I’m standing in one of the corners and still can’t believe that I let Rachel talk me into coming to one of these. I always told myself I wouldn’t and now...look at me. I’m wearing one of my dad’s old tuxes and Finn’s dad lent me a tie. I wanted to wear a bowtie at first but putting one on just brought back too many memories. I let my eyes wander through the lunch room which, for the occasion, they have managed to make look like a ballroom. Satin curtains covering up the walls, fairy lights and cut-out paper decorations brightening it up. Tables with loads of food and drinks on, pushed against the walls and they’ve even built a stage, on which a live band is supposed to be performing later on in the evening.

For now people have to cope with Mrs. Movis’ dj’ing skills, which aren’t all too bad, considering. I down another glass of punch –rebel, I know- and cringe. The taste is strong, too strong, liquor like; somebody must’ve spiked the punch. I can’t wait to get out of here. Why did I even come? I throw my plastic cup in one of the bins and start walking towards the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

It’s Rachel. I stop, sigh and turn. “Rach, why am I even here? I’m not having any fun at all.”

“That’s cause you haven’t danced with me yet, silly.” She smiles, “you can’t leave without having a dance with me, Kurt.” She holds out her hands. I look at them and roll my eyes. She can be so lame at times.

“Fine. But only cause it’s you,” I hear her whoop, “One dance,” I hold up one finger to clarify my statement, “Just one dance!” I stress. She nods and we make our way to the dance floor.

One dance became five dances and if I’m honest...I’m actually enjoying it. Suddenly the music stops and some booing fills the room. I feel disappointed myself, too. It can’t be over yet? It’s too early. I look at Rachel, wanting to share my thoughts but she seems excited. “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.” She smiles, nodding towards the stage which isn’t abandoned anymore. My eyes refocus across the room and I gasp, feeling my chest tighten and I try to ignore the fluttering of my heart. Blaine is standing on the stage, I hear excited screams and whispering, some people even wolf whistled. I stare at him in disbelief as he grabs his guitar and sits down on a stool.

“I thought you said he wasn’t coming to the ball.” I hiss.

“Technically...he isn’t.” Rachel nods in a smug way.

“No? Then what’s that! It’s not a mirage I can bloody tell you that!” I point towards Blaine.

“He didn’t come to dance,” Rachel shrugs, “he’s here to sing. So technically...he isn’t.”

“That’s crap.” I say, wanting to rant even more at her but hearing Blaine’s voice echo through the room makes me speechless. Like all the air whooshed out of my lungs by hearing him. Something his presence always did to me but I’d gotten more and more used to after a while. I guess reacting to him so strongly again is the after-effect of trying to avoid him for so long.

I want to run but physically I’m just not able to. So I stand there as Blaine’s words fill the room and mentally call him names. Idiot! Telling Rachel he isn’t coming and then standing on the bloody stage. “Hello everyone.” Hi. “Hope you’re all having fun.” Well, I was! “I’m here to sing you all a few songs,” Oh great. “and then the lovely band Break Point will take over. Please bare with me as I sing a song or two.” Can I go home now?

I feel Rachel nudge my side. “Stop scowling.” She whispers, rolling her eyes at me.

“Can’t believe you knew! Can’t believe you lied to me!” I hiss.

She shrugs. “Shut up and dance with me.” Grabbing my hands again as Blaine starts singing. I only just manage to keep myself from gasping. His singing always took my breath away, my heart starts racing. I don’t know why I keep telling my mind that I dislike him when my whole body clearly doesn’t. Blaine’s singing James Brown’s ‘Get up offa that thing’. I curse him a little bit more, it’s impossible to stand still on that song. After that song the two of us and everyone else, for that matter, is panting. I smile at Rachel, this was the most fun I’ve had in a while.

“Looks like you all enjoyed that.” Screw you and your perfect voice and perfect looks and ugh. “I’ve got another song to sing. This one’s much slower though. So hold on to your date and have a little slow dance.” Great. Just great.

Rachel looks at me torn. “I guess you want to dance this one with Finn?” I mumble.

“Would you mind?” she bites her lip.

I shake my head. “Of course not.” And I actually don’t mind but I’m just not looking forward to being on my own at this precise moment when he’s going to sing a slow, romantic song.

“Please don’t leave?” Rachel begs, seeing the expression on my face. “We’ll dance again after, okay?” she asks, I nod. “Love you.” She says, kissing my cheek and going to find Finn.

“This song is called ‘Cross my heart’* and I’ve written it myself,” he explains, “So please be nice.” He chuckles. I make my way to the very back of the room, as far away from Blaine as possible and try to drag as little attention to myself as I can. I find an empty chair and rest my head in my hands, trying to somehow stay strong enough through this.

Downside of sitting down quietly: It actually gives me a chance to listen to the song properly and the lyrics are simply...amazing.

The song finishes and I sit in silence processing the lyrics. Would it really be what I think it is? Or am I just suffering from a serious case of wishful thinking?

“Thank you. And now everyone please put your hands together for the amazing and lovely, Rachel Berry!” he yells through the mic. I look up, surprised, and see how Rachel climbs on the stage and goes to hug him. “Thank you Blaine,  you were amazing. Good evening everybody. I can never resist a stage when I see one, so it’d be crazy to let this moment pass.  I’d like to dedicate this song to my best friend, Kurt.” She says. I feel myself blush and my eyes leave Blaine, who’d jumped off the stage and is now in the crowd, and focus back on Rachel who started singing Pink’s perfect. It’s mean and lovely at the same time. She knows well enough how Blaine and I sang this as a sing-off, but I also know what she’s actually trying to say. Our eyes meet, I give her a grateful smile and mouth the words ‘thank you’.

“Can I have this dance?” Words coming from behind me. My heart skips a beat.