“I don't think I can do this.” Kurt breathed. His chest felt tight and his breathing constricted. He fanned his hands in front of his face trying to cool himself down. Blaine was standing next to him, his hands gripped tight on his boyfriend's arms. Leaning in Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear.

“Yes. Yes you can. Kurt, if anyone can do this it's you. You've done it before you can go and attack this again.”

Blaine's words were sudo reassuring. Kurt wanted to believe him because after all Blaine was right. Kurt had performed and got into NYADA before, there should have been no reason to be afraid now.

“Just take a deep breath, come on we have two hours before your audition.” Blaine kissed the side of Kurt's neck instantly causing Kurt to go weak in the knees. He closed his eyes and hummed in response. Blaine chuckled and came around to the front of Kurt. He smoothed out Kurt's vest and leaned in for another kiss.

“Mm, what are you doing/” Kurt asked pulling away a little.

“Distracting you.” Blaine said simply.

“Well it's working.” Kurt muttered. “But, I should practice the song again.”

“Kuurt.” Blaine whined pulling Kurt close to him. “You've sung this song till you were blue in the face. You got this. Why don't we go sit and get some coffee and just relax until showtime, okay?”

Kurt licked his lips and as much as he wanted to object the look in Blaine's eyes made it impossible to say anything but yes. He scoffed and nodded. “Fine. Just water for me though, I don't want to mess anything up.” He said in regards to his voice.

“Alright, water for you coffee for me and maybe a sugar cookie to split?” Blaine asked.

Kurt sighed, “Maybe a bite or two.”

Blaine smiled in triumph and grabbed his jacket and Kurt's. The weather was still chilled outside but spring was right around the corner. The end of the semester was quickly approaching as well as Kurt's fate. This could be his last spring in Ohio.

In the union they took their usual table at the coffee shop and the only thing that was different was that Kurt had a bottle of water instead of coffee. They discussed everything but the audition and it felt great. There was one thought that kept entering Kurt's head and he couldn't shake it. Blaine split their sugar cookie and pushed half of it to Kurt on a napkin. Kurt stared down at it with sad eyes.

“Blaine, when—if I make it to New York, what are you going to do?” He finally asked. It had been unsaid between the two of them for a while. Mentioned at first but then shoved under the rug and all but forgotten about.

Blaine sipped his coffee thoughtfully. “When you make it to New York, I'm going to visit you every chance I get. There is skype for every time in between. Let me tell you I'm going to be very very distracting, I don't think you'll have time for homework.” The way Blaine made light of the serious situation made Kurt grin, but he could see how Blaine really felt just by looking in his eyes.

“Can we be serious about this for a second?” Kurt asked quietly.

Blaine's cheeky smile faded. He looked down at the table and nodded. “Kurt, you deserve to be in New York not stuck here in Ohio. We'll make it work, I promise. As long as you think we're going to be okay we will be.”

He reached across the table and took Kurt's hand rubbing his thumb lightly over the knuckles. Kurt sighed.

“We will be.” Kurt said with fierce determination. “Several states between us aren't going to keep us apart. We'll be fine.”

Blaine had been holding his breath when Kurt reassured him they would work out. He exhaled and nodded. “Alright. That's all I needed to hear.”

They drank their coffee and water in silence for the remainder of their time there. Blaine hadn't let go of Kurt's hand either, but there was no complaint from Kurt. When there was only forty minutes left until Kurt's audition the two of them headed over to the theater on campus. Kurt's nerves were rattling his entire body. He couldn't remember being this nervous for the first audition.

“Kurt!” Rachel flagged Kurt and Blaine down as soon as they entered the building. Kurt shouldn't have been surprised to see his best friend there accompanied by his brother.

Rachel charged down the hallway and flung her arms around Kurt successfully knocking him off balance. She held tight.

“Oh Kurt, break a leg.” She said sounding as though she had been crying.

Kurt laughed and pried Rachel off him. “Thank you but you guys didn't have to come.”

Finn scoffed and patted Kurt on the back. “Are you kidding? Of course we did.”

“You're going to be wonderful, just like before.” Rachel nodded. “Um, maybe you could uh put in a good word for me with the representative from NYADA.”

Kurt had been waiting for this to come from Rachel's mouth. He shook his head and just hugged her. “Naturally. I'll be sure to let them know what kind of talent they are missing.”

“Are you almost ready?” Blaine asked. “We should go in and take a seat. We'll be in the back for support. Unless, of course, you don't want us there.”

Kurt knew that saying no to the three of them would be like telling a small child they couldn't go to DisneyWorld. He blinked back tears and nodded. “I couldn't do this without the three of you, so yes you all can sit in.”

“Oh, Kurt you never told me what song you were doing. You and Blaine have been pretty secretive.” Rachel said with a slight bitter tone.

Kurt shrugged. “I've been changing the song over the last week and I changed it from what I was doing two days ago. You'll see.”

“You're gonna be awesome dude.” Finn said giving his brother a hug.

They went inside the theater and took seats in the back where they were hardly noticeable. Kurt remained silent while the others were buzzing and talking about New York and already planning a vacation to travel in order to visit Kurt. He did his best to tune it out, not wanting to jinx anything.

The doors to the theater opened again and a familiar woman stepped through. She had an air about her that let everyone know she was important. Kurt could almost mistake it for royalty. She had a head wrap, dark skin and glasses that sat low on her nose threatening to fall off any second. Under one arm she carried a thin bag, filled with her papers on Kurt. They probably told her that he was previously accepted but declined. Kurt knew this woman, she was the same one he auditioned for before. Her name was Carmen Tibideaux and she was the Dean. Kurt's butterflies started to ache. He watched her with wide eyes as she quietly took a seat toward the middle of the theater where a table had been set up over the chairs for the occasion. She flicked on the light on the table, and pulled out her papers. With what looked like a solid gold pen, she scratched a few things down and glanced up toward the stage.

“Kurt Elizabeth Hummel.” Madam Tibideaux called out, her voice just as poised as she was.

Blaine leaned forward and took Kurt's hand giving it a soft kiss. “All eyes on you babe. I believe in you.”

Kurt quickly rose and made his way up to the stage. He stood center stage and smiled at the dean. “Present.” He said, immediately regretting it.

Madam Tibideaux kept her eyes scanning over the papers in front of her. “Proceed whenever you are ready.”

Kurt nodded. He took a deep breath and stood back. Prior to this performance for Madam Tibideaux, Kurt had sung “I'm Not The Boy Next Door” and totally rocked it. He didn't want to play it safe and use the same song and he was glad he didn't. His music started, “Blackbird”. Kurt hardly got through the first chorus when Madam Tibideaux signaled for him to stop.

Kurt cleared his throat, “Was—Is something wrong?” He asked in a small voice.

“Tell me something Mr. Hummel. How long did you practice this?” She asked her eyes finally rising to meet his, and Kurt shrank. Her lips were pursed and her gaze was more than intimidating.

“It's a song I've sung before.” Kurt admitted.

“Thank you Mr. Hummel, that will be all.” She said shutting her folder.

“No!” Kurt blurted out. “Please, I'm sorry I can sing something else.”

Madam Tibideaux blinked, her expression not changing for a second. “As soon as the song started I could tell this was your safe song. I want to see you challenge yourself Mr. Hummel. NYADA is looking for the best and most talented, they are not looking for safe.”

Kurt glanced back to Blaine and the others with fearful eyes. He locked eyes with Blaine. Kurt nodded. “If you'll give me one more chance I have another song in mind.”

Madam Tibideaux sat back in her seat and gestured for him to continue. Kurt took a deep breath, it was lucky that he had it on the same CD. “As If We Never Said Goodbye” started to play and there was a curious glint in Madam Tibideaux's eye. Kurt had only sung this a few times before on his own and then once in front of Blaine. He never expected to try out with it.

“I don't want to be alone, but that's all in the past. This worlds waited long enough. I've come home at last! And this time will be bigger, and brighter than we knew it. So watch me fly we all know I can do it!”

In the back of the theater Blaine sat with his hands covering his mouth in sheer awe at his boyfriend. He had heard Kurt perform many times before, but this was purely outstanding. There were tears in the eyes of all three of them as Kurt wrapped up the song. Kurt was in rare form, and Blaine couldn't be more proud to be with him.

When the music finished, Kurt looked to Madam Tibideaux. She sat her gaze fixated on Kurt, expression still pointed and all business. The silence that followed seemed to last forever. Madam Tibideaux broke eye contact and went to her notes writing a few lines down. Kurt took this time to catch a glance at his friends. They were sitting on the edge of their seats also silent and not moving.

“Mr. Hummel.” Madam Tibideaux broke the silence. “It says here that you auditioned for us once and got accepted, yet you turned us down.” She looked up expecting and explanation.

Kurt licked his lips and nodded. “Yes. My Dad got really sick, he uh...he was in the hospital and I wasn't ready to leave the state and be away from him should anything happen.”

Madam Tibideaux jotted a note down with her fancy pen. “And you're ready now?”

“I would like to think so.” Kurt replied.

“Just because you were accepted once does not necessarily mean that you are granted another green light.” She said with her cool almost haughty voice. Madam Tibideaux removed her glasses and sat back in the chair eyeing Kurt on stage. “I remember you. Not just because you're listed on file, but I remember your performance from last time. It was outstanding, one of the best auditions I've ever seen.”

Kurt tried not to let that fact go to his head or to get his hopes up too much. He smiled and nodded.

“With that being said, you did not fail to disappoint me again. For a second you had me worried with Blackbird, but your second choice was much better.” Madam Tiideaux granted Kurt a small smile across her tight lips. This sent Kurt into a large toothy grin.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“I know talent when I see it Mr. Hummel, and you are certainly talented.” She collected her papers together and neatly put them inside of her bag. “Thank you, Mr. Hummel. We will be in touch with you in the next few weeks.” Her smile was more noticeable this time around. She got up and left the theater. Once the doors closed behind her, Blaine and the others came running to the stage. Kurt felt like fainting. Bline lept at him and wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist hoisting him up into the air.

“Kurt! Kurt, that was amazing!” He said with tears in his eye. “You were so perfect.”

Rachel was bouncing and clapping her hands together and when Blaine finally let go of Kurt she lunged for the next hug. “Oh, I knew you could do it Kurt. That song was just...it was wonderful. I can't believe she came back to see you and she remembered you.” Rachel let go and looked toward the doors. “I wonder...Ill be back.” And she kissed Finn on the cheek and took over down the aisle toward the back of the theater.

“Rachel, don't you dare!” But Kurt's words fell on deaf ears. He sighed and was distracted by Finn's crushing hug. Kurt gasped and let out a burst of laughter.

“That was so awesome dude.” Finn said pulling back. “Really, best you've ever sounded.”

Kurt pulled in his bottom lip trying not to cry but as he blinked a few tears rolled down his face. “Thank you.”

Blaine grinned and took hold of Kurt's face in his hands and kissed him deeply not caring that Finn was right next to them. Finn rubbed the back of his neck trying not to watch the two. Kurt stared wide-eyed at Blaine as the kiss finally broke.

“What was that for?” Kurt asked.

“I'm so proud of you.” Blaine said his cheeks slightly pink.

Kurt breathed a sigh and draped his arms over Blaine's shoulders and hugged him. “I was so nervous, everyone was watching me. It was more nerve wrecking than anything. And when she stopped me the first time you don't know how hard it was for me to keep from breaking down.”

“Ssh.” Blaine cooed in his ear. “You were wonderful. Honestly, I didn't know you could sing like that.”

Kurt let loose and started to cry burying his face a moment in Blaine's neck. He let himself cry for a minute and pushed away from Blaine glancing over to Finn.

“Now all I have to do is wait and hopefully they let me back in.” Kurt said.

“Kurt, after that performance they would be insane not to let you in.” Finn said. “You got this in the bag. Let's just hope Rachel doesn't scare Madam Tibideaux off.” He looked back toward the doors where Rachel hadn't come back.

Kurt shook his head, “I'm worried for Rachel more than Madam Tibideaux. Rachel can be kind of....forceful.”

“Yeah. You're telling me.” Finn muttered. “Whatever Rachel wants, she makes sure to get.”

Blaine smirked, “Yeah but that Tibideaux woman seemed just as stubborn and set as Rachel is.”

Kurt shrugged and hoped whatever Rachel was planning on she accomplished it. He linked arms with Blaine and smiled a new. Blaine matched the smile.

“Why don't we go and get some dinner, all of us. I'm a little hungry after that.” Kurt said.

Kurt hadn't had anything to eat all day and suddenly his stomach reminded him of that. He pulled himself close to Blaine as they walked toward the back of theater. Kurt still felt anxious. Blaine was proud of him, he didn't want to disappoint him by not making it into NYADA, not after Blaine went through the trouble of reapplying for him. But Kurt was also anxious about getting in and moving to New York and away from Blaine. He couldn't let them see this worry though. Kurt kept his cool even though he was screaming on the inside. There was so much pressure riding on his shoulders, at least that's what it felt like.