Kurt Hummel was a pretty normal guy. He made good grades, had a few good friends, and he was one of the most talented singers in the school glee club. But no one but his few friends really accepted him and the fact that he liked guys. Everyone else just fought to make his life a living hell. He never thought he would meet someone until he was out of high school. There was simply too much hate and revulsion surrounding him in Ohio.
But, that wasn't to say that he hadn't fantasized about having a boyfriend. For those few seconds of non-reality, he could imagine what it would be like to hold someone's hand as they walked down the hall, and what it would feel like to have another boy's lips pressed against his own, and how they would slow dance at prom without any hate from his peers because they would both be strong because of each other.
In fact, his improbable romance was the subject of conversation between him and Mercedes as they walked to their AP English class.
"Kurt, I really don't understand how you don't have a boyfriend. I mean, so you're the only person who's out here. But Lima isn't the only town in Ohio. Why don't you go out more, you know, get to know some guys who don't go here? Maybe one of them will end up as your very own prince charming," she suggested as they took their seats. He sighed as the pulled the assigned book out of his bag. He glared at the copy of Jane Eyre with baleful eyes. What use this novel would have for him in life, Kurt had yet to figure out.
"Look, 'Cedes, I doubt that I'll find anyone here. It's too small town in Lima and Ohio just seems to be too closed minded. It's our senior year! I've made it four years without someone to hold me here, and in a few months time, I will have made it to New York to pursue my dreams and then I'm sure I can dedicate some time to getting a boyfriend." He looked over at his best friend, expecting her retort, but found none as she was currently ogling the new kid who walked in. Despite his prior speech, he couldn't help but find himself at a loss for words. This new guy was, after all, way more attractive than any guy he had ever seen before.
"Uh-huh. Kurt, you can't lie to me. You talk all about how you don't need a man and I know you don't," she amended. "But you just can't deny, that guy who just walked in is the new hottest guy at McKinley. And, I can see you drooling, so don't try to deny it. Maybe you'll have some luck this year and Mr. hot over there will turn out to be gay." She cast a wicked smile his way, causing the blushing brunette to smack her arm.
"Okay, class, settle down," Mrs. Carson announced the second the bell rang. "We have a new student today. Blaine Anderson has transferred from Dalton Academy in Westerville. I'm sure you'll fit right in here, Blaine." She smiled graciously before starting her daily lecture.
"Isn't Dalton that all boys school we competed against last year?" Mercedes whispered as they hurriedly copied notes.
"I think so. I don't know if this guy was in the group, but one would think I would remember a face like that," he sighed. No, he couldn't do this again. With his luck, it would end just as horribly as the Finn situation had. Except, probably worse because he doesn't even know Blaine.
"Boy, I know what you're thinking. But this guy might be different! Just do something. You never know: He did go to Dalton after all," she added with a conspiratorial wink.
"Well, Mr. Hummel and Ms. Jones, it's so nice that you decided to pay attention to my lesson. Hummel, move, now," she ordered. "You'll be working with Mr. Anderson on this project, so get to know each other quickly." He groaned before picking up his books and moving to sit beside the silent newcomer.
"Hi. I'm Kurt, by the way." The introduction hung awkwardly in the air between them. He drew in a shaky breath before trying again.
"So you, um, you went to Dalton before here?" Blaine nodded shortly, staying focused on copying the required information off of the sheet. Before Kurt completely gave up on trying to crack the silent boy, he let him know one last thing.
"Look, I completely understand if you don't want to associate with me because I'm gay. It's your first day here, and that would just end up with you ostracized. But you're going to have to talk to me at some point because I am not going to fail this project." He trailed off once he noticed that Blaine was actually paying attention. He sucked in a shaky breath, unarmed by the brown gold of the other boy's eyes. Before he could get too drawn in, however, Blaine blinked a few times and let his gaze drop back to the faux wood table.
"It wouldn't bother me that you're gay, seeing as how I am too. But the reason I left Dalton was for personal reasons I don't want to talk about. I'm not really looking for friends here, either, even though I'm sure you're a great guy, Kurt. So, could we just work on the project. Please." Kurt couldn't think of anything once he heard the slight tremor in his clear voice.
"Yeah. Sure, whatever you want. Before I had a partner, I was assigned to analyze the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester, so I guess we're still doing that." He wasn't sure why, but something about Blaine made it hard for him to form reasonable sentences in his head or some kind of witty remark. The tanner boy put down his pencil.
"Why didn't you have a partner before? I just assumed that you were working with your friend you were sitting with before, and I thought I should apologize for splitting you two up." His lips turned up at one corner, sending flutters through Kurt's heart.
"Well, Mrs. Carson doesn't think that Mercedes and I would get any work done if we were partners, so she won't allow it. As for why I don't have any other option, no one wants to associate with the gay guy, lest they 'catch it' or some other dumb thing like that. Oh shit, sorry!" he apologized suddenly when he realized he already let Blaine know what was in store for him in case anyone found out. The other boy nodded and shrugged it off.
"It's okay. It was like that at my old school, and I wasn't expecting anything different here. So, how are we going to do this project?" Now it was Kurt's turn to shrug.
"I really don't know. I guess we can just meet after school? Discuss it then?" His more altruistic side wanted him to say no. The less the two were seen together, the better the new guy's life would be. But he couldn't just ignore the fact that the butterflies in his stomach were itching for him to say yes.
"That sounds good. We can meet in the library and then we'll take it from there," he agreed. Kurt didn't trust his voice enough, so he nodded instead. As he walked to his next class, a sobering thought hit his newfound happy mood. Blaine had said he wasn't looking for friends and had made it pretty obvious that he was not going to talk about himself. Maybe, just maybe, Kurt could convince him otherwise.