One Week Later

I had set up a different email account to let all of the messages from my ad go to one place. And though my phone was beeping off the hook with emails, I didn't check it. Not once. Because at the end of the day I'm kinda needy and codependent. Ok not really that bad, but I was scared. I could only imagine the propositions that karaoke wonder mix would receive from the more colorful people of the big apple, but so it goes.

You gotta put your best foot forward and keep a smile on your face. All the world's a stage...

And if that was my audition to the human race I wasn't quite sure what I would think, much less the all seeing director of our lives.

The week went by relatively quickly. I was bogged down with schoolwork. Midterms were fast approaching, as was Halloween, and I was busy. I was also avoiding the world. My friends Wes and Trent, who joined me in New York after we graduated from our high school, were busy with their own things and I didn't want to bug them. They'd been encouraging me to get out and meet people, join a club, something, but nothing seemed right. I wanted to get to know people, and not just Wes and Trent and my haphazard roommate and Mr. Bruin across the hall with the Golden Retriever, Scout, that I help him take care of. I wanted to know people, really know them, not just hang out with strangers.

I can hear Wes's voice now, mocking and his eyebrows raised, saying so a personal ad does it better Anderson?

And Trent shaking his head and sighing, giving me a lopsided sympathetic look.

When Friday rolled around and the long weekend loomed I pulled out my phone and sat down on my bed. The roommate, Jake or whatever his name was, didn't look like he would be returning anytime soon since his room seemed pretty locked up. Sometimes I didn't know why I let Father's associate's nephew room with me, but it was better than being totally alone. And the way his girlfriend talked maybe they'd be moving out soon.

So it was time to relax and really unwind. Well, after I took a shower. Last year some people in my class said I needed a New York makeover. Gone were the bow ties and shirts pinned to my adam's apple, though Mr. Bruin happily took some of them before I donated the rest. And the hair gel. Apparently my over gelling to make my hair look like a helmet was considered an environmental offense in like 38 states or something. I had a fluffier look to my dark, wild curls now, but I'd kinda grown used to not falling asleep with the gel in. It was sort of freeing. So an afternoon shower, maybe a nap, and avoiding my email.

All right. Just the shower and then email.

I wasn't surprised by the huge amount of spam in my folder. And I scrolled through awkward body shots of both men and women, propositions to have my children, and lots of people wanting to meet up but things just didn't quite click. A drag queen, some guy who works on chemicals in a home lab that I think was code for something involving drugs, a woman that swears she's Anastasia and another that thinks she's a mermaid. What in the world?

And when I was about to close the file something caught my eye.

That is an interesting take on a karaoke medley I've only seen pulled off by drag queens at three a.m. And I have to say that I really hope you're not one of them, but this is really cute. I'm new to the city, too. Moved here last year from Ohio with my high school friend Rachel Berry. We're both working on musical theatre at NYADA and I can always use a friend or two. The kids there are kinda cliquish and it feels a lot like high school back in Lima all over again. Anyway, if you're not a creeper yourself maybe we could get coffee sometime. I'm usually downtown in the afternoons. I have an internship at Vogue. Hit me up. Kurt Hummel

My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. A fellow Ohioan right here under my nose with the same interests as me? This was amazing. I wonder if he went to McKinley, the high school that used to kick our butts at regionals. And with that I took to facebook to totally stalk, I mean creep on, I mean check out Kurt Hummel on facebook. Sure enough there was one Kurt Hummel that worked for Vogue and he was a McKinley alum. He was... The most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. That hair, his cute little mouth and upturned nose, his gorgeous blue eyes, and his frame. He looked both small and sturdy at the same time.

I could climb that man like a tree.

And the thought of that made me blush crimson. Sitting on my bed with a thin white tank top and a pair of red plaid flannel pants, I couldn't help but think a lot about those eyes looking up at me, about me looking up into his. I was considerably shorter, it seemed, than he was. And I wasn't particularly special I thought. Dark brown eyes, curly hair, big nose, I'd been trying to bulk up but that didn't seem to work out so well. I guess I was just used to being smaller and lither from my boxing days. But good things come in small packages right? And I wasn't small per se, more like fun sized. And I had a great personality.

Wow that sounds so lame and pathetic. I want to punch myself. Wes would tell me not to sell myself short, har har, and then give me a laundry list of character strengths like my attitude and being friendly and there for people and listening and that I'm a sharp dressed man even before my makeover, I was just a little bit too wearing my grandpa's clothes and not so much looking incredible but old fashioned.

As I mulled over my possibilities, I decided that although this man seemed way out of my league, maybe he would want to talk and get to know each other. So shifting to a better position, I decided to draft a reply.

Kurt Hummel of Lima, Ohio. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Did you go to McKinley? I went to Dalton Academy and I don't know what I think of corresponding with someone who so brazenly kicked my ass every year at the show choir regionals. With that friendly rivalry aside, I like the idea of getting to know you, especially if you go to NYADA. That's a fantastic school. You could totally get me in. Just kidding.

I would normally say so tell me about yourself. What's your life like here, your family, your home back home, all of it.

As quid pro quo will have it I'd happily tell you about me. Besides singing my heart out, dancing, and acting I play racquetball and box. I have an apartment in Astoria and go to NYU currently. My roommate is kind of a loafer right now and a couple of my friends pick on me for being a homebody that can't get over the prep school blazer so I hang out with my neighbor Mr. Bruin to get my fix of blazers and ties. He has this adorable Golden Retriever named Scout. She has a lot of energy and he asks me to take her on walks and stuff because the stairs can be a bit much for him.

See? Look at that. I'm a nice guy not even a little bit creepy. Maybe a little from my diverse music tastes, but that's not too bad. Perhaps you can forgive me or see me in action sometime.

And with that I sent it, hoping I wasn't too overt or obvious and went and got some dinner. My mind was flying over all of the possibilities. Kurt Hummel, gorgeous fashionista and musical extraordinaire. Can you call a guy a fashionista? Clinton on What Not to Wear would probably approve. God I hope he's gay. Having crushes on straight people just sucks in its unrequitedness and patheticness. And I really don't want to make him uncomfortable being around me. It's not like I was after him. I think it was just a crush.

It wasn't long before my phone was vibrating in my pocket as I sat down with my bowl of rice-a-roni and turned on the TV. Bravo was doing a Cirque du Soleil marathon and I was planning on watching every show. But right now my eyes were trained on my phone as I sat on my big, almost comfy, leather couch.

I did go to McKinley. You know you want some of my talent to rub off on you. ;) Rachel and I were part of the team that took Nationals our senior year, though I have to say those Warblers are downright dreamy. And I don't know if I could help you get in. I was a reapply and have had some trouble finding my niche. People here are a little different I guess. It reminds me a lot of high school, except without getting thrown into dumpsters for being out. But c'est la vie. I'm in more enlightened company while those neanderthals are flipping burgers.

Sounds like you're a bit of a homebody Blaine Anderson. Have you even seen the inside of a theater, a subway, anything? And Astoria is nice. And expensive. Rachel and I have a studio in Bushwick. It's inconvenient sometimes but it's home. Home in Lima is small. My dad and stepmom and stepbrother all live back there. Dad's a real grease monkey, owns a shop, but the best dad anyone could ask for. Him and Finn work on the cars and Carol kinda keeps house. He got diagnosed with cancer a year ago but it seems to be in remission now. So that's good. Had us all really scared for a little while. Wow I'm rambling a lot.

Your apartment sounds great and I'm laughing at this ridiculousness about bow ties and blazers, though some people can really work it. And ties are good for things, like dragging people, and convenient if you need to tie someone up. ;) Did you not get your customary New York makeover yet? If not I can totally hook you up. ;) You look pretty classy on your facebook page. Don't hate the player, hate the game. I had to take a look. And you're not lying about that dog being adorable. Though I'm concerned that you've gotten yourself a former homeless person in dog form. It just barks at trees for no reason. If he's the best you can do for company I'm a bit worried. Sounds like you need a distraction. Or a human companion.

Laughing as I read the note, I couldn't help but immediately start typing a reply.

Congratulations on your national win then. I stare from afar and bow to your greatness. I'm sorry to hear about your school though, both then and now. Bullies chased me to prep school, and I often felt like I was locked in a gilded cage. Sometimes I feel like this is a gilded cage, too. Fancy apartment with obligations. But it's much better than the shared bathrooms in the dorms. I have a routine to stick to. It's awesome that you have such a great support system in spite of your struggle, but you sound really strong. Color me impressed. And your dad does sound awesome. My dad had me rebuild a car with him one summer but I think it was to see if he could turn me straight. Alas here I am, wanting to surround myself in musical theater and kids.

I'm sure the vogue intern could hook me up all right, and definitely interested in that. But I did go through a bit of a makeover, though I do miss thrift shopping for ties. Your preoccupation with them though is fascinating. Makes me want to bust out some of the ones I couldn't bear to part with to put you to the test. I have to say the not as flamboyant pants, sweater vests from The Cosby Show, and looser shirts are very comfortable. I do miss the bow tie though. Have to find myself a fancy dinner party or something so I can bust them out. ;)

Scout has a thing for chasing birds. I don't get it. So she's not really barking at the tree like some of the hobos, but the birds. Guess she must've missed that Allie and Noah are flying around and should be a little more sensitive to the lovers trying to get a moment. And I'm not gonna lie, I totally creeped on you, too. How does your hair defy gravity like that? It's adorable. And sexy.

Homebody yes, but I get out some. Just not much to run around the city alone. Especially when I've got a gorgeous blonde girlfriend here to cuddle up to at night. I mean the dog by the way. Most nights I'd rather watch Chelsea Lately or E! I'm just not much of a partier. Alcohol does things to me. Now who's rambling? This might be better handled over text. It might not get so long winded then.

I added my phone number to the end of the email then pushed send and set it off. My food was getting cold and I should eat, but I didn't really feel hungry anymore. My stomach was full of butterflies and excitement. We were flirting and having fun. This was nice. I know I said I did not want a relationship, and I wasn't about to jump the gun here, but Kurt Hummel was interesting, fascinating really, and I was intrigued.

It took a while for my phone to buzz again, nearly half an hour. I'm not gonna lie, I was getting a little paranoid. Maybe I went too far. I rambled a lot. Who does that? And the flirting and demonstration hint? Ugh. I really needed to get a handle on this being insecure thing. Maybe this nervousness was partially why I wanted to sort of screen people through the internet first. Aside from the panic attack, I pulled my phone back out and beamed at it. Though my face fell.

Hey. It's Kurt. Rachel is dragging me out with some of her friends. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and didn't forget. Just want to give you the time and attention you're due. Talk to you tomorrow. :D

I couldn't help but smile at his message, even if I was a bit disappointed. It was nice to hear from him. And to have his number on my phone.

Thanks for being so considerate. Have a safe and fun evening. I look forward to hearing from you. :D

And with that I set my phone down and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. That... Maybe I was being a little bit dramatic as I leaned bag smirking to myself and turning the volume on the TV up, but I couldn't help it.

So it begins.