August.
The last few weeks of the Summer holiday were always the worst. School was approaching, and the essays you'd forgotten to do were looming over head. McKinley started back in 2 and a half weeks, and Kurt still didn't know what he was supposed to do. He wasn't going back, he knew that much. It wasn't just Karaofsky, though he'd admit he played a pretty big part. He just wasn't happy at McKinley. He was bored, bored of being ignored in Glee Club, bored of the tedious curriculum, but most of all bored of being pushed into lockers every time he walked through the corridor. His dad had offered to pay for private tuition at Dalton, an all boys boarding school in Westerville, but Kurt hadn't made his mind up.
He had gone to the mall to meet Mercedes for a coffee- he was also rather bored of coffee but it was something to do.
'Something on your mind?' Mercedes asked, as Kurt continued to stare blankly at the wall behind her.
'What?' Kurt mumbled, 'Oh no not really.'
'I can tell. Spill' Mercedes took a sip of her coffee, and waited.
'Er, well. My dad said he'd pay for me to go to Dalton.' Kurt explained.
'Dalton? The private school? Why would you go there?!' Mercedes asked, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
'To get away from McKinley.' Kurt replied simply, as if it was obvious.
'Karaofsky?'
'Yeah I guess. It's not just that though, it's everything.'
'Is it us?' Mercedes questioned. Kurt shook his head,
'Of course not. It's hard to explain. I just can't go back to McKinley.'
'Kurt...' Mercedes took a deep breath, 'I'll miss you. Hell, I'll miss you a lot. But that's just me being selfish. Maybe you'd be safer at Dalton. Maybe you'd be better off there.'
'I guess.'

September.
2 days until School started. Kurt had spent the last 2 weeks thinking about school. Dalton or McKinley. Dalton or McKinley. His dad had noticed his struggle and sat him down and told him to choose. Now. Right there and then. And Kurt knew in his heart, he couldn't face going back to McKinley. So Burt walked out of the living room, into the kitchen and called Dalton. The room they had been holding was now his, and he'd need to go down to Westerville tomorrow to register and move into his room. Kurt wasn't sure about boarding, but he wasn't going to do the 2 hour drive there and back everyday, so he agreed.
He only had one evening to pack. Great.

----

When he arrived at Dalton the following day, he had 2 suitcases and a couple of bags; filled with clothes, books, dvds, laptop and charger, and about everything else he could convince his dad he absolutely needed.
'Welcome to McKinley', a rather chubby woman greeted them in the Headmaster's office, 'Mr Smith will only be a minute.'
Kurt and his father sat down on the leather couches, and waited. Kurt wondered if his tuition was paying for this office, because he knew how expensive couches like this were.
'You can go through now' The woman gestured to the door to Kurt's right.
The meeting only lasted a couple of minutes, with Mr Smith assuring Kurt that there was a strict no-bullying policy, and that the students at Dalton were kind and would help him if he required it.

Kurt had a single room, thank god. He spent about an hour unpacking, telling his dad where to put things, and after putting up the last of his posters he was settled. He said goodbye to his dad, and then he was alone. In a new school. Where he didn't know anyone. Mr Smith told him that a lot of the boarders would be arriving today, and to go to the canteen and meet a few people. 'I might as well' Kurt mumbled, picking up his satchel and following the signs to the canteen.
He had literally been sitting down with his coffee for about 4 minutes when a guy approached him and sat opposite him.
'Am I not meant to be sitting here?' Kurt wondered, because why else would this guy be talking to him.
'Uh, you can sit wherever you want.' The boy smiled, 'I'm David.'
'Oh hey,' Kurt was flustered, what the hell?, 'I'm Kurt.'
'Are you new?' David asked. Kurt noticed how blue this boy's eyes were. He had swept back dark blonde hair, and was wearing dark jeans and a baggy sweatshirt.
'Uh yeah I am actually. It's my first day.'
'Come over here, I'll introduce you to everyone' David nodded towards a table at the back of the canteen, with 5 guys already sitting there. David stood up and waited, 'Are you coming?'
'Oh yeah' Kurt picked up his bag and his coffee and followed.
'Hey guys, this is uh-' David turned round, clearly forgetting the new kid's name.
'Kurt. I'm Kurt' he smiled.
'Sit down Kurt' One of the guys to the right of him called out.
Kurt sat down next to David.
'I'll do the introductions' David said, 'That's Blaine, Wes, Thad, Mark and Joe'
All of the boys waved and smiled when David said their name. Kurt couldn't quite believe how nice they were all being. He'd half expected to be ignored completely. He certainly didn't expect this.
'What school did you transfer from?' Joe asked.
'McKinely' Kurt replied.
The boys exchanged looks, and Joe nodded.
'That's where I recognise you from' Blaine mumbled next to him.
'What?' Kurt asked turning to face the boy.
'You're in New Directions right?' Blaine asked, and Kurt nodded, 'We're the Warblers'
'Oh! Yeah, you were at Sectionals? You guys were really good' Kurt commented.
'Are you going to audition for the Warblers?' Wes asked, 'You really should'
'Uh yeah I guess, I hadn't really thought about it.'
'Auditions are tomorrow at 4' Blaine smiled, and twisted the spoon balanced on the edge of his cup, 'You should definitely audition.'