This is one of three stories (along with 'Trust in me' and 'New friends') which I have published the first chapter of, whichever one gets the most reviews will be the priority for updating.
Arriving in the history classroom two seconds before the teacher was generally not a good idea but clearly Mrs Buchanan was in a good mood today and merely nodded in greeting before moving over to her desk. Sitting down quickly in his assigned seat, taking deep breaths to try and bring his heart beat back to normal range Kurt took a second to scan the room while opening his satchel for his books. Unsurprisingly his gaze quickly landed on Blaine sitting two rows in front and just slightly over to the left, as the other boy turned round clearly searching him out with concerned eyes.
"Everything OK?" he mouths.
Nodding his head with a look that says I'll tell you later, Kurt turned his focus to the history teacher and Blaine did the same.
As the lesson ends Blaine waited by the door for Kurt and the two of them walked towards the language department together where Kurt had French and Blaine was off to Italian.
"Why were you so late? I was starting to worry."
"Well you know how much I hate calculus"
"You may have mentioned that once or twice," Blaine commented laughing gently.
"Well apparently calculus hates me just as much. Mr Reid has told me I have to get my grade up to at least a B before midterms or I won't even be allowed to sit the exam."
"Wow that's quite a threat. What did you get for the last assessment?"
"C minus" Blaine pulled a face of disgust. "Yep, that's pretty much how I feel. It's not my fault, I've never done half this stuff and so I'm pretty much trying to teach myself the earlier stuff while staying on top of the current work." This time Blaine laughed out loud.
"I'm sorry but that is the most ridiculous plan I've ever heard. You can't do it all by yourself. Let me have a think about who would be best to tutor you and we can set something up. In the meantime don't dwell on it, we'll get it sorted." They've reached the French classroom but Blaine grabs Kurt's arm as he was about to go through the door, "Oh and Kurt, next time you're struggling tell me, you shouldn't try to do everything alone!"
By the time French is finished Kurt is feeling much more optimistic, of course Blaine would have a plan, of course someone would be able to tutor him and not because they are forced to but because they genuinely want to help. It's been two months since Kurt transferred to Dalton and it's the best decision he ever made. He came for the zero-tolerance policy like so many of the boys did but what he's found is a group of boys with a genuine desire to learn. It's so refreshing not to feel forced to hide your thoughts and opinions, to be able to ask questions and get involved in debates about the important parts of the curriculum. It's also amazing how friendly everyone is especially now he's a Warbler. Blaine wasn't kidding when he said the Warblers are like rockstars, random students talk to him and high five him as he walks down the corridor and every performance they give is well attended, even the ones that take place outside of school hours.
Kurt was deep in thought he didn't even notice the other boy until he felt himself knocked back by the force of something.
"Ow, that hurt, can't you look where you're going?" said a very annoyed blonde who was now kneeling on the floor scooping up sheets of paper.
"I'm so sorry, I was thinking about stuff. Here let me help you." His face is beetroot with embarrassment because clearly the sheets he's picked up belong to some kind of science report and now he's knocked everything out of order. "Do you need some help putting this all back in order because I have English now but I can help you during lunch?" he said trying to be as helpful as possible.
"No it's fine, I have a study period now, I can sort it." It's only then that Kurt actually looks at the boy and realises it's one of the Warblers.
"It's Nathan isn't it," the boy nods in acknowledgment. "Well again, I'm really sorry and if you need any help to sort it out let me know."
"Mr Hummel, were you planning on joining us today or are you conducting some kind of sit down protest in the corridor?" Mrs Matthews, the English teacher, is standing at the door glowering at the two boys but Kurt can see her lips twitching and a smile behind her eyes however he knows better than to push it. With a pat on the shoulder to Nathan Kurt stands and walks quickly into the classroom where most of the boys are laughing and smiling at the teacher's comments, clearly wondering what on earth he had been doing.
…..
It's moments before the end of the lesson and while Mrs Matthews had made several jokes at Kurt's expense including inviting him to choose an area of the floor to work on should he feel more comfortable, she hasn't actually said anything about him technically being late for her lesson so he's pretty sure he's not actually in trouble. The teacher reminds them about their book analysis which is due on Thursday (no extensions) before dismissing them for lunch.
Just as Kurt stands to put his books inside his satchel he feels his phone vibrate. He pulls it out as he walks into the corridor figuring it will be Blaine telling him he wants to go off campus for lunch but it's not a number he recognises, maybe one of New Directions got a new number and forgot to mention it. He's even more confused when he reads the message.
Peek a boo, I see you!
Kurt looks again to see if he recognises the number (even though he knows he doesn't). At that moment another text comes through, this one is from Blaine telling him to meet him at the parking lot so Kurt assumes the other text was a wrong number and sets off to find Blaine.
….
It's two days later and Kurt is thoroughly bored sitting in a Warblers rehearsal. They have been rehearing the bass and 2nd tenor part for pretty much the entire rehearsal and Blaine and Wes have been off in another room running through some possibilities for sectionals so there is nothing for Kurt to do. He's sent off a few texts to the New Direction girls but no one is answering, probably because they are in Glee right now too. He is on the verge of taking out his chemistry homework and getting started on that when Wes and Blaine come back and announce they are moving on to work on 'Raise your Glass'.
After twenty minutes Wes announced that rehearsal was over and Blaine flops down on the sofa next to Kurt clearly exhausted.
"Thank goodness it's nearly dinner time, I'm starving."
"Oh poor you," Kurt pats his arm to console the lead warbler because it's not like he can kiss him or anything!
"You want to watch a movie later? I don't think my brain is up to much homework tonight." Laughs Blaine.
"Sorry I have a date with Nick and chemistry! Maybe we can do something tomorrow night." Just as Kurt finishes speaking his phone chimes with a text message. As they both stand up and gather their belongings Kurt opens the message and lets out a squeak, almost dropping the phone in surprise.
I'm starving, is it nearly dinner time?
He glances up and realises that Blaine is staring at him with concern, "Everything OK?"
"Fine, why?" Kurt's attempt to brush off the concern are not going to work today.
"Well you've gone really pale and you made a really strange noise when you looked at your phone, it's a logical conclusion that you got a message that upset you." Blaine's voice remains calm as he speaks but his eyebrows are raised expectantly and his eyes wide encouraging a response.
"Just Mercedes announcing a cute new guy has started at McKinley." Kurt's not sure why he lied but as Blaine turns away he looks at his phone again and confirms that yes, the number is the one that sent him the text a few days ago. However that's not what surprised him, it's the fact that the text echoes the words Blaine said only moments ago. It could all be a coincidence, it is clearly a coincidence but something about it unsettles him.
…..
There was lots of noise in the Warbler room as everyone picked up their stuff, getting ready to leave but Kurt didn't hear them, he was still freaked out from the message, he thought that maybe he should send a message back and tell the person they are contacting the wrong number. He suddenly stopped as he realised that's the answer. He quickly typed a message and popped his phone back in his pocket but it chimed again seconds later. Curiously he pulled it out and looked at the screen,
No I don't think this is the wrong number, do you Kurt?
Blindly he followed Blaine, Nick and Jeff over to the dorms to drop off their bags as there is still 30 minutes until dinner. The three boys were chatting away but Kurt was now completely freaking out, clearly the messages were meant for him and it's creepy. Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket Kurt pulled it out and it's from the same number,
How are you doing Kurt? Having fun yet?
It's not threatening or abusive but he felts his heart racing as he read the message again and again leaning against the wall as his legs threated to give way. Of course he hasn't noticed that the other three boys have stopped and are looking at him and each other curiously. A pair of strong arms surround him and pull him close offering the support his own body seems to have lost. Gulping deep breaths Kurt managed to steady himself before gently pushing Blaine away and picking up his satchel which had slid off his shoulder at some point.
"What's the matter?" Nick asks softly as he moves next to him.
"It's nothing, c'mon let's get these bags dropped off," Kurt's reply was supposed to sound confident and sure but even he knows no one is buying it.
He takes a few steps but his path is blocked by Blaine who can see through most of his masks. "Kurt," he says clearly trying to keep his tone even and assured, "that's the second time this afternoon you've turned pale and pretty much freaked out over a text so what's going on?"
He should just tell them the truth but he's embarrassed at reacting in such a stupid way to a text telling him that they have the right number.
"It's just a stupid message, it just surprised me. It's probably one of New Directions with a new phone number. I'll ask Mercedes later." With that Kurt sweeps past the other three boys and doesn't stop walking until he reaches his dorm where he threw his bag on the floor, hung his blazer on the back of his chair before collapsing face down on his bed feeling absolutely drained.
His mind was whirring with the last two messages and his reaction to them but it was totally illogical, just a cruel joke. He lay there trying to regulate his breathing when the door softly opened and he felt a weight next to him on his bed. Turning over he expected Blaine but was surprised that it was is roommate Nick instead.
Nick rubbed his arm gently, "Are you sure you're OK?"
"I'm fine, it's just been a long day. I think I'll just get the essential homework done tonight and have an early night. Maybe we can work on chemistry tomorrow"
"Sure, I'll go work in Jeff's room later, give you some peace. Do you want to change before dinner or are you staying in uniform?"
"Actually I think I might give dinner a miss, I'll just get through the work and get some sleep. Hopefully I'll feel more together come morning."
"Shall I bring you something up then?" Kurt shook his head and Nick looked right at him with a smirk, "You know if I don't bring you something Blaine will insist on doing it and then he'll want to stay to make sure you are alright."
"OK you're right, can you please bring me some soup or a salad, I really don't want anything heavy."
With a pat on the shoulder Nick left the room and Kurt changed into some jeans and a polo shirt, today was not a day for dressing up. After quickly shooting off a text to all of New Directions to ask who had the new phone number Kurt pulled out his French homework and decided to start with something he could complete quickly.
Half an hour later Kurt was just finishing off the last sentence of his French homework when Nick came back with a bowl of ceasar salad and a chicken wrap. Putting them both on Kurt's desk Nick simply says, "Blaine," and clearly that explains why he's brought so much. Without saying anything else Nick grabs his laptop and satchel with his school books, gives Kurt a quick hug and leaves to 'work' with Jeff.
Deciding he might as well get some more work done while he has the energy he manages to complete his history questions and half his English essay before he gives in and has the salad. As he ate he decided to check his phone and was surprised to find 20 messages and 3 missed calls. Looking through the messages he quickly realised that every member of New Directions had texted him (apart from Finn who had called) and they all pretty much say the same, they haven't changed their number and they don't know anyone in the glee club who has. The other 2 missed calls are from Blaine both asking is he is OK and needs anything. There were a few other texts from various boys about homework, an outing to go-karts if he's interested etc but nothing from the strange number and Kurt felt his body finally relax. He sent Blaine a quick text to thank him for sending Nick with the food and that he's going to bed as he doesn't feel well and then switched off his phone, he didn't want to think about the possibility of anymore text messages.
