Blaine stared at himself in the rear-view mirror of his old, rusty Mercedes, checking over his hair to make sure that it was greased just right. His eyes quickly scanned the small photo Kurt had sent him, which was currently tucked in the corner of the fold-out mirror that hung just above the driver's seat. He pulled out a comb from the inside pocket of his leather jacket and ran it through his hair, trying again to slick it down as straight as possible. Just one long curl was left purposefully loose, falling casually in the middle of his forehead. He got out of the car, straightened his tight jeans and tugged at his white t-shirt. He then shifted his jacket, which read "T-Birds" on the back in faded lettering.

Senior year, Blaine told himself. You can do this. Just act cool and rule the school. You're great at that.

Blaine locked his car and walked up the sidewalk, to the right of a divider made up of small square of grass, short hedges, and a flagpole. In all truthfulness, the school looked like the most proper public school around. For a moment, Blaine felt a weird sense of pride in being a student here, but then he thought better of it.

"Well if it isn't the little shit himself. Blaine! 'Ay, great to see you!" Puck greeted as he high-fived and then low-fived Blaine. Puck, standing in a group with their other friends Finn, Artie, and Sam, pulled a toothpick from his mouth and threw it carelessly into the flower bed behind them. Puck had slicked-back dark hair similar to Blaine's, but his was more straight. His skin was a sun-kissed from his pool cleaning job, and he had eyes that could easily strike terror in anyone who looked at him the wrong way.

Sam was picking on Finn jokingly for his home-made lunch, talking about how uncool it was while Artie interjected to back up Sam's side of the argument. It was a rather entertaining sight.

When Blaine had come over to tell the guys to all stop, they did. But that left them with nothing to do. “So how was your summer?" they all suddenly asked together.

Blaine shrugged. "It was cool. Let's go see if we can find Rory," he suggested with a smirk. The gang chimed in agreement with Blaine, agreeing that that would be a perfect way to start their Senior year.

I.

Kurt had been sitting in his old fashioned BMW for what felt like an hour, possibly the whole morning. But when he checked the clock on his dashboard, it showed he had only been sitting there for fifteen minutes. Kurt let out a sigh and reached over to his glove box, which he opened to retrieve a crinkled-up letter. It was the last letter he had received from Blaine, sent two weeks after their parting. He let his thumb trace over Blaine's writing on the envelope.

The move from New York to Ohio had caused problems with the mail, but now, anything that was sent to their old New York address was forwarded to them in Ohio. It had been a convenient excuse for the lack of letters. But by now, it looked like this one letter was the only one Kurt would get back.

Kurt tilted his head to the side lightly and opened up the envelope carefully, taking out the folded piece of notebook paper. How classic. Kurt read the letter over again.

My Dearest Kurt,
I miss you so much, it's unbearable. I can't wait until the day we see each other again. It feels like an eternity from now. Change of plans here with my family. We're not staying in West Virginia much longer. My parents haven't figured out where we'll be moving, but I hope it won't be too much for me. I'd hate to be moved to a new school and have a hard time fitting in even though it'll be my Senior Year. I hope you're doing great. And I also hope you always find a reason to smile. Your smile is so beautiful. Gosh, I miss it so much. It feels like night constantly for me since we parted. Send me a picture of you so I can keep it in my car, will ya?
I love you,
Blaine

Kurt took his index finger and traced over the writing of 'I love you', feeling tears sting at his eyes. He missed Blaine so much it hurt. He wished he could be held by Blaine right now instead of having to face McKinley High. It felt so scary here.

Kurt only knew one person at McKinley, Mercedes Jones. He met her when his mother had sent him to the market to get a few things. Kurt had been confused about what pasta box to choose when Mercedes had happily helped out. They had bonded instantly over the fact that they both were going to McKinley High.

A knock sounded at Kurt's car door's window, causing him to jump slightly as he quickly folded the letter. He looked up to see Mercedes wearing her big smile, waving at Kurt with a sweet look in her brown eyes. Mercedes was a gorgeous ebony cool cat who had curves beyond compare. Although kids tend to judge her at first because of her skin color, Mercedes had become one of the most popular girls at school. She had told Kurt that her group of friends were called the 'Pink Ladies'. Kurt had to admit, that was a creative name.

Kurt gave her a smile and waved back as he opened up his door and put the letter away, making haste. Then he grabbed his books and stepped out to suddenly get enveloped in Mercedes' big hug.

"Isn't this exciting? Senior year, Kurt!"

Kurt ignored her and looked down at himself. Faded jeans, simple saddle shoes, and a brand new black tee shirt. He frowned. "'’Cedes? Do I look alright? I really want to fit in."

Mercedes rolled her eyes and wrapped a hand around the crook of Kurt's arm as they walked into the school. "Relax, Kurt. You look like a diva. You'll be fine. And plus my girls are gonna love you -- no doubt about it."

Kurt made a half-smile. "I sure hope so…"

II.

"'Ay, Rory!" yelled Sam as they entered the empty hallway. Rory, with his big red bow tie and bright yellow suspenders walked down the empty steps. When he saw the sight of the T-Birds, he frowned, a hand going up to straighten his big glasses.

"How ya doin', Rory?" asked Puck lazily as he motioned for the T-Birds to follow him. They walked up the stairs to meet up with Rory, cornering the poor boy at the railing.

"Urm. Hi…guys…" Rory mumbled in his thick Irish accent.

Sam reached out a hand and ruffled Rory's hair while Finn pulled his bowtie off, shoving Rory up against the railing quickly before they moved away from him with loud laughs. "Gotta start lookin' sharper, Rorz!" Puck yelled after Rory as they walked away. They were late to homeroom, but they didn't care. Artie laughed loudly while Blaine just stood off to the side, watching them humiliate the poor Irish boy. When he passed by Rory, he gave him a quick apologetic smile, which seem to relax the boy a bit.

Right at the top of the steps, with her hands on her hips, stood Principal Pillsbury. The T-Birds froze, looking at each other with widened eyes. "Hey Principal P," greeted Puck with an flirty smile.

Principal Pillsbury was an easy-going woman who was in her mid-thirties. She had short ginger hair that was always curled in her own perfect way, wide brown eyes, and a pointed face reminiscent of a mouse. She always dressed in expensive, bright clothes, and was obsessed with neatness and cleanliness. She tended to be shaky and nervous around others, but she had a strong and hard side to her that gave her the power needed to be an effective Principal at McKinley.

"Boys? Why aren't you in class?" she asked with her lips set in a thin line.

The boys all smiled at each other. "We were just taking a stroll, ma'am," said Puck. Sam and Artie high-fived each other.

That seemed to irritate her. "Get to class. Now."

The boys laughed and pushed past Miss Pillsbury, high-fiving once more as they headed down the second floor hallway to their class. They all had the same homeroom together, Biology.

They walked in late, earning a disapproving look from the teacher as they sat down in the last five empty seats. The announcements then began.

III.

"Does this new top make me look fat?" asked Rachel as she looked down at the new, frilly blouse she wore. She had thought it would go great with her Pink Ladies jacket.

Santana looked over to her just as she was adjusting her ponytail and rolled her eyes. "Rach, you look fine."

Brittany leaned forward and sighed, swinging her leg back and forth, crossed over her other leg under her tight pencil skirt. She fiddled with the end of the sleeve of her Pink Ladies jacket. "Guys, this better be an easier year for us. Especially me. I don't know how I survived last year," Brittany murmured. Everyone was thinking the same thing, that Brittany only survived because she had copied off of everyone else's homework answers and was shockingly clever about getting away with it.

Santana was the head of the Pink Ladies. She had dark, glossy, and slightly curly hair that was always pulled up in a high ponytail, daring brown eyes, and perfect dulce de leche skin. She came from Lima Heights Adjacent, which in itself gave her an edge at McKinley.

Rachel ranked second in the group. She had straight brown hair that she always wore down, and had dark, expressive eyes that never failed to show people what she was feeling.

Brittany was at the bottom of the Pink Ladies, right under Mercedes. She had perfect blonde hair that she wore in a ponytail like Santana, but with short bangs curled to the side. She had, as Rachel termed it, 'a brain the size of a pea'. Brittany, of course, didn't have any room for her feelings to be hurt by Rachel's words, so they were still great friends. They all stuck together like true sisters-at-heart.

Mercedes, sadly, was in Geography at the moment instead of in Film Studies with the rest of the Pink Ladies. Morning Announcements had been going on for five long minutes while Mr. Gee took attendance and occasionally spoke with one of the class suck-ups. Suddenly, the girls froze at what Miss. Pillsbury said through the speakers.

"That's right, ladies and gentleman. You heard me correctly. This year, our Fall Formal will be broadcast live on public access television. So that means that everyone needs to be on their best behavior. I want all of Ohio to see what…bright…talented…students we have here at William McKinley High." The whole class erupted with cheering. Mr. Gee gave everyone a gaze that made people shut up instantly.

"Yes. This is definitely going to be a good year," said Rachel with a wide and excited smile.

Outside the classroom, Kurt was hurrying down the hallway with his books in hand. He was really late for Geography, after having to fill out paperwork in the office. But, luckily, he carried a slip excusing him from getting his first tardy of the school year.

When he hurried inside the classroom, the door accidentally slammed behind him louder than he had planned, causing the teacher and students to stare at him. Mercedes smiled at him warmly. Kurt spotted her and immediately relaxed.