A/N: Hey everybody! Thanks for reading. Feel free to review – I love any feedback. I guess I'd better add a disclaimer – I do not own Glee. Or Kurt. Or Blaine. If only.

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Kurt's POV

Kurt wanted to be mad at Rachel and Mercedes for ignoring him the previous day. Neither of them had called him that night, to explain, to apologise...anything. He wanted to give them the cold shoulder and ignore them – see how they liked it. But Kurt was not that person. He might have some bite, a witty and sarcastic mouth, but he was hardly a nasty person by nature. And if he was being honest with himself, he needed their friendship. Without them he truly was alone – not just the 'alone' you feel late at night when you wished someone was laying next to you, but the 'alone' you feel when you have no one to talk to and it feels like there isn't a single person in the entire world who really cares about you. (His dad did not count. He was required to care. It was in the manual. And by that logic, Finn and Carole sort of didn't count either). In the end, Kurt relied on Rachel and Mercedes. They kept him afloat. Most of the time.

Kurt might have decided not to ignore them, but he was certainly going to give them a disapproving look. (He had considered giving them a stern talking too, but the chances of either of them actually taking him seriously were reasonably low). Maybe if he looked angry they would notice.

Mercedes however, did not notice such a look. Out of nowhere she seemed to pop up, pulling him into a large bear hug.

"Why Kurt, I LOVE that outfit." She remarked, as a huge smile spread across her face. "You've really out done yourself this year".

For a moment Kurt tried not to smile. He did not want to give in, to let her pretend like nothing had happened. But he couldn't help it. Mercedes knew his weak spot. He supposed that was why they were such good friends. (At least, he hoped they still were).

"Mercedes, you..."

"....are the best friend anyone could wish for." She winked at him. "I know".

And at that she pulled something out of her bag, trust it into his hands and started off down the hallway, but not before Kurt heard a quiet "I'm sorry".

After a moment of just staring after Mercedes, Kurt realised he was still holding whatever it was that she had given him. He looked down and saw that it was a photo. Of the three of them. Kurt was in the middle, with Rachel and Mercedes sitting on either side, big grins spread across all of their faces. Kurt smiled at the memory. They had been at Kurt's house, and Burt had taken the photo during one of their many sleepovers, late at night when they were in their pyjamas, sprawled out on the floor, yet nowhere near ready to sleep. They had just finished watching an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S – the one where Monica tells Chandler that he would "always be the guy that peed on her". If only they had both known then that they would end up together, that they were soulmates, meant to be. Rachel had looked at Kurt, smiled, and declared (in a very loud and obnoxious voice) that the three of them would settle for nothing less than a romance like Chandler and Monica's. Ross and Rachel may be each other's lobsters, but Monica and Chandler were something special. At that Mercedes disappointedly asked "What, I don't get a lobster?" and all three had nearly fallen over laughing. Burt had taken the picture then. He had told Kurt later he had been watching them from the kitchen. ("That's not creepy AT ALL, dad" he had declared later, even though he was secretly pleased. He loved that photo. In it he had friends. And he was happy).

Thinking back to that night, Kurt was reminded how much he hoped he would find someone like Monica and Chandler did, someone who he might date, or even marry, but someone who was first and foremost, his best friend.

Sighing, he opened his locker and put the photo up inside the door. That way he would be reminded that he did actually have friends who cared about him. It was exactly what he had needed. Sometimes, Kurt thought, Mercedes knew exactly how to fix a situation, and she didn't even have to use words. She just knew Kurt that well. And that was why he loved her so much.

Blaine's POV

Blaine was ready.

At least that was what he kept telling himself.

Just step through those doors, find the office and you'll be fine.

But taking that first step was harder than Blaine could have ever imagined. He wasn't sure whether it was because he was nervous, or whether he just wanted to prolong this whole thing as long as possible. Or both.

"Finnnnn" a loud whiny voice said from somewhere behind him.

Blaine realised then that this was it. He couldn't just stay planted in front of this door forever. In a few seconds whoever had spoken would arrive at the doors and he would look like a fool. And so with much caution, he slowly pushed the doors open and stepped inside.

A long, wide hallway greeted him, bearing numerous red and white posters with slogans like "Titans Rule" and "Have Titan Spirit" glaring down at him. Blaine wondered if this meant the football team was remotely good at McKinley. He hoped so, he liked football.

Caught up in a daydream, Blaine almost didn't notice when a student – a short brunette tailed by a group of friends – stopped to introduce herself.

"Hi, I'm Rachel Berry. I guess you are new here. I remember my first day here and even though it was the first day of freshman year I fully sympathise-"

"Rachel, we don't need your life story," one of her friends interjected. Short, sharp, sarcastic.

"It's al-alright," Blaine managed to stammer out, too nervous to say anything else.

"Of course it is," said Rachel. The same friend rolled her eyes.

"Hi, I'm Finn." A tall boy stepped forward and held out his hand for Blaine to shake. It took Blaine a moment before he could respond – this boy was just so huge, he towered over Blaine by what he thought had to be at least a foot. How had he not noticed him immediately?

"I'm Blaine" he replied lamely. "It's nice to meet you". Blaine had been raised with proper manners, so however odd or out-of-place they felt now, he was not about to stop using them. He just didn't know how else to act.

"A boy with manners, now that's new".

Not at Dalton. Blaine mentally kicked himself. He was not at Dalton anymore. He had to stop imagining he was. Instead, Blaine just shrugged. "I guess..." he trailed off.

"Well, I'm Santana-" said the girl who had interrupted and rolled her eyes at Rachel earlier "-and this is Artie-"

Blaine looked to where she was pointing at a skinny boy with glasses in a wheelchair. Blaine had overlooked him too. How? He definitely needed to be more observant or it might cost him.

"-and this is Mike." She pointed to a slender Asian boy who smiled broadly at Blaine. So far, Blaine decided, he liked Mike best.

"Do you need any help?" Rachel again.

Blaine sighed in relief. He hadn't expected anyone to be nice to him, especially on his first day. As a general rule, people tended to stay clear of the new kid. Either that or they teased them relentlessly. Even at Dalton, where he had been welcomed in with open arms, it had taken months before he finally felt like he belonged. And so, to avoid drawing attention to himself or appearing weak - because he knew all too well what might happen to him if he did – he had decided not to ask for help. He could manage on his own.

But here they were offering it; and he would most certainly take it. And just maybe, if he played his cards right, he might not have to sit alone at lunch. For the first time in what seemed like days, a huge smile spread across his face. "Yeah, that would be great. Can you tell me where the office is?"

"I'll do you one better – I'll take you there." Mike. Blaine knew he had liked Mike for a reason.

"That'd...actually be so helpful. Thanks."

This day was turning out better than expected. As he and Mike walked together down the hall Blaine hoped it would last.

"So...which parent is Asian?"

Blaine just stared at Mike in...well, surprise. No one had ever asked him anything of the sort.

"My mother," Blaine replied eagerly. Now that Mike was...his friend (?), he wanted it to stay that way. "She's from the Philippines - hence my short stature."

Mike started laughing. "You're not that short...I mean, well...yeah, I guess you are. No offense."

Blaine laughed. A real, proper laugh. Not the hollow sound that came out every time his parent's expected him to find their jokes funny. "I'm used to it, believe me. Don't even worry about it. I appreciate you trying to tell me otherwise though."

"No problem. Hey, Kurt-" Mike reached out and grabbed onto a boy who was standing at his locker. "Meet the new kid."

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Kurt's POV

Kurt spun around and came face to face with someone he had never seen before. The boy was quite short, with dark brown hair that was gelled within an inch of its life, but Kurt had a hunch that underneath all that gel there would be a full head of curls. He was wearing...a bowtie? And although his outfit was nowhere near Kurt's standard, it was not too shabby. Poor guy, thought Kurt. He looks scared.

"Hi. I'm Kurt. You're new?" he asked, showing more interest than he probably should.

"Yep," Mike cut in. "This here is my friend-" Blaine's heart fluttered at the use of that word "-Blaine. I managed to rescue him from Rachel."

Blaine extended his hand forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Oh god, thought Kurt. He has manners. And he's wearing a bowtie. Before he could stop himself he replied "You're so polite." He mentally kicked himself. Well that wasn't weird at all.

Blaine nervously laughed. "Is that bad? I'm beginning to think manners are a real rarity around here."

Kurt almost snorted. "That is the understatement of the century."

"Hey Kurt," Mike interrupted, "I've just remembered I have to go see Coach Bieste, would you mind showing Blaine the office?"

Kurt suddenly got butterflies. And he had no idea why. "Sure, see you around."

"Bye, Blaine. See you at lunch?" Mike asked as he started to walk away.

A huge smile spread across Blaine's face. "Sure!"

Kurt realised in that moment that Blaine looked absolutely beautiful when he smiled. His whole face lit up, his smile almost reaching his ears. He looked like an excited child, or an eager new puppy. Kurt vowed that from his moment on, although he knew literally nothing about Blaine, he would do everything to be his friend and try and keep him smiling like that. For Kurt understood all too well what it was like to not have many friends, to feel alone, and by the look on Blaine's face when Mike had called him his 'friend' – so did Blaine.

Blaine's POV

Kurt was...Kurt was different. Blaine thought. Polite, sophiscated and actually interested in what Blaine had to say. Having spent the last three months living at home with his parents, this was a huge change. He was very careful to not say too much – he didn't want to bore Kurt or scare him away. But after just a few minutes walking with Kurt, it was clear that Kurt wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"So your favourite colour is...?" Kurt asked, laughing at his clichéd question.

"That's a hard one," Blaine replied in all seriousness.

"Are you kidding me? It's my easiest question. They are only going to get harder from here." Kurt said as he shook his head. "Answer, please?" he pushed.

"Fine. But I wasn't lying - it really is a hard one." He paused. "It's sort of turquoise I guess, or jade, but greener. Like a cross between mint green and turquoise. I'll show you something that colour one day, then you'll know what I'm talking about. It's too hard to explain."

Kurt couldn't even reply. He was doubled over laughing. "I gu-guess you were right" he managed to get out between breaths. "Who knew you were so complicated?"

Blaine laughed at that. "You know nothing about me and already you're making assumptions?" he said, trying to fake hurt.

"Touché" was all Kurt said. He had stopped laughing and suddenly looked serious. This made Blaine wary.

"Blaine, can I...can I ask you a private question? I promise you don't have to answer if you don't want to. Though that might give it away, so... Sorry, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm nervous."

Ok, now Blaine was very scared. What could Kurt possibly want to know? But seeing as Kurt had made such an effort to be nice to him, he felt like he should return the favour. "What would you like to know?" he asked in a voice that he hoped sounded brave.

"I...well...why did you transfer to McKinley?"

Blaine burst out laughing, feeling relieved. It could have been much worse. "I guess...it's sort of a long, complicated story? If you're willing?" He paused. But Kurt still seemed interested. "Ok, well, I was at Dalton Academy, but my parents pulled me out. They told me it was because of money problems, but I know that is a lie. I just...don't know..." He took a long pause, trying to figure out wanted he actually wanted to say. "Look at me, I'm trying to be honest and I still don't know what to say. I guess, I feel like they just didn't want to waste unnecessary money on my education anymore. An education is an education wherever it comes from, you know? Why spend money when you don't have to?"

Kurt nodded, seemingly not wanting to interrupt Blaine's rant. So Blaine continued. Anger building in his voice. "I just...I know they don't care, right? And it shouldn't matter, but I can't help it. I..."

But Blaine stopped himself. Kurt didn't want to hear any of this, he didn't care about Blaine's problems. Hell, he'd known Blaine approximately 3 minutes. Way to go, Blaine.

"Kurt, I..." he started, wanting to apologise.

Kurt shook his head. "No need, Blaine" he started, as if he had known exactly what Blaine had been about to say, shrugging it off as if Blaine hadn't just spilled his deepest secrets to a stranger. "Come on, let's get you to the office. We can talk later".

And with that he grabbed Blaine's hand, and dragged him off down the hall.

Blaine's POV

The first four lessons of the day dragged on and on. Kurt wasn't in any of his classes, well at least not the first four, and neither were any of the other kids he had met that morning. He was starting to realise that McKinley was quite a large school - much, much bigger than Dalton had been.

In each class Blaine was forced to introduce himself in front of everyone, which drew more attention than he cared for. But by the time the bell for lunch went, no one had said or done anything at all that remotely seemed to be bullying, so he relaxed.

Maybe this school wasn't going to be as bad as he had thought it would be.

Just maybe, this could be a new start. Like he'd hoped.