"I should call him shouldn't I?" Kurt asked. He was pacing back and forth in the tiny dorm room. His path was so sporadic he forced Rachel and Finn to sit with their feet up on the futon.

"I think I'm starting to see two of him." Finn murmured blinking his eyes and taking to staring at something other than his brother.

Rachel, wrapped in Finn's arms, said, "Kurt, I think you need to stop running a rut in the carpet and take a deep breath. He gave you his number that is a fantastic sign. But you don't want to come off too eager and call him right away. Play it slow and give him time."

Kurt licked his lips and stopped his pacing. He leaned against his dresser. "Maybe you're right. A phone number on the back of my hand is a really good step in our relationship. Oh, I say relationship in the loosest terms right now."

The cell phone in Kurt's hand would have been crushed to death had Kurt been any stronger. He set it down and looked at himself in the mirror.

"I'm crazy right, for getting this worked up over something like this."

"Not at all. Kurt, I haven't seen you this happy in a long time. I think it's great, so romantic. I only wish I could have been there to see you two." Rachel said her voice light as air.

"I don't." Kurt replied honestly.

"Look, Kurt I don't know what to say in this kind of situation…at all, but Rachel's right. You're actually smiling again dude. Take my advice though from experience, guys don't like it when a girl calls them back within the first eight hours of having the phone number."

Rachel pulled away from Finn. "What girls are you giving your number to?"

"I d-didn't mean n-now…uhhh" Finn's brow beaded with sweat.

Kurt rolled his eyes and spun on the spot. "Thank you both for your advice, and I think you're right I should wait at least a day or two. Blaine is just…I haven't known him for long but I think he may be the best thing to come along in my life for a while. I just wish he had been there during high school."

Rachel got up and walked over to Kurt opening her arms for a hug. "At least you met him now, right?"

Kurt smiled and they hugged. Sometimes Rachel could be extremely kind and thoughtful towards others.

"Now, about Wicked. I was thinking that we could do a song that would capture essence of my—our talent. Something show stopping and filled with raw emotion."

"Well that was short lived." Kurt mumbled. He stood back. "Alright, I guess I can't think of Blaine all the time. Let's talk about try outs."

It was the weekend now. Kurt had homework to keep him busy for the most part. His phone remained close by though and after every paragraph he got through Kurt would steal a glance over to it. Blaine's number was safely stored inside. Even if he did call Blaine, Kurt had no idea what he would say.

When it took Kurt 45 minutes to finish two and half pages in his biology book he knew what had to be done. Blaine's name and number took up the screen and all Kurt had to do was press 'CALL'. That decision took another five minutes before Kurt went with sending a text instead.

Hey, it's Kurt. Hands are clean. Don't worry, your number made it safely in. : )

He read it over a couple times and hit send. A rush of adrenaline surged through his veins. He put the cell down gently on the desk smiling to himself. He drummed his fingers on the open pages of the textbook.

The phone vibrated a few minutes later.

Whew. Didn't think it would make it! Thanks, now I have your number. ; ) –B

Kurt gave a crooked smirk, and feverishly replied.

Oh, should I be concerned that you have my number? I don't want to regret this.

Send.

*vibration*

Don't worry. I won't clog up your inbox. But be prepared for a call or text whenever I feel the need for caffeine. –B

Kurt rocked back in his chair. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

Does this count?

Send.

The next text didn't come for another ten minutes. In that time Finn had come back into the room from lunch with Rachel, naturally she was on his arm. Rachel was hovering over Kurt's shoulder trying to read the flirty texts but Kurt was too fast for her. Finn stood out of the way but observed without any plans of trying to stop Rachel. He was still in trouble for the comment the day before.

"Kurt please, just let me read it!" Rachel begged.

"You are insane." Kurt side stepped Rachel's fourth attempt to snatch the phone away. "I haven't read the newest text yet. Could you please back off for ten seconds?"

Rachel pouted and folded her arms. Kurt nodded and turned away his attention back on his phone.

I'm with some friends, but I could sneak away in a little bit. Coffee at 3? –B

Kurt's face flushed. Rachel's interest was peaked. She stood on her toes trying to catch a glimpse. "What did he say?"

Kurt quickly sent a reply and looked coolly over his shoulder at Rachel. She stared with wide-eyed excitement. Kurt was starting to think she was more enthusiastic about the prospects of this budding relationship than Kurt was.

"We're going for coffee in a few hours." Kurt stated keeping a calm expression.

"Nice job dude." Finn praised.

"Oh Kurt this is exciting! Oh wait, I thought we were going to practice this afternoon."

Finn put his hands on Rachel's shoulders, "Rachel, why don't we let Kurt have his coffee date and me and you will practice?"

Rachel frowned and turned to Finn she shrugged a little. "It's not in your key, it won't sound the same."

Finn's eyes bore into Rachel trying to get it into her head that now wasn't the time to be picky or a diva. She put on a tiny smile and nodded. "Sorry."

"Things are starting to look on the up and up." Kurt said. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have to prepare. I know it's just coffee but—"

Rachel beamed, "Go on Kurt. You deserve this."

"Thank you. As annoying as you are at times, thank you." Kurt hugged her again.

Kurt was early at least he must have been early because Blaine was here yet. It was a five minutes after three. Had something held Blaine up? What if he couldn't get away from his friends? Kurt laced his fingers together and placed them on his lap. His coffee went untouched in front of him. His cell phone was laying on the table face up awaiting a text. Kurt even sat at the same table as before. And because it was the weekend, the student union wasn't as crowded.

After another ten minutes passed without any text, Kurt started to worry. He hesitated in calling Blaine afraid he might come off as desperate or needy. That was not something he wanted this early on.

"Kurt!" Blaine waved with a great smile entering the coffee shop.

Kurt perked up matching Blaine's smile. "Blaine, I wasn't sure you were going to make it."

"I got a little held up. Sorry I didn't call or text, my phone died." He saw the coffee cup in front of Kurt and frowned bit. "How long have you been here?"

"A few minutes I just got this. I'm sorry I didn't wait."

Blaine shook his head, "No. It's fine, I'm sorry I'm having this habit of not being on time for things this week."

"Better late than never?" Kurt suggested.

"Better late than never." Blaine repeated.

After getting his coffee and what Kurt assumed to be another sugar cookie inside the small brown bag, Blaine sat down across from Kurt. He took a few sips of his coffee.

"I'm not abusing the responsibility of having your number already, am I?" Blaine asked when Kurt didn't say anything.

Kurt shook his head and held onto his coffee leaning with his forearms on the table. He tilted his head, "No I say you're being very responsible with it."

"Good."

"So your friends didn't mind you ditching them? I feel bad, I didn't know you were busy." Kurt lied, he only felt the tiniest bit bad. It wasn't anything he would lose sleep over. In fact he was already past it the second after Blaine asked to meet him.

"No, they had to leave anyway. Other obligations."

"I'd like to meet your friends."

Blaine almost spit out his coffee. "No, I don't think so. I mean, one of them was Penny."

Kurt nodded in consideration and leaned back in the chair. "Oh yes. She had quite a welcoming personality." he said holding back his actual thoughts on her. "Hardly spoke but I feel like I know her so so well."

Blaine scratched his head and laughed nervously. "Yeah, Penny is normally like that. Sorry again about her. Not many people tend to like her."

"Why do you?"

Blaine looked away and didn't respond. Kurt had crossed a line he instantly regretted saying anything. "Sorry. Sometimes I have this habit of putting my foot in my mouth. Feel free to ignore me when I do that. This being one of those times."

"Its alright. What about you though and your girlfriend?"

Kurt choked, "M-my what?"

Blaine laughed at how flustered Kurt was. There was that look again that Kurt swore was reserved for only him. "That girl you were sitting with. She had dark hair, white knee socks and a dress."

"Oh. Rachel."

"She's a girl and she's a friend isn't she?"

Kurt made a face, "Well that is debatable at times. We went to high school together, she's my brother's girlfriend."

Blaine opened the bag and took out what Kurt suspected earlier, another pumpkin shaped sugar cookie. He broke it in half and handed one piece to Kurt who took it without question.

"You have a brother then?" Blaine nibbled on the edge of his half.

"Step brother. But yes, I'm actually living with him here." Kurt informed, "It seemed the better option than risk sharing a room with a homophobic brute who would just make my college experience a living hell. I went through that in high school, I wasn't going to suffer the same thing here."

Blaine was giving Kurt a concerned look, "What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

"Just…my junior and senior year was very very rough. Not like the first two years but a piece of cake, I mean being in Glee club solidified my placement on the social totem pole. Directly at the bottom. Didn't you ever get bullied?" Kurt asked, he hadn't touched his half of the cookie yet. It sat on a napkin with every intention of being consumed by Kurt. It waited patiently. Blaine's half was nearly gone but when asked if he had been bullied, Blaine set it aside and dusted his fingers off.

"For a while I was but I transferred schools and the one I ended up at had a zero tolerance bullying policy. And our glee club we were kind of like rock stars in my school." Blaine said.

Kurt sighed and took a sip of his coffee. It was cold by now. "Rub it in my face why don't you. You were living the high school life I only dreamed about."

"That's what college is for. A brand new start." Blaine smiled. "It's better here though right?"

Kurt didn't reply right away. In fact what little smile that was on his face wavered. Blaine frowned.

"You really hate it here don't you?"

Kurt opened his mouth to say something but closed it again.

Blaine sighed, "You regret not going to NYADA." he said sadly.

"Yes, and no. I mean if I went to NYADA I wouldn't be having coffee. Here. With you." Kurt met Blaine's eyes.

"Plus," Kurt went on after clearing his throat. "The university if putting on Wicked at the end of the semester. If I went to NYADA I wouldn't have a chance to audition." His attitude picked up but only because Kurt forced himself to be happier than he really was.

Blaine could tell Kurt was forcing emotions but didn't press him further. He smiled back, "I saw that. It's one of my favorite musicals actually."

"Mine too." Kurt said. Then he had a brilliant idea. His face showed instant delight. Kurt sat forward in his chair bubbling with excitement. "I have an idea."

Blaine's chuckled at Kurt's sudden change in mood. "Please, share."

"Okay. Well, I know you said that you don't think you can act but I could help you. Would you want to try out for Wicked together? You don't have to reply right away, you can have time to mull it over but be aware that the try outs are in two weeks."

"Yes." Blaine said without hesitation.

It caught Kurt off guard. "Perfect! It's settled then. Now we don't just have to meet for coffee and talking. You can use my number for other purposes."

Blaine nodded and took another bite of his cookie. "So long as we don't neglect the coffee and talking. I may not be able to do without it. For caffeine reasons of course." he smiled coyly at Kurt.

Kurt's lips were tight as he tried not to smile too much. "Naturally."

Kurt was well aware that he and Rachel were supposed to try out for Wicked together and he could only imagine how she would react once he told her. Then again, he didn't have to. Not right away anyway. Maybe he could try out with both of them. That couldn't end badly, could it?