Chapter 4 – Competition Revealed

Monday

Breakfast brought a renewed effort in trying to get Kurt to go out with him. Blaine met Jeff and Kurt at breakfast with his idea prepared. They all sat down with their trays. "What's this idea Blaine?" Jeff gave Blaine his undivided attention.

"Okay. I say we invite all of the teams to Dalton in a friendly concert. We do it the week before Sectionals. They can sing whatever they want. They don't have to do their competition songs, They don't even have to sing as a group. We just tell them to have a 15 minute show prepared and then we'll have refreshments afterward." Blaine smiled, quite proud of his idea.

"That's a really good idea. This way we get to see our competition too. Let's work on that tonight and send out the invites?"

"I thought we could hand deliver McKinley's." Blaine smiled wide at Jeff and Nick knowing they couldn't resist a friend in need.

Jeff sighed and looked at Nick for some kind of agreement. Nick nodded. "Sure. We could do that. Only for you Blaine, would we do something like this."

Blaine knew they would give in. "We need to get drivers at Warbler practice. I can drive, Jeff, Nick and Trent could drive. How many more?"

"I think we need 2 more. That should do it."

"Okay. I will bring a prepared invite to Warblers tonight to announce to the group." Blaine finally dug into his breakfast knowing this would do it. If he could see Kurt outside of Fight Club, he would consider it. He just needed to see Blaine as a real teenager and not a fighter. He wished he had never punched him. Blaine thought that memory would be hard to get rid of.

They talked through breakfast about some older songs that they could sing for this. Blaine's brain was working on overtime. "I want to sing a song. A solo or something. I think I know which one."

Nick was laughing again. "Blaine you are so smitten. Was he that good in bed?"

Blaine blushed unintentionally giving away information about their night. "It's not that. We talked a little that night and in the shower."

"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. In the shower?" Jeff was shocked.

"Well yeah. We took a shower together.. you know. After. Forget it." Blaine blushed deep red realizing the he had confirmed everything that his friends thought happened.

"Okay. Because I do that. That's normal. You don't take showers with someone you just had sex with, that you don't even know." Jeff was shocked. "Does murderer mean anything to you? How did taking a shower even come up? You know what? Forget it. I think that might be too much information."

Nick interjected very interested. "I want to know."

Jeff hit Nick behind the head. "You're and idiot. You need to get a girlfriend dude."

"Just because I'm interested doesn't mean I'm deprived." Nick focused his attention back to Blaine. "So, I want to know. We always talk about our dates with Blaine and he sits and listens. I'd like to think I'm being a friend by being interested."

Blaine smiled and nodded. He wasn't used to sharing information like this. "Not much to tell really. We did, you know…. Then he wanted to take a shower and invited me to take one with him." Blaine shrugged.

"AND…."

"And, we talked and kissed and you know hugged and stuff." Blaine was really embarrassed. Being gay and having straight friends was tough. While they didn't care that he was gay, he wasn't sure that they really got what intimacy was like for two guys. He didn't want to freak them out either.

"Talked and kissed….and stuff?" Nick really seemed interested.

"Well, yeah. We talked about school and music and we kissed. What's so weird about that?"

"You just met and you were in the shower. Wasn't that awkward?" It was a fair question to ask, but Blaine was more taken aback by the answer he knew he was going to give.

"I thought it would be, but it wasn't. He was pretty open."

"Duh.. You are in the shower."

"No. You know what I mean. We talked like about just regular things."

"And that's all you did while you were naked in the shower after having sex?"

"Well. Kind of. We kissed and touched, not like touching but more like hugging. He was a good kisser. He's got the softest skin. I don't know why I am so attracted to him. Dammit." Blaine looked so frustrated. "Why would anyone reject going out with me?"

Jeff laughed loudly. "There's a list Blaine. It's long and distinguished."

Blaine looked sad. He glanced at the clock. "Well, time for class. See you later?" Blaine nodded as they all got up to head off to class.

---

"Kurt, why don't you give Blaine a chance?" Finn was prying. Kurt had been quiet the rest of the weekend and Finn suspected that he was thinking about Friday night trying to get some perspective on it.

"Finn, why are you so interested?" Breakfast was the time that he and Kurt talked the most because Burt and Carole were always off to work by this time.

"He texted me. He asked me to tell you that he just wants one date. He said if you agree to one date and don't like him, he'll leave you alone." Finn was actually beginning to like this guy and was getting frustrated at why Kurt was being so guarded. He knew Kurt was interested. He would have had sex with him if he wasn't interested. "He seems like a straight up guy. He goes to a good school. I mean Kurt, he's a private school kid. He must have money."

"Finn, are you that stupid? You remember his house. He's got tons of money."

"Kurt. This is a chance at some happiness. Why would you turn your back on at least trying? He said he won't give up." Finn saw a break in Kurt's tough fa�ade and knew that he was making progress. He really wanted to see Kurt happy. "You are alone all the time. All your friends have boyfriends. Mercedes has Sam, Rachel and me. Quinn, well she doesn't count because she is always plotting something, Brittany and Artie, Puck and Lauren, Santana and everyone. We are always with dates."

"You guys are still my friends and we do stuff together."

"But, I see you Kurt. I see you when we are out as a group. I know you want that. I know you think about it."

Kurt was angry again. He hated when people could see through him. "Who cares Finn?"

"I do. I care Kurt. I want you to be happy." Finn looked genuine.

"I'll think about it." Kurt stood up and grabbed his messenger. "I'm off. I want to stop at the Lima Bean and get coffee. Don't forget, I've got senior privilege and study hall first class so I have a bunch of time before I need to be at school."

"I'll see you at school Kurt."

The drive to the Lima Bean was a little out of the way, but he had heard that Dalton boys hung out there on occasion. Kurt was beginning to start feeling torn over all of this stuff. Apparently Blaine was interested. "Why would he be interested except for the sex?" Kurt spoke out loud to himself, but then remember how Blaine's touch was disarming. What was that feeling that Kurt had? It was like he met the devil himself. Kurt felt so good just kissing Blaine. Sleeping with their bodies so close together was almost more than he could handle. It felt so nice and so comfortable. And the shower. Like heaven. Blaine was all around him in the shower. His touch was gentle and personal, not awkward at all.

When he got to the Lima Bean, he saw a few uniformed boys and spent a little too much time trying to see if one of them was Blaine, but none of them were. He knew he looked to long because one of the guys caught him staring. So this was a Dalton hangout. He would start putting this on his list of after school spots. He got his coffee and walked toward the exit taking one last glance around to see if anyone he knew was there. He saw no one.

Kurt made his way back to McKinley and started to his first class when he was slammed into a locker. He didn't even see it coming. "Hummel, you were in my way." Karofsky said. Kurt could see the hint of regret behind his eyes. Where Karofsky existed, Azimio was not far behind. "Stay out of the way. Kurt stood up rubbing his shoulder and continued on his way. It wasn't worth it to do anything now, but Kurt was angry.

"Why don't you just leave me alone?"

Azimio approached first. "Are you mouthing off Hummel?"

Karofsky took a stance right behind him. He shook his head slightly. Kurt knew it wouldn't do any good. By the time he got to class he wanted to punch someone. Kurt decided that he would do fight club this weekend if it was happening.

By the time Glee club rolled around, Kurt was bored out of his mind. School didn't challenge him and outside of the people right here in this room, no one cared about him. He leaned over to Puck to whisper. "Hey Puck. I want to go to fight club this weekend if it's happening."

"Kurt. No. Finn will kill me."

"I don't care. I just got shoved into a locker and I feel like going. Do this for me."

"I don't know. I'll talk to Finn."

"Please don't? You know he'll try to stop me." Kurt looked so sad. He looked like he really needed Puck to trust him.

"I'll call Samuel and see if you can get put on the call tree. They come by text from a throw away phone." Puck was worried. He was still planning on telling Finn.

"Alright everyone." Mr. Schue walked to the white board and wrote down Blockbusters. We are going to sing songs from Blockbuster movies. This must be either used in the movie or on the movie soundtrack. You should have a lot to choose from. One thing is that you must sing a song from the opposite sex." Kurt smiled because he was perfect for this challenge. "Whoever wins this challenge will receive either a solo or duet for Sectionals." The room clapped loudly.

"Mr. Schue, where is sectionals being held this year?" Rachel asked since it was merely 6 weeks away.

"Actually, Sectionals will be held here in our McKinley Auditorium this year." Mr. Schue pulled out a piece of paper form his bag. "I also just received word of our competition."

"Tell us, Mr. Schue." Everyone had demanded in their own way.

"Okay. We are competing against Springfield High School, Princeton High School, Springboro High School and Dalton Academy." Kurt looked up immediately when he heard Dalton, and then glanced toward Finn. "Hey guys. Since its being held here, maybe we can invite our competition to a friendly concert and get to know everyone? What do you think about that? Raise your hands if you are in favor of it?" All hands went up. "It's settled. I'll get some invitations ready to send out"

Kurt decided that if Blaine was in the Warblers that he would agree to one date if he asked. If it's meant to be, he figured it would happen.

---

Nick and a few of the Warblers had a free period in the morning and ran out to the Dalton Academy's favorite coffee joint on his break. They were sitting at a table by the window when a boy walked in by himself. Nick didn't see his face, but something seemed different and familiar about him. This boy kept looking around and then he looked Nick's direction and paused as if examining them. Nick didn't know him until he noticed the eyes on this boy. He pulled out his phone and texted Blaine.

Nick:

I swear Kurt is here at the Lima Bean

Blaine:

Really. Are you sure?

Nick:

Pretty sure. He looks like the guy in the videos

Blaine:

I'll come up after I get out of class. Will you let me know if he stays there?

Nick:

He's ordering now. I'll let you know if he stays

Blaine:

Thanks

Nick:

What are friends for? Do you want me to say something to him?

Blaine:

No

Blaine glanced at the clock. Damn. There was still 5 minutes left in class and the Lima Bean was a good 20 minute drive from there. It was unlikely that he would be there when he got out of class. Another missed opportunity.

Nick:

Forget it. He just left. Looked like he was headed to school.

Blaine:

Did he talk to anyone?

Nick:

Nope. He looked like he was looking for someone

Blaine hoped he was looking for him. He decided he would be at the Lima Bean after school to see if he could get a chance to talk to Kurt. Maybe he would show up there looking for Blaine.

Blaine:

Thanks for letting me know

The day dragged on as he patiently sat through all of his classes. He anticipated Warblers practice where he would announce that they would be going to McKinley to invite them to this concert. In the meantime, Blaine took lunch to call McKinley High School to talk to their choir director.

"Hello, this is Mr., Schuester."

"Hello Mr. Schuester. My name is Blaine Anderson and I am with the Dalton Academy Warblers. We just got our information on the Sectionals competition yesterday and looks like we are competing."

"Yes we are. Funny you should call, we were thinking of having a get together with all of our competition. Sort of a friendly gathering."

"That's what I was calling about. We were going to invite everyone to Dalton to do some performances."

"Actually Blaine, we thought since its being held here at McKinley, we were going to invite everyone here. Can you ask your director?"

"Mr, Schuester, we don't have a director. We have a Warbler's Council made up of senior members of the group. I happen to be the head of the Council."

"Oh, well then can you talk to your group to see if coming to McKinley is okay."

"No. No need. The Council decides on these types of things. When were you planning on having it?"

"The week before sectionals."

"That sounds perfect."

"Well, we'll still send a formal invite. We look forward to it."

"This is good news." Blaine hung up. He would share this with Jeff and Nick before practice tonight. "Lima Bean. Be my lucky charm." Blaine headed off with a better attitude for the rest of the day and anticipation for Warblers practice.

---

"Kurt, what are you doing after New Directions practice?" Finn wanted to try to talk to Kurt again. He didn't understand why Kurt was closing himself off from Blaine when Blaine was so clearly interested.

"I think I'm going to do my homework at the Lima Bean. I could use some coffee."

"Okay, but can we talk later at home?"

"Finn, I think it was pretty clear that I want you to butt out."

"As your brother, it's my job to make sure you are happy and you are clearly not happy and not taking chances at something that could make you happy." Finn crossed his arms and was not giving up. It was actually quite endearing. "I'm tired you seeing you sad Kurt. Maybe this guy can change things around."

"Okay Finn. You are a good brother. I promise I'll talk to you later." Kurt hoped he got home so late that Finn was asleep. He was sure that Finn would be able to see right through him.

---

Kurt found a booth near the window and set his books out before going up to the counter to order a coffee. He glanced around the shop and didn't see any of the blazers that he knew Dalton guys wore. So much for the possibility of seeing him. Maybe it's just as well. Kurt found that he was slowly getting his hopes up.

The Warblers had gathered for practice. Blaine called everyone to order. "Warbler's, I talked to McKinley High Schools choir director and he has invited us along with all the other schools in sectionals to a friendly concert. This is a good thing because we get to perform on the stage that we will be competing on. It is planned for the week before Sectional." Everyone clapped. "By the claps, I'm assuming that everyone is all for it, but I need to see a show of hands." All hands went up. "Okay. We decided to begin work tomorrow on Sectionals and give everyone the afternoon off. The council will work on the song list for the concert at McKinley tonight and will announce it tomorrow. There may be some solos up for grabs so make sure you start thinking about whether you will try out for one."

The room cleared out and Blaine gathered everything up. "Hey guys, I'm going to go get some coffee at the Lima Bean. Anyone want to go?"

Nick smiled knowingly. "I'm in."

"Me too. I'm not going to miss Blaine trying to woo Kurt, IF he happens to be there."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Jeff. With my luck, he won't even be there." Just then his phone went off. Hey another add on to the Fight Club group.

"Are you still planning for Friday night?"

"Yeah. I sense the need to release some energy."

Jeff elbowed Blaine. "You think he'll be there?"

Just then Blaine remembered his promise to Finn and he didn't want to go against the guy's brother. He needed Finn's help. "No. I promised his brother not to let him in Fight Club in return for his help in getting his brother to go out with me."

"Blaine, you will play any angle won't you."

"I don't have much of a choice do I?" Blaine texted the Fight Club group list in his phone. '345 Collier, Westerville, Brown barn, you know the drill 9 PM.' He hit send as they got into Blaine's car to drive over the Lima Bean.

Kurt had his earphones in listening to music and working on his English Paper. His phone buzzed and when he looked down to see his text messages, it was from an unknown number and all it stated was an address. Kurt knew immediately it was Fight Club. When he looked up from his phone, he saw a really nice car coming in the parking lot. Ignoring it, he went back to his writing and didn't even notice when 3 guys in blue blazers entered the shop and ordered coffee.

Nick nudged Blaine as he saw the boy from earlier. He wasn't absolutely positive because the boy was looking down, but he thought it was Kurt. "Blaine, is that him?"

Blaine cocked his head to the side focusing on the boy in the booth by the window. It was hard to see because he was looking down and intently writing something. "I think it is."

Jeff grabbed all the coffees and handed them to Blaine and Nick. "Then I guess we should sit over that way to make sure. Then Blaine could walk over and ask him out."

They sat at a table across from the booths but down one from Kurt. Kurt looked up and saw the boys and there he was. Blaine looked good in his Dalton uniform. Kurt thought he looked perfect and his heart started to beat a little faster and a little louder. He hadn't thought this through very well. What if Blaine avoided him or pretended not to know him. It was be a devastating blow to him. Kurt just continued to do what he was doing hoping that either he wouldn't see him or at least say hello to him. All these thoughts were in his head and he was getting nervous.

"Kurt?" Kurt looked up to see those beautiful hazel eyes. He couldn't help but smile.

"Uh Hi Blaine." Kurt looked at the table of Warblers that Blaine was with.

"Hey, can I sit?"

"Yeah. Sure. What about your friends?"

"They're fine over there. I really wanted to talk to you along anyway." Blaine's smile was gorgeous. He was everything Kurt had remembered from Friday night.

"Oh?" Blaine looked at Kurt's eyes. They looked like the beautiful pools of blue that he remembered. He was staring and noticed Kurt shift in his seat.

"So, do you come here often?"

"Not too often. I like it though. The coffee is really good and there's plenty of seating." This was stupid conversation. "How about you?"

"This is kind of a Dalton hangout for the same reasons you just said. We like the coffee and there's a lot of room." Blaine shifted nervously but continued to make eye contact. "Listen…"

Kurt cut Blaine off. "We don't have to talk about it. I'm fine. Don't worry. I won't get all needy on you."

"So you're fine?"

"Of course. It was one night."

"Is that what you think?"

"It's not what I think, it's what it was."

"I really wanted to talk to you the next morning, but you left before I could." Blaine looked sad and Kurt wanted to hold his hand and squeeze it to let him know that he would be a friend.

"I know. I just figured I would save us the awkwardness."

Blaine nodded understanding. "So, are you alright? You know. Your face looks perfect."

"Yeah. I'm fine. I've got some make-up on to cover the bruising, but its okay. I actually had fun."

Blaine brightened up. "You did?"

"Yeah.. I mean, the fight was fun." Kurt trailed off glancing around the shop.

"Is that all?"

"Of course. What else is there?"

"I hoped that you thought…" Blaine leaned toward Kurt to whisper. "That the night was fun."

Kurt blushed and Blaine smiled even wider because Kurt's mouth was big and perfect. "It was Blaine. It was lovely. You were lovely."

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime." Blaine could see Kurt's guard go up almost immediately. "Why do you do that Kurt?"

"Do what?"

"Put your guard up like that? I promise I won't hurt you."

"I'm sorry Blaine. We live in different cities and we go to different schools. It just doesn't seem realistic."

Blaine was losing the battle. Kurt had started to close everything up and Blaine put a gentle hand to Kurt's, stilling them for just a moment. "I really want to get to know you. I obviously can't force you to go out with me, but will you please consider it?"

"Um. Okay." Kurt admitted defeat. As Blaine's hand touched his gently, he slowly and discreetly rubbed the top of Kurt's hand with his fingers. Kurt's skin was smooth and beautiful.

"Okay? You'll think about it?" Blaine lit up like a Christmas Tree. Kurt smiled again as he blushed and his heart fluttered. Blaine was flirting this him. Maybe this could work. Blaine was blushing as he realized he was flirting.

Blaine grabbed Kurt's phone and typed his name and phone number in it and pressed send. His phone buzzed. "Now you have my number and I have yours. Please don't delete it." Blaine looked at him with these eyes. The only way to describe it was puppy dog.

"Okay. I won't."

"I might see you on Friday." Kurt looked at Blaine hopefully. Blaine looked confused.

"Friday?"

"I just got a text. You sent it didn't you?"

"Kurt, you can't do this. I don't want you to get hurt." Blaine was being truthful. If he could skip fight club now, he would. He had made progress. "Maybe I can take you out on Friday instead."

"I was really looking forward to it. Please let me do this Blaine. You're not my mother or my brother." Kurt already sensed that Finn had made a deal with Blaine.

"Okay. I'll be there thought."

"Was hoping you would be." Kurt winked at Blaine as he started to pack up his things. "I need to get going. It was nice to see you…." Kurt looked down at his phone for the full name. "Blaine Anderson.

"Yeah, Kurt Hummel. VERY nice to see you again." Kurt grabbed his bag and stood. As he walked by Blaine he moved his hips just a little more, knowing that Blaine would probably be looking. Kurt made the most of it.

A piece of the Kurt Hummel shell was broken today. Blaine was sure that he would get Kurt on a real date. He was determined to.