This may sound like bull, but i swear on Sue Sylvester's life that i put Rachel's song in here before i saw the show where she and Kurt sang it. I had no idea at all that it would be there and i was shocked that i had already picked it out. So, i decided to leave it in because the it seemed that she was destined to sing it. Just wanted to let you guys know.
Kurt had been tossing and turning the entire night, unable to get the sound of Sam's voice out of his mind.
When he had heard someone come into his room he had lain still and hoped that they would leave again soon, but then Sam had started singing with such raw pain in his voice and Kurt had nearly choked up with tears.
He didn't know what on earth to make of it and he was refusing to let himself think that it might mean anything the way it had blatantly sounded.
Because it had sounded like Sam was singing to him, about how he wanted to make things right, make memories, be with Kurt.
Which was stupid, of course. Sam wasn't gay. Was he?
By the time 7am rolled around Kurt was half convinced that he had imagined the whole thing and told himself to be completely normal at breakfast and act like nothing had happened. He spent double his normal amount of time getting ready after discarding outfit after outfit because of nerves, scared of seeing Sam after the previous night. When he finally arrived in the kitchen he found Finn, Sam and Burt sat around the large mahogany table, eating cereal and chatting.
"So I was saying to him, 'Look mate, I don't care if you think I'm overcharging you, if you want to try and get to the next nearest garage with two burst tires that's fine by me, but otherwise you pay my prices!'"
"Wow, Burt, I bet that was scary to watch. What did he do?" Finn looked honestly unsure about what the customer had done, even when he should have known he wouldn't able to go anywhere with two tires blown.
Kurt rolled his eyes and quickly poured himself some cereal, checking to make sure it was the low fat one.
"Oh, Kurt, that's the non-fat one that you like, I bought it specially when I went out last night, 'cause I saw that you'd run out." Sam was smiling at him.
"Oh, um, thanks Sam. That was really... nice of you." Trying not to blush as memories of him singing came flooding back to Kurt, he threw himself animatedly into Finn and Burt's conversation and managed to avoid eye contact while he wolfed down his food in record time and them blew out of the kitchen to go and make sure his hair was perfect before he left for school.
Sam looked confusedly after Kurt and tried to shake off the feeling that the boy knew something. He had avoided looking at Sam for the whole time he had been in the kitchen, and then practically run out of the room as soon as he had finished eating. As Sam pondered what it might mean he was astonished to find Kurt once again rushing past him, mumbling something about some cheerios thing before school, and 'The Wrath of Sue Sylvester'. Well, he supposed the last part was true even if he didn't have practice.
Finn ambled through the door shortly after Kurt and gave Sam a lazy smile, saying "Guess it's just us two then Sam, are you ready for another day of awesomeness at McKinley?"
After last night Sam didn't think he could be happier, even if Kurt seemed a little odd.
Kurt arrived at school in record time, even for him, and with nothing else to do he decided to make his way to the choir room.
When he neared the doors he could hear 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' echoing along the corridor and realised that someone else had had the same idea as him. Tentatively pushing open the doors he saw Rachel sat at the piano playing the entire piano part herself whilst her rich and melodious voice swirled around them both, like someone had put on the CD soundtrack and forgotten to turn it off when they left. He hadn't known she could play the piano.
Bringing her song to an end Rachel closed her eyes and tried to decide what to sing next. Hearing a small cough behind her she whirled around to see an immaculately dressed but confused looking Kurt standing a few feet away from her, his head tilted quizzically.
"I was going to come and sing. But it seems my place has been usurped. Pray tell Miss Berry, what brings a specimen such as yourself to this haven at such an ungodly hour?"
Rachel stared at him for a moment and then, deciding that he was being serious, explained herself.
"As much as you may think I like showing off, I do enjoy singing just for myself you know. And well, I can't really come here in school time, because people would hear and automatically assume that I was just looking for an ego boost. So I come sometimes before school starts and just sing some things from my repertoire, or a new song I've been itching to try out. It's kinda relaxing to be honest."
Kurt tried, unsuccessfully, to pry his mouth from the floor. He was used to the self-assured, solo-grabbing, self-centred Rachel Berry, and this was a side of her he had never thought he would see. Sure, he thought she deserved fame, but he had still had had serious doubts about her personality. Yet here she was proving his every assumption totally wrong.
And just like that he was reminded of his conversation with Sam in the bathroom the previous day, and of the beautiful song that had echoed in his room when Sam had thought he was asleep. Could he be proven wrong twice? He had thought he knew everything about everyone, that people were easy to fit into categories, but what if, what if, some things he thought he knew about Sam were wrong too.
Kurt decided to find out.
But first, he was going to have some fun with a most changed Rachel Berry and marvel in the new possibilities that had just opened up to him.
"So, Rachel, how about you play and I sing for a while? Seems a fair exchange, since you're hogging my alone time and all." Kurt smiled at Rachel and she beamed at him in return. He guessed she didn't often get people offering to spend time with her, apart from Finn, and he made a mental note to try and improve his friendship with her.
"Sure Kurt, but first, tell me why you're at school this early, sneaking into the choir room."
"Well... I thought I knew something was true. And it turns out that actually maybe it wasn't, and actually maybe all my wildest dreams are about to come true. But I'm not sure of anything, and I'm so, so confused, and for all I know it could just be one massive joke. I really needed to clear my head and singing is perfect for that." Kurt felt so good telling someone, now he finally had part of it off his chest.
"Okay, so it's head clearing that's the order of the day. Let me see..." She closed her eyes and he could practically see the cogs whirring as she delved into her mental playlist. "You just want to move on from things that have happened and become something new? I mean, you'd never change yourself, but become something better, a more pure version of you?"
He didn't know how the hell she had managed to read all that from the simple generalisation he had given her, but he was giving up on trying to predict her actions.
"Yes Rachel, that's pretty much exactly it." He knew he still looked a little shell shocked and worked his face into a smile so she wouldn't get worried.
"Okay, well don't worry, I have the perfect song for you. I even have the piano part down." He could hear the smile in her voice as she said that.
"Rachel, I didn't even know you could play."
"Oh, it's just a little habit I picked up. When no one wants to accompany you because they think you're too bossy, or egotistical, or talkative, you have to do something."
That statement made Kurt even more sure that he wanted to strengthen their friendship, and he nodded.
"Yeah, I suppose it would be helpful. Okay, show me what you've got."
She gracefully turned round on the piano stool and ran her fingers over the keys, before starting a breathtaking piano version of what he recognised as the intro to 'Breakaway' by Kelly Clarkson.
"If you don't know the words I can always-"
"I know it Rach. How did you get sheet music for this thing anyway, I didn't think it had a piano part in it?"
She didn't falter in her smooth playing as she genially said "Oh, I played this one by ear. There was no sheet music on the net. If you know the words we can start Kurt?"
"Oh... sure Rachel." He was marvelling at her modesty. A comment like that could be loaded with self-importance and self-belief, but she had said it with such mundane simplicity that Kurt was shocked.
She ran the intro again and this time Kurt started in the right place.
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away
Kurt smiled to himself and moved round to the front of the piano so he could watch Rachel as he moved strongly into the chorus, increasing his volume. He was so glad that he was singing, and this was the perfect song to take away all his worries and just make him believe, even if only for a little while.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jetplane
Far away
And break away
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Kurt smiled as Rachel joined in the bridge with him, and closed his eyes as he let the song take him over.
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging 'round revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
Gotta keep movin on movin on
Fly away
Break away
Rachel watched him sweetly glide through the last chorus with his eyes tight shut and thought about how unfair it was that Kurt was made to be miserable just because of something he couldn't change. Her dad's had told her they hadn't had an easy time of it, but she knew Kurt suffered daily on a way higher scale that they had. She hoped singing would help him let out his feelings, calm him down.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Breakaway
Break away.
Kurt panted slightly as he finished the song and opened his eyes to see Rachel sitting a the piano in front of him giving him such a look of complete understanding that he knew why she came to sing this early. Yes, like she said it was to sing for herself. But she was mostly singing for herself to comfort herself, to drive away the pain. She could have time when she could let down her walls and her hard, ignoring demeanour.
As if reading his mind her expression suddenly changed to half annoyed, half amused.
"Of course, if you ever tell anyone about this I will flatly deny it. Be prepared to deal with the bitchy bossy Rachel Berry that you all love to hate Kurt, I don't stay like this for long."
"That's fine, I don't think they'd believe me anyway. But maybe we can do this again sometime?"
She just smiled and tilted her head like she was saying 'We'll see'.
"I can hear people coming in. I have to go and be annoying. Can't disappoint my loyal fans." And with a small smile she left the room.
Kurt stared after her, realising then how beautiful she really was inside and out, and how strong she was. If he wasn't gay and currently infatuated with Sam Evans, Finn would have some competition.
Kurt silently hoped Finn knew just what a good thing he had in Rachel Berry.
Sam, still on a high from his midnight serenading, spared Quinn and Mercedes no more thanpassing glance as he practically skipped into school. And it seemed that no one else noticed them either.
However, just because they were seemingly invisible to the student body didn't mean they were insignificant. In fact they were scheming over a plan to get Kurt and Sam together, which was pretty damn significant indeed to them.
"'Cedes I think we finally have the ball rolling! Sam's going to sing to Kurt, and if Kurt is still oblivious after that then he needs his head checked."
Mercedes looked incredulous. "Sam, the dork and nervous rambler, is going to sing to Kurt? I'll believe that when I see it Quinn, 'cause he is one scared white boy."
"Well, I told him to practice while Kurt was asleep first." Quinn conceded.
"Hmm, that's a good enough start I suppose. But Sam's gonna have to strap on a pair sometime, my boy won't wait around forever for a declaration of love from someone he thinks is straight." Mercedes frowned.
"I think you're right. I think it's time to have another little chat with Sam. But first, I have something I'd like to say to Kurt. Or rather, sing to Kurt. And I know he will get what I'm saying."
"Okay, do you want me to get Kurt for you? I can see him at lunch and try to get him to the choir room early for you if you want?" Mercedes said.
Quinn pondered that for a moment and decided that that really was the best plan, that way he wouldn't be late for glee, as then he would be with Sam (possible talking time), and she could get her message across in the right setting.
"Sure Mercedes, that would be perfect! Let me know if everything goes to plan, I should be in the choir room about ten minutes before the end of school, so that we will be finished before the rest of the glee club arrives."
"Okay, will do Quinn. I'll text you later, yeah?"
Which was why Mercedes found herself searching frantically for Kurt at lunchtime when he didn't arrive at their usual table in the cafeteria. She scanned the bustling room one more time and then pulled out her phone and sent off a quick text to Kurt, hoping he would reply quickly.
Where are you? I'm in cafeteria waiting, got important news for you from Quinn. Xxx
She started circling the room and ended up pacing back and forth beside the cheerios table as she waited, making Quinn quite concerned for her friend's sanity. Then, just as she was beginning to worry her phone beeped.
I'm on the football field eating w/Rachel. Didn't want a repeat of yesterday's lunchtime fiasco. I'm wearing my good Ralph Lauren. Xxx
Wondering why Kurt was eating with Rachel when he had never professed an interest in her before, apart from as perfect makeover fodder, Mercedes set off in the direction of the field.
When she emerged near the bleachers she looked around and couldn't see anyone, and was starting to think that he was messing with her until she heard stifled laughter and shushing coming from under the nearest bleachers. Ducking her head underneath to look she was surprised to find a picnic rug spread out on the floor with a cross-legged Kurt and Rachel happily sitting eating on it.
She slid in through the small gap and sat in front of them, rolling her eyes at their hysterics.
"I'm sorry... Mercedes, but... you should have seen... your face... when... you walked... out to find no one... here!" Kurt chortled.
Rachel calmed down faster and smiled at Mercedes, saying "Sorry if we scared you at first. It's just that this is where I sit some lunches because it gives me somewhere to be when I don't feel like subjecting myself to the masses. And seeing as Karofsky' been really upping his ante recently I thought it would be best if Kurt and I mysteriously disappeared for this lunch period."
Mercedes half smiled at the Berry logic behind her rambling, and helped herself to some of their picnic. Kurt finished eating his salad and moved onto some sort of wrap before getting a glint in his eyes that told Mercedes that he had just thought of something.
"'Cedes, you do know that Rachel is vegan? Therefore this whole sumptuous feast, provided by her, is therefore of course also vegan? There's no animal products whatsoever in that sandwich,"
Mercedes gagged and looked revoltedly down at the offending culinary delight, a bemused look in her eyes.
"Why would anyone subject themselves to that?"
Kurt chuckled and said "Well 'Cedes, it's very healthy and good for the environment, and it's totally low fat-"
"And you aren't ingesting any disgusting animal by-products that are procured solely by denying animals their rights!" Rachel felt very strongly about the subject of her veganism.
Kurt watched her stare daggers at an oblivious Mercedes before he decided to ease the tension in their little alcove.
"So, you said Quinn wanted to talk to me about something?"
"Yeah, she wants to meet you in the choir room ten minutes before the end of the day, can you manage that?" Mercedes hoped he could.
"Sure, I've got English, Miss Fitzpatrick will let me do what I want really."
"Great! I'll tell her you can meet her."
Kurt started to eat again when Rachel turned to Mercedes and asked "Why does she want to talk to him? Is it to do with what he thought was true, but might not be, but might be because it might be a joke?"
"Okay, that is the most convoluted thing I've ever heard you say white girl, it was damn confusin'! But Quinn didn't say what she wanted him about."
Okay, so she had told a little white lie. But she didn't want Rachel Berry Blabbermouth in on their little plan, chances are she'd ruin it and Sam and Kurt would never get together. So she just sat quietly through their surprisingly friendly and unsurprisingly eloquent conversation and hastily texted Quinn.
You're all set xx
A moment later a reply buzzed on her phone and she silently marvelled at how fast Quinn could text.
Great. And our plan? Xx
'Hevens' is up up and away xx
As Kurt got excused from English and made his way to the choir room he was wondering what on earth Quinn could have to say to him that would require clandestine meetings in the middle of lesson time. The only thing he could think of was that she had somehow found out he was crushing on her boyfriend and was calling him there to tell him to get the fuck over his feelings and stop drooling over the blond quarterback.
So he was understandably nervous as he pulled open the door with sweaty hands and made his was cautiously into the room. He spotted Quinn sitting on one of the silly orange chairs that lined the walls, her cheerios uniform perfectly pressed and her legs gracefully folded at the ankle. He'd never taken to wearing his uniform to school like the girls did, and he doubted he could ever pull off such a graceful pose. She looked like an angel, the perfect girlfriend.
But when his eyes finally locked with hers he was surprised to see that she was smiling at him warmly, her eyes crinkling up at the edges like his mom's had whenever she found him particularly adorable.
Which, Quinn had to admit, she did. He had looked so nervous and scared when he practically crept into the room, and she had to assume that Mercedes hadn't told him why she wanted to talk to him. Well, may as well get it over with.
"Kurt, I wanted to tell you something and I thing you'd understand it better through the medium of song. You of all people should know what I'm trying to tell you, you should know the significance of this, who sings it and why."
"Um... okay Quinn"
She took a deep breath and started.
Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl...
Kurt couldn't believe his ears. He knew what this song meant. It was the reprise to the one by Elphaba he had sung last week. The Glinda version where she admits that Fiyero's heart belonged to Elphaba. And Quinn was singing it. Which meant...
"Quinn, do you realise what you're making it sound like? You must know why I sang that last week. Are you saying he... h-he...?"
"Yes Kurt. I am. We broke up about a week or so ago, and I suppose we'd file for divorce under irreconcilable differences. We have a conflict of interests. Or more accurately, one specific similar interest." At this she smiled.
Kurt gaped at her opened mouthed and tried to process that information.
So all this time...?
"Quinn. If this means what I think it means - and I'm by no means trying to inflate my ego, but it sounds like you're saying that for some insane reason Sam likes me - then what the hell are you suggesting I do?"
"Simple. Hint that you like him back."
Just as Kurt opened his mouth to question Quinn some more the rest of the glee club piled into the room, as if they had all been waiting outside for the perfect moment to interrupt his conversation and ruin his chances of getting Quinn's advice. She winked playfully at him and sauntered off to sit on the opposite side of the room.
Resigning himself to a slow hour of torture he settled down comfortably and hardly heard the rest of the 'musical' performances as he stared at Sam and tried to reconcile the improbableness of Quinn's revelation with crushing reality.
Vowing to try, he decided on his course of action and carefully wrote out his note as Finn performed 'I closed my eyes' from Joseph.
When he hurried out of the room a few minutes later he told himself not to be a coward and, finding the courage somewhere inside himself, surreptitiously slid his note into Sam's locker.
When Sam came along a few minutes later to retrieve his books before he set off he opened the door and a piece of paper fluttered to the floor in front of him. Picking it up he saw the message. There was no name, but he vaguely recognised the beautiful copperplate that it was written in.
Suddenly he realised where he had seen it before. It was the perfect slanted script used by one Kurt Hummel.
He lifted it to eye level again and tried to decipher the words, unscrambling them slowly in his head as they swirled on the page.
I'd never crush you. I promise.
A/N: I wanted to use lovely Edwardian Script font for Kurt's note, but it wouldn't let me. Sorry, you're stuck with italics. Hope you liked this one, as ever i love to hear what you think :) x