Kurt never intended to remain in California, but once Burt and Carole had moved there from Ohio for Burts health he couldnt bear the thought of leaving to go to the opposite coast. Hed always dreamed of New York: the darkness of the looming buildings, the rain and the constant buzz. Photos and his favourite films always gave the impression that things were moving in New York, people were achieving, no one was sleeping. Kurt wanted to be a part of that but sunny, optimistic LA would have to do for now. New York wouldnt wait but some things were more important. Just like friendship.

Hed never asked Rachel to go with him to AMDA, her dream was so obviously New York and Broadway that he would never even suggest LA, but Finn had wanted to set up a business with Puck and it had seemed a good idea to her too at the time. In their current situation, missing Finn, singing songs that would never bring him back, Rachel and Kurt were glad they had started in LA and had spent as much time with Finn as possible. It had cemented Finn and Rachels relationship, brought them back where they had been before the summer of the army adventure and Rachel had at least good memories to fall asleep to each night as she lay in Finns old T-shirts.

But upon his return from Mr Schues memorial week at glee club, Kurt looked at the sunny happiness of LA, the health conscious people around him and all the beauty. He desperately wanted to visit New York to see what he was missing out on and go to a place where reality, cutting edge fashion and witty humour were encouraged. He couldnt bear the perfection of LA anymore.

Blaine, without realising Kurts disillusionment with LA, had posted photos he had taken on his wanderings around New York, showing his natural eye for catching glimpses of light in strange places and spotting people in amazing poses. He had deliberately avoided contacting Kurt in order to give him the space he needed to grieve with friends and family but he so desperately needed to get out of his dorm. Brad, his roommate, was constantly out of the their room with friends or presumably drinking and Blaine had only his books and music to keep him company. He had been given a top-notch camera as a leaving present from Cooper and he wanted to use it. Photography kept him occupied when there was nothing else to do, when he didnt want to sit in his lonely room anymore and wait for something to happen. He would post his best shots online and the more he took, the more he was able to see the unusual and catch people in unexpected poses. He would wonder about the characters he saw, what they were thinking in that exact moment when the camera caught them unaware, what had just happened in their lives. It became an obsession to take the perfect shot, reflect only truth and it was soon his most favoured hobby.

After another two weeks of silence from Kurt, Blaine posted a picture that he had taken in Grand Central Station of a tourist patiently waiting; in fact she was so still she looked afraid to move. He experimented with time-lapse exposure and took many shots of the lonely woman. Blaine had watched her for a while, saw no one approach her and after he took the photos she eventually went out on her own. Blaine was secretly impressed with his luck on the photo when he saw it and posted it immediately online.

He received many amazed comments from people he knew online asking him to explain how he had achieved such a perfect shot. He explained as best he could but it was a few days later that Kurt saw it and commented.

This is really haunting. I love the shot and it is amazing but so dreadfully sad I find it hard to look at.

Im amazed I managed to create it! I know what you mean… I find myself staring at the photo constantly.

It is fantastic Blaine, you definitely have a talent. I wonder who she is….

I have no idea. She was a tourist I think, no one collected her, though she waited for at least half an hour. She was so still.

I think thats what I find sad, I couldnt bear to be that still. Look at all the movement around her, all the action shes missing out on.

Is that your greatest fear?

Yes.

It became something of a habit now that Kurt appeared to be back online in the evening, that Blaine post his best photo of the day and eagerly awaited a comment from Kurt. Eventually Blaine would post instantly on his phone when he didnt have his camera and he saw something that he couldnt miss and Kurt set his phone so he would be instantly alerted if Blaine posted. He replied so quickly that Blaine started posting more in the hope that he would notice again.

Blaine was walking around by the Plaza hotel after a class when he noticed the sky seemed to change. It darkened, a group of birds seemed to be desperate to escape and he quickly took out his phone, kneeled on the ground, surprising tourists nearby and took as many shots as his slower phone would allow. He changed the filter and posted it instantly online causing Kurt to immediately get out his phone to see what the alert was. He smiled in the middle of theatre class where he could surreptitiously sneak his phone under the table, the only class where he wasnt in a studio.

Wow, just wow…

I just saw the sky change, its amazing here!

Is that the Plaza?

Yeah, my dream wedding destination for sure.

Definitely! I always thought Carrie and Big should have married there. Hubbell missed a trick.

I love that film! Memories… like the corners of my mind…

… Misty water-colored memories. Not many people watch those films now, The Way We Were is such a classic.

Oh Ive seen loads of classics. Theres nothing quite like an old fashioned diva. In fact I saw that there was a showing of All About Eve that I was going to see, all on my lonesome :(

Did you just do a sad face at me Blaine?! I so wish I could fly over there right now, I LOVE that film!

Me too and sorry about the sad face, just sad no one else appreciates it like we do.

Well you could live message the film, that way Ill enjoy it from many miles away.

I never have any wi-fi in the theatre, its a little old.

Text?

There was silence on Blaines end; no beep alert for a message for a couple of minutes and Kurt desperately wanted to erase his last suggestion. He loved talking to Blaine but to have his number? Surely that was going too far and he hardly knew him. He was about to write that Blaine should ignore his last message when Blaine simply wrote his number.

Blaine had been surprised by the suggestion, but as he thought it through he wondered why not. He had told Kurt his whole life history in the space of a few weeks and although Kurt had had difficulties to go through himself, he had taken an interest and had shared his own secrets. Blaine messaged his number before he had time to consider the consequences, though he heard his dads reprimanding voice clearly in his head.

Kurt allowed a whole minute of silence, then… he messaged his number too. Blaine breathed a sigh of relief.

You should definitely live text the film, Im so bummed Im missing it.

Youd fly out to New York just to see that?!

Not just to see that…

Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy night!

Are you there now?

Yeah, just sat down with my candy, popcorn and pop. So excited!

Are you really five?!

When it comes to classic movies… yes! I always remember watching them when I was a kid with my mom, I think it brings back repressed feelings.

I watched it with my mom too. I think I was sick off school one day.

What was your mom like?

If you dont mind me asking…

No I dont mind… she was beautiful, graceful but then she would laugh at one of my dads jokes and it was a proper loud cackle where you could see all her teeth. She was great.

That sounds like a perfect description of a person, I would have loved to meet her.

She would have loved you I think.

Isnt the film starting?

Yeah, the lights have dimmed but Im sitting in the back row so the light from my phone isnt going to bother anyone.

Is anyone making out in the back row?!

I havent checked!

Not yet but there is a couple on the other side of my row. They look at me every so often… I think theyre checking me out to see whether Im a pervert!

And are you?!

NO! I take offence at that!

Sorry… but you are in the back row…

I was being considerate!

Ok Ill let you off.

Dear Margo. You were an unforgettable Peter Pan. You must play it again soon. I love the tiger…

In The Jungle Book? You do know your Disney.

Of course *hurt expression*

Oh dont pout. Ive never seen your face but I get the impression I couldnt allow you to pout. Do you look like a wounded puppy when youre sad?

How did you know?!

Thought so *satisfied smile* :)

Have you seen the pictures of the pirate Chihuahua called Yogurt?

No!

I dont look like Yogurt, hes too cute.

But you concede that you look like a puppy when you pout?!

Maybe… ;)

If nothing else, theres applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights and wrapping you up.

Eve?

Yep… she sounds a bit Gaga there…

Are you Gaga or Katy?

Do I even need to say?!

Katy?

Affirmative. I take it from your profile youre a Gaga?

Yes, every day is a day to search for applause and a chance to dress and impress. I often think WWGD.

What Would Gaga do?

Correct Mr…

Anderson, but dont call me that.

Daddy-issues?!

Yes

Oh… sorry Blaine I was only teasing I didnt mean anything by it.

Dont worry, no offence taken, I just never want to be associated with him.

Want to talk about it?

Not really but only because I dont want to ruin this virtual theater trip :)

Its almost like a date!

As soon as it left his mind, ran from his fingers onto his text, Kurt closed his eyes in panic. You couldnt erase a text, couldnt intercept a stupid joke and Blaine didnt reply straight away. Kurts study books were forgotten as he lay sprawled on his bed awaiting a text from Blaine.

A very strange date where were miles apart!

It could be though…

I think Id have to see you first.

Another moment of silence, a time where Kurt could feel the swirl in his stomach and his breath stopped.

Well it has been two months, maybe we could skype?

Dont worry if youd rather not, I mean I know its strange and you live in LA and I live in New York and…

Blaine?

Yes?

Youre rambling… I think skype sounds great. When you get back from the theater Ill have finished studying if you wanted to do it then?

Sounds cool. See you then!

See you then!

Bye Blaine

Bye Kurt