After they loosened their hands, Kurt stood there unsure of what to do next. He avoided looking into the hazel eyes of Blaine.

“Well, Kurt. It seems as if this is the first time you try to chat up, isn't it?”, Blaine a smile on his face that Kurt could only call gorgeous.

“Yes, it is, unfortunately...”, Kurt had to admit, blushing even more.

Blaine chuckled again. “Well, let me help you: Normally after chatting up you would try to get the phone number or try to convince him to go out for a coffee straight away. In this case, I would go for a coffee-date, because at a coffee shop like the Lima Bean for example is the perfect place to chat. The other guy would maybe agree to your offer and go to tell his mates that he'll come back to Dalton later which gives you the chance to run to your beautiful friend over there ant tell her about your date.”, he explained.

Kurt turned around and looked at Mercedes who just grinned broadly. Then he turned back to Blaine. “O – okay... then... would you like to go to the Lima Bean to have a coffee and maybe one of those awesome chocolate chip cookies?”, he said trying to stay calm.

“Of course! I would love to get to know you better!”, answered Blaine. “I'll just have to tell my mates, you know. But I'll be ready in five minutes.”

“Okay... see you later.”, said Kurt, before he turned around to go back to Mercedes.

“Tell me, what happened!”, she asked directly.

Kurt smiled. “We talked... I know his name, Blaine and now we're leaving for a coffee date...”

“A date?”, Mercedes asked. “Did he mention the word?”

“Yes, he did!”, answered Kurt while he grabbed his scarve and his coat. “I'll call you in the evening, Mercedes! And... thank you for pushing me towards him!2

The girl just smiled. “Have fun, Kurt!”, she answered, being happy for her best friend.

“Jeff? I'm not coming with you. I'll have a coffee with the singer from McKinley”, announced.

Jeff raised an eyebrow. “What about Sebastian? Your boyfriend Sebastian?”

Blaine sighed. “I just want to know Kurt better...”, he said.

“Well, I'm not your parent. Do whatever you want. But I'm wondering what to tell Sebastian. He will ask!”, Jefff mentioned.

“Tell... tell him that I have to prepare some stuff for the evening. He will know what it's all about!”, Blaine answered. “Anyway... I have to go! See you later!” He went over to Kurt , who was just adjusting his scarf. “Are you ready to go?”, he asked.

“Yes, I am!”, Kurt answered. “Shall I drive? It maybe a bit too far to walk...”

Blaine nodded. “That's a good idea! Otherwise I would have suggested to take the bus...”

“Feel free to look through the CD’s and pick whatever you want!”, Kurt said when they were inside the car and Kurt started the engine.

Blaine looked through the CD's. “Oh... Gaga... Broadway Musicals. You've got a great taste, Kurt!”, he approved before turning on the music.

They were quiet during the car drive. When they finally got into the coffee-shop, Blaine turned to Kurt. “What do you want?”, he asked.

“I'll have a grande nonfat mocha and one of the cookies. But don't even think about paying! I invited you, remember?”, answered Kurt.

“Calm down, Kurt! I'm just ordering.”, said Blaine, before going to the counter. “Hello! I get a medium drip and a grande nonfat mocha. And two chocolate chip cookies would be just fine. That's it. Keep the change”, he said and before Kurt could say anything, Blaine gave a bank note to the barista. “Don't say anything, Kurt! I insisted coming here so I'm the one that pays.” Blaine handed the coffee to Kurt. They searched for a table which was in a small niche and sat down to talk.

It was Blaine who broke the silence. “Well Kurt. I have to compliment your singing. You really moved me today.”

Kurt smiled. “Thank you very much, Blaine. But I had a hard time practising it...”, he said.

“Why?”, Blaine asked.

Kurt sighed. “Because a part of it actually describes how I'm feeling. When I am on stage I'm not as confident as I am in real life.”, he confessed.

Blaine smiled. “Same goes for me, Kurt. You are always more confident when you're on stage because you know you have the ability to do what you do. You sing so well, Kurt. Your voice is awesome. And you know that. So you are more confident on stage!”, explained Blaine.

“Yes... but that doesn't help me, Blaine. As soon as I leave the stage, I'm just the guy that is too shy to take his chances... I don't know how to say it”, Kurt said.

Blaine smiled. “You mean in terms of meeting other men?”, he guessed.

Kurt nodded. “Yeah... I mean... how can you know that someone is actually gay?”, he asked.

“It's all about expressions, and about gesture. You look at someone and watch for anything that strikes you. Does he look back, when you're looking, does he smile, does he search for your eyes to look into his. Those are the things you need to look for.”, Blaine explained. “But I'm sure you'll get a feeling for it!”

Kurt listened closely. “But I... did not think that you are gay... I mean.. I am obviously gay, you must've known...”

“No, Kurt!”, interrupted Blaine. “I did not know it because of your attitude or the way you dress. I saw the way you behaved at the mall!”

“You mean the fact that I just stared at you? By the way, you were awesome with your guitar at the mall and also today. Regionals will be tough to win...”, Kurt said.

“Thank you, Kurt. I also think that it will be a decision between the New Directions and the Warblers, because we are special because of our acapella thing and you have so many characters. Everyone of you is unique and seems to live only for the music...”, Blaine agreed. “But back to the previous topic: You didn't really stare at me. You just looked once your twice. But your gaze was full of desire. Not sexual desire but it appeared to me that you might need someone to talk about things...”

Kurt sighed. Was this guy reading his mind? “I... um... well, I told you before that I don't know any other gays except you. And it seems as if everyone around me finds a partner and his or her real love and I'm just missing it.”, he confessed with a weak voice.

Blaine reached over the table to squeeze Kurt's hand. “You're not missing anything. You're young, beautiful and you seem to have a good character! You just need to do something. Go out! There are some establishments you could go. I would even go there with you. I know it's not easy, especially at the first time but you have to get active in living your gay-life! Find new friends that are gay. But definitely keep the old ones, too because they seem to make your life worth living. I had to go trough this, too. You'll do fine, Kurt.”

Kurt smiled while finishing his coffee. “Thank you, Blaine. I've always imagined that a friend who feels like I do may help me...”, he said.

“I will try to help you through everything, Kurt.”, said Blaine. He was quite released when Kurt mentioned the word 'friend'. He was scared. Scared of falling in love because this would be a disaster. Blaine wanted to stay with Sebastian. There was no reason to leave him.

“Is everything alright?”, Kurt asked. “You seem to be somewhere else with your thoughts...”

Blaine looked up at Kurt. “Everything's fine, don't worry.”, he lied and smiled. “I was just thinking of the exams we'll have to take next week.”

“Oh?! I did not want to keep you from learning”, said Kurt.

Blaine chuckled. “Well let me say that it was a nice relief to spend an afternoon away from the books. But I'm afraid I'll have to take the bus back to Dalton in ten minutes.”

“That's just fine. Thank you for the coffee, Blaine. I'll accompany you to the station. Actually I've left my car there”, Kurt said, raising from his chair.

They left the coffee-shop and went down the road towards the bus-stop. The bus was already approaching when Blaine suddenly grabbed his phone. “Type your number in, please. But hurry up. I'll send you a message so you've got my number”, Blaine said.

Kurt manage to type in the number just in time, handing the phone back to Blaine, telling him goodbye.

As the bus left the station, Kurt's phone ringed as he was receiving a message from an unknown number.

“COURAGE! - Blaine”

He just smiled and typed in “Thank you!” before getting on the car to drive home.