Chapter 6b

The McKinley hall looked pretty much the same, except for the yellow and red balloons dotted around the room. The stage was set up at the far end with a microphone, several different instruments and a CD player. There was a cafeteria table holding food and drinks.

The room was full of excitement, it was almost impossible not to get caught up in it. There was music playing but it felt almost unnecessary due to the eager hums and squeals of old friends re-acquainting.

Kurt made his way to the refreshments and grabbed a beer before turning back around to scan the room. Several couples twirled and swayed around the room as Finn and Puck sang some slow rock song on the stage. The stream of people coming in through the doors was still as strong as ever.

Kurt felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see who it was.

“I thought you didn’t drink,” Tina said, cocking one eyebrow and gesturing to the beer in the boy’s hand.

“Not usually, just...felt like I needed it,” Kurt replied before pulling her into a tight hug.

“How have you been, Kurt?” Tina asked after she’d been released from Kurt’s death-grip.

“Not bad,” Kurt answered, “Living in New York, got my own fashion line. Not famous yet, but working on it,” Kurt smiled, “How about you? What happened to you after McKinley?”

“I’m a teacher now! Yeah, I work from home teaching children piano and singing. It’s not quite what I dreamed of but it’s still lovely,” her eyes lit up as if she were about to say something huge.

“What, what is it?” Kurt eyed the girl who was practically bouncing.

“Mike proposed!” She held up her left hand which was embellished by a beautifully elegant diamond ring.

“Oh my GOSH!” Kurt squealed as he clasped the decorated hand. Both friends spent a few minutes catching up; asking questions of varying sincerity and interest. Kurt was relieved when the subject of Blaine didn’t come up.

Meanwhile, a rather nervous looking Blaine shuffled into the increasingly crowded hall, followed by an excited and eager Drew.

Blaine’s eyes scanned the room warily for a minute, taking everything in; the streamers, the balloons, the smiles. He took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. Without a second thought, Drew entangled his hand with Blaine’s; Blaine smiled at the simple yet incredibly romantic gesture.

“BLAINE!” a voice yelled from somewhere. Blaine looked around more purposefully to find the source. Then Mike Chang appeared from behind one of the twirling couples, waving exuberantly.

“MIKE! Oh my god!” Blaine broke free of his boyfriend’s hand and all-but ran – stumbling on the way – to hug his old friend.

Drew stood slightly behind them, smiling at Blaine’s excitable clumsiness. He stood there in awe, watching is boyfriend looking happier than he’d seen him in a long time. He couldn’t help but smile. All Drew had ever wanted was for Blaine to be happy. Drew knew Blaine was at least content with him, but there was always something holding Blaine back. Drew wasn’t about to leave him on account of some suspicion. He wasn’t going to leave Blaine unless Blaine initiated it. Drew loved him. He’d been sure of it since their third date. Seeing Blaine happy reminded Drew of that.

“Oh! Mike, I want you to meet someone,” Blaine gestured for Drew to move forward and then clasped his hand, “This is my boyfriend, Drew. Drew, this is Mike.”

Blaine smiled as the two men shook hands, “I’ll go get drinks,” Blaine said as he walked past his boyfriend to get to the bar.

Before he reached the table – about two metres away from it – something stopped Blaine in his tracks.

Stood near the bar, diagonally left of Blaine, facing away from him...was Kurt.

Blaine took a deep breath. Okay, it’s now or never. You knew this was going to happen tonight, it’s just happening before you were expecting. Breathe and walk. Blaine straightened out his tie, smoothed his jacket, and continued walking; this time toward Kurt. He watched for a brief moment as Kurt put down an empty beer bottle on the table.

Kurt sighed as he silently thanked and cursed that Tina had left him alone. He loved her being happy but the fact that it came from something Kurt had slowly realised he may never experience.

“Hello stranger.”