New Girl In Town (1) ✔️

Introductions, Invitations & Coffee

Finn showed back up just as our dinner arrived so we all gathered around the kitchen table. I swear there is no better way to start new friendships than over plates of Sesame Tofu, Pad Thai and Steamed Dumplings. Yum!!

"So you're vegan? That's really cool!! I could never do it, I'd miss cheese too much. But I understand the appeal. I don't actually eat much red meat myself."

Apparently I said the right thing because Rachel gave me a warm smile. "It was hard at first, but after all these years I couldn't even imagine eating a real hamburger anymore. They make some really tasty ones with grains and meat substitutes." I nod emphatically in agreement as she shoos Finn's hand away.

I look at Blaine curiously and he mouths to me 'Just watch.'

"Finn, how many times does she have to tell you she doesn't want to try your Pepper Steak?! She doesn't eat meat." Wow looks like this is a usual occurrence. I shake my head and mouth back to Blaine motioning towards the other three teens, 'Are they always like this?' He nods in agreement as we try in vain to stifle our giggles. Oh well.

The other three seem to take notice of our silent conversation.  Finally Kurt speaks up.  "Are you guys done having some odd cousin/twin telepathic conversation?" Oh crap, they caught us.

I place one hand on the table and start twirling my hair with the other one. Blaine notices right away, it's my nervous habit I picked up when we were little. I only do it when I'm upset or uncomfortable about something. Averting my eyes I begin to mumble, "I'm so sorry. We. Well we're so close in age. We've spent so much time together...." I began to trail off when Blaine gently placed his hand over mine, squeezing slightly.

"I got this Shann. After my dad... well my mom, Cooper and I spent a lot of time with Aunt Brenda and Uncle Steve when we were little. Coop was so much older so he was constantly off at baseball games and stuff with Shannon's dad. So we hung out a lot. I mean we're only a few months apart even though she's still my little cousin. Shann was actually the first person I came out to."

Finn was still absorbed in his food but Kurt and Rachel seemed shocked at his revelation. I smiled fondly at the memory. "We were reading teen magazines in my old tree house when we were 12. And Blaine here agreed with my mutual attraction to Justin Timberlake."

He chuckled and continued with his explanation.  "So, yea, we're probably more like twins than cousins. She's shorter and I've got the hazel eyes, but we've just got a great bond. Forged through years of gossip about guys and Disney movies."

Rachel and Kurt shared smiles, they understood exactly. And I felt much better, they got me.

Dinner was finished so Rachel and I started flipping through the scrapbook I brought down with us while the boys cleaned up. She was oohing and aahing over goofy pictures of my friends and I at the zoo and amusement park. Eventually she reached a few pages that she became really excited about. "Kurt, Blaine come here! Look at all these theater stubs. Look, look!! Operas. Ballets. Musicals. We don't get any of these in Lima!" They all nod in agreement and Rachel's eyes shine in wonder.

Le sigh. "I know.... Pittsburgh has a great cultural scene and is just bursting with fun restaurants. I'm really going to miss that."  Blaine glances up at the clock while I stifle a yawn. How is it 7:30 already?!  Everyone else seems to notice as well. "Guys I think she'd like to rest and I've got homework to do. Football practice kept me so busy this week and I'm kinda behind."  Finn all but pushes the other two out of the house. I think he's wanted to leave since he finished his Fortune Cookies. I hugged my new friends, Kurt, Rachel and I already exchanged phone numbers so I knew we'd be in touch again soon.