Kurt got into his car and turned on the ignition, as well as the air conditioning: spring was quickly turning to summer in Ohio, and Kurt was having a major case of contradictory senioritis. He was itching for the school year to end, but that meant leaving Lima behind-most specifically, Blaine. Kurt smiled as he remembered the night before, when he and Blaine were studying together at the library for finals. They had another study date planned for that night. They were still going strong, seeing each other at least once a week and communicating via Book and text. Kurt could hardly believe how much he'd missed Blaine while he was away at Nationals, which New Directions had won.

Before pulling out of his driveway to get to school, Kurt looked through his backpack to make sure he had all of his things for the day. As he checked all of his binders and textbooks, he found something strangely familiar, something that didn't belong in there...

Kurt pulled out the Book, incredulous at his find. "How did this get in there," he muttered to himself as he absentmindedly stroked the cover. His fingers glided over its many pages, and was even more surprised to find that there was a little bookmark sticking out of the top. Filled with curiosity-and a lack of concern for the fact that he was jeopardizing his promptness for school-Kurt opened the Book to the bookmarked page.

He was welcomed by Blaine's loopy, neat handwriting he'd grown to recognize and admire. It was on the new page across from where they'd taken notes aboutThe Awakening, one of the books on Kurt's final exam. There were only three small words at the top of the page.

Kurt's heart exploded as he read the words, and his brain turned to mush. His fingers outlined the eight letters that he knew had just changed his life. Kurt then pressed the Book to his chest, the page pressing against his t-shirt, as he wondered how in the world he'd get through the day, and what he'd do when he saw Blaine.

"Are you okay, Kurt? You've been distracted all day," Rachel queried a few hours later. They were standing in the choir room, helping to clean up. They'd just finished their last official rehearsal of the year, and Kurt's last rehearsal, ever. Kurt glanced up at the large Nationals trophy standing beside the piano, and then to Rachel, who was sitting on the piano bench, lightly pressing down on the keys. He was sitting on the floor nearby, organizing some sheet music.

"Yeah, it's just...everything hit me today. Everything's changing. You're going off to fulfill your dreams, everyone's going off to college...and I don't really know what's in store for me." It was true: Kurt had auditioned for NYADA alongside Rachel, but didn't get in. Although everyone had been supportive, Kurt still felt lost.

"Everything's going to work out, Kurt. You deserve good, all right?" Rachel sat herself down next to him and gently wrapped her arms around her friend. "Remember that you have Blaine as well." At the mention of his boyfriend's name, who had really conjured all of these feelings, Kurt sniffled a little, trying to prevent the tears swimming in his eyes from falling. "You'll be okay. Hey, if you think it's possible...you're welcome to move in with me in New York, just as we've always dreamed." She sent Kurt a warm smile. He returned it, feeling a little better.

"Thanks, Rachel. Speaking of, I need to go meet Blaine at the library." Butterflies took flight in his stomach as he recalled the text he'd sent at lunch, asking that they meet a little earlier than usual; Blaine had agreed without asking why.

"Ooooohh, library date? Tell me the details!"

"Maybe," Kurt said slyly, and stood up, gathering his things. "You have no idea," he muttered under his breath as he left the classroom, getting out his keys.

As he left the classroom, he was called over by a familiar voice. Karfosky was standing next to the water fountain with an unreadable expression on his face. Reluctantly, Kurt walked over, becoming very conscious of the fact that his scar was out in the open due to the fact that he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

"What do you want, Karfosky? You've been avoiding me since the incident." Kurt began as he stood in front of him, hoping that the confrontation would end soon.

"I just wanted to say that...that I'm sorry." He looked down after he said it, avoiding Kurt's eyes.

"It took youthatlong to say that? Well, I must apologize as well, because I can't accept your apology. You made my life living hell for the longest time. Now, I am so much happier, because I have everything I want and need in my life, especially because you're not in it." Kurt spat angrily, and looked up to see that Karfosky was on the verge of tears. "Look, I-I know I'm being harsh, but it's very hard to be nice to someone who's threatened me. I get that you have a lot of pressure on you and everything; you're just making it worse because you're in the closet." It was true: Karfosky still hadn't come out, and Kurt somewhat pitied him for it. "I've been there. It's only easier if you're truthful. You're lucky that I'm giving you this advice, even though it's obvious. Well, have a nice life, Karfosky." He left the boy standing there. Kurt knew that he'd been rather harsh with Karfosky, but he still could not forgive him for the difficulties that he'd endured because of his bullying. In fact, he felt a little better after giving Karfosky a piece of his own mind.

Kurt could close his eyes and navigate his way to the library at this point. He parked his car next to Blaine's and opened the door, practically skipping towards the building. He didn't feel nervous anymore, even though he wasn't sure how he'd react when he saw Blaine in their secluded room. He rushed up the stairs, skipping a few steps at a time. It felt just like old times as he let his feet lead him through the doors and towards the room where he knew Blaine was waiting for him. Excitement bubbled in his chest as he neared the room and threw the door open, finding Blaine sitting at a table with his nose in a rather thick book.

"I love you too," he nearly shouted, flinging himself at the boy and nearly causing him to fall off of his chair. They hugged for the longest time, until Blaine broke them apart so he could look into Kurt's blazing eyes.

"When did you read it?" he asked softly, grabbing the Book, which Kurt had tossed onto the table. He opened to the page he'd bookmarked, reading the words he wrote the night before, and the same phrase repeated underneath in Kurt's neat handwriting.

"This morning, before I went to school, although I wish I hadn't seen it then because you were all I could think about," Kurt babbled as he took the empty chair next to Blaine.

"So...I'm guessing that you're okay with the way I did it?" Blaine inquired, searching Kurt's flushed face.

"Of course. I couldn't think of any other way that's as perfect as admitting such a thing through the way that we met," Kurt replied, placing his hands in Blaine's. "Although I still haven't heard you say the words yet," he teased.

"Wow, how could I forget?" Blaine leaned over so his lips were just inches from Kurt's. "I love you," he whispered tenderly before closed the distance between them.

"Love is such an abstract thing, you know?" Kurt a while later as they stayed curled up next to each other. They hadn't even gotten any work done; they were perfectly content with laying against each other, listening to them breathe. Blaine absentmindedly played with a few strands of Kurt's hair. "I thought I would live my whole life never really encountering it outside of my family, but here I am, next to you. I read about it so often in books, but it's so different in real life."

"I know. It's tangible now," Blaine moved his hand down so it was cupping Kurt's cheek. "I can touch you. I don't have to imagine what you look like. Here you are, right beside me, not a combination of letters on paper."

"Can you believe that we met that way? I had no idea what you looked like, and vice versa. It was...wow, eight months ago. It feels like I've known you all my life."

"I've been looking for you for my entire life—these past eight have been the only ones that mattered. Who knows I would've found you through, what was it,The Scarlet Letter?"

"Ew, I had such bad taste before I knew you."

"Obviously not, if that's how we met!"

"I love you. I'm sorry, I needed to say it again."

"I love you too. It's okay, I know I'm never going to get tired saying it and hearing it from you."

"Me neither. Although..." Kurt looked away, thinking about the unclear future.

"What is it?" Blaine lifted Kurt's chin up with his hand, genuinely concerned.

"What's going to happen to us? You know, since I'm not exactly in college, and you still have another year at Dalton..."

"Oh, Kurt, don't talk like that. You know that we'll always be together. You'll think of something to do while you chase your dreams. We'll think of something. Hey," he said, dropping his hand and lacing his fingers through Kurt's, "'It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,' right?"

"That's kind of hard when you're my 'teenage dream'," Kurt replied, and Blaine simply squeezed his hand.

"Cut it out, I was trying to sound smart for you. Don't ruin Dumbledore quotes!"

"Sorry, but not sorry, because you know it's the truth."

"You know what? We haven't done any studying today, and I highly doubt we will. Why don't we go out to Breadstix, my treat." Blaine suggested, suddenly getting up from his chair.

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Kurt consented. "Just let me do one thing before we leave," he said, and Blaine nodded. "All right, close your eyes," he instructed, and Blaine did as he was told. Kurt picked up the Book from the table and leafed through it, finding the page where they had confessed their love for each other. He took out a pen and scribbled something, something that meant absolutely everything to the two of them, and walked towards the rows of books. He found a special place for it, and set it on the shelf.

He strode back towards Blaine, who looked so serene that he could be sleeping. Kurt simply could not help himself: he approached the boy as quietly as possible and pressed his lips on Blaine's. Blaine did not jump at the contact; they stayed like that for a couple of seconds, and Kurt broke away from him. Blaine's eyes fluttered open.

"I guess that's my cue to open my eyes?" He asked coyly, and Kurt grabbed his hand, leading him out of the room. "Hey, where'd you put the Book?"

"Somewhere. You have to look for it," he said playfully, "it shouldn't be too hard. But—whoops—don't look for it now. Later."

"Do you think it's possible to be more in love with someone than I am in with you?" Blaine's words sent a thrill down Kurt's spine.How did I get so lucky, Kurt wondered,to be loved by and be in love with such an incredible man.

They left the library, hand in hand, and entered the warm summer evening, heading off to write the rest of their lives together.

I found it. How are you even real, Kurt.

I don't know, maybe I'm just a figment of your imagination.

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

Touché. Well, I guess we'll find out when I see you tomorrow. Until next time, then?

Not next time. Forever.