So this story got the most interest and as promised here's chapter 2. Obviously more feedback means you get quicker updates!

….

Kurt arrived for Warbler's practice and took a seat next to Trent who immediately started asking his advice on a possible outfit for a date later in the week. They had finally agreed that Kurt would come over to his room the next evening and help him when Blaine came rushing in and sat next to him muttering something about horrid teachers and sadists when Wes banged his gavel and rehearsal started.

The first part of rehearsal was fine, they did vocal warmups and then ran through a couple of numbers but then the council stopped and told everyone to take a seat. As usual the council made their announcements and a debate started about song selection and possible performances. Kurt was vaguely aware of Blaine bouncing as he agreed or disagreed and possibly he even tried to speak to him but Kurt was zoned out. His thoughts were entirely focussed on his meeting with Eddie after the rehearsal. What if this guy was dangerous? What if he saw Kurt as an easy target? What if he had been involved in drugs or guns? He almost wished he hadn't asked Nick and Wes at lunch as his mind was now working overtime. Surely Dalton wouldn't let anyone back in who was dangerous, no matter how much money his family had, surely he was not a threat to Kurt's newly found safety?

He was pulled from his thoughts by someone patting his knee and for the second time that day he saw the warm, hazel eyes of his mentor looking at him in concern. "Do you want to grab a coffee and talk? You look really pale and I'm pretty sure you didn't hear a word that the council said."

Looking at his watch Kurt realised it was already five minutes past five and grabbing his bag he jumped up, "Sorry I can't, I'm late and need to change," and he raced off. After the lunchtime incident Kurt had decided it was better not to mention Eddie to anyone else, especially Blaine who he knew took his mentor role very seriously and would try to protect him. Dashing off Kurt missed the disappointed look on Blaine's face as he watched his best friend run out the door, David on the other hand witnessed the whole scene.

"You ok?" asked David cautiously.

"Yeah, I just…" Blaine wasn't sure what to say.

"Right," David nodded his head slowly, clearly not buying it. The two of them stood awkwardly and once it was clear Blaine wasn't going to offer any more he added, "Kurt seemed in a rush."

"He said he was late and had to change."

"Well you know Kurt, he does like an excuse for fashion! What is he late for?"

"I don't know, he didn't say."

"So now you are standing here looking like a kicked puppy because….."

"Who's looking like a kicked puppy?" Wes asked having finished his discussion with Thad about possible regional songs. He looked at David and then Blaine, the glistening eyes told him instantly who the kicked puppy was.

"Never mind, I'm heading back to the dorms," huffed Blaine and he dashed away from them.

Wes looked at David expectantly, the taller boy let out a sigh, "Blaine asked Kurt to go for coffee but he said he was late for something and now Blaine is upset but won't admit it!"

"So the usual drama then!"

"Exactly, come on Wes we might as well make a start to some homework before the second act starts at dinner time!"

…..

When Kurt rushed into the library he spotted Eddie straight away, he was sitting at a table near the back and with his height he could clearly be seen over other students. He was reading something and had a pile of thick books sitting on the table next to him. Kurt walked over slowly taking deep breaths but also using the time to look at the boy who he had built into some kind of monster over the afternoon. He didn't look scary, in fact he was really quite good looking, very masculine with a strong jaw, long muscular neck and large dark brown eyes and…..Kurt shook his head trying to clear his head of thoughts which were certainly not appropriate for a study partner.

Eddie looked up as he approached the table and gave Kurt a huge grin, almost cheeky and certainly very cute. Kurt felt himself blush as he tried again to clear his head of inappropriate thoughts but couldn't help return the smile. "Sorry I'm late, practice ran over and then I had to get changed and….."

"Hey no worries," Eddie interrupted, "it gave me a chance to start work on the joy of my economics essay." He motioned for Kurt to take a seat, the young boy had been frozen to the spot at the edge of the table. Closing his notebook Eddie smiled again, "so which of the following regimes do you feel has most impacted on modern life?" Kurt blinked in surprise, what a weird question. Eddie laughed, "That's the project question, have you not had a chance to look at the assignment yet."

"Sorry, no I'm really sorry, I've had a very busy afternoon. Maybe we should leave this and try again another day."

"It's fine Kurt, you really need to relax more! Why don't I go back to my wonderful economics homework and you can spend 20 minutes reading through the assignment and then we can talk."

"Yes, thank you, good plan." Kurt pulled out the pile of papers they had been given that morning and began to read. As he worked his way through he made notes on the pages but also found himself taking more than a few looks at his partner, the boy was still a mystery but at least he was a good looking one.

…

True to his word 20 minutes later Eddie stopped and asked Kurt if he was ready to discuss the project. They found they agreed on almost every idea and they had a pretty good outline sketched out when Mrs Brown, the librarian approached then to say the library would be shutting in 10 minutes. Kurt looked at his watch and right enough it was ten to eight, "Wow, it's true, time flies when you're having fun," he said with a grin.

"Oh, you've had fun?" Eddie said laughing, "that's where I went wrong, I've been working hard."

"Oi, don't make it sound like you've been doing all the work on your own," joked Kurt, putting the books he needed in a pile to check out.

"Seriously though I'm glad I got paired with you Kurt, this has got to be one of the first times I've got an assignment planned out and started on the day I got it, I'm more a last minute kind of guy."

"Really, so why did you approach me this morning?"

"Well you looked a bit lost and I assumed you were trying to work out who I was."

"Very perceptive and you were quite right. I have to admit I hadn't even noticed you before." Kurt felt his cheeks blush again at his confession.

"It's a long story but I've been out of school for a while, I only returned last week." Kurt's face fell as he remembered what Nick and Wes said.

The two boys left the library and were walking towards the dorms when Eddie spoke again, "Look we've missed dinner and I'm pretty hungry. There's still two hours until curfew so do you fancy joining me, there's a little diner I like a few towns down." Kurt swallowed hard, not sure if he really should be alone with this guy, "they do great salads, or so I'm told," Eddie chuckled, "I'm afraid lettuce doesn't do much for me but I know you like it!"

Kurt froze on the spot, he knew what Kurt liked to eat! Eddie had walked a few more steps before he noticed Kurt had stopped. He smiled at the confused look on the shorter boys face before he walked back over to him. "Sorry, didn't mean to freak you out, it's just I kind of noticed you last week and I've been paying attention when I see you around."

"You noticed me, what does that mean?" Kurt's heart started to race again, here he was in the deserted courtyard with a boy who potentially was just another bully and had just admitted to staking him out.

Eddie's eyes drew just a bit narrower, he took a deep breath and stepped closer to where Kurt was standing, rigid. As he realised Eddie was coming nearer Kurt instinctively jumped back, his old fear and survival instincts taking over. Eddie couldn't help the look of concern flooding his face but he recognised fear so he took a step back to where he had been and held his hands up to show he meant no harm.

"Kurt," his voice shook as he spoke quietly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, that's the last thing I wanted."

"What did you mean when you said you noticed me?" Eddie frowned as Kurt couldn't disguise the fear in his voice.

"I meant that when I walked into the dining hall on my first morning back I saw the most stunning boy laughing with a group of Warblers and as I edged nearer and saw his beautiful blue piercing eyes and heard his uniquely fabulous voice I knew I wanted to know more about him." Eddie edged nearer to Kurt as he spoke, the Warbler's blue eyes gazing right into the dark pools of the older boy, never wavering. Dropping his voice to a whisper as he was close enough to touch Kurt now Eddie continued, "I was so happy this morning when we were paired together because I finally had a reason to speak to you. You see I asked about you that first week but everyone seemed to think you were with Blaine but I haven't seen much sign of it, sure you're often together but I've never seen you kiss and if you are together then you kiss right? So I'm asking you Kurt, are you and Blaine together?"

"Um….well…..it's just…..no, no I'm not with Blaine." Kurt's stomach was in knots and his voice sounded wrong. He couldn't quite absorb what he was hearing. Here was this gorgeous boy who Kurt had spent too much time thinking about during the day telling him how beautiful he was. More than that he had just admitted that he was not with Blaine however much he wanted to be.

"Right so for clarification purposes you are not dating Blaine?"

"No I am not dating Blaine, never have, we're just friends."

"OK, so now we've cleared that up is there any reason you can't join me for dinner tonight at my favourite little diner which serves great salads?" There was a smirk on Eddie's face as he added, "I promise to keep my hands to myself!"

Laughing with him Kurt nodded, "I'd love to join you."

….

So what do you think of Eddie?