kurt explained, "It seems to be a reoccurring theme, wars getting started over silly things like that."

"Yeah I suppose that's what they were going for," Blaine smiled.

"I just mean he was in the war for ten years and then it took him ten years to get home," Kurt said, "It's sort of a sad story."

Blaine nodded, "I know but he comes over many obstacles that were pretty amazing."

"I suppose, although I know I don't like some of these boat men," Kurt said with a bit of a scowl.

"Well you don't have to worry about them for long," Blaine says with a laugh.

Kurt covered his ears, "Don't tell me, let's just talk about what I did read."

Blaine smiled, "Okay that works for me."

They worked for about two hours before either one of them looked at the clock. Blaine had moved over to the bed, so they could share there notes better. Kurt held his head in his hands as he leaned to look in the book, "What about this quote?" he asked pointing to it.

Blaine looked over, "Sure," he said handing Kurt a marker to save the spot.

Kurt stretched his arms and put them down at his side, "I think my eyes are hurting from reading the small text," he said shaking his head.

Blaine let out a laugh, "Yeah, it sort of a small text," he put his hand down on the bed and felt something warm, he looked down at the same time Kurt did, he had his hand on top of Kurt's. They both looked up at each other.

The door was opened the rest of the way, "Blaine! Kurt!" Cassidy said bounding in.

Blaine moved his hand away, both missing the warmth, and picked up his sister, "Yes sister dearest," he teased.

"Dinner is served," Cassidy said, "Carole told me to tell you dinner is going to be ready in a few minutes."

"Alright then," Blaine said standing up and setting her down, "We will be right out."

"Okay," Cassidy said leaving the room.

"Here," Blaine said as he started organizing the mess on Kurt's bed. Kurt helped him and they cleaned off his bed.

"Thanks," Kurt said quietly.

"Sure," Blaine said.

Kurt then smiled, "Come on, let's go have something to eat I'm starving."

"Right," Blaine said with a nod, the pair walked out of his room and towards the kitchen. "I hope Cassidy behaved," Blaine said patting his sister's head.

"She was lovely," Carole said placing a pot on the table, "She is also quite the little cook."

"Blainey and I cook all the time together," Cassidy said, "But he always makes the best macaroni and cheese."

Blaine laughed, "It's just out of the box silly."

"But Katherine doesn't make it like you do, it always tastes funny," Cassidy said, "Yours is better."

"Oh Katherine is your baby sitter right?" Carole asked.

"Yep," Cassidy said, "She takes me to the bus every morning before school and sometimes picks me up too. My favorite days are when Blaine can pick me up."

"Oh hi Dad," Kurt said as Burt walked in.

"Hi, I came home while you two were studying," Burt said with a smile, "You must be Blaine."

Blaine suddenly felt a bit nervous, "Yeah, hello Mr. Hummel."

"Its Burt son," Burt said with a smile, "You have quite the little sister."

"She really is something," Finn said, "I can see why you talk about her all the time."

"Oh Blainey talks about me to his friends," Cassidy said laughing, "He's so silly, but he's suppose to be silly because he's my older brother," she said to Carole.

Carole smiled and nodded, "Of course, how about we sit down and eat the dinner Cassidy and I made."

The group finally sat down and started to eat. "So Blaine I guess you'll have to let your parents know when you're getting home," Burt said.

Blaine stiffened and he saw Cassidy who looked at her plate of food with a sad face, he swallowed, "It will be alright," he said.

Cassidy looked up at him and tugged on his shirt sleeve, he leaned down, "Blaine we don't have any parents," she whispered, but she was loud enough for them all to hear.

Blaine shifted in his seat, "I know," he said quietly.

"Blaine is there something wrong?" Carole asked.

Kurt looked at Blaine, he was shocked at Cassidy's answer, and he was worried now. "No nothing is wrong," Blaine said.

"What's it like singing in Glee club?" Cassidy asked Finn.

Finn gave a smile, "Fun, we have lots of fun."

"How come you aren't in Glee club Blainey?" Cassidy asked.

"Because then I wouldn't be able to pick you up when you get off the bus on my days off," Blaine explained.

"Does your brother have a nice voice?" Carole asked her.

"Blaine has the bestest voice in the whole world," Cassidy said, "He always sings me songs and I sing them to him."

"Do you?" Burt asked.

"Yes, my favorite songs are from The Little Mermaid, Ariel is my favorite," Cassidy said swinging her feet and taking a bite of her food.

"I guess one day we'll have to hear this voice," Kurt teased.

Blaine blushed, "You haven't sung for Kurt yet?" Cassidy asked looking up at her brother, "I told you to, remember."

Blaine smiled, "I know you did silly, but I can't just sing at school anytime I want too."

"Yes you can," Cassidy said, "I do it all the time."

"High school isn't the same Sissy," Blaine explained, "Remember when I took you to that museum?"

Cassidy nodded, "Yes I had to be quiet and couldn't run around."

"That's basically what high school is like," Blaine explained.

Cassidy made a face, "I don't want to go to high school then."

"Sometimes it's not as bad as you think, you learn a lot of new and fun things too," Kurt said.

"I guess," Cassidy said with a shrug. The group talked more about school and Cassidy would input her own opinions here and there.

"Who is ready for dessert?" Carole asked but looking at Cassidy.

Cassidy was about to jump out of her seat when she looked and saw Blaine giving her the look, she stopped wiggling and smiled, "I would like some please."

Blaine smiled to himself as he finished some of the potatoes off his plate.

"I'll be right back then," she began taking the plates.

"Here let me help," Blaine said standing up.

"Nonsense," Carole said, "You are a guest Finn can help me." Finn nodded his head with an eye roll and gathered the plates from in front of them. Finn came back to sit down. Carole soon came back with the plate of cookies she and Cassidy made earlier, "Here we are."

Cassidy smiled, "I helped make them Blainey, Carole even let me lick the spoon like you do."

"Well that was awfully nice of her," Blaine said.

"Aw, I usually get to lick the spoon," Finn said and Cassidy giggled at him.

They ate there cookies and were making small talk when Cassidy pulled on Blaine's sleeve, "What is it?"

Cassidy whispered in his ear, "I have to go potty."

"Oh," Blaine said looking up, "It's the first door on the left," he said pointing. Cassidy nodded and slipped off her chair walking towards the bathroom.

"How do you do it?" Carole asked.

Blaine looked up, "Huh?"

Burt nodded, "I have to say I'm impressed as well."

"Oh," Blaine said quietly looking down the hall and then back at the group, "I guess we just sort of understand each other."

"I thought she would be running around acting sort of wild," Finn said with a shrug.

"Finn," Kurt said glaring at his step brother.

"Its fine," Blaine said with a laugh, "Just wait if you see her full of sugar. She just keeps me on my toes."

"She is wonderful," Carole said smiling.

Blaine nodded, "Sometimes I call her the light of my life and she corrects me saying she is a fairy, but she doesn't want to stay hidden like Tinkerbell."

Kurt let out a laugh, "Don't say that around the girls at lunch time."

"Kurt tells me you aren't in the Glee club," Burt interjects.

"Yeah, I don't really have time for it," Blaine said scratching the back of his neck, "I have my job after school, homework, and looking after Cassidy."

"I admire that," Burt said, "I mean not that I don't approve of Glee club, but knowing where your priorities are, it's a good trait to have."

Blaine nodded, "I suppose."

Cassidy ran out, "Blainey they have foamy soap. It foams when you pump it, it's so cool."

Blaine laughed, "I'm glad you liked the soap then. I guess we should get going though."

"Do we have to?" Cassidy said leaning on her brother.

"Yes we do, I know of a certain little girl who will want to finish her book she started reading the other day," Blaine said tapping her nose.

"I almost forgot," Cassidy said, "We have to leave, come on Blaine," she said pulling on his arm.

"I'll get your backpack," Kurt said standing up and walking towards his room.

Cassidy spun around, "Look Finn, see when I twirl my skirt spins too."

"That's great," Finn said with a smile.

"Blaine bought me this skirt when we went shopping for school clothes, didn't you Blaine," Cassidy said.

"I did," Blaine said looking down at her.

Kurt walked back out into the room, "Here you go," he said handing it, "I put your things away."

"Thanks," Blaine said swinging it over his shoulder, "Come on Sissy we have to take off," he said getting his keys from his pocket.

"Okay," Cassidy said and then she turned towards Carole and Burt, "Thank you for having us over."

Carole smiled, "Well thank you for taking your time to come over, can I have hug?" Cassidy laughed and ran into Carole's arms. "Oh wait, I'll give you some cookies to take home with you," she said disappearing into the kitchen.

Cassidy went and hugged Kurt's leg; she mumbled something that no one could hear, "What was that?" Kurt asked getting down to her level. She whispered something in his ear that only he could hear. Kurt smiled, "Well thank you."

Blaine watched Cassidy smile back and then she turned towards him, "Ready to go?" he asked reaching out his hand.

"Yep," Cassidy said taking his hand.

"Thanks for having us over," Blaine said.

"You two are welcome anytime," Burt said with a smile.

Carole walked back into the living room, "Here you go," she said passing the bag of cookies.

"Thank you Burt, the food was great Carole," Blaine said, "See you in school on Monday," he said towards Kurt and Finn and then they were out the door.

"Kurt," Burt asked, "Do you know..."

"I don't," Kurt said quietly, "He doesn't really talk about it."

"Well I guess the only thing you can do is be there for him for the time being," Carole said.

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