Chapter 6: Casting

It was the new big thing around: Louisa Hummel and Brody Weston were an item. However, Kurt wouldn't believe it until he heard from his cousin herself:

"Are the rumors about you and Brody true?"

"Kind of. We went on a couple of dates and now Brody is being a little enthusiast about it all. Why?"

"Because you haven't told me anything!"

Louisa shrugged uncomfortably:

"You know I don't like to talk about me and I wasn't sure how serious we were or how I wanted us to be..."

Kurt examined her with a clinical eye:

"There's something else you are not telling me."

She sighed and pulled him to sit down with her:

"Do you know the play Brody will act and direct?"

"Sure; he put auditions signs all around. Me and Blaine are planning on auditioning. It's Next to Normal, right?"

"Exactly."

She kept looking at Kurt waiting for him to reach the same conclusion as her. He returned the glare with a puzzled expression; she rolled her eyes and answered him:

"Next to Normal: the musical about a bipolar woman and her family dealing with her psychological issues."

Kurt grabbed her hand and placed it between his:

"Sweetie, I catch that it can be a touchy subject for you; but I still can't see why he directing it might affect you guys relationship. Did you tell him?"

"Of course not! He invited me to play Diana; he gave me the lead..."

"That's such an honor! Especially with you being a freshman; it's kind of a habit around NYADA not to cast freshmen to plays. You can't say no!"

"I can't say yes either..."

Kurt squeezed her hand to catch back her attention:

"Why not?"

She sighed and looked at him with moist eyes:

"Don't you think it will be torturous for me to play a character with mental disease? How could I play Diana and not get hurt on the way?"

"By telling the world the truth about yourself."

"I'm not ready."

Kurt saw her distress and pulled her for a hug. She pressed him hard against her and managed to say in a feeble voice:

"I'm beginning to like him. Is it strange? How do I tell him I can't to the part without hurting his feelings?"

"I don't know boo; but we'll figure it out together. There's nothing wrong with liking

Brody. Things got a little complicate when you add Rachel and Finn to this equation, but you two are two free young people who are enjoying spending time with each other. I say go for it; as long as you save some time to be with your favorite cousin."

She laughed and he kissed her forehead.

xXxXx

Rachel was using her free time to stretch on the bars of one of the dance studios. Things with Finn grew more complicate each day: he was now officially sleeping and living on the second bedroom and running from her every attempt to start a conversation. All her efforts had been proven in vain and she wouldn't be the one begging. The best she could do was dig into work; and increasing her flexibility for Spring Awakening was not a bad idea.

She was soon joined by a group of Cassandra's worshipers. Working out next to them used to be a bother because they wouldn't shut up for a second and usually all they talked about were gossips about the university. Whatever; this continued to be the best option Rachel had. However, her peace was disturbed and she couldn't help but overhear their entire conversation:

"Have you heard the latest?"

"The hotter topic around NYADA? Are you talking about Carmen Miranda and Brody Weston becoming an item?"

One on them gave a malicious laughter:

"Seriously, he's a hot piece of nasty; what does he see on her?"

"Maybe she has more secrets under her skirts than we imagined."

They were all laughing wickedly about their little jokes. Rachel didn't share their laughter; but she couldn't say she wasn't disturbed by the news. She still had unsolved feelings about Brody and he being with someone else just made it final. This someone being Louisa was another thing to bug her even more. However, the thought that was present and more menacing in her mind was only one: does Finn know about it?

xXxXx

Blaine was cleaning the last glasses before his shift ended when he was surprised by a most pleasuring face entering the bar.

"Couldn't wait to see me, gorgeous?"

Kurt grinned at him:

"That and the fact that I had a free time and thought that going with you home would be much better than facing the train ride alone."

Blaine leaned over the counter to peck him:

"I'll just grab my bag and we're out."

It was a long way from NYADA to their place; but Blaine and Kurt didn't mind it as long as they had the other's hand to hold and the noise wouldn't prevent them from chit chating. They were lucky that day to catch a rather empty train and they could even sit side by side. Kurt started filling Blaine in about his day:

"... and most interestingly; did you know that Louisa is dating Brody?"

"Really? I could never imagine; but thinking about it now, they are kind of cute together."

Kurt frowned his nose:

"You think so?"

Blaine laughed finding adorable the way his boyfriend was jealous of his cousin:

"For you, nobody will ever be good enough for Louisa. Hmmm; now I see why she picks on me so much. How is that you say? No one messes with the Hummels, is it?"

Kurt nudged him, which only made Blaine laugh harder. He began to try to make Kurt smile again:

"Come on; you know it's true. But never mind... Speaking of Brody; have you chosen what to sing for the Next to Normal audition?"

"I'm looking at some things from Company; but Brody is known for not being exactly one to follow traditions. Which brings me to something: honey, do you know you are a freshman and NYADA has this stupid saying that casting a freshman is bad luck, right?"

Blaine grinned:

"You said it yourself: Brody is known for not going by the rule book. I'll try and see how it works out... How about Louisa; is she auditioning?"

Kurt looked away and started to move uncomfortably on the chair. Blaine took his hand and kissed his knuckles:

"Handsome? Would it help if I told you I know Louisa's secret?"

Kurt looked at him with an expression of pure surprise:

"You do? How? Has she told you?"

"In a way... That day Rachel confronted her and I chased after Louisa; I saw her having a panic attack. I helped her through it and she felt like telling me. But I believe she was, at some level, trusting me enough to let me in."

Kurt smiled widely:

"Believe me; she trusts you more than enough. Half our family doesn't know about her disease and she'd kill me if I told. She only trusts a handful of people and now you are one of them. You can't imagine how happy this makes me."

Kurt went for a bone-crushing hug and Blaine chuckled at his eagerness:

"Well Kurt, I never knew it was so important for you. I guess now I'm friends with your cousin."

Kurt got away from the embrace to look at him in the eye, whipping away a happy tear:

"Now my family is united."

xXxXx

It was the first time Brody could examine the auditorium he'd put up his play. Being allowed to use the big auditorium was an honor because it was almost always occupied with some big event of the university. This also meant that he'd have few to none time of rehearsal in it. He had this whole afternoon to see the stage and the sound system to plan everything.

He decided that the best way to test it was using it. So he went on turning all the high quality equipment and preparing a spotlight for him mid-stage. He sang to Feeling Electric; a song from the workshop of Next to Normal.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/soy0r8kdu5U

When the clouds have crowded 'round and covered up the sun

When the night has fallen, all your dreams are done

I can be the beacon that you seek in every dawn.

I can touch you, I can turn you on

Feel my fingers lightly on your face.

Each electrode, every wire in place.

Lie right back and let the work begin.

Lay your life down let the light right in.

Only I can reconnect you, only I can make you whole.

Plus the rush will resurrect you,

and the shock will rock you right to your soul.

I'm feelin' electric, I'm feeling fifty thousand volts,

I'm layin' down the lightning in bolts.

I'm feelin' electric, so plug into the power lines,

And baby you'll be feelin' just fine.

And then he felt it: he felt the electricity in his veins; the excitement of being doing a big project like that; the power with all his choices and the possibility of his big break.

Watch me turn the dial, flip the switch.

Watch me watch your toes and fingers twitch.

Check the power lines, check the pulse and then

We'll check the wire and fire it up again.

Your head is hot with lighting.

Your heart is all aflame.

When you wake you'll find it frightening.

But you'll wanna go again all the same.

Yeah, you're feeling electric.

You're ten feet tall and burnin' bright

I see the word and you'll see the light.

Feelin' electric

The thunder's under my command

I hold the lightning right in my hand.

He felt awaken and alive.

Oh, plug me in and turn me on.

Flip the switch, I'm good as gone.

The music's in my brain

The current's in my veins

I feel it again.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm feelin' electric

I'm feeling fifty thousand volts,

I'm layin' down the lightning in bolts.

I'm feelin' electric, so plug in to the power lines

And baby you'll be feelin' just fine.

Baby you'll be feelin' just fine.

Feelin' just fine

Feelin' just fine

Feelin'

Owwww! Electric,

Electric,

Electric.

How are you feeling Diana?

He finished the performance sweating and panting.

A sound of applause coming from the back of the auditorium caught his attention. He turned out the spotlight and saw Louisa cheering him from the audience:

"Fantastic! A real powerhouse of performance and intensity. Is it for something specific?"

"Haven't I told you I'll play Gabe? This was one of the songs that appeared on the workshop but was cut when the show went to Broadway. Feeling Electric was Next to Normal's original name."

"I didn't know that. I liked the song. Will you use it?"

He smiled widely and jumped from stage to join her:

"I don't know yet. Pookie; come check out this place. Isn't it incredible?

He cupped her face and kissed her lips. As they broke the kiss, she was giving him a weak smile. He didn't mind; she'd be as enthusiastic as he was once she realized the full potential of this place. He grabbed her hand and took her to the stage:

"Look around; imagine this place with every seat taken and all of them cheering on you, my leading lady, my primma donna."

She looked at him and shook their linked hands to catch his full attention:

"Brody, there's something we need to talk.

He became concerned and carefully pushed aside a strand of hair falling on her face:

"What's wrong? Is it us? Can I try to fix things?"

She smiled at him and kissed the palm of his hand still close to her face:

"It's not us; I like spending time with you and we are taking things slow. It's the play..."

He was a little relieved to hear it but still couldn't get it:

"What's the problem with the play?"

"I can't be Diana."

"Why?"

She looked down uncomfortably as if searching for the right words. She finally sighed and looked him in the eyes:

"I'm... insecure. I feel like I can't yet handle being the lead in a play; I'm still just a freshman coming from another country and with occasional struggles with vocabulary and pronunciation."

"You know that's not true: you are born to be a star."

She sighed again:

"Maybe; but I have time for it. Please understand this; the last thing I want is to hurt your feelings."

He delicately touched her chin and pulled her head up:

"If that's what you want I'll respect that; even if I think I can never find someone as good as you."

He then gave her a kiss to which she reciprocated; however, he could tell she was somehow distant.

xXxXx

Kurt and Blaine had being in several auditions but Brody's way of doing it was surely one of a kind. As they waited for their turn; they saw the candidates leaving the room with a weirder expression than the one they entered. Finally they were called and he insisted they entered together. Brody was sat at a table with their curriculum in hands and had quite a scenario set up before him. He coughed and said to the couple:

"Hello boys; I'm glad you are interested in my production. There we have a sampler of what the scenario will look out. I like my auditions to work with the voice, the stage presence and the acting abilities of my candidates. I'd love to see you two acting through a duet from the play so I can see what you've got. Kurt, I won't cast you in a female role, but I'd like you to sing Natalie's part and Blaine will play Henry in the mash-up of Why Stay?/A Promise. When you are ready.

Meanwhile, Rachel was entering rather furiously in her apartment where Finn was bent over a pile of papers while he wrote a paper for university. She threw her bag on the couch and he commented nothing just making an annoyed face at her. She didn't think twice before throwing all her rage in him:

"What did I do now, Finn?"

"I couldn't care less for what you did or didn't do. I just need silence to study."

"So now even my presence disturbs you?"

He replied still looking down on his papers:

"I'm not saying that..."

"What are you saying then?"

"Nothing, Rachel! I don't feel like fighting right now."

His neglectful attitude was worse than his fury; she felt like he had already given up on them:

"Finn? Are you even in this relationship?"

He put his pen down and stared at her:

"What do you mean? We haven't broken up; we are just too mad at each other to start a conversation that won't end in yelling."

"Are we on a time out?"

"I don't think so; it doesn't feel like it."

She gave an ironical chuckled:

"Yeah; that fits you well, right? Now that Louisa and Brody are dating I became good enough again?"

"What are you talking about? I had no idea of what Brody and Louisa are doing with their lives. Why do you always bring them to our fights?"

"Because they are what have been keeping us apart, Finn!"

"No, Rachel; we are the ones walking away from each other."

Suddenly, all got mixed up and it was like Finn and Rachel were singing Dan's and Diana's parts of the duet Kurt and Blaine were auditioning with. The voices were harmonizing together as two fictional couples and a real one fought through a song.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/FO9_C3EOLhw

Diana:

Why stay?

Why stay?

So steadfast, and stolid,

And stoic, and solid

For day after every day...

Why stay?

Why stay?

Why not simply give in,

And get on with livin',

'Cause everyone knows you tried—

But somehow something died

On the way.

So tell me why you stay.

Diana & Natalie:

Why stay?

Why stay?

Enduring, and coping,

And hurting, and hoping

For day after fucking day—

Why stay?

Why stay?

Why not simply end it?

We'd all comprehend it,

And most of the world would say,

He's better off that way,

To be free—

And maybe so is she."

Dan:

A promise,

A boy says forever...

A boy says,

Dan & Henry:

"Whatever may come,

We'll come through.

And who can know how,

When all I know now

To be true

Is this promise

That I make to you."

Dan:

A question,

A boy wonders whether :

The two stay together

(Henry:A boy wonders

Should I stay?)

The way that they stay,

For year after year,

For love of from fear—

Either way,

That's the promise

That I made that day.

Henry:

Here's what I say:

Henry & Dan:

To the girl who was burnin

So brightly

Like the light from Orion above.

Dan:

And still I will search for her

Nightly—

If you see her,

Please send her my love.

And the boy was a boy

For all seasons—

(Henry: The boy is lost. Long lost)

That boy is long

To me now.

And the man has

Forgotten his reasons,

(Henry: Forgotten his reasons...)

But the man still

Remembers his vow.

A promise,

A man says forever.

A man says I'll never regret

Or let you.

The promise that I made

To stay, and I stayed true...

Knowing one day we'd

Remember that joy.

You'd remember that girl,

I'd remember that boy—

'Til we do,

The promise I made

I'll make it brand-new—

The promise that I made to you.

When Kurt and Blaine finished the song; Brody applauded them and they went for a hug to make sure it was only acting. When Finn and Rachel finished; the last chord kept floating between them like all the words left unsaid between them. They were staring at each other until both turned around and went on their separate ways.

xXxXx

Louisa had too many things on her mind to concentrate on work. She was mechanically organizing some books when a kind voice woke her from her trance:

"Someone is a little blue today

She turned and smiled fondly at her boss:

"Sorry Eleanor; I'll try to concentrate."

"Nonsense! I need company for my afternoon tea and it's an order, Louisa."

She grinned at the adorable lady and followed her to the office. Louisa took her usual place as Eleanor finished preparing their beverages. The lady handed her a mug and she could feel all the comfort of the hot liquid sliding down her tongue. She was too absorbed to notice Eleanor watching her and chuckling:

"Tea can be a cure for a lot of worries. Will you tell me what's been troubling you?"

"Like I could keep anything from you. The thing is: I had to say no to my boyfriend's proposal of a role in his play."

Eleanor looked like she was considering something:

"May I ask you why was it?"

Louisa sighed and played with her finger on the edge of the mug:

"Have you ever heard of the musical Next to Normal?"

"No; tell me about it."

"Well it's a play about a family in which the mother has depression and bipolar disorder and all of them are trying to learn how to live with it. Guess what part did he wanted me to play?"

Eleanor answered in a tune that indicated she couldn't be disturbed by anything anymore:

"I, my dear, am of the opinion that you'd be great playing that mother."

Louisa was beginning to feel exasperated:

"But Eleanor; how could I play a part that exposes all my deepest fears?"

"I've learned that the monsters we don't face come back bigger to haunt us."

She got up and went to the kettle as she kept speaking in a casual tone:

"Have I ever told you that I can sing too? Would you like to hear it?"

Louisa nodded knowing the song choice would not be random. Eleanor Smitty had a beautiful singing voice that Louisa could appreciate while she sang Whishing You Were Somehow Here Again from The Phantom of the Opera.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/74S7EMUAKFs

You were once my one companion

You were all that mattered

You were once a friend and father

Then my world was shattered

Wishing you were somehow here again

Wishing you were somehow near

Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed

Somehow you would be here

Slowly, Louisa was becoming aware that the song was really for Warren, Eleanor's son who she had lost to suicide.

Wishing I could hear your voice again

Knowing that I never would

Dreaming of you help me to do

All that you dreamed I could

Passing bells and sculpted angels

Cold and monumental

Seem for you the wrong companions

You were warm and gentle

The girl was touched hearing this mother whishing her son back with all her strength. Eleanor's biggest regret was the lack of information she and her husband had to detect their son was a victim of depression.

Too many years fighting back tears

Why can't the past just die?

Wishing you were somehow here again

Knowing we must say, "Goodbye"

Try to forgive, teach me to live

Give me the strength to try

No more memories, no more silent tears

No more gazing across the wasted years

Help me say, "Goodbye"

Help me say, "Goodbye"

Louisa could relate to her son's pain and she could recognize the pain in Eleanor's eyes as the one her loved ones felt. Louisa was Diana in real life and Eleanor was Dan: the one who suffers on the skin and the one powerless to stop the pain. Next to Normal was about showing it to the world; trying to say how it feels so people could understand it. That damned silent disease that made everyone around a victim of it. Louisa was sure Eleanor would never be cured of her son's depression. Maybe she should do something about it.

Louisa cleaned a tear that formed in the corner of her eyes; hugged Eleanor thank you and went to NYADA guided by a decision that had formed in her mind.

xXxXx

Brody was about to leave the audition room provided with his notes on everyone that had auditioned when the lights of his improvised stage went on and he saw a figure there. Louisa looked at him and smiled:

"Excuse me Mr. Director; I know I'm late but I wonder if I can still audition?"

He went back to his table and smirked at her trying to figure out what her catch was:

"And what part would you be auditioning for, Miss...?"

She smiled provocatively at him:

"Hummel, sir. My name is Louisa Hummel and I'd like to audition for the role of Natalie. Now, if you don't mind...

She sat on a corner and began to sing Everything Else; Natalie's solo from Next to Normal. She sang it with so much emotion as Brody had never seen her (or anyone else, on that matter) perform. If he wasn't already convinced she would be perfect for his play; then all his doubts would have gone away. It felt like Louisa belonged in Next to Normal.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/S7LHT0t2Uro

Mozart was crazy

Flat fucking crazy.

Bat-shit, I hear,

But his music's not crazy,

It's balanced, it's nimble,

It's crystalline clear.

There's harmony, logic

You listen to these,

You don't hear his doubts

Or his debts or disease.

You scan through the score

And put fingers on keys

And you play...

And everything else goes away.

Everything else goes away.

And you play 'til it's perfect,

You play 'til you ache,

You play 'til the strings

Or you fingernails break.

So you'll rock that recital

And get into Yale,

So you won't feel so sick

And you won't look so pale,

'Cause you've got your full ride

And your early admit

So you're done with this school

And all of this shit,

And you graduate early,

You're gone as of May

And there's nothing your

Paranoid parents can say...

And you know that it's just

A sonata away...

And you play...

And you play...

And everything else goes away.

Everything else goes away.

Everything else goes away

She finished her song and looked at him with an eager expression:

"How about it?"

He kept a smirk on his face all his way from the table towards Louisa. He put a hand on her face and exclaimed:

"Congratulations Miss Hummel; you've got the part."

This time, Louisa initiated the kiss and Brody could tell she was 100% there with him.

xXxXx

Louisa was nervous as she walked into the room where she would meet the rest of the cast that would work with her. Brody had summoned them for a first reading and she wasn't sure how her emotions would turn out.

A pleasant surprise waited for her as she saw Kurt and Maggie chatting inside the room. She approached them with a grin that went from ear to ear:

"You two are on the cast too?"

Maggie answered her with her traditional witty sprit:

"Is that the way of talking to your parents, Miss Natalie Goodman?"

They were the only three on the room and she wondered who would complete the cast. Maggie's phone went buzzing and Kurt took this opportunity to pull his cousin to a corner:

"Changed your mind about the play?"

"Natalie is safe. I don't know her pain but I can use her pain to tell the world about mine."

Kurt took both her hands:

"I know Dan's pain pretty well. I just hope my Diana will someday see her light and surpass her obstacles."

"One step at a time, pumpkin. This already requires almost all of my strength."

"And I'm proud of you for that."

Brody's arrival interrupted their conversation:

"Welcome to the first rehearsal of Next to Normal. We all know each other so introductions aren't necessary. As you can see: our cast isn't complete yet. Our psychiatrist will be played by my classmate Teddy Spring who is currently down with a cold but will join us soon enough. As for our Henry: I haven't made my mind up yet. Anyway, the show must go on and I thought we could use this time to see how our voices sound together. Let's start with Just Another Day that will be sang just by the four of us."

http://www.youtube.com/embed/yFt5ggJgrfI

Diana:

They're the perfect

Loving family, so adoring...

And I love them

Every day of every week.

So my son's a little shit,

My husband's boring,

And my daughter,

Though a genius, is a freak.

Still I help them

Love each other

Father, mother,

Sister, brother,

Cheek to cheek!

Natalie:

So it's times like these

I wonder how I take it—

And if other families

Live the way we do...

If they love each other

Or if they just fake it,

And if other daughter

Feel like I feel too...

'Cause some days

I think I'm dying—

But I'm really only

Trying to get through.

Gabe:

For just another day...

For another stolen hour,

When the world will

Feel my power and obey.

Gabe & Natalie:

It's just another day...

Gabe:

Feeling like I'll live forever...

Natalie:

Feeling like this feeling never goes away...

Gabe & Natalie:

For just another day.

Dan

When it's up to you

To hold your house together...

A house you built with

Patience and with care...

But you're grappling with

That grey and rainy weather,

And you're living on a latte

And a prayer

Dan & Diana:

Can you keep

The cup from tipping?

Can you keep

The grip from slipping in despair?

For just another day.

Dan & Gabe:

In the hustle and the hurry.

Dan:

You want to wipe

Your worry clean away.

Diana, Dan & Gabe:

For just another day.

Diana:

I will keep the

Plates all spinning—

Diana & Natalie:

With a smile so white

And winning all the way—

All:

'Cause what doesn't kill me

Doesn't kill me,

So fill me up

For just another day.

Diana:

It only hurts when I'm breathe.

Dan:

It only hurts when I try.

Gabe

It only hurts when I think.

Natalie:

It only hurts when I cry.

Dan:

It only hurts when I work.

Gabe:

It only hurts when I play.

Natalie:

It only hurts when I move.

All:

It only hurts when I say...

Dan, Natalie & Gabe:

It's just another day

(Diana:A busy, busy day.)

And the morning sun

Is stunning,

(Diana: I will hold it all together.)

And you wish that you

Were running far away.

(Diana:I will hide the mess away.)

It's just another day—

(Diana: And I'll survive another day.)

Birds are singing,

Things are growing,

(Diana:And I will pray)

And you wish

(Diana: To hold on)

You could be going

(Diana: Just this way,)

But you stay.

And you stay

And stay forever,

(Diana: And for my family's sake)

Though you know I

(Diana: 'll take what I can take—)

It's now or never,

And you know I'm only just awake...

That for forever...

Diana:

Every day is just another...

And another... And another...

I will hold it all together.

We're the perfect loving fam'ly.

If they say we're not, then fuck 'em—

The perfect loving fam'ly.

I will keep the plates all spinning,

And the world just keeps on spinning,

And I think the house is spinning...

Their voices worked well together. However, Brody was the only one leaving the rehearsal with a feeling of accomplishment; the others just found him very irresponsible to start rehearsing to a production without even knowing whom the whole cast will be.

xXxXx

Kurt went after Louisa at her workplace to share the good news. She jumped surprised as he approached her hyper excited:

"Excellent news!"

"Do tell."

Kurt tried to fight his grin but he was too happy for it:

"We got our Henry: Blaine!"

Louisa's eyes opened wide:

"Wow! Brody is really defying all NYADA's urban legends by casting two freshmen to his production."

"He said, and I quote: 'Louisa is my lucky charm, she'll cast the jinx away'."

She placed the books she was carrying in the stand and hid her face in her hand:

"I can't believe how cheesy Brody can be."

Kurt could read Louisa pretty well and her embarrassment was more about liking what Brody had said than about what he said. He didn't know how comfortable he was with this new relationship:

"Things seem pretty serious between you and Brody..."

She bit her lips a little shy.

"Maybe they are; we started calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend. He still thinks of Rachel and I'm not completely over Finn; but I think it can be good for both of us."

"I'm just trying to protect you."

She smiled and captured him in a side hug:

"You are sounding just like me talking about your boyfriend... Wait a second; did you say Blaine was casted as Henry?"

"Sure; weren't you listening?"

"It's not that. I'm just realizing something: Blaine will play my boyfriend in the play..."

Kurt was confused:

"And?"

"Don't you get it, Kurt? I'll have to kiss your boyfriend?"

He laughed amused:

"Relax, boo; it's a stage kiss. I won't be jealous."

She rolled her eyes:

"You haven't gotten it yet: I kind of hate him!"

Goodness! How Louisa was stubborn. If he was half as stubborn as she, he couldn't get it how Blaine handled him. He rolled his eyes in the best Hummel way:

"Kind of is better than actually. Besides, it's about time you stop hating everyone I love."

She snorted:

"Don't push it; Rachel is not included in this."

"Fine; but you and Blaine must solve your quarrels once and for all."

He kissed her forehead while she was still wearing her puzzled look. She shot him an accusatorial glance:

"You loved it, didn't you?"

He laughed and winked at her in his best diva way.