Chapter 7: The Kiss

It was a normal Wednesday morning where Kurt and Blaine ate their breakfast together and peacefully. That day, however, Kurt couldn't stop staring at Blaine while he daydreamed about them. After a while, Blaine caught him and began to feel self-conscientious:

"What?"

"I'm just so proud of you."

Kurt's comment got him by surprise and it was shown in the grin growing wider in his face:

"You keep surprising me and that makes me fall in love with you each day more. But what have I done recently to make you particularly proud of me?"

"You don't see how amazing you are, do you? You are a freshman and you've already been casted to a play in NYADA; that's huge!"

Blaine chuckled emotionally about Kurt's flirting so early in the morning:

"That's kind of you but you are forgetting that your cousin is also a freshman and was also casted to the same play."

"Not that I care about NYADA's stupid legends or that I doubt Boo's talents; but it's easier when you are dating the director."

Blaine snorted trying to hide a laughter:

"Don't let her hear you."

"Nah. I have nothing to worry: she only uses her heavy weponary against you. Besides, Boo and I always tell the truth to each other; I mean, when our stubbornness isn't on the way of making us admit some things."

"I like how you two know each other so well. You are so alike in some things and so radically different in others... Speaking of which; how is she feeling about the whole play?"

Kurt started to laugh frantically and Blaine kept staring at him awestruck. Kurt finally managed to calm down and said while whipping away a tear that had formed in his eye:

"I'm sorry... It's just... Do you believe she was having a hard time thinking about kissing you?"

A malicious smirk formed on Blaine's lips:

"That's wonderful information..."

"Oh please; don't use it against her or she'd know I told you and then I'd be dead."

"Fine, but just for you. What's her big problem anyway?"

"She says she still hates you; but I don't think that's true."

Blaine held Kurt's hand to calm his worried expression:

"I don't think it's true either. I think now is kind of a game between she and I and, I must admit, I'm kind of having fun teasing Lou."

Kurt rolled his eyes:

"So you don't have a problem kissing her?"

"No; do you?

Kurt looked straight into Blaine's scared eyes:

"Honey; I trust you. And I trust her not to fall in love with you during a stage kiss. I was just worried about the limits of you guy's little game and actual hard feelings about each other..."

Blaine had gone quiet still moved by Kurt's words. Kurt knew how much the word "trust" meant between them. He got up and went to sit on Blaine's lap while moving his arms around the other's neck:

"Just try not to put your best into the kiss or else, poor thing; she'll be dammed to love you forever just like I am."

Blaine smiled and glued their lips together.

xXxXx

"Brody!"

He turned around when his name was called to see Rachel running towards him.

"Hi Rach; how's everything? I was just going to check the rehearsal room for Next to Normal; do you want to come with me?"

"Sure; I'd love to. It seems like ages since we've been able to talk."

Brody opened the door to his rehearsal room and turned to Rachel with his arms opened showing the scenario sampler:

"Here's where I've been spending most of my time. I'm so excited about this production; I want to leave NYADA having made a dent."

Rachel started walking towards him while awkwardly adjusting a strand of hair behind her ear:

"That's not exactly what the rumors around NYADA have been saying about you. Everybody is super excited about the hot couple of the moment."

Brody's face lit up in a grin:

"Are you talking about Louisa?"

She looked at him with an alarmed face:

"It's true then."

He sighed and took her hands making Rachel keep the eye contact:

"Look Rachel; I know things between us haven't ended up the right way and I also know most of it is my fault. There are probably a lot of things we should have talked about; but I accepted that you are with Finn and that that's your choice."

"Are you in love with her?"

He let go of her hands and ran some fingers through his hair while exhaling nervously:

"It's not that simple... Let me show you the acoustics of this place."

There was a small piano in the room and he sat by it trying a simple melody. He wasn't the best pianist; but he knew enough to accompany him in Asher Book's version of

Gershwin's Someone to Watch Over Me. He was singing mostly to himself while images of Louisa and Rachel flew through his head.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/-u4rNY4f5tE

There's a saying old says that love is blind

Still we're often told, "Seek and ye shall find"

So I'm going to seek a certain girl I've had in mind

Looking everywhere, haven't found her yet

She's the big affair I cannot forget

Only girl I ever think of with regret

I'd like to add her initial to my monogram

Tell me, where is the shepherdesses for this lost lamb?

There's a somebody I'm longing to see

I hope that she turns out to be

Someone who'll watch over me

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood

I know I could always be good

To one who'll watch over me

Although I may not be the man some

Girls think of as handsome

To her heart I carry the key

Won't you tell her please to put on some speed

Follow my lead, oh, how I need

Someone to watch over me

He was avoiding looking up at her and kept his head down for a few seconds after having finished the song:

"I'm finally moving on. Louisa could be the one to help me. Don't take me wrong: I'm not using her. I like her; but it's too soon and I just fell in love with one girl my whole life."

He looked at Rachel with bright meaningful eyes. She just nodded and swallowed hard. She tried to begin a few sentences but the words simply wouldn't come out of her mouth. Brody nodded:

"I see... It's the best for all of us... How are things with Finn?"

"Fine..."

He could tell that she was hiding something; however, they were interrupted by the sound operator coming to rehearse with Brody. Rachel used this excuse to leave and soon her not-spoken words were forgotten by him as he was absorbed by work.

xXxXx

Still with a lump on her throat, Rachel turned the keys allowing her in the apartment. Finn was on the couch watching for some kind of sport on TV. As soon as she entered; he muted the TV and got up:

"Something is wrong with you."

"It's nothing..."

"One of the things that made our relationship work was that I know you very well, Rachel. It's not because things aren't exactly perfect between us that I don't care about you."

"Don't worry; I'm fine."

She turned and started walking to her room but she was stopped by Finn's strong hands holding her to the place:

"Please; talk to me, Rachel."

She couldn't hold it any longer and busted into tears leaving Finn action-less for a few moments. Her crying was only intensifying until she felt his warmth as he pulled her to his embrace:

"It's fine, Rach. Whatever this is, we are going to figure it out."

She managed to say between sobs:

"I don't know what I'm doing with my life."

This seemed to shock him more than the situation itself. He rearranged them so that he could push her chin up to look in her eyes:

"Rachel, you are a star and I never doubted it a minute. You are in the best school of the country in the city of your dreams. You are casted on your fist New York production and you'll shine brighter than anyone has ever shone. Those things take time; don't give up."

She smiled feebly at him:

"What about happiness, Finn? I thought I had it all figure out and since I moved to New York everything just gets more and more confused. What about me? What about us? I feel like I break a new thing every day..."

In a sudden enthusiasm, Finn grabbed her and kissed her full on the mouth:

"Sorry; I couldn't help myself. Rachel, you know I was attracted to you since the first time I saw you, right? And it wasn't just because you are pretty. You have something else that took me a lot of time to figure out. Charisma, is that the name? Whatever, I just knew you had something in you that would make you get there; that's why I never doubted you. Now, I'm going to sing you my feelings to make you see yourself as I do."

She couldn't help but chuckle as he struggled with the sound system to put on The Who's Tommy's Soundtrack and sing her the final mash-up of See Me, Feel Me/ Listening to You.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/6IVwkz-BQGc

See me, feel me, touch me, heal me

See me, feel me, touch me, heal me

See me, feel me, touch me, heal me

See me, feel me, touch me, heal me

Listening to you, I get the music

Gazing at you, I get the heat

Following you, I climb the mountain

I get excitement at your feet

Right behind you, I see the millions

On you, I see the glory

From you, I get opinions

From you, I get the story

Listening to you, I get the music

Gazing at you, I get the heat

Following you, I climb the mountain

I get excitement at your feet

She could tell he was trying to show that, not only he loved her, but he admired her as well. Looking back to all their ups and downs; it had always been Finn the one pushing her forward. She knew she loved him a lot; the problem was that she wasn't sure of what she felt about Brody.

Right behind you, I see the millions

On you, I see the glory

From you, I get opinions

From you, I get the story

Listening to you, I get the music

Gazing at you, I get the heat

Following you, I climb the mountain

I get excitement at your feet

Right behind you, I see the millions

On you

Finn finished the song and looked at her with hopeful eyes. Her heart was broking to let him down, but she couldn't lead him on knowing it would be worse to break his heart in a near future. She settled to approaching him and kissing his cheek:

"Thank you for everything; but if you don't mind I'd rather still sleep alone tonight."

She left to her room with a final look of Finn's expression that left no doubt that he minded.

xXxXx

Very unlike him, Finn was playing with the food on his plate with no will to eat anything. Kurt bumped his fists on the table and exclaimed:

"Something is very wrong with you if you are not eating. I'm your brother, for Goodness sake, tell me what's wrong!"

Finn kept silent about his feelings and Blaine approached them trying to ease things between the brothers:

"I managed to get a break to eat with you guys; what's going on around here?"

Finn was still staring at his plate. Kurt looked at him and then rolled his eyes turning to Blaine instead:

"Finn is being an idiot."

"I'm not."

Kurt turned to him with a triumphant smile:

"So now you are talking?"

They were about to go on with their little fight when Blaine intervened:

"Brothers will be brothers no matter whose son's they are."

Kurt looked back at his food but muttered something for Finn to listen:

"I'm sorry; it's just that I could help, you know?"

Finn sighed and looked at his brother:

"I'm having problems with Rachel; are you happy now?"

"Happier; it was you who insisted we should lunch together today. Remember I was Rachel's roommate for a year; I've learned how to deal with her mood swings."

"Then maybe you can explain me why she's still so cold with me even after I sang all my love for her."

Kurt looked at him with a sympathetic glance:

"You're still fighting, huh? You know Rachel loves you but she can be quite the diva. Maybe it's just her love for the spotlight speaking louder."

"It's not that simple; I addressed to her diva side too. We keep fighting about Brody and everything."

Finn dropped his fork in a waiver way and Kurt sighed appearing to finally understand the depth of the situation. To everyone's surprise, Blaine was the one to break the silence with an even more astonishing comment:

"What about Louisa?"

Finn chocked and Kurt looked at him with wide eyes:

"Honey, are you insinuating something?"

Blaine looked back at them insulted:

"Come on; who are you trying to fool? Anyone can see there's something between her and Finn. Finn, you are not that subtle and Kurt, I'm sure she has told you something about that."

The two brothers were equally shocked by Blaine's revelation and stuttering looking for words. Blaine snorted and went on:

"Look, Finn, you know I'm all in for you making up with Rachel; but that's really what you want? I'm just saying you should examine your feelings more carefully."

Finn turned determined to him:

"I love Rachel."

Kurt grabbed his boyfriend hand in an attempt to calm things down. Blaine looked to their linked hands and then coyly at Kurt; who smiled back and turned to Finn:

"I can still try to talk to Rachel if you want. And Blaine, about Louisa..."

Blaine interrupted him:

"Gorgeous, can't you see these four are creating a cuckoo's nest? This place is turning into a madhouse and if we don't take care, we'll end up trapped with them."

Before Kurt could answer, the sound of Finn's muffed laughter distracted them:

"Maybe we really are."

The three of them started laughing together.

xXxXx

When Kurt crossed Books'N'Stuff's door, he saw Louisa distractedly organizing a pile of books. He lightly touched her shoulder and was rewarded by an honest smile:

"Pumpkin! I was beginning to miss you."

"Even with all the rehearsals we have together? You must love me very much."

"You know I do. I just miss hanging out with you."

"Do you have time now?"

"I can get a break."

She dragged him to tea in the staffroom. She was finishing dishing it when she got curious:

"Kurt, you never seek me during my shift unless there's something you need to talk about."

"Guilty as charged."

She sat down and he took her hand inside both of his. After a sigh, he began:

"It's a delicate subject and I don't know where to start."

"You are beginning to worry me. There's no need for secrets between us. Just go ahead."

"It's about Brody. Can I ask you how you are feeling about him?"

She opened the biggest smile that threw a glow in her face:

"I think something very good can come of it. It's been a while since I was in a relationship and it feels nice. I... I'm... Can I sing about it?"

All she needed was a nod from Kurt for her to run to connect her iPod to the stereo and start to sing Wednesday's solo from The Addams Family musical.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/p-KlKgcASaY

I don't have a sunny disposition.

I'm not known for being too amused.

My demeanor's locked in one position.

See my face? I'm enthused.

Suddenly, however, I've been puzzled.

Bunny rabbits make me want to cry

All my inhibitions have been muzzled,

And I think I know why.

I'm being pulled in a new direction,

But I think I like it.

I think I like it.

I'm being pulled in a new direction.

Through my painful pursuit,

Somehow birdies took root.

All the things I detested impossibly cute.

God! What do I do?

She was harmonizing to Pulled and Kurt was worrying that his cousin was falling in love with the wrong person. But she was shining a new glow and he couldn't help to like seeing her so happy; which just broke his heart even more to say the words he was about to say.

Mother always said be kind to strangers,

But she doesn't know what they destroy.

I can feel the clear and present dangers,

When she learns that the boy...

Has got me pulled in a new direction,

But I think I like it.

I think I like it.

I'm being pulled in a new direction,

But this feeling, I know is impossible,

So I'll confide that I've tried but I can't let it go.

It's disgustingly true!

Pulled, pulled, pulled!

Puppy dogs with droopy faces,

Unicorns with dancing mice,

Sunrise in wide open spaces,

DisneyWorld - I'll go there twice!

Butterflies and picnic lunches,

Bunches of chrysanthamums,

Lollipops and pillow fights and Christmas eve,

Sugar plums!

String quartets and Chia Pets,

And afternoon banana splits,

Angels watching as I sleep,

And Liberace's Greatest Hits!

Have got me pulled in a new direction!

If they keep insisting, I'll stop resisting.

Just watch me pulled in a new direction.

I should stay in the dark,

Not obey every spark,

But the boy has a bite,

Better far than his bark

And you bet I'll bite too,

Do what's truly taboo,

As I'm pulled in a new direction!

She finished the song with a goofy smile on her lips. He applauded her but signaled her to sit down. As soon as she did, he took her hand again with a more concerned face:

"Boo, can I tell something about this new direction you're being pulled?"

She smiled:

"Is it about his former job?"

"So you do know what he used to do for a living?"

She chuckled:

"You and Blaine once mentioned it in one of ours hangouts. It was a long time ago, before there was anything between him and me. It was also from you and Blaine that I've learned about second chances."

Kurt squeezed her hand:

"I just want you to be protected."

She smiled amused:

"I'm familiar with the feeling. But you know I don't let my guard down that easily."

Kurt looked down defensively:

"It was different with Blaine... We have something real against Brody. That's why I need you to take care."

She bent down to meet his eyes:

"Aren't you forgetting a little thing we had against Blaine? Calm down; I admit I was wrong about him. It's just, maybe, you are wrong about Brody too... Besides, he knows I had a crush on Finn and I know he still have feelings for Rachel. We are taking it slow."

Kurt chuckled while pulling her to a hug:

"At least something good came from all of this: you admitted you were wrong about Blaine."

She broke the embrace annoyed for being caught with her guard down. Kurt amusedly poked her nose.

xXxXx

Blaine entered the dance studio where he knew he'd find Louisa working for Cassandra. To his luck, she was alone in the room cleaning a mirror. He made sure he was appearing on it before saying:

"A little bird told me you may not be so angry at me anymore."

She made an upset grimace:

"That little bird of yours is a gossip."

He snorted out a laugh and began walking towards her:

"Come on Lou; I thought we had agreed on truce."

"And I thought Kurt was on my side; he's my cousin, for crying out loud!"

Blaine smirked:

"But he's my boyfriend."

She shook her hands up to stop him for saying anything else:

"Okay, okay; you won. I don't need to know the things you do to keep him on your side."

Blaine laughed and she joined him. In the middle of it, they made eye contact and both laughters were transformed into smiles. Blaine bumped her shoulder:

"We have to get along now not just for Kurt."

She nodded:

"I guess you're not that bad after all."

He smiled triumphantly:

"That's all I needed to hear."

He sat at the piano and began to play You've Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story, leaving Louisa awestruck.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/EcXURC_nNhc

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

When the road looks rough ahead

And you're miles and miles

From your nice warm bed

Just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

He winked and made funny faces throughout the performance and managed to take a few laughers from her after her initial disgusted frown.

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you

We stick together and we see it through

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be

A little bit smarter than I am

Bigger and stronger too

Maybe

But none of them will ever love you the way I do

It's me and you

And as the years go by

Our friendship will never di

You're gonna see

It's our destiny

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

His own smile was growing larger and larger until the song finished in some heart-felt applause.

You've got a friend in me

She walked closer:

"Toy Story, Blaine? Really?"

"You can't blame a guy for calling on your Disney heart."

She grinned:

"Nice shot, cowboy."

"Does this mean that I can invite you to hang out tonight and you'll cook me that Brazilian chocolate thing?"

She pushed him playfully:

"Call Kurt and ask if you have the ingredients for brigadeiro. I'll bring the movie; I've got a sudden urge to watch Toy Story again."

xXxXx

This wasn't the dress Louisa was used to wear, but both Kurt and Brody had agreed that it was the perfect choice for the Dance scene. She took a deep breath in front of the mirror before walking to the other room and joining the others.

Blaine, who was waiting by the door to enter stage with her, was surprised when he saw her:

"You really are a vision in blue."

She was trying to hide her shyness with a witty comment:

"Please Bowtie, you're gay and committed."

He insisted:

"I'm just trying to point out that you are a beautiful and smart woman; why don't you let it show?"

She blushed and was glad when she felt his hand guiding her towards the rehearsal room. Brody and the rest of the cast were waiting for them accompanied by the unexpected presence of Finn, whose eyes jumped from their orbits when he saw her. Brody's eyes also grew wider as she walked in; but he shook it out quickly and took his director posture:

"Louisa, Blaine, I see that you are ready. We'll rehearse the Hey #3/Perfect for you (reprise) scene today. If you can please take your spots, we'll begin."

They stood across the stage from each other and Blaine managed to wink at her unnoticed by the rest before starting to sing.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cg38GJL7WN0

Henry:

Hey

Natalie:

Hey

Henry:

You look like a star

A vision in blue

Natalie:

Oh I do?

Henry:

And you are

Hey, you came

Natalie:

Well I said that I might

Henry:

I thought we were through

Me and you

Natalie:

Not tonight

Henry:

Will you mom be ok?

Natalie:

Well she might be some day.

Henry:

But for now it's all fine?

Natalie:

She's still on my mind.

Henry:

Can you leave it behind?

Natalie:

Hey, hey

Henry:

Stay, let's see this thing through

Natalie

Am I crazy?

I might end up crazy

Henry:

I'll be here for you

Natalie:

You say that right here

But then give it a year

Or 10 years or a life

And I could end up your wife

Sitting staring at walls

Throwing shit down the stairs

Freaking out at the store

Running nude down the street

Bleeding out in the bath

Henry:

Perfect for you

I will be perfect for you

So you could go crazy

Or I could go crazy, it's true

Sometimes life is insane

But crazy I know I can do

Cause crazy is perfect

And fucked up is perfect

So I will be perfect

Natalie:

Perfect

Both:

Perfect for you

She couldn't deny that he was a perfect partner to do a scene with; he made it very easy to act against him, not to mention that he was really good. So, when the kissing scene came and their lips met, she felt like she had a friend on the other end of that kiss. Brody screamed cut and she and Blaine had the same reaction of seeking the other for a hug. He whispered in her ear:

"Good job, Carmen Miranda."

"Same to you, Bowtie."

xXxXx

Rachel entered the rehearsal room when Blaine and Louisa where kissing on stage.

She tried to make her presence unannounced and sat on one of the chairs of the back roll. Much to her surprise, she wasn't alone there. To her bigger surprise, she was sitting next to Finn.

Soon Brody cut the scene and everyone instantly seemed busy doing something for the play; except for her and Finn. They smile to each other acknowledging the other's presence. When it was beginning to get awkward, she tried some chitchat:

"Are you here for long?"

He smiled feebly:

"Just the last scene. I had lunch with Kurt yesterday and he told me they would be trying his new costumes today and that I had to see it."

"He told me the same."

They smiled seeing Kurt's scheme. They both started talking at the same time but Finn signaled her to go on:

"It's nice that we can talk again."

"It is."

The awkward silence fell between them again and Rachel felt like she was letting go of something very precious and that she'd regret that latter:

"Are you going out with them or are you going home?"

He got serious and looked straight to her eyes:

"I thought I had made it clear that it's all up to you."

She swallowed hard and nodded:

"Okay; let's go then."

He smiled and led the way out. Already in the hallway, he took her hand and she was happy he did it.

xXxXx

Louisa was taking off her shoes and preparing to change to her normal clothes when she heard a knock on the door. Brody came in after she had allowed:

"Excuse-me, can I come in?"

She smiled at him through the mirror:

"Sure."

"I'm glad I let Kurt in charge of costumes; you were breathtaking, pookie."

"Thank you."

Not that she was impressed by what Kurt had reminded her; but having in mind that Kurt wasn't comfortable with that relationship made her somehow apprehensive. Brody must have noticed it, because he sat down and hid his head between his hands before speaking:

"So Kurt told you about my past, right?"

She pursed her lips but nodded:

"I already knew it; but he remembered me and he's worried."

"I can see why... Look, I'm not proud of it; I did it for tuition money. Not everyone is lucky to have a scholarship or a family whiling to pay for your dreams."

She was starting to pity him; but her defensive side was louder:

"What about Rachel?"

He lowered his head in a defeated posture:

"That's my biggest regret."

The feelings inside Louisa were still fighting a ferocious battle; but at that moment all she could see was Brody's human fragile side and it was for it that she was falling. Against her better judgment, she crouched in front of him and cupped his face bringing it up:

"Hey, one of the things that New York taught me was about second chances. I think you deserve one."

His eyes sparkled:

"I won't let you down. I like spending time with you and I really want to get to know you better."

"Me too."

She brought her face closer to his and rewarded him with a kiss. She broke it with a smile:

"So dinner tonight?"

"Only if it's my treat."

"Like I would have it any other way..."

xXxXx

Rachel pulled Finn by the hand inside her room. She returned his favor by serenading him with Norah Jones' Turn Me On. Finn's smile didn't leave his face while they got reacquainted with each other.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/cAwyOdEaAdY

Like a flower, waiting to bloom

Like a lightbulb, in a dark room

I'm just sittin' here waiting for you

To come on home and turn me on

Like the desert waiting for the rain

Like a school kid waiting for the spring

I'm just sitting here waiting for you

Meanwhile, Kurt and Blaine where enjoying a quiet night with a home-cooked meal in their apartment.

To come on home and turn me on

My poor heart, it's been so dark

Since you've been gone

Louisa and Brody where getting to know one another in a fancy restaurant Brody was sure would impress the foreigner girl. She wouldn't tell him she wasn't that fond of fancy places because the light behind his eyes was telling her he was trying his best.

After all your the one who turns me off

But you're the only one who can turn me back on

My Hi-fi is waiting for a new tune

My glass is waiting for some fresh ice cubes

I'm just sitting here waiting for you

To come on home and turn me on, turn me on

For the moment; all was well.