Chapter 3: Call Me Lou

Rubbing other people sweat out of the floor wasn't the most pleasant activity Louisa knew. She wasn't entirely sure if Cassandra was allowed to have her doing this kind of activity as her punishment, but she wouldn't be the one to give the taste to the infamous Cassy July as to complain to the department chair.

In a way, Louisa liked the physical work as punishment because it was a way to avoid the much worse punishments her thoughts had in store for her. She wasn't angry about what she said to Cassandra; she was angry for having permitted herself to explode and being let in such a vulnerable position. Her secret had been less secure ever since.

She entirely trusted Kurt not to tell anybody about it; but there were other people getting dangerously close. She was glad Eleanor knew it and, knowing Eleanor's own secret, they were now supporting each other. Maggie, Finn and Brody were easily fooled by Louisa's always-on smile. But there was Blaine. He was hot on her trail and nothing whiling to let her go. Rachel and Cassandra would be thrilled to have this to use against Louisa; but not Blaine. Why did he insist so much on being nice to her and gaining her trust?

Her train of thoughts was interrupted by a group of Cassandra's worshippers coming into the room to stretch and rehearsal. The one who seemed to be the queen-bee looked at Louisa on her knees like she was some sort of dust-bin someone forgot to empty:

"Are you done here? We need the classroom and Cassandra said it would be okay..."

Louisa tried to hide her mockery in a smile:

"Pretty much done. You can use the room; I won't be on your way."

She started to collect the cleaning material to put it back in the locker and overheard the girls gossiping:

"So this is the dangerous Carmen Miranda we should all be afraid of?"

"Isn't she supposed to be Brazilian and, you know, hot?"

"What people see in her?"

"Perhaps she's missing her fruit basket and her flock of flying monkeys..."

They fell in a fit of laughter and Louisa just left the room slamming the door behind her to avoid making another scene.

xXxXx

Blaine was peacefully sipping his coffee in one of NYADA's corridors. Then, all of a sudden, a pearly-white blur passed him by and entered in one of the rehearsal auditoriums. That skin color left no doubts that it was one of the Hummels, but the flow of straight brown hair behind it made him sure it was Louisa.

Blaine followed her in the auditorium and closed the door behind him. She was absorbed in her activity of pacing around training high notes on the stage. He walked slowly towards her and only hesitantly called her name when he was midway. She turned to him in rage:

"What? What do you want now?"

Blaine's patience had limits and he strongly threw his bag at a chair and ran the stairs to the stage:

"ENOUGH! Enough now; we need to talk! If not for me, for Kurt's sake at least."

She rolled her eyes:

"It's for Kurt's sake that I am polite and friendly to you. But we don't need to be pals."

"What's your problem with me anyway?"

She looked at him with a face that showed she did not believe her ears:

"You still ask? After what you did to him? After how hard you broke his heart? I know I lived far but Kurt and I have always been close. He trusts me. He called me to tell everything he was going through. I heard him sob and I heard him cry; it broke my heart. That's why I hate you."

Blaine had a lot to say; many words Kurt had used after they've got back together to comfort him about his mistake. However, his guilt spoke louder and he fought with his tears. He cleaned the single one that had escaped him, sighed and sat at the piano. He knew he was not good at talking about his emotions, but he was terrific at singing them. He began to sing Something from the Beatles changing the pronouns to make it adequate for him and Kurt.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/k4qFlJzA844

Something in the way he moves

Attracts me like no other lover

Something in the way he woos me

I don't want to leave him now

You know I believe and how

At first, Louisa turned at him surprised, but whiting a few verses she joined him humming a backing vocal. It soon turned into a duet with Louisa adding lyrics to Blaine's melody.

Somewhere in his smile he knows (Does he?)

That I don't need no other lover

Something in his style that shows me

I don't want to leave him now (You don't want to leave him now)

You know I believe and how

She was using the song to confront him about his feelings towards her cousin and to warn him she was around to protect Kurt.

You're asking me will my love grow (I'm asking you, I'm asking you)

I don't know, I don't know (Will your love grow)

You stick around and it may show (I'll stick around you've better show)

I don't know, I don't know (You don't know, you don't know)

Something in the way he knows

And all I have to do is think of him (So think of him)

Something in the things he shows me

I don't want to leave him now (You don't want to leave him now)

You know I believe and how (I can believe it now)

Blaine finished the last chords on the piano and they stood quietly staring at each other.

Louisa was the one to break it first with a smirk:

"I guess you are okay."

Blaine snorted and shook his head:

"What? That's really all you have to say? Stubbornness really runs in the family."

"Get over it pal; that's the best you can get."

Blaine stood up from the stool and leaned closer to her:

"I'm not giving up on you."

Her smile now was honest:

"Thank you."

Blaine was surprised by her reaction:

"For what?"

"For not giving up on Kurt."

It was Blaine's turn to smirk:

"My pleasure."

She rolled her eyes but started laughing. Blaine dared pass his arm around her in a side hug; she let. They'd find a way to understand each other.

xXxXx

Finn was nervous while he waited Rachel to get back home. He ran to her as soon as he heard the key on the door:

"Did you get it?"

She looked down and pursed her lips before looking at him grinning and nod. Finn's own smile couldn't fit his face and he lifted her up in the air and started twisting:

"I knew it; I knew it! This calls for a celebration."

Rachel couldn't stop herself from laughing but tried to get some sense into him:

"A got a part in the ensemble and it's an off-off-Broadway production."

"But you are still part of the cast of Spring Awakening and it's still in New York, right? We could call it your kind of Broadway debut, right?"

She smiled her proud smile at him:

"I love your optimism. You are right: this call for a celebration."

Finn gave an excited jump and punch in the air. Rachel walked towards him and grabbed his waist:

"Can we celebrate it my way?

He smirked as he pushed a stray of hair away from her face:

"What do you have in mind?"

She let go of him and walked to their stereo. She turned it on and found the song she wanted in the CD they've been listening to for the past week. Turning to her boyfriend, Rachel signaled him to join her:

"You've been helping me prepare for my audition and I thought we could have a celebratory duet."

The chords of Touch Me from Spring Awakening started filling the room. Finn joined her in the center of the room and began to sing.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/tDtc9ZoQLmw

Where I go, when I go there

No more memory anymore

Only men on distant ships, the women with them

Swimming with them to shore

Where I go, when I go there

No more whispering anymore

Only hymns upon your lips

A mystic wisdom, rising with them to shore

Touch me just like that

And that, oh, yeah, now that's heaven

Now that I like, God, that's so nice

Now lower down where the figs lie

Ohh, my God, ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah

Ohh, my God, ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah

Ohh, my God, ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah

He took his girlfriend in his arms and they shared some kisses between the verses they sang.

Ohh, my God, ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah

Touch me

Touch me

Where I go, when I go there

No more shadows anymore

Only men with golden fins

The rhythm in them, rocking with them to shore

Where I go, when I go there

No more weeping anymore

Only in and out your lip

The broken wishes, washing with them to shore

Touch me all silent

Tell me please, all is forgiven

Consume my wine, consume my mind

I'll tell you how, how the winds sigh

Touch me, just try it

Now, there, thats it, oh, God, that's heaven

Oh, I'll love you right

We'll wonder down where where the sins cry

Touch me just like that

Now we'll wonder down where the sins cry

Love me just for a bit

We'll wander down where the winds sigh

Where the winds sigh

Where the winds sigh

Where the winds sigh

Things were getting hotter and hotter and the celebratory duet was soon replaced by celebratory love making.

At the end, Rachel was lying on Finn's shoulder and tracing patterns with her fingers in his chest. He just adoringly observed her fingers and smiled. At last, he kissed the top of her head for which she responded with a pleased hum:

"It feels so good being in your arms."

Finn let his head fall on the pillow and the smile on his face:

"I missed us being like that. I like when it's all peace and quiet."

"Lately we haven't been only two of us on this bed, am I right? I always feel like Louisa and Brody are haunting us all night."

Finn made an uncomfortable groan and Rachel adjusted herself so she could watch his eyes:

"I'm serious here. Maybe it's time we talk about this because we'll have to keep meeting them. I love you Finn; I really do. I want everything to be alright between us."

He chose to go with sincerity:

"Alright, I am attacked to Louisa. She's pretty, nice, has a great body and the entire thing about her being a foreigner makes her hot and interesting. But I love you Rachel; I love the life we've built together. And I know you still have strong feelings for Brody; but I also know your feelings for me are stronger. So, yes; let's put it all aside and just be us."

"Wow; I wasn't expecting so much sincerity. But I think you've got it right; this is about us and about now. Let's be happy together."

They sealed the deal with yet more passionate kisses.

xXxXx

Slowly Call Backs and Coffee'N'Stuff were becoming their favorite hangout places. Blaine and Louisa's new found truce was celebrated with a lunch at Call Backs to which Kurt was their special guest. Kurt was grinning from ear to ear as he proposed a toast:

"Let's toast peace between my loved ones."

Blaine raised his glass with a "Cheers" but Louisa smirked at him:

"Easy pumpkin; we are not including Rachel in this are we?"

Kurt rolled his eyes:

"Why do you have to be such a buzz-killer?"

She poked her tongue out at him:

"That's exactly what you love about me."

Before Kurt could answer, Blaine was taking the moment to joke:

"Aw! You two and your love are an example for families everywhere."

They all laughed together and Kurt was glad to see Louisa was laughing genuinely and being more her true self with Blaine. He was also fond when his boyfriend started the next conversation:

"Well Louisa; now we are officially friends, can I ask how you are enjoying your New York life so far?"

"First of all Blaine Anderson; let's not push it. I just promised truce. But to answer your question; I like it here a lot. Not that I didn't love my life in Rio and that I don't miss people and places like crazy. Life was getting hard there and studying musical theater here is a blessing. Even with Cassandra July at my back."

Kurt looked at her sympathetically:

"Is she still giving you a hard time?"

She nodded:

"Not that I don't deserve it. The worse part, however, it's not her. I'm fed up with her worshipers who treat me like a slave. I'm done with all the Carmen Miranda jokes and the monkey noises. What are they? Five?"

Blaine nodded understandingly; he was also tired of hearing the same jokes over and over again each class they shared. Kurt, on the other hand, just had an idea:

"I know what you need. For your New York experience to become a real one; you're in desperate need of a makeover."

Louisa entered in her most defensive mode:

"Oh no, no, no."

Kurt wouldn't be convinced so easily:

"Come on; yoga pants, t-shirts and your hippie skirts are not a fashion statement."

"The answer is still no, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel."

Blaine could see both their stubbornness fighting forever; he decided to interfere. He looked straight into Louisa's liquid brown eyes:

"Are you denying your cousin a chance to do a makeover?"

She sighed admitting defeat:

"Fine..."

Kurt squeaked excited:

"Fabulous! It will work just fine; I know this great outlet an hour away. Both I and Blaine have the day off this Saturday; we could rent a car and call it a day."

Blaine smiled seeming happy about the idea and Louisa rolled her eyes not believing what she had caught herself into.

xXxXx

"Rachel!"

Brody was running to reach her and she smiled seeing it was him:

"Hi there."

"Hello, stranger."

Was it wrong if she and Brody were friends? Would Finn feel cheated? To the hell with that, he was the first to be all smiles towards Louisa:

"So, Brody, how's senior year been treating you?"

He grinned:

"Pretty harshly; but I'm a tough guy. And you? What are the news in Rachel Berry's world?"

"I got casted! An off-off-Broadway production of Spring Awakening and I'm part of the ensemble; but still..."

"That's fantastic news, Rachel. Let's go take a coffee and you can tell me all about it."

She hesitated and he looked at her confused:

"What? Are you tired of Coffee'N'Stuff or is it Mr. Boyfriend?"

She bit her lips before answering:

"Don't mock him! Finn and I were in a sort of delicate place and I don't want to make things worse.

"I can't believe it, Rachel. I'm all in for you being true to the one you are with; but I can't believe you two are so narrow-minded as to think a boy and a girl can't be friends. Unless there's something else on your part that you are not telling me..."

There was; there were so many things Finn caught just by looking at her and that Brody either couldn't or pretended he couldn't to tease her. But now if she said no he would be sure; wouldn't he? After all, he was inviting her for coffee at the place where they were bounded to bump into lots of familiar faces; he couldn't mean anything else, could he? One cup of coffee wouldn't kill anyone.

She gladly took the arm he was stretching to her and began to catch him up with everything she had been into lately.

xXxXx

The rented car Kurt had found was really comfortable and Louisa adjusted herself on the back seat preparing for a long day of shopping and try-outs. This wasn't her favorite activity and Kurt and Blaine playing the lovey-dovey couple all day wouldn't make things easier. She let a sigh escape and Kurt had inquiring eyes set on her through the rear mirror. She tried to explain herself:

"I still can't believe you convinced me to do it."

Kurt smirked:

"You know you need it. Darling, I know red shoes can be great to complete an outfit; but if you wear them every day they can't even be called proper."

"You are not taking all my red shoes away from me!"

"Not all of them. You've got at least to buy new red converses ones; the ones you have are a crime. You've got to hand them over, Dorothy. They need to be burned."

Blaine was fighting hard not to laugh. Louisa was awestruck for a while but decided to play along:

"Funny; I've always pictured you as Glinda not Elphaba."

Kurt chuckled:

"But I am!"

He searched for something in his iPod and pressed play. He winked at Louisa:

"I am... Popular..."

http://www.youtube.com/embed/F2dRALQ8-pI

Whenever I see someone

Less fortunate than I

(And let's face it - who isn't

Less fortunate than I?)

My tender heart

Tends to start to bleed

And when someone needs a makeover

I simply have to take over

I know, I know exactly what they need

And even in your case

Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face

Don't worry - I'm determined to succeed

Follow my lead

And yes, indeed

You will be

Popular

He began to sing along with Glinda to his recorded version of Popular from Wicked causing the other two to laugh uncontrollably.

You're gonna be popular!

I'll teach you the proper poise when you talk to boy

Little ways to flirt and flounce ooh

I'll show you what shoes to wear

How to fix your hair

Everything that really counts

Kurt got fueled by his audience and began to make faces that went with the song.

To be popular

I'll help you be popular!

You'll hang with the right cohorts

You'll be good at sports

Know the slang you've got to know

So let's start

'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go:

Don't be offended by my frank analysis

Think of it as personality dialysis

Now that I've chosen to become a pal,

a Sister and adviser

There's nobody wiser

Not when it comes to popular -

I know about popular

And with an assist from me

To be who you'll be

Instead of dreary who-you-were—well are!

There's nothing that can stop you

From becoming popular - la

Blaine took his phone from his pocket and began to record his boyfriend to which Louisa just rolled her eyes.

La la, la la

We're gonna make

You popular

When I see depressing creatures

With unprepossessing features

I remind them on their own behalf

To think of

Celebrated heads of state or

Specially great communicators

Did they have brains or knowledge?

Don't make me laugh! Ha, ha!

They were popular! Please -

It's all about popular!

It's not about aptitude

It's the way you're viewed

So it's very shrewd to be

Very very popularLike me! (Ahh!)

And though you protes

Your disinterest

I know clandestinely

You're gonna grin and bear it

Your new found popularity - hah!

La la la la

You'll be popular -

Just not quite as popular

As me!

With the laughing atmosphere; they weren't aware of the time passing by and, before they realized, Kurt was exclaiming:

"It's here!"

xXxXx

"Kurt! I told you a million times I can't possibly fit into these dresses you are trying to make me wear!

Kurt sighed is his best diva impersonation:

"Cut down the drama, boo. They're not even that tight!"

"I'm serious Kurt. They don't fit!"

He rolled his eyes:

"You asked for it; I'm coming in."

Before she could say anything; Kurt was already in the cabin with her and closing the drapes behind them. She was essaying a protest but he cut her mid-sentence:

"Come on; I'm your gay cousin and you are not even naked. You can't possibly... Oh My! What are those in your legs?"

She looked down embarrassed:

"The reason why I didn't want you in... That's why I'm always in pants or longs skirts."

"How did you get all those scars in your inner thigh?"

"I was a teenager with my problems; you can do the math..."

Kurt was still shocked and she could see he was a little scared:

"But you don't do that anymore, right? They seem fading."

"I stopped; but the thoughts of doing it again still torment me. But don't worry: I'm in medication and therapy. I searched for help before I got into something really dangerous."

He pulled her for a hug fighting with his tears

"Oh boo! You know you are loved, right? You know how perfect you are? We are here to help you; no matter what. You've got to promise me not to even think about something dangerous."

"I can promise you what I promised to my mother: I will call for help whenever I feel bad and the dangerous thoughts come towards me. I can't always control my thoughts but I can control what to do about them."

"I'll take that for now. About your legs; I can still make you fabulous. You've just got to learn how to wear stockings; the season will help. I'll get the final things we need and find Blaine for him to see my work of art."

She chuckled. Next thing she knew; Kurt had found matching stockings for the dress and some great shoes to go with it. He had tricked her into wearing a bright red lipstick and was pulling her by the hand out of the cabin.

She saw Blaine's face changing surprised as he saw her in the new clothes.

"Louisa! I think wouldn't recognize you if we met on the street."

She laughed awkwardly:

"All Kurt's work."

Kurt looked at her with a serious face:

"Not at all, my dearest one. Sometimes you can't really see the beautiful woman you have become. But for you not to forget; I have a gift for you. It's just the basic needs but I'm sure you don't have a good one."

He handed her a make-up case from a brand the only thing she knew about was to be an expensive one. She looked at him with moist eyes:

"You are the best cousin in the world, you know that. Thank you. I'm glad you convinced me. You two actually. And Blaine; I hope you know how lucky you are to having this one loving you."

He opened an honest smile and grabbed Kurt by the waist:

"You can believe me Louisa; I know just how lucky I am."

She grinned back:

"Call me Lou, please. It's how my friends in Brazil called me."

Blaine tested the name on his lips:

"Lou... I like it; suits the new you."

xXxXx

"Looking sharp, Miss Hummel."

Louisa turned to the voice and snorted when she saw Brody:

"Oh, it's you again..."

"Why? You were waiting for Finn?"

She turned around and began to walk away but he held her by her wrist:

"Wait! I get it; I was not nice. My proposition to you was simply awful and I'm here to apologize. Can we start over? Good morning, Louisa. You are looking very nice in your

new clothes."

She measured him intrigued but decided to see where it would lead to:

"Thank you. It's part of the perks of beings Kurt Hummel's cousin."

"Ha! I knew Kurt was somehow involved. I must say I have a keen for Kurt's make-overs; they always work."

"You are impossible, you know that?"

He leaned absurdly close and whispered:

"And you like it. You know that?"

"Cocky, aren't we?"

She caught him off-guard and he laughed:

"Come on; we are friends now, right? Let's celebrate it with a duet. I know just the song."

Brody went to the corner of the empty classroom they were in to turn the stereo on. After a little research to the attached computer, he turned to her and began to sing along John Travolta to the first verses of Grease's You Are The One That I Want.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/7oKPYe53h78

I got chills, they're multiplying

And I'm losing control

'Cause the power, you're supplying

It's electrifying!

Brody was dancing in a sexy provocative way that made Louisa laugh at first. However, she decided to take the challenge and synchronized with Olivia Newton-John's voice while dancing in a teasingly way.

You better shape up, 'cause I need a man

And my heart is set on you

You better shape up, you better understand

To my heart I must be true

Nothing left, nothing left for me to do

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo,Oo,Oo honey

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo, Oo, Oo honey

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo, Oo, Oo, the one that I need

Oh yes indeed

Anyone passing by would say they were singing and dancing in a flirting way but neither of them would admit it. Well, not first.

If you're filled with affection

You're too shy to convey

Meditate my direction

Feel your way

I better shape up, 'cause you need a man

I need a man who can keep me satisfied

I better shape up, if I'm gonna prove

You better prove that my faith is justified

Are you sure? Yes I'm sure down deep inside

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo, Oo, Oo honey

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo, Oo, Oo honey

You're the one that I want

You are the one I want

Oo, Oo, Oo, the one that I need

Oh yes indeed

They finished the duet so close that they could feel the other's breath on their skin. Their eyes were locked in a gaze. Brody closed his and said smiling:

"We definitively should do this more often."

"Yeah, maybe. If you can improve..."

"Wow! Now I'm seeing what Carmen Miranda got her reputation for."

She laughed and smirked:

"You've seen nothing."

xXxXx

This week had been a roller-coaster in Louisa's life. Kurt was even closer to her to make sure she was alright. She and Blaine were now in a friendlier zone; not that she trusted him 100%, but it wasn't unpleasant anymore to be around him. Kurt's makeover had helped her awake a confident side of her that had been left aside; she had even turned a few necks at NYADA.

Today she was feeling particularly well and confident. She went to an empty rehearsal auditorium and turned all the spotlights on. She imagined herself in front of a full auditorium and sang all her South-American pride through the lyrics of Milton Nascimento's Para Lennon e McCartney. She left her voice flow high not worrying about anything else

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

Por que vocês não sabem do lixo ocidental [Because you don't know about the occidental garbage]

Não precisam mais temer [You don't need to fear anymore]

Não precisam da timidez [You don't need to be shy]

Todo dia é dia de viver [Every day is a day to live]

Por que você não verá meu lado ocidental? [Why won't you see my occidental side?]

Não precisa medo não [You don't need fear]

Não precisa da solidão [You don't need lonliness]

Todo dia é dia de viver [Every day is a day to live]

Eu sou da América do Sul [I'm from South America]

Eu sei, vocês não vão saber [And I know you'll never know]

Mas agora sou cowboy [But now I'm a cowboy]

Sou do ouro, eu sou vocês [I came from the gold, I'm like you]

Sou do mundo, sou Minas Gerais [I'm a citizen of the world. I'm from Minas Gerais]

As she finished, she heard applause coming from the audience. She sheltered her eyes to see through the light and saw Kurt and Blaine giving her a standing ovation. Blaine screamed:

"Brava Lou!"

She smiled and bowed to her family in New York.