The boy next to him smiled, turning to face him, “I’m probably never going to be moving from this seat and I doubt you will be either. We’re gonna see each other three times a week so I might as well know your name. I’m Blaine.”

Kurt smiled back, a blush creeping across his face, “I’m Kurt.”

Blaine stuck his hand out expectantly as Kurt took it, shaking it gently. Kurt had to restrain himself from rubbing Blaine’s soft calloused hand on his cheek. Blaine’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at Kurt, “So any particular reason you’re taking Art History 112?”

A rosy blush creeped onto Kurt’s pale cheeks as he tried not to bite his lip or let his blush rise. He had to remain calm, calm, very calm, “It’s actually required for my major, but I’m really interested in it. What about you?”

“I’ve always just had a thing for art. I figured why not take it.” He smiled, pursing his lips, looking at Kurt awkwardly for a moment before piping up again, “So tell me Kurt, what’s your major?”

Resting his chin on his hand Blaine looked up at Kurt, smiling. Kurt felt all the blood rushing to his cheeks almost immediately, quite sure he was making a fool of himself, “Fashion, I realize it’s a gay stereotype but, nothing suits me more. Let me guess yours… umm Accounting?”

Blaine chuckled, “You’re gay? I love that you’re so open about it. No actually, I’m a musical theatre major. I know that doesn’t get much money but you should do what you love right?”

“Is that so? Well I didn’t take you for a dancing and singing kind of guy, doesn’t seem like your personality.” Kurt smiled softly.

Letting out a small giggle, Blaine explained, “Well you’ve only just met me Kurt, I’m much more complex that that.”

“Oh really now?” Kurt asked, shifting in his seat awkwardly, “Maybe you’ll let me find out then?”

Blaine’s smile just grew, “I’d love that. If you ever want to get together and study sometime let me know.”

Turning towards the front of the classroom Blaine watched the instructor enter rather loudly. As he turned, Kurt could have sworn he saw Blaine wink at him. Kurt’s heart began to flutter, his cheeks flushed as he was sure he was drawing blood from biting so hard on his bottom lip. The lights dimmed, for which he was glad; Blaine couldn’t see his blush.

He couldn’t let him know he already had a crush on him, that’d just be pathetic. It was too soon, he’d made the mistake before. He wasn’t going to screw this up. As the class moved on, Kurt began furiously taking notes every once in a while stealing a glance over at Blaine who had been doing the same thing. He couldn’t help but notice the way Blaine kept biting on different parts of his lip as he scribbled on the paper or the way his nose scrunched up when he was thinking about something.

At this point, Kurt didn’t even know if he was gay, he’d definitely have to take him up on that study offer. The way Blaine almost instinctively ran his hand over his curly hair, and the way he lightly chewed on the end of his pen when the professor spoke, who was Kurt kidding? He was into this boy. This boy that he knew almost nothing about, who was possible straight, was surely going to kill Kurt.

As the room brightened once again, Kurt packed up his notebook, dropping his pen into his bag. Just as he was about to sling it over his shoulder and leave the classroom, Blaine stopped him, “Kurt, wait. I was serious about the studying. I’m really not very good at Art History, maybe we could meet up for coffee tonight and go over the notes?”

Kurt took a moment to turn around, a wide grin formed on his face as he silently thanked whoever was up there that this was happening to him. He calmed down a bit turning back around to Blaine who had the most adorable smile Kurt had ever seen, “Sure, the Livewire?”

Blaine’s smile never left his face, “That’s on Veranda right?”

“Yes. Around six is okay? I have classes until then.” Kurt responded.

“I’ll see you there. Uh, should I get your number or something?”

Kurt nodded, “Oh uh, yeah, it’s (212) 521-2879.” He stated his number slowly as he watched Blaine punch his number into his phone, “And the last name’s Hummel.”

“Hummel… I like that, it fits you.” Blaine said as Kurt’s phone buzzed.

He looked down at it, with a new text from an unknown number, Hi. :)

“Save my number Hummel, I’ll talk to you soon.” Blaine defiantly winked this time as he headed for the door. As he was just about to exit he turned back to Kurt, “Last name’s Anderson.”

Before Kurt knew it Blaine was gone. Blaine Anderson, Kurt loved that name almost instantly. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about Blaine’s name as he remembered that blush he’d been trying so hard to hide; it was now in full swing. He looked like a cherry tomato. His heart wouldn’t stop beating. His smile stretched across his entire face.

As he dashed out of the room, out of the building, down the streets and around the corners to his apartment, he tried to take in deep breaths. Opening the door, he took another breath before shutting the door behind him and sinking down onto the ground. Kurt’s roommate and best friend, Parker, poked his head out of the kitchen, his hand stuffed in a bag of chips, “Kurt, dude, what’s up with you? What cute guy did you see in class now?”

Kurt rolled his eyes and stood. He hated how well Parker knew him, “His name’s Blaine if you must know, what else?”

Slinging his bag over one of the bar chairs Kurt walked over to their plush brown couch, which Kurt didn’t really appreciate. He’d wanted the purple one, but Parker out right refused. As he shifted on it, he looked up at Parker, “But you know, there are some things I’d like to keep private.”

Parker gasped as if Kurt had offended him, “But dude, I tell you about my sex life, I think I should receive the same info in return.”

“It’s not like I actually ask you about your sexual escapades Parker. You just sort of babble.” Kurt said letting out a long frustrated groan.

Parker chuckled, plopping next to Kurt, “Spill Hummel.”

Kurt sighed, groaning, letting his head fall into his hands. Parker was so lucky he was Kurt’s best friend, “He’s in my Art History class. He was just so sweet and introduced himself out of the blue. We’re having coffee tonight. You should see him, well you wouldn’t like him but, he’s got the most beautiful dark curly hair and these hazel eyes. I just wanted to melt and turn into a pile of goop.”

He looked completely and utterly lovesick. Parker loudly cleared his throat, his gaze directly Kurt, “So, you making a move tonight or what?”

“WHAT? Dude, no. I just met him, besides I don’t even know if he’s gay. He knows I am, because I kind of let it slip, being the blabbermouth that I am.” Kurt said.

“It’s not a secret that you’re gay. If your major wasn’t enough, the way you dress and talk are big red flags.” Parker smiled as Kurt couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re right, I guess. I just, I don’t want to screw this up Parker. I can’t have another bad relationship.” Kurt sighed, letting his mind wander back to Daniel, his fourth boyfriend in two years; obviously something wasn’t working.

“Kurt, stop thinking about Daniel!” Kurt was taken aback, he still had no idea how Parker knew exactly what he was thinking, “Daniel was a jerk, so was Kyle, Jasper and Ryan. Forget them, you’re 21 years old Kurt, live a little.”

Kurt let out a soft groan, “Oh my gosh, seriously, how do you know me so well? It scares me sometimes. You’re like this freakish mind stalker or something.”

Parker scooted to the edge of his couch and slightly bowed, “It’s a gift and Kurt, you wear your emotions on your sleeve… mystery’s the world’s biggest turn on.”

Kurt dropped his head into his hands, mumbling to himself. Parker was right, he had to be more mysterious. He couldn’t let Blaine play into his hands. He had to play hard to get; he had to. Blaine wasn’t going to get him that easily. Turning to look up at parker again, Kurt stuttered a bit, “Uh… h-how do you play hard to get? I…I’ve never really done it before.”

Grinning, Kurt bounced on the couch, “I’m ready.”

Parker sat next to him, “Rule number one, when he asks you if you can hang out again after this coffee date, trust me will, just say: I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.”

“Rule number two, never give him a complete answer.”

Kurt raised his eyebrows, “Wait what? I don’t get that one.”

Parker shook his head, “I mean, when he asks you a question, don’t go into a full in depth discussion like you usually do. Keep your answers short and sweet.”

“So I do those things and Blaine will be begging for me?” Kurt asked, realizing that questioning Parker was the stupidest thing he could have done.

“That and other things. But yes, if you play your cards right, he’ll probably wind up stalking you, in the non creepy way of course.”

“Oh of course.” Kurt and Parker both laughed. Parker stood up almost tripping over the edge of the couch, “Fuck. Well I have to get to class but you got this Kurt.”

Parker winked and was out the door before Kurt could reply. Taking a deep breath Kurt let himself fall back against the couch. Was Parker right? Was this really going to get him Blaine? As he let all these thoughts run through his mind, he stopped. He’d barely even talked to the guy, why was he thinking about him so much already? But seriously, there was something special about the way Blaine looked at Kurt.

It was different form all the other guys Kurt had been with. Blaine was genuine; he was sweet and polite. Even if Blaine had turned out to be straight or even if he didn’t ever want to be in a relationship, Kurt could still be good friends with him right?

…

Later that night, about a half hour before Blaine and Kurt’s ‘coffee date’, Kurt stood in front of his full length mirror, checking himself out. He walked out of his bedroom to Parker who was sitting on the couch in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt flipping through TV channels, “Dude, does this make me look like a douche? Seriously, be honest.”

“You’re not going to like what I have to say,” Parker said, “It looks like you’re trying too hard.”

Kurt groaned, letting his body fall onto the couch, face first. He mumbled into the couch, before throwing his head looking up at Parker, “Shit, well uhm, what do I tone down? Is the vest too much? And the boots, are they too much? Is the shirt the wrong color? Are my jeans too tight?”

“Okay, stand up, properly.” Kurt obeyed and stood in front of Parker who pursed his lips looking at Kurt’s outfit, “You’re clashing majorly dude plus your vest makes you look like a 50 year old teacher.”

Kurt whimpered, “I don’t fuck up my outfits. What is wrong with me? I’m so nervous.” He stormed back into his bedroom.

Pulling his clothes off, he settled for a pair of tight black skinny jeans and a white shirt with a whimsical design on it. He slipped his feet into a pair of black converse. Stepping back out he posed for Parker, “Is this better? I feel casual but good.”

Since high school, Kurt’s style had changed a bit. He was perfectly okay with wearing jeans and a T-shirt, often not having enough time before class to put on a three part designer outfit. It wasn’t that he still didn’t wear clothes like that, he did, he just saved them for a later date, a time when he knew he had time.

“Now that says, this is just a casual study date. Perfect.” Parker gave a small clap.

Kurt stuck his tongue out, “You have been watching too much Project Runway with that ‘girlfriend’ of yours.”

Parker chuckled, “One day Kailey will be my girlfriend, one day. Now go fix your hair, you look like a ragamuffin.”

“What? My hair is wrong too?! I worked on this for almost an hour!” Kurt groaned and trudged off to the bathroom.

He heard Parker calling behind him in a sarcastic tone, “Could have fooled me Hummel.”

Kurt headed back into the bathroom to look at his hair. It didn’t look wrong to him, it looked like it always did, just with a little more poof. He poked his head out of the room, “Are you serious or are you just fucking with me? I just put a little extra hairspray, it’s windy outside.”

“I’m busting your balls Kurt, you look great. Blaine will be all over you.”

Kurt whacked Parker over the head with the back of his hand, “Dick.”

Stuffing his hand in his bag he made sure he had everything in it. His phone was placed securely in his pocket as he left the apartment taking a deep breath, “I’ll be back later, let me know if we need anything from the store.”

“Have fun Kurt, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Parker yelled as Kurt shut the door behind him, walking down the stairs and into the New York night.

He was ready for this, well as ready as he would ever be. He walked down the street to The Livewire, hoping everything would go over well. Ordering himself a grande non-fat mocha, he sat down in one of the booths in the back. Before Blaine got there, he tried to gain his composure, repeating over and over to himself that it would be fine. He wouldn’t freak out; he wouldn’t ruin it.

But all hopes of that flew out the window when Blaine walked in, taking Kurt’s breath away. A black collared shirt, black dress pants and a bright red bowtie, really? Kurt couldn’t take his eyes off him. Cursing under his breath, Kurt gazed down at his outfit; he was way too under dressed.

As Blaine headed over, he smiled at Kurt, “Hey.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t dress up more. I feel really under dressed.”

“It’s fine, you look great, besides we didn’t exactly set a dress code for tonight.” Blaine giggled as Kurt couldn’t take his eyes off his bobbing Adam’s apple.

The night flew by, the boys drinking coffee, talking about the things that interested them, Kurt trying desperately to take Parker’s advice. They discussed Art History and why each boy enjoyed it. That night was one of Kurt’s favorites. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face or keep the joy in his heart away. Blaine was incredible.

He let his mind wander as Blaine talked about his high school, talking about singing and dancing. His and Blaine’s relationship would be perfect, that wonderful relationship that everyone wanted. After all he did deserve it right? A smile was planted firmly on his face, as he decided how it would go over. It was perfect.

A perfect relationship, it was all he ever wanted. But it was far from perfect, too far to even start to explain.