It was a week before Blaine finally had the courage to text Kurt.

            <i>To Kurt: Can we skype soon? I want to talk to you. </i>

            Just minutes later his phone buzzed with an incoming text.

            <i> From Kurt: Yes!!! I’m free now if you are? Welcome home : ) </i>

            <i>To Kurt: Let me just start up the connection </i>

            He moved quickly to grab his laptop and shut the door. After a quick moment fixing his hair in the mirror he sat on his bed and clicked on the incoming chat.

            “Hi there!” He grinned as soon as Kurt’s face came into view.

            “Oh my God hi!” Kurt sat up, bright smile in place. “You look amazing! Seriously! I’m so happy to see you Blaine.”

            “I’m happy to see you too,” Blaine found himself relax against the headboard. “Thank you for talking to me.”

            “Of course!” He suddenly looked up and Blaine could hear Rachel talking excitedly in the background. “Rach, I’m talking to Blaine. Can…can I have some time?”

            “Thanks,” Blaine ducked his head slightly.

            “I want to talk to you,” Kurt smiled softly at him. “So, how are you? God you look amazing… I already said that didn’t I?”

            “I don’t mind hearing it,” Blaine laughed. God it was easy to talk to Kurt.

            “And congratulations for getting into NYU, I know that was your dream,” The smile never left his face.

            “Yeah, I’m really excited!” Blaine looked down at his hands with a grin.

            “I also want to say that I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you got out of rehab. I know I said I would but the new Winter line is in full swing and it’s just crazy around here. Isabelle gave me as much time as I could get,” He sighed. “I should have at least called. I’m so sorry.”

            “It’s okay, I understand,” Blaine’s smile faded slightly. “Listen, I really need to talk to you.”

            “Of course,” Kurt blushed and shook his head. “Sorry, go ahead. I want to hear it.”

            “Um…I want to apologize,” He said softly, glancing up when Kurt made a soft noise. “And this is hard so just let me talk it through okay?”

            “Of course,” Kurt nodded.

            “I…I’m so fucking sorry Kurt,” He scowled slightly as tears burned his eyes. “And sorry for crying.”

            “It’s okay,” Kurt smiled at his tearful chuckle.

            “I’m sorry for everything. Sorry for…for leading you on in the beginning. I knew you liked me and I liked you but I was too scared to do anything. Thank you for breaking me out of that by the way. I’m sorry for trying to make you something that you weren’t when you were at Dalton. I’m sorry for overreacting with Chandler. I just…just thought you didn’t want me anymore and I panicked.”

            “Oh Blaine…” Kurt’s eyes swam with tears.

            “I’m almost done,” Blaine wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry for Sebastian, I just…just liked the way he made me feel. I’m sorry for what I did in the parking lot at Scandals. That was so wrong and I hated myself for it. I’m sorry, so, so, sorry for Eli…the guy I…well you know. I’m sorry for not talking to you. I’m sorry for how I told you. I’m sorry for how I acted afterwards. I’m sorry for the drugs, for the…what I did. You shouldn’t have had to get involved and I am so, so sorry.”

            Kurt just nodded slightly, blinking rapidly.

            “You can talk now if you want,” Blaine chuckled.

            “Thank you for telling me all that,” He said softly. “I just wish I had listened more.”

            “And I should have spoken up,” Blaine shrugged. “But now we both know.”

            “And we can be better,” Kurt nodded.

            “I’m willing to try,” He smiled shyly and got a smile in return.

            “I can’t say that I am no longer angry. I don’t really…really know how I feel,” Kurt sighed, leaning back. “I was really hurt but I think I understand why you did what you did. Neither of us were blameless.”

            “I agree. We both hurt each other,” Blaine nodded.

            “So…do we start over?”

            “I don’t…don’t want to get back together,” Kurt froze for a moment, staring at Blaine. “I need to be on my own for a bit.”

            “I understand,” Kurt felt his heart sink.

            “I really care about you. I never doubted that,” Blaine sighed. “But I think we should just work on being friends.”

            “That’s all I want Blaine, to be your friend,” Kurt gave him a warm smile. “And for the record, don’t ever feel like you force me to get involved. I wanted to help you.”

            “You did,” Blaine grinned.

            “So, how about we plan for me to give you a tour of New York when you get here?” Kurt clapped his hands together. “Everywhere you want to go.”

            “I want to see everything!”

            “Of course you do,” Kurt teased. “Are you going back to McKinley?”

            “Yeah, I start up tomorrow. I’m kind of nervous you know?” Blaine ran his hand through his hair.

            “Why nervous?” Kurt rested his chin on his hand.

            “Just seeing everyone again. It’s like starting all over again,” He shrugged his shoulders.

            “Blaine, you’re a sweet, charming, smart guy. Everyone is going to love you,” He grinned as a slight blush spread across Blaine’s cheeks. “Just…just be yourself. The person you really are. And if they don’t like you, fuck them.”

            “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse,” Blaine teased, laughing.

            “Well I feel strongly about that!”

            “I know, I’ve worked too hard to be pushed aside,” His lips quirked up in a smile. “So, how about I tell you all about my last three months and then you tell me all about the amazing things that are happening in your internship.”

            “I’d love that.”

~*~

            Monday morning Blaine spent a full hour in front of the mirror trying on outfits. He had tried on the usual cardigans, sweater vests and bow ties before he decided that they weren’t really him.

            In the end he decided on a fitted pair of dark wash jeans, red converse, and a red and black striped sweater. He put a small amount of styling mousse in his hair and walked down the stairs.

            “Ready to go?” Cooper asked from where he was putting poptarts on a napkin.

            “Yup!” With a smile he took the napkin and took a huge bite of his breakfast. “I’ll see you when you get back from work.”

            “Have a good day at school sweetie,” Cooper pitched his voice higher and winked.

            “Shut up,” With a laugh Blaine walked out to his car and drove to McKinley. The familiar path felt strange to drive on and when he pulled into the parking lot his chest was tight with anxiety.

            He jumped when someone tapped on his window. Tina gave him a small wave and shy smile which he returned quickly, opening the door.

            “Hi,” She said gently.

            “Hey!” After a moment of hesitation he gave her a half hug. “How are you?”

            “I’m great,” Tina smiled at him. “How…how are you?”

            “Much better,” He noticed how uncomfortable she looked. “I’m okay really. I know that I acted…wrong…but I’m better now.”

            “You were just gone one day. A lot of rumors were spread and I have no idea what happened. You weren’t arrested for robbing a retirement home were you?” Her anxious expression softened when he laughed.

            “No, no,” Blaine shook his head. “I would rather explain in Glee…if I’m still welcome?”

            “Of course you’re still welcome,” Tina slapped his arm. “Let’s go to history.”

            With a grin, Blaine held his arm out for her and they walked to class together. He got many confused, worried looked and whispers followed him through the halls but he ignored them, keeping his head up high.

            “Welcome back Blaine!” Mr. Schue announced as soon as he walked into the room and everyone’s eyes snapped over to him.

            “Hi everyone,” He smiled and gave a little wave. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to audition for glee club.”

            “You are always welcome here,” Mr. Schue said with an easy smile.

            “I’d really like to audition and I’d really like to explain where I’ve been for the past three months and why I acted the way I did,” The club’s expressions turned curious and several of them leaned forward.

            “You have the floor,” The teacher sat with the rest of his students and Blaine moved to stand in the front of the class.

            “I made some mistakes. You all know I cheated on Kurt and I regret that more than anything,” Someone made a small noise which was instantly shushed. “I didn’t deal well with the breakup. I…I started drinking a lot and met some people who I should have stayed away from.

            I got involved in drugs. Most of the time I was here I was so high I don’t even remember it. I ended up overdosing and was in the hospital for a bit. So, for the past three months I’ve been in rehab.”

            “Rehab?” Sugar blurted out and was shushed by most of the club.

            “I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m trying so hard to be a better person. I know that I’ve done a lot of things to push you guys away but I’d love to be your friend. I know that glee helps support each other and I’m just asking…”

            “Of course!” Tina broke in, eyes wide. “Blaine, we’re here. Whatever you need we’re here.”

            “Totally we’ve got your back!” Sam nodded. “Dude I had no idea.”

            “It wasn’t something I really wanted to advertise it at the time,” Blaine blushed.

            “I missed you Blaine,” Brittany spoke up and many of the club members nodded, smiling.

            “You’ve got our support,” Artie looked around the club as they all nodded.

            “Thank you guys,” Blaine smiled, tears flashing in his eyes. “You have no idea what that means to me. If it’s alright, I’d love to sing something?”

            “Go right ahead Blaine,” Mr. Schue nodded with a small smile.

            Blaine closed his eyes for a moment before starting to sing, the piano joining in shortly after.

            <i> Look at me, look at me

            I am changing

            Trying every way I can

            I am changing

            I’ll be better than I am

            I’m trying to fin a way to understand

            But I need you, I need you

            I need a hand

            I am changing

            Seeing everything so clear

            I am changing

            I’m gonna start right now, right here

            I’m hoping to work it out

            And I know that I can

            But I need you, I need a hand

            All of my life I’ve been a fool

            Who said I could do it alone

            How many good friends have I already lost?

            How many dark nights have I known?

            Walking down that wrong road

            There was nothing I could find

            All those years of darkness

            Could make a person blind

            But now I can see

            I am changing

            Trying every way I can

            I am changing

            I’ll be better than I am

            But I need a friend

            To help me start all over again

            That would be just fine

            I know it’s gonna work out this time

            ‘Cause this time I am

            This time I am

            I am changing

            I’ll get my life together now

            I am changing

            Yes I know how

            I’m gonna start again

            I’m gonna leave my past behind

            I’ll change my life

            I’ll make a vow and nothing’s gonna stop me now </i>

            He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to see bright smiled directed at him.

            “Welcome back Blaine,” Mr. Schue said with a wide smile as the rest of the club started clapping enthusiastically.

            “It’s so good to be back!” Blaine grinned at them.