"Hey, look who came back! How was the beach, son?"

"It was great." I answered lazily, hoping the sarcasm wasn't too evident as I turned to Carole, "Uh, Finn's just had to drop Mike and Tina home but he'll be back to pick you up soon."

I was such a good brother. Of course, I was lying. Finn just wanted to spend more 'alone time' with Rachel, even though they'd both be coming back here. Finn was so indecisive. One second he's complaining she's too clingy, the next he can't get enough of her. Were all couples like that?

I moved to walk upstairs to my room but apparently my sarcasm hadn't gone past Burt who, I guess, had dealt enough with it by now to know the difference.

"You okay, Kurt?"

Let me see… um, no. My head was still full with thoughts of Blaine and David and his "scary stories." Being forced to remember it now was dangerous. I needed to distract myself from thinking about Blaine before I did something stupid like talk about him.

"I'm fine. Just tired and I have, you know, heaps of homework…" I shrugged but Burt didn't look convinced.

"Homework? Better get on it. You sure everything's okay?"

Lie harder, Kurt. I thought furiously.

"Oh! Um, I met with Artie's son, Dad. You remember—David?"

This distracted Burt easily enough, "Yeah, young David Black… how could I forget?"

The tone in his voice wasn't fooling anyone—Carole noticed the tension and leaned forward to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Burt sighed.

"He didn't say nothing to you, did he? That would explain why you're down now and stuff."

I shook my head, "Actually, if you must know, he was a perfect gentleman. Took me for a walk on the beach, apologized over and over again for something that happened years ago. He's different now. I think we might even become friends. He was really sorry."

"He doesn't sound too bad," Carole offered, "May I ask what actually happened?"

Burt filled her in. She raised her hand to her mouth and gasped.

"Trust me; I had a good word with Artie as a result. I had every right. Calling my son a… If you ask me that Dave kid's a hypocrite! I've seen the queer way his mind works. Biggest closest case if I ever saw one."

At the mention of the 'q' word, Carole immediately shot a look in my direction and though I hadn't intended to I caught her eye. As if a silent agreement passed through us, I knew in that very moment she understood. A strange feeling passed through me as though even though I had lost Elizabeth, I could still be happy having Carole as a surrogate mother.

"Did Finn say how long he'd be?" she asked. I had the feeling she had only said anything to change the topic for which I was grateful.

"Stay a bit longer!" Burt insisted, "I'll drive you home if you like."

While they shared their moment, I found the right one to finally escape into my room

Bad mistake.

I should've just forced myself to watch that game. At least some of the players were cute.

Because up here, alone in my room, there was nothing to distract me from my thoughts. And my thoughts led once more to Blaine. The mystery of him consumed me. I walked over to my bed, kicked off my shoes and lay back closing my eyes. I pictured his warm chocolate curls, his beautiful hazel eyes, the way his smile made my own stretch out far too long and how it just didn't matter to me what, if anything, he was.

Somewhere, in the midst of my daydream, I fell into a real one.

I was in a forest. It was dark and silent, but I wasn't alone. David Black was standing beside me, holding my hand. He looked really worried, pulling me towards the darkest part of the forest. I didn't struggle to let go but I didn't want to be following him either.

"Dave, what's wrong?" I asked; I didn't want to go where it was darker. I wanted light. I wanted to be able to see. He looked frightened.

"Run, Kurt!" You have to run!" he whispered, pleading.

"This way, Kurt!" Finn's voice suddenly called out to me in the darkness.

"Why?" I asked; I tightened my grip on David's hand desperately—we were going in the wrong direction.

But Dave suddenly let go of my hand, as he fell to the floor twitching uncontrollably. I gasped in horror.

"David!" I yelled—but he had disappeared. In his place was a large brown wolf with familiar eyes…

"Kurt, run!" Finn ordered protectively crying out behind me. But I couldn't even move. A light was coming towards me in the opposite direction from which I had been running. I stopped, staring at it transfixed.

And then Blaine stepped out from behind the trees and the image of him took my breath away. He wore only fading fitted jeans as his chest was bare, glowing as he radiated light. His eyes however, were charcoal and dangerous. He held out his hand to me.

The Dave-Wolf responded negatively, growling by my feet.

I took a step towards Blaine. He smiled, bearing his teeth which looked sharp and pointed.

"Trust me, Kurt," he said simply.

I took another step.

The wolf launched himself between me and the vampire. I yelled out—

The scene shifted. I was sitting upright in my bed and Rachel and Finn were by my door looking very concerned.

"Kurt?" Finn asked awkwardly, "Are you okay? We heard yelling."

I touched my forehead—I had broken out into a sweat. "Nightmare," I admitted, "But I'm fine. Where are Dad and Carole?"

"They went out. We're staying here for the night." He turned to his girlfriend while he spoke, "Rachel is staying too though Mom says the three of us have to sleep in the same room, separately. It's okay with you, right?"

What did I have to lose? The images of my nightmare floated ever vivid in my head and I knew that the worst thing right now was for me to be alone.

"Sure!" I shrugged, "Rachel can have my bed but Dad and I have sleeping bags in the attic if you don't mind, Finn."

At first, my potential step-brother stared at me blankly. But it wasn't till I gestured he go there did he realize what I was trying to say.

"Oh! I'll be right back!" He gently kissed Rachel's forehead as he left.

Rachel, still looking very worried, continued to stand by the door but did not say anything. I was confused. It was very odd finding her so out of character—even if it was only because her mouth was actually shut.

"What's wrong?" I said, breaking the silence.

"…Blaine," she whispered only loud enough that I just heard it, "I don't think Finn picked up on it—but then again he's never really been tuned in when it comes to these things. But I heard you. I heard you yell his name. Like you were frightened for him. What exactly were you dreaming about?"

This was Rachel at her most innocent. I had never seen her so concerned before. And I wanted to tell her, but even though I knew it was insane, I felt like I would be betraying Blaine if I did.

"I-I don't remember," I finally said, "But I was thinking of him today. He probably just slipped into my consciousness when I was dreaming."

It was a solid enough lie but Rachel wasn't buying it.

"Kurt—I know sometimes I can come off as a little arrogant because let's face it—my dads taught me to think the world of myself. But I'm not oblivious. I know that I'm not as pretty as Quinn Hale or as… adventurous as Tina Weber but one thing's for sure is that I'm loyal. I'm loud and confident but I care about my friends and I hope that whatever it is you're hiding you feel safe enough to know that one day, when you're ready, you can confide in me."

Her speech had me stunned. It was so selfless. I wanted to say something really clich� like 'I don't know what you're talking about,' or 'I'm not hiding anything.' I mean it's not as if I could tell her, 'Oh, I think Blaine might be a vampire.' So I kept my head down and nodded. Accepting my non-verbal answer, Rachel walked over to me on the bed and sat down beside me holding my hand.

Not ten seconds later, Finn returned. He had located the sleeping bags which he had placed onto a sealed box from the move that I didn't recognized but should have.

It was labeled Artie Black.

"Finn…" I said slowly, "That box…? What's going on?"

He walked inside and placed it on the floor near our feet.

"Okay, I swear I wasn't snooping but when I was upstairs this box was already opened and while I'm not much of a reader—"

"I can second that!" Rachel cut in.

"—I just thought these books addressed to Burt would be rather interesting to look at."

I highly doubted how it was possible that Finn could find anything interesting that was given to Burt from Artie in book format, especially when it was most likely about fishing, or why something like that could interest either me or Rachel. She was the first to look inside.

"Finn, honey, I've already explained to you that fishing isn't my forte."

I knew it! I thought. I mentally handed myself a Rachel-approved gold star.

Finn grinned mischievously. "But that's just the thing! These aren't fishing books."

This time Rachel was not getting in first. I took the first book out of the box and stared at the cover: World's Greatest Catches of the Last Century. There was a picture of a man standing in a boat holding up an extremely large fish.

"Oh yes. I can see what you mean now…"

He rolled his eyes, "Would you just open to the middle already?"

My voice was lost in my throat as I flicked through the pages—I couldn't tell who was more unattractive, the old men or the fish—but then I reached the middle of the book.

The title glared at me like a homophobic closet case: Vampires A-Z.

I could see Finn staring at me from the corner of his eye. "Told you! And to prove my point further—they're all like that!"

He was right; they were all filled with knowledge about vampires including one called Danag a Filipino blood-sucking demon and another titled Stregoni: The Italian Evil.

"Oh. My. God!" Rachel exclaimed in a way that suggested going to Paris was free. "Why would Mr. Black hide notes about vampires inside fishing books? Has your Dad ever said anything to you about this, Kurt?"

"No," I answered truthfully, flicking through the pages. I let go of the book tossing it into the box, this was all just too much to comprehend in one night. I shoved the box under my bed, resisting temptation to confide in Rachel and Finn. Hey guys, I think the Cullens might be vampires and Artie's descended from wolves so he's just trying to warn Burt…

It was obvious that Artie would try to warn Burt, they were good friends after all… which left one burning question: Did Dad know the truth about the Cullens?

I had to distract all of us before it got too far, "Hey you guys wanna watch something? One nightmare's enough; I don't want to go to sleep dreaming about vampires!"

We settled to re-runs of Friends. I moved straight for my sleeping bag but Finn remained near Rachel where they eventually fell asleep—both fully clothed—on my bed.

I turned off the TV and hit the lights but I could not sleep. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I had a little nap just after I had come home or to the box labeled Artie Black that was silently screaming at me from under to my bed to retrieve it.

There were far too many thoughts to process. First, I had to decide if what David had said about the Cullens was true.

Like, hell no. It was far too stupid to believe such ridiculous notions. I may as well believe Wonder Woman was real.

But then if not vampires, what exactly were they?

For one, there was no reason to explain why I was still alive. Brittany should have crushed me. I realized several things: Blaine had incredible speed and strength, his eyes changed color and he was inhumanly gorgeous. There was also the fact that he never seemed to eat, the dapper other-worldly way he spoke. He had skipped class when we'd done blood typing. He hadn't turned down the beach till he knew where we were going. He seemed to know what everyone was thinking… except me. He had told me, pretty much outright, that he was a dangerous villain…

So I guess the answer was kinda obvious, huh? Blaine could be a vampire.

Well, he was something and it was definitely not human. So then—what was I going to do about it?

I could take his advice: be smart, avoid him, tell him to leave me alone and mean it except—that would never work. I was already in too deep. Now that I knew, I could do nothing about my frightening secret. Because when I thought of him, I wanted nothing more than to be with him right now.

~.~

It was almost noon when I woke up the next day. I didn't remember falling asleep. Rachel and Finn were already gone. I brushed my teeth, quickly changed my clothes and made my way downstairs.

Burt was alone, finishing the dishes. It looked like he'd just finished up on breakfast.

"Morning!" he greeted cheerily, "Or should I say afternoon? Carole left you some food in the oven to keep warm. They only just left. We didn't want to wake you. Nice day outside, isn't it?"

He seemed… too oddly cheerful and I mentioned this to him.

"Yes," he agreed, "I've just been… doing some thinking. And—you know your mom, she—meant the world to me, but—"

"You're in love with Carole," I stated.

Burt didn't answer. He didn't have to. I walked over to him and hugged him tightly.

"I think Mom would have wanted you to move on with your life. I'm sure she's at peace, knowing you're happy. And… I love Carole too. I think she's great for both of us. Finn, too, would make a great brother. Just don't hesitate because of me."

Burt smiled and broke the embrace, "You get your homework done last night?"

Oh shit.

"What do you think? You not only let my friends sleepover but your girlfriend insisted they join me in my room. We were bad little children and talked watched TV all night. And Finn and I found something in the attic."

I didn't want to put all the blame on Finn especially when the box was now lying under my bed.

"Yes?" Burt pressed curiously.

"When we got our sleeping bags, there was a box… with Artie Black's name on it."

Burt to my surprise chuckled softly. "Oh that! Yeah it's from the move. For years, every birthday of mine, good ol' Artie will send me a fishing book without fail. Not that I've read any of them. Firstly, I'm not much of a reader and everything I've learned about fishing never came out of no goddamn book! Still, don't have the heart to throw them out and they're safe up there—not like Artie can just walk up into the attic unannounced."

I nodded, the smile on my face only present because this meant that Burt didn't know Blaine's secret. I was sad too—I would have loved to be able to confide in at least one person I knew who wouldn't think I was crazy—but in the end, it was just better that he never found out, even if it meant screening his birthday presents from here on out.

~.~

I was finishing my homework on the kitchen table the next morning. Burt had already left; he was getting a lot busier these days since his business was making more of a name. I supposed this was some thanks to Carole who had taken to advertising in her own shop but hell; you weren't going to see me complaining,

Despite my rushed efforts to finish my homework, I was one of the first to arrive at school. I parked and headed towards the seldom-used picnic benches on the south side of the cafeteria. The benches were only a little damp but I was wearing good jeans and there was clearly no reason to spoil them so I took out a hanky and placed it gently on the seat before sitting down. I rolled my sleeves up as far as I could and let my exposed skin enjoy the rare sunlight of the morning.

"Kurt!" I heard someone call, and it sounded just like Finn. I looked around to realize the school was becoming more populated—maybe I hadn't arrived as early as I thought. Everyone was decked in summer gear though it couldn't have been more than sixty. Finn was coming towards me in khaki shorts and a rugby tee.

"Hey Finn!" I greeted, as he came to sit by me. The obviously still damp seat clearly did not worry him.

"Sorry we left before you woke up that day. You know when you take a girl home, you're meant to be worried of the girl's father right? What is he thinking? Am I a nice guy? Have I brought her home at the right time? Does he mind if I continue to see his daughter? Rachel however, like you know, has two dads. I sorta have my work cut out for me!"

"It's okay, I understand. Your mom is an excellent cook by the way. She made a really good breakfast. Still trying to decide if she's better than me in the kitchen…"

Finn laughed, "Don't let her hear you saying that! Though I'm sure she appreciates having someone else around who can cook!"

There was a small pause and then, "Do you think our parents will get married?"

I didn't hesitate, "I hope so."

"Really?" Finn was smiling and I nodded. I meant it. I hadn't just been nice to Burt. I liked Carole and Finn would make an awesome brother.

"Yes. They seem really happy together and you're not nearly half as annoying as you come across!"

"Hey!" he nudged me playfully and I was immediately reminded of David. I briefly wondered what he'd be doing now.

It was time for class so we got our stuff and headed towards building three catching up with Rachel and the others as we got closer. Rachel was bubbling with enthusiasm. She, Tina and Lauren were going to Port Angeles tonight to go dress shopping for the dance and she wanted me to come so I could shower her with good advice. Of course I said I'd come. I didn't think I'd have too many chances in Forks to go shopping but I'd had to ask Burt's permission first.

I was euphoric—sunlight and shopping plans, what an ultimate combination for the start of the week. Rachel talked of nothing but the dance on the way to Spanish, continuing as if without interruption when it ended and we were on our way to lunch. I was so wrapped in our conversation of endless dress colors and possible hair designs that I almost forgot my usual routine of doing a one-over at the Cullen table.

It was empty.

My heart sank. I scoured the rest of the cafeteria but Blaine and his family was nowhere to be seen. The high of my sudden shopping excursion started to lose its appeal.

I reached our table purposely taking a seat next to Finn knowing that Rachel would take his other side and be distracted from talking to me any further. Tina asked me too if I was coming tonight (or rather it wasn't a question, she pretty much told me I had to) and I agreed because now I needed the distraction and really hoped Burt would agree to letting me go out.

After school ended, I couldn't be gladder to get off campus. Shopping was even starting to sound wonderful again.

When I got home however, Rachel called. To cancel.

"Is it okay if I reschedule to tomorrow night? My dads have invited Finn over for dinner and I don't want to make an excuse not to go."

Even though I felt myself cringe, I told her it was okay and also that I'd be free tomorrow night to go then. I knew Finn would thank me even if he was nervous about making a good impression after dating Rachel for years.

She must've noticed something in my voice because her concerned demeanor was coming through the line, "Is everything okay, Kurt? I mean, I know you're excited about heading out to Port Angeles with us but you still seemed sort of down… this wouldn't have anything to do with Blaine not being at school today?"

God, that girl didn't miss anything. She was almost as bad as Burt. I sighed into the phone. "Maybe."

I could hear her giggle, "I knew it! I knew you liked him! Can I tell Finn?"

"No, Rachel!"

"What about my dads?"

"Good bye Rachel."

I hung up the phone before she could protest but I had a stupid teenage grin plastered all over my face.

Yeah, I liked Blaine.

There is only so much a person can do for you before it's impossible not to like them—and saving your life amongst being impractically perfect and drop dead gorgeous were among some of those things.

Come dinner, I had little to distract myself. I had fish marinating from Burt's latest outdoor adventure with Artie and there was leftover salad and bread from the night before, so there was nothing else to prepare. I spent a good half hour concentrating on my homework but I ended up doodling dresses I thought would look good on Rachel. So I ended up getting my iPod out and headed for the backyard, grabbing a ragged old quilt from the linen cupboard at the top of the stairs on my way down.

Outside in our small square yard, I folded the quilt in half and laid it out of the reach of the tree's shadows on the thick lawn that would always be slightly wet no matter how long the sun shone. I lay on my back, turned on my iPod and began to daydream…

"How can I decide what's right?

When you're clouding up my mind?

I can't win your losing fight, all the time."

Well that couldn't be a coincidence. I meant to press next but must've hit fast forward…

"The truth is lying in your eyes, and it's hanging on your tongue,

Just boiling in my blood.

But you think that I can't see what kind of man that you are;

If you're a man at all.

Well, I will figure this one out

On my own…

(I'm screaming 'I love you so',)

On my own…

(My thoughts you can't decode)."

I angrily shut off my iPod and threw it on the grass. I always used music to relate. But this was just downright freaky.

I shut my eyes. I pushed my sleeves up as high as they would go, and thought of nothing but the warmth on my skin. I focused on the heat that touched my eyelids, my cheekbones, my nose, my lips, my forearms, my neck, soaked through my light shirt…

But I still couldn't stop thinking of him.

I could see him so clearly in my daydream, his face so full of gorgeous light. Just like he had been in my nightmare, Blaine was shirtless again but this… this didn't feel like a nightmare. This, the image of him, that radiantly glowing chest, this I never wanted to wake from.

It was if he were here with me in my backyard reaching over to me from where I lay. As he bent closer to me and I felt the wind blowing through my hair, it was as if here were there doing the very same with his breath. He blew softly against my skin, his beautiful cool hands running over my chest, under my shirt, and he was there to reach, my own hands running through his chocolate curls as he roamed my body, slowly travelling south.

My belt was loosened. No words were spoken and yet Blaine knew I needed to be touched. Right there. Now. His hands finally reached me exactly where I wanted them slowly at first, but persistent, in time, then, picking up speed faster and faster. I moaned. If only he were here but if that couldn't happen this dream was downright the next best thing.

It became faster and harder and I moaned louder screaming out as I shuddered. My body trembled as I realized what had happened. I shot my eyes open fast and assessed my surroundings. I was in my backyard, my pants were hanging on my knees, Blaine was obviously nowhere in sight, and the sticky wide residue of my come was wet all over my stomach.

Ew. The last time I had pictured anyone it had been Patrick Swayze from Ghost. Not to say that I hadn't explored again since then. I was a teenage boy after all. But it had never been this intense and I couldn't feel guilty about enjoying it. It was Blaine's eyes I had pictured full of lust, Blaine's body I had imagined glowing, Blaine's hands on my previously hardened cock…

When the feeling eventually returned in my body, I suddenly realized how dark it was. With a sudden guilty pang, I also realized that dinner would be late. I hurried inside, tossed my iPod on my dresser, washing and changing very quickly, just making it downstairs in time to hear Burt pulling up on the driveway. He walked in looking happy enough.

"Mmm. That must be the fish I caught the other day! It smells real good, Kurt."

"Thanks! Sorry it's late. I… er, fell asleep outside." I appropriately yawned for good acting measure.

He shrugged, "The sun must've made you lazy. S'ok. As long as you enjoyed it while you could! I'm gonna go check the score on TV, take your time."

I watched TV with Burt after dinner, for something to do. There wasn't anything on I wanted to watch, but he knew I didn't like baseball, so he turned it on to the last show I'd expect to watch with him: Will and Grace.

My eyes grew wide even though he seemed happy to be doing something together with me. And from the way Burt laughed I could tell he liked this show more than he should.

"Jazz hands!" Jack called out to Will. He was waving his hands around like a fabulous diva. I threw my face into my hands unable to worry about Burt's expression.

But he was laughing. "That Jack kid, he reminds me of you a bit."

"What?" I immediately turned my head to face him but he was still smiling.

"You know, he likes the arts and stuff and it just reminded me of how excited you got when I took you to see that Wizard of Oz show about witches… what was it called again?"

"Wicked," I sighed, "But Dad… Jack's gay."

"So?" he shrugged, "Nothing wrong with that."

I was confused, "But you said Dave was—"

"A hypocrite, yeah. And hypocrites I can't stand no matter what race, sex or gender. You okay, Kurt? You look worried. Something on your mind?"

Carole. Carole. Carole. Carole must have talked to Burt, it was the only reason he'd figured it out. Or had he? He had made a valid point—I had really enjoyed Wicked and Jack loved the arts…. But it didn't make sense for her to tell him. She hadn't even talked to me about it, why would she go running to Burt? Maybe I was just being paranoid. Now was as good as any time to tell him but… I still wasn't ready.

"Actually, Dad…"

"Yeah?"

"Rachel and Tina are going to look at dresses for the dance tomorrow night in Port Angeles, and they wanted me to help them choose… do you mind if I go with them?"

"Rachel Stanley? Finn's girl?"

"And Tina Weber." I nodded.

"Kurt, it's a school night…."

"We'll leave right after school, so we can get back early."

He was confused, "But you're not going to the dance, right?"

"No, Dad, but I'm helping them find dresses—you know, giving them constructive criticism."

"Okay, but you keep your phone on you just in case you need to reach me."

"Will do. I'll leave some cold meat for sandwiches in the fridge, okay?"

He smiled, "No need. I'll probably be at Carole's."

I smiled back. Crisis averted. For now…

~.~

It was sunny again in the morning. I awakened with renewed hope glad that I would have something different to wear today.

I planned my arrival at school so that I barely had time to make it for class. With a sinking heart, I realized the silver Volvo was not there. I parked in the last row and hurried to English, arriving breathless, but subdued, before the final bell.

It was the same as yesterday — I knew he wouldn't be there but I searched the lunchroom anyway, in vain and sat at my empty Biology table.

The Port Angeles scheme was back on again for tonight and so my spirits became higher again. I was anxious to get out of town so I could stop glancing over my shoulder, hoping to see him appearing out of the blue the way he always did. I vowed to myself that I would be in a good mood tonight and not ruin Rachel's or Tina's enjoyment in the dress hunting. Or mine for that matter. Maybe I could do a little clothes shopping as well. I refused to think that I might be shopping alone in Seattle this weekend, scared he may no longer be interested in the earlier arrangement. But surely he wouldn't cancel without at least telling me.

After school, Rachel followed me home so that I could ditch my books and truck. I brushed through my hair quickly when I was inside, feeling a slight lift of excitement as I contemplated getting out of Forks. I quickly messaged Burt to let him know we were on our way and that I would text him again on arrival, switched my Dior wallet out of my school bag into my Prada satchel, and ran out to join Rachel, new outfit and all. I never thought I'd ever get the chance to wear this in Forks but I came prepared regardless. We went to Tina's house next, and she was waiting for us. My excitement increased exponentially as we actually drove out of the town limits.