Being Grown Up Isn't Half as Fun

Chapter 1

Blaine was six when they moved to the crowded town in Ohio. All of the houses were mere inches from one another, and he was sure the house's roof behind them touched their own. It was a drastic change from where they used to live. Blaine wasn't sure why they moved, why he had to leave all of his friends behind. When he asked, his mother had told him he wouldn't understand. He often heard her mumbling something about 'financial problems.' Who's financial and what's his problem? He must not be very nice, Blaine reckoned. He could barely even pronounce the word.

When they arrived at their new home, Blaine wasn't at all impressed. He'd been watching out the car window on the way there, and he hadn't seen one playground. What kind of decent town doesn't have a playground? He had just opened his mouth to say so when his mother placed a gentle hand on his back, ushering him through the door. "Blaine, honey, your room is upstairs. Why don't you go check it out while your dad and I unpack?" Blaine knew by the tone in her voice it wasn't a suggestion but a command. 

"Yes, mommy," he muttered sullenly, still disappointed about the playground, or lack thereof. He trudged up the stairs, clutching his yellow Power Ranger to his chest. There was absolutely nothing that could make him happy about this move, even if his closet was a portal to an imaginary world and his parents bought him a dog. Well, maybe it would be a little better but still. 

When Blaine was at the top of the stairs he found himself standing in a hallway. He turned right, hoping it was the way to his room. He opened the door at the very end of the hall and looked inside curiously. His small bed was tucked into one corner while boxes of his things were stacked in another. His mom had said his dad brought everything here a few days ago. Blaine wrinkled his nose at the dusty smell, and went over to the window to open it. Hopefully it would air out by the time he had to go to bed. As he slid it open, Blaine noticed part of the roof was just below his window, and a small light bulb went off in his head. "Cool! I wonder if..." Blaine mumbled to himself, gripping the window sill tightly as he lifted himself up onto it. He raised the window and screen the rest of the way before he slipped out onto the roof, landing with a soft thud. 

"Neato, this'll be fun." Blaine marveled, looking around, eyes landing on the neighbor's roof. It looked like someone else had the same idea as him. A boy with brown hair and blue-green eyes was gazing at him curiously. The boy was sitting with his knees to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs. Blaine grinned, going as close to the edge of his roof as he dared. "Hi! I'm Blaine!" he greeted happily, glad to have found someone that looked his age. His playground problem was temporarily forgotten. 

"Hi, Blaine, I'm Kurt," the boy offered a shy smile in return, shuffling closer to the edge of his roof, as well. Kurt studied Blaine for a moment before saying, "How is your hair so curly?" 

Blaine laughed, his hand automatically going to his head. "I dunno. It just is. How are your eyes so pretty?" 

Kurt blushed, shrugging. "I dunno. They just are." 

"How old are you, Kurt?" Blaine asked, sitting so his legs were hanging over the side of the roof. "I'm six." 

"I'm seven." Kurt replied, eyes focusing in on Blaine's yellow Power Ranger. "Oh, cool! You have a yellow Power Ranger?" Kurt gasped, smiling cheekily. "I have a pink on-" he was saying before a voice coming through the window cut him off. 

"Kurt! Are you out on the roof again? What have I told you about that?" the voice called sternly. 

"Oh, sorry, that's my dad. I better get inside before he finds me out here." Kurt stood up carefully, dusting himself off. He looked back up at Blaine, resuming his cheeky grin. "Do you wanna come over? You'll be just in time for my tea party!" Kurt asked, bouncing a little on his heel. 

"Yea I would! I'm sure my mom will say yes, so I'll be right over. See ya, Kurt!" Blaine exclaimed as he clambered back up his roof and into his room. 

"See ya, Blaine!" Kurt called after him. "And don't forget your yellow Power Ranger!"