Chapter 1: Blaine's New Classmate:

A pair of red converses crossed the airport. Louisa turned her cellphone on after the long flight. There was a text message from her cousin:

"So sorry I couldn't pick you up. Lots of work. There's a cab waiting for you. XXX."

She rolled her eyes; great way to be greeted at the Big Apple. She turned and saw a man holding a cardboard with her name. It was only when she was already inside the cab that she called her cousin.

"Hello?"

"Kurt?"

"Louisa! Are you already here?"

"Yes I am; I'm riding the cab you sent..."

She hears Kurt sighing on the other end:

"I'm so sorry I couldn't go pick you up but the real-estate agent booked with us now and he didn't have another hour. I don't know if I told you, I'm so excited: I'm moving in with my boyfriend! Speaking of which, where are you staying? Have you arranged that?"

"It's all arranged; don't worry. I have a dorm room at the university. I'm going straight there to see it and a bunch of other stuff that I also need to solve. Maybe it will be easier if we saw each other after our terms started."

"Maybe. We'll see; but I'll call you daily. I miss you so much!"

"Me too, pumpkin."

"By the way, which university? Have you settled the issues you still had with your scholarship?"

She chuckled:

"Yeah; but I only had the confirmation this week. I almost didn't come. I'm starting at NYADA."

Kurt gasped and coughed:

"NYADA? Oh My... Oh, so sorry boo; I've got to go. We'll meet there! It's were I go too!"

She didn't even had time to say anything else because Kurt had already hung-up the phone. She stared at the little phone on her hand and smiled. So many memories of all the vacations of her childhood she had spent with cousin Kurt while visiting her dad. She never imagined she would be moving to New York to go to university here. She looked at the outline of the Manhattan's buildings she could then see from the cab. She took a deep breath filled with insecurities about the future.

xXxXx

The real-estate agent handed Blaine the final papers of the rent of their new apartment. Blaine had already called Kurt once but he was excited about a phone call he received and hadn't hung up yet

"Kurt; we need to sign this now."

Kurt smiled at him while hanging up the phone. He approached them and turned to the agent:

"Sorry. It was my Brazilian cousin. I was supposed to pick her up at the airport and she was telling me she found the cab I sent in my place. Where do I have to sign?"

Blaine watched attentively while Kurt was concentrated following the agent's instructions. He was overwhelmed to finally be moving in with Kurt to a place only of their own. The agent gathered the papers and handed them the keys; wishing them a good day and leaving. Blaine turned to his boyfriend who disappointed him a little by talking about his cousin:

"Louisa is finally in town. I'm happy she made a good trip."

Blaine smiled at him while walking closer and grabbing him by the waist and locking him in a hug:

"So, Brazilian cousin? Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand?"

Kurt laughed:

"Not quite Louisa... You'd be surprised if you expected her to be some kind of mermaid..."

Blaine grinned at the boy in his arms. Kurt smiled back a little puzzled:

"What?"

"Can we talk about something important?"

Kurt smiled and rested his head on Blaine's shoulder:

"Sure honey; what's on your mind?"

"We are moving together! It's our place, Kurt!"

Kurt moaned:

"I'm happy to be moving in with you; but I'm still upset we got no space in here..."

Blaine chuckled while rubbing Kurt's back:

"Don't worry, gorgeous; there will be plenty of room for all your clothes. Besides, I'm glad to be moving out of the land with no walls; particularly after Finn moved in..."

Kurt laughed and looked at him:

"Yeah; that was embarrassing. And to be free of Rachel's mood swings is not that bad either."

Blaine smiled and glued their lips in a kiss.

"You know we'll be absurdly happy here. Come on; dance with me while we still have no furniture."

Kurt chuckled:

"But, honey, there's no music!"

Blaine smirked and searched for a song on his iPhone. He winked at Kurt as the first notes of I'll Cover You started filling the room. Kurt grinned back at him and took the lead in singing Angel's part of the duet.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CUY_st9c-QA

Live in my house, I'll be your shelter

Just pay me back

With one thousand kisses

Be my lover, I'll cover you

Blaine followed him right after him and singing as Collins.

Open your door, I'll be your tenant

Don't got much baggage, to lay at your feet

But sweet kisses, I've got to spare

I'll be there and I'll cover you

They were dancing, laughing and playing together while they explored their new home.

I think they meant it

When they said you can't buy love

Now I know you can rent it

A new lease you are my love

On life, be my life

Just slip me on, I'll be your blanket

Wherever, whatever I'll be your coat

You'll be my king, and I'll be your castle

No, you be my queen, and I'll be your moat

I think they meant it

When they said you can't buy love

Now I know you can rent it

A new lease you are my love

On life, oh my life

I've longed to discover

Something as true as this is

So with a thousand sweet kisses, I'll cover you

(If you're cold and you're lonely)

With a thousand sweet kisses, I'll cover you

(You've got one nickel only)

With a thousand sweet kisses, I'll cover you

(When you're worn out and tired)

With a thousand sweet kisses, I'll cover you

(When your heart has expired)

Oh lover, I'll cover you, yeah

Oh lover, I'll cover you

xXxXx

All the freshmen knew about the terror Cassandra July could be on her classes. They were struggling to keep up with the choreography and praying to remain invisible to her eyes. She kept yelling at all of them as a group until a particular student caught her attention:

"Hey you, vampire! Get here! Don't tell me you are more one of those that came from that Glee club from Ohio that manage in a mysterious way to get into NYADA?"

Louisa tried to smile politely over her jitters:

"I'm actually from Rio de Janeiro; I'm Brazilian."

Cassandra was now circling her while judging her new student:

"Oh! You must have impressed someone to make all the way up to my class. But keep in mind that here we don't dance with monkeys and you'll have to work your ass off to keep up with the rest of the class."

"Actually, we don't have monkeys..."

Cassandra sharply cut her mid-sentence:

"Shush! You don't speak in my class."

Louisa could feel her blood starting to boil and she knew nothing good came from it:

"And you don't speak like that about my country!"

"Oh! We have a little patriot. Where's your fruit basket, Carmen Miranda?"

Louisa gave her a mocking smirk:

"You don't want to know where I think you hid it."

Cassandra turned whiting the second a bright color of red. She was about to start screaming at the top of her lungs at the girl; but Louisa had already turned on her heels and stormed out of the classroom, leaving everyone perplexed at her boldness.

xXxXx

As the class had been dismissed after a few bitter words from Cassandra; Blaine went after the foreing girl and heard a monologue in a strange language being interrupted by sobs coming from a janitor's wardrobe.

He opened the door and found her curved up in a ball on the floor while crying her eyes out. He closed the door behind him and sat by her side:

"This is a strange place for a meeting."

She looked at him intrigued:

"Indeed... What are you doing here?"

"You put on quite a show there. Well, you can fool everybody else, but I saw a tear. Don't worry; your secret is safe with me."

She smiled feebly and he took it as a sign he could go on:

"That woman had no need to talk to you in that way but you also didn't need to respond with such a wit. Don't take me wrong; I thought it was funny, but some people might consider it rude..."

"I'd be the first of them. I shouldn't have done that; it's nothing like me. It's just that sometimes I can't control myself."

He gave her a side smile:

"Anyway, no need to cry. We are classmates; we can also be friends and I can help you with her."

She smiled back:

"Thank you."

"My pleasure. I'm Blaine, by the way."

She shook the hand he was extending her with a puzzled look:

"Anderson?"

It was his turn to be surprised:

"How do you know?"

"Are you by any chance Kurt Hummel's boyfriend?"

He was even more suspicious:

"Yes..."

"I'm Louisa. Louisa Hummel; Kurt's..."

He finished the sentence with her:

"Cousin. He told me about you. Wow! When he said you weren't the typical Brazilian I didn't expected... that."

"Hey! You must remember whose cousin I am. Anyway, he told me lots about you too. He's right: you really can play the nice guy."

Blaine chuckled while getting up from the floor:

"Come on; I'm meeting him at the coffee shop across the street. Let me take you to Kurt; family might do you good."

She took his hand and let him help her get back up.

xXxXx

Kurt impatiently paced outside the coffee shop; it wasn't like Blaine to be late, something must have happened. Suddenly, a familiar high-pitched squeak caught his attention:

"Kurtie!"

Before he knew it; Kurt was engulfed in a hug by his cousin. Blaine was watching the scene with eyes wide open and fingers in his ears:

"My God! She really is a Hummel."

Kurt was already breaking the embrace and grabbing Blaine's hand:

"So you two met. How?"

Blaine smiled at him:

"It happens that Louisa is my classmate. She made quite an entrance at Cassandra

July's class today."

Louisa blushed and Kurt rubbed her arm:

"Boo, don't take to heart anything that horrible woman says to you."

Blaine interrupted them:

"Oh, I don't think Louisa needs protection... And boo?"

Kurt laughed embarrassed:

"When we were child I called her Booisa because I couldn't pronounce the l. And then it kind of caught... Anyway, what about Boo doesn't need to be protected?"

This time, Louisa was embarrassed:

"Why don't we go inside and talk during a nice cup of tea?"

The three of them sat for a nice lunch together. Louisa and Kurt were explaining Blaine how they were related because Louisa's father was Burt's brother. He met Louisa's mother during the years he was sent to work in Brazil. He had moved back when Louisa was five and so she spent her vacations with him. However, during her teenager years, her father had remarried and she wasn't so comfortable at his place anymore. She and Kurt kept their communication through phones and internet but they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

Blaine offered to go get another cup of Mocha for his boyfriend. As soon as they were alone; Kurt reached for Louisa's hand from across the table:

"So, how are you and your... issues?"

She looked alarmed at him:

"Shh! We don't talk about that..."

"Louisa, there's nothing to be ashamed of. It's..."

She punched the table:

"ENOUGH! It's my life, Kurt! Anyway, it's under control. I've been a good girl recently. I'm taking my medicine and keeping my nose clean. Moving on, how are things between you and Mr.-Cheated-on-You?"

Kurt rolled his eyes at her:

"Did you have to bring this up? It's in the past now. I forgave him."

She gave a quick look towards were Blaine was and turned to her cousin again:

"I could never quite forgive him for what he did to you. I guess my Latin blood doesn't allow things to go cold for real. But, hey, whatever makes you happy as long as it doesn't harm anyone else. I'll always be here for you; you know that, right?"

Kurt smiled fondly at her:

"I know, boo. I'll always be here for you too."

She smirked at him:

"No one messes with my cutie cousin or they'll feel the Brazilian fury."

Kurt laughed out loud and she couldn't help but grin back. He took her hand again:

"Don't judge him so harshly. He really regrets it."

She squeezed his hand:

"I was the one on the other end of your crying phone calls. And no one messes with the Hummels, right?"

Kurt laughed again:

"You're so like my father."

At this moment, Blaine got back with the coffee:

"Why are we laughing so much?"

Kurt smiled at him:

"I was just telling Boo that she reminds me so much of my father. It's like they are father and daughter."

xXxXx

As they were leaving the coffee place, Kurt turned to Louisa:

"What are you doing now, boo?"

She sighed:

"I'm kind of tired. All I wished was a good bath to relax; but fat chance I got that in the community showers of the college's accommodations..."

Kurt looked at Blaine, who nodded, before answering her:

"Well, we have a proposition for you: I took the afternoon off Vogue so I could go with Blaine take a few things from our former apartment to the new one. We can't offer you a bath, but we can offer a shower just for you. What do you say?"

"If I'm not imposing; I'd say it's a dream come true."

A train ride latter, Louisa was alone in the apartment while Kurt and Blaine went out to buy some supplies for the new place. She had the most delicious shower since she arrived in New York: it was silence just broken by the sound of the water running through her body. She got out and put on her underwear; realizing she had left her clothes in her bag in Kurt's room.

She got out of the bathroom wrapped in the towel. She found her bag sitting at the foot of Kurt's full body length mirror. Since she was alone; her girly side spoke louder and she went to check out her body in the mirror.

Her reflection hadn't changed much since the last time she had checked herself out back in Brazil. One thing she could notice: she was happier and it somehow appeared in the reflection looking back at her. How could she not be happy? She was studying musical theater at the best academy in New York City; for crying out loud! At this moment, she felt at the top of the world where none of her problems could reach her.

The feeling of pure joy took over her and she began to sing a samba she thought fit well for the occasion. Still in her underwear; Louisa started dancing to her own version of Chiclete com Banana, totally unaware that she was no longer alone in the apartment.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/haxF-Xyxj3U

Só ponho bebop no meu samba [I'll only add bebop to my samba]

Quando o tio Sam pegar no tamborim [When Uncle Sam gets the tamborine]

Quando ele pegar no pandeiro e no zabumba [When he gets a tamborine and a zambumba]

Quando ele entender que o samba não é rumba [When he understands smaba is not rumba]

Aí eu vou misturar Miami com Copacabana [And then I'll mix up Miami and Copacabana]

Chicletes eu misturo com banana [I'll mix bubblegum and bananas]

E o meu samba vai ficar assim [And my samba will sound like this]

Finn had to come home at an unusual hour because he had forgotten a form he needed to hand at university. He was used to singing coming from inside the apartment (he had been living with three NYADA students: Kurt, Blaine and Rachel). However, this voice he didn't know. He was dragged by the voice and, although he knew he shouldn't be watching this, he couldn't take his eyes of the girl shaking her body in such a different way.

She suddenly saw him through the mirror and screamed while covering herself up with a towel. Finn tried to turn around and pretend he hadn't seen anything, but it was too late:

"Wow! I'm sorry; I didn't know there was someone home. I'm Finn Hudson."

Her pale white skin made her blush as easily as Kurt. She was trying to not die of shame while trying to make sense of the boy's words:

"Finn Hudson? You're Kurt's stepbrother?"

"Yes! Yes I am."

"Well, I guess I'm the one who needs to apologize. I'm Louisa Hummel, Kurt's cousin. I came here with him and Blaine because they lent me the shower. I knew they were out so I got a little carried away..."

Finn turned to her and was happy to see she was now fully dressed:

"No harm done; I guess. Just an awkward meeting..."

She smiled at the kind boy:

"Really awkward..."

xXxXx

When Rachel got home; Finn was alone in the living-room with the TV turned on the football game but paying no attention. She thought it was strange, but she put her bag on the table and went to sit on his lap anyway:

"Hi baby; how was your day?"

He was clearly caught distracted. He blinked a few times before answering:

"Fine! Great! I had to come home to get a form I had forgotten and I've met Kurt's cousin."

Rachel smiled:

"Talking about her and Kurt; he called today asking if we didn't want to go with him and Blaine to take her to see Wicked this weekend as a welcome to New York. I said we would go. I mean; my audition is tomorrow during the freshman ripping, and that leaves Saturday absolutely free for me. Is it okay by you?"

Finn usually was the one who heard on their relationship; so he simply nodded and kissed her. Rachel, on the other hand, was the talker:

"I told Kurt to invite Brody too; he also loves Wicked..."

However, Finn's patience had limits and Brody was it. He growled and hid his face on a pillow to avoid picking up a fight. He had never really gotten over the fact that Rachel and this guy had dated and that she continued to play little friends with him. But tonight he didn't want fight with her; not when he felt so guilty.

xXxXx

Kurt called Louisa from across the room. She was happy to see a familiar face when she was so nervous; even when it came accompanied by a face she wasn't that excited about. Kurt hugged her:

"Are you ready for your ripping?"

"My what?"

Blaine intervened:

"Our ripping; it's how people at NYADA call the freshmen presentation for Carmen Tibidaux."

She smirked

"Oh! Now I'm calm."

Kurt smiled at her

"You'll be fantastic! I've seen you singing a thousand times..."

She got more and more nervous as name after name were called but hers. They weren't calling in alphabetical order and each time her heart skip a beat waiting for her turn. Blaine hadn't been called but he didn't seem nearly as edgy. Her name was called after a skeaquy girl who didn't get much love from Mrs. Tibidaux. It was a strange and intimidating room that echoed her steps as she walked towards the middle. She could feel hundreds of eyes following each of her steps.

"Hello, my name is Louisa Hummel and I'll be singing Over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz.".

http://www.youtube.com/embed/PSZxmZmBfnU

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high

There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby

Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops.

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow, why, then oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly, beyond the rainbow,

Why, oh, why can't I

When she finished the last note; she could see Kurt and Blaine giving her a standing ovation and Mrs. Tididaux giving her a weak smile

Blaine's turn was just after Louisa's. He seemed much more confident as he walked his way. Kurt was glowing with pride. He wispered in his cousin's ear:

"We stayed up until late last night to find the perfect song."

This made her even more insecure with her choice of such an obvious song. Kurt went on:

"It's something a little off his usual catalog, but I think he nailed it."

"Good afternon, I'm Blaine Anderson and I'll be singing the theme from Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. I hope you enjoy."

http://www.youtube.com/embed/zCQMlyXMRJE

What is a youth?

Impetuous fire.

What is a maid?

Ice and desire.

The world wags on

A rose will bloom,

It then will fade

So does a youth.

So does the fairest maid.

Comes a time when one sweet smile

Has its season for awhile

Then Love's in love with me

Some may think only to marry.

Others will tease and tarry.

Mine is the very best parry,

Cupid he rules us all.

Caper the caper; sing me the song

Death will come soon to hush us along

Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall,

Love is a pass-time that never will pall.

Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall,

Cupid he rules us all.

A rose will bloom, it then will fade.

So does a youth.

So does the fairest maid.

Louisa could now see that Kurt wasn't lying when he said his boyfriend had the most amazing voice. She got carried away by Blaine's sweet voice and, much to her surprise, a boy kept appearing in her daydreams. A boy she barely knew but who made her heart beats faster: Finn.

xXxXx

At the end of the ripping, Louisa decided Kurt and Blaine were too sugary for her today. She politely excused herself from them and left towards her dorm. She wasn't very far from the Round Room when a very good-looking guy stopped her:

"So you are the Brazilian girl everyone has been talking about?"

Louisa turned surprised at him:

"I've already got a reputation?"

He laughed a beautiful smile:

"Not everyone has the guts to face Cassandra July."

She turned red:

"I shouldn't have done that."

"I like that you did and you impressed pretty much everyone. I'm Brody; Brody Weston. May I add that you have no chance with Blaine?"

She looked puzzled at him:

"I beg your pardon?"

"I saw how dreamy your eyes have turned while he sang. But, news flash for you; he's gay and that boy he was talking to is his boyfriend."

"Well, news flash for you too: that boy is also my cousin."

Brody was the one shocked this time:

"You are the cousin Kurt couldn't shut up about? Girl, you are full of surprises!"

"Does everyone here knows Kurt?"

xXxXx

Rachel rushed in the Round Room but, unfortunately, the ripping had already finished. The only familiar face she saw was Rebecca, a girl who took several classes with her. She approached the girl to try to know how things went:

"Rebecca?"

"Rachel! You just lost the ripping..."

She smiled:

"I'm so sorry; I wished to have seen my friend Blaine. I had an audition for an off-Broadway production and it finished earlier than I thought. I ran here to see if I could catch a glimpse of him..."

"He was the last one. A couple of minutes earlier and you'd seen him. But he did very well."

Rachel grinned:

"That's great! And the others? Anyone we should worry?"

Rebecca approached her with a conspiratorial glance:

"Have you heard about the Carmen Miranda girl who answered back Cassandra July? She sang today too and got a smile from Carmen Tibidaux."

Rachel gasped:

"We really should worry! Who is she? Is she still around?"

Rebecca took a look around and pointed out in a corridor:

"There! She's the one talking to Brody Weston."

xXxXx

"I'm telling you Finn; this Carmen Miranda girl means trouble. She has gotten here all the way from Brazil? What has she done?"

Finn sighed. He had heard Rachel talking about that girl a million times since yesterday and, honestly, he couldn't care less. It all seemed just like Rachel overreacting and, right now, he was just hoping Blaine, Kurt and his cousin would arrive at the theater so they would have something else to talk about.

"Rachel, you haven't even talked to the girl..."

"Finn! Aren't you listening? She has a reputation already; and the way she was talking to Brody..."

Finn interrupted her:

"You know what I think? I think you are just jealous of Brody!"

They would get into an intense fight but Finn heard Kurt calling him from the other side of the street. He pointed the three out to Rachel and her face changed:

"It's her!"

"Of course it's her; I told you Kurt and Blaine would pick Louisa up."

"No Finn; she's Carmen Miranda!"

xXxXx

Kurt exchanged another glance with Blaine as Rachel snaped at Finn again. The boy apologized a little embarassed and pointed towards Louisa with his head. Rachel rolled her eyes and pulled him from the group.

Kurt smiled with the side of his mouth to Louisa:

"Sorry about that. Rachel Always get a litlle odd whenever she has a big audition coming up."

Blaine let out his thoughts:

"I'm so glad with don't live with her anymore. We don't have to deal with this kind of thing anymore. But wasn't the audition yesterday?"

Kurt didn't want to say it in front of Louisa, but he tried to express with his eyes that Blaine wasn't helping. Meanwhile, they could hear parts of Rachel's rant:

"... she is not a stranger! I'm not exposing you..."

Kurt turned to find a rather tense Louisa.

"Don't worry about that, they are like this all the time."

She smiled at him but he could see his cousin had a firce look that usually meant trouble.

Louisa didn't know what it was, but something in the way Finn's girlfriend looked at her was not right. They had tried to be friendly while greeting when introduced, but she felt they were fooling no one. Then, as sitting on this Broadway theater to watch Wicked; Louisa couldn't control herself as to start quiet singing along with Glinda to the lyrics of What's this feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_f_6w_bVKM4

(Galinda) What is this feeling, so sudden and new?

She could tell Rachel was singing Elphaba's lines in her sit as well.

(Elphaba) I felt the moment I laid eyes on you.

(Galinda) My pulse is rushing.

(Elphaba) My head is reeling

(Galinda, spoken) My face is flushing.

(Both) What is this feeling? Fervid as a flame, does it have a name? Yes... Yes

The sparks flying between them were almost visible.

Loathing! Unadulterated loathing!

(Galinda, spoken) For your face,

(Elphaba, spoken) Your voice,

(Galinda) Your clothing!

(Both) Let's just say- I loathe it all!

Every little trait how ever small,

Makes my very flesh begin to crawl

With simple utter loathing!

There's a strange exhilaration.

In such total detestation. It's so pure, so strong! ( so strong)

Though I do admit, it came on fast,

Still I do believe that it can last.

And I will be loathing, loathing you my whole life long.

xXxXx

"Ms. Berry? If you could; we would like to hear your voice..."

Rachel walked towards the microphone stand on her "Singing 3" class. This was her moment; this was what she knew how to do and no Carmen Miranda would get in her way.

"Good afternoon. I'm Rachel Berry and I'll be singing Fame from the musical Fame."

http://www.youtube.com/embed/5B1QTEGL3t0

Baby, look at me and tell me what do you see?

You ain't seen the best of me yet

Give me time, I'll make you forget the rest

As Rachel was training her singing voice; Louisa and Blaine were working hard to keep up with their acting class.

I've got more in me, and you can set it free

I can catch the moon in my hand

Don't you know who I am?

Remember my name

Kurt was struggling to follow the complicated choreography he had to learn this week.

I'm gonna live forever

I'm gonna learn how to fly

I feel it coming together

People will see me and cry

Finn was practicing a monologue in an empty classroom at NYU

I'm gonna make it to heaven

Light up the sky like a flame

I'm gonna live forever

Baby, remember my name

And Brody was taking directing classes.

Baby hold me tight, 'cause you can make it right

You can shoot me straight to the top

Give me love and take all I got to give

Baby I'll be tough, too much is not enough, no

I can ride your heart 'til it breaks

Ooh, I got what it takes

Remember my name,

I'm gonna live forever

I'm gonna learn how to fly

I feel it coming together

People will see me and cry

I'm gonna make it to heaven

Light up the sky like a flame

I'm gonna live forever

Baby, remember my name.

They were all seeking the absolute same thing: have their names forever remembered. Fame...