Hello, guys! This is actually my FIRST STORY that I've ever published and I hope that you will like it. It takes place after Kurt Hummel and Mercedes Jones have already moved into their apartment in New York City and it tells the story of how Kurt would inadvertently meet the man of his dreams. Enjoy! =D

Chapter 1: The Small Apple vs. the Big Apple

As the night dawned outside, in his apartment, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel hung a picture of the New Directions on the wall. It was taken on the day they won Nationals back in May 2012 which was also his final full month of being in high school. Kurt smiled as memories quickly flooded in and he couldn't resist tearing up. But it's been five years since graduating from school and now he was independent, living the life he dreamed of in New York City. He loved his new apartment and he enjoyed the views outside of his windows towards the busy streets below. Kurt turned and sat on his queen-sized bed and held a list of things he wanted to do with his life after studying hard in his university. Kurt initially wanted to go to NYADA to pursue his dreams of being on Broadway but he somehow lost interest and decided to go to a fashion college: The London College of Fashion in order to study about fashion. Kurt is now the assistant to one of the associate features editors at Vogue and Kurt dreamed of going up the ranks to become a fashion editor himself.

On the piece of paper which is a list of things he had written five years ago, he ticked off "Get new apartment in the city". However, his eyes immediately scrolled down to the next thing he now wants to accomplish: "Fall in love with someone". He sighed as no one ever noticed in highs school or in college. Although he had many crushes on several guys, none of them were interested in him. Kurt felt his heart wrench and as he placed his right hand over his chest, he heard his name being called from the living room.

"What now?" Kurt asked to himself as he stood up from his bed and went over to the kitchen. Mercedes Jones was relaxing on the sofa and Mercedes placed her hand onto a spot next to her, signalling for Kurt to sit beside her. Mercedes is Kurt's roommate and they have since remained best friends since Kurt came out of the closet to her seven years ago. As Kurt sat, Mercedes finally spoke: "Can't you believe it? Our apartment is finally finished. The two most fabulous people in the world now live in the Big Apple!" Kurt squealed with excitement and turned to Mercedes and said: "After all the hard work, don't you think that the two of us should celebrate?" Mercedes raised an eyebrow: "I know this fabulous place where they serve the best bagels, pastries and coffee ever!" The two looked at each other and they nodded with agreement. Before the two even knew it, they were already rummaging through their own closets. Mercedes called out to Kurt from her own room that she was ready and Kurt told her that he was not ready yet. He heard Mercedes say: "Isn't it ironic that a girl is faster than you in terms of putting on fabulous clothes for a night out?" Kurt smiled as he finished tying his red bow tie. Equipped with a red sweater, a blue polo and dark blue jeans, Kurt completed his outfit with a pair of brown boat shoes before heading on out of the door with Mercedes into the streets.

"You sure you know where we're goin'?" Kurt asked Mercedes as they strolled down the pavement, linking their arms together like a real couple. "Of course, Porcelain," Mercedes grinned and Kurt shoved her away, making her burst into a bout of laughter. "Don't call me that!" Kurt smirked at her. He hated the nickname because it made him sound like an inanimate yet feminine object. Sue Sylvester had always called him Porcelain back in McKinley High and he just ignored it despite resenting it. "OK, fine. Sorry," Mercedes smiled and she gasped, stopping in her tracks. Kurt stood next to her and wondered why she had stopped. He looked at where Mercedes was staring at, a coffee shop named The Small Apple. "Is this it?" Kurt asked and without warning, Mercedes pulled him with such ferocity that Kurt almost fell over. The two entered the coffee shop and noticed that a fair amount of people were already occupying many seats and they scrambled towards a small brown table accompanied by two chairs. Mercedes looked at Kurt and Kurt instantly sighed. "Fine, I'll order it for you." Mercedes grinned and muttered a thank you as Kurt stood up and walked towards the cashier. A few seconds flew by and Kurt waited patiently for an employee at the coffee shop to take his order. A man dressed with a green and brown apron walked towards a little refrigerator which housed many of the Small Apple's signature beverages and cold snacks. Now impatient, Kurt was surprised that the man didn't see him and he called out to him: "Excuse me." The man turned towards him and went up the cash register: "What would you like, sir?" But Kurt was at a loss of words. The man standing right in front of him was the most gorgeous being he has ever seen in his life. He gasped and suddenly found himself admiring the stranger's striking hazel eyes and saw that his arms were toned and a little muscular. Kurt thought to himself: Oh my god, you look so h—but the sound of the stranger clearing his throat interrupted his thoughts.

With such lighting speed, Kurt snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head to keep his composure before he looked up to see the handsome stranger who was frowning at him. "Are you okay?" the stranger said, frowning with concern in his eyes. Kurt blinked, "Oh my god. I'm sorry. But..." An awkward silence followed. "Your eyes... they're so... wow. Ummm... Oh my goodness, this is embarrassing." The stranger smiled and chuckled as he looked down, flattered. I can't believe I called his eyes wow! Okay, pull yourself together, Kurt. He may be handsome but... oh scratch that, he's so hot! The stranger finally looked up at Kurt and said with a half-laugh: "Thank you. I've never met anyone who complimented my eyes as 'wow'." Kurt smiled, trying not to blush. "You're welcome." As the two stared at each other with awe, the stranger broke the silence and asked: "So you wanted to order something..." Kurt placed his hand on his forehead as he looked down again with embarrassment, "Yes, ummm. I'd like a grande non-fat mocha and a strawberries and cream frappucino please." "You got it," the handsome stranger said and he went back to prepare Kurt's order. As Kurt waited, he couldn't resist looking at the stranger's body. Blue jeans and simple red tee-shirt, along with a pair of brown boat shoes. Whoa, he has the same shoes as me. He sure knows how to dress up even while he's working here. Oh crap, here he comes. The stranger turned towards Kurt and handed him his order. As Kurt fumbled for his wallet to pay, the stranger held out his hand, "You don't have to pay. It's on me." Kurt was about to protest but his legs suddenly became jelly and he smiled. "Oh here's a tip at least for the kindest barista in the world." He gave a $10 tip which the barista happily accepted.

As Kurt turned to walk towards Mercedes, he realized that she had been watching him the entire time and a massive grin appeared across her face. "What are you looking at?" Kurt asked as he squinted his eyes with suspicion as, handing her the strawberries and cream frappucino.

"You like him, don't you, Kurtsie?"

"What are you talking about?" Kurt tried to keep a straight face but it failed and he smiled.

"Sweet mother of all that is holy, you do like him!" Mercedes jumped with satisfaction.

"First of all, no. I don't! Second of all, he's not even that attractive anyway."

Mercedes folded her arms and arched an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Ya know, I ain't gon stop till you admit you have a crush on him."

"Mercedes! No. I don't have a crush on him." Kurt said almost immediately.

"Wow, you said that so fast. And yes you do like him." Mercedes challenged as she began sipping her frappucino, unimpressed.

"Quit being a diva, OK? I don' like him and... end of discussion."

"Fine." Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"Fine." Kurt looked down and saw that Mercedes was still staring at him. He couldn't hold it in anymore. He had to let it out. He had to say it...

"OK. He's the hottest barista in the world. His hazel eyes immediately made me melt and his body is so... wow. He even wears the same boat shoes as I do."

"Oh my god. He sounds perfect for you."

"Yeah but I don't think that we're meant to be together."

Mercedes' jaw dropped. "What? Why?"

"I-I... I just have never been in a relationship before, OK? I'm afraid I'm not good enough for him. I don't even look attractive myself."

"Hey, don't talk like that. Kurt, you should go out with him. He could be your first love. The love of your life. And you are attractive, Kurt. With that sleek and slender body and an undeniably amazing sense of fashion, you are the complete package. Hell, even I tried to scoop you once, remember?" Kurt laughed, remembering how Mercedes tried to pursue him before he came out to her.

"Should I stick around and maybe...?" Kurt asked.

"Hell yeah!" Mercedes replied as if she was a hungry lion.

"OK OK. Calm down. I'll stay and maybe talk to him and you..."

"I get it. I get it. I'll just go straight home and you better tell me what happens, Kurt." She winked playfully and the two proceeded to enjoy their beverages.

Half an hour later, Mercedes stood up and threw her empty beverage away. She turned to Kurt and said "Good luck with the barista, homie." Walking out onto the streets, Kurt watched carefully to check if Mercedes was trying to spy on him but as she turned down a corner, she disappeared from sight. Kurt sighed and stood up, realizing he was alone in the coffee shop. He turned to the handsome stranger who was now tidying the cash register and he removed the apron, hanging it with other aprons left behind by his co-workers.

"You're still here, huh?" The stranger called out to Kurt who walked up to the cash register.

"Yeah." Kurt replied.

"Figures."

Kurt frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I've been watching you, mister. Waiting out there with your friend and I saw that even after finishing your drink, you waited twenty minutes until your friend left. And here we are."

"What are you implying, stranger?" Kurt flirted with him.

"I'm implying that since no one else is here, you were waiting until everyone had left so that you could just talk to me."

"Is there anything wrong with that?" Kurt arched an eyebrow.

The barista held up his hands in defeat. "No... no. It's just you're the only one who dared to stay back until everyone's gone."

Kurt smiled and as the handsome barista put on his leather jacket, he walked over so that there was no counter between them in order to continue the conversation.

A moment passed by and Kurt looked at his watch. "Oh dear. I have to go. Guess all this waiting was for nothing." He mocked as he proceeded to walk towards the door. The barista quickly grabbed his keys and closed the lights and the two found themselves standing far away from each other in the dark. Kurt stopped in his tracks and he heard footsteps slowly coming towards him but he didn't feel scared. The lights out in the streets partially illuminated the coffee shop with just enough light that Kurt and the barista could make their figures. Without turning back to see the barista, Kurt felt hands wrap around his waist and the stranger pulled Kurt so that the two were looking at each other. Kurt admired his hazel eyes and he felt his legs turn into jelly. Kurt wrapped his arms around the barista's neck and the two were about to kiss when the barista turned away. Kurt frowned and the barista let go of him, proceeding to walk towards the door. His head tilted to the right and asked playfully over his shoulder "You're gonna come or not?" Kurt quickly went to him and as the barista locked the doors, the two began walking down the street.

Kurt wanted to link his arms with the barista's but decided against it as he thought it'd be weird even though the barista had wrapped his arms around his waist a few minutes ago.

"Where do you wanna go, handsome?" The barista asked which made Kurt's eyes widen and the barista giggled when he saw Kurt's facial expression.

"I was actually gonna go back home."

"Oh really. Lead the way. I'll walk with you."

Flattered, Kurt was shocked when the handsome barista linked his arm with Kurt's and Kurt didn't dare protest. "New York is such a beautiful place, isn't it?" Kurt asked.

The barista looked at him as they continued walking. "Yes, it is. We're very lucky we managed to find a place here."

"True." Kurt cursed at himself as he didn't know what else to say.

The barista arched an eyebrow as the two entered Kurt's street. "You live in Chelsea?"

"Yep. I just moved in a couple of days ago actually."

"Oh wow. And do you love your new apartment?"

"Very much. It's perfect. I'm finally free of my parents and it feels great to be independent." Kurt looked over at him and the handsome barista smiled and he returned his gaze towards Kurt in the eyes.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" The question made Kurt almost have a heart attack. Did he just call me beautiful? Oh, I better say something back.

"Come to think of it, no."

"Oh, I'm your first?"

"Well, yeah. No one actually notices me because the moment they see me wearing a bowtie and amazing scarves, they think I'm weird." Kurt muttered.

"Well, you know what? Screw them all cuz you are beautiful." The barista said in a very low and sexy voice which made Kurt blush.

"Well, you look..." Kurt couldn't quite find the right word to say.

"What?" He asked in a curious tone.

Kurt tried not to say it but he couldn't resist and he blurted out. "You're hot."

The barista gasped but laughed it off. "No I'm not."

"Yes you are! Look at you, a leather jacket, your hazel eyes and hell, even I could feel your biceps as I'm holding you right now." Kurt giggled.

"Was that a compliment there?" He asked inquisitively.

Kurt hit him in the arm and the two laughed but Kurt groaned as they had finally reached his apartment's building. As the two stopped in front of the doors leading to the lobby, the two turned to each other and the barista stroke Kurt's cheek with his right hand. "This was fun," he announced. "So I guess you better get going." Kurt broke away from his arms "I'll see you soon." As he began walking towards the lobby, the barista called out to him. "Can I see you tomorrow?" Kurt turned to face him, "Sure. I'll meet you at your coffee shop at six." He saw the barista smile and Kurt smiled back as he turned and walked into the lobby. Kurt could see in the corner of his eye that the barista was still standing there and once Kurt entered the elevator, he waved at him before the doors closed.

"Oh my god. You won't believe what just happened." Kurt squealed like a little girl as he took off his shoes and began to undress. Mercedes who had been watching TV all this time turned and gasped.

"Did the two of you kiss?" Mercedes ran up to him in her pyjamas.

"Um. No, Mercedes. We didn't kiss."

"Did you guys go clubbing?"

"No."

"Did you go to his house?" Mercedes pressed on.

"No, Mercedes. Just hold on a sec—"

"Do you know his name?"

The simple question hit Kurt as if a bullet pierced his body. His jaw dropped open and he placed his hands to his head with frustration. "Oh my god. No! I don't know his name."

"Kurt. How could you be so stu—"

"Wait, I'm meeting him tomorrow again. I'll ask for his name then."

"What time?"

"Six in the evening."

"Well then, you better go and you best be getting his name and his number!"

Kurt frowned at her. "Why am I even taking relationship advice from you? You've never been in one before!"

Mercedes held up a finger which indicated her authority over him. "Excuse me? Sam and I are just going long-distance right now cuz he's in Florida right now."

"Yep. In Florida where he's probably banging up a girl on the sandy beach." Kurt teased.

Mercedes slowly walked up to Kurt and gave him a death stare. "Say that again..."

Kurt stood up for himself. "Banging up a girl on the sandy bea—"

"Bitch!" Mercedes pounced on him but Kurt was way ahead of her as he ran to his room, locking it just in time as Mercedes pounded on the door.

A few seconds flew by and the pounding stopped. Kurt knew that Mercedes wasn't the type who had patience when it came to confrontations as she is better with just one-liners and sassy comebacks. "Goodnight, Kurt!" Mercedes called out from behind the door and he heard the door slam shut. Now safer than ever, Kurt undressed himself and put on his Spongebob pyjamas before climbing onto his bed. Drawing his quilt over him, Kurt thought about his time with the handsome barista and hi face suddenly came to his mind. He had called Kurt beautiful which made Kurt smile and he looked forward to meeting his Prince Charming the next day.

Hope y'all enjoyed the story. 333 I plan to type up to 10 chapters, maybe even more! Once again, this is my FIRST story that I've ever published here so please leave comments and reviews and tell me your opinions on it. I've already typed the next three chapters as well, just to let you know.