A/N - Helloo again Klainers (:
This chapter is the second of I'm not sure how many.
It is still setting up the basis for the rest of the story, but after this things get a little more exciting! (:
Iffff any of you guys reading are avid fanfic readers and are grammar police then I apologise profusely for the mistakes in chapter 1. I can't promise less of them? But I am indeed looking for a beta THEREFORE it MAY end? (:
Hope you guys enjoy (:

Dear Journal,

It's funny how much life can change in the matter of an hour. My whole future seemed to flip so many ways so fast, not even Sue Sylvester on speed would have been able to keep up. Although the metaphorical shit - being NYADA - had hit the very big metaphorical fan, everything somehow managed to fix itself. Just in time for the photo opportunity on that massive roller coaster that somehow became my life. I'm going to France to pursue fashion for a year while Rachel goes to New York alone. I'll join her next year, undoubtedly more fashionable, cultured and hopefully with a lot of French clothes in tow. Despite French vogue not being what I expected the next year of my life to be like, after my dreams blowing up in my face I don't think it's that bad of a place to be heading.

Carole and Kurt stood in the middle of Kurt's semi-packed room. A couple boxes and black garbage bags lay on the floor, some packed and some looking sparse, post-it notes adorning his room in a rainbow of fluorescent colours. Luckily, organisation was something Kurt relished in. He had a week left before he was heading off to France for the next year of his life. His internship was beginning on the 25th of September and he was leaving on the 9th to ensure he had settled before it begun.

He had to organise living arrangements for the year (luckily vogue had considered this and set him up with an apartment near the office). He had to decide on and contact the college he would be attending upon his return to the states. He had to arrange all of the documentation; passport, visa, bank account, insurance, health, doctors, dentists, etc. He had to arrange to have some stuff sent over to his new apartment. He had to start searching for jobs, because funnily enough interns don't get paid. His list was ever-growing, and in between all of that he had to find time to spend with his family and friends. Despite everyone going their own way, no one else was quite going as far as Europe in their bids to leave Lima.

"So let's tick off the things you've done, and then we'll have a better idea of where to start." Carole was holding the clipboard and looked like a lost lamb trying to decipher Kurt's notes. She nodded to herself and began listing things off the list, Kurt replying check or giving a progression update on others.

"So, what I'm seeing as of yet is these boxes are to be sent over for when you arrive, correct?" Carole pointed at a couple of boxes filled with home accessories and utensils to her left and Kurt nodded in confirmation.

"This garbage bag is for good will, and the rest of this stuff is going with you on the plane?" Kurt nodded again, looking around his room once more; ornaments and features all had either a blue or pink post-it; blue for 'you're gone' and pink for 'stay'. No pictures hung around his mirror anymore and it hit him as he searched his room for a photo of his mom and didn't find one what he was actually doing. In a week, he'd be gone and starting an independent life. He grabbed a hold of Carole's hand and pulled it to his chest.

"Thank you for helping me today, Carole. You're a really good mom."

"Okay, buddy, have you got everything? Your passport, your boarding pass, bank details and receipts just in case anything goes wrong?" Burt listed things off on his fingers, eyes ridden with worry, pride and sadness at his little baby boy literally flying the nest.

"Yes, dad, for the millionth time I've got everything," Kurt tapped his carry-on bag which was flung over his shoulder, "you saw me pack them yourself, remember?"

"Yes. But I'm a parent and a parent's job is to worry. Right. Like I've explained a million times, your bank account has enough cash to get you through the first few months – rent, food, living, but not for clothes, am I clear? You start looking for a job as soon as you get there." Kurt was nodding along with everything his father was saying, rolling his eyes here or there. "You've got that emergency credit card. Only for emergencies and I will find out if you use it. If you're struggling for cash, call me and I'll wire some over but that doesn't mean you can get away with not getting a job." Kurt smiled but shook his head; he was going to be late if his dad didn't shut up and let him through.

"Don't do anything foolish, bud. Okay? You can't just call me on the garage number and expect me to come pick you up. It's not school. Don't mess around with guys. I know you've not had a boyfriend, and –you know, whatever – so don't get hurt. And don't buy too much crap. You're exactly like your mom, junk just finds you. Be good and responsible – I don't wanna hear about you breaking any bones or anything. If you get a car, be careful, you can't just come to the shop if someone goes throwing a brick through your dash again... Er...What else?" Kurt took that opportunity to shut his dad up and pull him into a big Hummel hug, his father finally relenting and slouching into the hug. "You sure you'll be alright, buddy ?" Burt whispered into Kurt's ear.

"I'll be great dad." Kurt whispered back before letting go and turning to hug Carole. He wrapped his arms around her neck, squeezing her to his chest and not wanting to let her go. Although no one could replace his mother, Carole had most definitely filled an empty space in his life and was a motherly figure he needed. It was a big weight off his shoulders to know Carole was there to look after Burt; he wouldn't have been able to take this opportunity without her.

"Thank you, Carole, for being amazing these past couple of months and for taking care of my dad." When Carole pulled back, tears were streaming down her face silently. She stroked his cheek, tilted his head down and kissed his forehead. Finn was last; they had had their ups and downs, fought like cat and dog, danced together and even snuggled watching the Sound of Music that one time... It took them time to get to the stage in which they were at right now, but it had been worth it. In the past couple of years, their relationship had changed from bully and victim to friends and brothers.

"Don't cry Finn, your giant-sized tears could drown someone." Kurt said before giving his brother a hug. Finn giggle-sobbed into Kurt's shoulder and the shudders emitting from his body shocked Kurt. Not even his dad had cried... yet.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, man. I'm just... I'm going to miss you. As much as you piss me off when you don't let me eat Doritos or those cookies you make, I'm gonna really miss you man. I've had to say way too many goodbyes and you're going to like, Europe. You're so lucky you don't have a boyfriend, man... It'd kill you to have to say goodbye to him and then your brother too." Finn squeezed Kurt one more time and patted him on the shoulder, probably making him stand wonkily for the rest of his life.

"Okay guys. This is it. If I don't go now I'll turn around and walk straight back home." He hugged and kissed Carole on the cheek one last time, gave Finn the pleasure of a 'bro-hug' and squeezed his dad one last time. "I love you all; I'll call all the time, write and send you fabulous fashion, Carole." Kurt winked at his step-mom as he slowly backed away, not wanting to turn away from his family. Once he had turned away, he wouldn't let himself turn back. He couldn't. If he prolonged the process it'd only hurt more. They said their final goodbyes, Burt telling Kurt to enjoy himself more than anything and that he was proud of him.

Although he knew this was the right thing for him, it didn't mean it was the easiest. Frankly, it was damn scary and daunting to be moving to Europe. Not having his support system so close could either make him crumble, or make him stronger. And Kurt Hummel was nothing if not stubborn.

He was going to France.

Kurt had landed in Paris jet-lagged to hell but after an undisturbed yet frantic flight; was he doing the right thing? Had he forgotten anything? Oh god, what if he had forgotten underwear or something stupid like that? Once he departed the airport, he called a cab to the address of his new apartment, taking in the scenery as he went. Nerves and excitement pumped through his body as the cab-driver pulled up to a tall, dated looking building. His apartment was on a pretty quiet looking street, half an hour walking distance from his office meaning half an hour from the centre of Paris.

The building was of old architecture, typical of what he had imagined for a French apartment building. His landlord was waiting at the door, one hand on her hip, keys jangling in her other. She was a short thirty-something-year-old woman with dark brown curly hair, pink and purple at the ends, and seemed to be a free-spirit.

"Salut! Kurt Hummel?" She said. Her voice was thick with a French accent. "My name is Joséphine, but you can call me Fifi. Here are your keys; you have one spare but if you lose them both you pay. Let me take you up to the apartment." Fifi took one of Kurt's bags from the car trunk without saying anything, dragged it up the front steps into the lobby and into the already open elevator.

"Okay, your apartment is on floor quatre...I mean four. You only use one key; it opens the main door and your apartme- aah, were here!" The elevator dinged and the doors opened, revealing a clean and tidy looking hallway with one door; number 9.

"Okay. Here we are," Fifi opened the door to Kurt's new home. "Home sweet home, oui?" She smiled as she led him into the room. "Here we have the kitchen/diner and lounge area. Here are the boxes you got sent over, and the apartment is fully furnished." Kurt looked around and liked what he saw; the walls were painted a neutral light tone, utilizing the natural light coming from a tall window across from the door. The kitchen was separated from the lounge area by an island and everything looked new, modern and clean. Fifi led him to a door to the right of the entrance, opening it to reveal his bedroom which was also neutral, furnished with a double bed and two alcoves which had been utilized by creating two large closets. Obviously Kurt approved.

"This is where the, uhh, what you call the magic happens, oui?" Fifi said with a cheeky glint in her eyes, earning a giggle from Kurt.

She led Kurt into the room, indicated a door on the right into an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding, roll top bathtub to Kurt's surprise. The bathroom was painted blue and he couldn't wait to personalise the place. They both went back out into the living area where they could discuss the finer details.

"As you know, rent goes out every month. If you're late you'll be charged extra and the later you are, the more you pay. Uh... All of my contact details are by the phone, along with a tenant handbook with explanations and instructions. You know... rules, the boring shit. I put a few maps and tourist information in the handbook for you, 'cause I know you're an American man, so will lose your way." She smiled before finally taking the keys out of her pocket once again. "Okay, there you go. I think I'm done, call me if you need anything, chéri. Have fun unpacking." She tossed Kurt the keys, spun around on her platform stilettos, bid Kurt au revoir and bounced out of the apartment.

The exit of her flamboyancy only succeeded in accentuating the silence in his new home. He was alone. He leaned against the door Fifi had just left through. He shook himself then stood tall; he was Kurt Hummel and he could do this. First; unpacking, then he could worry about everything else later. He dragged his suitcases through to his new bedroom; his clothes had suffered enough.

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