Chapter 1

The bell chimed loudly as he pushed through the door of the pet shop. It was the first time he stepped into this particular pet store. It was a new store that opened up within walking distance of NYADA. He’s heard about it and was more than thrilled to finally find the time to come in. It was said to hold tons of pets. The shop stored very few accessories and foods just to hold more pets. He was immediately drawn to the cats in cages in the corner of the store. He walked towards the cage spotting a small grey new born kitten meowing and snuggling down into a nap. “Aw,” Kurt giggled bending down to his knees to get a closer look. Two older cats that must have been rescued growled at each other from opposite sides of the cage. A calico kitten rubbed it head against the metal cage. Kurt stuck his fingers in the cage and pet the soft fur under its chin. The kitten nudged his fingers with its head and purred happily then walked away from the metal cage, Kurt’s fingers out of reach. He visited every cage like that. Chuckling at the noisy hamsters, bunnies, guinea pigs, and mice that scurried around their cages, running on their squeaky wheels. He whistled to the birds watching them fly across the cage and flap their wings playfully. Craning their necks to take a bit of food with their beaks. Kurt hummed to himself and heard a dog yelp behind him.

Kurt turned around and saw a small panting puppy, smiling up at him and jumping once he saw Kurt giggle. Its golden fur sticking up behind its ears, tail wagging harshly behind it. “Hey puppy boy!” he said in a high pitched voice kneeling in front of the cage. The dog rested its paws on the metal cage as Kurt reached in the cage and pet the top of the puppy’s head. The dog panted and lapped its tongue on Kurt’s arm, “Ew!” he shrieked, wiping the slobber on his jeans. The dog barked as if to laugh at him then jumped excitedly when Kurt smiled after his noise of disgust. It was like the dog was trained to want to see you smile. It pushed its wet nose to the metal, twitching to sniff Kurt then backed from the bars trying to remember the smell. Kurt smiled and stood looking back at the adoring dog, eyes bright and happy, mouth in a smile as if begging Kurt to take him home. On that thought he tore his eyes away from the dog and walked down the aisle. Yet for odd reasons, the name ‘Sampson’ popped in his head. This was not a good sign. Naming the dog. Getting attached after only seconds. He shook the thoughts from his mind and stuck his tongue out at the cages that held snakes. Doing something silly would keep his mind off of the puppy whining for him to come back.

He then skipped past the snake cage and walked down the long aisle of tanks filled with fish. People were able to watch the fish from either side of the tank. He watched the fish opening and closing their small mouths to breathe. He kept his face close to the glass, wanting to swim in the warm water with them. They were so interesting. Swimming in odd patterns, gills flapping, fins swaying. So elegant. So beau- a face appeared on the other side of the tank. Blaine’s head looking large through the water. Kurt widened his eyes and ducked down do that his face wasn’t seen through the glass. He looked on the ground and got on his hands and knees crawling down the aisle. Maybe if he sneaks out, Blaine won’t notice that was him? A pair of shoes walked in front of him. Kurt looked up at Blaine then looked back at the ground, “You’re weirder than I thought,” Blaine scuffed reaching down a hand.

“I don’t need your help,” he growled standing and wiping his hands on his coat.

“Kurt, I’m willing to start over if you are. I don’t think it was fair how we met” Blaine’s head was tilted to the side. He kept his distance and stared at Kurt’s shoes, his hands pushed into his pockets.

The other man shook his head. Why was Blaine trying so hard to please Rachel? As far as he knew, they’re only drunk best friends. “I’m not going to befriend a guy who got Rachel an alcohol problem”.

“Come on, I searched every pet store in the city to find you,” he begged.

Kurt gaped at him in disbelief, “You went- wow, Blaine, now you’re a stalker. Just more of a reason to leave-,”

“Hey, Kurt, hear me out,” Blaine put a hand to Kurt’s chest.

The other man glared in response, “You touch me, you die,” he whispered.
Blaine sighed dropping his hand, “Okay, I get it, Rachel’s your best friend. She’s mine too. We tell each other, like, everything. That’s how I found out about the pet stores-,”

“I don’t even tell her that kind of stuff!” Kurt lied defensively.

“Yeah, right, Rachel tells me you always bail on dates she sets up for you to check out a pet store you never seen before,” he smirked.

“Okay!” he shouted, the puppy he pet earlier growled behind him. “You caught me at a pet store after creepily searching for me-,”

“And you happen to have trouble getting a date. Shocker,” he said with a grin.

Kurt turned his head at an angle, as if it were his last warning, “First off, Rachel sets those dates, so it will end up bad anyways. Second off, it’s none of your business. And thirdly, this isn’t helping me want to be your friend,” Kurt said blankly, though a deep blush reached his cheeks. He was starting to get even madder at Blaine. Getting Rachel drunk so that she can spill Kurt’s every secret. That was personal! He hoped that she at least didn’t spill the secret about Kurt being a virgin. If he felt mortified now, he would probably die if Rachel told him that.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Blaine said. But, seriously, why did he have to look genuinely sorry? His eyebrows perked up, mouth turned down, “Just, please? For Rachel?” he asked. Though Kurt despised Blaine’s pink sunglasses, he wished they were covering up his striking golden ‘sorry’ eyes matched with dark curls dangling about his thick dark lashes. But other than that thought Kurt called ‘sinful’ in his mind, the plan was simple. To not hate each other, to not love each other, just be civil. At least around Rachel. In private, you bet there were bitch glares.

“For Rachel,” he repeated crossing his arms.

Blaine smiled at him and looked at the puppy Kurt was drawn to earlier. He tapped the toe of his foot and gestured to the cage after a long pause, “So, you like that dog-,”

“I’m leaving,” he interrupted walking quickly out of the shop.

“Wait!” Blaine called after him, running out of the door and into the busy street grabbing Kurt’s shoulder.

“I swear to God, Blaine, stop fucking touching me,” he said watching the other man stiffen and sharply retract his hand, staring back speechless. “What do you want?” he asked trying to soften his voice but it came out the same. Harsh.

“Shouldn’t we, uh,” he rubbed the back of his neck trying not to look at Kurt, “exchange numbers or something?”

Kurt finally got a hold of his voice and spoke normally, maybe a little shaky from his anger that struck when Blaine touched his shoulder, “You talk to Rachel enough, find out for yourself,” he said turning around and walking towards his apartment building. He stomped down the street, still carrying a satchel on his shoulder with his heavy school books. He must have startled Blaine pretty bad, it took a good minute for him to start walking away. He tore his thoughts from Blaine calmed down a little, his steps lighter. He thought of the puppy he saw earlier. This was probably the worst thing about his pet store visits. He would easily get attached to the animals. When time came, he would visit the shop again, but the animals he loved so much before were gone. That’s why he visits different pet shops. He hurt less to know that he won’t need to see them disappear. Like a glimmer of hope that the pet he loved was still there.

He walked into the lobby, rode the elevator to his floor then slipped into his apartment room. The first thing he did was flop on his much missed bed and sighed, hugging a pillow sleepily. He groaned grumpily knowing that he would have to get up later. It was one of those days where he knew Rachel was going to make plans for something to do tonight. He was certain Rachel would pick the days Kurt didn’t want to go out to make plans. It must be the hot weather; this season always did something to his sleepy ways. Regardless if he was tired or not, he knew he would have to get up sooner or later. Maybe a little daydream won’t hurt. He thought back to his conversation with Rachel after she got out of the emergency room. Her words seemed to really stick to him. They have repeated in his head for the past month. It was the reason Kurt decided not to punch Blaine in the face for stalking him.

Kurt paced the waiting room while Blaine sat on a chair watching closely to the shoelaces that slapped against the ground with every trudging step Kurt made as he walked back and forth. At this moment, he honestly didn’t care about how he looked. Unlike Blaine, who seemed to be looking pretty spiffy for having a best friend in the hospital. He was so worried for Rachel that he only slipped on a pair of beat up jeans, a loose t-shirt, and a pair of well worn chucks with ripped and noisy shoelaces. He was biting feverishly at his nails with one hand and the other was clenched in his ruffled hair. Fair to say, he looked like absolute shit. He didn’t quite notice Blaine was there, it was late at night when he got the call that Rachel was transported to the medical center. Though they said not to worry, but he couldn’t help it to shake and bite at his tortured nails. This was Rachel Berry. At times, the only he could tell everything to. His best friend that he shared the same dreams with. They would spend sleepovers preparing for their amazing dreams in New York. Performing dazzling duets in perfection and trying to gather every bit of cash to make it to NYADA. They told each other their deepest secrets and gossip of the Broadway world. Rachel would give him vocal lessons while he would replace Rachel’s wardrobe with age appropriate clothing. They shared everything together and though this situation wasn’t said to be serious, it was still his best friend. Maybe even his only since his other best friend, Mercades, was on the other side of the country in Chicago. Okay, he couldn’t get side tracked. This was Rachel. The ever talented singer and actress that will make it big. Nothing will stop her. No, not even alcohol. Damn Blaine and his-

“Family of Miss. Berry?” a tired woman called from behind the counter.

Kurt pulled his hand off of his mouth and spit out, “Yes?” there was a slight pause as the nurse stared at him oddly from how loud his voice was, “Okay, I lied,” he began to speak frantically, “Rachel’s family is in Ohio because Rachel moved here for college. Oh God, I didn’t even call them! She could be dead and I wouldn’t have been able to warn them! They’ll blame it on me and her chances of being famous are dead. Just like her. Good God, I’m a murderer! Take me to jail so I can mourn over my best friend for all of eternity!” he babbled. Throughout his whole rant, his arms were sprawled everywhere. None of his sentences seemed to make sense. And this is why he stopped auditioning for musicals.

You’d think the woman would freak out or laugh but she only nodded as if she deals with random vents on a daily basis. “It’s okay if you’re a friend; we just need someone to take her home. Rachel woke up about fifteen minutes ago,” she said calmly.

“I love you,” he blurted. The woman raised her eyebrows. “God, don’t worry, I’m gay. Just take me to my best friend”.

The nurse ushered him down a wide hallway and to an opening of space, five or so rooms with open doors in front of a counter of nurses ready for the next emergency. Rachel was seen through the glassed window and open door; she was sitting up with a hand on her head. He didn’t even notice Blaine following behind him as he entered her room. Rachel looked up at Kurt and Blaine, tensing her muscles as if waiting for them to yell at her.

“How are you feeling?” Blaine asked grabbing an unoccupied hand of hers.

“A bit woozy and tired,” she mumbled then added, “humiliated”.

“I bet, you really knocked down a few,” Kurt chuckled.

“Don’t talk about alcohol,” she grumbled hunching over slightly.

Please don’t puke, Kurt thought rubbing her curved back. “I’m sorry. But at least you’re safe. We were worried sick,” Kurt said quietly. He hated to add Blaine into the sentence but if it calmed her, so be it.

Rachel looked up at the two and smiled, “I’m glad you guys are getting along. Kurt needs a gay best friend”.

“Uh,” Kurt started then shook his head, “what?”

Rachel wobbly stood with her hand still resting on her head as she flinched. “The three of us, best friends,” she looked at him as if he were clueless.

“Rach, I don’t really think that will work,” Blaine said with a sigh. Oh no, this conversation will probably end with Rachel puking and sobbing. He knew how Rachel feels when things don’t go her way. She’ll do anything to have everything perfect. Including having her two gay best friends to be each other’s gay best friend. Go figure.

“So, you didn’t have fun?” she asked lowering her hand and crossing her arms.

“After you fainted, no, not really,” Kurt answered.

“We kind of got in a fight,” Blaine added. This angered Kurt; she didn’t need to know that, she was unconscious! What happens in her presence without her knowing stays in her presence without her knowing. Even if it’s not a rule, he considered it to be the new rule.

Rachel bit her lip then looked at them back and forth, “You can try again,” she offered.

Blaine glanced at Kurt then looked back at Rachel, “I… I don’t think so, Rach. But we can still hang out separately if-,”

“That wasn’t a question. I want you to try again”.

He would be mad at that now, but he was so tired of thinking about having to try to befriend Blaine. It felt like his body was melting into the mattress, almost as if this inanimate object was begging him not to go. His eyelids drooping heavily as he squeezed the soft pillow into his cheek. His pocket buzzed suddenly, waking Kurt from his drowsy daydream. He rubbed his eyes and plucked out his phone and stared at the screen. His heart skipped a beat.

Are you a good actor? – Unknown

He must have reread the message five times before grasping what had been asked. Could this be a manager at a Broadway show asking for him to an audition? Could this be his big break? He quickly sat up, removing the satchel from his shoulder and typed out a message. He paused his thumb on the send button then sighed, pressing his thumb down.

May I ask who this is? – Kurt

He grinned madly trying not to get his hopes up but, who else would ask? His phone buzzed in his palm shortly after, his heart race speeding as he averted his eyes from the screen until he was mentally ready.

Blaine. Who else? – Unknown

Kurt gaped at the message, sinking his body into a hunched position. Great. His dreams felt like they were floating farther and farther away. Will he be just another person of stage crew with dying dreams for the rest of his life? Should he even respond after that? How could he trick him like that? Well, obviously, Blaine may not know that’s a phone call he was waiting for, but still, it hurt. He tilted his head, bored already, then typed a message and sent it.

I don’t know; someone of importance. – Kurt

Yes, harsh, but it were his dreams. Kurt tossed the phone on the bed and walked around the apartment, trying to figure out what to wear tonight. He was planning on going out, though not sure where, but it was a Thursday. Thursday’s seemed to be a great day for a walk, a pet store visit? No, no, no, the puppy is probably getting signed off to someone else this very moment.

I can sense the sass through text. That’s talent. But are you a good actor? – Blaine

Seeing the text felt worse when it was identified from Blaine. How did he get his number that quickly anyways? It had been twenty minutes since he left the pet store.

Thanks for the compliment. I don’t take sass lightly. Why do you want to know so badly? Feel like stalking me more? – Kurt

He sighed rummaging through his closet. He lacked New York clothes. For some reason, he felt like his clothes reeked of Ohio. But it didn’t matter, where he was going, there was no need to look fancy.

Wow. Anyways, we need to put on a show for Rachel. She wants her best friends to go to dinner with her. Don’t worry; no alcohol. – Blaine

Kurt stared at the message, quirked an eyebrow up and sent another text. He forgot texting was so distracting. He was trying to pick out an outfit. Something that takes him five minutes, yet it’s been fifteen and he hasn’t had one clue of what to wear.

Okay, you’re scaring me. What kind of show? – Kurt

Look, it’s not like we’re going to act like boyfriends. We’re just doing the plan like we said earlier. I was just trying to make you smile, or whatever. – Blaine

Seriously? Kurt bit his lip and thought of what to text. This is why texting is so difficult. Snapping insults at him in person is easy, but when you read it back on a phone, it’s different. He sighed typing out a quick message and sent it.

Why would you want to do that? We hate each other. – Kurt

There, that’s a bit less harsh. And yet still satisfying. He could get used to this.

You seemed so upset at the pet shop – Blaine

Could you shut up about the damn puppy? – Kurt

He quickly sent it, without realizing what he typed. It wasn’t instant regret since he honestly wasn’t paying attention. He thought he texted Blaine a good insult for some reason. It wasn’t until Blaine texted back several messages in a row that herealized he wasn’t as smooth of a texter as he thought.

I never said anything about a puppy. – Blaine

You like the puppy don’t you? – Blaine

Kurt Hummel has feelings? Who knew a puppy could make you into an actual human! – Blaine

If you don’t tell Rachel, I’ll buy your dinner. – Kurt

He quickly texted Blaine and went back to his wardrobe, not planning on texting back. He searched for a fancier outfit and a nice bowtie to go with it. He wore long dark dress pants, and button down shirt, sleeves stopping just below the elbow under a grey vest and matching grey bowtie. He wore his new shiny shoes and fixed some baby hairs that fell out of the gel from class. It was around 7:40pm when he finished his routine and retrieved his phone.

Then you’re going to have to buy dinner for three – Blaine