The Scholarship
Episode 3: Learning Curve
Okay, so, so far, I've fallen in love, been told that I have to compete with the person I like, discovered that they like the freakin' head boy, and encountered their absolutely bizarre music director who wanted to let me into the school just because I had the name of one of the von Trapp children. Oh, and I've already discovered which teacher to avoid, and been flirted with - even though it was completely one side, and they were just flirting for the sake of it, not because they liked me. I officially don't think this day can get any weirder. The important word there being "think".
Kurt flicked a lettuce leaf across his plate, and listened to David and Flint discuss their art lesson with the rest of the table. Kurt didn't know who most of the people at the table were because Nick and Jeff had been joined by a load of students that hadn't been there the day before, and both Thad and Blaine were absent from the cafeteria. This being so, and because they were talking about a subject that Kurt didn't take, he found himself staying completely silent, and trying to force some food down him. His stomach, though, seemed to have different ideas about being fed because it kept twisting itself into knots, clearly exhibiting the nerves that wracked his body at the thought of going to lessons now.
"Oh, I am telling you there's something going on between them!" the boys all snorted over their lunches at once, and a smile even appeared on David's face, which had been exceptionally grave throughout the course of the meal.
"That's, just, eurgh! Did you have to put that image in my head? I'm eating!"
"Aww, poor baby Jeffy!" Nick reached across the table and tugged at his cheeks. Jeff slapped him away whilst the other boys guffawed. Looking around, Kurt noted that the cafeteria was more rowdy than yesterday. Maybe everyone was just more subdued on a Monday. And perhaps the "studying" was in fact last minute homework being finished. That would certainly make things more normal.
"You know, Sectionals is gonna be epic this year." Kurt looked up at that. Flint was the one that had started the conversation with the other boys at the table. "I think Luc's finally caved." he added, and the light in the other boys' eyes lit up.
"He's going to let Blaine and Sebastian sing together?" Flint nodded, and Kurt managed to not choke on the tomato he was eating.
"Finally…after all their duets at the concerts it was getting ridiculous that they weren't doing at the competitions."
"Too right, Fred, I think Sebastian was the one to finally swing the scales in their favour."
"How?" asked David, sitting up. Flint shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but when he spoke to me in the corridor he said that he'd just had a conversation with Luc…he wasn't specific, though."
"Wait! Wait! Hold the phone. Sebastian spoke to you in the corridor!" Flint nodded.
"I know, I was kinda surprised too, to be honest…he asked me if I was okay…it was a little weird." the other boys exchanged glances.
"Maybe it's Blaine…maybe he thawed the heart of our little Ice Prince." there were some chuckles at that, and Jeff turned to Flint whilst Kurt stared at his plate, hearing the words resonate inside his head. They were going to sing together at Sectionals…He closed his eyes, this just got worse.
"So, how are you? You know, your parents and stuff?" Flint shrugged.
"I dunno, it wasn't that bad…just some stuff about how my grades weren't high enough, or something." there were rolled eyes.
"That's a tonne of crap."
"Thanks Drew, but, you know what they're like…if I don't get 100% I might as well have failed." there were more eye rolls, and, for the first time, Kurt considered the fact that this was a private school. This meant everything was going to be more academically challenging, and, whilst the courses at McKinley had always been kind of easy, he was starting to guess that this was the kind of school were a B grade was the source of major distress. Not good.
"Well, anyway, he just said I better win at Sectionals…and I have to sing solo at the Concert. They're not even coming." he slumped in his seat slightly, and Kurt sat up, ears perking slightly.
"Concert?" there was a pause as the boys looked at each other, clearly deciding who should answer.
"Well," said Nick, eventually. "we hold three concerts each year…one in Autumn, one in Spring and the last big hoorah in Summer. We also hold a Carol Concert at Christmas, but that's all very formal and incredibly dull." there were a load of eye rolls, and nods.
"Yeah…the preacher is boring." there were more nods.
"I'm a devout Christian, and all," added one of the boys. "but even I can't stand the Carol Service, it's just…" he shook his head. Kurt frowned.
"You have to go to a Carol Concert, but what happened to being an accepting school?" there was a pause in which they all shared knowing looks that just made Kurt annoyed.
"Well…yeah, all faiths are welcome in our school, but it's just a sort of tradition, you don't actually have to go, except the Warblers sing, and most people go out of…" there were shrugs. "It's just a kind of school thing…people just go."
"Even though it's boring?" asked Kurt in disbelief. There were more nods.
"Yeah, if for nothing other than the singing, and the Orchestra…the voices sound exceptional in a church." there were nods from the non-Warblers at the table, and those that were in the choir blushed red.
"I thought you were a show choir." there were shrugs.
"We're kind of both…there's another choir, a more traditional one…and we join together for the Carol Service, and the end of year Concert in the Summer." Kurt nodded in understanding.
"So, this Concert, how do you get a solo?" there was a pause, and more knowing looks from the boys were exchanged. It annoyed Kurt that they were doing that…it was like he didn't exist in those moments, and it infuriated him.
"Well, you have to go through Luc…and it's not just singers." said Nick in an easy tone of voice that didn't quite match up with the serious expressions on everyone's faces. "There are a set number of solo slots you see, and anyone can go for them, like Juri here-" he gestured to a pale boy with very dark hair and electric blue eyes. "-plays the French Horn…he's had a solo in every concert because he's just so amazing." the pale boy flushed slightly as his hair was ruffled affectionately.
"How many solo slots are there?" asked Kurt curiously. Nick paused in thought, looking at the others for help.
"I think about 12...six in each half; the concert always opens with the Warblers and closes with the Orchestra…then the Chamber Orchestra and the Concert Band play at the ending of the first half or the opening of the second, depending, and the other music groups can play if Luc clears them." Kurt nodded, thinking.
"So, basically, you have to audition in front of Luc-" he broke off at the sight of them wincing.
"You want to call him Mr Lucey." Kurt raised an eyebrow, looking at the boy who'd spoken. "Trust me, never call him Luc unless he's allowed you to…it avoids any unwanted incidents." Kurt raised his eyebrow further, intrigued.
"You have to be one the "music kids" to call him Luc." explained Drew, slowly. "You should have seen the look on his face when Fred called him Luc. He went redder than his hair, I think we all thought he was going to explode. Then he went into some long rant about how calling him that without permission was disrespect."
"And then he put me in detention for three weeks…thankfully I got Mr Kerr got him to over turn it."
"Who's Mr Kerr?"
"He's the head of Putnam house…Dr Booth is head of Harriot, and Professor Lloyd is head of Franklin." Kurt nodded.
"Which one is he?" he asked, craning round to look at the staff table. He was unexpectedly jerked back to face the boys before him. "What?"
"You don't just stare at the staff table, that's disrespectful!" Kurt blinked at David's hiss, and then straightened his blazer. "and Professor Lloyd is a woman."
"Sorry…" he said, utterly bemused.
Okay, this school is weird. The rules that they have, I just don't get…You seem to have to randomly jump out of the way of some students, you can't look into the teacher's eyes if they're telling you off, and you can't stare at the teacher's table because that's disrespectful. I mean, yeah, it's so much better than the shoving and pushing and uncouthness of McKinley, but…I don't know…there's something a little odd about Dalton? And where's Blaine? The phone call can't be taking this long.
Blaine made his way to the choir room, after looking around to make sure no one - Sebastian or Luc mainly - was lurking in any of the rooms to the side, he shut the door and pulled the cover off the piano. He stared at it for a couple of seconds, half wishing he had his guitar because it made everything…different, but decided that it wasn't worth going back to Franklin for it. His hands traced the ivory keys, and the temptation to sit down and play was almost uncontrollable, but he fought it. He needed to think. He needed to decide.
He sank onto the stool, shoulders slumping forward in the way that he did when he was alone and there was nobody watching. He glanced around, feeling almost guilty neglecting his posture, there always was somebody watching, even if it was just Blaine himself. He raised his hands to the keys, a small frown gracing his brows, eyes narrowing slightly as he envisaged the chords he so frequently played on the guitar onto the piano keys.
And he needed a release. Cooper's call, whilst being filled with good intentions - for the first time - had served to add another pressure to his life. Blaine, though he never showed it, got nervous at the thought of performing in front of other people, it sent his heart racing and the butterfly feeling wouldn't leave his stomach until a good half hour after he'd come off the stage. Now that he could, potentially, be performing in front of his brother and father it was like someone had just dropped a lead weight into his stomach. Add to that the fact that he could be on the cusp of a breakthrough with his father…but possibly at the cost of hanging Kurt out to dry. Blaine didn't know Kurt at all, but he knew how that felt…and he knew that Kurt needed safety…and, if Blaine had anything, it was moral compass. Unfortunately, there seemed to be some interference with that…but it was still pointing, despite wavering, towards Kurt.
His hands fell onto the keys off their own accord, punching out the intro chords because that was the only thing on his mind. Because, in the end, he needed something to take his mind off everything else…and he needed to know that he could do this. If he was going to sing to his father, than he needed to be better than brilliant.
Hey, slow it down whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah I'm afraid whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
There might have been a time
When I would give myself away
Oh once upon a time I didn't give a damn
He began to crease his brow as he fell further into the song, beginning to let go, and loose the self conscious feeling that he felt about sitting in the Warbler Hall in the middle of lunch.
But now, here we are so whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Just don't give up I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He tilted his chin towards the ceiling, eyelids flickering. He didn't want to let anyone down, he never did. This was what he wanted to yell to his father, his brother, Kurt…Sebastian. To tell them that, no matter how confusing this was for him right now, that he was going to do the right thing…come to the right decision. That, no matter what, he was going to make his dad proud…not that his dad would be proud if he gave up his scholarship and solos for another gay kid.
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Just don't give up on me
I won't let you down
He now felt as though he was singing to Sebastian. Sometimes, he wondered whether it was something that he did, or had done, that meant Sebastian hadn't asked him out yet. Blaine, emotionally stunted as he was, had noticed the lead like him…so why didn't he ask Blaine out? Was he waiting for Blaine? Did he still think he was still broken from everything thad had happened in Freshman year?
No, I won't let you down
He didn't want to disappoint Kurt, either. Kurt reminded him of himself when he'd first come to Dalton. Trying so hard to come across as confident and put-together, but really just barely holding it together on the inside. Almost breaking, but never doing that because they had somebody, because they had realised that someone cared.
So, just don't give up I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
Blaine didn't want to think about why nothing had happened last night. He guessed that it was because they had never said it was going to be tomorrow, they'd just implied it, but he couldn't help but thinking that they'd done something wrong. He knew that that was what was getting David. The feeling he'd messed up, and let Wes down.
It messed me up, need a second to breathe
And it was refreshing to be on his own, to catch his breath, and collect his emotions. He almost didn't feel like getting up and going to lessons. He felt like sitting there for the rest of the day, playing his way to the answer to his questions.
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Whataya want from me…
He trailed off at the end. He didn't remove his hands from the keys. His eyes, wish he hadn't even realised he'd closed, flickered open gently. He breathed out, heavily. Slowly he lifted his hands, and rested them, calmly, on his lap. Oh, how he'd missed singing on stage. How he'd missed doing that. Ever since his encounter with Luc in the Choir Room at the end of last term he'd been rather afraid of coming here to sing on his own, but now he remembered why he'd dared to do it the first time round. It was like taking a painkiller. Slowly his problems faded away.
So, lunch was interesting, but now I've got my first lesson. Worst of all it's US History with Mrs Daniels. The others have advised that I keep my head down, and don't say anything until I've had a chance to read over some of their most recent notes. They reckon, if I'm lucky, I'll pass under her radar. If I'm unlucky…
Kurt sank into a seat next to Juri. The pale boy, who spoke with a relatively heavy Russian accent, didn't say very much, but did smile quite a bit when the others spoke, like he was pleased with himself for understanding them. He seemed to be constantly fidgeting with his fingers, the three centre fingers of left hand tapping out a seemingly random pattern, and the right moved inwards and outwards. He seemed quite nice though, and had slipped Kurt his notes, written with impossibly neat, looping and even sized handwriting, and Kurt was scanning them as fast as he could.
When Mrs Daniels entered, Juri nudged him with his sharp, bony, elbow, and Kurt hopped to his feet, a couple of seconds after the other boys. Her eyes met his for a second, and he stared back, refusing to be intimidated, before Juri stepped on his foot, and Kurt remembered that this was his teacher not another student or bully. He lowered his gaze, but not before he got her disapproving glower. He looked at Juri out of the corner of his eye, and saw that his gaze was fixed on a point of floor that appeared to be completely fascinating all of a sudden.
"Sit down boys." they all took their seats, and Juri's gaze fixated on to his notepad. "How was the homework, then. Hands up now who didn't complete it?" no one moved, until Juri elbowed him again, and Kurt raised his hand, shooting the other people in the classroom bemused looks. "Ah, yes, who exactly are you?"
"Kurt Hummel."
"Yes, now that's interesting, why do I have no new student on my register?" Kurt frowned, thinking hard.
"Um…I guess, because I'm not technically a student…Mr Hammonds-"
"Headmaster Hammonds." Kurt froze for a second, mildly taken aback, before he nodded.
"Oh, sorry, Headmaster Hammonds and I agreed that I was here on a sort of…trial period, until I have my audition for the scholarship." there was a pause in which she seemed to snort, and then mutter something about "not being informed or consulted about important decisions".
"Very well, Juri make sure he gets all your notes, and the assignment." Juri nodded, and Kurt lowered his gaze again. "Where is Thaddeus?" there was a pause in which most people shot Nick and David looks. "Nicolas-" Nick winced, and Kurt could only guess that that was his full name. "-David, I'm looking at the two of you for answers." they exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"We don't know, Mrs Daniels…he wasn't at lunch." the teacher let out an angry huff.
"Right, well, if he does not turn up for the rest of the lesson tell him that he has-" the door flew open with a resounding bang, and, for the second time that day, Luc strolled in followed by a timid looking Thad.
"Sorry," said Luc, in a far more cheerful manner than this morning. "I waylaid Thad, here. There was important Warbler business to discuss, don't put him in detention…though, if anyone's looking to buy him a Christmas present, I suggest a watch." Thad was scarlet in the face, but he remained rooted to the spot, eyes on the ground.
"My-my…ap-p-polgies." he stuttered out, and Mrs Daniels narrowed her eyes, briefly, at him, but seemed for more interested in glaring at Luc with a look of the utmost distaste.
"Please leave my classroom, Mr Lucey, and try not to hold up anymore students." with a final glare that was met with a supercilious smirk, Luc left the classroom and Mrs Daniels fixed her gaze on her pupils. "Thaddeus," she said, as she began to open a file on her computer. "if you don't stop holding up my lesson I will put you in detention." Thad gave a nod that she couldn't see, and slid into the empty seat next to Nick. The dark haired boy leant in, as if to engage him in conversation, before seemingly deciding better of it, and moving back to an upright position.
Well, this is going to be fun…it looks like Mr Lucey isn't that popular with the rest of the staff, or at least Mrs Daniels. I wonder why? He's a bit odd. I wonder whether he's an ex-pupil, or something, because there's no way someone his age could be teaching at another school, especially not one like Dalton…
"Mrs Daniels." Juri's hand had gone up, and Kurt was glad for a break in the lesson which was passing straight over his head. "I do not understand." he said, his face set in a definite frown, his dark, heavy, eyebrows contracting.
"Language or content?" she demanded, sounding a little impatient. Juri cocked his head for a moment, eyebrows sinking lower.
"Language." he decided, finally. "I do understand ze vords." Mrs Daniels rolled her eyes.
"Mr Hummel." Kurt jumped and sat up a little straighter. "Did you understand?"
"Um…"
No, I had absolutely no clue what you were talking about. Somehow, though, I get the impression that's not the answer she's looking for. I mean, I didn't understand what she was talking about so I sort of tuned her out…I am so screwed!
"Mr Hummel try and pay attention next time. Mr Benediktov, please use your intuitive in the future; ask Mr Hummel to help you translate."
"But I zought ve vere not allowed to talk?" Mrs Daniels rolled her eyes with a pained expression crossing her face, and Kurt noticed that there were quite a lot of people in the classroom that were trying very hard not to laugh at the situation.
"I am giving you permission to talk, Juri, if - and only if - you do not understand what I am saying. Clear?"
"Yes." he gave her a definitive nod, and Mrs Daniels shook her head, as if despairing at her class. She straightened herself and began to talk again.
Okay, I'm really confused by this woman. Why does she keep switching between people's first names and last names? So far, she's called Juri by both, me by my last and Nick, David and Thad by their first names, well their full names, but still…it's just odd. Though, I'm starting to think that "odd" is a bit of an understatement as far as this school goes…I also wonder what happened to Blaine. He never made it to lunch…I guess he's in his next lesson now, though.
Blaine knew that, if anyone found him, he was so dead. However, right now, he couldn't bring himself to care. He was skiving off lessons, yes, but it was only French, and he could easily catch up a later date. His dad had made sure that both he and Cooper, and now Anna and Megan, were practically fluent in French and Spanish by the time they entered high school. He cursed his mind as it brought him back to thoughts of his father. He knew that, as Cooper had enlisted the help of Anna and Meg, he was well and truly done for because, no matter his father's relationship with him and Cooper, he could never deny his two little princesses anything.
"You know, Blaine, last time I checked, you were meant to be in lessons." Blaine looked up and saw Luc leaning in the - now open - doorway to the hallway.
"Oh, yeah, right." Luc came in, frown on his face.
"Why so despondent Blaine? I thought you'd be jumping for joy after I spoke to your boyfriend." Blaine rolled his eyes.
"For the last f-ing time. I am not dating Sebastian!" Luc just smirked at the Junior, shutting the door and moving into the room.
"Yeah, but you both want to…so, you know." Blaine blinked.
"Wait. What? Sebastian wants to go out with me?" Luc, sitting down on a sofa, and putting his feet up on a table reveal lurid socks that were neon green and yellow striped, raised an eyebrow.
"You're joking, right? I didn't think you were that blind." Blaine scowled.
"I know he likes me- or at least he flirts with me, but I didn't- I wasn't sure whether- I didn't think he did serious?" Luc shrugged.
"I've never known him to do "serious", but I've also never seen him quite as hung about someone as he is about you. I mean, think about Freshman year…" he trailed off and Blaine glared at him as got up from the piano, and sat on the arm of the sofa opposite Luc's. He opened his mouth to ask about Sebastian, before he sighed, heavily, and shook his head.
"What did you talk to him about?" he asked, eventually, feeling slightly awkward about having a private conversation with Luc.
"I think it's time to show-case you and Sebastian together, on stage, for Sectionals." Blaine felt his mouth drop open in shock.
"You mean we'd do a duet on Friday!" Luc nodded.
"I don't see why not…I mean, I have to run it past the council, but I can't see anyone objecting…they've all been begging for this since I caved at the Summer Concert two years back."
"Well, I guess we kind of have to do it now…it's not like he's gonna be around much longer." Luc nodded.
"Precisely, that's how your dear boyfriend-" Blaine ground his teeth. "-managed to convince me in the first place…Why don't you just ask him out?" Blaine opened his mouth, startled, before shutting it again.
"I…I just don't…"
"You don't wanna be rejected?" Blaine nodded, swallowing.
"And he's like the most popular kid in the school…and he's head boy…I'm starting to think he's a little out of my league." Luc's eyebrow rose again.
"Out of your league? You're the only person in this school who can match him vocally." he shook his head. "There's no hope for that Kurt kid." Blaine frowned.
"How do you know that? He could be amazing." Luc shook his head.
"If was that amazing, he'd have been singing lead in the New Directions…he wasn't, ergo he's not as good as you or Sebastian because the girl and the guy they have singing lead are only just a match for the two of you…the girl more than the guy." Blaine nodded, musing it over.
"I don't think we should get cocky…the guy we met yesterday - Finn, Kurt's stepbrother - seemed kind of confident about their chances of winning." Luc sat up.
"You met Finn?" Blaine nodded. "He's their male lead." Blaine opened his mouth, as if to emit an "oh" of surprise, and leant back a little. "What did he seem like?" Blaine shrugged.
"Tall, not that threatening…enthusiastic." Luc nodded.
"That's how the New Directions function; they get by on their peppy, look-at-us-we're-the-underdogs-so-feel-inspired-by-us attitude." Blaine raised his eyebrows.
"Ookaay." Luc let out a snort at the look on his face.
"Harsh words, but it's true…they were cute last year at Regionals…but they didn't hold a candle to Vocal Adrenaline…and you know how much it pains me to say that." Blaine nodded, brow sinking in thought.
"Do you think it'll work against us to have two guys singing together?" Luc shrugged, pulling his face.
"Well, possibly, but we're an all boys school, it's not like we have a choice….which reminds me, you need to meet up with the Crawford girls." Blaine stared at him, mouth parted in confusion, before he remembered, suddenly.
"Ohh yeah." he said, eyes going slightly wide. "Crap…yeah, I forgot."
"Well you better do it quickly, you've got to make your carol choices soon, it's not like you guys get many chances to practise together." Blaine nodded.
"Yeah…totally." Luc frowned at Blaine as they descended into silence again.
"Is there something wrong, Blaine, because I count you as one of "my" students." Blaine raised an eyebrow.
"Your students?" Luc shrugged.
"There are the students I can't stand, the ones I'm indifferent towards - which is most of them - the ones I like, and then the ones that genuinely care about."
"You mean the musical ones."
"Not just the musical ones, though, Blaine…I mean the exceptional ones; you, Sebastian, Juri for example."
"I thought you didn't like Sebastian." Luc smirked, running a hand through his hair.
"I like Sebastian…I admire him…he's a good kid, when he wants to be." Blaine tilted his head to the side, utterly fascinated with this insight into the genius' world.
"Who else do you like?"
"Well…Wes, Thad, George, Callum, Pedro and Braden."
"Not David or Mac?" Luc shook his head.
"David's talented, there's no denying it…but he's not original…he might have a sign saying "Wes' lapdog" pinned to his chest. Mac's the same…accept he's just been groomed into his way of playing…he's technically brilliant, but he's not interesting." Blaine tried not to snort at Luc's description of David.
"Right…if you like me, why did you yell for singing in here last year?" Luc frowned, pursing his lips, and Blaine got the sense he was struggling to recall that particular memory.
"I don't remember that, what were you singing?" Blaine cast his mind back.
"Waking Up in Vegas." Luc's expression cleared.
"I hated the fact that you'd chosen to sing our performance song…it was such a waste of time." Blaine nodded.
"Right, I'll bear that in mind…scared the crap out of me." Luc burst out laughing.
"My apologise, Blaine…why are you out of lessons, though?" Blaine sighed.
"It's Kurt…" he said, sighing.
"Oh you noticed his mega-crush on you?"
"What?" yelped Blaine, actually leaping off the arm of the chair. Luc's mouth fell open, slightly, at his reaction.
"Okay…I'll take that as a no." Blaine was still on his feet, heart beating wildly.
"Luc, were you kidding?" there was a pause, before Luc cracked a grin.
"Yeah, 'course I was…reaction was totally worth it." Blaine scowled at Luc.
"That was not funny, you know full well I lack the emotional capacity to deal with that kind of situation…it totally stressed me out." Luc chuckled as Blaine sank into the sofa. Blaine shook his head. "No, the problem is, just…do I throw away the audition, Luc?" Luc raised his eyebrows at that.
"If you do that you won't be lead in the Concert…I can't even guarantee the one after that." Blaine sighed.
"I guessed you'd say something like that…but, what am I meant to do, Luc?" Luc shrugged.
"I don't know Blaine, it's up to you."
"Any advice?" Luc raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, I might look out for my boys, doesn't mean I know how to deal with their problems." Blaine snorted, loudly.
"True, but still?" Luc paused, swinging his legs off the table he stood up. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked over to the window, gazing out across the grounds.
"Blaine, if there's one thing I learnt it's that the only person that you can count on 100% to look after you is you. Sacrificing the scholarship for Kurt would lovely, but it might not be what's best for you…and in the end, that's what you have to do, Blaine. You might feel like a shit person, but you can't help it. I would bet anything that in your situation, whatever that may be, Kurt would be feeling the same thing, along with every other boy in Dalton." Blaine nodded as Luc, shrugging, turned to face him again.
"I just…I feel like I should give it up."
"Then do." Blaine nodded, face setting into a frown.
"Okay, thanks Luc." Luc looked at him, eyes narrowed.
"Are you going back to lessons?" Blaine considered it before shaking his head.
"No…I'd rather off for the rest of the day."
"Then come on, I'll show you the prototypes I've prepared for the council today." Blaine hopped off the sofa arm, and gladly followed Luc through one of the side doors and into his office.
Okay, I'm officially, totally, screwed as far as Dalton goes. I've had two lessons, two freakin' lessons, and half the year probably thinks I'm stupid. So History was pretty bad as Juri kept asking me what stuff meant - I'm starting to understand why the desk next to him was empty, and Mrs Daniels kept glaring at me, like she thought I was talking for the heck of it, but nothing could have been as bad as English. They're doing 'The Crucible', and I don't know anything about it. I thought Professor Lloyd was going to kill me, when I guessed that it was set in the Civil War, talk about getting off to a bad start with my Head of House…I guess it didn't help I ended up next to Juri again. Worse of all, I keep getting pulled out of the way and elbowed. It's not bullying, they're just trying to keep me out of trouble, but it's getting annoying! Urgh, I'm glad dad's coming now, it's going to be nice to be in a situation I get!
"Juri, make sure that Kurt finds his way to Franklin, then the cafeteria and back again alright. You guys are probably gonna end up rooming together."
"What?" Kurt didn't mean to sound so annoyed or enraged, but the day had stressed him out. Juri looked at him, a hurt expression crossing his features. Kurt sighed and ran a hand across his face, his posture slumping slightly. "Okay, I'm sorry…this day has just been a bit…"
"Much?" Kurt nodded at Jeff's suggestion. The tall blonde boy placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kurt, we understand that, you know, this must have been a huge upheaval for you." Kurt nodded, hugging the books that had been given to him a little closer to his chest, and straightening his spine slightly.
"You know, we'd love to stay and help, but we need to get to Warblers." Flint was anxiously checking the time on his watch, and Thad was shifting from foot to foot in obvious anxiety. However, the mention of the show choir captured Kurt's attention, and he managed to regain his perfect posture.
"Can I come?" he asked, a tad eagerly. "I mean, how do I join?" the boys looked at each other, sharing sad looks that made Kurt a touch uneasy.
"You can't come, Kurt." said Jeff, eventually. "You'd have to audition…and we don't have time to host an audition, not with Sectionals on Friday. We've only got three rehearsals left."
"Yeah, and now that Sebastian and Blaine are singing together our song will have change…we're gonna have a lot work to do."
"But…but…" stuttered Kurt, a slightly lost expression appearing on his face. "I…I wanted to join…I wanted to compete."
"And you can and will," assured Jeff. "but not this time." Kurt felt his spine crumble again. He couldn't compete.
"Is there no way?" they all shook their heads.
"I'm…I'm ssssorry, K-Kurt, but…rules." Kurt nodded, understanding what Thad was trying to say, but still feeling completely disheartened at the same time.
"Right, well, I'll see you guys later, I guess."
"Yeah…we should be out in time for dinner, fingers crossed." the three boys turned away, together, and hurried through the crowd.
"I'm sorry," offered Juri, but Kurt just shook his head. Juri shrugged, and then relieved Kurt of half his books. "I'll take you back to ze house…you can dump your stuff in my room until ve figure out vhere you vill stay for longer term." Kurt nodded, giving the Russian a half smile.
"So, can you explain some things to me?" he asked, as they began to make their through the crowds, people parting for Juri, slightly.
"Yes, of course." Kurt bowed his head, slightly, avoiding eye contact with anyone lest he should end up on the receiving end of Juri's bony elbow again. "Vhat do vant to know?"
"Can you just explain some of the basic rules, like the whole getting out of the way of people in the corridor." Juri nodded, opening his mouth to explain the rules, and Kurt tried to relax, despite the constant stream of thoughts running through his head.
I can't believe that I'm not competing at Sectionals! I just can't believe it! Singing has been the only constant thing in my life, and now I'm not allowed to compete just because they can't sacrifice their precious time to let me audition! It's not fair! After everything that's happened, they're just treating me like it's nothing! All that's happened today is me being told that there's other things more important then me getting into Dalton; Sectionals for one! I mean, don't get me wrong I want to win that trophy as much as Rachel, and I don't care which team I'm on to do that, but my life was threatened! It's like that doesn't even matter!
"Sebastian!" Kurt was shaken from his angry, hurt, thoughts by Juri's shout to the Head boy. Sebastian - who Kurt had never disliked more than in that moment when he had all the negative thoughts and feelings inhabiting him - stopped, and turned to Juri in surprise.
"No offence, Juri, but now really isn't a great time." the Russian boy nodded in apparent understanding.
"It von't take long. I promise." Sebastian came to a halt, eyes darting between Kurt and Juri in an impatient manner.
"What is it?"
"Vhere is Kurt going to be staying? Vill he stay vith me as I have a spare bed?" Sebastian looked between them.
"What? Well, yeah, you or Parker, and seeing as he's met you that seems to be the best idea. I mean, it kind of has to be his choice…" he glanced at Kurt, and Kurt was mildly taken aback by the fact that he was asking Kurt whether or not he wanted to share a room with Juri. Kurt nodded, eventually.
"Um, yeah, I'll share." Sebastian nodded.
"Great, well, gotta run…" he clapped Juri on the shoulder before darting away. Kurt stayed still, stunned into silence for a second, before following Juri the final couple of metres to Franklin house. They stepped into the antechamber, and Kurt let out a great sigh when he saw his dad standing there, surrounded by suitcases.
"Dad!" Kurt dropped his books onto the floor and threw his arms around his father. Burt took a couple of steps back, seemingly taken aback by his son's affection.
"I've only been gone for hours," he said, stepping away, and chuckling. "Are you sure you going to stand being away all week?" Kurt, smiling too, nodded.
"Yeah…it's just…it's been a long day." Burt nodded.
"Tell me about it…I knew you had a lot of clothes, but I didn't realise you had this many. Carole packed what she thought you might want for now, but we weren't sure." Kurt nodded, and grabbed one of the cases as Juri gathered up his books.
"I vill put your books avay…and I vill find somevone to help…" Burt frowned at the boy who was looking around. "Chris!" he called out, and a boy with headphones covering his ears looked around. Juri raised a hand to him, and he came running over. When he came to a stop, Kurt recognised him as the boy from lunch who had told him to call Luc Mr Lucey.
"What is it Juri?" he asked, slipping the headphones round his neck.
"Vill you help Kurt to bring his zings to my room." Chris nodded, and reached for a case.
"Yeah, sure."
"Sorry, who are you two?" Burt was looking at the two boys who were now holding Kurt's things.
"Oh, I'm Christopher Jones, and this is Juri Benediktov, we're both Juniors, and in Franklin." Burt nodded.
"Ah, I see."
"Kurt vill stay in my room." added Juri. There was a silence as Burt nodded, slightly startled, and followed the boys through the common room, up the stairs, and then another set, to the third door on the right. Juri flung it open to reveal his own room, almost identical to Blaine's except that it was a lot messier. There was music scattered everywhere, and an upright piano stood in a corner. There was the case of what Kurt guessed was his French Horn, and a violin case lay open.
"Sorry zat zere is so much mess…I forget to tidy." he added, a little helplessly. Kurt nodded, preparing to turn around to collect the rest, and was surprised to find that some other boys had already brought it up.
"Well…" said Burt, glancing at his son who was taking in the space that he'd been given. "I guess I'm not needed anymore." Kurt gave him a smile.
"I'll see you soon, dad." Burt nodded. There was a crash, and both Hummel men turned to see Juri tumbling over his chair. He leapt to his feet, a piece of manuscript crumpled in his hand.
"Sorry." he said, a little breathlessly. "I just realised…I am late. Excuse me." he hurried out of the room, snatching up his horn case, and running away. Kurt gave his new roommate a small smile, and Burt reached over to hug him.
"It seems like you're a part of this school already." he muttered, and Kurt nodded.
"I know, it really feels like it." Burt nodded, and the two of them walked, in near silence as there was nothing to say, back to the cark park. After he'd hugged his father once more, assured him that he was going to be fine, and waved him away, Mercedes texted him.
Are you still on for the chat?-M
Kurt smiled at that. The thought of seeing a friend after the kind of day he'd have, made him almost giddy, and he checked his watch. He didn't have time to change, he'd just go like this. Pulling the car keys his father had just given him from his pocket, he hopped into his car.
This day has been one hell of an experience. Tomorrow I have a whole day of lessons to make it through, and today I probably should be sitting in my room cramming the work I've missed into my brain…but I can't do that. I just…I'm so tired, I need a break. School can wait just one more day. Plus, I seriously need to unload all my feelings onto someone before I explode…
Next Time- Hot Seat: Kurt finds solace in his old team-mates, but his first night at Dalton is still a tense affair with Blaine's continued absence doing nothing to reassure him that everything's going to be okay, and, somewhere between the heartache, Kurt beginnings to learn that nothing is simple. Blaine and David experience one of the longest nights of their lives as they enter an entirely new fold…