"I see you have  your sketchbooks and clothes ready to go," Blaine said approvingly as he  entered the apartment. His charges hadn't wasted their time after supper.  "Let's get the program for tomorrow taken care of, then I'll answer any  questions you have." He handed Kurt and Aaron a small packet of papers.  "I only have one for each family, so if you make a single selection for an  item, I'll assume that it's for the two of you. If you want different things,  then mark both of them."

  Kurt looked over the  lunch menu and sighed. There was nothing listed that he wanted his dad to eat,  or that he wanted for himself, for that matter. He knew one meal wouldn't make  that much difference, but he hated for his dad to get into bad habits.  Reluctantly, he checked the box for the fried chicken dinner, knowing Burt  would enjoy it.

  Now for the activities.  The morning choices were all intriguing, so he decided to take George's advice  and selected the Fifth Avenue/Bryant Park excursion. He should be able to pick  up some Christmas gifts along the way, and his dad would enjoy it as well. The  afternoon activity was easy to choose. Burt had indicated that he wanted to  spend the afternoon in the apartment watching college football, so Kurt was  free to do what he really wanted, even though it would have been terribly  boring for his dad. Gleefully he selected “Visit Mood/Fashion District Walking  Tour" and wrote "Burt staying in apartment" at the bottom.

  All that was left was  the show for tomorrow night. They had a choice of three: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Seminar, and Sister Act. Seminar had gotten excellent reviews and Kurt was a big  fan of Alan Rickman (and not just his work in the Harry Potter series), but Seminar wasn't a musical. Kurt  would have been happy seeing any Broadway production, but he knew that,  whatever it took, he would find a way to come back to New York. Burt, on the  other hand, might never have another chance, so Kurt decided to select  something his father would like. As soon as he saw the cast lists, he knew  which one it would be. For a boy born and raised in Lima, Ohio, miles from the  ocean, his dad had a strange affection for Sea Hunt. In addition, he had  seen every episode of The Agency and Tom Gage was his favorite character.

  Blaine collected the  packets. "Now, do you have any questions?"

  "I know filming  starts at midnight, but do the crews have keys to the apartments?" asked  Michele. “I'm not sure how I'd react to waking up to strange people in my  bedroom."

  "That's a good question.  I can't say for certain, of course, but I'm pretty sure they won't be invading  your bedroom because of Aaron's age and because they don't want you on camera  at all, Michele. I'm almost positive they won't be filming you, Kurt, for the  same reasons, but also because you have the first interview and they won't want  to do anything that might make you late. Time really is money in the  entertainment industry. Anything else?" Blaine waited for their responses.  When none were forthcoming, he continued.

  "Okay, I guess that  covers it. Kurt, I'll be back to pick you up around 7:00. Excursions meet in  the lounge at 9:00. Have a good evening, everyone." Blaine gathered up the  sketchbooks and clothing and left. As soon as he was in the elevator, he looked  at Kurt's selections and was delighted to find that they would be spending  Saturday together. He had considered trying to trade assignments in order to  see more of Kurt, but regretfully had decided that it wouldn't be a good idea.  Now he didn't have to; Kurt had arranged things for them. He knew Kurt hadn't  made his selections in order to spend time with Blaine -- the assistants' names  weren't listed with the activities -- but he was pleased, nonetheless. What is it about Kurt? I've known him less than  24 hours. Why am I so irrationally drawn to him?

Kurt bounded out of bed  at 5:30, long before his alarm would have gone off, too excited to sleep any  more. He showered and styled his hair with his usual care, then got dressed. He  had elected to bring his interview clothes rather than wear them but he chose  an outfit with similar colors, knowing it would make the makeup artist's job  easier. He had considered wearing all black, in emulation of many designers at  their runway shows, but decided the circumstances were different. They wore  all-black to put the focus on the clothes they were showing. In this case, the  interview was more about him than the mannequin, so he went with something more  memorable. He made his way down to the lounge for breakfast, but in the end he  was too excited to eat, settling instead for a coffee. Maybe he would have time  to grab something more substantial after the interview. He saw Annie sitting at  a table, beckoning him over and went to join her.

  "You're up  early!" Kurt greeted her.

  "I know. My body  hasn't adjusted to the five-hour time difference yet. My stomach thinks it's  nearly noon and insisted that I get up. I'd skip the excursion and go back to  bed, but I know I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. I've never been good at  naps."

  "Which one did you  pick?"

  "Bryant Park! My  sister loves quirky earrings and I'm hoping there will be some unique jewelry  there."

  "Oh, me, too! I  guess I'll see you down here later." He glanced at his watch. "I'd  better run. Blaine will be looking for me."

  "What about breakfast?  Aren't you going to eat?"

  "Too excited!"  he called back as he headed for the elevators.

Kurt barely had time to  brush his teeth and retouch his hair before he heard the apartment door open.  He went into the living room.

  "Good  morning!" Blaine greeted him softly. "I let myself in so I wouldn't  wake anyone up. I hope that was okay."

  "Of course it was.  I'm sure everyone appreciates it, or at least they would if they were awake to  know about it."

  "Shall we?"  Kurt gathered up the garment bag with his change of clothes and nodded.  "Walk or taxi?" Blaine inquired.

  Kurt considered.  "Let's walk. I need to burn off some energy."

  The streets were quiet,  at least as quiet as New York ever got, and the sidewalk was almost deserted.  The two young men walked the few blocks to Parsons side-by-side in  companionable silence, each lost in his own thoughts, Kurt mentally preparing  for his interview, Blaine trying to sort out his feelings. They entered the  building and Blaine led the way to the makeup studio.

  "Hi, I'm Isaac.  I'll be your makeup artist today, and if you are selected for the show, there's  a good chance I'll continue working with you and your model." Isaac was  tall, with ebony skin and a Caribbean lilt to his voice. A gold chain  ornamented with colorful feathers dangled from one earlobe.

  "Hi, Isaac. I'm  Kurt. It's good to meet you. I want to thank you for coming to work so early on  a holiday. I appreciate it."

  Isaac shot a started  glance at Blaine. He wasn't used to having contestants think about his  preferences, especially not contestants who should be nervously contemplating  their interviews. Blaine just smiled back. Uh huh. He does that.

  "Oh, don't worry  about it, Kurt. Makeup artists often have very early hours. It's just something  we get used to. You have lovely skin. I can tell you take good care of it. What  is your routine?" Kurt described his skincare regimen, Isaac nodding his  approval and inserting a comment from time to time. "Do you have any  allergies, Kurt? We don't want you to swell up like a balloon for your  interview," Isaac joked.

  "Nothing that I  know of, but nothing, not even looking like I belong in the Macy's parade, will  keep me from that interview."

  "I think I can  guarantee that won't happen. Is this what you're wearing?"

  "No, but colors are  similar. The shirt is a little darker and there is some turquoise in the  vest."

  "Do you usually  wear makeup?"

  "I live in Ohio!" Kurt replied with a grimace.

  "I'll take that as  a 'no'," Isaac chuckled. "We'll just keep it natural, then. Do you  want to go a little darker? Your skin is very light."

  "What do you think?  I'd rather not, unless you think it would be better on camera."

  "I don't think we  need to. Your pale complexion makes you more easily identifiable, makes you  unique. Let's not take anything away from that." Isaac began to apply  foundation to Kurt's face and neck, explaining the process as he went. Blaine  could see Kurt relaxing into Isaac's touch, enjoying his ministrations. He set  the foundation with powder, added a little blush and a hint of eye shadow.  "A dab of lip color and you'll be good to go," he said with a smile.  He looked carefully at Kurt's face, then turned to Blaine. "What do you  think?"

  "Looks great,  Isaac! You've really brought out his eyes." Oh, those eyes!

  "Thank you so much,  Isaac. It's perfect."

  "Good luck, Kurt. I  hope to see you again soon."

After Kurt changed  clothes, they proceeded to the green room. Kurt was adjusting the outfit on the  mannequin, tugging here, patting there, finally sitting on the floor to adjust  the kilt while Blaine gave him some last-minute instructions. "Don't  mention any designer names or specific brands unless someone else brings it up.  For example, you like to drink cola, not Coke; you have a sewing machine, not a Bernina."

  "Well, mine is  actually an old Singer, but I get what you mean," interjected Kurt.

  Blaine laughed and  continued, "We don't give away publicity. Any product placement has to be  compensated. There will be a little pink X on the floor in front of the judges'  table. That's your mark. You don't have to stand right on top of it, but you  should stay fairly near it. There are other marks as well, but the pink one is  yours. You don't need to look at the camera. Focus on the person who is  speaking to you. When Heidi ends the interview, just come back out here and  wait for me. I'll take care of the mannequin and make sure they have everything  they need. It's about time to go in." Blaine reached out his hand to pull  Kurt to his feet. "Are you ready for this?"

  Blaine's eyes widened in  shock when their fingers made contact. What was that? Did Kurt feel it, too? Don't even think about it!  Contestants are off-limits. Besides, he's bound to have a boyfriend. Suddenly realizing he was still holding Kurt's  hand, he hastily released it and clasped his shoulder instead. "Break a  leg!" he said with a smile.

  Kurt strode into the  room, and Blaine followed behind with the mannequin, placing it on the yellow  mark before moving to sit at the table on the far side of the room.

  "Hi, I'm Kurt  Hummel, and I'm so excited to be here. Thank you so much for this  opportunity," Kurt said, making eye contact with each judge in turn.

  Good, Kurt. Take control  of the interview.

  "Hello, Kurt  Hummel. I'm Heidi Klum; this is the lovely Nina Garcia."

  "Hi, Kurt."

  "This is Michael Kors."

  "Nice to meet you,  Kurt."

  "And I'm sure you  remember Tim Gunn."

  "Welcome,  Kurt."

  Kurt acknowledged each  introduction with a smile and a nod, before turning his attention back to  Heidi, who looked unaccountably severe. "I understand," she said  glaring at Blaine, "that you saw through our little subterfuge."

  Really, Heidi? You're  gonna start with this?

  "Well, yes,"  said Kurt with a winning smile. "It made perfect sense for the producers  to use any and all means to evaluate the contestants. I'm sure we were all  being rated last night as well."

  Yeah, I saw that you got  that. I don't think too many others did, though.

  "And it didn't make  you angry that Blaine was interviewing you?" Heidi asked.

  "Of course not! How  could I be angry? We got a wonderful tour, a lunch that seemed tailor-made for  us, and some great conversation. What could be better? Anyway, we all evaluate  people when we meet them. It's human nature. Dad and I were evaluating Blaine,  too; we just weren't planning to write a report. Besides, there was fair  warning in the rules."

  "So that's how you  knew? Blaine didn't give it away?"

  "Not at all. Blaine  was completely professional, and couldn't have been nicer. If I hadn't already  known it was an interview, I wouldn't have been able to tell."

  Thanks, Kurt.

  "Hmmm. I may have  something to say to Blaine about that."

  I'll just bet you will  and I'm not looking forward to hearing it.

  "So, Kurt, you seem  to be quite the fashionable dresser," Nina commented.

  "Yes, I think my  clothes help me express myself, and I'd like to help others find their voices  as well."

  "I don't recognize  the designer, though."

  No names, Kurt. No  names.

  "No, I wouldn't  expect you to, but I hope you will in a few years."

  "So it's an  original?" Michael spoke up for the first time. "You know you can  only show one design in this interview, right?"

  Uh oh.

  "Of course. The  rules are quite clear. They specify that I can show one outfit, which is the  one on the mannequin. They don't address what the designer can and cannot wear,  except that 'clothing must be tasteful, appropriate for prime-time television,  and may not have visible brand names or product identification.' These clothes  fit that description. They feel good on, and I'm proud to wear them."

  That's the second time  he's quoted the contract. Did he memorize the entire document?

  "You quoted that  exactly, Kurt. Are you a stickler for rules?" Michael asked.

  "I don't know if  'stickler' is the right word. I like to think outside the box, and to do that,  I have to know how big the box is, what the boundaries are. I like to find  creative solutions for my problems. I seldom break rules, but if I do, I want  it to be deliberately, by choice and not by accident, and I never break a rule  unless I'm willing to accept the consequences."

  Oh, well-said!

  "Tell us about one  of your creative solutions."

  "Are you familiar  with Odyssey of the Mind? It's a program that fosters creative  problem-solving. At one competition, one of the problems was to get a tennis  ball as far away as possible and then retrieve it. There was a line on the hall  floor, and we weren't allowed to touch the floor with any part of our bodies or  clothing past the line. We were given a sheet of newspaper, the ball, 10 feet  of string, a tack and some chewing gum. Most groups attached the string to the  ball with the gum or the tack, tossed the ball, and discovered that the string  came loose. Even if the string didn't come loose, they were limited to 10 feet  plus the length of their arm. One group tried to make a longer tether with  strips of newspaper, but that didn't work, either. The paper tore because they  threw the ball too hard. Our team rolled the ball to the end of the hallway. I  tore the newspaper in half, put a piece under each foot and shuffled down to  retrieve the ball. There was a big uproar and some teams claimed that the  newspaper, like shoes and clothing, should be considered part of the body.  After some debate, the judges agreed that we hadn't violated the rules."

  Michael smiled.  "How did you come up with that? It was your idea, I take it."

  "Yes, it was. I  approached the problem with the mind-set that the person who had written it had  included everything we needed in order to solve it. The tack, string and gum  were obvious, so I started to think of ways to use the newspaper. Personally, I  think that's the solution the author had in mind in the first place."

  That's perfect. Exactly  what the producers are looking for.

  "Now, if we may get  back to my question …," Nina said, "did you dress like that in high  school?"

  "Yes."

  "In small-town  Ohio." It wasn't a question -- more of a statement fraught with disbelief.

  "Lima's not really  a small town, but people are pretty conservative there. You're suggesting that  it might have made me somewhat … conspicuous. Well, yes, it did, and I think  sometimes it might have been easier for me to have blended in more, but I tried  that once -- for a very brief period, I might add  -- and I decided I would rather put up with  the negative attention than try to be someone I'm not."

  "Negative  attention." Nina raised an eyebrow. "You mean bullying."

  "Well, yes, but I  survived, and in the end, I think I helped educate some people. In many cases,  prejudice is just ignorance and bullying happens out of fear. For quite a  while, I was the only openly gay student in my school, and it was … difficult,  but I had good friends and my dad was always there to support me."

  Tim glanced down at the  papers in front of him. "On your application, you said that you wanted to  design menswear on the show. You do know that you will be at somewhat of a  disadvantage if you go that route."

  "Yes, I know  menswear is considered harder and that some of the techniques take longer, but  although I've sketched some designs for women, all of my construction has been  for myself. I've gotten pretty fast at it."

  "Tell us about the  outfit on the mannequin," Heidi instructed.

  "I made this outfit  for my junior prom. In the end, though, my dad convinced me that wearing it  would just be asking for trouble, so I rented a tux instead. I'm glad it's  getting to see the light of day now. I worked hard on it, and I'm very proud of  it."

  Heidi looked skeptical.  "You mean you modified ready-to-wear."

  "No, I drafted the  patterns, ordered the material online, from Mood actually, and sewed it  myself. It took me a month, working after school and weekends. I'd made a  number of things before, but this outfit was the most complicated."

  "Could you open the  jacket, please? I'd like to see the inside."

  Kurt opened the jacket,  revealing a splash of turquoise, nearly the same color as the stripe in the  vest he was wearing.

  Oh, I like that lining.  It's unexpected.

  "Were you planning  to wear the jacket open?" Heidi inquired. Kurt shook his head. "No?  Then why the colorful lining?"

  "I liked knowing it  was there. It was my mom's favorite color. It's one of the ways I keep her with  me."

  "One of the ways.  Is there another? You don't have to share if you don't want to," Heidi  hastened to add.

  "She used to leave  notes for me to find in my lunch bags, on my bed, between the pages of the book  I was reading. She always signed them with a heart. Every item I make has a  heart hidden in it somewhere."

  Tim must like that --  he's smiling.

  "Could we see the  back?" Kurt turned the mannequin and the judges nodded approvingly.

  "Where did you  learn to sew?" Tim asked.

  "My mother taught  me some, and after she died, I pursued it on my own. I bought books and watched  videos online."

  "One of the  requirements is that you not be a design major, or even taking any  industry-related courses. Why didn't you enter a design program after high  school?"

  "I really wanted  to, but my dad's health is not wonderful so I decided to attend our local  community college and get the basics out of the way. It was a good decision  financially, and it lets me keep an eye on my dad's diet. It's just the two of  us, and I wasn't ready to leave him alone. Unfortunately, it's just a two-year  college, and they don't offer anything related to fashion or design. I'll have  to pick up all of those courses when I transfer."

  Tim looked concerned.  "If you make the cut, do you think you can leave him for 12 weeks?"

  "Yes. He's in much  better health than he was three years ago. We've talked it over, and both of us  feel that this would be a good opportunity to prepare for the inevitable  separation that's coming. Besides, it's Project Runway. I'd have to be an idiot  to turn down an opportunity like that. And," he said with an impish grin,  "my dad is really hoping he'll get to meet Heidi and Nina."

  Everyone laughed.  "His dad's a cutie, Nina. We'll have to see what we can do about that.  Thank you, Kurt."