Chapter 16

Blaine’s last day of filming was just around the corner and, between that and doing press for the movie, he was very busy again. They hadn’t had much time to see each other for the last few days. So, after Blaine called him and asked him out for coffee that afternoon during a little break he had, Kurt was craving for that time of the day to finally arrive.

As Kurt went to wait for his turn in line in the crowded coffee shop, he realized something. They were in public, in the middle of New York. Even though they were finally seeing each other after a while, they couldn’t act like a couple. He wondered if he would eventually get used to that part of their relationship. The little act they had put on with Rachel seemed to have worked, as the press was speculating about who she really was. She had also been asked who had dressed her several times and she had been in front of Barbra Streisand for a few brief seconds (during which she had apparently bowed, Kurt was having a blast teasing her about that). Their move had been a success, but that didn’t change the fact that they still had to hide.

When he reached the counter, he asked for a grande nonfat mocha and a medium drip. When being asked the names he immediately said ‘Kurt’ for his, but when saying Blaine’s he thought about how the other boy never used his name and changed it. To ‘Blake’. As he was trying to decide where they should sit (not somewhere they could be seen easily but not trying too much so it didn’t look as if they were hiding something), Blaine entered the shop. He spotted him immediately and walked to him, greeting Kurt with a quick hug and a big smile. His expression was really sweet, which didn’t help Kurt’s strong desire to kiss him.

“Hi” said Blaine, taking the cup Kurt was offering him and making sure to brush their fingers softly in the process. He saw the name on it and chuckled. Kurt merely raised his eyebrow. Blaine sat at a table that fitted all the conditions Kurt had been thinking about. But it didn’t seem as he had put much thought into the decision.

They caught up for a little while, and then Kurt told Blaine all about Rachel’s latest decision to audition for TV along with theatre and how he had had to put up with her ramblings on the subject for hours.

As Kurt entertained Blaine with his best Rachel impersonations, a girl that couldn’t have been older than fifteen approached their table shyly.

“Excuse me, are you Blaine Anderson?” She asked, a star struck look in her eyes.

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

Blaine was all sweet and charming as he took a picture with the girl and signed his autograph in a napkin.

After she left, Blaine talked about finally singing for the movie and how it had reminded him how much he loved performing.

“Oh, we’ll be done next Friday and we’re having a wrap up party that day. I was thinking you, Rach and Jenny could come with me. I get to take you out somewhere even if it’s as friends and with Rachel there we’re still feeding that rumour. Also, I was talking to Allyson the other day, Jenny works as a great excuse for me knowing and being friends with the two of you if someone doesn’t believe I’m dating Rachel.” He said enthusiastically. “Because people seem to be convinced all my friends have to be celebrities.” Blaine added rolling his eyes.

Kurt still wasn’t sure how he felt about being in public with Blaine and being just a friend. But he didn’t have the heart to tell him that.

“Sure. I’ll check with the girls but I’m sure they’re in.” He said trying to sound cheerful.

Blaine went to talk again but was interrupted by a pair of teenage girls approaching them. One of them had the brightest blue hair Kurt had ever seen.

Blaine took more pictures and signed more napkins. He was, again, really nice to them. He even pointed out how cool the blue hair was. When the girls left, he looked outside through the windows of the shop. “Oh, shit. This’ll never end.” He said, lowering his head in frustration.

Kurt turned a little to see what Blaine was looking at. The girls that had just approached them were talking excitedly to a group of other four girls; the girl with the blue hair was showing them something in her camera.  One of the other girls was talking like crazy on her phone as they showed her the pictures.

While Kurt watched the scene going on in the streets, Blaine picked his phone and made a call.

“Hi Joe, how are you?” Blaine said to the phone.

Kurt turned, knowing Joe was the name of Blaine’s car driver.

“Could you pick me up?” Blaine asked.

“Yeah, now. I kind of have fans gathering at the door.”

“No, it’s okay. I’d rather you come here faster and I’d get Nate later only if we really need him.” Kurt really wished they wouldn’t need to get Blaine’s bodyguard.

“Okay, cool. Thanks, Joe.”

“Bye” said Blaine, putting the phone away. He turned back to Kurt.

“Hey” Kurt said softly as he locked eyes with Blaine.

“Hey. I’m sorry for that, but the sooner I leave, the better.” Blaine gave him an apologetic look, quickly glancing to the direction of the window. The group of girls was gathering outside, waiting for Blaine to leave.

“Blaine, it’s ok. I get it; it’s not your fault.”

“I’m still sorry, though. I have to be at an interview in a couple of hours, but let me take you home at least.”

“Thanks, but I was planning to do some shopping. I’ll walk.” Kurt said, needing some time to walk around and relax.

“You sure?” He asked, his expression a bit sad.

“Yeah, I’ll see you this weekend, right?” Kurt asked, finding it particularly difficult to say no to Blaine when he looked at him like that.

“Yes, I have all Sunday free.”

“Great. I’ll try to get rid of Rachel.”

Right then, the black car that Blaine usually took parked at the shop’s door. There were more girls outside than before. Blaine stood up and looked at Kurt in the eye. His gaze fell to his lips for an instant but then he raised a hand and squeezed Kurt’s shoulder. Without another word he left the coffee shop. He signed a few autographs at passing but explained that he was in a hurry and then he got into the car and out of Kurt’s sight.

Kurt’s shoulder still felt warm from Blaine’s touch.