N:Sorry this is a week late. I wanted to write during the week when we weren't filming but I got sick my first day off and realized I'm not one of those people who can write when they have a fever. But to celebrate my first year writing glee fanfic I forced myself to sit down and get this done between meetings. Nearly 500 000 words in one year ... I wish I was that productive when it comes to my latest screen play ;)

2x04 Checkmate

Previously on NYADA Sophomore Year. Kurt exploded and told Finn about the Quinn situation causing Burt to sit first Finn down and then give Kurt the talk over Skype. At NYADA, Adam continued following Kurt like a lost puppy and a while later a bunch of gay sex pamphlets arrived in the mail. Eventually he agreed to read them with Blaine before they shared another first with each other. And that's what you missed on NYADA Sophomore Year.

After their first shared orgasm they grow even closer and though their lives are still incredible busy, they take time for just the two of them when they can be sure that both their roommates won't be back any time soon.

As it is, Blaine's roommate is rehearsing for an off campus audition in their room and Jeff is supposed to be back in half an hour. So Kurt takes the opportunity to tell Blaine that he signed up to audition for a lead role in 'Chess'.

"I hope we're not going for the same role," Blaine jokes, "because you know they take the juniors and seniors first if they are good enough."

"I guess that depends what you are auditioning for," Kurt replies. "I for one will be auditioning for the American, because it's the only tenor role."

Blaine raises an eyebrow but doesn't elaborate. Kurt wants to know what it means but he doesn't actually want to hear Blaine say that he thinks it's not a good idea.

"What song are you going to audition with?" his boyfriend finally asks, after flipping through the songbook for a moment.

"Pity the child," Kurt tells him and Blaine smiles at him. "I'm sure you'll sing it well."

It's better than nothing though he was hoping for a more enthusiastic response à la Adam.

"What about you?" he asks when Blaine doesn't add anything, apparently engrossed in the songbook.

"Hm?" Blaine asks and Kurt repeats his question. "Oh, I haven't signed up yet but I'm pretty sure I'll be auditioning for the Russian with 'Where I want to be'."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be great as always," Kurt tells him but Blaine looks thoughtful. "I hope so. I know acting isn't my strong suit and this musical definitely requires more acting than performing," he muses.

Kurt wants to disagree but what does he know. He's only recently started his third semester of acting classes and he has to trust that Blaine can judge his own abilities best.

"Well, whatever you decide, I'll be there to cheer you on," he assures his boyfriend and he is grateful Blaine doesn't hesitate at all before he promises to do the same for Kurt.

A quick glance at his watch tells him that they still have about fifteen minutes before Jeff's advanced dance class lets out and while it might be a good idea to start rehearsing for his audition and ask Blaine for his opinion, there are better things they can do with their mouths right now. At least until they have to spring apart and pretend that they haven't done anything but doing homework when Jeff returns, to save himself from his roommate's teasing.

"Hey Anderson, wait up," the annoying voice of Jesse St. James calls after him and Blaine sighs before he puts on his most charming smile and turns around.

He and a few others debated not accepting Jesse into Vocal Explosion because it made more sense to build up the freshman so they could become leaders themselves one day, but he didn't want to give Jesse more reasons not to like him. Hopefully, it got Jesse off his case for a while now.

"What can I do for you?" he asks the other senior who actually has a nice expression on his face.

"I just wanted to say that I've been thinking about what you were saying and I think you were right. We should help each other."

Blaine looks at Jesse in surprise but before he can say anything the other boy continues. "And because you let me into your little Glee club even though I heard you didn't want to I'm going to help you now."

More than once he's been told that he can be too trusting, too naïve, but Jesse looks completely honest now and Blaine decides to hear him out.

"So I overheard Shelby talking with Dakota the other day about the musical and who they expect to audition for what role." Blaine stays silent though he's questioning where Jesse is going with it.

"I'm guessing your going for Anatoly," Jesse continues and Blaine nods dumbfounded. "Yeah, that was Shelby's guess as well. Said it was a pity you always went for the easy stuff and never for the more challenging roles and that it would probably make it hard for you in drama college."

Blaine furrows his brow because he never thought he went for the easy stuff, just for the roles he was most suited for.

"Did she say who I should audition for?" he asks because he wants to please her, show her that he is versatile and not afraid of a challenge.

"Molokov," Jesse replies with a smile. "Molokov?" Blaine asks doubtfully. Not a role he ever considered because the character doesn't even have a solo and he definitely isn't a bass. But maybe he missed an announcement that students could audition for roles that aren't in their vocal range as has happened before for other musicals.

"I'll consider it," he tells Jesse who looks at him expectantly. "And just out of curiosity, who are you auditioning for?"

Jesse just keeps smiling at him, a quite unusual sight. "Oh, the Arbiter. He has all the power." Blaine nods. If Jesse isn't going to audition for the Russian as well, he has no reason to believe Jesse is lying to him.

"Cool. Break a leg," he tells him honestly before his phone ringing in his bag draws his attention away from Jesse.

"That's Kurt. I promised to meet him for a study date," he explains. Jesse nods. "Well, tell him I said hi."

With a quick wave Blaine continues his trek down the hallway, a big smile on his face. Because he was right – if you were nice to others they were bound to repay you with kindness.

Blaine, Jeff, Nick, Quinn and Adam are already sitting in a back row of the auditorium when Kurt steps out on stage, his hands clasped behind his back so no one can see they are shaking.

"I see here that you are auditioning for Freddie," Ms. Corcoran addresses him. "Which song are you going to sing?"

"Pity the child", he tells her before taking a big breath. Upon hearing the song for the first time he thought it was perfect because he had experienced loss in his childhood as well and he is certain he will do it justice now. The acting part of his audition he's more nervous about.

When I was nine I learned survival

Taught myself not to care

I was my single good companion

Taking my comfort there

Up in my room I planned my conquests

On my own - never asked for a helping hand

No one would understand

I never asked the pair who fought below

Just in case they said "No."

He tries to picture the time after his mother passed, making sure he looks plenty sad when he starts the song.

Pity the child who has ambition

Knows what he wants to do

Knows that he'll never fit the system

Others expect him to

Pity the child who knew his parents

Saw their faults, saw their love die before his eyes

Pity the child that wise

He never asked "Did I cause your distress?"

Just in case they said "Yes."

His arms rise toward the ceiling, while his figure is hunched, to show the defeat he is experiencing.

When I was twelve my father moved out

Left with a whimper - not with a shout

I didn't miss him - he made it perfectly clear

I was a fool and probably queer

Fool that I was I thought this would bring

Those he had left closer together

She made her move the moment he crawled away

I was the last the woman told

She never let her bed get cold

Someone moved in - I shut my door

Someone to treat her just the same way as before.

A tear threatens to escape his eye when he remembers how afraid he was about his dad not accepting him. Before he can launch into the next line though, Ms. Corcoran stops him.

"Very nicely sung Kurt. I don't need to hear the rest of the song. Now I'd like you to read the scene before 'Press Conference'.

He tries his best to act like the bad boy Freddie is and when he looks out into the audience he sees Adam giving him thumbs up. Blaine's brows are furrowed though but when he catches Kurt looking in his direction his frown quickly morphs into a smile. It doesn't help him get his focus back, especially after he was abruptly stopped, but by the time the scene is over and no one told him to stop during it, he feels a lot better about his performance than before.

Blaine pulls him into his arms and gives him a quick chaste kiss on the lips when it's over before Kurt excuses himself to get some water. There are two more people before it's Blaine's turn. Plenty of time to come back in.

Thankfully there's a water cooler just outside the auditorium but before he can bend down to drink, he is hip checked out of the way by Santana, who looks even bitchier than she has the past few days.

"Auditions for the female roles are tomorrow and you still haven't signed up. I thought you'd definitely go for the female lead now that Sunshine is your only real competition," he asks her when she stops drinking.

Santana just ignores him though and instead kicks the water cooler. "You okay?" Kurt takes a step toward her but before he can put his hand on her shoulder Santana whirls around and glares at him.

"There are more important things than a stupid school musical," she hisses, and Kurt frowns because usually Santana is as ambitious as him when it comes to auditions.

"Is something wrong? Did someone do something to you or Britt?" he asks, careful not to come too close to her again.

For a moment it looks like she's going to yell at him again, but then her shoulders slump.

"I can't audition tomorrow because I can't miss my mom's parole hearing."

Kurt's sure he must look like an animated character, his eyes comically wide. Because Santana's mom is in prison? Why did he not know that or better why did he never question why she was living with her abuela in the first place before she got kicked out?

Before he can say anything, Santana's eyes narrow. "If you tell anyone about this, I will make you pay."

"Of course not. I promise," he rushes out, hoping that Santana won't bring up how he hadn't kept Quinn's secret either.

"So, um, what did she do?" he dares to ask a few seconds later, hoping he's not overstepping.

"Just some white collar crimes. It's hard to explain," Santana volunteers to his surprise. "She has another year on her sentence, but if she's granted parole she'll get out in January. That's why I can't audition. I need to be there for it, I can't just stay here and do nothing."

Kurt nods because while he doesn't understand the whole prison thing he understands the need to support family.

"I could come with you if you like, in case you need more support than Brittany," he offers on a whim even though he knows he's dad won't be happy if he finds out he left campus without permission.

Santana surprises him again when she nods immediately. "We'll leave at one o'clock. Bring a photo ID," she tells him, before turning abruptly and disappearing down the corridor.

Kurt stares after her after she is out of sight before he shakes his head and sneaks back into the auditorium because he doesn't want to miss Blaine's audition.

Britt's parents pick them up in front of the school at one o'clock sharp on Friday, their minivan squeezed between two smaller cars that the New Yorkers in their neighborhood seem to prefer.

Charlotte, Britt's mom, is still inside, excusing Santana and her group of friends from afternoon classes so no one will get into trouble for accompanying her this afternoon.

The Federal Prison Camp her mother is incarcerated in isn't that far from New York – a little more than an hours drive when traffic is good, but it's Friday afternoon and it takes forever just to get off the island after Charlotte got into the car as well. Santana tries not to bite her nails while they move at a snails pace, grateful that the Pierces decided to leave early in case of a traffic jam.

Though her mother is a minimum security facility she's not a fan of going to the prison in Connecticut. When she was younger and her grandmother was still taking her, she hated the looks of pity she got from some of the guards. Poor little girl – abandoned by her father while her mother had to spend a five year sentence for tax evasion and mail fraud. But she's not that scared little girl anymore. Nowadays, she's just angry – never at her mom though she knows it was her fault she can't take care of her right now – but at her dad for leaving when her mom couldn't pay for the life style they were used to anymore because there assets were frozen and at her grandmother for kicking her out before she could explain after she caught her kissing Brittany.

She hasn't seen her mom since the start of the school year, because the Pierces, who are her legal guardians these days, have been away on a lengthy business trip they cut short so Santana could attend her mother's parole hearing. But knowing that she will see her again in less than two hours doesn't make her less anxious.

Suddenly, her ring finger is pulled from her mouth – and when had she started chewing on this one as well – and Britt's face fills her vision.

"It's going to be okay," her girlfriend whispers. "I've talked to the nice lady around the corner from school who can see the future and she said you'll be reunited soon."

Santana doesn't roll her eyes like others would, but smiles back at Brittany. Hearing what the crazy homeless lady has to say doesn't make her feel better, but the way Britt's face lights up when Santana smiles at her does.

Behind them, Porcelain and Q are discussing fashion week, and though she has no interest in the topic, their presence is calming. She'd have understood if Quinn hadn't come, because while she put on a brave face during the day, she knows her friend is still struggling with what she had to do.

She turns in her seat abruptly to face them. "Thank you. For coming with me. And I'm sorry I'm making you miss your auditions as well," she adds, looking at Quinn and Britt.

Quinn cuts her off though. "Oh shit, I forgot to tell you. I talked to Ms. Corcoran and when I told her why we have to miss auditions she decided to let us audition on Monday."

They spend the rest of the drive discussing what roles they want to audition for and what songs they are going to sing and Santana is grateful for the distraction.

All too soon, now that she's here, they arrive in Danbury and circle the Federal Correctional Institute, before they reach the satellite prison camp. She, Britt and Britt's parents already know the drill, but Porcelain and Q look a bit shell-shocked at first when they have to hand in all their valuables and are patted down for any weapons once they entered the building.

Her mom's hearing is being held in a room painted in dull grey, reminding her off her mom's first office before the company got bought by bigger one and her mom moved into an office building in downtown Manhattan.

It doesn't look like they are the last ones to arrive, but her mom is already there, her lawyer next to one side and a guard on her other. As soon as her mom looks up, Santana breaks free from her friends and rushes over, ignoring the guard who tries to slow her down and throws her arms around her mom. She presses her face into the crook between her head and shoulders and inhales deeply, trying to find the familiar scent under the prison issued shower gel.

"Cariño," her mother greets her and Santana only lets go when the guard clears her throat. She shoots her a glare before calling her friends over.

"Mamá, you know Brittany and her parents. Those are Kurt and Quinn, my friends from school."

Porcelain and Q slowly step forward and shake her mother's offered hand, thankfully without handcuffs around them.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Lopez. Santana talks very highly of you," Quinn says while Kurt gives her mom a small smile.

"Thank you for taking care of my cariño. And please call me Gloria."

Before they can exchange more pleasantries, they are asked to take a seat so the hearing can begin.

Santana doesn't understand much of what is being said, only that her mom was on her best behavior so far and had been a great volunteer for the camps literacy program.

What she does understand though is when it is announced that her mom is grated parole and will be released in January instead of November next year. Tears are flowing freely down her face when she hugs her mom again, because while she will still room at NYADA when her mom is released she'll finally be able to see her any time she wants again.

"Te amo mi niña bonita," her mom whispers in her ear. "Y cuando salga, voy a tener unas palabras con que ninguna buena abuela de los suyos. Como madre, como hijo, ¿verdad? (And when I get out I'm going to have words with that no good grandmother of yours. Like mother like son, right?) she adds angrily and Santana has to agree.

They both talk some more while her friends go for a walk and Santana promises to visit again as soon as Britt's family has time to drive her again.

Before she leaves she observes a whispered conversation between her mother and the Pierces who have returned to pick her up. "What was that about?" she asks Charlotte when they are on their way outside to meet the rest of the group, the sun already setting when they exit the building.

"Oh, just your mom offering to repay us for letting you stay with us again. And as always, us telling her that we love to have you when you're not in school and that we would never accept any."

She can't stop the laugh escaping her, because her mom is as stubborn as she is.

"Well good luck with that," she tells Charlotte, before they all squeeze back into the Pierces minivan. The drive back is spent singing songs from 'Chess' and for once the smile doesn't leave her face.

"Blaine, you could please stay back for a moment?" Ms. Corcoran asks him after class and Blaine stops in his track.

"How can I help you?" he asks, putting in on his most charming smile.

"Well, I wanted to ask what the hell you were thinking auditioning for Molokov? Your voice is all wrong for the part and we both know that you are a stronger singer than actor. Why not audition for a role that fit your vocal range?" his acting teacher asks him and Blaine's face falls because how could he be so stupid? He should have known that Jesse St. James wouldn't suddenly change his tune.

"I, ah, wanted to challenge myself?" he forces out and knows that it sounds like a question. But he won't rat Jesse out no matter how much he wants revenge right now. It just not who he is.

"Well I'm sorry you didn't audition for something more suitable. I'd love to just give you one of the leads, but we had parents complain the last time we gave a senior a role he didn't audition for because he didn't get the role he had. I have to put you into the ensemble for this one, unfortunately."

Blaine nods because there's really nothing else he can do. He might have to audition for the play or do another piano recital to explain to colleges why he was only part of the ensemble of a school musical his senior year.

"Just out of curiosity. Who got the role of the Russian?" he asks before he turns to leave.

"Please don't tell anyone until the cast list goes up?" Ms. Corcoran reminds him and Blaine is quick to promise his silence.

"Jesse St. James. He wouldn't have been my first choice, but his audition was solid and he was the best of those who auditioned for the role."

Blaine balls his hands into fists for a moment before he relaxes them again. It's just one school play and he's not going to give in and get into competition with Jesse. There are plenty of drama schools and one is bound to take him even without another lead role.

He quickly thanks his teacher for her advice before hurrying out of the room to see Kurt. Because even if he can't tell him what's going on yet, he knows that just the presence of his boyfriend is going to make him feel better.

Kurt approaches the board the cast list is pinned on with a spring in his step, because regardless of Blaine's frown he had a good feeling about his audition. His hope is quickly shattered though when he steps closer and takes a look at the cast list.

He hasn't been cast as the American, and what makes it worse – not because a junior or senior has been chosen over him. Mark Greyson, one of his classmates and a fellow sophomore has been cast in the role he wanted. All he got is a part in the ensemble – good enough for him last year when they were doing 'Rent' but not this year when he finally felt ready to go for a bigger role.

What shocks him even more though is that Blaine is only part of the ensemble too. It should make him feel better about his failure but it doesn't because he had been surprised by Blaine's audition as well, but never in a million year had he thought that Blaine wouldn't at least get some bigger part.

The walk to Blaine's room is a blur – the voices of Rachel and his former classmates taking over in his head. 'Worthless' is repeated over and over and right now he doesn't dispute them. Because that's what he feels like. Stupid, untalented, worthless. If he can't even get cast in a school musical what does that mean for his future? Should he even bother anymore? Wouldn't it be better to transfer to another school and focus strictly on academics to ensure he'll get into a good college at least? He doesn't have any satisfying answers – just hopes that Blaine will make him feel better and hopefully he can help Blaine as well.

Thankfully, Blaine's roommate isn't in the room when Kurt throws himself at Blaine, smashing their mouths together before his boyfriend has a chance to even close the door behind them. All he wants right now is to feel something other than the utter despair he is experiencing and the last time he and Blaine got close felt amazing.

And so what if he isn't doing it for the right reason. He needs Blaine to make him forget for a bit, make him feel good about himself again, make him feel desirable.

Blaine doesn't seem to oppose his course of action, eagerly kissing back once the door shut behind him, and doesn't protest when Kurt presses him into the mattress. When his hands reach for his boyfriend's belt however, desperate for more closeness, Blaine's hand catches his wrist and stops him.

"Whoa, slow down Kurt. I really think we should talk before we do anything like this first," Blaine reminds him, but Kurt isn't in the mood to talk. He just doesn't want to feel shitty anymore. Wants to feel like he matters.

"I just want to be with you. I didn't hear you complain the last time," he replies petulantly before reaching out again, just to have Blaine catch his hand in mid air.

"Seriously Kurt. What's the rush? You're aren't acting like yourself right now." Kurt wants to snark at Blaine, wants to tell him to just get with the program but instead he crumbles, his shoulders slump and tears start running down his cheeks.

"This guy from my year got the role. And he isn't even that great of a singer," he sobs, because it's true. Mark might be good in acting class but he is struggling a lot with Mr. Ryan's assignments.

He finds himself in Blaine's arms a moment later, his boyfriend's hand rubbing his back soothingly.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. You'll show them next time." Kurt knows he should tell Blaine the same, tell him that he is still the best, but he doesn't have the energy right now, too absorbed in his own misery.

Blaine feels incredibly bad about not helping Kurt with his audition, now that his boyfriend is crying in his arms. And knowing that he spent all his energy preparing for a role he wasn't interested in in the first place makes him feel even worse. He should have told Kurt what he needed to work on, made sure his boyfriend knew what to focus on and prepare him for the possibility that he won't get cast instead of just being silently encouraging.

But he also can't focus on this right now because there are more pressing matters. Like Kurt throwing himself at him because he was upset.

"I'm really sorry that you didn't get the role you wanted Kurt and I want to make you feel better, but not like that. Not when you are this upset. I don't want you to ever regret something we do together, and when you are like this I'm afraid you will be once you think clearer again if I let us continue."

He promised not to treat Kurt like a child again and let his boyfriend decide when he was ready for certain things, but in this case he has to put on the breaks, no matter how much Kurt turns him on, because what if Kurt hates him afterwards for taking advantage of him.

No, he'd rather deal with a pissed Kurt right now, then with a hurt Kurt later.

Thankfully, Kurt agrees that it was good that Blaine stopped him, once he calmed down a while later. He can tell that Kurt is still nowhere near fine, but at least his boyfriend stopped throwing himself at him and told him he wasn't actually ready for what he was trying to do.

They break the rules that night though. Kurt falls asleep soon after he stopped crying and Blaine begs his roommate to sleep in Kurt's room for the night because he wants to keep an eye on his boyfriend. He stays in Beatz's bed until he is sure that no room checks will happen, before joining Kurt on the small bed and wrapping his arms around him.

A while later, he manages to convince Kurt to change into a pair of Blaine's pjs before they get back into bed together, before clinging to one another during the rest of the night.

Kurt barely manages to get to class on time the next day because he still has to return to his room and get ready for the day. Because he is so late he has no time to go to the cafeteria either, so when Adam suddenly appears and hands him a coffee he could throw his arms around him.

"Thanks. I never feel like a real person until I have my first cup of coffee in the morning," he tells the younger boy. "I didn't see you in the cafeteria today so I thought I get one for you just in case you were running late," Adam replies and Kurt smiles at him. Everything seems much better after some coffee.

"Let me repay you for the coffee this afternoon. We haven't hung out in a while," Kurt tells the freshman before having to run off for his first class of the day.

Later that day, he meets Adam in a small tee shop because Adam doesn't drink coffee.

"Can I just say that Ms. Corcoran is stupid. You were amazing at your audition and if she couldn't see that, she needs to get glasses and her ears cleaned," the freshman tells him after they sat down in a corner. Kurt gives him a rueful smile.

"You are a good friend for saying that, Adam, but I trust Ms. Corcoran's judgment. If she didn't pick me than she must have found someone more talented. But lets not talk about that right now." He still feels bad enough as it is – no need to be reminded again how inadequate he is.

"We are friends?" Adam replies, his voice hopeful and Kurt nods, because sure they are. He wouldn't hang out with the other boy if they weren't.

"Cool," Adam beams and Kurt is glad he could brighten someone's day.

"But enough about me. Now tell me is there something I can help you with. Play wingman or something like this?" Kurt asks as subtly as possible. Adam immediately turns bright red.

"Ha. So there is someone you like. Do I know her – him?" he continues to tease his friend though he is curious as well.

"Well," Adam clears his throat, cheeks still scarlet, "there is a boy I think is really cute, but I'm sure I have to chance," he admits.

Kurt immediately racks his brain for who it could be because Adam didn't deny that Kurt might know the object of his affection. The only one that comes to mind is Trent though, another freshman Adam often sits with during VE rehearsals and in the cafeteria. He had chalked it up to freshmen sticking together, but maybe Adam had a crush on the other boy.

"Do you know if he likes boys as well?" Kurt asks and Adam nods. "Well, then don't worry. You are a cool guy, he'd be stupid not to like you," he tells the younger boy whose eyes immediately light up.

"You really think so?" "Absolutely."

Before he can pep talk Adam some more though his phone starts to ring and Kurt quickly excuses him when he sees it's his dad. They haven't spoken in a few days and Kurt just hopes he hasn't found out about his little trip to Connecticut last Friday.

Blaine is buried under a mountain of homework so he is grateful when his phone rings and offers a distraction.

"Hey David. How's Boston?" he answers when he sees the picture on his screen.

"Good man. Nice food and tons of hot chicks on campus. But you'll see for yourself."

Blaine raises an eyebrow because since when has he been interested in that? "What do you mean?"

"You are cordially invited to my very first college Halloween party. I got my whole floor involved. It's going to be epic, especially with you and Kurt right in the middle," David explains and Blaine perks up because a party definitely would be nice.

"And while you are here you I could show you around campus. I know you've been talking about New York for college, but Berklee is really cool. I think you'd like it here," David continues and Blaine sighs because college is the last thing on his mind right now. He still has nearly two months until he is has to turn in his applications – plenty of time to decide where he actually wants to apply.

"Why not," he tells David to change the subject. "Awesome! So you'll come? It's about time the three of us are united again."

"Well I have to talk to Kurt first, and find a way to convince his dad to let us spend the weekend in Boston together – on a college campus." It sounds like an impossible mission.

"Right, sometimes I forget he is still so young and has to ask permission. Your dad won't be a problem right?" Blaine shakes his head. "No, I'm sure he'd be happy if I told him about visiting Berklee. It has an excellent music department."

"Great," David replies but Blaine stops him before he starts making plans for them. "But if Kurt's dad says no I'll have to visit another time. Halloween is the anniversary of our first date and I intend to celebrate it with Kurt," he explains.

David chuckles on the other end of the line. "Of course. Wouldn't expect anything else from you. Just give me a call once you know so I can find you a place to spend the night."

"Will do." There is some shouting at the other end of the line and David's voice disappears for a moment. "Sorry, some of the sophomores are doing an impromptu performance on the second floor. I gotta go check it out – one of the dance majors is seriously hot."

"That's okay. I still have tons of homework to do," Blaine replies, glaring at the mountain in the front of him.

"I wish I could tell you it gets better in college, but yeah. Good luck and tell Kurt I said hi."

Blaine hangs up then so David can go and chase after some girl while cursing himself for taking AP classes again this years to better his chances of getting into a good college. Unfortunately he won't be done after he finishes his homework because he still has to prepare for the next VE rehearsal. Fortunately they are just going to listen to their peers audition for Sectionals though, because he doesn't know when he should find the time to come up with a set list on his own.

The only thing he's looking forward to is Kurt's audition because he's certain that doing well will cheer his boyfriend up again.

Kurt's still in a funk days later and when he passes the sign up sheet for auditions for Sectionals he doesn't even stop. The only way he is going to get a solo is if Blaine takes pity on him, and he definitely doesn't want to be the reason VE doesn't get to Regionals for the first time in decades.

Keeping it a secret however doesn't work out because Blaine pulls him aside at practice the next day.

"Hey, I didn't see your name on the list yet. Did you forget?" his boyfriend asks and Kurt shakes his head.

"I'm not going to sign up. We both know I won't be chosen anyway, unless you overrule everyone else and I don't want that."

Blaine looks at him sadly but he won't let his boyfriend's puppy dog eyes make him change his mind.

"Come on, Kurt. You know you are talented. I'm sure the others would vote for you as well," Blaine tries to convince him, but Kurt refuses to give in. He doesn't need to fail again. He still has more than two years left at school – plenty of time to audition when he has improved his singing and acting.

"Alright, but I think you are making a mistake, Kurt. I know it sucks not getting what you want, but if you want to make it in this business you need to learn how to deal with rejection because you will probably always hear more no than yes," Blaine reminds him and while he knows his boyfriend is right, he doesn't want to think rationally right now.

"Well, maybe then I should find another business," he replies petulantly. Blaine looks like he is going to argue, but then he just leans forward and gently kisses Kurt's temple.

"You come to me when you are ready to talk, okay?" he asks and Kurt nods reluctantly. "Can you tell Ms. Corcoran I'm not feeling well. I promise I'll come to the next rehearsal," he asks Blaine before he leaves because he isn't in the mood to watch Mark practice his role.

Blaine looks conflicted, but finally he nods. "Feel better."

Actually, he feels worse when he passes the auditorium and steps outside into the rain to cross the quad to their dorm building.

Kurt watches from the seats when Blaine finalizes their set list for Sectionals a few days later. The theme for the competition is 'theatrics' and Kurt watches on while his peers do songs he would do anything to be part off.

Blaine and Santana have been voted to perform 'You are the one that I want' after they both auditioned with songs from Grease. Sunshine got the solo with her over the top emotional rendition of 'My heart will go on', while Nick, Quinn and two of his fellow classmates are going to take turns in their big group number.

He knows he is supposed to be up there with them, singing backup and practicing the steps for the choreography Britt and Nick are coming up with, but prefers sitting in the dark, hidden from view. Hidden until he hears someone sit down next to him.

"Why aren't you up there singing a solo? Especially with that group number. Bryan, I mean Mr. Ryan told me you did it in class and you all were amazing," Ms. Corcoran whispers while his friends sing and dance around on stage.

Kurt shrugs and keeps staring straight ahead of him. "Also I haven't seen you at my rehearsal yet. Care to tell me what's going on Kurt?"

"Maybe you are better off without me in the production," he finally replies. "Isn't that what you think as well."

He hears his teacher sigh next to him, before he feels her hand on top of his briefly where it's clenching his knee.

"I think we need to have a talk about your audition. Let me explain what went wrong for you."

AN:Up next: Shelby and Kurt have a little heart to heart. Aunt Kate chaperones the boys trip to Boston but quickly ditches them at the party, so Kurt and Blaine take advantage of an empty hotel room. David shows Blaine around the campus and Kurt tells his boyfriend to apply to colleges that aren't in New York as well if he is interested in them.

And if you want to know where Kurt went wrong before Shelby tells him listen to the song and the emotions the singer conveys ;)