The next morning began quite early for Kurt. He was so nervous, because the New Directions and their teacher, Will Schuester had decided that Kurt should try to do a solo at the sing-off. That wouldn't have been a problem, if it only had been another song. Unfortunately for him they had agreed on a song called “Welcome to my Life” by the Swedish band Sunrise Avenue. Kurt really liked the song. The only problem was that he always got close to tears while he was singing it because the music and the lyrics really matched his feelings. He had tried to get one of the other guys to sing the song with stating that the genre of “Welcome to my Life” wouldn't suit his voice and his way of singing but everything Mr Schuester had done was to arrange the instruments in a way it sounded just perfect with Kurt's voice.

After having breakfast with the girls and rushing to his morning skin routine, Kurt went to school with Rachel and Mercedes.

“Don't be nervous. Just imagine that everyone in the audience is naked!”, Rachel said, smiling.

“Well... as the Dalton Academy is a boys-only school this might not be a good idea”, jokes Mercedes.

Kurt shot a bitch glare towards her, but smiled nevertheless.

“I have to go, Darling, see you later!”, said Blaine and kissed Sebastian softly.

“Okay! Good luck for your performance. Although I don't think you'll need it.”, answered Sebastian, grinning as he added: “I'm looking forward to the evening already.”

“The evening?”, Blaine asked.

Sebastian still grinned and looked at his boyfriend seductively. “You promised me something last night, remember? I wasn't that drunk.”, he said, pulling the smaller guy into a last kiss before lightly slapping his butt. “now get going! You have to show some public-school kids how really good music sounds!”

Blaine chuckled. “I'm not planning to do anything else”, he said before leaving the room to meet up with the Warblers. They got on the bus to drive towards the McKinley High school.

Kurt was trembling. When he warmed himself up, singing his song, he fell apart, again. It took all of his willpower to finish singing before running out of the room, crying. The New Directions were confused as they watched Kurt running away. “I'll handle this!”, said Mercedes, leaving the room as well. She found him in an empty classroom, sitting in a corner on the floor. Sonbs escaped his throat as Mercedes sat beneath him, pulling her best friend into a hug. Words were not needed. Mercedes remembered their talk from the evening before and had an idea of what was wrong.

“How shall I do this?”, Kurt wanted to know after his sobs became quiet.

“What do you mean, Kurtie?”, Mercedes asked softly.

Kurt wiped away some tears. “The sing-off. I cannot sing this bloody song without bursting out in tears.

“Kurt. I know that this is hard for you. But you have to forget everything that bothers you when you go to that stage. Then you won't be the one crying. The other Glee-Clubs will be crying if they realize that there's his no chance to win Regionals!”, Mercedes explained.

Kurt smiled. “thank you, Mercedes. You always have the right words to cheer me up.”, he said.

“That's what friends are for.” Mercedes stood up and offered a hand to Kurt, helping him up. “And now let's go. We'll hit the stage and kick some ass!”

They bumped into Finn when they were leaving the room. “Mr Schue is already on the stage to welcome the other Glee Clubs and your performance is up first!”, he said quickly. “And the others are worried”

“No one needs to be worried. I'm ready to go!”, answered Kurt as the three of them hurried back to the New Directions.

“And now it's my pleasure to introduce the New Directions!”

He took a deep breath as he heard Mr Schuester said those words. The New Directions wished each other good luck before going on stage.

Kurt crossed the stage and went up to the front where a single standing microphone was situated.

Blaine sat in the audience with the Warblers, eager to see the other Glee Clubs perform. After all they would be their rivals at Regionals. As the lights were dimmed he could see a slim person walking towards the microphone. “It can't be him...”, he murmured to himself as the spot turned to focus on the guy as the music started. As the male singer faced the audience for a second, Blaine was sure. The guy he saw at the mall was actually standing on the stage.

This is not really me
You're an angel not asking who I am
You understand
That is not really you
You look at me as if I'm something more
Well dream on

Blaine swallowed hard. This was the most beautiful voice he ever heard. And he sang the sung with so much emotion that Blaine tried his best to hold back the tears.

Welcome to my life
You see it is not easy
But I'm doing all right
Welcome to my dream
It's the only one who needs me
And stays right by my side

Blaine didn't recognize the fact that the music dropped. He was captured by the song and the singer. Only when an up-tempo song began and a female voice could be heard, he realized that a dreamed away.

“They're very good!”, Wes said next to him. Blaine just nodded.

“I think I saw him in the audience!”, said Kurt when they left the stage, ignoring the congratulations on his performance.

“Whom?”, said Mercedes raising an eyebrow.

“The guy I saw singing at the mall. He seems to be in the Glee Club of Dalton...”, Kurt answered, looking nervous.

“We will find out about this in a second. For now calm down, we have to go and watch the other clubs perform. Maybe you'll recognize his voice later when he's singing”, Mercedes explained, guiding Kurt towards a seat to sit down.

The performance of Aural Intensity seemed incredibly long to Kurt. It was not bad but he couldn't wait to see the Warblers perform. He just wanted to know if he was right and the guy really was who Kurt thought. When Aural Intensity finally left the stage and the Warblers got onto it, Kurt was filled with anticipation.

“Hello. We are the Warbler's and we prepared something as well!”, said one of the boys before the music began.

“They're very good as an acapella group!”, said Mercedes.

Before you met me, I was a wreck
But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life
Now every February you'll be my valentine, valentine

Kurt looked at the lead-singer and froze. “There's no doubt, it's him!”

Mercedes grinned. “He seems to have recognized you. He's almost staring at you most of the time!”

“That can't be. There's no way that he's gay!”, said Kurt.

Mercedes laughed. “No other type of man would literally stare at another male”, she answered. “Now here's the deal. After the performance you go and talk to him. Find out if he's interested, too and get him to a coffee-date!”

“I can't do this!”, exclaimed Kurt.

Mercedes sighed. “Everybody will have to do that for the first time once in their lifetime!”, she said.

As the Warblers left the stage, she stood up, taking Kurt by his hand and pushed him slightly. “Just give it a try. Talk about he performance.”, she said.

Kurt walked towards the guy, his knees trembling. “You... your very good was performance!”, he said, trying his best to sound confident.

Blaine turned around, chuckling as he heard the mess that was coming out of Kurts mouth. “You definitely need to improve your chat-up line!”, he said, smiling broad as Kurt turned red. “But anyway... I'm Blaine Anderson.”

“Kurt... Kurt Hummel!”, said Kurt quietly, offering him his hand which was slightly trembling.

“Well... nice to meet you, Kurt!”, answered Blaine, still smiling, as he shook the tender hand.