After class, Kurt rushed home; he needed to re-do his hair and have a costume change. Luckily, the jocks had only shoved him into the lockers a dozen times, and no slushies had come within a metre of him, so he didn’t have to shower. The difficult part for Kurt was picking his outfit. He planned three last night, but none of his choices seemed to fit. He didn’t was to look too fabulous, but casual what everyone else saw as casual was a no-go for the likes of him. He finally decided on his Vivienne Westwood grey cardigan, Black skinny jeans, white shirt, necktie and his Converse. Not too casual, just fabulous enough. For the 15th time that afternoon, Kurt checked his hair in the mirror, then picked up his car keys, and headed out to his car.
“Bye Dad!” Kurt yelled opening the door, and then remembering he was out with Carole, it was Valentine’s Day after all.
He locked the door; got into his navigator, and put in one of his many mix CD’s. Kurt sang along to almost all the showtunes, only pausing for breath, or to give Barbra a solo. The drive was short, but Kurt was nervous. He decided that it couldn’t be a date; Blaine was too gorgeous and sweet to want to date someone like Kurt.
Blaine arrived at the Lima Bean before Kurt. He got his medium drip and sat down at a table near the window, surrounded by couples. Blaine sat there for a few minutes, waiting for Kurt. He wasn’t late, Blaine was just early. He heard the door shut, looked up, and Kurt was standing in the doorway. He waved at him, and watched Kurt order his coffee, before looking down when he saw Kurt turn towards the table; he didn’t want to seem weird.
“Hey.” Kurt smiled as he sat down.
“HI Kurt, how are you?”
“I’m good thanks. Sorry I’m late…”
“No, you’re not late,” Blaine interrupted “I was early.”
“Non-fat mocha?” The waitress had walked up behind Blaine, with Kurt’s coffee
“That’s mine. Thanks.” Kurt smiled as he took his coffee.
“Enjoy your date.”
-
Kurt panicked. Date? What if Blaine didn’t think it was a date?
“It’s not a date.” Kurt said quickly.
“Oh, sorry.” The waitress apologised before going back to the till.
Kurt let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding.
-
“It’s not a date.”
Blaine couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He knew Kurt was too good for him; he probably wasn’t Kurt’s type. Kurt probably liked tall, muscly jocks, not hobbits who sang song to people in the Gap.
Kurt and Blaine sat there for hours, going through 3 cups of coffee each, and talking about everything and anything. He learnt a lot about Kurt, that he was in Glee club, adored Barbra Streisand, loved musicals (especially Wicked) and was planning to move to New York with his friend Rachel after graduation. With every word Kurt said, he was becoming more and more perfect for Blaine.
-
Kurt felt he was talking too much. Blaine knew just about everything about him, and he hadn’t asked Blaine anything about him, so he let Blaine talk. Blaine was perfect. Yes, he was single, but Kurt was sure there were lots of other guys at Dalton who would kill to date Blaine. Anyway, Blaine wouldn’t be interested in Kurt; he was just a public school boy with big dreams. Blaine was… well, Blaine was Blaine. There was no other way to describe him.
Everything was going well, until Karofsky walked in. Kurt panicked, and hoped Karofsky didn’t spot him. He hoped in vain.
“Hey Hummel, on a date with your fairy boyfriend?” Karofsky leered.
Kurt gulped. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. Sorry Blaine, I better go.” Kurt sent him an apologetic look. “ ’scuse.” Kurt said to Karofsky, trying to get past him.
“Leaving your boyfriend here all alone are we? Did he break up with you? Realise how much of a pansy you are?”
“I…” Kurt was cut off by Blaine standing up and taking his hand.
“Come on Kurt, I’ve got to go back to Dalton anyway. Leave this jerk to his coffee; he looks like he needs it.” Blaine started walking towards the door, still hand-in-hand with Kurt.
“Thanks Blaine.” Kurt said, once they got outside.
“No problem. Who was that guy anyway?”
“Just a jock who is making my life a misery.” Kurt’s eyes filled with tears. “He can’t go a day without shoving me into a locker, or chucking a slushy in my face. I try to stay strong, but I can’t. Nobody cares Blaine. It’s happening right in front of their face, but they don’t do anything. It’s like it’s my fault this is happening. I honestly can’t cope with it anymore.” Kurt was begging the tears not to fall, but he couldn’t stop them. He felt Blaine pull him into a tight hug.
“Hey. It’s not your fault. I was bullied a lot at my old school, and everybody saw, but they didn’t care. That’s why I moved to Dalton. I ran Kurt. I let them tear me down, and I ran. I regret it now, I wish I stood up to them, but I didn’t, and I can’t change that now. I would tell you to just enrol in Dalton, but I know that’s not for everyone. Or you could do what I didn’t. Stand up to them. I don’t want you to run away and regret it, but it’s your decision. “
Kurt had stopped crying, but he didn’t want to move. Being so close to Blaine felt… right. Like he was meant to be in his arms. What Blaine was saying was right. He should stand up to Karofsky. He had answered him back every time an insult was thrown his way, but that just seemed like the tip of the iceberg. He needed to confront Karofsky.
“Thanks Blaine.” Kurt mumbled against Blaine’s chest.
“Don’t worry about it. That’s what friends do.”
Kurt looked up and smiled.
“Sorry, you should be getting back to Dalton. We’ve been talking for hours; you should get back before your curfew.”
“Oh yeah, damn! Don’t apologise Kurt, I’m always here if you need to talk. I know we’ve only talked for a matter of hours, but I feel closer to you than all my other friends. Sorry if that sounds weird or anything.”
“No, it doesn’t sound weird. I was hoping you’d say something like that, I feel like you’re my best friend already.” Kurt grimaced at how cheesy that sounded. “I mean… oh never mind. Bye Blaine.”
“Bye Kurt.” Blaine released Kurt, smiled, then walked towards his car.