It was another long day at the office, and as soon as he got lunch, Kurt Hummel had to call his roommate, Rachel.  As obnoxious as she was, she was the only friend from back home Kurt had in this city.

“Do you think I’m crazy for wanting to do this all again? I mean, I’m already in New York, I have a ridiculously awesome job, and do I really want to go out for NYADA again? I’ve already been rejected once, and it’s not like I’ve been singing like crazy…God, I’m probably worse now than I was then…this is so stupid…”

“Kurt, would you just shut up!  Listen, you’ve been hanging around me and all my NYADA friends for months.  You are practically a regular at “Callbacks.”  Everyone already thinks of you as a part of the NYADA family, we’ve just gotta get Tibideaux to think the same.”

This time last year, Kurt and Rachel were prepping for their NYADA auditions together back in Ohio.  They’d both made it to the final round, and Kurt had a flawless audition, or so he thought.  Rachel, on the other hand, had choked, big time.  But just like most every other time he’d competed against Rachel, she ended up at NYADA, and well, he didn’t.

 “But what if Cassandra is in there? What if she says ‘Oh, that’s Schwimmer’s pathetic roommate’…I mean, no offense, but she kinda hates you…” Kinda was an understatement.  She had ran Kurt and Rachel back to Ohio so she could sleep with the guy Rachel was crushing on…she literally despised her.

“Listen, Cassandra July won’t stand between me and my dreams, and she certainly won’t stand between you and yours.  Kurt, you are ready for this!  Performing is where you belong!  It doesn’t mean you have to give up Vogue or Isabelle, or anything.  It’s all about what you’ll be gaining!”

"Have I told you lately how crazy you are?”

“Yeah, but you love me…”

“Unfortunately, you’re right…”

Kurt absolutely loved his job.  He’s still not sure how he landed an internship at Vogue.com with practically no experience.  He wasn’t even in design school, and that was supposed to be a requirement.  The fact that his boss had once puked after eating at his hometown craptastic Italian restaurant had been the kicker.  I mean, really, who would have guessed that actually being from Ohio was considered a quality trait?  I guess you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Yes, yes, thank you.  No, we will have a crew there at 10 AM sharp.  No, thank you for letting us have this exclusive.  Yes, okay, goodbye.” Kurt hung up the phone, dropped his head on the desk and let out a loud sigh.

“You okay? You don’t seem you’re bubbly self.” Isabelle said as she rounded the corner.  She could always tell when her favorite intern wasn’t quite right.

“Yeah, just nervous.  I have my audition for NYADA tomorrow, again…, and I just don’t want to make a fool of myself.  There’s not enough cheesecake in the world to drown out the butterflies in my stomach right now.”

“Listen, I get it.  You think that you’ve gotta prove yourself to them, to be one step ahead of the competition.  But Kurt, I know I’ve never seen you perform on stage, but I can’t help but overhear you singing along with your Pandora station.  I’m pretty sure even I have the words to “Watch What Happens” memorized now!  And you’ve already impressed me, so what’s there to lose.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.  Seriously, how did I get so lucky to work for you?”

Rachel Berry: Get ready to measure up your competition.

Kurt Hummel: What on earth are you talking about?

Rachel Berry: Brody just texted me.

Kurt Hummel: Look, I know you love me and all, but since when am I competing with Brody Weston?

Rachel Berry: Not, Brody, you idiot! The other NYADA finalists!

Kurt Hummel: Yes, I am aware that other people are competing for a spot at NYADA.  It’s kinda a competitive process.  I did do it with you last year, remember?

Rachel Berry: CALLBACKS you dork! Brody said that they are inviting everyone out tonight.

Kurt Hummel: But what does that have to do with me?

Rachel Berry: They’ll have no idea you’re not already a student.  So you get up there, you blow them away, and when they walk in the next day and see you among them, they’ll practically crap themselves!

Huh, he hadn’t thought about that.  He had planned on sitting in front of the keyboard all night, but performing for a live audience sounds so much more appealing.

“KURT! Let’s GO! There is no more lint on those pants, I swear it!  I do NOT want to be the last one there!  I have to get my name on the list as soon as possible!”

Kurt gave himself a once over in the mirror, turning away from it so he could look back at his backside.  If he was gonna be impressing everyone, he had to look his best.  “Rachel, seriously, everyone knows you’re amazing, and remember, tonight’s supposed to be about me being the shining star, remember?”

“Yeah, I know, I know, but more hairspray isn’t gonna make you shine brighter, okay, Kurt?”

“Yeah, okay, let’s go.” Kurt conceded.  He was ready to meet this new meat, his competition.  Bring it on…