A few days later, Kurt woke up early, preparing for his first big day of school at McKinley.  He got dressed slowly and simply, dreading the day ahead of him.  A soft, oversized sweater, tight black jeans, simple oxford shoes - a relatively tame outfit for Kurt.  About as much blending in as he could do without losing his mind.  He was not looking forward today, and why should he be? He had basically no friends - he knew Quinn, but she probably had her own clique and own schedule and own life.  All of the other kids were probably going to pick on him, the way they did everywhere he went.  These kids had grown up together.  A newcomer joining their ranks in the middle of the year was bad enough, but throw in the fact that he looks, sounds, dresses, and acts different from anyone there? No way.

            There was one thing, however, that was helping him from chaining himself to his bed and refusing to go to school.  And that was the possibility of seeing Blaine again.  He hadn't seen him since the party, and he wasn't even sure that he went to McKinley...but it was possible, right?  He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, but Blaine...he was someone different, someone special.  Someone Kurt couldn't stand never seeing again.

            Maybe, if he could just talk to him, he'd be able to face the day.

-----

            Blaine yawned as he strolled into homeroom that day while chatting with Puck, who, of course, was describing in way too much detail exactly what he had done to/with the "hot blonde" he had scored with at the New Years' Party. 

            "So we were both basically wasted, and I took her into a back room..." Blaine began to zone out while Puck went into the more excruciating details.  At least that explained why he hadn't even mentioned the whole singing thing to Blaine the next day.  As Blaine ignored Puck mindlessly, he looked up into the classroom to notice someone sitting in the front row of desks.  A new someone. Someone...

            "Oh my god, Blaine?"

            "Kurt?" Blaine's eyes lit up and his heart leaped in his chest, and for a second he felt like he was going to jump on Kurt because he was so happy to see him.  But then he remembered where he was and reality all came crashing back down on him and he froze as Puck asked, "Uh...Blaine? Who is this kid?"

            "Oh.  Uh.  He's - "

            "Kurt Hummel. I just moved here. Blaine and I..." He stopped as he saw Blaine's face. "Uh.  Our parents know each other from work."

            "Okay. I'm Puck. So as I was saying, Blaine, this chick..." Puck continued with his story while Blaine shot Kurt a subtle but apologetic look, enough so that he got the hint.  We can't be friends.  I'm popular.  You're not.  Everyone thinks I'm straight.  We all know you're not. We can't be associated with each other.  On and on and on.  And Kurt understood, he really did, where Blaine was coming from, but come on! Not even a brief conversation? Maybe he had misinterpreted everything...why was he such an idiot?

            Kurt's rather depressing train of thought was cut short as the teacher, a younger man with curly, gelled hair walked into the room.  "Okay, everyone, for those of you just joining our homeroom, I'm Mr. Schuester.  Today will be a silent study hall, as usual, but first, I have a quick announcement to make. If there's anyone in this class who's interested in singing or dancing, I highly recommend you stop by glee club auditions tomorrow afternoon in the theater.  This is a club for everyone, you don't have to be experienced, but it is a lot of fun and we are desperate for new members. So please, come check it out, if you're interested!"

            Hm. Glee club, Blaine thought. It could be interesting. Kurt turned around quickly towards him, just a glance, but that glance was enough to start Blaine thinking.  What if they joined it together?  Oh god, perhaps something just exploded in his brain, but still...ever since that night, he hasn't been able to keep his mind of Kurt.  His eyes, his sarcasm and wit, his beautiful voice and how well they'd sounded together, the way his lips felt as they touched his cheek and how his stubble had felt grazing Kurt's baby-smooth skin...he went home in a daze that night.  Ugh, Blaine, you need to calm down before...

            "Hah. Glee club. What a joke, right, Blaine?" Puck leaned over and whispered, interrupting his daydream.

            "Huh? Oh. Yeah. Right. Super lame." 

            But as he said it, he couldn't keep the little voice out of his head, taunting him...

            What if?

            Who cares what anyone else thinks?

            For Kurt, it could be worth it.

            What if?

-----

            Coming out of class, Blaine leaned against the wall, trying desperately to look casual, until Kurt left the room.  Jogging to catch up as he turned away, Blaine said quietly, "Hey, new kid.  Need a tour of the school?"

            "Won't your friends give you shit for talking to me?"
            "...Probably. But you are new here, so there's an excuse, and...I just really wanted a chance to talk to you," Blaine said with a shy smile that made Kurt blush until he realized something.

            "Why are you whispering?"
            "Oh. Um, sorry...I really didn't realize that I was?"

            "Whatever. Anyways," Kurt said as they continued walking toward a large area filled with bulletin boards announcing the latest clubs for students. "What's it like around here? You guys seem to have a lot of activities."

            Blaine shrugged. "Well, yeah, basically.  Everyone here kinda just finds their niche and sticks to it. Like me, I'm captain of the water polo team..." He paused and drifted off as he noticed that they were standing in front of the sign-up sheet for Glee Club auditions.  "So, what about you? You have a phenomenal voice, thinking about joining Glee or something?"

            "Me? Oh god no.  I never sing in front of people.  Besides, I kinda just wanna lie low around here for a while.  Not cause any scenes.  Why don't you audition, Mr. Jock?  You didn't sing half-bad yourself."

            "Well, no, I could never do that..." Kurt shot Blaine a look.  "Well, I mean...I would do it - if you did it with me?"  Blaine managed to stammer out haltingly, embarrassed not, for once, by the thought of joining Glee, but by the thought of asking Kurt to do something with him. His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a small brown head peeking around the corner of the bulletin board.

            "Hello there! I'm Rachel Berry, original member of McKinley High's glee club.  Interested in trying out, are you?"  The petite girl stuck out her hand toward Kurt stiffly and paused until he awkwardly shook.  "We are always looking for new members, especially male - but be warned, if you join, don't expect to get any solos.  Those are my domain."  She paused and suddenly took on a whole new persona as she noticed Blaine.  "Oh, hello, Blaine. I didn't notice you there. How have you been doing?  Wait...you weren't considering joining us, were you?" she said, smiling and batting her eyelids.

            Kurt had to stifle a snort.  Was this ridiculous, crazy girl actually flirting with Blaine?! Oh, sweetie.  Maybe Blaine was more popular than he had guessed.

            "Oh, god no, Rachel.  I'm good, and I don't really think Kurt here is interested in trying out for Glee club just yet, right?" Blaine nervously looked his way, making sure he'd said the right thing, and they locked eyes for just a second.

            "Yeah, I don't really want to get involved in too much just yet until I know more people," he replied cautiously with a glance towards Blaine. "Thanks, though."

            "Oh, of course! And just let us know if you change your mind. We'd love to have you," she said with a plastic smile stuck on her face, almost menacingly, before walking away with a secret wave at Blaine.

            "Wow, what a piece of work.  Like, damn, girl, did you want me to join or not?"

            "Yeah, Rachel's always been kind of crazy like that.  Listen, I've got to go to practice.  My dad - he's the coach - he'll kill me if I'm late.  Oh, but wait, give me your number so I can text you.  I still...I really just want to talk to you."  Blaine took a step closer to Kurt, still far away enough to be friendly, but looked deep into Kurt's eyes like he never wanted to lose him.

            Flustered, Kurt rattled off the digits as Blaine programmed them into his phone. 

            "Awesome.  I'll see you later?"

            Kurt nodded as Blaine jogged away.  He wanted to sigh, lean against a locker, and do other such teen-romantic-comedy things at the recent turn of events in his life. Glee club...well, it doesn't sound horrible.

-----

            "BLAINE," his father hollered that afternoon at practice.  "WHAT do you think you're doing? You are the leader of this team, so you better get your head in the game.  There was absolutely no reason to miss that shot! Focus, son!"

            "Sorry, Dad," Blaine flushed and returned to start again.  His dad had the best intentions at heart, but he was always pushing Blaine like this at practice, wanting him to be the best possible player but not always putting that across in the best way. 

            His father grunted in return.  "Okay, everyone, five minute break!"

            Now that they had a free second, Blaine leaned into Puck and said, "So, about those Glee club auditions...those don't sound that bad, do they? I mean, we get extra credit in Spanish for joining, and we all know my grade could use it."

            "Are you kidding me, Blaine? Glee club? Only the biggest losers in this entire school join that club.  They're worse than the Chess Club! Besides, like you'd even have time for that, am I right?"

            "Of course you are. Right. I just haven't been thinking straight today."

            "I can tell. Seriously, what is wrong with you? Get your head in the game, man!"

            "Right. Of course," Blaine said hurriedly, angry at himself for missing, angry at himself for thinking that anyone would be okay with him joining Glee.  Truth was, he hadn't been able to focus all practice because he was thinking about Kurt.  The way Kurt laughed and blushed and the way it felt when he looked into Kurt's eyes.  But mostly, the way it felt to sing with Kurt.  And what it would be like to do that every day. 

            It was impossible, Blaine knew.  But the possibility...all Blaine wanted was to be free to do what he wanted. 

            He just had to figure out how.