A.k.a. Mercedes, Tina, and Rachel were going shopping, and getting an outfit Okayed by Kurt was like Whitney Houston saying you sang great. Plus Burt had given me and Kurt his credit card to go shopping.

“We need to replace some things,” Kurt informed me as we drove to the mall.

“Like ....?”

“Like more gel,” he teased. “And things that did not survive.”

I thought of my keyboard and my guitar but shook it out of my mind. Those were too expensive to be brought. “Like ...?” I repeated.

“Oh some clothes and some CDs and the such,” Kurt waved a hand. “And I need some new clothes as well.”

“Didn’t you just go - “ I teased, laughing.

“Sh! I did not,” he laughed.

I leaned back in the car seat and chuckled. “Sometimes you really are oh so stereotypical.”

“Hey!” Kurt said, taking a turn. “I am not!” I gave him a look like that said ‘oh-really’. “Yes I am not!” I just started to laugh. “Oh shut up!” he laughed as we pulled into the mall parking lot. We met the girls outside waiting for us.

“Hey guys!” Tina waved. The other girls followed suit and I waited as they all hugged Kurt.

“Blaine,” Rachel looked at me. “C’mere you can get a hug too.”

“Uh no I’m good,” I smiled. “Thanks though.”

“Well come on then! There’s a sale over at Forever 21 and I am -not- missing it,” Mercedes grinned, grabbing their hands and dragging them inside. I laughed and followed them along. The day consisted of me tagging along in every store they went into, sitting and watching the mini fashion show the girls put on for Kurt. They had also forced me into trying on clothes, since Mercedes had pointed out that men’s clothes were on sale. Though, I did like modeling for Kurt.

“Ouu Blaine if Kurt doesn’t jump your bones in those jeans then I will,” Mercedes cooed. The rest of us laughed except Kurt who just went scarlet.

“Mercedes! We are in a public place!” Kurt squealed.

“Oh loosen up Kurt!” Mercedes teased. “I’m just teasing. Since when are you so pruny?”

“I am not! I just don’t like talking about that stuff loudly in a clothing store,” Kurt went redder.

“You don’t like talking about it at all,” I pointed out, chuckling.

“Guys leave Kurt alone!” Rachel defended him.

“Thank you Rachel,” Kurt said with a smug look on his face.

“That doesn’t really help you Rachel’s a prune, too,” Tina joined in on the teasing.

“Hey!” the Wicked besties snapped.

We were waiting in line at the food court when it happened.

“Blaine!” I heard someone shout my name, making me jump. It is him? Is he here is he is he? I clung onto Mercedes arm and hid in it.

“Blaine!” The voice was closer now. Fuck fuck fuck he’s here he’s here!

“Blaine,” Kurt put a hand on my arm. I was probably squeezing the life out of Mercedes arm. “It’s just Wes and David.

Wes and David. Shit. I had explaining to do.

“Blaine!” I finally heard David’s voice. “Blaine what the hell!”

“Guys - “ Kurt started.

“No offense Kurt, but stay out of it,” David snapped. “Blaine has some explaining to do. To us. You know, your best friends!”

“I will! I will I will I will,” I muttered.

“We’ll go sit down and then he’ll explain okay?” Kurt said.

“Fi - “ Wes started.

“No.” I sighed.

“No?” Both Wes and David looked hurt.

“I-I’ll tell you guys now. J-just ... L-let’s just find a place,” I grabbed both their arms and pulled them away. I didn’t stop until we reached a secluded corner.

“Well?” They pushed.

I took a deep breath and spilled. I told them everything. I owed them that much.

“Blaine why didn’t you tell us?” David asked.

Always the first question people ask. Never if I’m okay, only to know why they didn’t know the latest Anderson gossip.

“Because then your parents would get involved and lose their jobs and then you’d guys couldn’t go to Dalton anymore and then you’d want to keel - “

“Blaine. Shut up and calm down,” Wes sighed. “Why would you think all that?”

“Because that’s the truth – Fuck ,” I groaned. “It happened. My father lost his job. Your parents - “

“You do know my mom takes over right?” Wes rolled his eyes.

“What ...?” I blinked.

“My mom. The vice president to you father. It’s hers now. Well, until you’re eighteen.”

“Until I’m 18?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you’re next of kin. And since he didn’t specify who goes after him, it goes to you. But not until you’re an adult so the vice president gets it. ... Does this make sense?” Wes chuckled.

“...Yea I-I guess.” I couldn’t believe it. “S-so your parents are fine?”

“Yes!” David said. “Stop worrying about us. Even if it did, you’d think we’d be angry with you? Dude it wasn’t a stupid fight with your parents. Your dad – what he did – I mean it’s different – “ he struggled to find just the right words, but I got it. And I broke down. One minute I was collected, and the next I’m sobbing into Wes’s shirt.

“It’s alright Blaine,” Wes rested his chin on my head and rubbed my back.

I shook my head. I’m such an asshole. These guys were my friends and yet they were the last to know. They cared for me just as much as Kurt and the others did and I threw them aside.

“Hey c’mon, Mr. Junior Warbler Blaine Anderson,” Wes soothed. Oh god. I was making a scene. I swallowed hard and pushed myself off Wes.

“S-sorry,” I choked out.

“Don’t be. Hey look, can you do us a favor and stop by Dalton today? Us Warblers have something for you,” David said.

“Oh?” I tilted my head.

“Yea, the guys got it out of us, and wanted to do something for you. Mostly to let you know we’re here for you,” David said. “Well, except the new guy, but that’s just cause he doesn’t know.”

“New guy?” I asked.

“Huh? Oh yea, we needed a new member, what with Wes graduated and you transferred. His name is Sebastian,” David said.

“Is he good?”

“Amazing. Almost as good as you. But a pain in the ass,” he groaned. We all laughed at that. It felt good to laugh with them again. David and Wes were there the first time he came to Dalton, terrified of everyone. They were the ones who sat with him, made sure he felt safe, introduced him to the Warblers. Especially Wes. He was my mentor in singing and dancing and acting. Heck, he had promised me the head spot when he graduated, the first junior to hold it. Then again I was the first sophomore to be the lead. He was the one to reassure me Dalton was safe. He listened to me when I needed to vent and rant. He was there when I needed to cry and to laugh and just needed to talk.

He was my first Kurt.

"Alright, I’ll be there. What time?”

“How’s tonight at six? You can bring whoever,” Wes said.

I nodded and got up. “You guys wanna shop with us? I mean, I love them, but I need some other manliness,” I joked.

They laughed. “We shouldn’t, I got Warbler practice, but I think I could skip one,” David grinned.

“I second that,” Wes nodded. “Now let’s return you to Kurt before he has a panic attack.” We laughed and walked back to the food court, spotting Kurt and the girls