No unread messages.

He moved it to the side of his desk, far enough away that it gave him room to work but close enough to where he could see the screen light up if he got a text.

The bag of fabric sat on his desk, mocking him and his design inexperience. He looked over at his phone again.

Still nothing.

But then again, what did he really expect? Kurt to be available at his beck and call? He has his own life and his own piece he had to make. Watching his phone was not going to magically go off, he needed to do something else with his time.

Blaine looked back over at the fabric that was still folded crisply in his bag. There was no way he was going to start it tonight, he was too preoccupied. He leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking against his shift in weight. He can get up early and start in the morning. Maybe Kurt would respond to him by them.

Why did Kurt need to respond at all?

He could do this on his own. It is just nice to have that second opinion. Yeah that was it. To have someone to bounce ideas off of and for someone to reassure him. Kurt always made him feel like he could do this, like he could really be a designer.

He snatched his phone off the desk.

Do you want to meet for coffee tomorrow, say 10am?

Blaine types slowly. His finger lingers over the send button for a few seconds, giving him another minute to reread the message a few times.

Sent

Blaine let out the breath he was holding and placed his phone back down on desk.

Instantly it went off and Blaine quickly picked it up again.

From Brock: Sounds great, see you there Blaine!
-----
Blaine was standing in a room of complete white. White for miles around him. He was the only person there and it was silent. The silence was actually quite loud against Blaine’s eardrums. He walked around the room, trying to see if there was anything else to discover.

There was not.

It was just white walls for as far as the eye could see.

“How is it going, man?”

Blaine turned around, he thought he was alone but the voice sounded so familiar.

His eyes fell upon Wes, standing tall and proper with a suit made of white. It looked like it could be the all white version of the Dalton Uniform.

“Wes... uh w-w-where did you come from?”

Wes smiled. “You are dreaming.”

“Dreaming?” Blaine questioned.

“Yup dude, you are totally dreaming.” Nick appeared on his left side.

“We are all up in your dream, inception style but don’t worry, I will not alter your memories.” Jeff waved his arms around in the air.

“Cool it Jeff. Blaine, we are here to give you encouragement.” David was behind Blaine.

Blaine turned so quickly he almost fell over. “Guys....you are all here.”

“Of course we are Blaine. We are here to tell you that you can do this.” Wes patted him on the shoulder. Blaine put his hand on top of Wes’ to check if he was real.

This felt real.

It felt like he was back at Dalton, singing with the guys around school. Throwing homework, disrupting classes and overall, just having fun with the Warblers.

“Guys, I got the internship. THE internship. The client is a former Warbler and he has no idea what he is doing. I don’t have any idea what the hell I am doing actually.”

“Woah, Blaine didn’t you make that awesome dress like a week ago?” David asked him coolly.

“Yeah but..”

“But what, it was amazing.” Wes smiled. Nick and Jeff nodded.

“But Kurt...”

“Kurt helped but he didn’t make it. You made it. It was your design, your idea and your hands put it together.” David took a step forward. “You can do this Blaine, don’t second guess yourself.”

“If anyone can do this Blaine....it is you.” Nick put his hands on his hips.

Blaine smiled as he looked at each of them. “Thanks guys. I really needed to hear that”

“We should be going though Blaine. You need to get back to work on your piece.” David handed Blaine the bag of fabric that was slowly becoming the bane of his existence.

“Oh and about Brock. There is more to him that meets the eye.” Jeff flashed him his bright smile.

“Wait what?” Blaine looked up from the fabric.

Wes hit Jeff in the shoulder. “We have to go now.”

“Wait...what about Brock. I need to know.”

“Bye Blaine!” The Warblers said in unison and with that they were gone as quickly as they arrived.

Blaine was alone in the room of vast whiteness and silence. He took a deep breath and then looked back down at the fabric.

A soft knock echoed through the room. It slowly grew louder and louder. Blaine looked around him.

“Blaine...”

That voice.... it was distant but he knew who it belonged too.

“Blaine.”

Blaine woke up. The knock was coming from his dorm room door. The voice calling his name belonged to Kurt. He looked down at his desk, he must have put his head down and fallen asleep. He was no further into his design then he was when he sat down at the desk. He sighed.

“Blaine? Are you awake?”

Right... Kurt is still at the door.

Blaine got up and answered it. Kurt was wrapped up in a jacket and a long scarf and was shivering against the late night cold.

“I got your text. Can I come in, I am freezing.”

Blaine wiped the drool that he suddenly noticed from his chin and then motioned for Kurt to enter.

“Sooo what is up.” His voice was thick with exhaustion.

Blaine licked at his dry lips. “I umm, was having trouble picking out fabric and I thought you could help.”

Kurt exhaled and let his shoulder shrug. “Let me see what you picked out.”

“I was trying to find a nice floral print but I don’t know if this is the one or not.” Blaine finally unpacked the fabric from his bag.

Kurt took the fabric into his hands and suppressed a laugh.

“What? Is it hideous? Is it completely wrong?”

Kurt pressed his lips together and gave him a calculating look. “Blaine, I think my grandmother has pillows made out of this fabric on her couch.” He put the fabric back in the bag. “No it won’t do. We will have to go back to the fabric store first thing in the morning and cut you a new piece because I can not let you use that.”

Blaine put his hands into his pockets as Kurt looked through the rest of the fabric he had selected. “Thanks for coming over.”

Kurt looked back at him. “Don’t mention it.”
-----
Kurt and Blaine went to the fabric store right when it opened the next morning and Kurt helped him pick out a whole new set of fabrics and they begged the woman to let him return the pieces he had already cut. He said goodbye to Kurt and then headed off to the coffee shop to meet with Brock.

When Blaine arrived he saw that Brock was not alone yet he had another person with him, a guy with long blond hair. “Hello Brock.”

Brock stood up right away and shook his hand. “Blaine! I am so glad I was able to meet with you today. This is my assistant Sam Evans. I brought him along so he could learn some fashion stuff as well. I hope you don’t mind.”

Sam smiled at Blaine and held a hand out to him. “Pleasure to meet you Blaine.”

Blaine shook his hand. “Pleasure is mine.” He took his seat across from them at the table. “So how are things going? How is Callahan doing running your show?”

“Callahan is doing great I guess. He doesn’t really need me. He says the show is confusing because there are so many designers involved and each person is designing a different kind of clothing so they do not flow together. He said he is going to group them together and do the show in sections. I know that there is a group doing evening gowns, you are doing active wear, there is that group doing bathing suits, another doing something else...I forget.”

“Well it sounds like Callahan has it under control. Everything should be fine.”

Brock looked at Sam. “I hope so. I really do not know what we are doing here. If Natalia was here she would know what to do.”

Sam nodded.

There was a long moment of silence.

“God I miss singing with the Warblers. You have reminded me of that.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah, the only time I really felt like myself was up on that stage, singing at competitions.” Brock looked out the window, his eyes glazed over. “I was so lost in college without them. They were my family and singing had been a huge part of my life so without it, I was drowning. Then I went with my gut and found something I enjoyed. Now here I am.”

Blaine smiled from over his cup. “Well you are kind of back on stage, just in a different way.”

Brock leaned back in his chair. “I guess you are right.”

“We just won’t be all wearing our blazers and ties.”

“I miss those old uniforms.”

“I don’t. I mean I miss Dalton but I enjoy picking out my own clothes. Sometimes those uniforms got uncomfortable.”

Brock nodded. “I know what you mean.”

Sam looked between the two of them. “Dalton must be a pretty fabulous school.”

Brock exhaled loudly. “It was.”

Blaine nodded in agreement.

Sam turned to Brock. “Too bad I was not around to see you in at that time. I would love to hear you sing.”

“Another time, another place Evans.”

Sam shrugged and put his coffee cup to his lips.

Blaine played with the strap of his messenger bag. “So umm is there anything you need?”

“Brock wants me to come in and supervise all of the designs and only allow the ones that I like to be seen.” Sam played with his coffee cup.

“Did you talk to Calla-”

Sam interrupted him. “It is Brock’s show so he can do whatever he wants. Callahan doesn’t have a say.”

Brock watched Sam intently. “Yeah, right...”

Sam patted Brock’s arm. “Don’t worry I won’t let anything ugly go out on your runway. You have my word.”

Brock responded with a grin.

“So Sam, what are you looking for then if you are going to be critiquing our work?”

Sam sat up straighter in his chair and looked into the air as if trying to find an answer. “Classy pieces I guess. I do not know much about fashion but I know what looks nice and what does not. If there is something that looks cheap or trashy, I will not let it walk.”

“No offense but if you do not know much about fashion, then what gives you the right to judge our work?” Blaine crossed his arms.

Sam looked him straight in the eye. “I work for Mr. Taylor and I know a lot about his brand and I will make decisions based on what is best for the company.”

Blaine did not get a good feeling about this.

Brock put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Sam here has no formal training but I will admit that he has impeccable taste when it comes to clothes.”

Sam shrugged it off of him. “I will be coming by the studio tomorrow to check on your work, make sure to let everyone know.”

Blaine nodded. “Anything I should look out for?”

Sam licked his lips. “For you guys, make sure it is youthful. If I see anything close to what my grandmother would wear I may have to burn it.”

Brock laughed but Blaine looked at him uneasy.

Sam met his eyes and then picked up his smart phone off the table. “Oh Brock, you have a meeting with your financial team at 11:30, we should run.”

Brock nodded and began to gather his things.

“It was very nice meeting you Blaine and I look forward to working with you in the future.” Sam held a hand out to Blaine.

“Same.” Blaine took his hand and shook it wearily.

Brock stood up and shook Blaine’s hand. “Always a pleasure Blaine, I will see you soon.”

Blaine smiled. “Yeah, see ya.”

Blaine’s head was spinning. Who is this Sam guy and why does he get the impression that he is going to mess everything up. He watched as the two of them walked out of the shop and quickly grabbed his phone.

To Kurt: I smell trouble.

From Kurt: Oh god, did Enid forget to bathe again?

To Kurt: No, worse. Brock has an assistant. He is going to come in and judge our pieces.

From Kurt: Are you serious?

To Kurt: Yeah, meet me in the studio in 20 minutes?

From Kurt: Okay

Blaine grabbed his belongings and hurried out of the coffee shop. He needed to get to the studio and get to work. His had not even started his piece and now he had to worry about what Sam was going to say. Was he going to like it? Would he like anyone elses pieces? He needed to warn them.
-----
Warner, Vaughn and Enid were already working when he arrived. Blaine frantically looked around, wondering how best to tell them. He set his stuff down at his station and looked at his bare dress form and kicked the stand softly with his foot. Kurt rushed into the room next and went straight to his station.

“Okay, tell me everything.”

Blaine sat down on his stool and sighed heavily. “So I met up with Brock and when I got there, his assistant Sam was there. We talked about the show and then Sam said he is going to come in tomorrow and judge our outfits. If he doesn’t like it, it won’t walk.”

Kurt’s eyes grew wide. “He can’t...that’s not....uhh.”

“I know. We need to tell Callahan and the others.”

Kurt nodded. “I’ll go tell Callahan.”

Blaine looked over at Warner and Vaughn. “I guess I will tell them.”

Kurt exited the room and Blaine approached Warner. He stood their awkwardly for a few seconds before clearing his voice to get their attention.

“Can we help you Blaine?” Vaughn said in a dry tone.

“I just.” He cleared his voice again. “I just wanted to give you a heads up that Mr. Taylor’s assistant is coming by tomorrow to look at our pieces.”

“Okay... that’s nice. Can you leave us be now?” Vaughn said sarcastically.

“Vaughn, please.” Warner glared at his fiance. “Is there anything else Blaine?” He looked back at him.

“If the assistant does not like your piece, he will not let it walk at the show.”

Warner dropped his hand heavily onto his work station.

“Are you shitting me right now?’ Vaughn threw his hands in the air.

“I just met up with Brock and met his assistant and they told me themselves.”

“Going out on dates with the client, classy Blaine.” Warner picked up his scissors and turned away from him.

“No it isn’t like that. He used to be a Warbler and he wanted to talk, so he asked me to meet up with him.”

“Unless you have something useful to tell me, you can leave now.” Vaughn smiled.

Blaine snapped his jaw shut and looked between the two of them. He nodded and then started to retreat back to his station. He stopped himself and turned on his heels.

“There is one more thing. He wants to see youthful designs. If it looks to matronly he won’t allow it.”

He turned back around and walked over to Enid’s station. Vaughn’s eyes drilled holes in to his back during their whole conversation. Blaine shook it off and when he got back to his station, he jammed his ear buds in his ears and turned the music up high on his iPod. Choosing not to look over at Warner and Vaughn, he positioned himself to face Kurt’s station. He pulled out his fabrics and laid them all out so he could get to work.
-----
Callahan came into the studio a few hours later to check in with them. Blaine had made great progress on his piece. He was making a wrap dress out of his floral print fabric and was struggling to secure the fasteners on the left hip when his professor called out for their attention.

“I guess Blaine has made you all aware that Mr. Taylor’s assistant will be dropping by our studio tomorrow to inspect your work. He has decided to overstep the boundaries of his job and intrude into mine but he is our client and we must make him happy.” Callahan looked directly at Blaine. “I want you all to not get worked up over his visit and do your best work. His assistant has no fashion background so take his comments with a grain of salt.” He moved his eyes onto the rest of the group and Blaine let out the breath he had been holding. “If you need anything I will be in my office.”

Everyone nodded and continued working. Blaine reached to put his ear buds back into his ears.

“Mr. Anderson.”

Blaine’s head shot up in Callahan’s direction.

“A word?”

He nodded and placed his iPod on the desk. His eyes met Kurt which were blank and unhelpful.

Blaine followed Callahan into the hallway.

“What are you doing spending time alone with our client?”

“He wanted to talk about the show with me.”

“What you are doing is irresponsible. You should not be cavorting around with our client.”

“I am not. He and I graduated from the same high school so we talked about high school.”

Professor Callahan narrowed his gaze.

“We would not be getting this visit from his assistant if it was not for you. You have brought this upon us, upon your peers.”

“I did not mean to.” Blaine was sputtering. “I never thought this would happen.”

“I am disappointed in you Blaine. Let’s hope that all of us pass or you can forget about a career in fashion.”

It felt as if someone dumped a bucket of ice water over Blaine’s head. He stood there, stunned in the middle of the hallway.

Callahan left in the direction of his office and Blaine remained frozen in place. Thoughts swirling around in his head, tears stinging the corner of his eyes.

No, he was not wrong. He did nothing wrong.

It took him ten minutes to compose himself before going back into the studio.
-----
Sam came promptly at 2pm the following day. He asked for all of them to move their dress forms to the front of the room so he could inspect them better. The group all moved their stools together to the side of the room to watch him. Blaine took a spot next to Kurt whose eyes were locked in on Sam.

“What’s up?”

“Something is up with this guy.”

Blaine looked over at him. “Like what.”

“My gaydar is going off the charts and I am never wrong.”

Blaine stared. “Did you know I was gay?”

Kurt turned and looked at him. “Oh yeah. If it wasn’t the longing looks you gave Warner during class it was the Katy Perry you would sing under your breath when we would work in your room.”

Blaine smiled. “So what sets you off about him?”

“For one, his hair.” He rolled his eyes from Sam to Blaine. “There is no way that is natural. Second, his suit is well tailored. He knows exactly the silhouette that he wants and says he has no fashion experience. Please.” He dragged out the last word.

“He was very handsy with Brock now that I think about it.”

Kurt slowly turned his head towards Blaine. “Really?”

He nodded. “I thought he was gay the second I saw him too.”

Callahan walked up behind them. “How would you know that?”

Blaine pointed towards him. “There right there! Look at how well he takes care of his skin, his slight stubble on his chin, the way he does his hair. He is gay, totally gay.”

“That does not prove anything. He could easily be straight, none of those traits are particularly gay. So I say no, this guy is not gay.”

Blaine wrinkled his brow and focused in on him. “But did you smell him?”

“Just because he wears perfume does not mean that he is automatically gay.” Callahan folded his arms.

Sam walked around Kurt’s dress form.

“Look at his hair!” Kurt’s voice came out high as he watched him critique his work. “That is straight from a bottle! I vote gay.”

“But now we are stuck in a paradox.”

“Are we?” Blaine looked at Kurt and he shrugged.

“Yes, is he gay or into fashion?”

Kurt and Blaine titled their heads to the side. “Ohhhhhh...”

Vaughn leaned toward Blaine. “Gay or just into fashion....that is hard to distinguish. He seems like he could easily be a model.”

Blaine nodded in agreement..

Sam ran his fingers along Vaughn’s piece.

“This is actually hard to figure out.” Warner exclaimed from the other side of Vaughn. “His style of suit is something very unique but it doesn’t mean he takes it in the ass.”

“WARNER!” Vaughn looked shocked at his statement and smacked his arm.

“Oh please.” Blaine and Kurt pleaded.

Sam moved on to Enid’s form. He looked back at her and gave her a wide smile and winked.

“There right there!” She squealed. “ Look at the way he just looked at me. See it all the time when I go to the bar. He seems like he’s a cocky pompous jerk. This guy is not gay I say no way!”

“Really?” Kurt scoffed.

“There is definitely a way he could be.” Vaughn scratched his chin.

“Certainly very flirty.” Enid played with the ends of her hair, avoiding Sam’s contact.

“He is totally gay!” Blaine laughed.

Callahan put his hand on Blaine’s shoulder. “He is quite stylish and clean cut.”

“His style is quite diverse.” Warner agreed.

“I still can’t figure it out!” Vaughn laid his head on Warner’s shoulder.

“I am just going to ask him!” Kurt moved to get out of his stool.

“No!” Callahan pulled him back.

Kurt turned back to him with his an unamused glare. “I have an idea, let me go.”

Callahan let go of Kurt and he hopped off his stool and strolled over to Sam who was observing Blaine’s piece.

“Hello there..” Kurt leaned forward a bit.

“Um, hello.” Sam looked at him but quickly returned to Blaine’s dress.

“So you work for Mr. Taylor?” He rocked on his heels.

“Yes.”

“What is your job title?”

“His assistant.”

“Impressive.” Kurt began to orbit around him. “And how long have you worked for him?”

“Two years.”

“I see. How long have you been dating Mr. Taylor?”

“Six months.”

Everyone gasped.

Sam turned quickly towards Kurt and covered his mouth.

“I-I-I-I”

“That’s what I thought.”

“I mean, I have been dating my boyfriend for 6 months.. I am not dating Mr. Taylor.”

“You already confessed to us.” Kurt was now looking very smug. “Can’t take it back now.”

Sam’s whole demeanor changed. “You can’t tell anyone...no one is supposed to know.” He shook his head. “It could be horrible for Brock if people found out.”

“Pass all our pieces on to the shower and our lips are sealed.” Callahan interjected.

Sam looked at him with fear in his eyes. “Do you mean it?”

“If you hold up your end, we will hold up ours.”

Sam nodded. “Deal.” He stood there looking uncomfortable, passing awkward glances between all of them. “I should be going now. I need to tell Brock that all of your designs passed.” He gathered his things, turned around quickly and left the room.

Kurt threw his arms around Blaine’s shoulders. “We did it.”

Blaine hugged him, still dazed by what had just occurred. Did this change anything?

Everyone started cheering.

Callahan held up his hands to silence them. “Okay guys, take the rest of the afternoon off, you deserve it.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow to Blaine.

Warner, Vaughn and Enid moved their stools back to their stations and chatted animatedly about Sam. Blaine slowly began to drag his stool back to his station.when Professor Callahan stepped into his way.

“I need to speak to you, please stay behind for a few minutes.”

He blinked a few times. “Umm, yeah sure Professor.” He looked over at Kurt. “I’ll meet you at my dorm in a few.”

Kurt nodded and left the room. Blaine watched everyone leave before turning his eyes back to Callahan who was leaning against one of the stations. “C’mere Blaine.”