"We all need a lil criticism sometimes. It's whether we listen and what we do with it that makes the difference. If it's all just water off a duck's back, girl, how you ever gonna learn anything? It's the people who love you the most that'll deal the heaviest blows, but they're usually the one's who know us the best to have valid points we should be listening to," Mercedes reasoned with a nod. Many a time she had learnt from things Kurt passively (or not, in some cases) gave her a few home truths. She was a better person for it these days that she was back in school when it was all about thinking of how hard done by she was rather than just stepping up and working for what she needed.

She tilted her head a little. "So, maybe it wouldn't have been such a big deal if you let some of the rest of us have the spotlight in school now and again, right? Sounds like you've isolated yourself from a hell of a lot, though. Don't you regret that?"