The school day ended and Rachel picked Candie up from school like she agreed to and they walked together to the café, Rachel resumed her shift alongside Santana and Candie sat in a booth in the far back corner out of the way, doing homework and reflecting on the day she had had.

Of course homework only consisted of coloring stuff, but still the day had taken an emotional toll on her and even the simplest of coloring seemed draining and listless.

She thought about everything her teacher had said to her and decided to color something special for him.

She took a napkin out of the dispenser on the front counter, smiling at her mom as she did so, and went back to the table to create her masterpiece.

The phrase “Let Your Sparkle Shine” was written prominently overtop of the happiest looking rainbow ever to be drawn on a brown paper napkin. She dug through her mom’s purse finding her perfume and spritzing it lightly to add vanilla warmth to it.

When she was happy with her work she tucked it delicately into her folder to give to Mr. Anderson tomorrow morning.

Candie hummed happily to herself as she completed her real homework, looking up when she heard a familiar voice.

“Mr. Anders, Super intendant, allow me to buy your coffee to make up for this morning’s mishaps.” Blaine said as he and his two colleges entered the small café.

“Thank you very much Mr. Anderson.” The super intendant said and Principal Anders nodded in thanks.

“Welcome to the Caffeine Fiend. What can I get you gentlemen?” Rachel said dully before looking up and noticing Blaine. “Oh hey Blaine! I didn’t realize it was you! What can I get you? Your uuush?” Rachel asked already going ahead with the order.

“Yes, thank you Rachel. And also whatever these guys want.” He said stepping out of the way after handing her a twenty. “Keep the change Rach, I know you and Finn are saving for your wedding.

“Awwh you are too kind Blainers. Maybe you should be saving up for a wedding too.” She said tapping him playfully on the nose.

“Maybe.” He said teasingly.

“Hehehe.” Rachel laughed deviously. “Okay what can I get you fellows?” Rachel asked before jotting down their orders.

“Hey Blaine, isn’t that barista over there the crazy women from this morning?” Mr. Anders asked shaking his head.

“Yes, that would be Santana. I wonder if Candie is here as well.” He smiled to himself.

Before he could finish the question the flowery child skipped over to where the grownups were having coffee, a decorated napkin in hand.

“Hi Uncle Blaine” Candie smiled sweetly before greeting the others . “Good afternoon Mr. Anders, Mr. Super Intendant Richardson. It’s a pleasure to meet the two of you. My name is Candace, but you can call me Candie.” She smiled politely extending her hand to offer handshakes.

“My, my, Candie, what do you have there in your hand?” Blaine asked noticing the multicolored napkin.

“Actually this is for you. I made it to thank you for everything you said to me today.” She explained handing over the napkin.

“Wow this is just beautiful Candie. Did you make this?” Blaine smiled brightly. He didn’t say it in a patronizing way, he meant it and was sincere. He loved children, and he loved what little wonders they were capable of making.

“I sure did.” Candie smiled proudly.

“And it says ‘let your sparkle shine’ I love it Candie. Thank you so much. You know I have an empty picture frame at home just waiting to be filled and hung up. Do you think you can sign the back? So that way when you’re famous I can say you made this for me when you were just a little girl.” Blaine smiled and patter her head smoothing her hair.

“Sure thing Mr. A! Let me go grab a marker!” Candie said running off to where her backpack sat.

“Isn’t this lovely.” Blaine said showing his coworkers the drawing.

“It’s a little gay.” Principal Anders laughed.

“I’ll say, you’re not really going to hang that up are you? No sane man would have that on display in his home.” Super Intendant Richardson laughed as well.

“Well duh I’m going to hang it up. And yeah it’s a little gay, but so am I.” Blaine laughed.

 “Oh.” The both said not really sure how else to respond.

“Yeah.” Blaine shrugged .

Candie returned and signed the back of the napkin, making her signature all fancy pretending she was a gorgeous movie store.

Principal Anders took note of how Blaine interacts with children and thought it was sweet. You could tell Blaine was a new teacher, not yet hardened by years of dumb kids. But maybe it wasn’t just Blaine in his prime, maybe it was just that Blaine was a good person. Someone who could appreciate rainbows drawn on coffee shop napkins and smile at the least amusing jokes. He could talk Disney movies and even sing the songs. He was more than a nice teacher, he was just a nice person. The kind of person who can make you smile, and appreciate the little things. Keeping all this in mind Principal Anders decided maybe a raise was in order for one bushy eye browed teacher.

After finishing their coffees they each drove home separately, Blaine staying behind to talk with Santana and Rachel, while playing hangman with Candie on the back of her school folder.

“So is grumpy bossy pants Anders still on my case about my behavior this morning?” Santana asked and Rachel looked up from the order she was on.

“What did you do?” Rachel hissed and Santana laughed.

“Nothing, nothing. Apparently my language isn’t the best. But it’s all good.” Santana said dismissively waving her off.

“I think he just wants to make sure you guys are a safe environment for Candie.” Blaine explained.

“What it’s not like were abusing her or something, sure maybe sometimes I forget to feed the thing, but Kurt typically takes care of all that.” Santana said leaning against the counter, resting her head on her hands.

“Okay, this is what he’s talking about. Don’t say things like that.” Blaine laughed loudly.

“Yeah I guess you’re right. I’ll be more careful with what I say.” Santana replied honestly.

“It’s just standard practice you know. You’re not doing anything wrong. We’re just supposed to report stuff if we see things that look suspicious.” Blaine sighed.

“Suspicious?” Rachel coming over to join them.

“Yeah like a child coming in with bruises and stuff, you know something that stands out.” Blaine answered.

“Oh I getcha. But you know we’re not like that. Candie’s safe and we love her.” Santana smiled at her daughter.

“Yeah I know.” Blaine smiled at Candie as well.

If one thing he knew for certain, Candie was definitely loved.