Cinco De Mayo

My name is Blaine Andrade. I am 17 years old and I have been a student at Mckinley High for the last 8 months.

I am an only child and was born and raised in Mexico, but I know English because my mom was born in the United States. My mom fell in love with my dad while vacationing in Cuernavaca and decided to live in Mexico after they got married.

My Parents are Lisa Perry and Mauricio Andrade. We had a really good life in Mexico until last year. My Dad was killed by the drug cartel because he refused to pay a "fee" that the cartel charges all citizens to keep them protected. I loved my dad. He was a great man, hard worker, funny, handsome and always there for me.

My mother and I were devastated when we lost him and had to leave Mexico and move to Lima, my mom's home town. Lima is a tiny town in Ohio known for its… for its… well I have no idea what it's known for but I kind of like it. It's very different from life in Mexico City. We had to move here because of all the insecurity and violence that is happening in Mexico.

Before my mom moved to Mexico she was a Spanish teacher here in Lima. So, she was able to get a job at McKinley teaching Spanish again. At school, I've always been the quiet type. I hardly talk to people and I've always hated staying after school to do extracurricular activities but I do love to sing. I come from a long line of musicians. My dad's side of the family were all singers or played instruments. So, I guess that's where I get the love for singing and all things music.

I considered joining the Glee club at McKinley High but I really REALLY hate staying after school and socializing. I just never made the effort to go and try out. I've seen some of the members of the club around school. I even have the same classes with some of them. I have seen them perform at school assemblies and I really like the way they sing and I think most of them are really talented.

There is RACHEL BERRY. Her voice is flawless. At first I thought she was just a snobby girl, but after seeing how talented she is, I figured she is just focused on her talent.

From what I've heard, she is dating the quarterback FINN HUDSON. I have a class with him. Not the brightest tool in the shed, but an alright guy. He can sing, but the boy sucks at dancing. We have never spoken more than 3 words to each other but he seems nice.

Finn is somehow related to KURT HUMMEL. Kurt was the first person that spoke to me at Mckinley. He was assigned to show me the school on my first day. It was obvious that he was gay. I am no one to judge but some things do not need explanation; they are what they are. Kurt can be arrogant. And I say this because of the way he treats other people, but with me he was nice and did what he was told. He showed me the school.

By the way did I mention that I am also gay?

It's not that I hide who I am, but I've always felt that it's something intimate. I have the right to share it with whomever I want to share it with.

There is only one more Hispanic student at McKinley. Her name is SANTANA LOPEZ. I met her the first day and as soon as she saw me she came up to me and said "Tu eres Mexicano verdad?" I fell in love with her. She is the only person besides my mom that I can have a conversation with in spanish and she is the only glee member that I talk to. Santana is wild and crazy. She is super funny, but also strong. She doesn't let others mistreat her in any way. I didn't have to tell her I was gay she figured it out on her own.

There are other members, but one that caught my eye was a football player. He has blonde hair, gorgeous green eyes, a great body and the most luscious big hypnotic lips that will make any girl or guy do anything he asks for. Kurt told me his name was Sam and that he was the nicest guy in school. I have never spoken to Sam but I'm pretty sure he notices me staring at him when he passes my locker or at lunch.

I just can't help it. There are moments when I just stare and he stares back. I quickly look away not knowing what to do. I know he notices me blushing because I can feel my face on fire every time he catches me staring at him.

I have Spanish class and almost all of the glee club is in it. I think they thought they would have it easy and not really do anything in that class, but they were wrong. My mom is very strict and she pushes all of her student to excel at everything. When I address her at school, she is not "mom" or "Mrs. Andrade" she is "Señora Andrade" and all her students, including me, have to call her that. Everybody knows that she is my mother. It's kind of embarrassing because I have an A in that class and I can't help to think that everybody thinks that I have an A because she is my mother but in reality I love my first language.

I am fluent in English and Spanish and I love all the assignments and homework that she assigns. I guess I am just a nerd. There aren't many Mexicans at McKinley in fact Santana is the only other Hispanic I know of.

Principal Figgins thought it would be appropriate to have a Cinco de Mayo assembly at the auditorium. Let's get something clear. Yes, we do celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico; it is a national holiday, but it is not our independence day. It was just a battle that we won against France. We celebrate our independence on September 16. I always thought it was funny how people in the United States celebrate 5 de Mayo and not even know the meaning behind it.

As I made my way to the auditorium, I noticed that the glee club was headed to the backstage door wearing cowboy outfits with pointy boots. I didn't know if I should laugh or be upset at their attempt to "celebrate" 5 de Mayo. but again all I could see after that was Sam. Sam Evans in skin tight jeans and ridiculous pointy boots but I couldn't look anywhere but at those pants, that ass, that bulge.

I couldn't move until "Señora Anderson" nudged me. "Blaine Andrade, que tanto miras?"

As always, I felt my face on fire. All I could say was, "I forgot where the entrance to the auditorium is."

I was so embarrassed and she could tell that I was staring at Sam. My mom is aware of my sexuality. So was my dad. They both accepted me and told me that they still loved me and that love was love. That It didn't matter who I loved (boy or girl), as long as I was happy, they were happy.

As my mother and I made our way to our seats, Principal Figgins introduced the first act, the glee club performing a mash up "en español" of "Bamboleo and Hero" made famous by "The Gipsy Kings" and "Enrique Iglesias." Again another thing that had nothing to do with 5 de Mayo or Mexico for that matter. Enrique Iglesias was born in Spain and The Gipsy Kings were mostly born in France. So, there you have it. A 5 de Mayo assembly where the songs that are being performed come from artist from countries that Mexico fought or were in war with many years ago.

I looked at my mom. She rolled her eyes and I just laughed. I am not going to lie I was a little aggravated at their attempt to celebrate something that they had no idea what it meant.

All that fade away when they started singing and Sam was the lead singer. His Spanish was perfect I mean you could tell that a "gringo" was singing but his accent was so minimal and he sounded so damn good. I tried not to focus on their embarrassing outfits and focusing on Sam and his moves and his beautiful voice seemed to help. I had forgotten all about 5 de Mayo crap fest.

For their whole performance Sam kept looking at me, I don't know if he was looking at me or at "Señora Anderson" but he was looking my way. I couldn't help but stare at his moves and probably looked like an idiot staring at him and only him. My mom noticed me staring and enjoying the performance. After the assembly was over, she took me to her classroom and told me to be careful. Even though she accepted me not everyone was accepting and she did not want to see me get hurt.

I just looked down and told her I had no idea what she was talking about. She grabbed my face and looked me in the eye and says, "I have seen the way you look at that boy and I hope that he likes you back, but please be careful."

I looked at her back and thanked her for looking out for me and told her that, "it's just a crush and I don't think he likes boys."

My mom just smiled and told me that someday I would find the love of my life and that she wishes I would be as happy as she was with my father.

I knew exactly was she was talking about. When I was in Mexico I fell in love with my best friend EDGAR. We grew up together. He lived next door and we did everything together. We went to the same school until I moved to Lima.

That last day in Mexico I finally gathered the courage to tell him I loved him. He told me, "I Love you too." I took that as my cue to go for a kiss.

What I got was a punch on my face. I looked at him and he looked back at me disgusted. I was so confused he has just told me he loved me too. He then told me that he loved me like a brother but after what I had just tried, we could never be friends. He said that he didn't associate with "jotos" which is a Mexican term for fags.

I was heartbroken.

That was the last time I saw Edgar. I still have him on facebook. I see that he has a girlfriend and he seems really happy. I miss Edgar. Aside from being my first crush, he was my friend, my brother. Since him, I haven't had a close relationship with a guy friend.

I am scared of getting hurt again and I guess that's part of the reason why I am reserved when it comes to talking about my sexuality.

After talking to my mom, I headed to my locker to get my things and head home. Still distracted on Sam's perfect voice, I didn't notice when I bumped into someone and fell down.

"Sorry it was my fault. I wasn't looking," I said not noticing who I had bumped into.

"No Problem" a sweet voice said.

I Immediately felt the redness on my face. I knew that it was Sam, the boy that made my heart beat irregularly when I was close to him, the guy whose lips were my Kryptonite.

"Are you ok?" he asked

"Yeah I'm fine. Again, I'm sorry." Somehow I managed to get the words out.

He then helped me get on my feet and said, "I'm actually glad I bumped into you or… that you bumped into me? Anyway I wanted to ask you what you thought of my Spanish during the cinco de Mayo performance."

Was he turning red too? Or was my own redness going to my eyes making me see red everywhere? Of course not. I don't think that can happen? Can it?

I was overthinking things that I forgot to answer him. "Hey, I know that what we did has nothing to do with Cinco de Mayo and Mexican traditions but it was the only Spanish song the Glee club knew. We did not have time to learn a new one. As far as the costumes, well you can blame Kurt for that."

I was speechless, how can he be so perfect? Maybe his lips have super powers and he can hear my thoughts? Maybe he heard what I was thinking during their performance? Again over thinking things and again I did not answer.

He smiled and said, "Pretty fly for a white guy huh?"

I smiled and said, "I was impressed with your Spanish and you have a really good voice but why are you asking me?"

He looked down and then into my eyes and said, "Well my favorite class is Señora Andrade's class and I really wanted to make her proud by singing in Spanish. Since I know you are her son and you are fluent in Spanish, I wanted to know if you thought your mom liked it."

I nodded and told him that I was sure my mom loved it. "How do you know Spanish that well?" I asked.

"When I lived in Kentucky, my baby sitter was a really sweet Mexican lady and she taught me how to speak Spanish. Her name was Dolores but we would call her Lola. She would sing a lot of Spanish songs and I grew up loving all things Hispanic, specially the Mexican culture and its food. She was a great cook."

I was surprised and all I could say was "Wow that is awesome!"

He could tell that my enthusiasm was genuine and he flashed me one of his signature smiles. "I loved Lola and will always remember her. she passed away a few weeks before we moved to Lima." he said looking down.

Without thinking I touched his arm. "I am sorry for your loss. I know she wasn't blood related, but I can see that she was a big part of your life and I know how much it hurts when you lose someone that important."

And I really did. It hadn't even been a year since I lost my dad and there wasn't a day that I didn't think of him and how much I missed him.

Sam looked at me and saw the pain in my eyes. "Who is it?"

I looked back with tears forming in my eyes and said in a hushed voice feeling a big lump in my throat "My Dad."

Sam hugged me and I really do not know why but I just started sobbing and crying. Besides my mom, Sam was the first person that saw me crying. Well at least like this.

"I am sorry, I didn't know you had lost your dad"

"No I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just miss my dad so much."

"No need to apologize. Listen we haven't even been properly introduced and we already have this connection. I know your name is Blaine Andrade and that you are Señora Andrade's son. My name is Sam Evans and I just want you to know that I am here for you, whatever you need you can count on me."

I smiled and wiped the tears from my eyes and said, "Thanks man, I really appreciate it. I knew your name. I mean, who doesn't know the name of the most popular guy in school?" I laughed and so did he.

With a shy blush he says, "Well I have to get home, but I will see you tomorrow."

I extended my hand to shake his (it's a Mexican thing I guess..?), but he hugged me again and said "Handshakes are for strangers, we're friends now."

All I could do was blush "Again sorry for being a mess in front of you and thank you for being there."

He just smiled and left.

I confirmed what Kurt had told me; Sam was indeed the nicest guy in school.

When Sam left, I started heading out the door when Kurt approached me and asked "What was that all about?" I could sense some anger in his voice.

"Hi Kurt, what are you talking about?"

"I didn't know you and Sam were that close." If looks could kill. I would've been dead since he approached me.

"We aren't, in fact I just met him. I mean this is the first time I had a conversation with him." I said Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"Well from where I was looking it looked a lot more than just a conversation."

I was getting annoyed by Kurt's questions. I really wanted to go home. So, I just said, "We just understand each other. Bye Kurt"

Before I could walk away, he grabs my arm and tells me, "I know that you are gay, Blaine. And quite frankly, I don't understand why you don't come out of the closet, but know this, Sam is off limits. He is in love with me… he just doesn't know it yet."

With a nod, I ask, "Ok is that all? I really have to get home."

He gave me another murderous look, but says "See you around."

We live really close to school. So, instead of waiting for my mom, I always walk home. All the way home, I kept thinking about what Kurt had said.

It all made sense now. The day he showed me the school he talked mess about every Glee member, except for Sam. The only thing he said about him was that he was the nicest guy in school.

I don't have friends. Santana is the only one that I talk to outside of school and I'm guessing now that Sam said we were friends we would also be friends outside of school. Even though Kurt is not my friend I still don't want to come between him and Sam, although it's obvious that Sam doesn't feel the same way. I am not 100% sure that he doesn't but who cares?

Sam is my friend and that is it, nothing more. I am not going to dwell into it. I don't want to fall for him or for Kurt to think that I am trying to steal "his man."