Chapter Two

"Kurt!" A shrill scream greeted Kurt as he walked towards what was going to be his room, and home for the next year.

Rachel ran at him, obviously going in for a hug but thankfully the box that Kurt was carrying prevented her from throwing herself at him. Sometimes Rachels enthusiasm was way too much for Kurt and after the long drive from Lima, Ohio to get here to New York, he was feeling a bit tired and frazzled. The two definitely didnt go well with Rachel.

Carole and Burt followed behind Kurt, each of them carrying in a box from the car, Burt a lighter one than Carole because he was currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and had finally admitted that he wasnt feeling as strong as he used to.

Kurt hurried to put the box he was carrying into his room, barely even looking to see what it actually looked like inside and going to take the box off of his father.

"Go and sit down sweetie." Carole motioned to Burt who didnt look impressed.

"I need to help you lot get all the stuff that Kurts brought. Well be here forever with just the two of you." Burt complained.

Rachels dads, Hiram and Leroy stepped forward offering their services to help get Kurts stuff in as they had arrived several hours earlier with Rachel and had set her up completely in her room, which everyone could tell she was eager to show Kurt. Kurt didnt need to be shown to know that he probably wouldnt like what she had done with the room. If her room in Ohio was anything to go by it would be another terrible and unfashionable mess. Kurt was very particular about style. He had always thought that style said a lot about a person and he always wanted to stay in with the latest fashionable trends.

"Well what am I gonna do?" Burt questioned. "I dont wanna just be sitting around and watching you guys do all the work."

"Actually dad if you could get all of my clothes out and put them on hangers in the closet that would be great. I need to let them breathe, packing them away like that cant have done much for them."

Burt looked at his son incredulously but started unpacking Kurts clothing hangers and the clothes.

"Can you believe it Kurt? Were finally in New York. We thought it would never happen but look at where we are! This is the city of dreams and its all ours!" Rachel chattered excitedly next to Kurt as he went backwards and forwards out to the car, not bothering herself to help out with a few boxes but that was the kind of person Rachel was. If you didnt tell her that you specifically needed help then she could be very self-involved.

"Yeah Rachel. Its awesome. But Id actually really loved to get moved in before the day has ended."

"Why dont I go down the street and grab some lunch for everybody?" Rachel suggested, a happy smile on her face.

"Thats actually a great idea." Kurt said, thankful to have Rachel off his back for a time. They could celebrate later but right now he just wanted to get settled in. This was something massive for Kurt.

Kurt had never been out of Ohio before, heck he barely got out of Lima except on the odd occasion when they went over to Columbus to go shopping on Black Friday. This all seemed overwhelming and very, very daunting. He had never lived alone before, even when his father had been in his coma brought on by a heart attack, Carole had stayed with him even though she hadnt really been dating Burt that long. Add all that to the fact that Burt was undergoing cancer treatment and the thought of leaving home was absolutely terrifying.

All summer he had been battling with himself and what to do. A part of him had wanted to stay and look after his dad. Maybe attend community college or defer his acceptance into NYU for a year later when Burt would hopefully be in full health again. It had caused a few arguments between father and son. Burt knew how much New York meant to Kurt, it was all he had ever talked about growing up and Burt had wished that they would have made the time to take him before he moved there. Of course it was heart-warming to Burt that his son would do that for him and things like that always reaffirmed his belief that Kurt was exactly like his mother who had passed away in a car accident when Kurt was eight years old. But Burt couldnt allow Kurt to hold back his future for him. Hed insisted that Kurt go and while it took some convincing hed finally gotten Kurt to fully enrol on his course.

After all of the boxes had been brought in and Burt had hung up the many, many clothes that Kurt owned they finally all settled down in Kurts room to eat the pizza that Rachel had brought back. Kurt allowed Burt to tuck into three slices of pizza before he cut him off. It was a special occasion after all. Hiram, Leroy, Burt and Carole all sat talking while Kurt and Rachel discussed all the things that they were going to do that week. Rachel had already got some ideas because she had spent a lot of the summer on forums, chatting to second year students and asking them about all the best places to go and the best things to do in that very first week.

"We absolutely have to go out tonight Kurt! This is the night that well make the majority of our friends and we cant miss out. Someone told me about this bar that all the students populate and I think we should go. Theyre having a karaoke night there tonight which was just made for us!"

"I can get down with singing. It feels like forever since nationals." Kurt said, taking a sip of his tea.

Rachel nodded in agreement.

"So how did Finn settle in?" Leroy asked Carole.

Kurt and Rachel started to pay attention to their conversation.

"Hes doing okay. Hes seems so sure about this. Im so proud of him." Carole said, even though it was hard.

Finn had joined the army to regain honour for his father. He had gone up to Georgia to the army base that was there and he was currently doing his training. It had been hard for Carole to say goodbye to her little boy, especially as she had seen what war could do to someone with her late husband, Christopher. He had died while Finn had just been a baby. She had always told Finn that he had died at war but the truth was that he had died of a drug overdose after Finns second birthday. When Finn had found out he had been absolutely devastated and that had been one of the reasons why he had decided to join the army. He had been dating Rachel beforehand and she had wanted him to move with her and they would get an apartment together, completely forgoing the student accommodation. She had been upset when she had found out that he had joined the army and he definitely wasnt going to be coming to New York.

Kurt could see the sad look on Rachels face at the mention of Finn. No one could deny that Rachel loved Finn. Sure, she was self-involved a lot of the time but she really did love Finn. And he loved her which was why he set her free to experience New York and all its wonders without him. Kurt thought that was one of the bravest things Finn had ever done. He didnt know himself if he would ever have the strength to say goodbye like that. Not that he had ever had the opportunity. There just wasnt a lot of options for a gay teen in Ohio. It made Kurt sad to think but hed heard that New York was more accepting and he hoped that the same would be true for him. Not that he was desperate or anything.

XXXX

A few hours later both sets of parents had left the teens to their own devices. Kurt had eventually paid a visit to Rachels room and as he suspected he kind of hated it. It was very, very pink and there were cuddly toys practically everywhere. It was ridiculous, not at all like she was supposed to be eighteen years old. So when she asked him if he absolutely loved it, he had to lie through his teeth and claim that it looked great. She was so high strung that she didnt quite get sarcasm and Kurt knew that that ability would be good for her in the future.

"So are we gonna go out to that bar?" Rachel asked excitedly.

"I dunno Rach. Why cant we just have a quiet night in with some popcorn and a few rom-coms?" He sighed.

"Kurt we need to make connections. These people that we are going to be attending college with might be the connections that we need in the future that could further our careers and make us massive stars. Do you really want to pass up that opportunity of greatness?" Rachel said, tugging on his hand like a child would a parent.

"I guess we can go." Kurt said reluctantly. "But I will be dressing you. I cant be seen out in New York with you when youre looking like that!"

Rachel looked offended. "Whats wrong with what Im wearing?!"

"It looks like something my grandmother would have once worn. There is no way Im going out with someone who looks like my grandma."

Rachel sighed but knew that there was no convincing Kurt that this outfit was cute. Plus she really wanted to go out and start her life ad she couldnt do that without her best friend by her side.

"Okay, fine, you can dress me. But lets hurry! Its nine oclock now and most people would have already started heading out."

"This may take a while." Kurt muttered under his breath.

He walked over to her wardrobe and looked at all of the clothes that she had decided to bring with her. Most of them made him want to burn them but some of them werent so bad and he managed to put together a fashionable outfit. He gave her the clothes and Kurt went into his room to pick an outfit while Rachel got changed. He quickly selected an outfit for himself and put it on. He gave one last look in the mirror to make sure his hair was perfectly coiffed before he went back to Rachels room, tapping on the door to make sure she was presentable.

She greeted him in the outfit and she looked amazing. She wore quite a short black pencil skirt and a burgundy blouse which was left a little undone at the throat, unlike her usual style, so that everyone could quite clearly see the Finn necklace that she still wore, even though they were broken up. Apparently they were soul mates and this break up was actually just a till we meet again.

"Wow, we both look so amazing. You know I can never argue with your sense of style, Kurt. Its perfect." Rachel said, twirling in the full length mirror that she had stood up in her room.

Kurt smiled gratefully, always glad to hear when someone liked his fashion sense as he took a lot of pride in it.

"Right, shall we head out. I know roughly where this place is and its only like twenty minutes away. Well be there early because a lot of people will be having drinks at home because it is very strict on serving alcohol to minors but that wont be a problem for us as neither of us are really drinkers." Rachel said happily, taking Kurts hand and pulling him out of the door.

Kurt followed her without saying anything which was okay because Rachel was quite willing to chat at him. He was kind of nervous about this. He had never really been out like this before, it wasnt altogether too safe for Kurt to go out like other teens his age had in Ohio because there were a lot of homophobes that seemed to take offence whenever they saw Kurt. Add the inevitable alcohol into the mix and it could be quite dangerous for Kurt. His father had given him a strict curfew and Kurt had never really wanted to extend that.

Kurt hoped that New York would be different. He had heard that it was very accepting and if the pride parade was an indicator of anything then Kurt felt pretty confident about being who he was in New York. He really wanted to go to a pride parade himself one day. It looked like a lot of fun and so many things went on during the day that looked like it would be very exciting. But Kurt wasnt foolish. He knew that New York wasnt exempt from homophobes and that there probably a few lurking around. There was always someone that disliked Kurts sexual orientation but, even though he hadnt been in New York for even a day, he felt that there would be more support for him here than there would be people that disagreed with who he was.

XXXX

After almost getting lost about three times, Kurt and Rachel finally made it to the bar which was indeed heaving with people. Apparently karaoke night was a very popular one.

Kurt and Rachel held each others hands tightly as they tried to slip through all the people there and they made their way to the bar to get themselves a drink. She noticed two seats next to each other at the bar and she charged through the crowds, dragging Kurt behind her. Triumphantly they reach the seats and slid into them, both of them grinning.

A blonde guy behind the bar approached them with a smile on his face and Kurt could feel his heart thud. The guy was really cute. His hair was dyed and his lips seemed a bit too big for his face but he still somehow managed to look awesome. The way his white shirt pulled across his chest whenever he moved his arms was giving Kurt very good thoughts. His gaydar was only pinging a little bit however so he didnt want to get his hopes up.

"What can I get for you guys?" He asked them.

"Two virgin Shirley Temples please." Rachel asked, turning to grin at the guy behind the bar.

"Coming right up." The guy winked at the both of them and then moved across the bar to make their drinks.

He returned a few minutes later with their drinks and pushed them towards them. "So Im guessing that youre first years at NYU?"

"Yes! How could you tell? My name is Rachel and this is Kurt. Its our first night and weve heard great things about this place?" Rachel said with her usual enthusiasm.

"Great to meet you. The name is Sam. Sam I am." He smiled cheerily at them.

He went back to serving other customers and Rachel and Kurt sipped on their drinks.

"Im gonna go and dance. Are you coming?" Rachel asked as she hopped off of her stool.

"Nah, Im gonna stay here for a bit." Kurt said, shooing her onto the dance floor where she was quickly enveloped by the beat and the movement of the other people.

"You not dancing?" Sam asked Kurt as he collected in Rachels glass.

Kurt shook his head. "I may do later. Im feeling a little hot right now."

"Well you look hot in that outfit. You really dressed to impress." Sam grinned.

"Oh, this. Its not my best." Kurt smiled shyly at Sam, his cheeks turning slightly red in colour.

"Are you going to sing tonight?"

"Oh I dont know." Kurt admitted shyly.

"Go on. I bet youll be brilliant." Sam encouraged.

"I guess maybe one song couldnt hurt."

He and Sam chatted together for a little while as Sam worked. Kurt told him about it being his first year and that he was studying Music Theatre. Sam himself was studying music and was a second year. Sam had gotten the job there during the summer because he hadnt gone home, which was originally Kentucky. Kurt in turn told him about Ohio, trying to stay away from the heavier topics. He was sure that he didnt need to tell Sam about the homophobes in a small town.

"Hi my name is Rachel Berry and Ill be singing Empire State of Mind part two by Alicia Keyes." Kurt heard Rachels voice come on over the mic.

There was a round of applause and then they all settled down to quiet with the occasional whispers from the people around the bar.

Rachel closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she started to sing.

"Grew up in a town that is famous as a place of move scenes.

Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean.

If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere, thats what they say.

Seeing my face in light or may name in marquees found down on Broadway."

Everyone went quiet as they listened to Rachel sing. She really was amazing and could hypnotise a whole room with just her singing voice. She had a raw talent that you didnt always see nowadays and it was moments like these, when Rachel got completely lost in the music that he would remember why they were such good friends.

"Now youre in New York!

These streets will make you feel brand new.

Big lights will inspire you.

Hear it for New York, New York, New York!"

It had always been the dream for the both of them to make it to New York and have amazing Broadway careers. It was more than just that though. They both wanted people to love shows as much as they did. They wanted to entertain people and make them laugh or cry. They wanted someone to feel touched by a performance that they had done which was why Broadway was for them.

Rachel brought the song to a close and people actually stood up and applauded for her, something which it was clear to see that she adored. She did a little curtsey to the audience and then skipped back over to Kurt. "Youre turn?"

Kurt slowly slid off of his bar stool and made his way to the little stage where the karaoke performances took place. He was nervous because he had never really sung a solo in front of a large audience before, Rachel always having took all the solos for competitions.

"Good evening." Kurt said, his voice a little shaky. "My name in Kurt Hummel and Ill be singing Blackbird by the Beatles."

One again the chatter in the room quietened slightly and Kurt stepped up to the microphone that was stood in the centre of the stage. He was really nervous for some reason and he could feel himself shaking a little bit. Group numbers like back in high school had been what Kurt was good at because he doubted that he could ever make anybody sit up and pay attention to his words.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night,

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arrive."

This song had always been Kurts favourite Beatles song. This mother had introduced him to the music of the Beatles when he was very young and he had grown up with the songs always playing around the house until she died. His father wasnt as much a fan as his mother had been, Burt always preferred Mellancamp which Kurt could never really see the appeal of.

It was strange that whenever he sang this song so much emotion would well up inside of him and hed feel so connected with his mother and yet no one else could see or understand that. They just saw a person singing a song but to him it meant the world and more. Kurt supposed that all artist felt that about their music, especially if they had written the songs themselves about their own life and experiences.

This was a particular gift of Kurts. He could see the raw beauty behind music. He never took anything to do with music at face value because there was always more to it than that.

XXXX

Blaine sat up straighter on the sofa as he listened to the guy up on stage, whose name he hadnt quite caught, that was singing a song by his all-time favourite group, the Beatles. The boys voice was beautiful and haunting in a way that Blaine had never heard before. It was like this song was completely his and he really owned it.

And the guy wasnt bad looking either. He was pale with flawless features. He was tall and thin but you could see some slight definition of muscle on him. And his clothes were impeccable.

Blaine shook his head wondering why on earth he was thinking about some guy like that. It was the music and the singing mainly that found Blaine admiring the guy on the stage. His cover of this song was outstanding. Blaine usually hated when people sang a Beatles song because nothing could compare to the greatness that they were. Hed never even sung one really because he doubted he could do the music or the lyrics justice. He loved to sing and he was good at it but he doubted that he was perfect. Certainly no one had ever preferred him over others.

No Blaine was a writer of music. He was studying Music Composition, much to the disgrace of his father, but he really loved it. Making music was a beautiful process that Blaine liked to immerse himself into. Sometimes he would disappear for days and wouldnt be seen until the piece that he had been working on sounded perfect. Hardly anyone had ever heard his compositions apart from his lecturer because he worried about what people would think of his music. It was all very personal and Blaine didnt know if he wanted to allow anyone that close to him.

But listening to the guy on stage singing, Blaine could feel his creative juices flowing. He could hear melodies complimenting that voice start to form in his head and he knew that he needed to write it all down.

Grabbing a napkin and a pen he did just that. Glancing from between the boy on the stage and the napkin where a ton of ideas were almost writing themselves down. This boy was like a muse and Blaine didnt even know him, but boy, would he love to. Hed been having a hard time writing any music recently, the lyrics wouldnt sit right and the melodies never seemed to be quite what he had pictured in his mind.

"Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night."

There was complete silence in the room as the boy sung. His voice was extraordinary, nothing like Blaine or it seemed, anyone else in the bar, had heard before.

"All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise,

You were only waiting for this moment to arise,

You were only waiting for this moment to arise."

The whole bar clapped even more enthusiastically than they had the first time and the boy blushed and scurried off of the stage and Blaine lost him in the crowd of people.

Blaine sighed, knowing that it was unlikely that hed be able to find that boy again tonight and so resigned himself to the idea that the boy might show up again and that he was probably a student at NYU just like Blaine and his friends. He know he needed to see him again though. He was Blaines muse.

Gathering his things together, Blaine said a brief goodbye to his friends and waved over at Sam letting him know that he was going. He headed out into the street that, while it was dark, it was still slightly warm. Instead of making his way to Amys place he went back to his dorm room. He couldnt be around Amy right now, not while music was fighting to be written down and played. The dorms were quiet, everyone having gone out for the night. He quickly let himself into his room and went over to the corner of the room where his music equipment was. It didnt take long for him to immerse himself in the music.

XXXX

Kurt went back to the bar and slipped into his seat. The people he passed patted him on the back as he went, telling him how much they enjoyed his rendition. He shyly thanked them as he went, not quite believing that they had all liked his singing.

"Hey Kurt. You were really good. I hope youll come back and sing more. This bar will be glad to have a voice like yours." Sam said with a grin, sliding a drink across to him.

"Thank you." Kurt said, taking the drink and sipping it. Hed got unbelievably hot whilst he had been performing and he was glad of the cool liquid.

"Honestly man, you were amazing. Youve given me chills."

Kurt blushed, not quite believing the attention he was getting from Sam especially.

Rachel looked at her friend and noticed his behaviour and knew that this would end badly for him. Kurt was being flirty and she was pretty sure that Sam was straight. There was no doubt that Kurt was going to get hurt through this. Shed let him have tonight though before she burst that bubble.