Kurt breathed a deep breath as he cut the engine of his Navigator. This was it, his last first day of school. Unbuckling his seatbelt, Kurt leaned heavily back against his seat, closing his eyes. It was okay, he could do this. Kurt knew that he wasn't at risk for a panic attack - he had matured to the point now that he could accept and agree with the importance of his medication, and thus he had taken a mild acting pill that morning. Unless something monumental happened, he would be fine. This wasn't him being overwhelmed. This was just him dealing with the bittersweet realisation of the importance of this day.
Dalton was an oasis, and he certainly had enjoy his last year and a half at it, and was fairly certain that this year would be as great. Nevertheless, he knew that Dalton was also a respite from a reality that, after this year, he would be thrust back into. It was a nice break he supposed, absentmindedly reaching over to lower the radio's volume. Dalton, because of its policies and the general wonderful nature of its students, meant that Kurt, minus a hurdle or two (in the form of a now institutionalised Priscilla) had been a peaceful, if emotional venture. The people were all so kind to him, so facilitating, but Kurt knew that such kindness would not exist once he left this private school for the last time. What would happen to him then? Kurt shook his head roughly; now was not the time for such thoughts.
More than that, there was something even worse that threatened to depress him on this day. He was alone now. His boyfriend was currently on his way to an eight o clock lecture in New York, while he was stuck here for a next year. It would not be the worst time in the world. But still, he would not be with Blaine. Oh what he would have given to be born a year earlier.
Kurt huffed, ridding himself of all the thoughts. His arm jerked, as if laughing at his attempt, and Kurt rolled his eyes, even as he adjusted the strap, imprisoning it even closer against his torso. He smiled fondly then, his left hand fondly stroking down the sling that perfectly matched his uniform, save the silver "Blaine loves Kurt" embroided into the back side of it, visible only to Kurt when he wanted to see it. This had been a present for him. Blaine had given him the package on his last day in Ohio, asking him not to open it until this morning. How could he have known that Kurt would have needed just this reminder to help him through the day?
"I love you," Kurt whispered, his words matching the text message he had sent him that morning.
Well, there was nothing left to do, Kurt thought, finally exiting the car.
It was only as he headed up the path to the school that it hit him, and Kurt's steps faltered briefly. This was his first time doing this solitary. On that first day, mere weeks after he had been inflicted with his injury, it had been Finn who had walked him up this path, arm wrapped around him, talking encouragingly to him, even as he reminded him that he could change his mind at any time and be homeschooled. Kurt's lips twitched as he thought of the fact that, had he simply looked up at the building they had been approaching, he would have seen Blaine with his friends staring down at him. Blaine claimed that that had been the first moment he had recognised that Kurt was special and that he wanted him in his life. Upon reflection, Kurt would admit that that moment on the stairs when Blaine had saved him from a floor had been his "oh" moment.
Speaking of Blaine - he had met him here on his first day as a junior. This truly was the first time Kurt would be making this journey on his own, and, while he could appreciate the symbolism behind it, it made him feel that much more alone.
He and Blaine had rarely had actual classes together, but they had been together often enough, during breaks, lunchtime, after school. Not to mention the vacations they spent together because neither would have it any other way. All of that was gone now, and it was depressing. A heavy weight settled itself on Kurt's chest as he thought about it, and he had to forcibly repress the urge to start crying then and there. Blaine wasn't here; he was alone. But, as he reminded himself, he had shared more than enough tears after his boyfriend had left. He didn't need to turn into a blubbering mess here as well.
Besides, he comforted himself, it was not as if he was suddenly bereft of Blaine. He had the sling. The tie around his neck was Blaine's, as was the Warbler pin he wore. These were all things Blaine had gifted him with, as well as a bottle of the cologne he always wore that Kurt sprinkled on his pillow every night, simply to have the scent of him. Blaine's purpose had been clear - to give Kurt small but significant reminders to help him get through moments just like this. Blaine always thought ahead, he noted fondly, as, in more control now, he walked forward again.
He had returned the favour, gifting Blaine with his own cologne, his favourite scarf and a scrap book Fin had helped him put together for moments of loneliness Blaine would have. And, perhaps, the most important thing, was the pair of rings they had both pooled their money to buy. They were not the most expensive rings in the world, but they were beautiful enough for the purpose they served. Blaine's ring was on his finger all now. Kurt's because of Dalton's regulations, was on a chain around his neck. Promise rings. A sign of their love for each other. A promise that the distance between them now meant nothing. A promise that they were meant to be and would be reunited permanently at the end of the year. The ring was a continuous presence against Kurt's skin, and was, perhaps, the best reminder of them all.
He walked forward then, considerably more comforted. One year, he told himself, much less if he considered the fact that it was one academic year he was talking about. And, of course, there were the holidays that they were determined to spend together. Blaine had been the first one months ago to bridge the topic of Kurt's future after his own acceptance letters had started rolling in. He had, almost shyly, asked him if he would consider applying to New York schools to be with him. Kurt had not even hesitated when he said yes. He still was not completely certain of the educational path he would take, but at least now he had a location in mind - New York.
That was his goal, and he would study his butt off to achieve it. His boyfriend had been accepted into every single school he had applied to, and had received offers of scholarships to a few of them as well. He had, in the end, settled for his second choice, New York University, mostly out of sentimentality. Colombia was great and all, but his mother's family had a history of attending NYU, and so he had decided to follow the tradition. Kurt gaining admittance to the same university would be great as well, but Kurt knew that both he and Blaine would be content just to have him in the same city.
Kurt was jarred out of his thoughts abruptly as he heard his name called. Looking further up the path, he was surprised to see Jeff rising from the steps of the building waving excitedly at him.
"Kurt!" he called again, elongating his name.
Kurt, despite himself, laughed, and found himself hurrying forward to meet him.
It was a good surprise, he thought as he reached him, only now realising that he was not the only one in this situation. Jeff had lost someone to graduation as well, his best friend, Nick. It would be a strange year for him as well, although he supposed, Jeff was a bit more used to it. He and Nick had been friends since Jeff's first day at Dalton's kindergarten. For their entire school career, he had had to deal with the fact that Nick was a year ahead of him, and thus, always experienced that separation from him upon transitions to higher educational institutions.
"Hi," he said, as he reached him, smiling when Jeff hugged him enthusiastically.
He liked Jeff. They shared a few classes together, and they often hung out seeing that Blaine and Nick were good friends as well. The blond was like an energiser bunny on steroids, but there was just something so genuinely refreshing about him that people couldn't help but like him.
"So," Jeff said, pulling back before guiding them down to sit on the steps, "I was thinking."
"About?" Kurt asked, easing his strap off.
"Well, it's just you and me for the year, huh? I mean we basically got dumped by Nick and Blaine so they could have an epic bromance in NYU, right?"
Kurt laughed. Jeff's perspective was rather interesting, but the essence of his words were correct. Nick and Blaine were both enrolled into the same school, and at least for this year, had chosen to be roommates. Wes and David had opted for Columbia, but still they were all in relative distance to each other.
"Therefore," Jeff continued in a serious tone, "I thought that we could show them just how much they're missing out. I checked our schedule. We've got all classes together this year, so I propose we start our own epic bromance to beat all the bromances that have ever existed! Forget Niff and Klaine. We shall be Jurt! Or do you rather Keff?" he added when Kurt nearly doubled over laughing.
Once he had regained composure, and now, considerably more relaxed, Kurt agreed. "I'd like that," he admitted. "I was a bit worried about this year. We should definitely partner up."
"We'll make them regret not failing the year!" Jeff declared, fist pumping the air.
"We shall!" Kurt agreed, matching his volume and action.
Jeff dug into his pocket for a moment, pulling out his phone. Kurt could only watch as he quickly opened his camera, and wrapped an arm around Kurt, pulling him close. "Smile!" he bid.
Kurt did. The entire situation was so amusing it was not difficult to summon a genuine smile.
"Now let's send this to them," Jeff said, quickly suiting words. "That'll teach them," he said, with a dramatic sniff.
"It certainly will! Especially with that caption."
"Our bromance is better than yours," Jeff recited. "It's quite the caption. I should copyright it."
"Do that," Kurt bid.
They settled into continuous banter then, eventually moving inside when more and more people started arriving. By the time they had settled into their first class Kurt was pretty certain that he would be able to make it through this year with ease after all.