Chloe was spoiled and she knew it. She told her dad that she wanted a big party for her seventeenth and her dad just limited it to fifty. There were only three rules: No sex in the master bedroom, No one drives home if they've been drinking, and the place needs to be cleaned up the next day.
She was so excited that she started inviting people and hadn't paid attention to the fifty-person limit. She wasn't close to that number yet anyway. She'd invited the Eagles and Ice Eagles, well the ones she saw at school on Thursday.
She tried to catch Dave, but she must have missed him. She hoped that he'd invite Kurt. He was so cute and fun. She knew his name was Kurt, but in her head she kept calling him Kurtie. It was an amalgam of Kurt and cutie.
The more she thought about it, this was her party. Why should she hope that someone got invited? She decided to take matters into her own hands and go to McKinley and invite Kurt herself.
McKinley was older than Lima East. From what she remembered, East was built as a sort of an over flow for McKinley in the 1990s. The halls looked old if not well cared for. The lockers seemed ancient. It took her a while to find the arts wing. Dave had told her that Kurt was part of the Glee club, and she hoped they were practicing today.
She could hear music interlaced with talking. She walked up to the door but stayed out of sight. She peered in and could see Kurt sitting next to a guy with a mow-hawk. It looked like the guys were sitting in a row and there were girls lined up facing the guys.
Kurt was on one end, followed by the mow-hawk guy, a cute blond guy, a taller guy with a doofy grin, an Asian guy, some short shy-looking guy, a guy in a wheel chair, and a cute dark-haired guy with a bow tie.
There was a girl lined up to every guy, except Kurt.
The music starts and the heavier black girl starts singing to the cute blond guy directly in front of her.
I could feel it from the start
Couldn't stand to be apart
Something 'bout you caught my eye
Something moved me deep inside.
Chloe loved this song. She's danced to it for practice many times. The rhythm is infectious. The girls were singing and dancing to each guy directly in front of them, everybody except Kurt – even the guy in the wheelchair. That's it. She couldn't help herself any more. They were basically mimicking the dance moves from the video and Chloe knew those like the back of her hand. She joined in, facing Kurt.
Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do
You're the kind of guy, a girl finds in a blue moon
Yout go soul, you got class
You got style, you're badass
Ain't no other man it's true – all right
Ain't no other man but you
The girls keep singing and moving, but they, along with the guys, can't help but be a bit confused. Chloe doesn't care; she's singing and dancing only to Kurt.
The girls sing through another couple of verses when the guy in the wheelchair announces in song:
Break it down now!
Suddenly Chloe and Brittany break out in a modified synchronized dance and the other girls just keep singing, but step out of the way. The two girls are moving like one, but are looking straight ahead, not acknowledging each other. It looked amazing.
Ain't no other, ain't, ain't no other! Other
Ain't no other, ain't, ain't no other LOVER!
Ain't no other, I, I, I need no other!
Ain't no other man but you!
As the song ended, Kurt jumped up and clapped, as did Blaine and Sam. The girls all hugged and they even hugged Chloe.
Mr. Schue, who had watched everything from the side, stepped forward.
"That was awesome."
Chloe was still catching her breath, "thanks."
She was looking toward the teacher and hadn't yet greeted Kurt.
Mr. Schue continued, "I take it we have a new member of the New Directions?"
Chloe smiled but before she could speak, Kurt spoke up.
"Her name's Chloe and actually, she doesn't go here. She goes to East."
Chloe spun around and squealed, "Kurtie!"
Quinn and Puck; and Rachel and Mercedes all mouthed to each other 'Kurtie?'
Santana was suspicious, and now felt justified. She stands and points, "I knew it – she's a spy!"
Kurt caught her gaze immediately, "Satan – down…" as Santana sits Kurt continues, "Good boy."
Not believing, Santana lets out, "Did that Pomeranian just call me a dog?"
Kurt continues, "East doesn't have a Glee club."
Mr. Schue looks a bit disappointed, "Well, it would have been nice to have you join."
"I miss it. We have something like Glee, but we're more like cheerleaders for the ice hockey team. It's fun and hard, but sometimes having my feet on the ground – I miss that."
"Chloe, what're you d-" Kurt begins, but is cut off by Chloe.
"Wow. You have some cute guys here. Jocks huh? We don't have any of those. We don't have any wheelchairs either. Although, that would be awesome on ice. And what's with his hair?" she points to Puck, "Can I touch it? It looks soft."
Without acknowledging her, Kurt talks to the group, "She kind of has ADD."
Rachel speaks up, "How do you know her, Kurt?"
Kurt hesitates, and Chloe picks up on it.
"We met at the Lima Bean, and I just couldn't keep my eyes off of him…" she says it kind of flirty. Everybody looks at her with wide eyes, "…his dashing clothes…" Kurt mock-models for the group, "…and his taste in boys…"
That caught Mercedes ear, "taste in boys? You mean Blaine?"
Nervous, Kurt motions to Blaine, "Blaine – Chloe – you remember Blaine?"
Blaine looks confused, but plays along. "Yea – Chloe – she and I go way back, then there was that awkward part in the middle where we didn't see each other for a while, but now…" his joke went over the heads of most of the group, but not Chloe.
"Blaine – I love-love-love that bowtie." She rushes over and touches it.
Kurt proceeds to introduce her to the rest of the Glee club. She may seem ADD, but she can remember names and she picks up subtle things that most wouldn't notice, like that Santana looked a bit bothered and a little turned-on when Chloe was dancing with Brittany. She can tell that Rachel is threatened by 'new blood,' and that Sugar likes to touch Artie when she thinks people don't notice.
She also saw Blaine's face when she said 'taste in boys,' especially since he probably knew she was referring to Dave. His nostrils flared a bit, like he was jealous. But why? And why would Kurt lie about meeting her through Dave?
Trying to move the class along, Mr. Schue says, "Kurt, isn't it your turn to sing?"
"Yeah, sing your sappy 'please take me back, Blaine' love song so we can get out of here," Santana says faux-sobbing.
Kurt looks at her disapprovingly and annoyed then he looks back to Chloe, "Seriously…what are you doing here?"
"Sing? You sing?" Chloe was ecstatic. "No – you have to sing first…We'll talk after…" she looks to the group, "Is it freestyle, or is there a topic? Is the topic 'love?' We usually have a topic, but sometimes w-"
"Love songs," Kurt interjects, "this week, it's love songs."
Chloe thinks of Dave and just beams, "Can I sit in?"
Mr. Schue nods.
Kurt takes a breath. He'd been waffling over the type of love song. There are happy love songs, sappy love songs, lusty love songs, but he just wasn't feeling any of that. He was a romantic at heart, and just wanted the romance part – comfortable, not-too-sweet, but with a little desire.
After talking with Dave yesterday, He found a perfect fit.
He takes another deep breath as the piano begins.
I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
He'll get my support
He will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
He will hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact He'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
He will understand me
I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought and with every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear
Of those things
But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
I'll get away with it.
Everyone clapped and the girls, sans Santana, group hugged Kurt.
Kurt tried to keep his thoughts clear. This wasn't directed at anyone in general. It was more of a 'future, perfect love' song to him. He tried not to admit to himself that images of Dave were lingering, and needed to change the subject.
"Chloe – so, what brings to here – I'm sure everyone is dying to know."
Chloe almost forgot, "Oh – right! My birthday party! It's a week from Saturday." She looks around and instantly and without thinking too hard about it, "Kurt, you're invited, but feel free to bring your friends." After a second, she remembered, "Oh –and no presents please."
After Puck got the affirmative about alcohol, he said he would be there.
As the group moved toward the door after class, Blaine, Kurt and Chloe stayed behind.
After everyone was out the door, Blaine reached his hand out, "Hi, I'm Blaine."
Chloe smiled. Blaine was cute and charming, "Chloe…Okay, so dish." She turns to Kurt, "Why are we all hush-hush about Dave?"
Blaine folds his arms and looks at Kurt as well, "Yea – why is that, Kurt?" He was a bit amused, more in the situation with Chloe being there, not so much with the Dave factor.
"Um…I…" Kurt stammers and Chloe reaches out a hand in concern.
"Omigod, It's not because he's gay is it?"
Blaine looks surprised but Kurt doesn't speak, "He told you that?" referring to Dave.
"Dave? No – it's obvious. "
In unison Kurt and Blaine say, "It is?"
"You guys don't see it? But you know, right? I didn't just out him? Omigo-"
"No-no. We knew, but the others don't and it's sort of his secret to tell." Kurt says softly.
She nodded.
"But…how…how did you know?" Kurt questioned.
"I don't know. It's weird – I just see stuff. It's like my brain just flipped a switch."
Blaine is intrigued, "Okay – um…give us an example."
"Um…you two used to date…" she motioned between them, "…um…I think Santana was a little jealous? Of me dancing with Brittany…are they…?"
Chuckling, Blaine says, "Yea – they kinda are." He glances at Kurt, "and how did you know…about us?"
Chloe was a bit more reserved, and looked at Kurt, but he just looked interested.
"When I mentioned Kurt's taste in boys…" as she says the words, Kurt felt his ears warming to a blush, "Blaine's expression…I dunno…his whole body changed, like he was…on guard, or something. But I didn't get the sense that you were dating now…"
"How?" Kurt wondered.
"Well, if I was dating such a cutie," she nudged Blaine, "I'd be sitting right next to him."
Kurt just smiled at the obviousness, "Good point."
"You guys are so cute, but I have to go!"
She quickly gave hugs and disappeared out the door as they waved their goodbyes.
Kurt gave a sigh, and looked over to Blaine.
"She's always like that…apparently." Kurt smiled not wanting to bring up Dave.
Blaine could tell Kurt was avoiding something, "So – that song…"
"Yep." He said keeping his answer short.
"Blaine's eyes narrowed a bit in speculation, "I've never heard that song before…where did you hear it?"
"Really? It's Depeche Mode…isn't it great…I just love it." Kurt says, trying to change the subject and edge toward the door.
Blaine stops him and turns to him, "Kurt – I thought we were going to stay friends…"
Defensively, "We are."
"Then tell me what's going on. I feel like your cutting me out of your life."
Kurt doesn't respond.
"…and that song…it's like…I don't know what it's…"
Sheepishly, Kurt speaks, "Dave."
"It's about Dave…Karofsky?" Blaine's voice raises just a bit, more in surprise.
"No – I learned about it from Dave."
"Oh."
"But –" Kurt hesitates a bit, "What if it was about Dave?"
Trying to remain calm, "Well, for starters, I'd be disappointed."
"Why?"
"That guy made your life a living hell – you had to transfer schools to escape him – are you seriously telling me, you have…feelings…for Karofsky?" That last word came out venomous.
"Okay – stop." Kurt turned to face Blaine directly, "first of all, you don't have a say on who I date or who I'm interested in dating – you lost that privilege when you kissed that meerkat." He takes another quick breath, "and secondly, it's Dave…his name is Dave!"
"Kurt…"
Angry but keeping the tears at bay, "You know what I don't understand?" He looks Blaine right in the eyes, "I forgave him. Why can't you?"
With that, Kurt turned on his heel and quickly walked out.
XxXxX
Dave was feeling good. He'd asked Kurt out last night and he said yes. He had originally planned to ask Kurt to go as friends, and when Kurt made the speech about not wanting friendship, but wasn't ready for more than friendship, Dave thought all was lost. That was until somehow Kurt came back and…well…now they're going on a date.
Dave wouldn't say they're dating, and would never presume that Kurt's his boyfriend. It's weird, 'dating Kurt,' sounds fine, not that they are dating, but if they were it'd sound fine. However, 'boyfriend' still sounds unnatural to Dave. He figures that he just needs time. He couldn't even say 'I'm gay' to himself a few months ago, so he'll just have to work up to 'boyfriend.'
He'd hoped that Kurt wouldn't be offended or put off by Beauty and the Beast. They'd spent enough time together that he knew Kurt was a romantic at heart, but then so was Dave. That's right; Dave Karofsky is a sappy romantic gooey girl when it comes to movies. It's not like he's into 'chick flicks' or anything, but he's a sucker for a happy ending. He also loves when two characters seem to be at odds, but come together in the end. Add that to his love of all things Disney, and this movie was a no-brainer.
Dave was in the school gym for his last-period workout when Chloe came bouncing up to him. He didn't stop his routine; he had three more sets of bench presses to go. It was great that they had a spotter-less machine, so people could workout alone if they wanted.
After a moment of waiting for her to speak, Dave finally asked between sets.
"What's up Clo?"
She ceremoniously bows and with an English accent says, "You, sir, are formally invited to my seventeenth birthday party a week from this Saturday."
Dave had just started another set, but that made him break into a smile, "you are a goof."
She says in the same accent, "why thank you kind sir." She leans down and pecks him on his forehead.
Dave immediately jerks, "Hey – I'm all sweaty!" It's like he was offended that she'd touch his sweat.
"Dave – it's just sweat – I date Jack – I swear, sweatiest guy in Ohio, so it's cool."
Settling back in to his last set, "alright, just warn a guy next time."
"Dave – it's just sweat." She reaches down and swipes his forehead and holds it up.
This time, Dave sits up and back away from her, "okay – that's it. I'm done here."
Confused, "Dave – what was that about?" She wipes her finger on the towel sitting close by, "It's not like I have a sweat fetish, but what was that about?"
"Nothing – I'm just…I don't know…I sweat a lot when I workout."
Chloe lets out a disagreeing sound, "You call that a lot? Dave, you barely have any spots on your shirt. When Jack-"
She's cut off by Dave's abrupt move to leave, "I just don't like it, okay Clo?"
She knows there's something else going on, but drops it.
"So – my birthday party?"
"When is it?"
"A week from Saturday."
"Saturday? Yea-yea, I'll be there."
Dave nods and starts to walk past Chloe when she continues.
"And don't worry about inviting Kurt; I already did."
That stopped Dave. Not the fact that Kurt was invited, but that she'd already done it.
"You already invited Kurt?"
She nodded.
"How did you get his number?" Dave thinks, "I didn't give it to you?"
That made her think about the song she danced to.
"Omigod – Dave! You should have seen it. They'd already started dancing, but I knew the song and the dance routine, but of course who wouldn't? It's iconic. But still, I had to jump in – no one was dancing for Kurt…and Blaine? He's a cutie. I wonder why they broke u-"
Dave put his hands lightly on her shoulders and shook just enough to get her attention, "Chloe."
"What?"
"You…went to McKinley?"
"Well yea – I figured that you'd invite Kurt, but what if you didn't? He's so cute, and fun, and I love what he wore today, and Blaine's bowtie was so cute; it went with his eyes."
"Chloe." Dave said a bit louder.
"Dave." She mocked back, eyebrows raised.
"You went to McKinley." Dave said it this time more as a statement, a statement of defeat. "Of course you went to McKinley." He's not even looking at her when he sits on a nearby workout bench.
"Dave, don't worry…" She continued, "I didn't tell anyone."
Nervous, Dave looked around, "Tell anyone what?"
She just pursed her lips slightly and tilted her head down, "Those two little words that you haven't told me, but that I could see from the moment I met you," she thought for a moment, "well, I thought, but I knew when I saw you with Kurt."
She waits for his response.
He looks quietly up from his hands, "I'm gay?"
She nods and leans into a hug, his face in her chest.
Dave pulls back, "You knew? How?"
I thought I was careful after Santana.
"Oh it was not so much anything you did; it was more about body language."
"Body language?"
"Yea – I can't explain it. It's not just a gay thing either. I've just always had it. I've also been able to tell when someone is lying to me too."
"Really?"
"Pretty much. I mean it's not an exact science."
"Prove it."
"Okay, um…are you in love with Kurt?"
"Nope…Ask me something else." Dave was not answering that. Not even so much because it might be true, but because he didn't want to know the answer.
"Okay – um…oh wait, I got one…do you hate Blaine?"
"Yes." Dave cursed himself – he knew it was a lie.
She gasps, "You don't. You really don't, but how? He's Kurt's ex, right?"
Dave thinks for a moment, "I want to…I really want to, but I know he's just…I don't know…he just…he was there for Kurt when he really needed it."
"How so?"
Dave did not want to get into this, but somehow Chloe was just so open and easy to talk to.
After Dave didn't speak for a moment, Chloe changed her mind.
"Never mind, you don't have to tell me. I wasn't trying to pry"
He just nodded as she sat on the bench next to him.
"Dave – does it help that…Kurt…his body language is different…around Blaine, I mean."
He lifts his head and looks over to her.
She continues, "I can tell that he's more open and relaxed around you, and he's not so comfortable with Blaine…How long ago did they break up?"
Dave shrugs, "maybe a month." Only three weeks really. Maybe all of this was too fast. Kurt needed time to mourn his relationship with Blaine.
"Wow. That's all?"
Damn. I'm a rebound.
"Chloe – I really don't want to talk about this."
"I'm sorry – I'm just surprised."
Dave almost mumbles, "me too."
"Yea – who'da thought Kurt would fall for another guy so fast."
That shook Dave.
"Wait – what?"
"What?"
"Did you just say that Kurt fell for…me?"
"Well, Yea - oh crap – was it not obvious again? I have got to watch that."
Smiling brightly, "Are you sure, Clo?"
"Omigod – you guys are retarded for each other, seriously."
Dave quickly hugged Chloe and went to shower. Dave suddenly had the need to call the guy who had fallen for him. Even if Chloe wasn't right, it still made Dave feel good that she sees them as a fit.
XxXxX
"Hello?"
"Hey – I just wanted to ask, what's the…um…dress code was for Saturday. I know it's the movies, but…"
"Don't worry. You won't be graded."
"Really?"
"Well – there will be extra credit if I like what you wear."
"Maybe I'll bring an apple for teacher."
"Are we really doing the student-teacher flirty thing?"
"You started it."
(mumbles) "I can't believe I'm flirting with Dave Karofsky."
"What?"
"Nothing"
"Mmm hmm."
"Hey – I forgot to tell you…um…you are invited, read required, to come to dinner tomorrow night."
"Friday?"
"Yea – It's family night, but apparently it's 'interrogate the new guy dating my son' night as well."
"Fun."
"Yea – Finn will be there obviously, so…"
"Yea – I guess I'll have to deal with that…"
"Hey - on the bright side, it's Finn's turn to cook dinner."
"How's that the bright side?"
"I'm joking, and seriously it'll be hot dogs or frozen pizza or something."
"Ahh – so he's the chef of the family."
"Right? How did his mother turn out to be such a good cook, but Finn got like zero percent of that?"
"Hmm. I don't think it's necessarily hereditary, my dad doesn't really cook worth a crap, at least not anymore, but I love to cook."
"And you're good too."
"Thanks."
"Are you sure you didn't get any of that from your mother?"
"Hmm. You know – I don't know. Hmm. Good question. I'll have to ask my dad."
"Okay – well, be here by six-thirty? Dinner's at seven."
"Sure…oh – I got practice till quarter-to-six, but I should make it fine by then."
"Okay –bye."
"Bye – Kurt."
XxXxX
Dave pulls up to Kurt's house at six-thirty-five. Only five minutes late. Not bad. Of course he brought his change of clothes to school: khakis, a blue and white striped long-sleeve shirt, belt, and dress shoes. It was your basic church clothes, but hey – they looked nice.
Dave knocks on the front door and Kurt swings it open.
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"I was hoping you're Finn."
"I'm not sure how to take that.
Kurt motions for Dave to come in. He'd never really seen the house on the inside. He saw just inside the front door on New Year's Eve, but that was it. He'd been to Finn's old house before Carole married Burt, but that was a couple of years ago.
It was nice, less 'grandma-like' than Finn's old home. Maybe it was Kurt's touch.
The front door opened to a living room, which leads off to the dining room, and past that is the kitchen. The kitchen leads to the back door.
"I'm sorry. I've just been trying to get ahold of him." Kurt didn't look distressed as much as annoyed.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
"No – I mean – it's his turn to cook, and I was hoping he was out buying hot dogs or whatever he was going to make, but he's not calling me back and his phone goes directly to voicemail."
Dave just gave a sour look on his face.
Kurt continues, "and I checked; we don't have his usual: frozen pizza, hot dogs, bagel bites…"
"Seriously? He makes bagel bites for dinner?"
"I know!"
Dave moves past Kurt towards the kitchen.
"Let's see what you have in here."
"Dave – what are you doing?"
"Just looking." He opens the fridge and looks in the pantry.
"We don't have anything…"
Dave just ignores him and starts gathering ingredients.
"Hamburger…onion…diced tomatoes…penne…"
"Dave…"
Kurt pulls Dave's face from the fridge and holds it in his palms. Kurt could smell the cologne that Dave must have put on which made him notice what Dave was wearing.
"…wait…you're wearing…a dress shirt…and khakis?"
Pulling away from Kurt's grip, Dave starts water boiling on the stove.
"You're right – do you have an apron?"
Kurt gives in and hands Dave Burt's "Kiss the Cook" apron that he uses when he barbecues.
Dave looks down and smirks, but Kurt ignores him and asks, "What are you cooking?"
Dave keeps the smirk. He likes 'Kurt not being in control,' "I don't know – it doesn't have a name."
"Well, what is it…what's in it?"
"It's basically everything you'd put into lasagna, but when I made it the first time, I was too lazy too make the actual dish, so…"
"Great – We're having Lazy Lasagna." Kurt teased, but Dave chuckled – that sounded good to him.
After the noodles were done, Dave mixed cottage cheese, mozzarella, and the meat-mushroom mixture together.
Kurt went out to set the table while Dave finished up.
After taking off the apron and searching for a serving dish, Dave didn't hear Finn come in the back door.
Swinging Dave around, Finn says, "Karofsky – what're you doing in my house?"
Kurt dashes through the door before Dave can answer.
"He's saving your ass, that's what." Kurt says, standing between Dave and Finn.
Kurt is defending Dave and kind of shielding him. Dave can't help but to think it's kind of hot.
Finn is confused, "What? How?"
"Family dinner night? Remember? It's your turn. I've been trying to call and text you for forty-five minutes."
"What…oh…crap. My battery's dead."
Kurt just shook his head, "I told you – you have to charge it every night."
Before Finn can respond, they hear Burt's voice from the other room.
"Hello? We're home."
Burt walks in and exaggerates an inhale, "Mmm…that smells good, Finn. What is it?"
Finn is looking at Dave and Kurt and doesn't see Burt's quick wink to them, knowing it wasn't Finn.
Interjecting, Dave says "I think Finn called it 'Lazy Lasagna.'"
XxXxX
A/N The song is 'Somebody,' by Depeche Mode.
Next chapter will be the first official date.
Also, Lazy Lasagna is a real thing in our house.