Dear Blaine,

Officially five days into the summer and so far so good. Or is it too soon to say that without jinxing myself? Oh well, I'll say it anyway. I've agreed to help my dad out in the shop for half shifts. It helps keep up with the influx of people who don't know how to maintain their cars in the summer heat. Yes, it really does start this soon. It also means I try out new recipes and bring them to the shop so that the employees get more than coffee and snack foods in their system. I've been on a bit of a casserole kick lately.

Has your mothers beauty product business been doing well? You should forward me a pamphlet or a catalog list. I've been looking for new creams to introduce to Carole. Working in an emergency room day in and out is an admirable thing. Staying under those florescent lights without the right care is not. It's been kind of nice, how close she and I have gotten lately. She's really knowledgeable in self defense (her work provided free classes for all nurses just in case a few years back) and she's been teaching me a few things.

The letters from Dalton haven't come yet. I'll admit I'm a little nervous, even though I know you're all convinced. It'll just be more reassuring once I have the final yes, the official word, you know? Finn and Sam say that their sports interviews went really well. Sam and Mike come over more often than the others to hang out. It feels like a rift has formed, but there's no real drama. Maybe drifting is a more accurate word for it. Tina and Mercedes and I are still close, and Rachel is slowly coming around. The topic of school doesn't really come up, like an unwritten rule of conversation.

Tina and Mercedes have declined the offer from Crawford. Even with scholarship help it really wouldn't be very affordable for them right now, and I think they're more hesitant than even me to board and be away from their family. At least with Carmel, the biggest thing that changes is the commute. They can still look after each other without worrying so much that being in a show choir makes you a social pariah. Rachel did make a good point. In nearly any other place it's not as bad as it was in Lima. I don't know what about this place makes them feel threatened by the arts. If they're lucky it won't be like that forever.

Dad is talking about a family vacation to Columbus, which would put us closer to Westerville. Maybe we could see each other at least once this summer. He's also considered inviting our Michigan family down. I think he's trying to make something out of this summer but he's not sure what to do either. If anything settles you'll be one of the first to know. For now I'll just exercise my waiting skills. According to my dad they could use some work. I won't comment on that.

Patiently yours,

Kurt

…...

Blaine smiled at the letter, a familiar warmth at the little white envelope. The first to come to this address. To think he used to have to hide away their friendship. Things were so different not so long ago, and now they seemed almost on a completely different trek. It was amazing how things changed over the course of a year. He put it with the other letters in the scrap book Kurt had gifted him as an early Christmas present at Regionals. It stayed on the shelf of his bookcase by his desk.

When he'd agreed to come home for the summer, he hadn't been sure what to expect, but so far it was going well. His mother had been serious about changing things about certain rooms. She changed the parlor, making it brighter and more cheerful. She redid the master bedroom and bathroom suite. She turned her drawing room into a full office, and took out his father's office and made a real music room. She made the most of the natural light, which Blaine was surprised by. He never realized how often his dad kept the curtains closed until now.

He'd been allowed to change his own room, modernizing it a bit more, making it look more grown up and less like a childhood bedroom. The desk, end tables, and two bookcases were made out a clear acrylic material that resembled glass but was sturdier and didn't clink so loudly if moved or touched. The walls were repainted a warm, light honey color with silver and and white accents all around the room. After all the changes and warmth that seemed to come into the house, it almost felt like a completely different place. The memories were still there but they weren't as daunting as Blaine had expected.

Cooper had promised to visit in a little over a week, nine days to be exact, and stay for at least a couple days. He'd gotten the part he really wanted on a new TV show airing in the fall, but still managed a little wiggle room to come visit like he'd promised. Blaine was curious to see what his brother would say about all the changes. He hoped it would stay positive. It's what they all needed right about now.

"Blaine, dear." his mother called.

"Coming." he said, closing the scrap book and putting it back.

Pam was standing at the bottom of the stairs as he came down, standing with a man Blaine had known his whole life. The family attorney, Bill Chase, was the most fatherly man Blaine had had in his younger years. He was like an uncle figure to Blaine and Cooper, his blond hair turning more grey these days. Blaine smiled and extended his hand, shaking hands with Bill as he reached the bottom steps.

"Hi Bill. I didn't know you were here." Blaine said.

"Blaine. You look more and more grown up every time I see you." Bill chuckled. "Stopped by with some papers for your mother. She said I had to see you for my own eyes. Hard to believe you're already seventeen soon. I remember when you were just a baby."

"He's still my baby." Pam said, smiling. "He'll always be my baby."

"Mom." Blaine laughed.

"What?" Pam asked.

"Nothing." Blaine smiled. "Of course I'm still your baby."

Pam smiled, patting Blaine's cheek.

"Don't forget we have dinner plans tonight. I have that afternoon tea party for work, but I'll be home by six fifteen." she said. "We have something to discuss tonight."

"It's a date." Blaine nodded.

"Well, I should get getting on. Ellen and I are headed out for a week at the club. Twenty-five years married the day after tomorrow." Bill said.

"Congratulations, dear. Give Ellen our love, and we'll do dinner sometime." Pam said.

"Of course." Bill smiled. "Blaine."

"Uncle Bill." Blaine shook his hand again.

Bill smiled warmly and nodded, taking his leave. Blaine watched his mother get the last of her things and her purse and kiss his cheek. He walked her to her car and opened the doors for her.

"If dinner's conversation is about Cooper, he already let the cat out of the bag." Blaine admitted.

Pam looked up from the driver's seat and sighed, not looking very surprised.

"I don't think he meant to, if it helps." Blaine grinned.

"So the tickets confirmed then?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Blaine nodded. "It's a really great surprise, mom. Thank you."

Pam slowly smiled, nodding her head.

"We deserve some happy summer memories. We'll talk more about it tonight." she said.

"Sounds like a plan, drive safe." Blaine said.

"Love you, darling."

"Love you, mom."

…...

Kurt considered each season as having its pros and cons as far as fashion and wardrobe choices was concerned. Summer heat meant being smart about his normal affinity for layers and detailed accessorizing, but instead of a bummer, he saw it more as a challenge. When it came to working shifts in the shop, he was simple, unafraid to wear old season t-shirts and overalls. Places were oil and grease were common were not grounds for being ambitious with clothing. Besides, most accessories tended to get in the way trying to reach the more hard to get to places of cars, especially new ones were everything was tight together.

When it came to being around the house, it might be a surprise to some how few layers would be found. Kurt had never been one of those people to get cold easy, his taste for layers had been more aesthetic with the added bonus of practical. During the summer he preferred his collection of loose tanks and his most comfortable pairs of leggings made out of cotton so they were light and breathable, and more often than not he was barefoot. It made for a good reason to utilize the foot spa kit Carole had given him as a gift for Christmas. He kept a pair of slip on shoes by the door when he went outside to get the mail.

This day when he went to check the mail he found the tell tale blue envelope that never failed to make him smile. It didn't matter that they had each others numbers. They'd texted each other good morning and good night every day. He'd even texted with Jeff and Nick a few times. Jeff liked sending weird Snap Chat photos of random things he saw whenever he was out and about. There was something comforting and familiar about handwritten words and the effort to send things the old fashioned way. There was also two pristine white envelopes from Dalton Academy on it had his and Finn's names.

On his way back up the driveway though he noticed something under his wiper on his car. A folded paper, like a flyer, stuck on the driver's side. He approached it with some confusion. People didn't normally leave fliers on cars unless they were in a public parking lot, and glancing at his neighbors, they didn't seem to have anything on their cars. He hadn't seen or heard anyone stop by the house. Why hadn't it just been stuck in his mail box? Maybe because it was meant just for him. And if he'd learned anything about Lima, things meant just for him were rarely a positive thing. Whatever it was it could wait until he was back under air conditioning.

"Finn, you've got mail." he called as he closed the door.

He set the mail for Carole and his dad in the little basket on the counter that divided the kitchen from the living room, and set the paper down, more interested in the blue envelope. He'd actually been waiting for that one, so it took precedence as he sat down on one of the bar stools. It wasn't a long letter, but it was still from Blaine, so Kurt smiled as he unfolded it, and read the familiar scrawl

Dear Kurt,

I certainly hope there is no jinxing involved and that you have an awesome summer. I'm feeling very optimistic about my own. Cooper let it spill that my mother planned a bit of a surprise for me. In three days we're flying out to California to see Cooper and his apartment and work and everything. We'll be staying out there for two weeks, so I'm tempted to advise that letter writing wouldn't be the easiest thing to do. I do promise that I'll do my best to have my phone on me if you really need to get ahold of me for any reason.

While the East Coast is definitely my future destination, I am excited to spend two weeks in Los Angeles and be unapologetically touristy and see all the West has to offer. Cooper got us a deal on a hotel that's really close to where he works, and fun things that he's suggested we check out. He's been super busy with filming his new show that premiere's it's pilot episode this September. I've never heard him so passionate about something before (and I've heard him talk about himself, ha.) But at the same time I'm truly proud of him. I know he's worked hard for this.

I understand your friend's decisions, and I hope Carmel works out for them. Hopefully it's their best choice, but only time will be able to tell. Keep breathing and I'm sure everything will work out for everyone. I sincerely think Dalton will be able to provide you with opportunities that public school unfortunately isn't always able to. And if it reassures Finn, many a Dalton alumni has gone on to OSU, even with scholarships. My fingers are crossed for you.

If you do make it close to Columbus just send word and I'm sure we can work something out to see you. Unless you do it in the next two weeks, then unfortunately, I won't be able to. But any time after that I don't have anything in place yet, so it's debatable to say that I'm free. Seeing your family could be fun, and Michigan in the summer time runs less risk of being snowed in. I'm told the lakes are gorgeous this time of year.

I won't ramble much longer. I have to get packing! Wish me a safe flight.

Optimistically yours,

Blaine

Kurt chuckled, finding Blaine's enthusiasm infectious, even on paper. It was sweet to see him looking forward to spending time with his mom and brother. Family time that he'd craved for so long, but never attempted with his father around. He wished him the best in all of it, he really did. It was exactly what Blaine deserved.

"Mail?" Finn asked.

"Dalton envelopes are here." Kurt said.

He put down Blaine's letter and picked up the two white envelopes, holding Finn's out for the other boy who accepted it. Neither moved to open theirs right away.

"Together?" Kurt asked.

Finn looked at his envelope and nodded. Slowly, they both peeled back the pull away on the envelope and pulled out the papers and unfolded them.

Dear Mr. Hummel,

It is with pleasure that I write to inform you of your acceptance into Dalton Academy, effective at the start of next term.

"I did it." Kurt said. "I got in."

"Yeah." Finn said.

"You too?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah." Finn grinned.

"We did it!" Kurt burst, jumping over and hugging Finn who half laughed but hugged back.

"We did it." Finn agreed.

"Oh god, this means I've got to finalize all my lists and figure out what to pack, and go over those dorm tips, and figure out storage. I only have two months to make sure we have everything we're going to need for boarding." Kurt said, letting go of Finn and leaning against the counter.

"Only two months?" Finn asked, amused. "Chill, your bird dudes said it was mostly easy."

"It still requires pre planning and I know you'll forget things, so I've got to be prepared." Kurt said.

"Or you could celebrate a little first." Finn said.

Kurt deflated a little, giving a small smile.

"Maybe...a little." he conceded.

He had to call Mercedes and Tina, and maybe even Rachel, though Finn would probably tell her, it would still be the polite thing to do. And this means that Mike and Sam would be getting their letters either today or soon. He didn't see why they wouldn't all be sent at the same time.

"What's that?" Finn asked, pointing to the flyer.

Kurt turned his attention to the paper, having almost forgot about it in his excitement over the other two envelopes. He picked it up and unfolded it, finally learning why it was meant just for him.