It could be worse, he thought to himself as he cocked his head to one side. He hated that he had to trade in his fabulous clothes for a uniform but it was a price he was willing to pay for being safe and getting the hell out of McKinley. Frankly he was still lucky to be alive at this point.

All his life he had been treated differently for the clothes his wore, his voice, the fact that he only had one parent and that he was gay. Of course he had never officially come out to anyone – except his mother of course because she deserved the truth – but they had all assumed he was gay anyway and made it their mission to make his life a living hell. Even the teachers let their obvious homophobia slide leaving him miserable and lonely.

When he had joined glee club he had made some friends and things had gotten better – until Dave Karofsky decided that Kurt seemed to happy and made it his mission to break Kurt's spirit. That and he himself was a closeted homosexual and had forced himself on Kurt – later threatening to kill him if he so much breathed a word to anyone.

Of course Elizabeth could immediately tell that something was wrong with her boy and Kurt had broken down and told her everything. He couldn't let her down now – not after everything that she had gone through to get him Dalton Academy.

"Kurt! It's nearly time to go!" Elizabeth called from downstairs and Kurt gave himself one last look before slipping his satchel onto his shoulder and hurrying downstairs. Elizabeth smiled beautifully at him as he came into the kitchen and she looked him over.

"I know you're not one for a uniform," she smiled. "But you pull it off very nicely."

She had been worried about Kurt, seeing him lose weight and looking miserable. She was happy to see Kurt smirk and give her a look that said well duh.

"It's not fashion at its best but for a uniform it's not too bad," Kurt admitted, tugging at his blazer sleeve.

"You look handsome," Elizabeth assured him, smoothing his collar down. "I'm sure there will be one or two boys who won't be able to keep their eyes off you."

Elizabeth giggled as she saw Kurt blush and he shifted. She knew that he wasn't used to flirting or other boys being interested in him but hopefully Dalton would allow him to meet another gay teenager and perhaps even get himself a boyfriend. Elizabeth had been fine when Kurt came out to her and assured him that she loved him no less than before and that she was so proud of him for telling her.

Mildred herself was gay – much to their parents displeasure – so Kurt knew that his mother and aunt would have no problem with it but he had still been nervous when it came to telling her.

"Are you ready to go?" Elizabeth asked as the red from Kurt's cheeks faded.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Kurt murmured and Elizabeth gave him a gentle push out the kitchen and towards the door. Usually Kurt would drive himself to school but Elizabeth needed to speak to the principle and she had a music lesson in Westerville that afternoon so she would be able to pick up Kurt at the end of the day.

They locked the house behind them and quickly slid into the car. Elizabeth pulled out and switched on the car radio, knowing the music would calm Kurt down. He smiled at her thankfully and turned the radio over to the CD player and broad way classics began to fill the car.

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The ride went much too fast for Kurt's liking and he looked around Dalton as it came into view. Already he felt out of place and shrunk into his seat. Elizabeth parked the car and turned in her seat to face Kurt.

"Are you ready? We don't have to do this," she told him softly and Kurt shook his head, squaring his shoulders.

"Nobody pushes the Hummel's around, right?" Kurt asked and Elizabeth beamed at him proudly. "I can do this."

She nodded and they both slid out of the car. Elizabeth locked it and together – side by side – they headed into the school. Elizabeth watched her son proudly out of the corner of her eyes as he strode down the halls, ignoring the curious glances that were thrown their way.

Elizabeth had seen that look on her sisters face when they were in school. They way she carried herself proudly, unashamed of herself and ignoring the hateful slurs that were thrown her way. She knew her son was tough – after all Burt had been – but hated that he had to look this way at school.

They found the front office easily and the principle saw them quickly. He smiled at them as they took a seat across the large, wooden desk.

"Welcome Kurt. I'm Principle Alex Harold and welcome to Dalton Academy."

"Thank you," Kurt smiled back at the man. He was older, with greying hair and laugh wrinkles. He seemed a nice man and he smiled at Elizabeth.

"and hello Mrs. Hummel. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," Elizabeth smiled at him, shaking his hand. "I can't thank you enough for accepting Kurt half way through a term."

"I'm saddened to say that Kurt is not our first emergency transfer students nor will he be the last but we are thrilled to have you here." Kurt nodded and the nerves he had been feeling were fading away in the presence of this man. He was nice and had a soothing voice that held respect and kindness for who he was talking to. "We have all you transfer papers and everything is in order. We have made a timetable for you if you would like to have a look at it."

Kurt nodded and took the timetable when it was offered to him. He scanned over it and was pleased to see that he was in all the class he liked.

"This is perfect. Thank you," Kurt thanked him sincerely and Alex Harold smiled at him.

"Excellent. I have asked another transfer student to show you around if that's okay?" Mr Harold asked him and Kurt nodded. "Great. He should be waiting out in the front office for you."

The three of them stood and Mr Harold walked them out. He had been right and Kurt stomach fluttered as he saw a boy waiting for them. He was handsome, rocking the uniform far better than Kurt was. Kurt could see under all that hair gel was thick, curly hair.

He smiled brightly at Kurt – his smile just as gorgeous as the rest of him – and straightened.

"Kurt, this is Blaine Anderson," Mr Harold introduced. "Blaine this is Kurt and Elizabeth Hummel."

"It's nice to meet you both," Blaine grinned and held out his hand politely. Kurt was shocked by his charm and dapperness and quickly shook his hand, feeling the calloused fingers beneath his own soft ones. They let go and Blaine shook Elizabeth's hand and she smiled at him.

"It's nice to meet you Blaine," Elizabeth smiled.

"Kurt, Blaine is in majority of your classes and he'll help you with anything you need," Mr Harold explained and Blaine nodded eagerly.

"Thank you," Kurt smiled shyly at Blaine.

"It's no trouble. If you want, we can start now. We've been given a free pass to miss our morning classes so I can show you around," Blaine told him and Kurt nodded.

"Have a good day," Elizabeth smiled at Kurt. "I'll see you later."

"Bye mum," Kurt smiled nervously and he followed Blaine out of the front office.

"Blaine himself came from a situation like Kurt's," Mr Harold told Elizabeth. "He is one of our brightest students. Kurt will be happy with him."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head, letting out a deep breath she hadn't known she was holding.

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"This school is beautiful," Kurt breathed in awe as Blaine led him around. "How do you get anything done?"

Blaine chuckled and Kurt smiled at the sound.

"I thought the same thing when I came here. I'd tell you that you will get used to it but you don't. It still takes my breath away," Blaine grinned, looking at smiled shyly back and Blaine led them on.

"Alright, this is the choir room for the Warbler's to rehearse," Blaine told him, leading him to a large room that was beautifully furnished with leather couches.

"The Warbler's?" Kurt asked confused as he took in the room.

"It's our school's glee club," Blaine explained gently.

"Are you apart of it?" Kurt asked and Blaine nodded.

"Yes, I am there lead soloist," Blaine grinned and Kurt noted that it wasn't a smile of arrogance like Rachel Berry's would have been but it was modest and he said it with pride, obviously proud to have the honour of leading their group. "Do you sing?"

"Yes," Kurt nodded. "I was in my old schools glee club."

Blaine grinned more brightly. "That's amazing. What's your range?"

"Countertenor," Kurt smiled and Blaine's eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. Kurt shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and Blaine noticed this.

"Sorry. The Warbler's haven't had a countertenor in years," Blaine breathed. "If you want, I can ask Wes – our council leader – to get you an audition. I'm sure he'll make a exception."

"Thank you. I'll think about it," Kurt nodded. He wasn't sure he wanted to join any clubs just yet. He just wanted to get settled in first and hoped to stay under the radar. He wasn't sure what this school was like but if everybody was as nice as Blaine – which he hoped they were – he could see himself liking Dalton.

Blaine nodded in understanding and they continued on with the tour. Blaine showed him everything and they ended the tour at the cafeteria just as the lunch bell rang.

"I'll introduce you to everyone," Blaine grinned as they grabbed themselves some food and weaved their way through the tables. They took a seat at a large table where a group of boys were sitting. They smiled brightly as the two boys approached.

"Who's your friend Blaine?" a blonde headed boy asked and Blaine grinned at him.

"Jeff, this is Kurt Hummel. Kurt this is Jeff, his boyfriend Nick, Thad, Wes, David and Trent," Blaine introduced, indicating to each boy as he said their names. They smiled back at Kurt and nodded at him.

"Welcome to Dalton," Wes grinned and Kurt smiled shyly back.

"Thank you," Kurt murmured quietly and took a seat next to Blaine. He ate his lunch quietly, listening to the boys chatting around him. He was nervous to be around such a big group of boys. At McKinley, there were only a handful of males that were friendly towards him. He answered their questions quietly, telling them what school he attended before and was glad that none of them asked why he had transferred.

Blaine helped him with his afternoon classes and Kurt was pleased to find himself actually challenged by the work and that the boys actually listened and respected their teacher instead of acting like animals like they did at McKinley.

At the end of the day, Kurt was surprised when Blaine walked with him out to the parking lot.

"I hope we haven't scared you off," Blaine joked as they walked and Kurt shook his head.

"No, everyone has been very welcoming," Kurt assured him and Blaine noticed Kurt's frown, as if he couldn't believe that they had been so nice and was waiting for the joke. It hurt Blaine to see this look, knowing that he himself had felt that way a while ago. He didn't know Kurt's situation and hoped that he and Kurt could become friends.

Kurt was interesting and like no other boy that Blaine had ever met. He was slim and tall with beautiful chestnut brown hair and porcelain skin. The uniform looked good on him too. He was interesting and Blaine wanted to get to know him some more. They stepped outside and Kurt scanned the parking lot for his mother's car.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Blaine grinned at Kurt. "I'll meet you at your locker."

Kurt eyes widened with surprise but he smiled. "Thank you. See you tomorrow."

Blaine gave him a goofy smile and a wave before heading to his own car. Kurt hurried to his mother's car and slipped inside. She smiled at him and pulled out.

"How did your day go?" Elizabeth asked as she drove them home.

"Good. It's very different from McKinley," Kurt told her and Elizabeth shot him a curious look.

"Good different or bad different?" she asked worriedly.

"Good different," Kurt assured her and she smiled with relief. They were quiet the rest of the way home and Elizabeth shot her son a concerned look. When they got home, Kurt placed his satchel on the table and started taking out his books.

"Kurt?" Elizabeth asked and he looked up at his mother's worried face. "Are you sure Dalton was okay?"

"Of course it is mum. It's leagues away from McKinley and everyone was really nice to me. It's just a different atmosphere," Kurt assured her and Elizabeth smoothed his cheek with his hand.

"If you're sure. I want you to be happy Kurt and I'm sorry that I couldn't get you out of that...school sooner," Elizabeth told him sadly and Kurt shook his head.

"It's not your fault mum," Kurt assured her sternly. "I never told you how bad it was. I didn't want you to worry."

"It's my job as a mother to worry," Elizabeth teased and Kurt chuckled. "It's over now and you're safe. That's all that matters."

She smiled at him and he smiled back at her. She kissed his cheek and moved away and moved towards the kitchen.

"What do you feel like for dinner?" She asked and Kurt followed her into the kitchen, abandoning his homework for the moment.