How Will I Know?
Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
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Chapter Two: I'll Meet You There
Oh, I tend to disappear here and there
So concentrate and you'll feel me everywhere
And we'll fill the metro skies with country air
If you're lost when you close your eyes, I'll meet you there
...I'll meet you there (Owl City)
...
Kurt sat silently in the still empty cafeteria, methodically peeling back the layers of the banana Finn had so graciously shared with him for lunch.
Finn looked around the cafeteria, it was completely empty, other than the lunch ladies who could be heard banging around in the kitchen preparing for the upcoming onslaught of hungry teenagers; the pair had managed to be excused early from Mr. Shuester's lesson after Brittany had asked what the term "Madre" meant. Finn frowned-Kurt had taken that one like a bullet straight to the face, or in this case, to the heart. Finally, Finn turned his attention back to his friend who was still working his hands over the tip of the banana, he shifted uncomfortably at the sight, trying his best not to think of all the ways it was wrong and ironic, and hot? Hot?! Finn nearly jumped from the table and he could feel all the blood in him rush to his face; he was thankful choice of direction. At least he was until Kurt looked up and took notice of his crimson cheeks.
"Finn?" Kurt eyed him curiously. "Is something the matter?"
Finn shook his head vigorously, "No!" Kurt seemed to ease back a little at the loudness of Finn's voice; it probably did not help that his voice had echoed off the cold cafeteria walls, resounding around them. Finn fixed a quick smile in Kurt's direction, "Nah, I just forgot about a quiz I have fourth period and I forgot to study."
Kurt placed the banana down gently on the pile of neatly folded napkins that sat before him and arched a perfectly sculpted brow, "That is one way to go about answering my question." Kurt narrowed his eyes just a bit, a trick he knew was the easiest way to apply pressure and get Finn to cave, "Now, how about the truth?"
Finn swallowed hard and let out a shaky, "That was the truth."
Another brow arch, "Finn you have a free period fourth period. Every day." Finn just looked down at his sandwich and began to pick at it, "Finn," Kurt lowered his voice, his tone almost sad, and looked up at his friend through a matching pair of long lashes, his bottom lip jutting out ever so slightly, "You're really going to chose today of all days to lie to me." Kurt frowned and looked down at the table, "I thought we had grown closer than that." Kurt sighed heavily, "I guess I was wrong."
"Okay, okay, just stop! You matter, alright? You matter lots."
Kurt looked up again, his pout still in place, "Prove it."
Finn looked around nervously, "...banana, you were...the banana..." Finn mumbled looking down at his hands.
For a moment Kurt was confused, the fact that he had barely heard, let alone understood Finn did not help matters, "Banana?" Kurt thought for a moment, his question directed more to himself than to Finn. With a quick glance down at the piece of fruit in question; it sat innocently, it's layers pulled back just enough so that the head of the banana was peeking through, waiting to be engulfed..."Oooh!" Kurt was silent for a moment before he exploded into a fit of uproarious laughter. "You...me...Hahaha! Banana!" Kurt continued to laugh and after a few tense moments on Finn's part the taller boy began to laugh as well.
When there amusement had come to a head and finally sated itself, Kurt looked to his friend, a brilliant smile dancing on his lips, "Thank you for that, Finn." Finn nodded, however, before he could say anything else the cafeteria doors burst open, the thin metal doors slapping against the cement walls.
"Muh, baabyy!"
Kurt's eyes widen and he froze-Mercedes. He could hear her coming, her surely bright, neon colored sneakers squeaking against the shiny floor, and he knew he was in for it. He had not responded to her texts or answered her calls all weekend; and this morning he'd left his house in such a daze he had forgotten to grab anything, including his phone. He had to have missed another twenty five texts and a dozen phone calls.
Kurt did not have too long to pity himself before he was swooped up into a huge hug, "Omigod! I have been so worried about you! Where have you been?" Kurt returned the hug just as ferociously as he received it-taking a deep comfort in the familiar scent of her Sweet Pea body lotion. It took all he had to not cry again, but this was not the time or place, soon the room would be filled with teens. And he would never let them see him cry, over anything.
"I'm so sorry, Cedes." He pulled back to grace her with an apologetic smile.
Mercedes nodded and after one last squeeze she released him from her grip and reached for his hand. "What's wrong? What happened to you?" She looked him over once before returning her questioning gaze to his face, "Since when do you leave the house in a pair of jeans?" She said the word as if Kurt was above the item of clothing in question. "I mean you still look good, you're you, but I know something's..." She trailed off, waiting for him to fill in the rest.
Kurt swallowed hard, "Not here, honey. Just not right now." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, "I will fill you in, but I cannot do it here. I cannot promise myself that I won't break down, and that is just not something I can allow myself to do in this place."
Mercedes forehead flexed with worry, "Did...did someone hurt you?" She could barely get the words out because she was so terrified by the thought.
"No, no! Nothing like that!" Kurt assured her.
But she did not take the bait so easily, "If one of those hockey nimrods touched you or..." her eyes narrowed considerably, "Was it Puck?"
Kurt flinched at the mention of the other boy's name, but thankfully not hard enough for Mercedes to take notice. "Please, I handled that weeks ago." He smiled.
Her gaze softened, "You're sure?" He nodded and smiled and she seemed to finally relax.
Now it was Kurt's turn to do some questioning, "How did you even know where I was? The bell hasn't even rung yet to end class and start lunch." Not a moment after he got the words out, the bell sounded, signaling the end of third period, "Okay, well, it hadn't yet."
Mercedes cast a glance toward Finn, "White boy texted me. Said he thought you could use me."
Kurt's heart swelled and he looked over to Finn who was still seated, blushing yet again, but softer this time, "Thank you." Kurt smiled and hoped that it expressed all of the emotion and gratitude he felt in that moment. Finn smiled in return.
Mercedes watched the exchange between the two with a piqued interest, "Did I skip a chapter here?" Both males turned to their mutual friend and fellow glee clubber with matching expressions of curiosity, "Nuh uh, don't try and act like y'all don't know what I mean."
"Mercedes," Kurt began, "I can assure you neither of us knows what you're talking about." He reclaimed his seat at the table and Mercedes followed suit, claiming the one next to her best friend. "Finn's just been very helpful today. He's the one who found me and convinced me to come in today."
"Found you?" Mercedes bellowed just as the first rush of students began to filter into the lunch room, "Oh, hell no! Nuh uh! I do not like that expression."
Kurt frowned, "Maybe that choice of words was a bit negligent, but I would appreciate it if we could allow the topic to drop until later. Please?" He pleaded with her through his eyes, just as he had done with Finn earlier-she caved.
"Fine. But just for now." She eased up and smiled when Kurt wrapped and arm around her and gave an appreciative squeeze. "Oh, and you," She pointed to Finn; the boy froze under her penetrating gaze.
"Yuh?" He asked, his mouth full with a piece of his sandwich.
Both friends frowned, "First, learn to swallow, and then speak," Kurt nodded in agreement, "and, secondly, do not get too comfortable with my boy here. I'm the best friend here." Kurt laughed as Finn paled and offered a soft nod. "And, thirdly," her tone softened, "thank you. For looking after my boy." Finn nodded, more sure of himself this time.
...
Soon the cafeteria and their table were full.
Kurt smiled, as did Quinn and Rachel, when they noticed Artie and Tina sneaking a quick peck. Mercedes announced that she would soon return, but that she was in desperate need of food, Rachel offered to keep her company; however, it was not long after the pair wandered across the large room, that Mercedes' seat was occupied.
"Hey, Puck." Finn greeted his friend, but everyone else at the table seemed to let out a collective sigh.
"Good to see all of you, losers, too." Puck bit out and Kurt and Quinn simultaneously rolled their eyes. "Anyway, Hummel, "Kurt groaned in response and turn to the teen with a bored expression, "Hey, now, chill with the attitude, Marc Jacobs." Everyone froze at that. "What?" He asked, not comfortable with the way of the Gleeks were staring at him.
"You know who Marc Jacobs is?" Quinn asked disbelievingly.
"I pay attention." The halfback responded. The rest of the table continued to just stare. Finn looked as if he had no idea who Puck was. "Whatever," he replied gruffly, and looked back to Kurt. "Here," He pressed a set of folded up papers into the Cheerio's chest. "Homework worksheets from first period. Mr. Keller said that everyone had to turn them in tomorrow, on time. Thought you might want 'em." Kurt arched a brow, the rest of the table still sat quietly, they were all dazed and overwhelmed with confusion. "Whatever." Puck echoed and stood up, the papers falling for a moment, but Kurt caught them.
"Who was that?" Artie was the first to speak.
"I have no idea." Kurt watched as Puck disappeared into mass of bodies and then out of sight.
Again, the seat was not empty for long, "What'd I miss?"
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you." Was Finn's response, Quinn nodded in agreement.
The kids seemed to recover from the encounter and began to talk amongst themselves once more, but Kurt took the time to unfold the set of papers Puck had thrusted into his grasp. As he fingered through them, pretty standard stuff-a few questions about the Civil War and Industrial Revolution, at least it was all standard until Kurt came to the third page, scribbled across the top in Puck's usual illegible chicken scratch was a request to meet. Kurt grabbed Mercedes' phone off of the table and hit the lock button, causing the small device to light up, displaying the time.
The request was to meet in ten minutes.
Kurt gripped the set of papers tightly and closed his eyes just as securely and sighed heavily. The smart thing to do would be to leave Puck waiting there. To ignore his request. Yes, that was what he had to do. That was the smart thing to do.
Kurt set the phone back down and looked up to be greeted by several curious expressions. He packed the papers into his binder, placed his notebook on top of the red and white organizer and swooped them up in one elegant motion, and then stood from the table.
"Kurt? Where you go-going?" Tina asked, and it seemed his other friends were curious to what the answer was as well.
"There are some questions on here that I am definitely going to need to go over with Mr. Keller. Lunch is always the best time to catch him."
"You have the highest grade in our History class. In any History class." Mercedes answered accusingly.
"And I maintain that grade by seeking out help when I need it." Kurt answered quickly.
"I'll come with you." She responded.
"No." Kurt replied too quickly, he smiled, "I mean, no," he spoke more calmly, "I can handle it. This should only take a second, and besides, you were just talking about how hungry you were." He nodded toward her tray. "Don't worry, I will be back before lunch is even half over." He flashed a quick smile before racing away, giving no one a chance to protest or join him.
This was one scene he was sure did not require an audience.
...
Kurt made a quick stop at his locker to rid himself of his school supplies and to kill time-he did not want to seem eager to see the other boy. Actually, he was not sure he wanted to see him at all.
Liar. Kurt silently teased himself.
Once his supplies had been disposed of, Kurt made another stop along the familiar path to the choir room: the girls' bathroom. A quick bang sweep and a few smooth brushes with his hands against his shirt, and he deemed himself ready to go. Just because he had cut Noah off, or more accurately ended their tawdry little affair all together, did not mean that he did not want Noah to regret pushing Kurt away till the day he died.
On his way to the choir room Kurt smiled, thinking back to the flustered compliment Finn had given him earlier—about how simple suited him. He could feel his cheeks grow slightly warm before pushing his emotions back down.
That was a road he could not afford to venture down again. He had a good thing going with Finn now. They were close. Kurt was not going to jeopardize that.
By the time the counter-tenor had pulled himself from his thoughts he found himself outside of the choir room. With a deep breath and a quick release, he took a hold of the handle, turned, pushed and stepped inside.
"Hello, Noah."
...
Author's Note: Ooh, clifferhangeriness! I was going to give it to you right now, the meeting that is, but then I was like "No! Cliffhanger good!". Don't fret, mon petite frères. I am going to be kind and post the third chapter along with this one! Cause I love you! Lots! So love me in return and review this chapter and the next! Please! It'll make me write faster! And I really do want to know if you are enjoying this story, like you did the first one.