Rachel arrived by nine o'clock the next morning. This is the first time I've ever been happy to see Rachel Berry before noon, Kurt thought to himself. With the help of the Hummels, the Berrys were able to move everything out of the U-Haul, including Rachel's Broadway record collection, safely and quickly. After a big, early lunch all together, Hiram, LeRoy, and Burt began their drive back. Burt joined Hiram and LeRoy in their car because he'd driven Kurt's Escalade on the way to New York.

When Kurt and Rachel saw the car disappear up the block, they turned towards each other, grinning. Rachel practically lunged at Kurt, attacking him in a hug. “Kurt! We're living together... in our own apartment... in New York City!” Rachel burst into tears and Kurt couldn't help but worry that she would stain his new (and first) Hermés scarf – the first piece of clothing he bought in New York. He pushed her away gently and laughed lightly. The past few days had seemed so surreal. He couldn't believe that he was not only out of Ohio, but also in New York. The most crucial piece to any and all of his dreams was finally in place, and he felt like there was absolutely nothing that could stop him.

Kurt was shaken from his thoughts with a knock at the door. “Rach, can you see who that is?” Rachel skipped to the door and peered through the peephole. “I really have no idea who he is, but he is cute, Kurt! Come look,” she whisper-screamed. Kurt looked quickly and recognized NYU boy. He smoothed over his hair and opened the door with a shaky hand.

“Hi! I don't mean to bother you, but I noticed you were just moving in here yesterday too. My name's Blaine, um, Anderson!” He extended his hand to Kurt and Kurt kinda, sorta forgot that it was customary to shake someone's hand when he offered it to you. He shook Blaine's hand, but quickly felt the blush rising in his cheeks for about the millionth time. “I'm Kurt, Kurt Hummel,” he said with what he hoped somewhat resembled a smile. “Awesome! Well, I thought I'd introduce myself because it looks like we're neighbors... I'm across the hall in 5E.”

NYU b – um, Blaine – ran a hand through his gelled hair, causing a few curls (which were adorable, Kurt noted) to spring free. He nervously shoved his hands in his pockets, as though he had no idea what else to say. Kurt broke the awkward silence. He turned his head back into the apartment, yelling, “Rach, come here for a sec?” Rachel appeared in the doorway, and Kurt could've sworn he saw a grimace flash across Blaine's face as he attempted to register the fuchsia teddy bears lined up across Rachel's sweater. Really, Rachel? It's the end of August and you're wearing a turtleneck? As if the pattern wasn't bad enough... “Hi! I'm Rachel Berry, and I'm going to star on Broadway within the next two years. You are?” Blaine seemed taken aback. Since when do people state their names and life goals when they introduce themselves? “I'm Blaine Anderson, and I have no clue what I'm doing within the next two hours, let alone the next two years.” He offered his hand to Rachel, who took his hand in hers and pulled him inside.

Kurt had to stifle his laughter when Blaine tripped through the door with a look of sheer terror on his face. “Hey, Rachel, why don't you finish unpacking that last box in your room?,” Kurt asked with that tone. “But Kurt, I wanted t- ...” “I can take it from here,” Kurt said with a glare. Rachel left the room with a pout.

The two boys sat down on the couch. “Sorry about her. She can be a little... uh... hm...” “Intense? Loud? Intimidating?,” offered Blaine. Kurt nearly cackled at that. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed so hard over something so simple. “Exactly! She means well, but she can be rather in-your-face at times, as you've seen.” A comfortable silence settled between Kurt and Blaine.

“Um, so I noticed your Juilliard sweatshirt yesterday. You're going there?,” Blaine asked quietly and, Kurt thought, nervously. “Um, well, no, actually. I wanted to go there and wasn't accepted. I just wear that sweatshirt sometimes. Rachel's going, though. She's a drama major.” Blaine's eyebrows were furrowed. “So... where are you going then?” Kurt blushed pink and hoped the lack of adequate lighting in the apartment concealed it. “I'm going to NYU. I noticed your sweatshirt yesterday too. I'm a music theatre major in Steinhardt! How about you?” Blaine had a surprised look on his face. “Wow, um, so am I! Small world, huh?” Now Blaine was blushing.

“Looks like we'll being seeing a lot more of each other then, huh?,” Kurt said with a wink. KURT HUMMEL, where do you get off winking at anyone, especially this boy whose name you didn't know twenty minutes ago? Kurt tried to laugh at himself, but found Blaine blushing again. That blush makes him look even prettier if that's possi- STOP, KURT. Kurt really had to learn to just stop thinking.

“Yeah,” Blaine said with a smile that was too adorable for Kurt to process mentally. “I'm glad we met before classes start. I imagine it's going to be pretty cutthroat there,” Kurt said happily. “Oh, definitely! Now we'll have our own little alliance against the triple-threat rich babies, I guess,” Blaine laughed. “Well, I don't want to intrude any longer. I guess I'll go finish unpacking.” Kurt caught himself frowning for a split second. “Oh, you're not intruding! Would you, um, like to go out to dinner with me and Rachel? Around 7:00? Rachel's vegan, so we researched a few restaurants around here with vegan menu options and we were hoping to try one out tonight, if you'd like to join us.”

Blaine grinned and Kurt thought that Blaine had the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. “That would be fantastic, Kurt. I'll come back at 7:00. So I'll see you later then?” “Definitely,” Kurt replied. He couldn't help thinking Blaine was just breathtaking as Blaine spun around goofily and walked out, waving to Kurt.

Well, SHIT, what am I going to wear tonight?, Kurt wondered. He's probably straight and just looking for a way to get with Rachel. Doesn't mean I can't look fabulous, though. Smirking to himself, Kurt shut and locked the door and walked to his bedroom, ready to tear through his recently organized closet to find the perfect out fit for dinner.