WEDNESDAY

Sometimes Kurt could catch the sunrise while on the road. Usually, highway hypnosis would set in and it would be dark one moment and bright the next. Sometimes, however, if he was paying attention, he could turn his music off and gaze out the window, one eye on the road and the other on the sky as it changed from black to purple, to pink and orange and blue. It was really the only thing he liked about his morning drives to Dalton.

He liked the school, mostly. It had Blaine and a popular glee club and zero-tolerance policy, but when he woke up every morning, he would squint at his alarm clock through the covers, the unsympathetic red numbers staring back at him, and Kurt just didn't want to move. He didn't even feel like reaching his hand the foot or so required to hit snooze. He felt paralyzed.

The staring contest he held with the clock rarely lasted more that a couple minutes before Kurt would slide out from beneath his down feather comforter and into the bathroom to shower and moisturize. That routine generally would wake him up a bit more, giving him the energy to go through his closet and put together his uniform ensemble.

There weren't a whole lot of options to choose from when it came to his uniforms. The selection was limited to cardigan, sweater vest or blazer, generally with a scarf thrown in to make things interesting. Kurt missed fashion. Sure, all of his wonderful clothes were still there, and he could wear them after school and on weekends, but he knew his babies felt neglected.

Sometimes Carole would be up to make him breakfast. He loved it when she did. Her warm smile accompanied with the smell of omelets was more comforting than he could ever admit. He never said anything negative to his parents about Dalton. He didn't want them to feel any shred of regret about sending him there. It was the right decision, no matter how long the drive was.

As Kurt watched the sun come up, he took it as a reminder that the new day meant new opportunities. Blaine was still mad at him, but he could fix that. Lennon was still talking shit about him, but no one seemed to like Lennon either, so that was ok. Nick might still hate him, but he had made a new friend in Seth. Yesterday and the day before and been filled with ups and downs (mostly downs), but if Kurt could help it, today would be an up.

If he arrived at Dalton early enough, he could catch Blaine coming in. He wanted to set everything between them straight as soon as possible, so that the rest of the day would not be spent on edge. Kurt pulled into the parking lot and stepped out of the car, tightening his scarf against the crisp morning air and scanning the area for Blaine. From where he stood, all the Dalton boys gathering out on the front lawn before the doors opened looked exactly the same. They were just disembodied heads floating in a sea of navy blue and red. Kurt gulped and made his way towards them.

The groups they gathered in were not too different than the cliques in the lunchroom. Some boys from the soccer team kicked around a ball while the Model UN debated over global issues, the photography club traded lenses and Warblers discussed their anthem ideas. Kurt purposely avoided Lennon and the rest of the kids who ran the Dalton Gazette and ambled right over to his fellow Warblers.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit was the anthem of a generation!" Connor insisted.

"Teen Spirit is a brand of deodorant, Connor," said Thad.

Connor growled in frustration. "Cobain didn't know that at the time!"

"I still think we should do Born This Way, said Andrew, shrugging.

"No freaking way," said Mark. "I'm not singing that Madonna rip-off."

"It's not a rip-off!" Andrew said earnestly. "It's a love letter to an idol."

"It's a poorly thought-out, lazy-ass song, and I'm not singing it."

Andrew sighed and let his shoulders slump, but brightened up when he saw Kurt. He pushed passed the other boys and jogged up to him.

"Hey, man," he said. "Usually don't see you this early."

"I know," said Kurt, nodding. "I may or may not have been speeding all the way here."

"Ooh, living dangerously!" Andrew threw his head back and laughed.

Kurt chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Have you seen Blaine? Is he here yet?"

"No, actually, I haven't." Andrew said. "You guys still fighting?"

"You, uh, you know about that?" Kurt asked gingerly.

"Like, everyone knows about that," said Andrew. "Hey, you want to know something funny?"

"Sure, what?"

"I totally thought you guys were dating."

Kurt's mouth fell open. "What? Why?"

Andrew shrugged. "He just kinda hogged you, you know? From what I could see, you never hung out with anyone outside of school besides him. I thought maybe you wanted all your time your boyee-friennnnd." He elongated the word, teasingly, grinning.

"He's not my boyee-friennnnd," Kurt smacked him lightly on the arm. "And I do hang out with other people. Just yesterday I hung out with Seth."

"Speaking of Seth," said Andrew, tucking his hands into his pockets, "and by Seth I mean the bookstore where he works, and by the bookstore where he works I mean the Bakery across the street. They're having, like, a special on red velvet cupcakes today. Would you care to join me in consuming as many as possible?"

Kurt blinked at him, not really sure how to respond. Was this offering just another way of 'not' coming onto him? "Well, I, uh…" There was a loud click and the ornate front doors opened, prompting the boys to move. He saw a glimpse of Blaine through the crowd. "Can I get back to you on that?"

Andrew smiled again. "Yeah, sure. No problem."

"See you later, ok?" Kurt said as he backed away.

"Definitely." Andrew's smile widened and Kurt felt himself smiling back.

Kurt managed to catch up with Blaine in the hall on the way to first period. He ran up behind him, squeezing through the crowded corridor, holding his hand out like he wanted to physically reach him. His hand clamped onto Blaine's shoulder and Kurt called out his name. Blaine turned around.

"Kurt?"

"Blaine. Can we, um, can we talk?" he asked, catching his breath.

Blaine looked at him, and then back to his classroom door. "Right now?"

"I know we don't have a lot of time, I just..." Kurt bit his lip. "We can't keep avoiding each other."

Blaine's face softened, and he sighed. "I know. Can we talk at lunch, maybe?"

Kurt nodded and let his arm fall. "Yeah, yeah, that sounds good. We'll talk then."

"Ok. I gotta get to class."

"Me too," said Kurt. He gave Blaine a quick wave goodbye before running off to his own class.

Kurt felt substantially less paranoid today. People talking in his classes no longer appeared to be whispering about him, just having everyday conversations. Seth even turned out to be in a few of his classes, and Kurt wondered how he had missed him. Today, Dalton felt safe again.

"Did you seriously ask Kurt out this morning?"

Andrew shook his head. "No, I just asked him to have cupcakes with me. If I end up licking frosting off his face, then so be it."

"You know you're a traitor, right?" Nick sneered.

"Oh, calm down," said Andrew. They sat in the back of their classroom as usual, talking while the other students filtered in before class started. "Just because I don't want to, like, participate in Operation Everyone Hates Kurt doesn't mean I'm a traitor. What would I be betraying, anyway?"

Nick threw up his hands. "Your people! Your community!"

"Like the non-straight kids even have a community at this school," said Andrew.

"Maybe you're right," said Nick with a sigh. "I can't ever know for sure if what Lennon said was true, anyway."

Andrew looked away and scratched the back of his head. "Actually, I kinda got, like, conformation on that from Blaine."

"Then what the hell are you still going after him for?" Nick demanded.

"Just because," Andrew whined as Kurt entered the room. "I mean, look at him! It's just, just his face and his hair and his legs and his voice and his teeth."

"Teeth? Are you crazy?" said Nick. "There all tiny and crooked."

"They're adorable." Andrew sat up in his seat and waved. "Hey! Kurt!"

Kurt turned around. "Yeah? Oh, hey, Andrew."

"You made your decision yet?" he asked.

Kurt bit his lip and shrugged. "Um, I haven't had a chance to think about it."

"Aw, c'mon," said Andrew, flashing him his best smile. "Don't leave me to enjoy all those delicious cupcakes by myself!"

"I'll have one, ok?" said Kurt. "I have to watch my figure."

"If we put your figure up on pay per view, everyone would watch it," said Andrew. Kurt and Nick both stared at him, confused. "Uh, never mind, I'm not funny. I'll meet you at the lawn after school, ok?"

Kurt nodded. "Ok."

As Kurt turned back around, Nick grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close. "What are you doing?" he whispered. "Don't you have a thing going on with Seth?"

Andrew pushed him away. "We're not exclusive. Don't look at me like that, man!"

"I can't freaking believe you right now," said Nick. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

Blaine received a troubling text from Nick on his way to study hall.

Did you see Andrew ask out Kurt this morning?

Blaine frowned and punched out his response. WTF I told him not to.

He tucked his phone back into his pocket and scanned the hall for Andrew until he saw him coming out of the restroom. Blaine wasn't thinking. It was as if his mind and body were on autopilot as he marched up to the other boy and pulled him out of the hall and back into the restroom.

"Dude, what the hell are you doing?" said Andrew as he regained his balance.

"What am I doing?" Blaine asked, pointing to his chest. "What are you doing? You can't just ask Kurt out like that! He isn't ready."

"Ready for what, Blaine?" said Andrew. "Cupcakes? Because that's all it goddamn is. I'm not whisking him away to Canada to elope, ok? We're getting cupcakes. Why is everyone ganging up on me for this?"

Blaine stiffened. "I just want to make sure he doesn't get hurt."

"Do you?" said Andrew, incredulous. "Because it looks like you want something else."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Blaine snapped.

"Who exactly do you think is gonna hurt him?" said Andrew, his voice rising. "A guy who is completely honest with his feelings and acts on them, or a guy who just leads him on?"

"I, I'm not," Blaine stammered. "I'm not leading him…"

"Mr. Anderson, Mr. Starkofsky," said a voice from the door. They turned to see a school administrator scowling down at them. "Please follow me to the dean's office immediately."

"But, we weren't doing anything!" said Andrew.

"Not only are you not in class where you're supposed to be, you are screaming at each other and causing a disturbance."

Andrew and Blaine exchanged a glance, both wondering how loud they had been.

The administrator stepped back and pointed out to the hall. "March."

The boys quietly obeyed.

Kurt made his way into the cafeteria, his stomach too filled with nerves to really want to eat. He just wanted to talk everything over with Blaine. Make it all better. Be friends again. Blaine, however, was nowhere to be seen. Kurt walked up and down the food line before going over to the Warbler table and sitting across from Seth. Kurt heaved an overdramatic sigh and rested his chin in his hands. And the day had been going so well.

"Is there something the matter?" Seth asked, dipping his celery stick into a jar of peanut butter.

"I was supposed to meet up with Blaine," said Kurt. "But I can't find him."

"He's in in-school detention with Andrew," said Seth as he brought the stick up to his mouth.

"What? Why?"

Seth shrugged. "Apparently they were caught skipping."

"But Blaine doesn't skip class," said Kurt, leaning forward in his seat. "I mean, he skipped once to help me out at McKinley, but I've never seen him do it again."

He closed his eyes. Blaine wouldn't have gotten in trouble on purpose just to avoid him, would he? Kurt shook his head and dismissed the thought.

"What I don't understand," said Seth after he swallowed. "Is why they were caught together."

"What, are they not friends or something?" Kurt asked.

"Not particularly," Seth shook his head. "Andrew's even told me he hated him a few times."

Kurt squinted. "Why would he hate him?"

"Solos. Blaine generally receives a lot of them and Andrew is rather envious."

The nerves in Kurt's stomach now formed into an awkward lump. The Warblers had always appeared to be one unified team. He didn't think they would squabble over solos like New Directions.

"What did you want to talk to Blaine about?" Seth asked.

"Just, just some stuff," Kurt said.

"Was it about Andrew?"

"No?" said Kurt, tilting his head. "Why would we talk about Andrew?"

"Because he's taking you to Mon Delice." Seth said, matter-of-factly. "It's a very nice place, actually, although people tend to come into the bookstore where I work after going there and get powdered sugar on everything."

"Wait, this is a nice place?" Kurt asked. "I thought it was just a bakery."

"It's a just nice bakery," said Seth. He reached over and patted Kurt's hand. "Andrew isn't taking you anywhere inappropriate for a first date, I assure you."

Kurt coughed and blushed. "It's not a date."

Seth looked at him. "Hm."

"It's not!"

"It's ok if it is," said Seth, scooping up another dollop of peanut butter with his celery. "I promise I won't get jealous."

The awkward lump grew and Kurt crossed his arms over his front to calm it down. He had forgotten that Andrew and Seth were involved. Was that what Andrew wanted from him? Just someone to fool around with? What if he wanted to actually date, but at the same time see other people? Would Kurt really be ok with sharing a boyfriend?

"How do you, um," Kurt gulped. "How do you guys work, exactly?"

Seth chewed his celery for a moment, thinking, and swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, like, are you guys just friends with benefits or something?"

Seth shrugged. "I suppose that would be an adequate description."

"And would you, like, stop, um, whatever you're doing if one of you, like, found someone else?"

"If Andrew wanted an exclusive relationship with someone else, I would, uh, back off, as they say."

Kurt took this in for a moment. "Has that ever happened?"

"What?"

"Andrew wanting an exclusive relationship and you backing off."

"Oh," said Seth, blinking. "Not that I recall, no. Does that bother you?"

"No," said Kurt. "Yes. I don't know. How many guys do you two go around with?"

For a brief second, Kurt swore he could see Seth counting on his fingers before putting down his celery and reaching for his water bottle.

"It's, um, it's not important."

Kurt nodded. "Sure."

Kurt mentally categorized Seth as kind of a slut, and hoped Andrew wasn't the same. He got up to get something from the food line, knowing that if he didn't eat then he would be starving the rest of the day, and wished Blaine could be there with him.

I'm sorry I couldn't make it to lunch, read the text Blaine sent Kurt as school ended. Kurt fiddled with his phone for a moment before responding.

It's ok. He wrote. Just don't get detention next time.

Kurt pushed through the doors and down the cold stone steps to the lawn, where he promised Andrew he would meet him. He didn't quite feel nervous. It was more like how he felt before a performance. Anxious, but filled with anticipation and adrenaline.

His phone vibrated. Lima Bean?

He frowned, feeling strangely guilty. Can't. Already have plans.

It wasn't a date. It wasn't a date. It wasn't a date. Kurt repeated the phrase in his mind over and over again, but it refused to really sink in.

Ok, Blaine responded. Have fun.

Kurt sighed and turned off his phone. Andrew waved from the grass and jogged up to him.

"Hey," he said. "How's it going?"

"Oh, I'm fine," said Kurt, casually. "What about you? I heard you had detention."

Andrew groaned. "Yes, yes I did. Someone made me late for class and they thought we were skipping. It sucked."

"I can imagine," Kurt said, nodding. He noticed that Andrew did not specifically mention Blaine, and wondered why.

"So, are you ready?" Andrew asked, leading him into the parking lot.

"Uh, yeah, sure," said Kurt, following. "Wait, are we just taking your car?"

"Is that a problem?" Andrew stopped by an old black Lincoln and leaned against the hood. "Esther won't bite."

Kurt raised his eyebrows at the fact that Andrew named his car. "I just have to leave for home right after, and it's a two hour drive."

"Two hours?" said Andrew. "Oh, ok. Do you know where the bakery is? It's right by where Seth works."

Kurt shook his head. "I don't know where Seth works."

"Let me give you the address, then." Andrew reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen.

"Do you have paper, or…" Kurt said but Andrew reached out and took his hand.

Andrew's fingers were long and callused, but warm, and Kurt felt a fluttering in his chest as the other boy carefully wrote out the address on the back of his hand. When he let go, Kurt let his arm hang in the air for a moment, still tingling.

"Is that ok?" Andrew asked.

"Um, yes," said Kurt, tucking his hand into his blazer pocket. "I'll just, um, plug that into my GPS."

Andrew smiled. His smiles were absolutely hypnotizing. "Cool. I'll see you there, ok?"

"Yeah, ok, cool."

Andrew climbed into his car and Kurt walked away to find his. Regardless of what he told himself, his hand was completely convinced it was a date.

END OF PART FOUR.

Thank you for reading!