The morning sun tickled Kurt's eyelids and he woke up with a smile. Today was the day he was having his date with Blaine, and funnily enough he wasn't the least bit nervous, only happy.

Almost jumping out of bed he raced through his morning routine and was ready for the day. Jogging down to the cafeteria he had a quick chat with the cook, batted his eyelids and pleaded a bit, and the result was a promise of a picnic basket for later that day. With that out of the way he headed for the academic building, almost bumping into Wes on the way. He was always very sleepy in the morning, but still dragged himself out of bed before the majority of the rest of the students. Kurt suspected it made the Asian boy feel somewhat superior to get a head start on the day, but of course it could also be a way to spare the rest of the teenagers from his grumpy morning face.

The door to the academic building was closed and Kurt was debating whether to go back to the office to get the key or to sit tight and wait when Trent showed up, key jangling in his hand.

"Hi Trent," Kurt said, he bounced excitedly on his toes, but his brilliant smile wasn't returned, in fact the younger boy looked like he had laid eyes on his worst enemy or something.

"What's wrong?" Kurt said, but Trent only huffed and showed past him to get the door.

"Seriously Trent, talk to me. You know, I was bullied a lot back home so I can kind of relate to your whole Sebastian situation. If you ever want to talk..."

"Wow, lucky me, the great Kurt Hummel feels sorry for me. Stay away from me Kurt, I mean it."

Kurt just stood there and stared in surprise as Trent disappeared up the stairs. 'What the hell was the matter with him? Why is he mad at me?' Kurt thought to himself, but then his infamous stubbornness took hold of him and he ran after Trent.

He caught up with the boy on the second floor, Trent was at the end of the hallway and just as Kurt started to follow him he disappeared behind a door which said 'Authorised personnel only, contact Mr. Levitt for key'. Kurt followed Trent and found himself going down a short, cramped corridor; at the end was another door and when he opened it Kurt saw he was in the booth controlling the light and sound of the auditorium, looking at a scowling Trent.

"Piss off Hummel, I just want to be left alone." Trent shouted, but Kurt got right up in his face.

"What did I ever do to you? I've only ever been nice to you and I want to help. Stop treating me like I'm the enemy!"

"You stole him from me!" Trent suddenly shouted and then clapped his hands over his mouth looking mortified.

"What are you talking about?" Kurt asked; he was at a loss here.

"Nothing," Trent mumbled and turned away, but Kurt wanted to know so he moved after him.

"Come on Trent, you've obviously got something you want to say to me, so say it." True, it might have been too confrontational given what Kurt knew about Trent and his experiences so far this summer, but sometimes, well a lot of times, when he felt attacked Kurt would take the offensive approach and attack right back. He didn't always mean to, but it was like he lost the ability to control his reactions when he went on the offense. That's where he was now, breathing heavily and pushing Trent for an answer.

"Blaine! You took Blaine from me. He was so nice to me and complimented me, and then you have to swoop in Mister Good-looking-Skinny-Countertenor, and you are so confident and older and... of course he doesn't want me when he can have you." By now fat tears were running down Trent's cheeks and Kurt could feel himself deflating. To say he was stunned would be spot on. Kurt had never in his life been the one in this position; he had always been the one pining, the underdog, the kid with the weird voice. Never ever had he imagined being someone that got the guy, the one other people was jealous of. He looked at Trent and thought to himself that he was obviously a much better actor than he had ever given himself credit for if Trent couldn't see how insecure he was, how messed up he felt inside.

Sitting down in one of the swivel chairs he tried to find the words to reach the boy in his agitated state.

"I'm a mess you know," he began seeing Trent's head jerk up a little so he was obviously listening. "I project this image of superiority and confidence, but I'm really just insecure and I have a lot of hang ups. Like my voice, I've finally started to figure out how to use it, but can you imagine what it was like when every other guy's voice started to break and mine just... didn't. If that wasn't enough, I am gay... like really really gay. I've never been able to pass and living in Ohio that is like painting a bull's eye on your back. I've been bullied for as long as I can remember. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not someone to be envied. I don't know how I got Blaine to agree to going on a date with me, we got off to a really bad start with the whole hazing of the Pops, you know." He paused and lifted his head, catching Trent staring at him. The boy had stopped crying, but he looked conflicted, like he wanted to keep this impression he had of Kurt because it was easier to just hate him.

They looked at each other for a while, none of them saying anything.

"So you like Blaine, huh?" Kurt said with a tiny smile. "You've got good taste."

"Gee thanks," Trent said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Look, you can't blame me for Blaine fancying me; I have no control over that." Kurt didn't have to try very hard to feel empathy for Trent, after all he had been in the younger kid's shoes many times. "All I can say, and this will sound like a cliché, is that it does get better. You will get over this. For all I know, Blaine might end up hating me after our date tonight, although I personally hope not." That was probably not the wisest bit of information to divulge, but it brought a pained smile to Trent's face. "And if Blaine and I do end up... together, well, there are so many great guys out there and any of them would be lucky to have you as his boyfriend."

Kurt was still not sure if he had dug himself into a hole or if Trent was feeling better. The younger boy looked conflicted as he turned and stared out of the window that cowered most of the wall, looking out on the seats and stage below. Kurt wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he wanted to give him some time and he was on the verge of leaving when Trent stiffened and whispered; "Blaine."

Kurt reached the glass wall just in time to see the dark haired boy straighten from being bent over the piano. It was hard to make out his expression from this distance but his body language seemed jolted and suddenly he strode off and hurried to exit the auditorium. Kurt started to move away, he wanted to catch Blaine, talk to him and find out what had upset him, but a vice grip on his arm stopped him.

"Wha..." Kurt turned back to Trent but movement caught his eye and he saw Sebastian stalk over the stage and follow Blaine out the door he had just exited. What was Sebastian doing following Blaine around?