Four years later.

So this is Dalton Academy.
Of course, Kurt had seen the prestigious school when he had been shown around by a senior student during the early days of his transfer from McKinley, but it was completely different being here as a student. The long, grand corridor was a sea of navy and red blazers, the air full of the sounds of students chatting or calling out greetings to others. No cat-calls, no jeering, and not a locker slam to be heard. The anti-bullying rules that were enforced at the school were the main reason Kurt transferred, but Dalton also had the advantage of offering boarding. Kurt’s home in Lima was a little over an hour’s drive away, which was manageable each day, but Kurt chose to board as it enabled him to distance himself from his Dad; he was glad the booming of his Dad’s garage made it possible for him to be able to afford it.

Kurt examined his timetable, scanning Monday’s column, realising he had English next, but where were the English classrooms? He vaguely remembered their location from his tour but he didn’t recognise where he currently was. Pulling out the map he was given, he tried to figure out where he was. Struggling to find the corridor he was currently walking along on the map, he kept following it, hoping to come across something he could use to find his position on the map.

The corridor opened out onto a majestic staircase with a beautiful, circular glass ceiling above it. He made his way slowly down it, the map and his English class forgotten for the moment.

‘I can’t believe this is my school.’ He thought, as he trailed his hand along the dark banister.

A couple of boys discussing their next class as they passed Kurt jolted him out of his state of awe, reminding him he still didn’t know his way to class. Giving up on the map, Kurt looked up at the students descending the stairs beside him, his eyes landing on a short, dark haired boy who had just passed him.

“Excuse me!” He hurried forwards, catching up to the boy just as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The boy turned to look up at him and Kurt’s heart stuttered.

The boy was beautiful; large, hazel eyes fringed by the longest eyelashes Kurt had ever seen on another guy, full lips, a strong jaw, and curly, dark hair slicked back with way too much gel. His eyes widened a little on seeing Kurt, his lips parting, and for a second they stood staring at each other, speechless.

Kurt pulled himself out of his trance with great effort, “Hey, I’m new here and I’m a bit lost. Could you point me in the direction of the English department?”

The boy smiled and Kurt’s heart skipped another beat; he had the most beautiful and contagious smile.

“My name’s Blaine,” He said, holding out his hand, “Blaine Anderson.”

Kurt smiled and shook his hand, “Kurt Hummel.”

Blaine stepped back onto the stairs, “Which room do you have English in?”

Kurt fumbled his timetable out of his pocket, trying to hide his shaking hands, “Um, room 23.”

“Oh, you’re in my class then!” Blaine flashed another smile that Kurt couldn’t help but return. “I’ll walk you there and give you some tips on finding your way around Dalton. I got lost so many times in my first week here.”

They set off along another corridor, Blaine explaining how to find your way around the school.

“I don’t know what the school you came from was like, but Westerville High, the school I used to go to, was less than half the size of this place.”
Kurt looked over at Blaine, “You’re a transfer as well?”

Blaine nodded, “I transferred last year. Westerville wasn’t the best of schools.”

Kurt sensed that there was a much bigger story behind Blaine’s transfer but didn’t push the subject. He cast around for another topic, “Do you board here or are you just a day student?”

“I board,” Blaine replied, as they went down another staircase, “I live an hour or so from here and boarding is just easier than driving every day. What about you?”

“I’m boarding as well, for the same reasons as you. I live out in Lima.”

Blaine smiled at him, “I didn’t realise we had a new boarder!”

“I arrived pretty late last night, that’s probably why.” Kurt explained.

Blaine paused outside a classroom with the number 23 fixed to the door, “Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other then.” He indicated the classroom, “We have arrived at our English class, Mr. Hummel.”

“So, were you in any clubs or sports teams at your old school?”

Kurt and Blaine joined the rest of their class as they filed out the door; glad school was over for the day.

Kurt debated about mentioning Glee club for a moment. He didn’t want to appear like a loser in front of Blaine, but he had been friendly enough so far, why would he suddenly laugh at him now?
He took a deep breath, “I was in my school’s Glee club.”

Blaine stopped so suddenly that another student walking behind them almost crashed into him.

“You were in Glee club? You sing?”
Blaine’s face was lit up in an excited smile and Kurt relaxed, nobody at McKinley reacted that way when they discovered you were in Glee. Clearly, Dalton was different, or at least Blaine was.

“Yeah,” Kurt replied, “I was their countertenor.”

“You’re a...? Ok, wow, the Warblers haven’t had a countertenor in years; you have to join, only if you want to, of course.” Blaine said excitedly.

Kurt frowned, confused. “Warblers?”

“Oh, that’s what our show choir is called. If you want to audition to join, we have a meeting starting in...” Blaine squinted at his watch, “Five minutes. You can just come with me to the meeting.”

Singing was Kurt’s way of escaping everything. He had always loved singing but had taken it up more seriously, spending hours practicing, after that day in the attic when thirteen year old Kurt had curiously opened that old wooden box with the strange symbols carved into the wood...

“I’d love to audition!”
Blaine beamed at him, “I’ll take you to the choir room.”

Grabbing hold of Kurt’s hand, Blaine jogged back in the direction they had walked to English class, pulling Kurt along with him. Kurt’s heart and mind raced from the feel of Blaine’s hand in his.

They reached the stretch of corridor near the grand staircase where they had met earlier. A door stood open through which the sounds of voices and then a gavel could be heard.

“The meeting’s about to start!” Blaine tugged Kurt through the door and into a large room which had a long wooden desk as a focal point. Three Dalton students sat behind the desk, one of them holding a gavel. The rest of who Kurt presumed were the Warblers, were sitting on leather couches, looking around at the sound of Kurt and Blaine’s arrival.

Before anyone could say anything, Blaine spoke.
“Fellow Warblers, this is Kurt, he’s new to Dalton and would like to audition for the Warblers.”

“Hello, Kurt.” The boy with the gavel smiled at him, “Welcome to Dalton. I assume you have a song prepared?”

Kurt didn’t, but there were several songs he had sung so many times, he probably sang them in his sleep.
“I do.”

Stepping forward, he began to sing.
Something has changed within me,
Something is not the same

For an awfully long moment that felt like hours, there was silence as everyone stared at him, Blaine with wide eyes and his jaw almost scraping the floor. Finally, gavel-boy spoke, “Welcome to the Warblers, Kurt.”