Day 1

I’m late.

Kurt grabbed his lunch and folder off the counter, snatched his keys from the side and hurried out the door.

Today was no ordinary day; Kurt Hummel was finally leaving the walls of McKinley behind and stepping out, alone into the world beyond school. Well, for two weeks anyway.

All senior students were required to complete two weeks work experience at a place of their choice. Now, most people would expect someone as talented as Kurt to opt for a place which involved Theatre. However, Kurt had decided, much to Rachel’s disappointment that he wanted to work at a school with elementary aged children. He had always had a passion for working with children, which not many other people knew about him. Kurt saw this as an opportunity to decide whether he wanted to follow his dream of becoming a Broadway star, or his other dream and teach children, maybe helping them overcome problems like he had.

Kurt drove as fast as he could to the school, luckily it was only twenty minutes away, but he was running ten minutes late, due to a last minute wardrobe change. In his mind first impressions meant everything, being late wouldn’t help.

After getting some brief directions to where the class was Kurt ran along the corridors, they were so much brighter than the ones at McKinley, covered with artwork and decorations. He then slowed his pace and smoothed his shirt down until he stopped dead at the door. Peering through a small gap in the glass of the door Kurt could see who he presumed was the teacher sitting at their desk; he appeared to be marking papers and was incredibly focused. The class were all quietly getting on with their work, not one of them appeared to be messing around.

Huh, he must be some teacher; they’re all so well behaved.            

Kurt’s hands were shaking, nervous as to how the teacher was going to react to him intruding his class, it was too late to turn around now. He gingerly tapped on the door, no response. He knocked again, slightly harder, hoping at least someone would hear him. Kurt looked at his feet, not noticing that the teacher had rose from his desk and was heading over towards the door. He opened the door ajar, but Kurt still hadn’t realized. That was until he heard someone clearing their throat in front of him.

Kurt’s head shot up, he looked at the man in front of him. He looked exhausted, yet still dressed smartly in a black shirt, red bowtie and black trousers. Kurt stood staring at the teachers face. He had large expressive eyes which were predominantly brown, but had green and gold tints to them. Kurt sensed something was up, the man’s eyes, despite their colour had no sparkle to them, almost lifeless you could say. But what was it, Pain? Anger? Hurt?

‘May I help you?’ The man asked in an abrupt tone.

‘I’m sorry, my names Kurt Hummel, I’m going to be in your class for two weeks, I have the paperwork and everything. Do you want me to come back another time? You seem kind of busy, I don’t want to interrupt.’ Kurt noticed that the man had rather curly hair that was lightly gelled down; he felt an urge to run his fingers through it. Wait what?! Where did that thought come from! Control yourself Kurt! He thought.

‘Oh, right, nice to meet you Kurt. I heard someone was coming to help me for a few weeks. Please do come in. By the way, I’m Mr Anderson, call me Blaine.’ He then turned around and sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Kurt silently followed behind him until he was awkwardly standing by Blaine’s desk.

‘Class, put your pens down, I have an announcement to make.’ Blaine stood at the front of the class, all of the children obeyed him, looking at him intently, waiting for what he had to say.

Blaine motioned for Kurt to come and stand next to him at the front.

‘Now class, this is Kurt, he is going to be helping me out for a few weeks. Go on, say hello.’ Blaine instructed.

‘Hello Kurt!’ A chorus of voices surrounded the room.

‘Hi, pleased to meet you all.’ Kurt waved at the class and smiled brightly at them all.

The class began to lightly chatter in their seats and were all looking at Kurt, even Blaine who was standing next to him was staring at him. It was only now did Kurt realize that Blaine was shorter than him, not by much, but there was a definite height difference. Blaine suddenly looked away; his face had turned faintly pinker.

‘Quiet everyone; continue with your work, I need to speak to Kurt for a minute.’ Once again the class automatically did as he said and continued with their work.

Blaine pulled out a chair for Kurt, gesturing for him to take a seat. He sat opposite Kurt, their knees practically touching under the desk.

‘So, Kurt, what made you decide to help teach here?’ Blaine’s question put Kurt on the spot.

‘W-well, I’ve always had two dreams. Firstly to become a famous Broadway star, honestly I doubt that will happen. So that’s why my other dream to teach and help others is more of a reality and why I’ve decided to follow through with it.’ Blaine was staring, unblinking at Kurt. They held each other’s gaze for several moments.

‘Broadway really? So you can sing then, I think we might have something in common.’ Blaine smiled and looked up at the class. Kurt turned around to see that the children had packed their books away and were standing up behind their desks.

‘Class, can you assist Mr Kurt here down to the lunch hall.’ Blaine asked. They all nodded eagerly. Kurt blushed at being called ‘Mr Kurt’, it made a change from the names he was usually called back at McKinley.

The class started to file their way out, Kurt waited until most of the class had left and followed behind a little girl who had a Wicked rucksack. She reminded him of a young Rachel Berry.

The girl stopped and turned around, smiling widely at Kurt.

‘Hi, I’m Lacy; can I ask you a question Mr Kurt?’ The rest of the class had walked into the lunch hall.

‘Sure, go ahead.’ Kurt was intrigued as to what Lacy was going to ask him.

‘Are you here to make Mr Anderson happy again?’ She asked, big blue eyes gazing at Kurt waiting for an answer.

Kurt didn’t know how to respond. He stood frozen on the spot, shocked at what he had heard.

‘Are you okay Mr Kurt, you look like you’re gonna faint, do you want me to get the nurse.’ Lacy asked seriously. This brought Kurt back into reality and out of his trance.

‘No, no it’s okay, how about you run along and eat lunch, I’m just going to the restroom.’ Kurt watched the little girl hurry into the hall.

As Kurt walked to the restroom all he could think about was what Lacy had told him.

Are you here to make Mr Anderson happy again?