Kurt was standing in the backstage. It was a colder room full with material and one light which would show him if it was time or if he had to wait.

His hands were shaking and his heart felt like it would beat out of his chest any minute.

He took a deep breath, trying to center himself again. Concentration what was he needed.

Maybe his dad had been right, maybe he was too young for this but was it so wrong to want to get out of Lima?

It was since he was younger that he had dreamed about being famous. He wanted to be on stage, sing his heart out and move the crowd like all those artist he had admired throughout the years.

A hand on his shoulder helped him out of his thoughts.

“Don't worry Kurt, you will do great,” said his father as he smiled warmly at Kurt.

Kurt let out a long breath and smiled back to his dad, “I know I'll be dad. I just want to make you proud.”

Burt shook his head as he let out a chuckle, “You make me proud every single day.”

Kurt let out a shaky laugh.

“Just go up there and sing your heart out. I know you'll do great,”  his dad said as he wrapped him into a tight hug. “I'll be watching from here with Carole and Finn.”

Kurt nodded and watched his dad walk away towards were Carole and Finn were holding their thumbs up.

He took another shaky breath. Slowly he started hopping around from one foot on another as he started warming up his voices with the exercises he had learned throughout the years.

The red light turned to green and Kurt knew it was time.

He looked to his parents on last time before he climbed the stairs towards the stage.

His heart fluttered a little as his mouth opened in awh. The stage was huge and the crowd was looking expectedly towards him.

In front of all those rows of people, were the 4 faces he had only seen on screen throughout the years.

On the left was Leona, she was a sweetheart. Next to her was Dean, who was the enthusiastic one. Then you had Nona, who was strict but knew what she was doing and then you had the one he was scared for the most. Michael was known to be a very strict and difficult to convince man but he also knew what he was doing and was respected for all the stuff he had done for the music industry. If he said you would make it, there was no doubt you would.

With wobbly legs, he moved towards the center of the stage, putting on his performance mask.

“Hello there,” said Michael. “What's your name?”

“Kurt, Kurt Hummel.”

Michael nodded, “and you are from?”

“Lima, Ohio,” Kurt said, trying not to wince as the words left his lips.

Someone in the crowd gave a cheer at that which made Kurt almost chuckled. At least one of them was enthusiastic about where they came from.

Michael was already writing furiously on his tiny sheet of paper.

Leona smiled sweetly towards him from the other side of the table. “What are you going to sing for us today,” she asked with a sweet smile.

Kurt couldn't help but smile sweetly back. “Today I'm going to sing a song I've actually written myself,” Kurt said shyly because he knew it was a big risk. “The song means a lot to me so I hope you'll like it.”

When he knew he was selected to perform for the judges, he had looked through all kind of songs. First he had thought about doing a Broadway song but he knew it was such a risk and it wasn't one he was going to take.

And then his eyes had fell on a song he had written weeks ago. Of course it was a risk but it would be worth it and most of all it would make him stand out.

He had taken his time to create a melody for it and had recorded it and burned it on a cd so he wouldn't have to sing acapella.

Leona looked at him curiously, “I think we are ready when you are.”

Kurt nodded and gave a sign towards the backstage. He knew he only had a minute to prove what he could and he was about to give the best one minute performance in his life.

The music filled the room as he took one last big breath. This was it, no turning back now.

He closed his eyes as the first words left his lips.

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion

The whole room was quiet. It was like everyone was holding their breaths.

Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

Kurt started to move around the stage as the crowd started applauding.

And all those things I didnt say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

The music was moving up and the crowd was eating it up. Kurt went to stand back in the middle as he started to sing along with the words he had never meant more in his life.

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove Im alright song
My powers turned on
Starting right now Ill be strong
Ill play my fight song
And I dont really care if nobody else believes
Cause Ive still got a lot of fight left in me

As fast as the music was leaving the room, as fast was there applause from what seemed like everyone.

Kurt couldn't help but gasp as he noticed one by one started giving him a standing ovation.

Somewhere in the distance, he was sure he heard his dad shout a long, which made him chuckle.

“Thank you,” he said shyly in the microphone as he tried to stop the few tears that had escaped.

Even Michael was applauding along, which was a good sign and he knew it.

The noise slowly went down until the room was filled with quietness again.

“Well Kurt,” said Leona, “that was not at all what I was expecting but I loved it! Where have you been hiding?”

Kurt chuckled a little at her comment.

“You really wrote that yourself,” asked Dean.

“I did,” said Kurt with a smile. “Let's say my life hasn't always been the easiest. Today was my chance to prove that there is a whole lot left to fight inside of me and I'm ready for it.”

The crowd cheered at his words.

Michael looked at him through his eyelids. “It's time for the vote.”

Kurt looked expectantly to Leona who was sitting on the left side of the table. “For me it's a hell yes,” she grinned.

Dean nodded along with her, “If it's up to me, I see you in the next round, Kurt.”

Nona was grinning, “See you next round Kurt!”

Kurt felt his heart flutter in his chest. He knew what this meant but still he couldn't help but look nervously towards Michael.

“That's 4 yesses. See you next round Kurt. You better not disappoint us,” said Michael as he pointed towards him.

Kurt nodded, “Thank you, thank you. You won't regret this,” he said before he ran off the stage.

His dad was already waiting for him, tears evident in his eyes, with his arms wide open.

Kurt ran right into them. “I did it dad, I did it.”

“I'm so proud kiddo, so proud. That song was beautiful,” Burt said in his shoulder.

They stayed like that for a moment longer, still high on emotions.

Once Kurt left his dad's arms, he was immediately wrapped into a hug from Carole and a pat on his back from Finn.

“My little brother is going to be famous,” he said with a cheeky grin.

Kurt rolled his eyes, “Finn I'm older than you.”

And that's how they left the venue as Kurt and Finn argued further about why Finn would have the right to call Kurt his younger brother.

Just like it was any other normal day, even though they all knew that nothing would be the same anymore.