I look in the mirror and all I see is tool. –Blaine. Kurt read the text message a second time, giggling. It was nine in the morning, and Kurt was at his desk putting together some lyrics for the big number of his Pippa Middleton extravaganza. The corkboard behind the desk was entirely filled with pinned-up costume design sketches, all twenty-two meant for Pippa to wear, and the real driving force behind his musical.

It can’t be that bad. –Kurt. He shot off the reply, looking back down at his rhyming dictionary. Divine: Align, brine, malign, mountain pine. While those weren’t the only entries, they were the ones that stood out to Kurt the most. This probably why he had played more of a stubborn editor role when the members of New Directions wrote their nationals songs. Kurt’s phone beeped again.

Head to toe Ralph Lauren. Head being a visor. And that’s over enough hair gel to make you dump water over my head. –Blaine. Kurt sighed. He knew Blaine wasn’t looking forward to going to the country club his parents belonged to, and he knew that any insecurity about his appearance would only make the day worse.

Then lose the visor. It’s not like you’ve never worn a polo before, don’t make this into something it isn’t. Hair gel is ok, no rich boys looking at my bf’s hair :) –Kurt. Kurt looked back down at his incomplete verse. Maybe it was time to design another dress for Pippa.

Kurt’s phone beeped again, and this time it was a picture message. Blaine was scrunching up his face, and his hair was plastered to his head under a blue visor. He was wearing a yellow polo that Kurt couldn’t help but think complemented Blaine’s skin tone. But it was the other figure in the picture that caught his eye. A little girl with long, curly black hair sat on Blaine’s lap. She had the same skin tone as Blaine, and the same hazel eyes and plump lips. She, too, was making a face at the camera. We’re really excited about this. –Blaine.

Oh my God, the famous Jessie! She looks adorable. You look like a Republican. –Kurt.

Kurt couldn’t help but smile. He had seen pictures of Jessie before in Blaine’s room at Dalton and on his phone. He spoke about his nine-year-old little sister as though she were a princess, and Kurt knew that in Blaine’s eyes she was.

She says thank you. I say fuck you. In the nicest way. –Blaine.

:( You’re mean. I’m just making an observation. –Kurt.

Well, maybe looking like one could make my dad proud. –Blaine.

Kurt sighed again after reading the last message. Clearly Blaine’s reception at home hadn’t been warm. Well, from his father, at least. Jessie seemed to be enjoying having her big brother home. Kurt decided to attempt a distraction.

Just show him your report card then. You’re totally going to be valedictorian next year. Don’t even pretend otherwise. –Kurt.

I told you, David is going to beat me out. Ugh. We’re getting in the car. I can feel my self worth eroding already. –Blaine.

“Blaine, who are you texting?” Blaine looked up to see his mother already in the passenger seat of his father’s car, her sunglasses tilted off to look at him. Blushing, he put his phone in his pocket.

“My friend Kurt.” He said, climbing into the car. Jessie slid in on the other side. His father opened how own door and got into the car as well. Friend. What an understatement. Even when he had been Blaine’s “friend” he had been his best friend. Calling Kurt his friend felt like slighting him.

“That a Dalton boy?” he asked, starting the car.

“He was for a while. He transferred before the end of the school year.” Blaine said, trying to keep his voice level.

“Where’s he from? Maybe we know his parents.” Isabel said, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder and sliding her sunglasses back up, looking straight ahead.

“You wouldn’t. He’s from Lima.”

“We know people from Lima. What’s his last name?” Brian asked. Blaine took a deep breath, pulling his phone back out of his pocket as the car slid out of the driveway.

“Hummel.”

“Hummel. Related to the artist Hummel?” His father asked, puzzled. Blaine fought to hide a smile. Kurt looked like a Hummel painting: round, pale cheeks and clean lines on his face, but Blaine doubted any relation.

“I don’t think so.” Blaine said.

“Well what does his father do, Blaine? You’re not helping.” His mother said sharply.

“He owns a car shop.” Blaine said quietly, hating this. He saw frown lines cross his mother’s face.

“A car shop? Does his mother work, then?” He could hear the scorn in her voice.

“I’m not sure what his stepmother does. His mom isn’t alive.” Blaine said quietly.

“Well how could they afford Dalton, then?” Brian asked, not hiding the contempt in his voice. Blaine clenched his fist, willing his voice to remain calm.

“It was a temporary situation until some things cooled off at his old school.” Blaine said. He looked around, though there was nothing to remark on. He glanced at Jessie, hoping she would change the topic.

“Mommy, can Allie Perkins spend the night tomorrow?” Jessie said, smiling at Blaine to show that she got the hint. Blaine’s made a mental note to buy Jessie an ice cream at the country club.

“Jessie, I’ve told you, we’re going out of town this weekend.” Isabel said exasperatedly.

“Blaine isn’t!” Jessie said, a big smile on her face. Blaine mentally struck ice cream from the agenda.

“Your brother doesn’t want to watch you and your friend, Jessie. I’m sure he would like to take a girl out.” Blaine made a face at Jessie and she giggled.

“I don’t mind watching them. I don’t have any other plans.” He said. Maybe if Jessie had a friend over while his parents were away, so could he… it would be a Blaine-Jessie secret pact.

“Sure you don’t want to make some, son?” His father said, and Blaine caught tones under his father’s voice that he didn’t want to.

“I’m a little worn out from the school year. It’d be nice to have a weekend with nothing to do.” Blaine said, itching for the conversation in the car to end so he could check his phone.

“You’ve been stressing yourself out, Blaine. We’ll stop by the bookstore on the way back. Staying home and reading will do you good.” His mother said, glancing back and studying him for signs of weakness.

“Thanks, Mom.” Blaine said. Hey, he was even getting new books out of the deal. This might not be half bad.

“Well, if your brother says he’ll stay home I guess you can call Allie about it after we leave the club today.” Brian said, and Blaine could hear that he wasn’t happy about it.

“Thanks, Daddy!” Jessie said brightly. Jessie had long figured out that endearments kept her on her parents’ good list, and Blaine envied her cuteness.

The car grew silent, and Blaine dared to take his phone out of his pocket, hoping it wouldn’t bring up any more comments about Kurt and his family.

I’d say I’m counting down the hours until I see you, but you haven’t told me when that’ll be yet :( -Kurt.

What if I told you that you could stay the night tomorrow if I can get Jessie to make a secret pact? –Blaine.

WHAT?? –Kurt.

Parents are going out of town. Secret pact likely. Catch: sitting Jessie & a friend. –Blaine.

My dad would never let me though :( -Kurt.

Lie? For me? –Blaine.

Blaine held his breath. There was a very real possibility that Kurt wouldn’t do it.

I’ll try. Let’s take them out for ice cream, too. Which means you should take me out for ice cream, since it’s my turn to buy dinner. –Kurt.

Blaine smiled. They were really going to try to pull this off.

Dinner at 7? We’ll be able to eat without them, the nanny leaves at 8 on Saturday. –Blaine.

Like I said, counting the hours <3 –Kurt.

Blaine looked up right as they were pulling into the country club. Blaine groaned when he saw “Marion Bluffs Country Club” in unchanged blue lettering on the side of the gate.

“Your mother and I are golfing with the Edentons and the Montgomerys. Blaine, I want you to track of Jessie. You don’t have to be with her unless it’s the pool, but know where she is.” Brian said, wiping his sunglasses on his shoulder before sliding them back into his graying hair.

“Yes, Sir. The Montgomerys? Does that mean Wes is here?” Blaine addressed the second part to his mother, who was more likely to know.

“I think Alice said she was bringing him. Go look. We’re taking lunch on the course, so we’ll see you two at dinner.” Isabel said before taking her husband’s arm and starting away. Blaine couldn’t help but wonder how his mother’s tiny skirt would hold up in the wind.

“So, Jess, what’s the plan?” He asked. He wondered if she’d make the secret pact on her own or if he should still buy her ice cream.

“I want to see who’s here. Weren’t you going to look for Wes?” She asked. Blaine nodded. The two began to walk, and Blaine nodded to the vaguely familiar faces. He noticed Jessie looking rather unimpressed with the crowd her age.

“What, too cool for the average elementary student?” He teased, looking down at her. Jessie frowned and looked up at him.

“Most of the kids here go to private school, so I don’t know them.” Blaine nodded. He remembered being one of the only public school kids in the country club, but his father wasn’t set on sending them to religious schools. It was only when he was in high school, after being sent to the hospital for injuries after a dance, that his father had caved and said he could go to an all-boys school. It was actually Wes, a friend from the country club who lived in the same neighborhood as the Andersons, who recommended Dalton.

“So who here do you know?” He asked his sister. Her eyes were glancing from person to person quickly, as though she were looking for someone in particular.

“There’s a boy named Andrew who goes to my school.” Jessie said. Blaine grinned, crossing his arms.

“And do you like this Andrew?” Blaine asked, cocking an eyebrow at Jessie. To his surprise, she shook her head.

“I think he’s like you.” She said. It took Blaine a second to figure out what she meant, since she was so open about it. In the country club, “gay” was a whispered word, an alluded to concept. Yet here was Jessie, saying it as though it were any other trait.

Yup, he was buying her ice cream.

“What makes you think that?” He said, sitting down on a bench and patting the place beside him. Jessie climbed onto the seat, her starched dress crinkling as she sat.

“He pulls Jacob Pullen’s hair and looks at him a lot.” Jessie said, playing with a strand of her hair.

“Well, don’t talk about it.” Blaine said, hating that he was putting a gag order on the issue he wished wouldn’t be hushed up. “If Andrew turns out to be like me, he’ll tell you.”

“I won’t Blaine. I don’t tell anyone. I just told you because you understand.” She said, looking up at him. Blaine couldn’t help pulling her in for a tight hug. Two scoops.

“Well, I hate to tell you, but it doesn’t look like your friend Andrew is here unless he’s outside. I’ll text Wes, do you want to go swim?” Jessie nodded. She tried to talk Blaine into swimming with her, but he shook his head, laughing.

“I specifically didn’t bring my swim trunks, Jessie. But I’ll tell you what: Wes’s sister is just a year younger than you. Maybe you two can swim together?” He said, almost a pleading look on his face. Jessie pouted.

“Lucy sucks.” Blaine tried to hide his inclination to agree. While Wes was fun out of his Dalton uniform, Lucy Montgomery was you stereotypical private school bitch-in-training. What type of eight-year-old told other girls that their swim suits looked trashy?

“Hey, now! Language!” Blaine said, not refuting the point. Jessie made a face. “Maybe you can make a new friend? A private school boy to buy you pretty trinkets.” Blaine said, grinning. Jessie rolled her eyes.

Jessie went into the locker room to change, and Blaine quickly shot off a text to Wes telling him that he was at the pool if Wes were at the MBCC. Sure enough, Wes came around the corner, sister in tow, just as Jessie was leaving the locker room.

Wes’s sister Lucy had her hair cut in a bob and wore clothes much like the ones Jessie had just changed out of, but was laden with jewelry. She took in Jessie’s swim cover, flip-flops, tied-back hair and big electric blue sunglasses one-by-one, making it clear she was judging the older girl.

“Hi, Lucy, want to go swimming?” Jessie asked, shooting her brother a harsh look.

“No, I don’t want to get my hair wet. I might tan by the side of the pool.” Lucy said, her voice dripping with airs. You’re eight, Blaine couldn’t help but think, what the hell is wrong with you?

“Well, Lucy, figure it out because Blaine and I are going to sit poolside while Jessie swims. Hello, Andersons.” Wes said, smiling at his classmate and his classmate’s younger sister.

“Hey, man. Come on, let’s get a table.” Blaine said, and the three walked out to the pool. Lucy frowned, but said she’d change and be right out.

“So, how’s your summer starting? Haven’t seen your car around Marion.” Wes said, taking a seat at a table with an umbrella. Jessie took her swim cover and shoes off, revealing her little brown two-piece with pink polka dots before running for the pool.

“Jess, slow down! The pool isn’t going away!” Blaine yelled after her before turning back to his friend. “I’ve been in Lima a lot. Chicago, too. That was a bust.”

Wes smirked when Blaine told him he’d been in Lima, but his eyebrows fell when Blaine told him that Six Flags wasn’t happening.

“What went wrong in Chicago?”

“They said I was ‘too suggestive.’” Blaine said, trying to hide exactly how disgruntled he was from his friend. To his dismay, Wes grinned.

“Kurt in the room during the audition?”

“Shut up. No.” Blaine said, embarrassed. He took out his phone. Talking about you. Love you. –Blaine.

Wes took in the sight of Blaine texting, his eyebrows rising and his grin spreading across his face.

“Who are you texting?” Wes said resting his hands on the table.

“Who do you think?” Blaine replied, blushing. Wes laughed, banging his hand on the table. Out of the corner of his eye, Blaine saw Lucy come out of the club house in the most scandalous bikini an eight-year-old could wear and lay out to tan.

“Dude, I don’t know what’s worse… being around you before you figured out you were in love with him or now that you have.” Wes said, pretending to think.

“I’m sure it’s worse now.” Blaine said, rolling his eyes. His phone beeped.

Nice things, I’d hope. Told Dad I’m staying at Mercedes’ tomorrow. Pick me up there? –Kurt. Blaine beamed.

Definitely. And I told Wes that you’re a demanding diva who makes me feed him ice cream. –Blaine.

“You know, I’m not sure. This is bad, but at least I don’t want to hide in a hole for you like when you spent months flirting with Kurt and then decided to ask his help with asking another guy out.” Wes said. Blaine blushed scarlet, diverting himself by looking at his phone again.

Keep it up and I’ll demand more than that. –Kurt.

And what do you think you’re demanding, exactly? –Blaine.

“Speaking of Kurt, did he pick your outfit out? I like that blue and yellow together, I might have to copy it.” Wes said, taking in Blaine’s yellow polo and blue short pants and grimacing at his own khakis and black polo.

“He doesn’t pick out my clothes, Wes.” Blaine said, looking at his friend as though he were crazy. “God, we’re not that gay couple. He was there when I bought them, though. I think he suggested the color combination, but it’s not like that.”

“Got it. Well, I like it. I miss Kurt. It’s a pity I didn’t get to wear that tux he helped me pick out.” Wes said, shrugging his shoulders. Blaine cringed, remembering how Wes’s (now ex) girlfriend had broken up with him just before her prom.

Blaine’s phone beeped again. We’ll just have to figure that out, won’t we? ;) –Kurt.

“Well, we’ll have to hang out. I’m working on finding reasons to get Kurt to Marion.” Blaine said with a small smile.