The Life and Times of Kurt Hummel

Season 4, Episode 1: THE SILVER LINING

1/22- Kurt's penultimate year at NYADA begins, but he is still struggling to cope in the wake of Blaine's departure. Rachel, Santana and a now moved in Sam make it their goal to make him look for a brighter way of living.

"Santana! Hurry up! We're gonna be late! I will NOT be late on the first day of the year!" Rachel exclaimed.

"I'm coming!" Santana shouted from her room. Sam walked out of his room in a red waiter's uniform.

"Morning." Sam said, rubbing his eyes.

"Morning. Finally unpacked everything after all these months you've lived here?" Rachel asked. Sam nodded.

"Yep. Finally settled in." Sam chuckled.

"So, working at the diner today?" Rachel asked.

"Yep, I'm glad that Gunther guy gave all of us jobs while I try and get some modelling work somewhere." Sam said. Rachel smiled as Santana walked out of her room.

"Where's Kurt?" Santana asked. Everyone grew silent and concerned. Kurt had spent most of the time in his room ever since he and Blaine parted ways a few months ago. He barely socialised and only really spoke if he had to. Rachel walked up to Kurt's door and tentatively knocked on it.

"Kurt? We have to go to NYADA now." Rachel said gently. The door opened and a dishevelled and pale Kurt walked out.

"Let's go." Kurt whispered and immediately left the apartment. The others stared at where he had left sadly.

"We need to cheer him up." Sam said. Rachel and Santana nodded.

"Whatever it takes." Santana said.

-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KURT HUMMEL-

Kurt was sat in a rehearsal room when Santana and Sam walked in.

"What are you two doing here?"

"I wanted to cheer you up and I needed Sam to play his guitar for me." Santana explained.

"She insulted me until I agreed to come." Sam said sadly.

"How did you find me?" Kurt asked.

"We asked people where the sad boy had locked himself away but eventually I just followed the sound of tears." Santana joked.

"It's not funny; I haven't heard a thing from him! Not one thing! I managed to get the name of the clinic out of Blaine's mom but whenever I called they said they couldn't tell me anything. I just want to know if he's okay. I NEED to know." Kurt said sadly, tears building up.

"You just need to give him time." Sam said.

"Listen Hummel, you just need to try and get a positive outlook on life again. And we're gonna help you think happy so you can BE happy. Sam's gonna play guitar, I'm gonna sing and you're gonna listen." Santana said and sat on the piano next to Kurt as Sam stood by her and began to play a calming tune on his guitar as Santana sang.

"You get blue
Like everyone
But me and Trouty Mouth
Can make your troubles go away
Blow away
There they go

Cheer up Charlie
Give me a smile
What happened to that smile I used to know
Don't you know your grin has always been my sunshine
Let that sunshine show

Come on Charlie
No need to frown
Deep down you know the world is still your toy
When the world gets heavy
Never pit-a-pat 'em
Up and at 'em boy

Someday, sweet as a song
Charlie's lucky day will come along
Til that day you've gotta stay in strong Charlie
Up on top is right where you belong

Look up Charlie
You'll see a star
Just follow it and keep your dream in view
Pretty soon the sky is gonna clear up Charlie
Cheer up Charlie do

Cheer up Charlie
Just be glad you're you."

The song ended and Kurt applauded.

"Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It just can't stop me worrying." He said and walked out, leaving Santana and Sam frustrated and alone.

"Did he not like the song?" Sam asked.

"Of course he did; it's from a musical movie. It was probably the guitar." Santana snapped and exited.

"I...I love the guitar." Sam whispered to himself as he walked out.

...

Kurt's phone rang as he sat grumpily watching TV; he hoped it was Blaine but knew it wouldn't be. He was still happy to hear Burt's calming voice.

"Hey, dad."

"Hey, kiddo. You okay?"

"Yeah...Rachel called you, didn't she?"

"...Maybe."

"I'm FINE." Kurt exclaimed.

"You don't sound it. Kurt, it's been a few months so we all know he's close to getting better. You need to think positive for positive things to happen. Have you heard of that saying 'every cloud has a silver lining'?" Burt asked.

"Who hasn't? And what am I supposed to do with that?" Kurt wondered.

"Well...find your silver lining." Burt said.

"Well, what good can come of this? I'm getting close to forgetting what he sounds like, dad, and I HATE IT. He's nowhere."

"He's alive. And if he hadn't had been brave like he is being he might not be now, you need to remember that. That's your silver lining; he's still here because he wants to be with you one day. And one glorious day he'll come home to you. Just hold out for it, okay?" Burt said.

"...I guess you're right. I mean, what with us all losing Finn...I couldn't bear to lose Blaine too. It would destroy me." Kurt admitted.

"Exactly."

"I just...I miss him. I miss having him around. I miss his hugs and kisses. I miss everything about him, dad. And I can't even find out how he's doing." Kurt said.

"I know son, but that's another saying...'no news is good news'. Look, I have to get back to the shop but I'll call you later, okay? Love you. Silver linings, Kurt." Burt said and hung up.

"Love you, dad." Kurt said.

...

Rachel and Santana walked through the door and saw Kurt shopping online for clothes.

"You're so lucky to only have one class on the first day back. That was hell finding all those new classrooms." Rachel moaned and sat next to him.

"There's this new girl in my class and she is so stuck up. Like, worse than me. I'm gonna try and trip her up next lesson." Santana said as the door slid open and Sam stumbled in with too many paper bags for him to steadily hold.

"You went grocery shopping?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah; least I could do. It got me out for a bit anyway." Sam said as some bags wobbled. Rachel got up and took two off of him.

"Oh...thanks." Sam said.

"No problem." Rachel replied. The two stared at each other for a brief moment before moving to the counter to unpack the bags. Kurt and Santana glanced at each other.

"Santana, they had those milkshakes you like back in stock so I bought you a few." Sam said.

"Wanky."

"And I got Rachel the strawberry ice cream she likes and for Kurt..." Sam began as he handed Kurt some Cronuts.

"They're Blaine's favourite; I thought you'd like them, you know, it's like...sentimental. Is that the right word?" Sam asked. Kurt nodded.

"Yeah. Thank you Sam, that's really kind of you." Kurt said and tucked in.

"You seem happier." Rachel said.

"Dad made me start to see the light again. The silver lining. Wanna sing something?" Kurt asked. Rachel's grin widened.

"YES! Finally, Kurt's back! And I have a perfect mash-up for us to sing!" Rachel exclaimed and whispered in Kurt's ear. She sat next to Kurt as he began to sing, with Rachel backing him up. Sam gave Santana one of her milkshakes and tried one himself, getting him a glare from Santana. They both watched the others sing happily.

"Forget your troubles (Happy days)
Come on get happy (Are here again)
You better chase all your cares away (The skies above are clear again)
Shout hallelujah (So let's sing a song)
Come on get happy (Of cheer again)
Get ready for the judgement day (Happy days are here again)

The sun is shining
Come on get happy (Shout it now)
The lord is waiting to take your hand (There is no one who can doubt it now)
Shout hallelujah (So let's tell the world)
And just get happy (About it now)
We are going to the promise land (Happy days are here again)
We're heading across the river, soon your cares will all be gone (There'll be no more from now on)"

The two sang together.

"From now on!"

Kurt continued singing with Rachel backing him up.

"Forget your troubles (Oh, happy days)
And just get happy (Are here again)
You better chase all your blues away (The skies above are clear again)
Shout Hallelujah (So let's sing a song)
And just get happy (Of cheer again)"

Rachel sang lead with Kurt backing her up.

"Happy times! (Happy times!)
Happy nights! (Happy nights!)"

The two sang the final line together.

"Happy days are here again!"

The song ended and Santana and Sam clapped as Rachel and Kurt hugged.

"Sam?" Santana began.

"Yeah?"

"Drink one of my milkshakes again I'm making you into one."

Kurt laughed for the first time in what felt like forever.

...

NEXT TIME…

"I've said something bad, haven't I?"

Kurt and the others hugged their old teachers excitedly.

"I wanna see you be brave..."

The idea hit Kurt like a bolt of lightning.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! Season 4 has begun! I'm really happy with this opening episode, and I might start shipping Santana with her milkshakes! I'm glad I can include Sam more now as he's one of my favourite characters, but it felt so weird to not include Blaine in an episode! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this season (I've got some great stories planned) and I'm very excited as for the first time ever I'll be getting some guest writers to write an episode! So far I've got GarethGlee14 writing episode 8, which they have already done, and I hope the wonderful MarinaAnderson is still interested in writing a later episode! So be sure to look out for those episodes soon and check out their profiles! GarethGlee14 has a story set post-Season 3 with Blaine in rehab, so be sure to have a look :D Thanks guys, love you all!

Follow 'ComicKid99' on Twitter for updates! Be sure to review and if you like the story, spread the word! Want to know when the next episode is up? Check my profile for all the dates! :D