Blaine wasn't sure who was more determined to have a good time in LA, his mother or Cooper. It almost felt like a competition between the two of them. Though he wasn't sure if he could follow the rules, if there even were rules, or how points were being given or who was in the lead. Cooper managed a few days off, showing them to the beach, the tourist spots, and then some. He had never seen so many different places in one day, and he'd been shopping with Jeff before.

His favorite spots were the beach front and the main street, all the live musicians and music shops. He found portfolios of music that he just couldn't pass up. Wes must be rubbing off on him more than he thought. He also did the dutiful thing of finding cheap, cheesy and some vintage souvenir items for his friends to give them all when he got back. He even found some old cassette tapes in perfect condition that Thad would geek out over.

There was one thing he splurged on, a six scarf box set with adorning brooches that screamed Kurt so loud that Blaine couldn't ignore it. Maybe he could save it, and give it to him as a birthday present. Then Kurt couldn't admonish him on buying him gifts. He got a few music things for his equipment back home that Cooper offered to air mail them back so they didn't have to deal with the headache of airline customs being picky.

He'd also started taking to going to some of the local cafes in the morning while his mother worked out in the hotel gym, instead of just lounging around the room and making halfway acceptable hotel coffee in the tiny coffee pots that came in the rooms. It gave him a good place to people watch or doodle in a notebook, jotting down lyrics that came to him. He found himself a little inspired by Los Angeles. He could see why it appealed to so many people.

"Don't argue with me, Sebastian, it's already finalized." a woman said as she sat at the small table beside him, a boy his age sitting with her with the air of someone almost bored.

"I would get further talking to a wall, mother." he said, tone light.

"It will be good for you. Boarding school builds character." the boy named Sebastian's mother said, putting a folder down on the table. "Look it over. I'm going to go make some phone calls and step out to smoke.

"Of course," Sebastian said, taking a drink of his coffee.

"We'd appreciate it if you actually tried with this school. Two more years and you'll be in college. We want you to make the most of it." she said, giving a small sigh.

"While being far, far away. I get it." Sebastian said, a snide smirk on his lips.

Blaine felt bad for overhearing, but with less than three feet of space between tables it was kind of hard not to. They didn't seem to care though. The mother stood, taking her purse and phone. Folder and still full coffee cup sitting on the table.

"What kind of name is Dalton Academy anyway?" Sebastian muttered.

That had Blaine's attention. There couldn't be that many school's named Dalton Academy, right? He had never heard of another one than the one he went to. He glanced up, his attention catching the attention of the boy. He saw his face fully for the first time. He was slim and angular but there was a confidence and pride that filled it all. His eyes were quick, like they saw Blaine before he could really process it. When he realized his reaction had gained the others attention.

"Sorry." he said, more of a knee-jerk apology.

"Don't be," Sebastian smirked, looking him over.

"Did you say you're going to Dalton?" Blaine asked, trying to recover.

"You know it?" Sebastian asked, looking at him in surprised disbelief.

"The Dalton Academy in Ohio, right?" Blaine asked, Sebastian giving a short nod in answer. "I go there. I'm from Westerville."

"And you just happen to be in LA?" Sebastian asked, smirk back.

"Visiting family." Blaine said, giving a small smile. "My brother works out here. Acting."

"Is he successful?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes?" Blaine answered, confused by the question.

"Well, I mean, naturally he would be, if he is at least half as attractive as you." Sebastian said.

"Oh," Blaine was genuinely caught off guard by the passing flirt. He wasn't used to forward guys just flirting with him right off the bat. Even in Dalton most people seemed very reserved about people they were interested in. Especially towards Warblers.

"Too much?" Sebastian asked.

"It's flattering," Blaine said, exhaling in amusement. "Really."

"But." Sebastian smirked, tilting his head.

"That obvious?" Blaine asked.

"Cute Ohio kid with that kind of smile and eyes, how could you not?" Sebastian chuckled. "Let me know if you change your mind though."

"So you'll be coming to Dalton then?" Blaine asked.

"If they make them like you there, then I don't see why not." Sebastian said.

Blaine chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. His watch beeped, making him look at it, and realize the time. His mom would be finished with her work out and getting ready for the day. They had brunch plans with Cooper. He promised her he wouldn't be late. Today was the last full day Cooper had off of work to spend with them.

"Sorry. I've got to go." he said, gathering up his things.

"Hot date?" Sebastian asked.

"Maybe." Blaine shrugged, unable to pass up the moment as he stood. He gave him a small, friendly smile."See you...it's Sebastian, right?"

"Right." Sebastian nodded. "And your name is-?"

"Oh, right. My name is Blaine." he said, sticking out one hand. "Blaine Anderson."

"Sebastian Smythe." Sebastian said, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you," Blaine said.

"Likewise." Sebastian said as he winked.

…...

In the hotel there was a knock on the door to their room and Pam answered it, a bell boy from the front desk standing there. He smiled politely at her when she opened the door.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Are you Anderson?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm Pam Anderson." she said.

"Mail came in for your room, for a B Anderson." he said, showing her an air mail envelope.

"That's my son. I can take it for him." Pam said, accepting it.

"Have a nice day, ma'am." the boy said, taking his leave.

Pam nodded, stepping back and closing the door behind her. She looked at the envelope curiously. She didn't think he was expecting any mail while he was here. The return address was Ohio. Kurt, she realized, smiling softly. She thought it was sweet that the boys kept up with the pen pal letters even after their time in the program.

But she was sure that the letter could wait. They only had a few days before their vacation was over and they'd be going back to Ohio. They could catch up then. For now she took the air mail envelope and put it in the bottom of Blaine's suitcase for him to deal with later. Right now was family time. As she stood from putting the suitcase back under the bed Blaine arrived, a coffee for her in hand.

"Thank you, dear." she said, taking the cup.

"Not a problem." Blaine said. "Are you ready to go to brunch?"

"Yes. I just need to grab my purse and we can go." Pam smiled.

"Cool." Blaine said. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Just thinking about Ohio." Pam said.

"You really like it out here, huh?" Blaine asked.

"We'll bother your brother a little while longer before I make up my mind," Pam said, making her son chuckle as she grabbed her purse and ushered him out of the room to go meet up with her other son.

…...

"I've got good news!"

Kurt looked up from his laptop. He'd been distracting himself by online shopping, looking for all the worthwhile sales, more window shopping than anything. There wasn't anything new coming out until fall, but it still made him feel a little better looking, thinking of different ideas for outfits. Burt had come through the front door, his voice carrying.

"You won the audition for town crier?" Kurt guessed.

"Ha ha, very funny, kid." Burt said, coming into the living room to sit down and take off his shoes.

Kurt gave a small grin, closing his laptop. His dad seemed in a genuinely good mood, which told him he was serious about whatever his good news was. After the last week they needed something to be sincerely excited about. He shifted in his seat, looking to his dad.

"So what is the good news?" he asked.

"I got the rest of this week off at the shop, and your aunt and uncle say they're more than happy to have us up for a little vacation. Your cousins will be happy to see you and Finn again." Burt said.

"Really?" Kurt asked.

He was a little surprised, even though they'd talked about going up to visit them for the better part of a month or two he didn't think his dad would put it together so fast. Then again, maybe after the last couple events, it wasn't all together very surprising. His dad nodded in affirmation.

"We leave tomorrow afternoon. It's about an eight and a half hour drive." Burt said.

"I thought you said your tires for your truck don't come in for another couple days." Kurt said. "Are you gonna just push those back?"

"No. I was thinking of just using your Navigator for the trip. We'd all fit better in it, and I can pay for the gas. Your tires were just changed last year. You should be more than good. I will want to take it by the shop for a little check over though. Just to be sure." Burt said.

"You think that's a good idea?" Kurt asked.

"Kurt. These kids might not be above spraying some paint and tossing eggs at houses, but they can't seriously think you won't touch your car all summer. Plus I'll be the one driving, so if I stop somewhere, they'll see it's me, and it won't be a problem." Burt said.

"First the cops make it sound like I'm not paranoid enough. Now it feels like you're telling me I'm being too paranoid." Kurt said.

"They want you to be careful and vigilant. And we will be. But we're not hiding." Burt said. "I raised you to be stronger than that. If anyone's acting like a coward it's those bullying kids."

"Okay." Kurt said, nodding. "If you want to use my car for the Michigan trip, I'm okay with it. It'll be nice to see them again."

"That's the spirit." Burt said. "I'll take it out tomorrow morning. You should start packing."

"You say that I like I take forever. I just take my time so I don't forget anything." Kurt said, smiling in spite of himself as he stood with his laptop.

"And it benefits everyone, I know." Burt smiled. "Carole's bringing home pizza tonight. They have a special on that healthy pizza you like."

"They always have a special on that pizza." Kurt said.

"That's because I'm pretty sure we and the Berry's are the only ones buying that pizza." Burt said, grabbing the TV remote.

Kurt grinned, nodding in silent agreement as he went to his room to start packing. He went to text his friends when he remembered he'd traded in his phone for a new one, with a new number too, and still hadn't plugged in the new contacts. Joy. Maybe this was a sign for him to stop being lazy and program his phone already.

Despite the, or maybe thanks to, last minute feeling of this trip, Kurt kind of found himself looking forward to it. He suitcase and a backpack's worth of stuff. It might be a little much but he would rather be safe than sorry. And they were driving so it wasn't like they had to fight with baggage claims or anything like that. He was free to pack how he pleased. Between lists and pizza and getting his phone switched over, it felt like a pretty nice, pretty productive kind of night.

…...

Burt woke up early, planning on taking the Navigator to the shop before they were technically opened so it wouldn't get in the way of any of the scheduled appointments for customers coming in. He didn't think he'd find anything wrong with the car, but he wanted to look her over, make sure everything was okay. Kurt would be taking it to Westerville in a couple months, he wanted it to be in top shape. So with a light breakfast of eggs and toast and coffee, he kissed his wife's cheek and grabbed Kurt's keys from the hook.

Carole promised to look after the packing for the both of them, and to make sure the boys were all set. She had more than enough accumulated vacation time that she had been saving up for the boy's senior year, with the intention of using it for fun trips. This one counted enough. And she was looking forward to seeing Michigan when it wasn't covered in feet of snow and ice. Seeing Kurt and Burt reconnecting with their family meant a lot to her.

Burt went through the Navigator himself, topping off some fluids and checking that everything was clean and smooth. She really was a beautiful car, with some great memories of rebuilding her engine with Kurt. He would miss those days when he was all grown up, chasing after his dreams halfway across the country. But he would be happy. He kept telling himself that. At least Kurt would be happy. And away from these idiots.

He went to go back home, deciding at the last minute to treat Kurt to a surprise and get his car washed for him so it looked really nice. He went through the automated line instead of the manual wash. It took more time but it meant that he got to sit back and relax a little bit. The parking lot was a little more crowded by the time he made it out but he wasn't too worried about it. He decided to take the side exit onto the back road that would let him pass most traffic if he timed it right.

Driving towards the exit he went to take the turn when something slammed across the hood of the car, followed by two more, icee of different colors blocking across the whole of the windshield. But it wasn't sliding off easily, not like usual icee. He went to correct his turn and stop while he turned on the wipers but he overshot and left the parking lot into the street, a car slamming into the driver's side just as another slammed into the bumper, another car trying to leave the car wash. The dual impact making the air bags deploy.