The remainder of the school year is a blur. Kurt tries to focus on other things, like Nationals, but the tensions in glee club are high. There is always drama, but this time it involves him. Finn, Rachel and Mercedes aren’t speaking to him.

Others have drama of their own. Santana and Brittany are fighting and Quinn is in the middle of it. Quinn is running for prom queen against Lauren. Sam and Mike have had an argument over football. And so on. The drama doesn’t seem to end. The glee club members still hang out, but it’s clear that there’s beef among members.

Without Blaine to speak to, he feels lonely. Blaine ignores him in the hallways and it’s understandable. Kurt did notice that Blaine stopped hanging out with Azimio. Most of the time, Blaine walks the hallways of McKinley alone. Kurt selfishly wonders if Blaine misses him sometimes.

The school year is a dread, especially when Kurt gets voted for Prom Queen. He accepts the crown with dignity and he sees Blaine watching him from the crowd. It’s the first time they’ve locked eyes since their fight in the Lima Bean parking lot. Blaine looks away when he sees that Kurt’s noticed him. Kurt opines that they should be able to have each other’s back during these homophobic moments, but Kurt’s ruined it.

Kurt’s just sad these days. Even his first trip to New York is clouded by this sadness. It does affirm that he wants to go to NYADA after McKinley, but thinking about NYADA makes him think about the scholarship, which in turn makes him think about Blaine.

Besides, they lose Nationals when Finn and Rachel kiss on stage. At least they resolved their problems.

Kurt spends his summer working hard on a possible resume for NYADA: writing songs, joining acting groups and he even attempts to write a play. Now that he has no one to hang out with, he has the time of the world. He also starts to work at a clothing store so that he can save money for New York. The school year is over, so his dad doesn’t have to bemoan Kurt missing out on classes. Things are looking up for the Hummel-Hudson household, since Carole has also gotten a new job.

Rachel sometimes comes over, now that she’s gotten back together with Finn, but she ignores him. She’s still feeling incredibly hurt by Kurt’s so-called betrayal. He wonders if Rachel will ever accept that she’s done something wrong.

Probably not.

The summer is almost over. Kurt didn’t expect to see Blaine during the summer. Why would he? They weren’t friends before, not really, and they definitely aren’t friends now.

The thing with having a job in a public place is that you can run into people when you least expect it.

Kurt’s folding some clothes when he sees Blaine. At first, Kurt doesn’t recognise him.

Blaine looks different.

The simple white t-shirt and leather jacket have been replaced by a blue polo shirt a knitted cardigan. His rough jeans has been replaced by tight red pants. Kurt can even spot a colourful bowtie around his neck. Not only does Blaine look different in clothing style, but also in how he carries himself. He has a smile on his face and he seems relaxed.

Kurt tries to hide behind a clothing rack, but it’s too late. When Blaine spots him, his entire body language changes. He squares up and the smile is gone.

But he doesn’t look away. He keeps looking at Kurt.

Then he starts walking towards Kurt. Kurt looks around to be sure, but the shop is empty. Only the other employees are walking around, all looking bored. Blaine is definitely walking towards him.

“Hello. C-Can I help you?” Kurt asks.

“Hi.”

“Hello.”

Blaine looks awkward, and it strangely reminds Kurt of that time in the hallway when Blaine apologised. Only this time, Kurt should be the one apologising.

“I want to talk,” Blaine says firmly.

“Oh.” Kurt did not expect that. The last time they spoke, Blaine made it very clear that he never wants to speak to Kurt again.

“I’m still angry, Kurt, but I- I think we need to talk. I have a lot to say.”

“Of course. Of course. I’m so sorry-”

“Save it,” Blaine cuts him off, “When do you have time?”

“Now,” Kurt says. He has a break coming up.

Blaine nods. “Cool. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Blaine leaves and Kurt finishes what he was doing. Then he tells his manager that he’s taking his lunch break earlier than expected. The manager is just as uninterested in the business as everyone else, so she doesn’t mind.

Kurt puts on his jacket and he walks outside. He can do this. Really. He can.