The next week went by in a blur. Burt had finalized the paperwork for Kurt’s exchange to McKinley and he was to report to school the following Monday. His father helped him move back into his old room at home. Though Burt was not one to show too much emotion, Kurt could tell his dad was practically bursting at the seams with happiness to have his boy home again. Kurt had to admit that being home was nice. He was able to spend more time with Carole, helping with dinner and having “girl time” that he could never have at school. Even having his stepbrother, Finn, around wasn’t so bad, although living with a bunch of prep school boys could never have prepared him for the vacuum that was Finn at the dinner table. But what Kurt loved most of all about being home was being with his dad who he missed so much when he was way at Dalton. After Kurt’s mother had passed away, his father was all he had and though he might have been away at school, they were still very close.

On Friday, Kurt briefly met with the boy he was trading schools with, a kind, blonde boy named Sam with an abnormally large mouth, in Kurt’s opinion. They told each other about the schedules they would be going through and daily life at their respective schools. After helping the blonde boy move into Kurt’s old room, Kurt introduced him to Jeff who lived across the hall and a few of the other Warblers. Sam was in the glee club at McKinley too, so Kurt believed he would fit right in. Jeff gave Kurt a big hug goodbye and wished him luck at his new school.

That Sunday, the day before Kurt started at McKinley, found Kurt lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. To put it simply, Kurt was freaking out. He had never been to a public high school before. He had packed his leather satchel earlier that evening in preparation and tried to imagine his first day. Would it be that different from Dalton? Would it be just like the movies with lockers and stark hallways and a real gymnasium?

Would there be bullies there?

Kurt rolled onto his side to grab his phone off the nightstand.

“Hello?” said the chipper voice on the other end.

“Blaine,” Kurt choked. “I’m freaking out. It’s tomorrow. Oh god, it’s tomorrow! Blaine I don’t know if I can do this-”

“Whoa, okay, okay, calm down,” Blaine soothed. “You’re going to be fine, Kurt.”

“You can’t know that. Blaine, I’ve never even been in a public high school. What if I don’t fit in? What if the kids don’t like me? What if the classes are too hard?”

“Says the boy who’s taking Advanced Chemistry and Calculus…”

“I don’t know!” Kurt snapped. “What do I even wear? Oh no. Wear. Blaine, I don’t even have an outfit picked out!”

“Kurt! Relax!” Kurt stopped his babbling. “Look, I think just about everyone in glee club knows you’re coming, so you’ll have friends in there. And just wear something that you feel comfortable in, okay? Everyone is going to love you, Kurt. I promise.”

Kurt took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Just listening to Blaine talk to him was enough to calm him down. His voice was like velvet, after all; smooth and comforting.

“Kurt?”

“Huh?”

“You stopped talking, are you all right?” he sounded concerned.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine now. Thanks.”

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, bright and early.”

Kurt pulled into the McKinley parking lot the next morning. He grabbed his school bag from the passenger seat and tugged it over his shoulder. Kurt looked down at himself to inspect his carefully chosen outfit. He had decided to go with a light purple button-down shirt with a black and white polka-dotted bowtie and black skinny jeans. His knee high boots clicked ever so slightly as he walked through the parking lot to the front doors.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, he had to stop. The halls were full of life, students crouching at lockers to gather their books, teachers making their way to their homerooms, people talking to their friends, presumably about their weekend endeavors.

He dug out his schedule where he had scribbled down his new locker number and combination. Kurt pushed through the crowded hallways in search of his destination.

Many of them looked at him as he walked past, eyeing him up and down. Kurt wondered if he had done something wrong but decided to brush it off as curiosity in the new kid. The students here didn’t seem too bad. Sure, most of them looked like they had gotten dressed in the dark, but they seemed like nice enough people.

Kurt found his new locker with a sigh of relief. With little effort he pulled the door open and placed the books he didn’t need until later inside.

This wasn’t so hard!

Then it happened. There are moments in one’s life that feel as if the world has slowed down. Kurt turned to survey the hallway as he shut his locker. Then from out of nowhere, two boys with blonde hair and a letterman jackets came barreling down the hallway towards him. In their hands was a red cup. Kurt could feel his face turn up in confusion. What could they possibly be doing running with those drinks? That’s when it happened. The larger boys raised the cups up toward Kurt’s face and before he could even react, he was drenched in red slushie.

“Nice bowtie, Lady!” The one with green eyes shouted as he, his twin brother, and several other guys in matching jackets headed down the hallway laughing.

Kurt had never felt so humiliated, or so cold for that matter, as he slid down the lockers to the floor. The slushie had quickly soaked into his clothes, staining his shirt and making him shiver. He wasn’t sure what was worse, the actual act of the slushie slapping him across the face, or how he felt as no one stepped forward to help him. Kurt hugged himself tightly as he began to shiver more violently. He leaned his head against the wall of lockers, trying to hide from the stares.

“Kurt!” He turned ever so slightly to see Blaine running toward him. Taking in the sight, his expression quickly changing from excited to angry. “Wha- what the hell happened?”

Kurt didn’t respond, only turning to face the lockers again.

“I- I- Kurt, I’m so sorry,” Blaine stammered. “Wait one second.”

He turned on his heel and moved down three lockers, opening one on top and pulling out a white shirt collared shirt and what looked like a towel.

“Come with me,” he said, taking Kurt’s arm, still wrapped around himself, and pulling him into the nearest bathroom.

Blaine set him near the sinks and ran the towel under warm water. He gently began to wipe away the cold drink. Kurt shook underneath his touch, not meeting his eyes.

“Kurt, I’m so sorry,” Blaine started as he handed Kurt the white shirt to change into. Kurt pulled his solid shirt off, leaving his undershirt on and began to button the new one up. “They do that to all us glee club kids, not just you. Kurt? Kurt, look at me.”

And he did, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you.”

 “You’re welcome,” Blaine smiled in response, running his hands through Kurt’s now ruined hair, trying to get its style back. They looked at each other for a moment, unspoken words lingering in the air. Blaine cleared his throat, “So do you have a song picked out for your audition this afternoon?”

“Pardon me?”

“For glee. You have to audition to get into the club, you know.”

“I was unaware of this. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I guess I forgot. I’m sorry, is that going to be a problem?”

Kurt sighed, “No, luckily I always have something on me.”

“Good,” Blaine smiled. “And, uh, I would suggest something not as, uh, sexual as you normally sing.”

“Why? Are you worried someone is going to take me from you?” Kurt chided.

Yes, Blaine thought. That and I can’t afford to get a hard on during class…

“So, uh, do you know where your first class is?” he asked, quickly changing the subject.

Kurt nodded, grabbing his bag off the floor and heading for the door. “Fourth level; Advanced French.”

“Damn, Kurt! Fourth? How do you manage all these advanced classes?”

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Luckily, Kurt did not see the boys that had slushied him again. Kurt made his way through his new schedule easily; Advanced French, Advanced Calculus, Lunch, World Literature, and European History. As Kurt headed to his last class, Chemistry, he sulked silently to himself. McKinley did not offer an Advanced Chemistry class like Dalton did and he feared he would not be challenged enough in this lesser curriculum. He entered the room slowly, exhausted from long day.

“Kurt!” His head snapped up at the familiar voice. Blaine sat in the second to last row next to the window, waving wildly at him. His entire face brightened at the sight of him. Blaine was in one of his classes!

“Hey,” Kurt greeted, sitting in the seat next to him. “I didn’t know you were in this class?”

“Yeah, isn’t it awesome? You remember Rachel?”

Kurt looked at the brunette sitting in front of Blaine. Honestly, Kurt hadn’t even noticed her until Blaine had pointed her out. Her bright brown eyes looked at him expectantly.

“Yes, of course. The girl from Sectionals.”

“Hello, Kurt. It’s a pleasure to see you again. Will you be joining us for glee club after this?”

“I think I’ll make an appearance,” Kurt smirked.

“So how have you liked McKinley so far?” Blaine asked. “You know, aside from this morning.”

“It’s all very weird to me. I mean, being able to wear my own clothes to school is so exciting. I have so many ideas for outfits.”

“That’s right, Dalton has uniforms,” Rachel said. “I like what you’ve put together today though,” she said, gesturing to his outfit.

“What can I say, it’s a gift.”

Their teacher called attention to the front of the room as class began. Blaine looked at Kurt through the corner of his eye. Rachel was right. Kurt did look good today. The way those jeans clung to his thighs and hips was enough to drive him wild. Blaine eyes trailed up Kurt’s body, admiring how Blaine’s too-small shirt hugged Kurt’s shoulders and chest. Kurt’s hair, though slightly disheveled from this morning’s slushie facial, looked fantastic and fluffy. And-

Oh. Kurt was looking at him. Oh shit. How long had he been looking? Had he seen how Blaine was staring? The sly smirk on his lips suggested yes. Blaine blushed to his hairline and faced front.

That afternoon, Kurt, Blaine, and Rachel left class together and headed to the choir room for glee club. They were met with smiling faces that Kurt only slightly recognized from Sectionals. Brittany left her Latina friend (Santana, was it?) behind in favor of greeting Blaine with a kiss. Blaine practically grimaced at her kiss. Kurt averted his eyes, trying his best not to show the hurt that he felt.

Not again, really? Kurt internally scoffed. I’m so sick of this.

Rachel took him by the arm and led him over to the rows of chairs, setting him down in the seat next to her. Rachel wasn’t a bad girl. Sure, she was bossy as hell, but Kurt could see himself becoming friends with the likes of her.

“You can sit next to me, Kurt,” she said with a well-practiced smile. “I’ll introduce you to my boyfriend when he gets here too. He’s the star quarterback of our football team.”

“That would be very nice, thank you.”

Blaine finally pried himself away from Brittany, telling her to go sit with Santana. She nodded obediently, jumping into the brunette’s lap. Blaine sat down on the other side of Kurt with a sigh.

“Trouble in paradise?” Kurt mumbled angrily.

“You don’t even know,” Blaine responded as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He looked at Kurt with a side-glance. His stunning blue eyes watched him carefully with concern. It sent Blaine’s heart into a frenzy.

You don’t even know.

“Oh, here comes my perfect boyfriend!” Rachel cooed.

Kurt’s jaw almost dropped to the floor. The tall, awkward quarterback strolled into the room; his short brown hair nearly hitting the top of the doorframe on the way in. He had his ever-present doofy expression plastered on his face, as he pulled on his letterman jacket and looked at Rachel.

“Hello, Finn,” Rachel grinned, standing on her tiptoes to unsuccessfully kiss him. Finn leaned down to meet her lips with a smile.

“Hey,” he responded.

“I have someone I’d like you to meet. This is-”

“Kurt?” Finn gawked.

“Hello, Finn,” Kurt said, crossing his arms defiantly.

“You two know each other?” Blaine asked, looking between the two of them.

“Oh very well,” Kurt explained. “Finn is my stepbrother.”

“Finn!” Rachel smacked him on the arm. Finn flinched. “Why didn’t you ever tell me this?”

“I, uh, I didn’t think of it! I mean, he’s been away at school so it’s never really been brought up before. What are you doing here, man?”

Kurt groaned. “Did you think I moved back home because tuition got too high? Finn, I go to school here now. Did you not notice that your friend Sam was gone?”

“Oh yeah, I wondered why he wasn’t in Earth Science this morning…”

Kurt smacked his forehead with his palm at his stepbrother’s stupidity.

Finn was spared Kurt’s retort as Mr. Schuester walked into the room, asking his students to settle down.

“Alright, guys, let’s start brainstorming for Regionals!”

“Uh, Mr. Schue?” Blaine asked, raising his hand.

“Yes, Blaine?”

“We have a new student here today.”

Mr. Schue eyes took in Kurt sitting next to Blaine, “Oh hi! You must be the kid who’s exchanging schools with Sam.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s your name?”

“Kurt Hummel, sir.” Kurt said, back straightening and slipping into his private school manners.

“Everyone, meet Kurt. Tell me, Kurt, can you sing?”

“Yes, sir, I can. I was head councilman of my old school’s glee club.”

“Wonderful. Do you have something prepared for us?”

“Well, sort of. I was only informed this morning that I would need to audition so soon, but I believe I can do something for you now.”

“Alright then. The stage is yours, Kurt.”

Kurt glared at Blaine, who gave him a confused smile. Kurt strutted up to the front of the room and sat down at the piano. Kurt bent over the piano, playing out the first notes. Instantly, all of the New Directions knew what the song was:

Close enough to start a war
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more

Kurt looked up from the piano for a moment, and looked right at Blaine.

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb I can't breathe

This song meant more to Kurt than he was willing to let on. To himself, Kurt admittedly liked Blaine but sometimes it was hard to take. The flirty moments at the Lima Bean, the sweet moments alone in the car, the secret smiles shared across a room, were wonderful. They made Kurt feel like he could fly because Blaine was looking at him that way. The way he wished he would always look at him.

Kurt turned back to the piano, closing his eyes and rocking to the music.

So, I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb I can't breathe

But then there were times when Blaine felt like a stranger to him, like when Blaine would suddenly bring up Brittany. It broke Kurt’s heart and it wasn’t fair to him.

No. He would not allow himself to pine after a boy who would not, could not love him back.

So, I won't let you close enough to hurt me,
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
Turning tables

Kurt gazed back at Blaine with his eyes saying everything he couldn’t. Blaine’s eyes looked like saucers, his dark brows at his hairline.

Good, Kurt thought. Maybe he’ll get it.

Kurt braced himself for the bridge, closing his eyes once more, feeling the music.

Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
When the thunder calls for me
Next time I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior
Standing on my own two feet

It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Turning tables, yeah
Turning, oh

As the song came to an end, Kurt looked back at the New Directions, gauging their reactions. The overall result was silence. Silence and awe. Rachel clutched Finn’s hand on his lap, staring at Kurt with an expression that could only be described as a mix of pain and empathy. His stepbrother looked confused at Kurt’s sudden choice of song. Even Kurt could keep up the fa�ade of his musical tastes at home.

The reaction Kurt really wanted to know about was Blaine’s.

Blaine gazed at Kurt with his eyebrows high and a quizzical expression on his face.

Did he get it? Kurt wondered. Did he get the subliminal message?

The New Directions burst into loud applause and shouts of encouragement. Kurt smiled shyly at them and returned to his seat, not looking at Blaine as he followed him with his eyes.

“Wow,” Mr. Schue said suddenly, “That was incredible! I think it’s safe to say, welcome to the New Directions, Kurt!”

“Thank you, sir.” Kurt smiled, looking at the rest of the club. “Thank you, everyone.”

Kurt sat at his desk later that night, working on his homework. Truthfully, the workload was a lot less than he was used to. His phone buzzed loudly next to him.

(7:32pm) From Blaine:

Hey, I hope your first day at McKinley was all right.

Kurt smirked and typed out a quick response.

(7:35pm) To Blaine:

It was superb, actually. Well, accept for that slushie to the face this morning.

(7:37pm) From Blaine:

Yeah, sorry about that.

(7:37pm) To Blaine:

It’s fine.

(7:38pm) From Blaine:

So I wanted to ask you something…

(7:38pm) To Blaine:

Ask away.

(7:41PM) From Blaine:

So, that song you sang today? It was incredible. I have *never* heard you sing like that before. I mean, from what I could tell, you had a lot of emotion behind it. Where did that come from?

There it was, the question. So Blaine had noticed something was up. He decided to play dumb.

(7:43pm) To Blaine:

What do you mean exactly?

(7:46pm) From Blaine:

Well, you looked like you were going to cry, for one thing. But the looks you were giving me? Was that song supposed to be directed at me? Did I do something wrong?

(7:47pm) To Blaine:

You think I was singing that to you?

(7:48pm) From Blaine:

I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking!

Kurt wasn’t really sure how to respond. He didn’t want to screw up his relationship with Blaine, no matter how frustrating it was. Blaine was, as far as anyone knew, straight and with Brittany and Kurt was simply friends with Blaine. He would do anything to stay in his life, even if that meant he was miserable some of the time.  

(7:54pm) To Blaine:

Blaine, don’t be ridiculous. Why would I sing you a song about a person who always changes their mind?

(8:00pm) From Blaine:

Oh. Okay. I was just wondering.

(8:02pm) To Blaine:

Yeah.

(1:20am) From Blaine:

Kurt…?

Kurt rolled over in bed and looked at his phone with a groan.

(1:22am) To Blaine:

Yrah?

(1:23pm) From Blaine:

Your song? I never really got the chance to tell you but it was really good. Like, really good.

Kurt smiled groggily at the tiny screen. Even though he couldn’t tell Blaine how he really felt just yet, it was still good to stick around for the ride.

(1:24am) To Blaine:

Thank oyu.

(1:25am) From Blaine:

Lol. Good night, Kurt.

(1:26am) To Blaine:

Gnight Blaine.