This was the only thought in Kurt's head as he pulled in, like so many times before, to the Dalton Academy parking lot. He turned off the ignition and removed the key to his Navigator as he pulled down the visor. He double checked his hair and his outfit. It was almost identical to the Dalton standard issue except he still had yet to find a patch that was close enough to the insignia on the Dalton boys' chests. He kept this disguise in his car, in a hidden compartment in the back (not to mention a cologne that hid his average one. They say smell is the strongest link between memories...)and he changed his normal ringtone from 'Wicked' to a standard issue series of beeps.

This was something he was used to, something he worked into his schedule every other week. His dad knew it as 'Hanging out with Mercedes', and even though it caused Kurt great pain to lie to his Father, his only family, he had to because he loved sneaking around Dalton too much to give it up.

With one last sigh he shut his visor and flung open his door, checking his phone one last time to see a text from Mercedes.

From Mercedes:
Hey stay safe, boo. Keep your head down!

Kurt smiled as he quickly replied.

To Mercedes:
I've done this so many times before it's almost second-nature... But thanks anyways.

And with that, he strolled out of the parking lot to the slightly bent hole in the fence. Luckily, he was skinny enough to squeeze through. As he turned himself around he took a deep breath and just for a moment, closed his eyes and imagined himself as a regular student, not having to hide behind corners or sneak through the fence...

He opened his eyes and smiled bitter-sweetly. If only.

With that thought, he took a step with his right foot, and another step with his left, and soon he was making his way across the campus, blending in seamlessly (except for his missing emblem) with the rest of the students.

*****

Kurt's feet ached terribly as he got into his car. He had been walking for hours according to his clock which read 8:50pm, ten minutes before curfew at Dalton. He slipped off the ugly dress shoes that were identical to everyone else, and rubbed his feet for a couple seconds. While he rested, he took out his phone and texted Mercedes.

To: Mercedes
Anything from my dad?

He placed his phone on the passenger seat and climbed into the back. He had enough time to peal off his blazer and dress shirt when his phone sent out three monotonous beeps.

From: Mercedes
Told him you were spending the night with me. He bought it.

Kurt sat there confused for a couple seconds before texting back.

To: Mercedes
So... I'm spending the night at your house?

The reply was almost immediate.

From: Mercedes
If you want to.

To: Mercedes
...I'll be there in an hour.

Kurt tossed his phone to the side after he changed it back to his 'Wicked' ringtone. As fast as he could at the awkward angles the car allowed, he changed back into his clothes from school.

When making his way back up to the driver's seat, he noted the time at 9pm and turned on his car. It was a long drive home, but it would give him time to relish the feeling of just being at Dalton.

As he pulled out, he didn't notice the blinking red light of the security camera trailing his motion.