You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream. The way you turn me on. I can't sleep, let's runaway and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back.
"Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry
Once back in his dorm, Kurt flops down on his futon and stares at the underside of his lofted bed, not bothering to take off his shoes or jacket.
"I should have known." he mutters as he places a hand over his face.
"Should have known what?" His roommate, and stepbrother, Finn asks as he rolls to look over the side of his lofted bed beside Kurt's.
It surprises Kurt mildly, not expecting his brother to be in the room that moment. "Nothing. I'm just talking to myself."
Finn smiles, "Come on. You know you can tell me."
Finn is great like that. Kurt couldn't ask for a better friend of step brother. Now, he could have been a slightly better roommate. At least been a little cleaner. It's only their freshman year and Kurt wonders how they'll survive the year. Sure, it was easier to bunk with Finn as opposed to a stranger who could have made Kurt's life hell, but if Finn left one more dirty sock on his side of the room he was going to put up an "Apply Within" sign. It was still great to have a familiar and friendly face to come back to. He had wanted to room with Rachel but the university, like most, had rules against co-ed roommates in dorms. There was always next year for an apartment. Kurt lives for that moment.
"I could, but it's nothing." Kurt replies. "Thanks though, Finn." He pauses a moment to look Finn and the state that he's in. "Didn't you go to class today?"
Finn sucks in a breath and when he doesn't reply right away, Kurt gives him a stern look. "Finn. You're here on a scholarship but it doesn't mean classes are beneath you. The exact opposite, actually, you have to maintain a certain grade point-"
"Yeah, yeah." Finn says cutting him off. He climbs down out of the loft, still in pajamas. "I went to class today. I just didn't go to the last one. I didn't do the reading so I figured that why should I go and waste the professor's time if I hadn't done the work."
"You could always do the reading?" Kurt suggest in an almost motherly tone. This makes Finn roll his eyes. "It's not going to happen again. I wasn't feeling good."
Kurt arches a brow at the other excuse but doesn't say anything. Instead, Kurt sits up on the futon and removes his boots and jacket.
He makes the decision that this is a topic that he shouldn't press. By all means, Kurt isn't finished talking about it but he knows how to pick his battles.
The next two hours were filled with outlines and trying to make sense of the biology homework. Finn has hardly moved. He sat at his desk hunched over a book for nearly 30 minutes before Kurt caught him staring at a Superman comic. Now the two sit in silence while Kurt flips through his biology notebook. His mind is everywhere except on what he is supposed to be studying. Mainly, he thinks about Blaine and the girl that was with him.
"Hey, that's pretty good. You in an art class or something?" Finn's comment catches Kurt off guard as he glances back to his step-brother, who is now standing over his shoulder staring down. There is a toothbrush hanging from the corner of Finn's mouth. Kurt's gaze goes back to the notebook, brow furrowed. He sees that he had landed on the page with the hand drawn image of Blaine. Kurt's stomach drops and his face heats up. The notebook is closed a second later.
"No." Kurt says quickly, almost too quick. "I just…I was..doodling in class."
Finn watches Kurt skeptically for a long moment still brushing his teeth. "Who is da guy?" he asks, his mouth foaming.
Kurt's eye narrow. "They do make bathrooms for a reason, Finn."
Finn looks lost for a moment but soon realizes that Kurt is referring to him brushing his teeth. He holds up a wash cloth, indicating that he had merely forgotten the item and had to return for it. Kurt's avoidance of the answer to Finn's question should be enough to indicate both that he doesn't want to talk about the subject and that he is hiding something.
Kurt sets his textbook on top of the notebook as if it will keep Finn from being able to open the notebook when Kurt isn't around. For a quick second though, Kurt lifts the book and peeks inside the notebook to the page with Blaine's smiles at it. It doesn't do the boy justice but it is all Kurt has right now. He replaces the text and leans back in his chair now thinking about the blonde, Penny. Kurt shouldn't have assumed that Blaine was gay. It would have been too good to be true. Story of Kurt's life. There were plenty of guys in high school that Kurt had crushes on who weren't . Plenty is not the correct term. There was one, and it was his step-brother. Prior to them becoming step-brothers. It was a long story.
While Kurt sits and thinks back on the memories of high school, his phone rings. The familiar theme "What Is This Feeling?" from Wicked. Kurt knows this to be Rachel. He sighs softly and hopes this will not be a conversation regarding a lecture on his cancelation from earlier.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kurt, so how were classes today?" Rachel's voice has that tone to it that makes Kurt believe that she is calling for a purpose, the purpose of asking for a favor.
"Fine." He says, lying through his teeth. "Sorry about cancelling on you for dinner. I had...a bunch of homework to finish."
"Oh it's alright." She says cheerfully. "Is Finn with you?"
And there it is. Kurt sighs. He knows how bad Finn is with his phone and has often been used as the alternate means of communication between the two of them. That's what Kurt got for living with his step-brother who just so happened to be dating his best friend.
"He's in the bathroom and possibly may have rabies." He jokes as he rises from his chair.
"What?"
"Nevermind. Want me to go get him?"
"If you could. I tried calling him but-"
"No answer? Yeah, I'm fairly certain his phone is up in his bed. I think I heard it vibrate a few times." Kurt stretches his neck to try and see over the wooden rail of the lofted bed.
"I just want to make sure he's here to pick me up at seven-thirty. He's taking me out to dinner."
Kurt scoffs softly and pretends to be offended. "I see how it is Miss Berry, replacing me at the drop of a hat."
"Well you were busy and I'm still hungry so I don't see the har-"
"Rachel, I'm kidding. Go out with your boyfriend. Besides, Finn hasn't been out of this room all day. It'll be good to get him some fresh air. Speaking of which, here he is."
The moment Finn walks into the room, Kurt hands over the cell. Ideally, Kurt would like to talk to Rachel about the whole Blaine situation. The more he thought on it, the less he found himself wanting to bring it up anyway. Blaine was straight and dating some blonde bombshell. There was really nothing worth noting to Rachel. He hardly knew Blaine and there was no reason for such a huge crush as this.
Kurt promises himself that he won't spend the rest of the evening dwelling on it. He breaks that promise in the next two minutes. Kurt thinks of Blaine until he falls asleep. He has a problem, and at least he can recognize it.
The following day in the union, Kurt keeps his eyes open for Blaine. Although he isn't sure if he will run away at this point or seek him out for another chance at conversation. It sounds pathetic in his head as Kurt thinks over his two options. The thoughts are interrupted by a backpack being dropped onto the table. Kurt jumps as Rachel sits down across from him, clearly out of breath. She must have ran to find him.
"You will not believe what musical the university is doing for the winter."
"Mm?" Kurt was distracted with the new set of people who came in the door behind her. Blaine was one of them. His eyes became slightly bigger and followed the handsome boy over to a table a few away from the two of them.
"Kurt? Kurt!" Rachel snaps her fingers in Kurt's face. He shakes his head and his eyes refocus on Rachel. "Were you listening to anything I just said? They're doing Wicked. Granted it won't be anything near Broadway standards but this is perfect for us. We can get in as Freshmen and secure our place in this university's musical theater program for the rest of our time here."
"Oh, yeah. That would be great." Kurt's attention on Rachel only lasts for a few seconds before he is back to looking at Blaine again.
Rachel arches a brow and turns to find the object of Kurt's attention. When she turns back, she is grinning from ear to ear. "Who is that you're staring at?"
Kurt blushes and turns his gaze suddenly to his notebook. "No one." Unfortunately when he opens it it is there on the page with Blaine's face drawn in the margins.
Rachel is fast. She snatches up the notebook and glances behind her again. "Uh-huh. Kurt, if you're not staring at anyone then why is this boy's face drawn in your biology notes?"
Kurt scrambles to take back the notebook. "Stop it!" He hisses afraid that Blaine may hear them or see them. "It's nothing. He's...he's nothing. Just a guy that I...think is cute."
Rachel leans forward on the table with a smile. "Then you should go for it with him."
Kurt scoffs and glances back to Blaine, he is still there staring down at his phone. "One problem with that. He's straight."
This makes Rachel's brow furrow and she turns in her chair very obviously to stare at Blaine for a few seconds. Kurt could not be more embarrassed. He snaps at her to turn back.
"Are you sure?" She asks tilting her head a little.
"Yes, I'm sure. His girlfriend came over when we were talking yesterday and practically clawed my eyes out."
"You could still try and be friends with him?" Rachel suggests.
The idea makes Kurt's stomach churn. "I can't do that. Why would he bother being friends with someone like me. Especially when his girlfriend so clearly hates me."
When Kurt goes to look at Blaine again, he's gone. He looks around the union trying to spot him but he doesn't find him.
"Hey Kurt." The voice from behind him startles Kurt. Blaine comes around and into Kurt's line of site. Kurt is very much aware of how quickly his heart rate has picked up.
"Blaine. Hi." He says nervously.
Rachel looks between the two of them and from the corner of his eyes, Kurt can see a very shit eating grin on Rachel's face. She clears her throat lightly.
"Oh, um this is my friend Rachel. Rachel this is Blaine, we're in um.."
"Biology." Blaine finishes when Kurt clearly begins to have trouble. He reaches out to shake Rachel's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Rachel says. She grabs her book bag and stands up, slinging it over her shoulder. "Unfortunately I have to be going. Finn needed help with sociology. I'll see you around, Kurt."
Kurt could kill Rachel in the moment for leaving him alone with Blaine. He was not ready for this, not with how things went last time. Rachel began to walk away before she stops a moment to mouth the words, "He's cute!" and give Kurt a thumbs up. Kurt tries his best not to blush at this.
There is silence between them. Kurt clears his throat. "Did you want to sit down?"
"Oh! Right." Blaine smirks and takes a seat where Rachel had been. They are across from each other now and Kurt finds it hard not to stare into Blaine's eyes. He's trying to memorize them as quickly as he can.
"Glad you're here." Blaine says. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday and the way Penny acted."
Kurt's gaze moves away from Blaine, breaking eye contact. This wasn't exactly what he wanted to discuss. He sits up in his chair a little and shrugs. "You don't have to apologize."
Blaine nods, "Actually I do. Mostly because I know she won't do it. And because she shouldn't have acted so-"
"Bitchy?" Kurt offers.
"Cold." Though Blaine smiles at Kurt's suggested word. After a moment he actually chuckles and Kurt immediately notices the way that Blaine's hazel eyes light up when he laughs. It's a sound that makes Kurt smile in return. Suddenly he feels at ease around Blaine.
"I'd be lying if I said she wasn't always that way, and that you'd need to get to know her first. Penny can be a lot to handle most of the time. I'm actually really sorry we didn't get much of a chance to talk yesterday."
Kurt tries not to search for a lot of meaning into what Blaine had said. "It's alright. I'm sure you're girlfriend has good reasons to be protective or..possessive of you."
This makes Blaine laugh again and Kurt finds himself a little lost. He wasn't sure what would be so laughable about what he just said. Instead of smiling at the sound of Blaine's laugh he just stares, confused.
"Sorry." Blaine says after his laughter dies down. "Penny's not my girlfriend. I'm gay. And if I wasn't, trust me Penny would be the last girl I would go out with. She's just a friend."
Suddenly, Kurt felt as though a weight lifted from his shoulders. Blaine wasn't straight afterall. He knew it. Kurt does his best not to reveal how excited and relieved he is to hear this development. This meant that Kurt could, possibly, stand a chance. If he was so lucky.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed she was." Kurt feels a little embarrassed about his assumption now, but still more excited that Blaine isn't dating Penny.
"No." Blaine leans forward on the table with an amused smirk on his face. "And, I'm sorry for asking but I don't want to assume either but are you..?"
"Gay?" Kurt asks. "Yes. I am." He is grateful to Blaine for not leaping to the assumption that he was gay. It was something that Kurt had gotten all his life. And while it was true, it just left him open to a whirlwind of stereotypes and ridicule.
"I'm apologize again for her behavior."
"Stop apologizing. I've been treated worse, trust me. I had a friend quite similar to her in high school. Well, friend is a term I would use loosely."
As Blaine sighs, Kurt wonders if this was something that had honestly been bothering him. Was Blaine actually concerned with having offended Kurt? He's so polite that Kurt can hardly handle it. It's adorable and sweet. And definitely not helping this crush that Kurt can now legitimately have.
"Since we didn't get to talk much yesterday, I wonder if you would have a little time right now to chat?" Blaine asks.
Does he even have to ask? Kurt thinks.
"I have time to spare if you do." Kurt replies.
"Great. So um, to get basic questions out of the way so we can move into actual conversation, what year are you?"
Kurt can hardly believe this is happening right now. "Freshmen. You?"
"Same. Although I'm probably a little younger than you. I graduated high school early and took a few college courses during my senior year. Hopefully you won't run when I tell you that I turn 18 in two months."
"Runaway?" Kurt asks, "I think that's amazing. You must be really smart. Actually, I skipped a grade in elementary school so I'll be nineteen next May. Just a few months older than you it seems."
Blaine grinned. "Nice. So what major are you? No, wait. Let me guess."
Kurt is surprised at how well this seems to be going already. He sits there and allows Blaine to make a guess on his major.
"You look like a guy who knows how to dress, and who would know everything there is to know about fashion. At this moment I bet you're secretly judging me and my cardigan and bowtie combo."
They both share a laugh before Blaine continues. "But, since there is no fashion major here that's out. Hmm, English?"
Kurt chuckles and shakes his head. "Wrong. While I enjoy reading I don't think I could ever be an English major. The only thing I could think of to do with that is to be a teacher, and I don't think I'm cut out for that. No, I'm a musical theater major. I know, promoting the stereotype."
"That was about to be my next guess." Blaine says. "I don't think it's promoting any kind of stereotype. If that's something you love and are passionate about it'd be a shame to not go for it. I have a similar major. I'm here for music studies."
The fact that this was the first full conversation the two of them had, Kurt found himself almost floored by how supportive Blaine is. Kurt smiles further and is now unashamed to to be staring into Blaine's eyes as the two of them talk.
"Music studies?"
"Yeah. I want to be a producer. Or maybe a music teacher. I haven't fully decided yet. I would have gone with musical theater but I don't think my acting skills are enough to carry me. Besides, I'd rather make music."
Blaine is perfect. Kurt thinks. Absolutely perfect.
"You play an instrument then?" Kurt asks, folding his arms on the table.
Blaine looks a little bashful at this, as if he is reluctant to release the following pieces of information. "Actually, I play several. Piano, is the main one. But I've also learned guitar, the violin, the clarinet, and I want to teach myself how to play the saxophone. It sounds stupid but I would love to learn. I love the blues and jazz and I'd love to experiment with it more."
Kurt is speechless at the list of instruments that Blaine is comparable in. It's incredibly hot, by Kurt's standards, if not a little intimidating.
"Wow. That's quite a list. I can only play the piano, and it's been awhile since I've done that."
Blaine sighs and rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, I don't like sounding like I'm bragging. It's not a huge deal. Just because I know how to play that many, doesn't mean I do. I really only practice the piano or the guitar. I haven't played the clarinet since sophomore year band when I dropped it for playing in orchestra with the violin. And even then, I don't play it that often. I just don't want you to think that I'm some show off or-"
"Blaine." Kurt says with a smile, seeing the other boy so worried and flustered makes Kurt happy in a way. Blaine is humble and Kurt loves finding out all of this about him. "It's alright. I understand. You're very musically inclined. I take it you sing too?"
Blaine's tongue darts out to wet his lips and Kurt's eyes are immediately drawn to the action. Kurt swallows thickly and tries his best to refocus on Blaine's eyes and not his mouth.
"Guilty. But I'm sure I'm nowhere near as good as you are. I was in my school's glee club."
"Shut up." Kurt says. "I was in my school's glee club."
"Really?" Blaine's eyes light up at this piece of information. "We have a lot in common. Did you see that they're doing Wicked here? Are you going to audition?"
"I don't have much of a choice. My friend Rachel, whom you just met, she'll be wanting to audition with me. It's our favorite musical. I don't think a freshmen like me will get a part beyond that of a flying monkey."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Blaine says. "I bet you'll be great. The only thing I ever acted in was when our local community theater did a production of West Side Story last year. I was Tony."
"Tony? That's the male lead. Blaine that's fantastic. You should try out." Kurt suggests this without a second thought. It means that they would potentially have more of a reason to spend time together. Kurt will take any chance he gets to meet with Blaine. However, Blaine sits back in his chair and looks skeptical. Unsure of what Kurt is suggesting and folds his arms across his chest.
"I don't know. If you don't think you'll earn a part bigger than a flying monkey, then what chance do I have?"
"You've never even heard me sing." Kurt says.
"True. You've never heard me sing either." Blaine smirks knowingly at Kurt, believing that he has played a trump card.
"Then sing something. Right here." Again Kurt's mouth is moving before his brain has time to catch up. Kurt can see the look in Blaine's eyes that let him know he has genuinely surprised him. Blaine quickly recovers and the surprise is gone and moves onto almost mischievous. Blaine sits up in his chair and takes a breath in. He locks eyes with Kurt and the next thing Kurt knows what sounds like angel begins to sing.
"You think I'm pretty without any make up. You think I'm funny when I tell the punchline wrong. I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down. You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream. The way you turn me on. I can't sleep. Let's run away and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back. My heart stops when you look at me. Just one touch, now baby I believe. This is real so take a chance and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back."
Blaine smiles and awaits Kurt's response. And for a few moments Kurt has none, except that he thinks about how much he wants to hear it again.
"Katy Perry?" Is what Kurt comes back with and this makes Blaine laugh.
"It was the last thing on my ipod. Confession, I have a Katy Perry obsession."
"I promise I won't fault you for it." Kurt says. "You um, you forgot some of the words."
Kurt thinks this will prompt Blaine to sing the full version of the song. Again, Blaine laughs and Kurt thinks that will never tire of that sound.
"That was just an abridged version. I wanted to give you time to show me what you got."
Kurt blinks, and his cheeks turn red. "W-what? Here in front of all these people?"
Blaine glances around, only a few people had glanced their way when Blaine began singing but had since gone back to their own activities. "I did it."
"Yes, but that was different." Kurt starts to collect his things and put them away.
"Wait, so I don't get to hear if you can actually sing or not?" Blaine arches a brow.
Kurt stands up and puts his satchel over his shoulder. "I'm a musical theater major." He replies as if that is all the answer Blaine needs.
"Woah, no hold on." Blaine is quick to stand as well. "You're not getting off that easily. You said it yourself you may be good enough to only get cast a flying monkey. I want to see if you're right or wrong. Come on."
Kurt huffs, and knows he is not going to burst out into song here in union around all of these strangers. "Rain check."
"You seem to request a lot of those." Blaine comments.
"Well, some of us don't like performing in front of others." Kurt replies rolling his shoulders back.
"That's weird coming from a musical theater major."
Kurt sighs and does his best to resist rolling his eyes. "Okay, so I don't like performing without rehearsing." It isn't a complete lie, but mostly because Kurt does not want to sing in front of Blaine. That is something he is most definitely not ready for.
"Alright. rain check it is. Will tomorrow work? Maybe after biology?" Blaine seems very determined to hear Kurt sing.
"I don't know. I could have something by then. I'll let you know." Kurt says. "I have to go though, I have another class to get to."
Blaine smiles believing he has won this round at least in some way. "I'm holding you to that. See you tomorrow in biology."
Kurt is too flustered to even mutter a goodbye. He just smiles and turns to walk away. As much as he wants to turn to look at Blaine he doesn't. It doesn't dawn on Kurt that he has been humming "Teenage Dream" and until he is halfway across campus to his next class.
