Cruel Summer Chapter 19 - Nobody Knows

Word Count: 8,532/189,000

Rating: PG-13

Summary: After Kurt was rejected from NYADA, we were dying to find out what happened next. We couldn't wait for the September premiere. Here is our take of what happened from the letter opening and beyond.

Author's Note: Alrighty guys! Here is the last chapter before our two week hiatus. I am SO looking forward to this vacation. I have several chapters written, so once AS does her thing, we will have lots to post when I get back. I haven’t watched last night’s ep, and I don’t think I will till I get back. Canon glee and I aren’t on speaking terms ATM :P Also when we return, we are introducing a new storyline…sorta. Oh! There might be a one shot published by our very own AS during the show hiatus when I return, with my help. So keep an eye on this space. AS waves while I have her chained to her desk editing while I get my Disney/HP Land on. I’m evil like that. Oh ya, I’m also flailing ‘cause none other than Chris Colfer tweeted me! So now that’s Ryan AND Chris. 

Disclaimers: Neither KurtsieKalanai nor AlignedStars own Glee. If we did, we wouldn’t torture gleeks with a 5 week hiatus after only four episodes, and the next one sounds like a doozie! Second, we don’t own the songs in the fic. We do use songs like the show but they fit into the story. Songs will be explained at the end of chapter. Third, this is AU so things do not work EXACTLY like canon.

Thanks: All the usual thanks: Wayne Kotke, Gleekast, Chris, Darren, the cast and crew on Glee, Ryan Murphy, and last but not least, you guys!!! See you in two weeks! 

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Kurt was feeling better after his little drive-by serenade. It was a walk-by actually, and it reminded Kurt a little bit of John Cusack’s role in Say Anything where Lloyd held up the boom box. Kurt had always found that scene to be terribly romantic, except it involved a girl and would have been so much better if it had been a boy. Kurt had wanted to do the same thing for Blaine but would never have attempted to do it a Blaine’s house.  Kurt thought it went pretty well… for someone who was drunk and high. 

He hadn’t thrown up and was able to walk in what he perceived to be a straight line, so that was something. Blaine didn’t completely reject him, another plus. Kurt was still annoyed at Puck for talking him into getting trashed, but at the same time he wanted to thank Puck for getting his mind off things. It was an interesting evening, but it was time to go home. He just wanted a good night’s sleep and a fresh start in the morning. 

Kurt was also dreading the talk with his father. He had a feeling it was going to be “The Talk,” like when his father tried to talk to him about sex. It was sure to be uncomfortable at the very least and torture at worst. Kurt knew he was in big trouble and worried what the punishment was going to involve. When Blaine brought up the possibility of Kurt’s dad throwing him out of the house, it truly scared him. 

Kurt had never trashed his room ever or threw public temper tantrums. Nor had he ever made a fool of himself in a public setting or gotten intentionally drunk and turned up in an online video. None of this was good behavior for a congressman’s son to be exhibiting, and thinking about it made Kurt feel very ashamed of himself. However, he needed to talk to Burt about Blaine, and it couldn’t be delayed. He would need to deal with his dad’s anger like a man and try to reason with him to not be too severe if for no other reason than to protect Blaine.

As it was the middle of the night and there were no cars on the road, the four men walked down the middle of the street talking about nothing in particular. Puck had this bright idea to go around and collect the entire street’s water hoses out of their front yards and screw them end on end all the way down the middle of the road as a joke, but the rest of the boys talk him out of it. It seemed like too much work. 

Kurt walked up to Puck and put his arm through his friend’s arm to test the water. It wasn’t that Kurt wanted to sleep with Puck or anything. He just wanted to see how Puck would respond. Either Puck was over that whole homophobia bullshit, completely blitzed, or maybe he was just comfortable with Kurt, because he didn’t pull away from Kurt’s friendly affections.

“Hey No-ah, I have a question for you,” Kurt asked, sounding a little like a 6 year-old girl.

“Shoot,” Puck said dreamily. He was still buzzing from the beer and pot brownies they had back at the park.

“Okay, so this is something Will said way back in first year of Glee club, and I know you do the pool cleaning stuff, right?” Kurt inquired coyly. He put his hands behind his back and wiggled his body side to side. 

“Well, yeah. Do you want a job cleaning pools this summer? Cause I could totally use an assistant!” 

said Puck excitedly. “You can do the books and advertising and stuff. We would make a killing!”

“As fun as that would be working outside with my borderline albino skin, I think I’ll pass,” Kurt said using his normal voice, smiling all the while. Then Kurt went back to using his girly sing-song voice. “No, something has flummoxed me for years. Back in our first boys versus girls competition, Will said something about lightning being in competition with above ground swimming pools. What in the hell was he talking about?” Kurt had tried to ask his teacher after glee class, but Will pretty much ignored him, saying that it was a teaching aid. He even tried to research the question on the internet with no results.

“Oh my god, I totally forgot about that!” Finn exclaimed. “Yeah, Puck, why is lightning in competition with an above ground swimming pool?”

“What the hell is flummoxed? It sounds like a sex act!” Puck asked a scandalized Kurt. Kurt rolled his eyes and pushed Puck away. Puck shrugged and added, “Damned if I know! I personally think Schue was high that day. Maybe he was taking Terri’s Vitamin D, which is totally another word for crystal meth, you know.”

Kurt’s eyes widened and he squeaked, “Will’s ex-wife gave us meth?!” He sat on the curb and started to hyperventilate. Puck looked at Kurt, feeling bad for teasing him. “Oh, god! I’ve taken hard drugs! Next thing you know, I’ll be selling my body on the street for drug money! I’m tainted!” Sadly, or maybe thankfully, Kurt wasn’t very educated in illicit drugs, but judging by his reaction he was completely clueless. “Why wasn’t Terri arrested?” He looked up at a laughing Puck and realized the mohawked man was pulling his leg. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

“You make it way too easy, Kurt,” Puck retorted. Kurt put his face in his hands, embarrassed he freaked out like that without looking at every possible option. “Way to jump to the worst conclusion. Besides, that was like three years ago, so I doubt it would affect you now, anyway. It wasn’t meth, it was just non-drowsy cold medicine.” 

Kurt slowly looked up at Puck, anger flashing in his eyes. Puck ignored him and continued, “Incidentally, it’s an ingredient in crystal meth. Don’t ask me how I know that.” Puck was a bad boy, but he wasn’t involved in anything so illegal. He was wise to the process from time spent in juvie. His cell mate described it in great detail.

Kurt jumped up and got in Puck’s face. “God, Puckerman, you’re a giant asshole!” he exclaimed. “Don’t scare me like that!” He stepped away and took a couple deep breaths to calm himself down. “So you don’t know the lightning/pool connection, then?”

“’Fraid not, little buddy,” Puck said, shrugging. He was impressed that Kurt had actually stood up to him. This was a much different person than the scared boy of three years ago.

Kurt changed gears, gave a large sigh and said dramatically, “Alas! I guess I’ll have to ponder that imponderable for a while longer. It’ll remain one of life’s greatest mysteries, like ‘Why is a raven like a writing desk?’” Puck looked at Kurt with bewilderment, so Kurt just sighed and said, “Thanks anyhow, Noah.”

Kurt started walking down the middle yellow line on the road. His walking was much steadier, and he felt his head clearing a bit. He didn’t like the loss of control that being intoxicated involved. Reflecting on the last week, things had changed and they would probably never go back to the way they were before. He just hoped that Blaine didn’t totally hate him. 

Kurt was about to get lost in his murky thoughts when his phone vibrated. Hoping it was from Blaine, he pulled out his phone and let out a disappointed sigh when he saw it was Santana. He wasn’t disappointed that Santana texted him, just that it wasn’t Blaine. His disappointment was replaced with worry at her message.

Hey Sexy, are you home? I really need someone to talk to.

Kurt’s love/hate relationship with Santana had spanned all three years of their time spent in Glee club together. Santana’s repeated attempts to out Kurt and his initial attempts to ignore it led to Santana telling Coach Sylvester Kurt was definitely gay. When the Glee club was briefly split up by Coach Sylvester in his sophomore year, the coach had innocently called Kurt over to her newly forming group as Gay Kid. Although Kurt had already outed himself to Mercedes and his dad, Kurt walking over to Coach Sylvester’s group merely confirmed what everybody else already knew. Surprisingly enough, no seemed to care or notice. 

Santana continued to jab Kurt over the rest of the year with remarks but since they lost their impact, the sting was no longer as fierce. By junior year, Santana actually went out of her way to defend Kurt and manipulate his bully Dave, to bring Kurt back into the choir room and McKinley. By the middle of senior year a complete truce had been called and the two were now on friendly speaking terms. Kurt still had reservations about Santana but was willing to be open minded.  

Kurt sent off a quick response:

On my way home now. Out with the boys. Forced guys’ night out. Meet me at my house.

“Hey guys?” Kurt called. “Do you mind if Santana comes over for a bit? I know you wanted to do the male bonding thing, but she wants to talk. I don’t think she’s very happy.”

“That’s cool,” Puck said with concern for his ex-girlfriend. “She can have a couple beers with us.”

Finn looked at his phone. Giving a small relieved cheer, he looked at Kurt and said, “Mom just texted. I guess she had a bit too much wine at Schue’s, so she’s going to stay the night there. So I guess it’s just us tonight.” He was relieved, because having to explain Kurt’s present state was something he didn’t want to do.

“House party!” Puck cried and gave Sam a high-five.

“Don’t you dare!” Kurt yelled as he spun on the other three men. “I’m going to get into enough trouble for doing what I did these past few days. A trashed house is not going to be added to the long line of punishments, thank you very much.”

“You made a good start with your room, dude,” Finn teased.

“Screw you, Hudson!” Kurt snapped as he stomped away. The other boys just laughed and followed their friend.

Puck ran up to Kurt as he was storming away and called, “Wait up, Hummel! I want to talk to you.”

“Leave it to you to ruin a dramatic exit, Noah. What can I do for you?” Kurt said with snotty tone, crossing his arms. He was feeling extremely irritated all of a sudden.  

“Ah, I see the drama queen has emerged from your badassery,” quipped Puck. Kurt just gave him a dirty look. However, without the makeup, it wasn’t nearly as scary. “Kurt, seriously, I just want to make sure you’re okay. A lot of messed up shit has happened the last few days. It probably didn’t help that I got you wasted.”

“I’ll live,” Kurt said simply. There was no anger or sadness in the statement, just simple fact. Kurt relented, “I could have said no, so it’s not your fault.”

“Well, I’m not sure if I’ve said it yet, because I’m drunk most of the time and can barely remember my own name, but I wanted to say I’m sorry for all the crap I put you through at school,” Puck said as he put his hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “That’s not who I am anymore.”

“Noah, I forgave you long ago,” Kurt said, touched that Puck was humble enough to apologize again. “Blaine told me about what you did that night I went missing. That means a lot to me,” he added sincerely.

Puck smiled and said, “Like I said to him, and like I’m about to say to you, we’re family, man. Just consider me the really annoying and much better looking older brother.”

“Whatever! I may be a hot mess right now, but I’m totally hotter than you!” Kurt exclaimed and put his palm up to Puck’s face. All joking aside, he added seriously, “Anyhow, you were right back then when you called me a loser. Look at me…I’m stuck in Lima and I failed at everything I did this year. I’m lucky anyone even wants to talk to me after the way I treated them the past few days. Hell, even Blaine hates me, and I didn’t think that would ever happen.”

Puck stopped walking and put his hand on Kurt’s chest, stopping him and almost knocking him over because Kurt was still a bit tipsy and his balance was off. Kurt grabbed Puck’s arms to keep from falling over and yelled, “Watch it!”

“Jeez, sorry, dude,” Puck apologized. “First, Blaine doesn’t hate you. But you are too stupid right now to see it. And B, I don’t want you talking about yourself like that ever again. If I find out you did, I’ll beat your ass.”

“Noah Puckerman, you’re flirting again,” Kurt teased and raised an eyebrow. “But I’m still not sure about Blaine, so who needs him if I have you!” 

Puck wisely chose to ignore Kurt’s last comment figuring it was drug talk and not Kurt. Instead he decided to explain himself to Kurt, although he secretly wondered how much of this Kurt would remember in the morning.  “No, I’m damn serious! I spent most of my senior year hating myself for the way I acted, and I wasted so much time! I didn’t believe in myself, and I almost failed out and became like my dad,” Puck explained. “You know who showed me that I could do it? Coach Bieste… and you guys. You made me see that I wasn’t a Lima Loser, and I’m going to tell you the same right now. Yeah, things suck more than you can deal with right now, but they’ll get better. You’ll sit down with Blaine and your family, and you’ll figure things out. In the meantime, you work at the school. I would kill to do something like that if I had to stay in this damn town.”

“Wow,” Puck thought, talking about his problems with Kurt really felt good. “Letting it all out was really liberating. Did I just use the word liberating? I even know what it means. This talking stuff is great!”

 

“Yeah, but…” Kurt tried to interrupt. He wanted to explain to Puck all the things he failed at in the last year, in the last three years even. “It feels like I’m never going to catch a break. How is that suddenly going to change?” Kurt thought unhappily.

Puck felt some renewed faith in himself. He suddenly felt worthy enough to pass on words of wisdom to Kurt, but then again it could have been a combination of pot and liquid courage still coursing through Puck’s veins. Really, who cared? Puck put his hands on Kurt’s arms and advised him in a voice that would make any wise sage proud, “Coach Bieste said something else to me, something I’m going to say to you. Kurt, you are loved, and you aren’t alone. You have all of us. All alone, we can only take so much before we break. With many, we are much stronger and we can take so much more. I know this is all deep shit and frankly, it’s making my head hurt, but there you go.”

“Noah, if you came to me four years ago and said we would be friends, I would have laughed in your face,” Kurt said seriously. Suddenly, a large smile spread across his face. “I’m now happy to eat my words. I keep looking elsewhere for what I’m missing. NYADA. New York. What I need to learn is that it’s all right here, in Lima. At least for now.”

“You know what, Kurt? Lima isn’t as bad as we make it out to be,” said Puck and put his arm around Kurt’s shoulder and continued walking. “Stick with me, kid, and you may not even want to go to New York.”

“I somehow doubt that,” Kurt said sarcastically. “It’s not like the assholes are going to change overnight. No, the only way I can fit in this stupid cow town is if I crawl back into the closet, and that’s not going to happen.”

“I won’t let it happen, Hummel! I’m the biggest badass in this town, and you seem to be running for second place in the badass pageant. If anyone gives you grief, they have to deal with the Puckster!” Puck said as he hit his chest.

“Thanks, Noah, I’ll take that into consideration,” Kurt chuckled. He appreciated that his friend was trying to help, but the only cure for the depression he was rapidly slipping into was self-exile from Lima. Maybe he could talk Blaine into leaving with him, after all.

They were almost at the Hudson-Hummel house when they saw someone sitting on the front steps. It was Santana, and she was crying. Kurt started walking faster because it looked like his friend was really upset about something. “Santana!” he called. She looked up and there were tears streaming down her face.

She stood and rushed to Kurt, gave him a hug and said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Kurt. I really need to talk to someone. I’m not sure what to do, and I can’t talk to Brit. She’s just not getting it.”

“Of course Tana. Let’s go out back,” Kurt said, looking at his friend with concern. Santana was always the epitome of cool, and not much fazed her. The only time he ever saw her anything close to upset was when that pizza guy’s commercial forced her out of the closet. Luckily, she bounced back pretty quickly and owned the situation like the fierce Latina she was. He called to the other men, “Hey guys, I’m going into the backyard to talk to Santana. I’ll be in soon. And NO house party, so don’t even think about it, Finn!”

“Okay, DAD!” Puck said sarcastically. “Make yourself useful and bring in the beer and coolers when you come back in, will ya?”

“Sure, whatever,” Kurt said absently. “Come on, Santana,” he added, guiding his upset friend to the backyard. The porch light was still on, so he led Santana to the rocking chairs. After making sure she was comfortable, he went to the shed and grabbed the two boxes of alcohol. “I’ll just be a second,” he said and let himself in the backdoor to drop off the drinks. After a moment’s thought, he grabbed a cooler for himself and a beer for Santana. He was already buzzed, so another drink would be fine. How bad could he really get?

“Thanks,” sniffed Santana as she accepted the beer bottle. “I could really use this right now. What are you doing drinking, anyway? Didn’t you learn your lesson the other night?” she asked halfheartedly. To be perfectly honest, she loved Kurt a little more laid back, and alcohol did the trick quite nicely.

“It’s been a long, messed up night,” Kurt said as he opened his cooler. “Let’s just say I sampled some of Puck’s famous recipe brownies and I’m currently very happy, or at the very least, oblivious to the shitstorm that’s my life.”

“You didn’t!” Santana exclaimed. Kurt nodded and let out a little giggle. “And Blaine didn’t lay the smackdown?”

“Another long story. Blaine and I broke up tonight. Or almost broke up. I’m still not sure on that one,” Kurt shrugged. He wanted to cry as he thought about almost losing Blaine, especially since he was alone with Santana, but he was too damn tired.

“Oh my god! Kurt, are you okay?” Santana said as she put her hand on Kurt’s shoulder. She pulled out her phone and checked Blaine’s Facebook page for a change in relationship status. No change. He was still with Kurt. She showed Kurt her phone and he acknowledged he was still with Blaine at least on Facebook. 

“I think I will be,” said Kurt feeling relief Blaine hadn’t changed it especially after the outside serenade. “He just took some news badly. I have a potential opportunity in New York, and I think it freaked him out a little. So I think we’re still together. I’ll know more tomorrow because Blaine and I are going to talk about it. I was feeling a bit hopeless for awhile, thus the alcohol and brownies. Actually, Puck tricked me into eating those brownies, but whatever. I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow, but at the moment I don’t give a shit.” He put his bottle up to Santana’s in a toast. “To drinking oneself into oblivion.”

“Preach,” said Santana and tapped her bottle to his in agreement. “Thanks for allowing me into your party. Puck said you were going to be doing a guys’ night, so I feel like a party crasher.”

“Oh, stop it!” Kurt admonished and gave a playful smack to Santana’s hand. “So what’s got you so upset?”

“I just don’t know where to go…literally,” Santana said, starting to cry again. “Right now, I have three options. First one is here in Lima while I wait for Brittany to graduate. I can work at the Lima Bean as a barista or something. I think I’d rather sleep with men again than do that.” Kurt was a bit offended at that statement as he had applied to work the Lima Bean for the summer, even though he had the job at his dad’s shop. Funnily enough, he had options in Lima, but nowhere else. It was neither here nor there so he forgave Santana her directness.

Santana continued, “Then I have that scholarship in Louisville. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great opportunity, and I should take it. But I don’t think that’s for me, not without Brittany.” Kurt nodded to show he was listening. “Then I have New York, but I really don’t want to go without you. I know you’re Rachel’s best friend and everything, and I admit I’ve grown fond of her, but I think I would murder her if I had to live with her and Frankenteen alone. But that’s where my heart is telling me to go.” 

“It’s a tough choice. You love cheerleading. My head says, in my not so professional opinion, go to college. Brittany can join you next year either as a student or as your roommate off campus. Of course, there’s a big part of me that thinks you should go with your heart,” said Kurt and took another drink of his cooler. “I’m a hopeless romantic that always sides with my heart over my head. I mean, I would love to be in New York, but I’m not sure if it’s my time right now. I guess I have the summer to decide, and I’ll still have the job at Dad’s shop until I figure everything out.” He looked at her and grinned, “Are you willing to learn how to change oil? ‘Cause I could totally train you at the shop. It would be better money than the Lima Bean, and you get to hang with me all summer. Since I’ll be managing the shop this summer, I can get you a job.”

“And ruin my perfectly good manicure? I’ll think about it and let you know,” Santana responded and tried to smile. “I think I have where I want to go figured out. My destiny is in New York, but I might have to take detour to get there,” she added as she rolled her eyes. “God, I’m starting to sound like Berry in some weird twisted way.”

“You have to admit, Rachel has the drive to make it there. Too bad she’ll be a thousand miles away,” Kurt pouted. “Oh well, I guess I just need to deal with it.”

“We’ll figure it out, Kurt. But that isn’t the thing that’s really upsetting me,” Santana said as she pulled another tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes. “It’s Brittany. I can’t get her to understand that I won’t be returning to McKinley in the fall. I love her dearly, but she’s completely clueless.”

“Have you tried talking to her?” Kurt asked, putting his hand on hers for comfort.

“Several times, and it’s not getting through to her. She thinks we’ll all be back in September, getting ready for sectionals,” she said sadly then looked into Kurt’s eyes. “Can I tell you something? You need to promise not to tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

“It seems everyone wants to confide in me this week,” Kurt mumbled to himself, shaking his head. Santana looked at him curiously. “Nevermind. You know you can tell me anything, Tana.”

“I’m terrified of the future. Everyone is scattering and I’m going to be left alone. And between you and me, I’m scared that Brittany will forget about me once I’m gone. Half the time she can’t seem to remember who I am, and I suspect she has started sleeping around again. I can’t be sure. But one thing I do know is I can’t stay here. I just can’t,” Santana said and started to weep.

“Oh, Santana, come here. That’s terrible about Brittany,” said Kurt, standing up opening his arms and bringing Santana in for a hug. She sobbed, sounding so lost. “You and I are the same, you know.”

“How is that?” she asked, crying into his shoulder. “Other than being sexy and fabulous?” she sniffed, trying to make a joke.

“I was terrified of being alone, and then I found all of you guys in New Directions. After that I met Blaine, and I felt like my life was finally complete. Now everyone is scattering, and I’m not even sure I have Blaine anymore. Plus Dad and Mom are always in Washington. Finn and I might as well be living here alone, and even he’s moving away at the end of the summer. Why do you think I went all loco? Blaine calls it ‘putting up walls.’ I guess that I’ve been doing that to protect myself from the inevitable loss at the end of the summer.”

Santana pulled away and looked at Kurt. “What are we going to do?” she asked, desperate for some sort of answer.

“I haven’t figured that out yet, Tana. But for now, we have each other and the other New Directions. And you never know, life may bring us both to New York, and I’ll save you from the wrath of Rachel. To tell you the truth, the thought of living with her kinda scares me, too. She has bathroom issues!” Kurt said with a smile. He took Santana’s tissue and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. 

“Were you always this awesome?” Santana asked. “I feel like I’ve wasted three years trying to destroy you.”

“I’d like to think so,” Kurt replied and grabbed Santana’s hand. “Hey, the guys can wait. Let’s go sit in the hammock. I think you just need some quiet time to think, and that’s a favorite spot of mine. You can lean back and look at the stars.”

As they were walking to the hammock, Santana asked, “So Kurt, what am I going to do with Brit? I know you and Blaine have the long distance thing figured out, but I’m not sure it can work with us.”

Kurt looked at her in the darkness and said, “I think the only thing you can do is talk to her. I know she’s not getting it, but eventually it’ll get through. She’s such a sweet girl, and she’ll always be my special unicorn. She’s like my adorable little sister. I’m sure she’ll understand and support any decision you make.”

“Thanks, Kurt. I think I love you,” Santana said and gave a small smile as she sat on the hammock. Kurt sat on the grass beside her. “Get up here, it’s not like we’re going to make out or anything. Unless you want to,” she added with an eyebrow wiggle.

“Sorry, Santana, not my type,” Kurt returned sarcastically. “But if I liked the ladies, I would totally tap that. Is that the right term?”

Santana laughed and said, “Yes, that’s the term. You’re so weird, do you know that?”

Kurt sat on the hammock and they both leaned back and looked at the stars. Feeling brave, Kurt put his arm around his Latina friend. She didn’t pull away, but put her head on Kurt’s chest. There was nothing sexual about it. It was just one friend trying to console another. Kurt decided he was going to start looking out for his friends more. Maybe he would get Santana a job at the shop if she decided to wait for Brittany. She could always work in the office with Blaine when Kurt was dealing with the bigger things. 

Suddenly Kurt had an epiphany. He only really ever cared about himself and where his life was going. Yeah, he cared about his friends, but really, his needs were self-centered. Maybe he was no better than Rachel, after all. “I never thought I would admit it, Tana, but I’m really going to miss that school,” he admitted.

“I know, it’s crazy, huh?” said Santana. “I mean, I was the head bitch in charge, so I’m sure everyone was scared of me, but I’ll miss it all, too.”

“Well, more specifically, I’ll miss the glee club, but I’m going to miss the classes and the lunchroom conversations. Hell, I’m even going to miss Sue. I spent four years trying to get out of that hellhole, and now I want to go back. At least I can help Will with the club next year,” Kurt said, stroking Santana’s long dark hair.

“Yeah,” Santana murmured. “It’s kind of amazing that one of the most popular students and arguably one of the least popular became such good friends. I’m glad I got to know you, Kurt.”

Kurt wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or touched at Santana’s backhanded compliment. “Right back at ya, sweetie,” Kurt said kindly. “When her walls are down, Santana’s a really cool chick,” he thought to himself. “Wish she was like this in school.”

They lay there in silence for a bit when Santana started humming. Kurt’s ears perked up as he recognized the song. He was a fan of Pink and sang her songs at every opportunity. Suddenly Santana started singing, letting out her feelings:

“Nobody knows
Nobody knows but me that I sometimes cry.
If I could pretend that I'm asleep when my tears start to fall.
I peek out from behind these walls.
I think nobody knows.
Nobody knows, no.”

Santana lifted her head off Kurt’s chest and sat up as she continued:

“Nobody likes,
Nobody likes to lose their inner voice.
The one I used to hear before my life made a choice.
But I think nobody knows.
Nobody knows.”

Kurt sat up to join Santana in the song. He knew exactly how she was feeling, because he was feeling the same thing. He stood up and slowly paced the yard as he sang:

“Baby, oh the secret's safe with me.
There's nowhere else in the world that I could ever be.
And baby don't it feel like I'm all alone.
Who's gonna be there after the last angel has flown,
And I've lost my way back home.
I think nobody knows, no. I said nobody knows.”

Santana stood up to join Kurt. She grabbed his hand, because they were bonding over the same pain, the same insecurity and worries about having to do it alone. They were just two friends sharing their fear of the future. She sang:

“Nobody cares.
It's win or lose not how you play the game.
And the road to darkness has a way,
Of always knowing my name.
But I think nobody knows.
Nobody knows.”

Although Kurt felt terrible for Santana’s pain, he felt a small measure of comfort that he wasn’t going through these fears alone. He was the just the only one who went crazy and decided to go all Extreme Makeover on himself. Maybe all the seniors in the New Directions were feeling confused, lost, crazy and scared. It was a huge change leaving the sheltered world of high school with its artificially induced social circles. Never again would Kurt or the rest of the graduates reside in a place populated by people all the same age. Even those college bound would find diversity in age and life experiences. Kurt resolved to call a meeting with all the seniors, at least the ones who actually decided to stick around for the summer. They would make a pact to stay in contact for as long as they could and share their experiences with each other.

Kurt was still a little bitter about Mercedes not saying goodbye. She would be leaving for L.A. very soon and Kurt didn’t even know what day. Kurt’s mind was wandering so he forced it back to the subject at hand. Being scared of being alone. Santana had a full ride to a university, and she still felt lost. They finished the song together, making their way to the back door:

“Tomorrow I'll be there my friend.
I'll wake up and start all over again,
When everybody else is gone.

“Nobody knows.
Nobody knows the rhythm of my heart.
The way I do when I'm lying in the dark.
And the world is asleep.
I think nobody knows.
Nobody knows,
Nobody knows but me.”

“Look, Santana, no matter where life sends us, just remember you can call me anytime and I’ll be there,” Kurt said as he grabbed his cooler bottle, which was still half full.

“Right back at ya, Sexy,” said Santana, giving Kurt a wink. “Let’s go back inside before the boys think we were making out or something.

Kurt was feeling mischievous so he said, “Hey Tana, want to have fun with the guys?” He was being forward again, but this impulsiveness was addicting!

“How?” Santana asked, curious at the look on Kurt’s face. When Kurt got that look, it usually meant some sort of fun.

“Mess up your hair. It’s usually so impeccably done.” Santana looked at him like he had three heads but messed her hair. Kurt continued, “Okay, I swear I’m not trying to hit on you, but redo your lipstick and kiss me.”

Santana realized what he was proposing they do and exclaimed, “Kurt, you’re being wanky! I like it! Give me a sec. We’re going to make those boys lose their shit!” She reapplied her lipstick and kissed Kurt on the cheek, on the neck, and finally on the lips, smearing the lipstick on his face. Thankfully, Kurt felt nothing, and he wished it was Blaine doing the kissing. They both giggled while preparing their prank. To complete the ruse, Kurt put the Dalton shirt on backwards and Santana re-buttoned her shirt in a crooked pattern.  

After taking a deep breath to keep from laughing, Kurt and Santana made their way into the back door and to the living room, where the guys were playing on the X-Box. “Hey guys, we’re in the middle of a tournament,” Finn said distractedly. “The drinks are in the fridge. Help yourselves.”

Sam looked up from the game and noticed Kurt and Santana holding hands and giving moony eyes at each other. He paused the game and poked Puck in the arm. “What in the hell do you want, Evans? I’m in the middle of dying here,” Puck yelled.

Finn did a double take and said, “Dude, did you guys do what I think you did?” He was stunned. As far as he knew, Kurt was as gay as they came. Also, he was in a pretty serious committed relationship, as far as Blaine said this evening on the phone. Why would Kurt do this?

“What we did back there is none of your business,” Kurt said with a wink. 

“Santana, you’re officially a slut!” Puck exclaimed. “You realize you have been with all of us now?” 

“Like I wasn’t a slut before, Puckerman?” Santana countered with a naughty smirk. “You never complained.”

“Now now, boys, there’s no need for name calling,” Kurt said, lying out of his teeth and trying to keep from laughing. “We had a couple of drinks, and I was missing Blaine so she just decided to console me in the best way she knows how. No big deal.” Kurt realized he might have gone a little too far when Santana shot him a subtle dirty look, so no one else could see. He looked at her with an “I’m sorry!” shrug.

“No big deal? Kurt, are you insane? First of all, aren’t you supposed to be out and proud?” Finn yelled, starting to freak out a little. Kurt was changing a little too much for his liking. “Second of all, Blaine!!! You know, your BOYFRIEND??”

“You just figured out I was insane after three years?” Kurt asked. He couldn’t hold it in anymore. He let out a big laugh, and Santana joined in. “Oh my god, you guys are so gullible! We were just out back talking. I thought it would be funny to make it look like we were making out. Get over yourself, Finn. Blaine would have thought it funny,” he said while holding his stomach. He fixed his t-shirt. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to wash my face of all of Santana’s sweet lady kisses.”

Kurt went to the downstairs bathroom and washed his face. Before he joined the men and Santana in the living room, he sent a text to Blaine:

Not sure if you’re still up, but I just wanted to say I miss you. You’re my soulmate and the love of my life.

A few seconds later, he got a response.

Miss you too, soulmate. Are you still drunk?

Kurt chuckled and sent a quick response:

Sort of. Santana came over and we pulled a funny prank on the boys. Come over? Looks like a party is starting.

Kurt knew Blaine was staying the night at Rachel’s, but he wanted to see Blaine as soon as possible. He was sick of being apart. Kurt wanted to hold onto him, and never let go. He got a response after a minute.

Be there in a bit. Bringing Rachel because she won’t let me come alone.

Kurt gave a smile, put his phone in his pocket, and went to the kitchen, where he got several bottles of beer and a couple coolers. Kurt was more comfortable drinking the coolers as they didn’t make him feel as drunk.

When he returned to the living room, they were all in an X-Box tournament, including Santana. She was in the process of kicking the others’ collective asses. “I’ve brought more libations. Puck, it’s time for the showdown. It’s officially on!” Kurt cried, awkwardly putting down the bottles.

“You do realize that I play this game like it’s my job, right?” Puck asked. “You sure about playing against me? And why are you talking dirty again?”

“Libations mean drinks, Noah. Get your damn mind out of the gutter, you pervert! As for the game, I’m drunk, so I don’t care,” Kurt said. He decided to tell a little white lie. “Finn kicks my ass, too. Just give me a damn controller.” Sam passed over his controller and they set up a map.

“So Finn explained the basics, right?” Puck asked. Kurt nodded impatiently as he took a drink. He was feeling a little past buzzed now, and well on his way to drunk again. At least the high from the brownies was starting to wear off. Luckily, everyone else was three sheets to the wind as well, so there was a level playing field.

As Kurt expected, and much to the shock and awe of Puck, Kurt wiped the floor with his friend. Puck didn’t have a chance. “Holy shit, Kurt! You are like one of those savants of video games!” Puck exclaimed. Santana laughed as she already drank one beer and was halfway through her second, so everything that was said sounded funny. “Finn, did he kick your ass too?”

“Every freakin’ time,” Finn said. “No matter what I did, he was ahead of me. Kurt’s a great big liar!”

“Hey! You’re the one who wanted me to hustle Puckerman! Don’t you dare blame me!” Kurt exclaimed.

They spent the next 45 minutes playing games, drinking and talking. Kurt was now full on drunk again, and could barely get off the floor. Everyone else also had several drinks, but they had a higher constitution, so they appeared less drunk. Eventually Kurt gave up playing, because he was starting to see double. Tomorrow morning was going to be rough! Very rough. 

Kurt staggered up and mumbled, “Gotta pee. B’right back.” He started walking to the downstairs washroom and proceeded to walk into a wall. Everyone started laughing at his predicament. “Goddamn wall jumped in front of me,” he said loudly.

After he was finished in the bathroom, he carefully sent another text to Blaine. He saw the ones he sent back at the park and shook his head in embarrassment:

Really drunk now, lover. When will you get your cute ass here? I want to be with you.

Almost immediately, there was a response:

Get out of the damn bathroom and see, Mr Drunky.

Kurt took a couple deep breaths to steady himself. Blaine was out in the living room right now. His second half, the one he almost lost forever, was out there waiting for him. He left the bathroom and tried his best to walk a straight line, but only succeeded in running into the wall several more times, and almost knocked over a hall table. “Maybe getting drunk tonight was a bad idea,” Kurt thought to himself. “This is a really bad impression on my Blaine. I blame Noah. No, this is my fault. I could have said no.”

He eventually made it to the living room after a small pit stop to the kitchen because his navigation skills were nonexistent. There he was. Blaine, the love of his life. Kurt watched his boyfriend for a few minutes from the shadow of the hall before making himself known.

Blaine was sitting on the edge of the couch next to Puck, who was showing him a phone screen. Blaine was desperately trying not to laugh. Puck was showing him the video he took of Kurt in the woods. Blaine knew he should be pissed off at Puck, but this was pure comedy gold!

“Can you email this to me?” Blaine asked Puck. “I want to show this to Kurt when he sobers up. This little gem might help me win our prank war!”

“That’s not very nice, Blainers!” Rachel exclaimed. She had grabbed a cooler and had already downed half of it before Kurt returned from the bathroom. She sat beside Finn, who was also drunk.

Blaine moaned at Rachel’s nickname. He wasn’t going to live this one down anytime soon. He had a bad feeling Blainers could become his new nickname among the New Directions members if Rachel didn’t keep her mouth shut. Blaine hoped the rest of gang was too drunk or too used to tuning Rachel out to pick up the new moniker. For a brief moment, Blaine was tempted to become sassy and call her Strawberry, but he thought better of it. 

“Well, neither was that picture you two posted of me on Facebook,” Blaine countered, grinning at Rachel. He was supposed to be annoyed, but being in this house put him in a better mood. It was warm and inviting and felt like home.

“That picture was totally hot!” Finn slurred. “I especially loved the mop on your head.”

“Shut up, Finn,” Blaine said good naturedly, and Finn laughed.

“And that was payback for the picture you put up of Rachel and me, dear boyfriend,” Kurt finally said from the hallway. He stepped into the light.

Blaine looked up from the video to see Kurt standing unsteadily in the hall. His hair was messed up, his clothes were dusty and dirty and his cheeks and nose were red. “Kurt,” he said quietly.

“Blaine, I would suggest you come over to me, because if I tried to walk over there, I might end up on my face,” Kurt said with a slight lisp, then giggled.

Blaine stepped over all the guys sitting on the floor and went over to Kurt, who leaned against a wall. He took Kurt’s face in his hands and whispered, “Babe, I missed you so much.”

“Well, you’re here now, Blaine. Get a drink and we can cuddle,” Kurt said and gave his boyfriend a sloppy kiss. His drink was on the table beside him so he grabbed it. He called to Rachel, “Hey Rachel, these are really good! They really do taste like pink!”

“I told you!” Rachel responded. She had downed the other half of the cooler and was looking a bit tipsy already. She was the ultimate lightweight.

“Kurt, I better not drink tonight. You know how crazy I can get,” said Blaine. He was tempted, though. Really, really tempted. But he had to take care of Kurt, to make sure he didn’t get into any more trouble. Blaine was already pissed off at the other men for letting Kurt get into this state.

“Suit yourself,” Kurt said and took a final swig at his cooler. He lost count, but he must have had at least four or maybe ten all night. He wasn’t really sure. He went to reach for another one when Blaine put his hand out to stop him.

“I think that’s enough, Kurt. Let’s get you upstairs and I can get you some water,” Blaine said, with a bit of annoyance in his voice. He wasn’t sure if he was annoyed that Kurt got drunk again or that Blaine didn’t. Maybe it was just time for bed.

“We’re going upstairs? That’s awesome, Blaine. You know what I want to do to you? I am going to take you and…” Kurt said and started explaining what he was planning to do with Blaine. It was something you didn’t tell present company, and Kurt was doing just that.

“Okay, babe, not stuff you want to say out loud to our friends,” Blaine interrupted and put his hand on Kurt’s mouth, mortified that Kurt would say stuff like that in public. Blaine and Kurt had long ago agreed not to discuss their intimacies with anyone. Really, it wasn’t anyone’s business how they spent their alone time together.  

To Blaine’s chagrin, Kurt licked his hand and started laughing. “Goodnight guys. Have fun, but not too much. And make sure to clean up after yourselves. You don’t want Carole to find any bottles, or even worse, Burt,” he added as a goodbye to the gang in the living room. He was the only sober one, so he figured he would try to be the responsible one as well.

Blaine helped Kurt up to his bedroom, but not without a lot of effort. Kurt was barely able to walk, and getting upstairs proved to be a challenge. Blaine was just relieved that Kurt was okay, and he didn’t get into too much trouble. Once they got to the bedroom, Blaine said, “Just sit for a minute, Kurt. I’ll get you some water. You need to drink lots or you’ll have another hangover.”

“Oh god, not that again! I can’t have another hangover!” Kurt exclaimed. “’Cause if you sing that stupid song to me again, I may have to kill you!” He saw the Thunderclap and started looking through the yearbook, laughing at some of the pictures. 

Blaine rolled his eyes and went to the bathroom and got some water. He sat on the edge of the bed and passed the cup to Kurt as he said, “Make sure you drink all of this, and another glass after that. You’ll feel much better tomorrow if you do.”

Kurt took a long drink and put the glass on the table. He would drink the rest later. Grabbing Blaine’s hand, Kurt said drunkenly, “Blaine, I missed you so much. I know it was only a few hours, but I thought I lost you forever. I scared you away ‘cause I’m such a loser.”

“I missed you, too, Kurt. It’s been a pretty intense night. But I’m here now, and after I get my errands done tomorrow, we can have a nice long talk about everything, okay?” Blaine said, kissing Kurt’s hand. “And shush, you! You aren’t a loser.”

“So you’re my boyfriend again?” Kurt asked hopefully.

“Of course, babe. I’m sorry I freaked out before. Stress is finally getting to me, I think,” Blaine said sorrowfully.

“Well, I know one thing that can reduce stress,” said Kurt seductively and leaned in for a passionate kiss. Unfortunately, he overshot and ended up almost falling off the bed.

Blaine felt complete bliss when he kissed Kurt, but tonight was not the night for anything else. He didn’t want to take advantage of Kurt in this state. “Not tonight, babe. Sloppy drunk sex is not the most romantic thing in the world. You drink your water, then we can cuddle and get some sleep.”

“You won’t leave me?” Kurt asked as he took another long drink of his water. “I don’t think I could bear to be apart from you ever again.”

“Never again, Kurt. You and I are a team. We’re partners in this crazy world no matter what happens. We can get through this,” Blaine said as he helped Kurt into his side of the bed. Kurt felt a little dizzy but was glad to be in bed. It was a really long day.

As Blaine was getting ready for the end of the day, he looked over to Kurt’s dresser. On top was the ring box Blaine gave Kurt for Christmas. It made him feel a happy warmth throughout his body that Kurt was looking at it while Blaine was away. He knew that his boyfriend kept the box in his sock drawer for safekeeping.

He also thought about the conversation he had with Rachel earlier that evening. Kurt wanted to marry him. Blaine Anderson. The one nobody could love, at least according to his parents. Blaine closed the bedroom door, turned off the light and climbed into bed. Kurt immediately latched onto his boyfriend. Blaine put his arms around Kurt and squeezed him tight.

“Be prepared for me to be attached to you forever,” Kurt murmured as he snuggled in. Within minutes he was sleeping and snoring quietly.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Blaine whispered to a sleeping Kurt as he smiled. This was the first night in several that they had some alone cuddle time, and it was heaven. He knew they had a long road and some hard decisions to make, but that was for another time. For now, Blaine was home. 

******

A/N: Song is “Nobody Knows” by Pink. You should all know my Pink obsession by now! We have no less than three pages of song ideas but Pink keeps popping up. We really should have done a Pink tribute. Anyhow, we will miss you while we are gone and we hope you come back to us in two weeks! *Gleeky Hugs*

Love, KurtsieKalanai and Aligned Stars

Cruel Summer Chapter 18 - For The Longest Time

Word Count: 7,704/189,000

Rating: PG-13

Summary: After Kurt was rejected from NYADA, we were dying to find out what happened next. We couldn't wait for the September premiere. Here is our take of what happened from the letter opening and beyond.

Author's Note: Howdy all! Another busy week. Getting ready for vacation. This is a reminder that after chapter 19 (this Friday), we’ll be on a two week hiatus while Kurtsie gets her Disney and Harry Potter Land on! After that, we may only post one chapter a week. It all depends on how much gets done in the meantime. We have also decided to split the book after the “train scene.” After that, we have total AU, so that should be fun. And we have whole new storylines to explore (we start one of the storylines in this book.) We are trying not to let the new eps of Season 4 affect us, but stuff might creep in. However, never spoilers. If anything happens it’s just a creepy co-incidence. So enjoy and AS jumps up and down waving hello.

Disclaimer: Neither KurtsieKalanai nor AlignedStars own Glee. If we did, there would be lots of Klainebows….and ponies. With pink ribbons. Second, we don’t own the songs in the fic. We do use songs like the show but they fit into the story. Songs will be explained at the end of chapter. Third, this is AU so things do not work EXACTLY like canon.

Thanks: All the usual thanks: Wayne Kotke, Gleekast, Chris, Darren, the cast and crew on Glee, Ryan Murphy, and last but not least, you guys!!!

*******

Rachel and Blaine headed back from their junk food outing. For Rachel, it was her second trip of the night to the supermarket, and as fate would have it, she encountered the same checkout lady.  An older, experienced woman, she had the look of someone who had been ridden hard and put away wet.

“Hey, chickie, may I give you a small piece of advice?” the checkout lady asked.

Rachel looked around, wondering if the supermarket employee was talking to her. “You want to talk to me?” Rachel said as he pointed to herself.

“Of course I’m talking to you! Who else would I talk to? I noticed you were in here earlier with another guy. Skater guy with the black hair? And now you are here with cutie curly over there,” she said. Blaine was over at the magazine rack, looking at the latest gossip magazine with some interest. “Maybe you should pace yourself. Too many boys and all that junk food is not good for you. You’re so pretty, you don’t want to wear out too soon.”

Rachel was horrified. The lady thought she was a slut and a pig to boot! Flustered, she said, “Oh no! Ma’am, you misunderstand! These guys are my best friends, and they’re both gay. They’re a couple, you see, and I was just helping them get some junk food. It wasn’t all for me.”

Blaine noticed that Rachel was having a conversation and put down the magazine, listening in.

As the checkout lady scanned the items, she advised, “Sweetie, take it from me. You can’t make them straight. Believe me, I’ve tried several times. It’s a complete lost cause.” She looked over to Blaine. “No offense, sweetheart.”

“None taken,” Blaine said, extremely amused at this exchange.

The lady bagged their items and passed Rachel her change. “Have a good night, honey,” she said then moved to the next customer.

“But you don’t understand! I’m engaged! I wasn’t trying to make him str…” Rachel said loudly. She needed to make everyone understand she wasn’t a slut trying to turn gay men straight. She had a reputation to maintain!

Blaine figured he should put Rachel out of her misery. She didn’t have anything to prove. “Come on, Strawberry. Let’s go,” he said as he grabbed her arm and gently led her out of the store.

“But, Blainers, they need to understand!” Rachel protested. Blaine laughed as he pulled her out of the store before she could make a fool out of herself by trying to explain the whole situation, loudly, to everyone in the store.

As the two went out to Blaine’s car, Rachel found herself carrying the bag with the soda yet again! She was beginning to get this weird deja vu vibe from the whole experience. 

After getting the groceries into the car, a perturbed Rachel turned to Blaine and complained, “Well I never! The nerve of that woman thinking I was two timing and eating all this junk. And I would never try to make you ‘straight’.”

“Well, actually you sorta did try!” laughed a highly amused Blaine. He found the whole conversation to be absurdly funny. Rachel did not agree and smacked him on the arm.

Blaine exclaimed, “Ouch!” He rubbed his injured limbed and sincerely asked Rachel, “Why did you hit me?”

“For being a smartass,” she responded. 

“Don’t do that again,” Blaine warned her. “You can hit Kurt and Finn all you want, but don’t hit me! And besides, you hit like a girl.” He put the car in gear and backed out of the parking space. 

“Hmmph!” Rachel huffed as she crossed her arms and stared hard at Blaine. Blaine looked back at her and found her whole countenance to be entertaining. He smiled at her and patted her arm. Rachel pulled herself away from Blaine’s touch and planned to ride home with her arms crossed to teach him a lesson. She lasted as long as the trip out of the parking lot.  

“So do you still plan on joining us in New York next year?” Rachel asked. She couldn’t help herself. New York was always on her mind. 

“I’d like to, Rachel,” Blaine answered and much to Rachel’s delight he began discussing exploring little shops and art galleries together.

Arriving home, Rachel made sure Blaine carried the soda bottles inside. She’d had enough of carrying heavy loads for one night. As she prepared another junk food feast, Blaine went to the bedroom and did some digging around in Rachel’s drawers (the kind found in a bureau, people!) and found some jogging pants and a t-shirt for sleepwear. They were a little too pink for his tastes, but no one but Rachel or perhaps her fathers would see. He really didn’t want to have to wear Rachel’s purple silk robe. After changing, he put in a Harry Potter movie. He didn’t have a favorite as he loved them all dearly.

Rachel soon entered with a tray of goodies and a bottle of soda. How did she keep ending up carrying those heavy bottles? It was one of the great mysteries of the universe! The two settled in to watch the movie. But after a few minutes, Blaine paused the movie and turned to Rachel declaring, “I’m going to kill Finn. He should know better than to get Kurt drunk and stoned! I’m going to have a stern talk with Puck and Sam as well.”

“Get in line, Blaine!” Rachel exclaimed, livid at her fiancé. “I told him to keep an eye on Kurt, not get him wasted! At least Finn sounded sober.”

“It’s probably ‘cause he’s so big it takes more alcohol to get him drunk,” Blaine shared. His knowledge of drinking was pretty extensive. 

Rachel nodded in agreement as she knew lightweights like Blaine and her got plastered faster than the bigger kids. 

“Poor Kurt is feeling lost so I don’t blame him at all,” Blaine said, torn between anger and worry. “I hope they just weren’t taking advantage of his vulnerabilities. His whole world was just turned upside down. That would make anyone search for a new direction.” Blaine snapped his fingers and added, “Hey! Glee club’s name makes sense now!”

Rachel looked at Blaine with a disbelieving look and said, “How could you not know that, Blaine? You may be pretty, but you aren’t that smart.” At Blaine’s dirty look, she advised, “I don’t think it was anything like that. Those men might be stupid, but I don’t think they’re malicious. I just think they were trying to keep Kurt’s mind off things. You know, by doing stupid teenager stuff.”

“I did stuff like that when I was 14, not now! I don’t expect this kind of behavior from 18-year-olds and Puck is nearly 19!” Blaine said. He grabbed his bottle of soda and took a big drink. 

“Seriously, Blaine! Have you never watched Animal House? I don’t think you outgrow stupid guy teen stuff until you’re at least 22! Maybe older,” Rachel declared, ever the authority on maturity matters. 

Blaine shrugged his shoulders and sighed. “I guess you’re right. I forgot about the college years.” He thought it over for a moment and then asked Rachel if she thought NYADA was a party school.  

“I don’t know. Good question. It’s a moot point anyway as I don’t plan on partying. Partying won’t make me a star! Anyway, if you stick Noah, Finn, and Sam in one room, you could almost expire from all the immaturity,” Rachel said, resigned. “It’s something I’ve long ago accepted,” she finished and gave a large dramatic sigh. It was the one thing about Finn that Rachel disliked. She half hoped that Finn living under the same roof with Kurt would settle him down. No such luck. At the very least, New York would do the job with its bright lights and sophistication. She was sure of it!

“It still doesn’t mean I’m happy about it,” Blaine whined. After a moment’s moping, he added, “Although I would kinda like to see Kurt high like that. He sounded absolutely adorable on the phone!”

“Blaine!” Rachel said, scandalized.

“What?” Blaine answered. “I’m not saying I wanted to get him high. I just wanted to see him! Jeez, Rach, do you think so little of me?”

“Of course not, Blaine. And you know I’m just teasing you,” Rachel assured. She hoped she didn’t make Blaine mad. She needed another fight like she needed a hole in the head.

Blaine picked up the remote and hit the play button. They continued watching the movie for few minutes. But Blaine started getting antsy. He started going over in his mind something Kurt had said. Finally he couldn’t take it anymore and hit the pause button. He turned to Rachel and asked, “Did Kurt send you a message saying that Sam hit on him? Sam Evans?” He assumed it was Kurt telling a joke, but it seemed Kurt’s inhibitions had disappeared so it was hard to tell. Lots of truths come out when one was drinking.

“Oh, I’m sure it was a joke. You know that weird sense of humor Sam has. I wouldn’t worry about it,” Rachel dismissed.

“I guess so,” Blaine responded and unpaused the movie. He mulled over his thoughts. Blaine had very mixed feelings about Sam. As a whole, he liked Sam and enjoyed hanging out with him in a group setting. He wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to spend one-on-one time with him, though. He didn’t like the fact that Sam had done some stripping. Blaine knew he was on his moral high horse about Sam’s former job and probably should get off it. It’s just that Blaine equated it with male prostitution and it made him uncomfortable. Plus Blaine couldn’t get over that uneasy feeling that Sam would be willing to experiment if the opportunity arose. And a drunk Kurt might present such an opportunity. After another minute he paused it again. Something else was tugging at his mind, and he wanted to get Rachel’s take on it.

“We’re never going to get through this thing if you keep pausing it, Blainers,” Rachel said, grabbing the remote from her friend’s hand. She could tell he had something on his mind. It was the way he was fidgeting with his nervous energy. She learned some of his body language quirks from hanging with her favorite couple. Reading your partner’s body language was important, especially in play acting, so she made a point of being observant at all times.

“There was something else he said, too, but I bet it was just the pot brownies talking. It’s very easy to get a loose tongue with those things. Believe me, I know from experience,” Blaine shrugged. The Warblers, especially the senior ones, had been a really bad influence, and Blaine was ashamed by his past behavior. Luckily his new friends were unaware of any of it, even Kurt. Blaine wasn’t a very nice person back then. He put Sebastian to shame.

Rachel looked at Blaine with surprise. She was finding out way more than she expected to about her curly-haired friend. “Were you a wild child when you were younger?” she asked curiously.

“Doesn’t really matter,” Blaine said, trying to divert the conversation back to Kurt. “Right before I hung up to call Finn, Kurt said something I can’t get out of my mind. It keeps repeating over and over again in my head.”

“Was it bad?” Rachel asked, concerned that Kurt had said something stupid or mean to Blaine. If that was the case, she would lecture Kurt on how to treat the people he loved properly.

“No, not at all. It was really good, but shocking,” he said, playing with the ruffles on Rachel’s quilt. “He said he was going to marry me. But I bet it was just the drugs and alcohol talking.” He reached over and unpaused the movie, forcing himself to pay attention to it. Maybe if he distracted himself, the invasive thoughts might go away. Either way, he and Kurt needed to sit down and have a serious talk about their future. He wanted to make sure they were on the same page. He would marry Kurt in a second, high school be damned, but would his boyfriend feel the same way?

Rachel paused the movie again and turned to face Blaine. “Rach, you said we needed to get through this,” Blaine insisted.

“Blaine, you don’t say something as major as that then ignore me,” Rachel retorted. “Movie time has concluded for now. So what exactly did he say?”

Blaine regretted saying anything and groaned internally. When it came to Kurt, Rachel wanted to know everything. “He just said that he was going to marry me someday and we would have a little boy and girl. You know, drunk talk!” he said casually. He had concluded that Kurt was just messing with him, but a small part of him hoped Kurt was serious. “Actually every part of me is hoping. Who am I kidding?” Blaine thought to himself. “Of course he mentioned a pony, too, so it must have been drunk talk. What else could it be?”

“Ponies are good,” Rachel chimed in without really thinking about it. But then again, she realized how silly pony talk was so she didn’t continue. She sat in silence and played with her hands, as if in some sort of internal struggle. 

Blaine noticed her nervousness and commanded, “You know something! Tell me!”

“Uh uh! No way! Your boyfriend would kill me! Why does Kurt tell me secrets? He knows I’m terrible at keeping them!” Rachel cried. “Can we just forget about this and continue on with the movie? I want to see if Harry saves the day!”

“You know very well he does! We’ve watched this movie like six times already!” Blaine said impatiently. Rachel didn’t admit it to everyone, but she was a closet Potterhead and loved watching the movies with Kurt and Blaine. She even had the boxed set of all seven hardcover books! She’d actually gone as far as trying to get authentic first run autographed copies on eBay, but they were way too expensive. She tried to talk Blaine and Kurt into going threesies, but they eventually talked her out of the purchase. Yes, Rachel was their Hermione to Klaine’s Harry and Ron. Blaine put up his fingers and made them into claws. “Am I going to have to tickle it out of you?” he asked in a playfully menacing way.

“I can’t! It will ruin the surprise!” she said, feigning terror but grinning. Blaine grabbed her and started tickling her side. Rachel tried her very hardest not to laugh, but Blaine hit the one spot she couldn’t resist, her feet. She kicked out and almost hit Blaine in a very sensitive area. Luckily, Blaine was agile and dodged her errant foot. 

He grabbed her leg and threatened, “Okay, tell me, or your tootsies get it!” Rachel shut her mouth tightly and violently shook her head. Blaine laughed and attacked her foot with tickles.

“Oh my god! Stop! I can’t take it! Please stop and I’ll tell you!” Rachel said, laughing and screaming while trying to free her foot from Blaine’s grip.

“Why should I believe you?” Blaine asked jokingly and put his fingers close to her foot. “How do I know you won’t just clam up again when I let you go?”

“You promise you won’t tell Kurt I told you?” Rachel asked breathlessly. Blaine had discovered her one Achilles heel. Ironically enough, that was her feet. One of her talents was being able to turn on and off her ticklish spots. She would never know when tickling would be required on stage, so she learned to block out all external stimuli. There was one spot she couldn’t turn off no matter how much she tried. That was her feet.

“You have my word, Strawberry,” Blaine snorted. He was having way too much fun teasing Rachel, and it made him feel better even though he was away from Kurt.

“Okay, now I’m not going to tell you!” Rachel pouted. Blaine was about to start in on the tickling again when she yelled, “I’m kidding! Please, no more!” Blaine let go of her foot and she took a minute to get her breath back and to fix her messed-up hair.

She sat on the bed facing Blaine and took his hand. “If Kurt finds out I told you, I’m a dead woman so you need to pinkie swear,” Rachel demanded and put up her pinky.

“What are we, ten years old?” Blaine scoffed.

“Just do it, Blaine!” Rachel commanded. Blaine put up his pinkie and linked it with Rachel. 

After they struck their bargain, Blaine pretended to spit on his palm and offered it to Rachel. “Well, since we’re acting like ten year olds, let’s shake on it!”

“Don’t be gross!” Rachel admonished. Blaine laughed and went to wipe the non-existent spit from his hand on Rachel. She pushed him away, laughing. After struggling for moment to regain her composure, for Blaine sometimes was just so funny it slayed her, Rachel went on, “Okay, so when we were at the school after you left Kurt earlier, he confided in me about something.”

Blaine had a brief flash of panic. Did Kurt tell her about his dad? Kurt promised he wouldn’t tell anyone! But Rachel seemed happy about what she was going to tell him, so that couldn’t have been it.

“I can’t believe I’m even telling you this, but here goes. Remember he said this completely sober!” Rachel stalled. She was enjoying torturing Blaine by drawing out the story as long as possible. It also kept her in the spotlight a little longer, the little diva. She enjoyed the drama and tension it was creating with Blaine. He was hanging on her every word.  

“Get to the point, Berry!” Blaine exclaimed, totally frustrated. He wasn’t normally this impatient, but he had to know what Kurt said.

“Maybe, I should write it down instead,” Rachel teased.

“NOOO!” Blaine howled and made go tickle Rachel again.

Rachel gave an exasperated sigh and said, “Fine!!” She said the rest in one big breath as fast as she could, “Kurtisgoingtoaskyoutomarryhimaftergraduation!” Her eyes went wide because she just blew one of the biggest surprises in a couple’s life.

Blaine wasn’t sure he heard her right, so he asked, “Can you repeat that about ten miles an hour slower? All I heard was Kurt and marry.”

“You are killing me, Blaine! I already said it, can’t you figure it out?” At Blaine’s head shake, she repeated very slowly, “Kurt….is….going…to…”

“Ok, smartass, not that slow!” Blaine scolded. “Sorry, that was rude. I talk to the guys like that,” he added sheepily. “I spent too much time at an all-boys school.”

“Kurt is going to ask you to marry him after graduation!!! Okay, now I blew it. Happy now?” Rachel huffed and crossed her arms. She wasn’t very happy with Blaine at the moment. She also felt sorry for him. One of the most treasured moments of her short life was when Finn proposed to her. What made it so special was because it was so completely unexpected.

“He really said that?” Blaine asked, not believing her.

“Yes!” Rachel said, completely put out.

“And he was sober?” Blaine said as he tried to process what she said.

Rachel was annoyed at Blaine for making her tell Kurt’s secret, so she wasn’t paying attention to her language as she snapped, “As a damn judge.”

“Wow…” Blaine said. He wasn’t sure he if he was glad or scared that Rachel told him. His mind started wandering, making preliminary wedding plans, like guest lists and seating arrangements. “Stop that!” he admonished himself. “Way too soon for planning!” Thinking about it, however, made him smile. To cover up his wandering mind, he said to Rachel, “Well, since you have experience in planning weddings, I guess you can help me out, right?”

“You’re not mad at me for telling you, are you? Cause you asked!” Rachel said indignantly. “Actually you threatened death by tickling so it’s too late to take back now!”

“No, Rachel, it’s fine. It just kind of comes as a shock,” Blaine responded kindly. “I mean, we talked about it, but we both agreed we were still a bit young. But now I wonder…” he trailed off, thinking about the possibilities of the future.

“Well, let’s just get back to the movie and forget about it. Kurt is going to have my head!” Rachel grumbled crankily.

Blaine smiled at her and teased, “Stop being a drama queen, Rach. He’s not going to know. And finishing the movie is a great idea!” He grabbed a bag of chips and sat against Rachel’s headboard. He was about to start the movie again when he felt his pocket vibrate. He pulled out his phone and discovered it was a much more coherent message from Kurt.

You and Rachel be outside in five minutes! Can’t wait to see you! I feel empty without you.

Blaine sent a quick response:

What the hell? Be out soon.

He then realized that might have come across as a bit rude, so he sent a follow-up text:

Sorry, babe, was just surprised. At the risk of sounding cheesy: You Complete Me.

Ten seconds later, he got a response.

 

Aww, how romantic! Hurry up lead ass. We’re waiting outside.

“That was Kurt. He wants us outside post haste. I didn’t know he was near!” Blaine said, surprised at the invite. He was feeling a little nervous as they parted on less than happy terms.

“I guess we have to oblige, then, don’t we?” Rachel said and got up and moved to her dresser. “Give me a minute.” She took her hair and put it in two adorable Sugar-like pigtails. Blaine looked at her with amusement. She gave one more check in the mirror and grabbed Blaine’s hand, dragging him from the room. 

They made their way downstairs and opened the front door. There was no one on the front porch, but they noticed four figures standing in darkness on the lawn, in a line. Rachel turned on the front porch light and saw that it was Kurt, Finn, Sam, and Puck. Blaine saw with amazement that Kurt was wearing the sweats he kept at Kurt’s house. He wasn’t sure why, but this comforted him.

Kurt stepped forward and was a little wobbly on his feet. His eyes had that glazed-over look, but other than that, he looked fine. He had his hand behind his back. When he brought it to the front, there was a single purple tulip. “It’s the best I could find on short notice,” Kurt said and giggled. “Rachel, please don’t tell your neighbor that I took their flowers.” He turned to Puck and added, “Hey, Noah, I guess I stooped to vandalism after all, huh?” Puck just gave a grin in response. His baby gay really was growing up. Kurt turned back to his boyfriend and teased, “By the way, Blaine dear? Nice pink jammies.” He gave a snort and started giggling again. Blaine looked down in horror. He forgot he was wearing Rachel’s clothes. How embarrassing.

Finn walked up and presented Rachel one of her own tulips. She smiled and brought the flower to her nose. 

Before Blaine could reach out for his boyfriend, Kurt stepped back and said, “I’m not sure how long I’ll remain upright, so we better do this now.” He turned to the other three men and asked, “Ready, guys?”

“Let’s do it!” called Finn! They got into position and started singing while doing a drunk two step. It was a pretty funny sight to see. It was amazing that they could sing at all considering how wasted they all were. All four started the song in a cappella:

“Whoa, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time!
Whoa, oh, oh
For the longest time!”

Finn stepped forward to sing the first verse. The rest of the men sang backup with the woahs and the oohs and the aaahs. Finn took Rachel’s hand as he sang:

“If you said goodbye to me tonight.
There would still be music left to write.
What else could I do?
I'm so inspired by you.
That hasn't happened for the longest time!”

Kurt stepped forward to take over for his brother. He grabbed both of Blaine’s hands and started swinging them playfully as he sang:

“Once I thought my innocence was gone.
Now I know that happiness goes on.
That's where you found me,
When you put your arms around me.
I haven't been there for the longest time!”

Kurt continued doing a drunken dance with Blaine, who loved this playful side of Kurt. He was singing the simple chorus with the other three men, and continued at the next verse:

“I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall.
And the greatest miracle of all,
Is how I need you,
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time!”

Kurt finished his solo and kissed Blaine on the cheek with a mischievous smile and stepped back. Blaine laughed at his boyfriend’s antics. Puck stepped forward to sing and he did it very dramatically. He was having a good time with these guys, and he missed singing:

“Maybe this won't last very long.
But you feel so right,
And I could be wrong.
Maybe I've been hoping too hard.
But I've gone this far,
And it's more than I hoped for!

Sam came forward, and because he didn’t have anyone to sing to, he knelt down in front of Puck and pretended to serenade him:

“Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time!”

Rachel and Blaine looked at each other, beaming. They were being serenaded by the men they loved! It was all very romantic. Finn stepped forward with the next verse. As he was getting ready to sing his verse, Hiram and LeRoy stepped onto the porch and tapped their feet along with the song. Finn sang with one hand on his heart and the other reaching out:

“I had second thoughts at the start.
I said to myself,
Hold on to your heart.
Now I know the woman that you are.
You're wonderful so far,
And it's more than I hoped for!

As Finn was singing his verse, Kurt walked up behind Blaine and put his arms around his waist and put his chin on Blaine’s shoulder, rocking him side to side while he finished the last verse. Blaine smiled and grabbed his hands while dancing along.

“I don't care what consequence it brings.
I have been a fool for lesser things.
I want you so bad!
I think you ought to know that,
I intend to hold you for the longest time!

For their big finale, the four men danced around Rachel and Blaine, circling them. Rachel’s dads were clapping along, enjoying the show.

“Encore! Encore!” Hiram called, not caring that it was almost midnight. “Why don’t you boys come in and we can sing some more? We can try some six part harmony. So much fun!” He always enjoyed a New Directions sing along. It almost felt like his old glory days.

“Sorry, Mr. Berry. This was just a drive-by serenading. Or walk-by, as the case may be,” said Kurt, trying to act as sober as he could. Staying at the Berry home, however, would blow his cover. “Gotta go!” He walked up to a shocked Blaine and kissed him firmly on the lips. “Love you. Talk to you soon, mi amour,” he murmured and jogged away. Finn gave Rachel a quick kiss and followed Kurt. Sam grinned and followed Finn. 

Puck looked at Blaine and said, “Guess I don’t have to kick your ass then, Anderson!” He gently punched Blaine on the arm, kissed Rachel on the cheek and followed the other three men with a big grin.

Blaine just stood there, watching the men disappear down the street. He was in shock. His man suddenly showed up, gave him a flower, sang a song, kissed him, and disappeared just as suddenly. “What in the hell was that?” he asked, his mouth agape.

“I don’t know, but it was super fun!” Rachel squealed. For a second there, it looked like she was channeling Sugar. “See? I told you he loved you!” She put her arm in his and said, “Okay, let’s go see if Harry Potter saves the day!”

Blaine nodded but didn’t say anything. His head was swimming with the events of the last hour. “May I suggest we continue with our Rachel/Blaine bondage time?” Blaine said. Rachel gave him a side eye and once Blaine realized what he said, he blushed a deep pink. “Oh my god…bonding time! BONDING! I swear I’m not into that stuff! As much as I love you, Rachel, you aren’t my type.” Rachel crossed her arms and jutted her hip, waiting for Blaine to embarrass himself further. Realizing he was just digging himself a bigger hole, he facepalmed and muttered, “Just kill me now and save everyone the humiliation.”

“Just your own humiliation, my dear,” Rachel quipped and gave a lopsided grin, not unlike Finn’s. She laughed and put her arm through her friend’s and entered the house.

******

The rest of New Directions were dealing with their own little dramas. Some good, oh so good, and some bad, very, very bad.  

Sugar had surprised both Rory and Artie by going home with Artie. Rory really didn’t mind. He was going home soon and doubted he’d ever hear from Sugar again. Maybe a Facebook status update comment or an occasional ‘Like’ when it became too much of an effort to even type in a note. He was good with it. He decided to walk home. It wasn’t far to Brittany’s house from Finn’s home. 

Artie was thrilled. Taking Sugar home was the best thing that could possibly ever happen to him. Well, at least up until today. The two hitched a ride home with Santana and Brittany. After all, Brittany was able to help get Artie in and out of his chair and into the car. Once to Artie’s house, he would figure out something to get Sugar home and or maybe he would just sneak her in and have her spend the night. 

Sugar snuggled up close to Artie and squealed with delight, “Let’s spend tonight getting to know each other better!” 

Yes, it was all good, Artie thought, all good. 

After dropping Artie and Sugar off, Santana and Brittany headed over to Santana’s house. Although, Santana had things she wanted to talk to Brittany about, tonight was not the night. She wanted a nice drama-free night spent in the arms of her lover. Brittany was good with any positive attention Santana was offering. 

*****

Mike and Tina were parked in Lima’s famous Lover’s Lane. Modern cars with bucket seats are way too uncomfortable so the couple was sitting in the back seat listening to an eighties station on the radio. Mike was feeling pretty good tonight, feeling pretty lucky actually, and wanted to make-out. Tina was on the pill now. To Mike, it meant freedom.

Tina, on the other hand, was feeling very jumpy tonight. She had a lot on her mind. She need to talk about Mike about her lie concerning being on the pill. No, she wasn’t on the pill nor had she talked to anyone about ever going on the pill. Not only didn’t she want her mother to know she and Mike had been intimate for almost a year, she didn’t want her to know her precious daughter was no longer pure. Americans simply didn’t understand Asian culture and its pressures. Losing your virginity before marriage was a big deal, and some women even went to a surgeon to be restored. Tina had had unprotected sex and could possibly be pregnant. She knew she had made a big mistake, a very big mistake. She needed to talk to Mike, not make out. 

Mike was nuzzling her neck making sweet talk when Tina finally spoke up, “Mike, Mike! Stop it! We need to talk.”

Mike sighed and looked at Tina as he said, “Do we have to? We could be doing something else. With you on the pill and all...”  For an Asian, Mike was more like a typical horny American teenager than he should be, or at least Tina thought he should be. She wasn’t sure. It was all so confusing, this clash of old and new worlds. 

“Mike, I’m not on the pill.” There she said it.

“WHAT?” he exclaimed. Any amorous feelings Mike had disappeared in a flash. He opened the car door and walked out. He stared at Tina in disbelief. “Are you frickin’ kidding me? Why would you lie to me, Tina? I don’t get you.” 

Tina followed him out of the car and went around to the front passenger door. She tried to pacify him. “Mike, don’t shout! Don’t make a scene. Others might hear you. Get into the car. I can explain,” she begged. Tina sat back in her seat desperately trying to find just the right words. They weren’t coming.

Mike had been raised in a world of controlled anger. He gathered his wits and slid into the driver’s side seat and crossing his arms, looked at Tina for an explanation. When Tina failed to talk right away, he turned the car on, threw it into gear and started to drive her home.

Tina spent the next couple of minutes putting her thoughts in order. She was shocked by Mike’s anger at her. Mike was more like his father than either of them would care to admit, and she really began to question their relationship. After all, it was merely built on physical attraction and hadn’t ever gone any deeper. 

Still, she wondered if she should try to save their relationship or was this an easy out? If there was a pregnancy, there were easy ways to deal with it. No one would have to know. Tina wasn’t Quinn. She didn’t have the same issues that Quinn had with pregnancy. 

With careful deliberation over her words, Tina began to speak, “Mike, I think it’s time to call it quits. You are leaving soon for Chicago, and I don’t think it’s best for either of us to try and stay together.”

Mike nodded in agreement and said, “I think you’re right.”

He pulled into Tina’s driveway and let her exit the car. Mike peeled out of the driveway without looking back. Tina stood and stared as his car sped down the street. “The bastard,” she thought. “He didn’t even care to ask if I might be pregnant. Who needs him?” For the first time in two years, Tina felt free. She didn’t feel the need to shed a single tear.

******

Mercedes couldn’t wait to get out of Lima. Between Sam’s neediness, which she perceived as particularly stifling tonight, and Kurt’s mid-life crisis - could an eighteen year old even have a mid-life crisis? - Mercedes was so done with these people, these so-called friends who would just as soon as stab you in the back as to look at you. 

Hell, she was done with this town, this state, this life, and she was never going back. Ever! Well maybe to visit Mom and Dad for the holidays and besides, her dad was good for a free teeth cleaning and whitening. She was going to need super white teeth if she hoped to raise herself above mere back-up singer status. Having a great voice wasn’t enough; one had to have charisma, a larger than life personality, attitude and good looks.  White teeth simply come with the territory. Yeah, she was sooo out of here. 

She had briefly considered texting Kurt to make sure he was okay. He was her very first BFF, after all. And her first high school unattainable crush. But truth be told, they had drifted apart after he attached himself to that Rachel Berry. She hated the fact that Rachel treated Kurt like some sort of lap dog, her pet Chihuahua. She only hung out with Rachel because it was the only way to hang with Kurt, what with him spending the rest of his time with Blaine. 

At least Blaine was nice. He always had a smile and a kind word for Mercedes. Oh well. Once she settled in LA, she would invite Kurt and Blaine out for some sun, fun, and fabulous shopping on Rodeo Drive. They may even decide to stay and give up on that stupid New York dream. Kurt was always about fashion, and Mercedes was sure she could get Blaine some session work, especially when she became famous. Rachel put that NYADA idea in Kurt’s head. Now look where it got him! A weird mid-life crisis at 18. It was totally Rachel’s fault.

******

Although Quinn enjoyed spending time with the New Directions, she was happy to leave when the call from Rachel came in asking everyone to go home. She debated going back to her house or hanging out with some of her non-choir friends. Her whole life didn’t revolve around cheerleading or singing all the time. In the end she decided home would be best. She secretly hoped her mother would have succeeded in putting herself into her nightly drunken stupor so Quinn could enjoy a peaceful night re-reading her favorite passages from Pride and Prejudice. Quinn hoped to find her own Mr. Darcy someday. Puck was really such a Wickham when you looked at it. Since her parents had divorced, the nightly drinking had increased from two or three to four or more.  As long a Quinn wasn’t pulled into any drama, she didn’t mind.  

Walking in through the front door into a darkened hallway, Quinn called out to her mom, half-hoping she wouldn’t answer. 

“Quinn, honey, are you home?” her mother answered from the family room. “I want to talk to you about something exciting!”

Funny, her mom’s words weren’t slurred at all. Hmm, Quinn thought this could be a good thing. Intrigued, Quinn started flipping on lights and answered back, “Yes Mom, it’s me. What’s up?”

Quinn made her way to the family room and was pleased to find her mom lucid and sober. “Quinn, I have the most wonderful opportunity for you to consider!” Her mother walked over and clasped Quinn’s hands in her own. “Please take some time to think this offer over,” she requested. The excitement in her mother’s voice was infectious and Quinn found herself caught up in the excitement.

“What is it, Mom? What is it?” Quinn begged for information.

Her mother took in a big breath and shared her great news, “You’ve been offered an internship in Paris as a docent!” 

Quinn was stunned. She had applied to the program on a lark not expecting to ever hear anything back. It was very competitive, and they usually didn’t take incoming freshmen. The selection board must have seen something in her they liked because here it was. A chance of a lifetime opportunity and it was hers to take!

Her mother let go and reached to the table behind her and handed Quinn an opened package with a letter on top. “I apologize, I had to open it. I knew what it was and I had to know,” she said. Her mother was trembling with excitement. “Quinn, I want you to go. Please seriously consider this offer! You’ll be back in time for the start of the school year. Please, Quinn!” her mother pleaded.

Quinn hugged her mom and starting laughing and crying, “Of course I’ll take it. I’d be crazy not to. Oh Mom, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell everyone. I’m so happy!” Quinn was ecstatic.  Paris, oh my God, Paris! Quinn felt like a princess in a fairy tale whose greatest wish had just come true. 

Kurt would be so jealous! Paris was the fashion center of the world! Even though she was excited, she really hoped that Kurt was okay. He chased after Blaine quite suddenly at the party. He was kind of acting weird lately, and she didn’t like the way he changed. He was always so nice even though she spent the first year being such a bitch to him. Now it seemed he was the bitch, or at least a Puck-in-training. She would call him tomorrow to check on them and tell the couple the news.

*******

Most startling of all, Will and Emma were looking at wedding dates again and considering yet another postponement. Emma seemed pleased to move it further back, but Will wondered if this was going to be a regular occurrence leading up to a “never gonna happen” status.  It worried him to no end. 

“What’s wrong with November?” Will asked as he looked at his planner. They tried to plan a bit after they came home from Kurt’s party, but it wasn’t going very well.

“Well, all the kids will be home for Thanksgiving, and…” Emma started.

Will interrupted, “That’s why it’s the perfect time! It will save them an extra trip. It’s perfect, right?” 

“Sweetie, I’m sure they all want to spend time with their families,” Emma tried to explain.

“But New Directions is a family, too! I’m sure they’ll be fine with it,” he countered. He knew he was starting to sound pathetic and desperate, because he sort of was. He was desperate to get some control over his life and wedding plans. It was so frustrating!

“Can we talk about this a little later, dear?” Emma asked absently. She was staring intently at her laptop screen, her large doe eyes almost glowing. “I need to get started on some new pamphlet ideas so they can go to the printers. September just comes way too soon!”

Will sighed and sat on the couch heavily, running his hand through his short curls. “Emma, we really need to decide or we’ll run the risk of not finding a venue again,” he insisted.

Emma spoke to her screen, as if she were ignoring her fiancé, “I suppose these pamphlets can wait until later.” She closed her laptop and stood up, walking to the phone. She changed the subject as she said, “I’m going to see if Carole wants to come over and watch a movie. I hate seeing her alone in that big house with the boys out and about.”

Will decided to drop the wedding planning… for now. “Fine!” he snapped. “Maybe I’ll go over to Shannon and Sue’s place and watch the game.” After her issues with Cooter, Shannon Bieste moved in with Sue until she could find her own accommodations. She just never moved out. In her pregnant state, Sue appreciated the company, and Shannon was a good roommate. She always helped Sue with the chores and cooking. She could cook a mean chicken!

As Will was about to kiss Emma goodbye, she exclaimed, “Oh, I know! Let’s invite them all over here! We can watch movies and drink wine, except for Sue, of course. It will be ever so much fun. Yay, adult companionship. Yay!” She put her hands up as if to cheer.

Will looked at her, his frustration and anger melting away. This was why he loved her. He knew they would need to deal with the wedding stuff sooner than later. Kurt had been patient with them since he volunteered to take up the mantle of official wedding planner, but now he might be moving to New York in the fall, so most of the major things would have to be planned before he left. Kurt could plan the little things long distance, but bookings and fittings needed to be done in person. 

Kurt was also very particular and expected things to be done to his specifications. Will remembered when he put Kurt in charge of costumes for Regionals. He was so anal about the costuming, Will had to give the job to Tina for Nationals. And if Kurt got that internship, Will wondered how much time Kurt would actually have to plan. So planning had to happen now…or very soon.

“Hon?” Emma asked, interrupting Will’s musings. 

“Oh, sorry. Mind was wandering,” Will said, shaking his head.

Emma looked at will worriedly. Was he getting sick, perhaps? She resolved to take care of him, even with all the icky germs. She could deal with it! She put her hand on Will’s forehead and said, “Nope, not sick!”

“What?” Will asked.

“Nothing,” Emma responded. “I was wondering if you could call everyone to invite them while I prepare some munchies.” She had gotten over handwashing every single piece of fruit, so preparing food was a whole lot easier. Sometimes she didn’t even use gloves!

Will looked at her, confused. There were times he couldn’t follow her line of thinking, but again, that’s what made her so adorable. “Of course,” he said as Emma watched him intently.

As he invited his friends over, he wondered what he was going to do about the whole wedding situation. Maybe he would ask Shannon for advice, or Burt when he got home tomorrow. He wouldn’t dare ask Sue because the Coach would just offer a snide remark. And as fond as he was of Carole, she was one of Emma’s bridesmaids, so that would be awkward. He could ask Finn – he was the best man after all – but he didn’t think the recent graduate would have any good advice. He even briefly considered talking to Kurt. He scolded himself for thinking about asking kids - or young adults at least - advice on weddings, even though Finn was having one of his own. For the first time in a very long time, he felt lost. Right now, he and Kurt had a lot in common.

*****

A/N: Song in this chapter is “For The Longest Time” by Billy Joel. This is one of my favorite BJ songs, and I am frankly surprised they haven’t done this on the show yet. Next Chapter: Kurtana!!!