There was something about Andrew that perplexed Kurt, but he couldn't decide what it was.
He was good looking – almost the same height as Kurt, with warm, chocolaty hair that, unlike Kurt's perfected do, fell effortlessly across Andrew's face. He had a strong jaw and broad shoulders and Kurt wasn't embarrassed to admit he was attracted to him the moment he walked into the small cafe where Kurt was sipping on a latte after a stressful day of Christmas Shopping.
Kurt was cataloguing what he'd brought and what he had yet to by: Mercedes' bejewelled hairbrush and earrings, Dad's new jeans and some CDs, Carole's perfume and blouse, Finn's poster of some sports team that Kurt wouldn't have objected to them hanging in their shared room... he could appreciate the players physique's defiantly... as well as a green hoodie. That just left a couple more people from glee and then of course Blaine to buy for.
Kurt was snapped out of his thoughts when the attractive brunette actually said "hey, is this seat taken?" Kurt couldn't help but chuckle at the clichéd-ness of it all.
"Ok," the guy began "can't blame a guy for trying, no need to laugh, I'll sit somewhere else..."
"Wait, no," Kurt interrupted, stifling his laughter, "Sorry, it's just I didn't expect to hear a line! Of course you can sit here"
Kurt offered up a genuine smile. "Kurt," he introduced himself.
"I'm Andrew. So, Kurt, do you come here often?" he winked and Kurt burst out laughing all over again.
After that, conversation flew fast and easily between the two boys. Kurt learned that Andrew lived in Westerville, but he attended a public school about thirty minutes away from Dalton. He was a senior, so a year older than Kurt, and he liked science.
Almost an hour has passed when Kurt realised he should think about heading back.
"I don't want to seem forward or anything," Andrew began, "But would you like to go out sometime?"
That was taken back slightly, sure, he figured that half of the conversation between them could have been considered flirting, but neither of them had even said they were gay. Still, it was refreshing to have someone be upfront with him as opposed to the tentative flirting-but-maybe-not-flirting which had been going on between him and Blaine.
"Sure, I'd really like that!" Kurt answered honestly.
"That's great! And there was me all ready to be shot down!"
"Why did you think that?" asked Kurt, genuinely confused.
"Um... it's just, I've never done this before."
"this?" prompted Kurt.
"This... asked someone out. I'm sorry, I'm kinda new to the whole dating thing."
Kurt more than understood, he was completely new to the whole dating thing.
"Can I tell you something?"
"of course," answered Kurt, admiring his openness.
"I'm not... out. No one knows I'm gay."
Kurt's mouth hung open slightly.
"I want to go out on a date with you Kurt, I know who I am but I also know my family won't be happy. And I can't do that to them. So I'd understand if you changed your mind and didn't want to deal with me and my... for lack of a better word... baggage."
"Trust me, I've got enough issues of my own. Issues I'd rather not get into right now; it's more a third date kind of topic."
"Third date? You see us on a third date?" Andrew asked with a raised eyebrow and genuine surprise.
Kurt smiled coyly, "I don't see why not, if our first and second date goes as well as this."
Andrew grinned widely and the pair exchanged numbers and said fair well.
By that evening, they were texting furiously.
They continued to text through the Christmas Vacation.
From Andrew: I'd love to ask you out for a meal tomorrow, but I just found out we're going out of state to visit family over Christmas :( x
To Andrew: No worries, I'm going to be pretty busy organising the perfect family Christmas :) We'll do something when you get back.
Christmas Morning, Kurt was dragged – literally dragged - out of bed at the ungodly time of 5:45 am by an overactive 5 year old. Oh wait, it was Finn. But it was an easy mistake to make.
After presents and food, Kurt finally got 10 minutes to himself in the afternoon to check his iPhone:
From Mercedes 3: Merry Christmas Kurt! xxxx See you tomorrow :)
From SheHitler: I may not celebrate the holidays, but I wanted to will the Glee Club a Merry Christmas and I look forward to singing for you when we get back to school.
From Tina: Merry Xmas evry1! X
From my boo: What did Santa bring you Kurt? I only asked for Artie to walk, but I also got a new MP3 player for my Ke$ha songs! Xoxoxo
From Blaine: Just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. Can't wait to see you again. Blaine.
From Unknown: Merry Christmas guys :D I got a new phone!
From Unknown: Oh, this is Artie :)
From Andrew: Merry Christmas, Kurt. I can't wait to see you again :) Andrew x
Kurt replied to everyone in glee club first, offering the general 'Merry Christmas' and answering questions as well as asking how everyone spent their holidays. He agreed on a time to meet Mercedes in the mall tomorrow to spend their Christmas money and catch up.
That left Blaine. What did that text even mean? It was so cold and impersonal... Or was it? Did it just feel that way because Kurt knew he was hoping for something... more?
'No, stop, Kurt. You have to get over this. He doesn't liiike you,' he told himself and composed his reply.
To Blaine: Merry Christmas to you too. I hope you enjoyed your holidays :)
To Blaine: Oh, and p.s. you don't need you sign your texts, I think by now I have your number! :-P
To Andrew: Merry Christmas Hope you've had a nice time in Wisconsin. Any idea when you're getting back? You still owe me that date ;) x
Half way through writing his text to Andrew, his phone buzzed in his hand. He hated when that happened; it was distracting. But he carefully finished the text and even added a kiss. He'd noticed Andrew sent one every time, but Kurt never did... He hoped Andrew noticed.
Once he clicked sent, he opened the newest text:
From Blaine: Smart-ass! That's what I get for being polite, huh? Well enjoy your leftovers see you in 6 days!
Kurt had no idea where Andrew was taking him, so he didn't know what to wear. But every moment is an opportunity for fashion, so he made sure what he was wearing showed off his fabulous self.
He'd felt like a weight had been lifted telling Blaine. He didn't really know why, but he felt guilty not telling him. He didn't feel guilty for going out with someone else (Blaine had, after all, had plenty of opportunities to tell Kurt if he was interested). No, Kurt just felt guilty for omitting the truth. And now it was out in the open he was free to enjoy his date.
His date!
His first date, with a boy!