From the start [Prequel to That One Hummel]

What

I sit on my bed, Quinn sits across from me. I look up as she smiles.
"What?"
"So...West Side Story." She leans closer.
"Uh huh, and I'm not doing it." I kiss her softly.
"Why not?" She huffs.
"Because it's a very lame, extremely gay musical." I chuckle, putting my book down.
"And you're as gay as they come." She pushes me back onto the bed.
"So that means I have to audition?"
"I'm doing it."
"I'd really rather avoid it after rocky horror."
Quinn grabs my hands and pins them above my head. She smirks down at me, straddling my waist.
"This is different." She leans down, ghosting her lips over mine. "Plus...it's mainly dancing."
"Are you teasing me so I audition?" I whisper.
"Maybe, is it working?"
I look into her eyes, smirking slightly before I flip us over and pin her hands down.
"Remember, I'm stronger." I wink and stand up, grabbing my smokes before heading to the balcony.
"Max, come on!" She follows behind me.
I light up a cigarette, taking a drag then blowing it out slowly.
"If I do this, what do I get?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" She laughs.
"I'm deadly serious." I lean against the railings.
"I'll take you on a date...to a zoo."
"Lima doesn't have a zoo, Quinn. Nice try." I chuckle.
"I'll find one, you pick and I'll take you."
I think about it, she knows I love my animals too much to say no.
"Ugh. Fine." I toss my cigarette away and pick her up. "Now, you started something. I'm finishing it."
Quinn lets out a loud laugh as I carry her back into my bedroom. I grin, just hearing her happy makes my heart melt.

Kurt looks at me as I stand on the side of the stage.
"Max." Mr Schue calls out.
I take a deep breath and step out onto the stage.
"I would like to audition for the part of Officer Krupke, I know it's traditionally a male part and you didn't let me play Rocky last year, but theatre is all about breaking boundaries. If not then I'd like to also audition for a gang member, don't care who." I speak confidently.
"Sounds great, Max. Show us what you got." Coach Bieste smiles.

"Thanks, Max." Artie nods.
I bow and quickly leave the stage. I rush to sit next to Quinn who takes my hand.
"You did amazing." She whispers, kissing my cheek.
"I hope they think so."
We watch Kurt audition, I gulp once he leaves. I know he's not going to get this, he's not...manly enough. I believe in him though.

I slide under the car that my dad told me to fix, Kurt is in too. I listen to his conversation with our dad.
"Kurt, you're not a manly man...you're...ya know, Max help me out here."
I slide out from under the car.
"I'm more of a dude." I shrug. "That's why I hang out with the guys from glee club."
"See?" Dad nods at me. "That's why your sister is under that car."
"If I don't get this lead then I'll have to find something else to make my résumé look good for NYADA."
I stand up and brush myself off.
"Then look for something, or prove to them that you can do this." I go to pat his back, but he stops me.
"No, this is too good for your oil stained hands."
I roll my eyes, laughing softly as I slide back under the car.

I walk along the hallway, stopping in front of Artie.
"Hey, dude!"
"Artie. I need to talk to you...about Kurt."
"Ah yeah, what's up?" We both move to the side.
"I watched you guys laugh at my brother."
"Max, what's this about?" He frowns.
"I just want my brother to feel happy."
"Before all of this, you and Kurt hated eachother basically. I don't think I've ever seen you being nice to him." He looks up at me.
"Listen, we're twins. We don't always get along, but he means a lot to me. He's done a lot for me since I got out of rehab." I fix my backpack and sigh. "I just...I want him to get this part."
"Max, he's not Tony material. In fact, you'd be better as Tony. You're basically one of the guys." He nods and wheels off.
One of the guys? Is that all they see me as?
"You're really quiet." Quinn puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I think we should have a girls night." I mumble.
"Uh like a date?"
"No, I mean we get all the girls over to my place." I look at her.
"What? Max, you don't do girls night."
"I could try?" I shrug.
"What's this about?"
"Artie said I'd be better as Tony, because I'm one of the guys..."
"Well, you are. I mean, the other night you ignored me for two hours to play call of duty with the guys." She wraps her arm around my shoulders.
"I'm just worried that the only reason you're with me is because I'm one of the guys."
"Why would you think that? You look and sound like a female."
"Because it would be easier for you to be with me acting like a guy because that wouldn't be totally gay or whatever."
Quinn kisses my cheek softly, making me look into her eyes.
"Max, I love you...not because you dress like a dude, or because you fix cars. I love you because you're you."
I smile widely, placing a hand on her cheek softly.
"You love me?"
"Always."
"I love you so much." I mumble and kiss her lips softly.
"We can have a girls night, see if you like it."

I sit on the floor of my bedroom, awkwardly twirling my thumbs. Santana looks at me with a smirk.
"What's this about?" She finally speaks.
"Yeah, this isn't like you." Mercedes chimes in.
Quinn puts a hand on my thigh, giving it an encouraging squeeze.
"I want to feel like one of the girls for once. Artie said I'm one of the guys...and, I kinda got uncomfortable." I rub the back of my neck nervously.
"Max, we love you because that's who you are. You stood up to Dave Karofsky. You threw Puck into a locker." Mercedes smiles.
"Exactly, I mean who else would pick fights with Mr Schue over twisting theatre and breaking boundaries." Rachel looks at me.
"You're a badass." Santana sighs. "And I kind of hate admitting that because sometimes you make me wanna throw up."
I chuckle, letting my girlfriend lean her head on my shoulder.
"You're more badass than Lord Tubbington." Brittany speaks up.
Everyone laughs at the blonde, I stop smiling and look around the room.
"Thanks for this, I think I needed to realise my place in the glee club."
"Our badass Max." Quinn kisses my cheek softly.
"So...why don't you show us how to play call of duty?" Mercedes laughs.
"Wanna kick the guys from the club's butts?"
Everyone nods in agreement while I set up the game. I needed this, needed to know my place and that it's okay to be me.