One Year Later

Blaine had just unpacked the last box. He picked up the physical inspiration behind him picking up and moving to the Big Apple. He read the entire thing to himself rubbing his thumb gently over the one line that meant more to him than any words ever spoken to him: 'You deserve to get everything in life'. Blaine smiled to himself and set the framed letter on his nightstand. It had been a year since he had received that letter. Though Blaine had never sent Kurt another piece of his art, and they had never exchanged another letter, there was not a day that went by that Blaine didn't look at that letter from NYADAstud21. Kurt would never know how much of an impact that he had on Blaine's life and Blaine wished everyday that he could find a way to thank Kurt for all that he had done for him.

Blaine took one last glance at the letter before looking over at his friend. "Thanks man for letting me room with you. I really owe you one," Blaine said.

"I told you, it's no problem. It worked out that my roommate was moving out and you needed a place to stay. Plus it will be fun, just like old times." The older guy nudged his friend in the ribs.

Wes was two years older than Blaine but their friendship dated back to high school where Wes was head of the Dalton Academy Warblers when Blaine was a sophomore. They had been exceptionally close through the two years they went to high school together and then Wes had graduated and moved to New York to pursue music. They had kept in touch through the years and when Blaine had taken to facebook, not but two weeks before, to ask if anyone knew of someone in New York looking for a roommate. Five minutes later Wes had messaged back saying that Blaine could move in with him. It was the perfect situation. They already knew that they got along and that meant that Blaine could get the hell out of Ohio quickly. "You heard from your parents at all?" Wes asked with caution, knowing that it was still a sore subject.

"No." Blaine said hanging his head down trying to hide from Wes as the tears threatened to escape. "Not since I left the note."

Dear Mom and Dad,

I know that I haven't been the prodigal son that Cooper is and I know that you are ashamed sometimes to call me your son but I just have different hopes and dreams. I know you don't get it but I at least hope that you can respect my decision. I will let you know when I get settled in New York. Please try to understand.

Your Son,

Blaine

I left a message with both of them but neither has called back. I doubt they ever will. I knew what I was doing when I left. It's over."

Wes threw an arm around Blaine's shoulders, "I'm sorry but it's their loss, dude."

"No, don't be sorry. Surprisingly I am ok with all of this. They were the ones holding me back from my real dreams and now I feel like for the first time in a long time that I am truly happy. Classes start in two days and I am ecstatic. I haven't felt this way since I dated James and you remember how long ago that was." The two shared a laugh from their memories of the crazy times that they had shared together. "I'm thrilled. This is the first day of the rest of my life. Plus, I still have Coop. I talked to him and he already can't wait to see the new place. The only thing left to do is to find a job...maybe two."

"Welcome to the real world where not everyone is a trust fund baby. Some of us actually have to work for a living," Wes teased.

"Being independent is hard." Blaine whipped the invisible sweat off of his brow before laughing along with Wes. "Come on," Blaine said clapping his hand on his friend's back. "Show me this coffee place you're always raving about. After all that hard work I need some caffeine. Your treat." He smiled at his friend.

"Hey." Wes retorted.

"Just joking. Coffee's on me."

Three weeks later, Blaine was now standing behind the counter of that same coffee shop that Wes had taken him to. A Whole Latte Love was kind of this hipster coffee shop. Most of the patrons came riding up on their trendy bikes and walk in with their hipster glasses, their nose rings, and their ridiculously ironic t-shirts as Arcade Fire and Death Cab for Cutie plays on repeat in the background. Even the other baristas were guilty of this but Blaine had to admit that they made a damn good cup of coffee.

Wes had taken Blaine there for the first time two weeks ago and Blaine had seen the 'Help Wanted' sign out front. One week later he was trading his polo shirts and Capri pants for flannel shirts and beanies. Thank goodness bow ties were still in the repertoire of a hipster because that was not something he was willing to give up easily. It wasn't his usual look but over the past few weeks the look had started to grow on him.

He also figured he would have to let the curls loose that he was so used to slicking down because, as his dad put it, 'no respectable businessman ever came in looking like he had just rolled out of bed'. Blaine had quite liked his curls and now that his father was no longer standing over his shoulder dictating his life, he finally had an excuse to let them out.

Blaine had sat down for his interview with Tim, the owner (and the biggest handlebar mustached, skinny jean dressed, suspender wearing, scarf adorned hipster he had ever seen), and he said that he was an art student and Tim had hired him on the spot and Blaine started work the following day.

Blaine walked through the back door of the shop and tied the chocolate colored apron around his waist. Blaine walked behind the counter. "Hey Dixie." The petite blonde gave Blaine a noncommittal smile.

"Hey Blaine. Tim wants you to stay on register until close." She turned to get back to work with a visible sneer. Blaine gave a warm smile. Dixie was not his favorite person to work with but at the end of the day he would have no one else make his medium drip.

"Rach, I just didn't see it coming, ok. End of story." Kurt had been having this argument all afternoon with her.

"Well will you at least tell me what happened? All you told me was that it was over. Am I just supposed to accept that? You dated this guy for a year and a half."

"Yes, Rachel. You are. You're my best friend so please just let it go. Cameron was an asshole. That's all you need to know. He was a lying, cheating asshole!" They were now standing outside at the street corner, Kurt stunned that he had let it slip.

"Oh my God Kurt. He cheated? I am so sorry." Rachel threw her arms around the taller man. They sat there holding each other as people jetted past them on their daily commute home from work. Rachel held Kurt for a good minute or so, as Kurt fought back the tears.

When Kurt thought he was strong enough, he separated himself from Rachel. "Do you want to talk about it? I have an hour or so before I have to go give a lesson." Rachel looked across the busy street with the large wooden looking sign that read A Whole Latte Love. Rachel gestured to the small shop. "Coffee's on me?" Rachel gave a compassionate smile. Kurt gave a nod and a quick sniffle and they were walking across the street.

The duo walked through the narrow glass doors. They walked up to the scowling, petite woman behind the counter. "What can I get you?" The blond gave them the once over with her eyes scorching them everywhere her eyes fell upon them.

"I will have a small Café con Leche and my friend will have a grande nonfat mocha." The woman went to work on making the coffees with a huff.

Kurt leaned in close to Rachel. "I don't think that we are their usual customers." This made Rachel giggle slightly as they both looked around the shop as all the other patrons looked at them. Kurt adorned in his Alexander McQueen and Rachel with her curve hugging little black cocktail dress.

The girl whose nametag read 'Dixie' came back several minutes later with two biodegradable cups and the eco friendly lids to match. "Blaine will ring you up down there." She snapped with little patience for people like 'them'.

Rachel went to grab her wallet from her purse. Kurt's hand quickly grabbed his friend's. "I got it. You're about to listen to me go on and on about the reasons why my relationship failed. It is the least I can do." Rachel had learned quickly not to argue with Kurt so she just threw her hands up in defeat.

"Ok but next time. It's in me."

"Deal." They both moved their drinks over to the man standing in back of the register with a beanie covering his curly locks. He had on a purple v-neck and a cream colored cardigan over it. They sat there in front of him for nearly a minute not saying a word as the man was clearly lost in thought. Kurt cleared his throat.

The shorter man snapped out of his thoughts but never raised his head to meet their gaze. The man with the nametag that read 'Blaine' picked up the cups and inspected the writing on it as he pushed the appropriate numbers on the register. "That will be...$7.84. Blaine slowly looked up to collect the money with a friendly smile. He looked right at Kurt and his eyes slowly began to widen as the smile started to fade.

Kurt handed the man a $10 bill. "Keep the change." Kurt and Rachel smiled at Blaine and grabbed their respective drinks.

The two found a table near the window looking out at the crisp September day. "Kurt, he was cute, and he was looking right at you."

"Are you kidding me? He was looking at you. You attract all kinds of male attention. Especially in those thigh high boots that you insist on wearing out in public." Kurt gave her a pointed look.

"Yes well, I can't help but pull attention from others." Rachel flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Now enough about the cutie, tell me all about this asshole."