Kurt takes his seat in the crowded auditorium next to Trent and several of the younger Warblers just as the lights are dimmed. He hasn't grown as close with them as he has with Blaine, Wes, and David, but they've all always been very welcoming to him, and he still counts them as friends, although he probably won't talk to many of them when he's back at McKinley next year.
The auditorium is warm and stuffy, but that's not surprising. Normally Kurt would complain, but not today, he doesn't feel anything but proud of his boyfriend for graduating and, in a couple months, finally being able to get out of small-town Ohio and experience New York City.
The principal walks to the centre of the stage and welcomes them all, droning on about the excellence that Dalton Academy produces, the impressive places the students from the graduating class will surely end up, and the prestigious legacy of the school. It's one thing that Kurt never really bought into during his time here; the school was great, of course, but he felt they had a tendency to talk themselves up a little too much at times. Then again, it is a fancy private school, so he supposes that's to be suspected. Eventually, the principal is calling Blaine to the stage to give his valedictorian speech.
Blaine makes his way to the centre of the stage, standing at the podium. He clears his throat, and then his voice is ringing out rich and clear across the auditorium as he thanks the principal for the introduction, and launches into a well-rehearsed speech about the graduating class' high school experience and the great things they're destined for after today. Kurt's heard it all before; he even helped Blaine edit it. It's a beautifully written speech, as far as Kurt is concerned, and he couldn't be more proud of his boyfriend than he is right now. The audience laughs at exactly the right moments, and Kurt is pretty sure he hears a couple sniffles out there as well.
"When I transferred to Dalton Academy in my sophomore year, I never expected to have as much of a connection with all of you as I do today. Everyone I've met has been so warm, kind, and welcoming, and I've never felt so at home as I have in my time here. We're often told that high school will be the best years of our lives. And these have been the best years of my life, truly, and for that I thank you all so much. I know that you will all go on to do amazing things, and I can't wait to hear about them. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak to you all today, and congratulations again to the class of 2011!"
Blaine walks off the stage to applause as the principal returns to the spot in front of the podium. A few other guest are asked to speak and then, finally, the vice principal is called to the stage to hand out the diplomas, and Kurt leans forward a little in his seat, paying closer attention now.
"Michael Abbott, honours," the principal calls out, and a tall boy that Kurt faintly recognizes walks across the stage to accept his diploma, shaking hands with the vice principal and principal as he passes, before stepping off the stage at the other side.
"Keith Adams," and another boy makes his way across the stage, accepting his diploma and shaking hands.
Devin Adler, Amar Agarawal, Joshua Akerman. Kurt knows it will be Blaine's turn to walk across the stage soon.
"Leonard Allen, honours" the principal calls out, and a boy with blond hair and glasses makes his way over to accept his diploma.
"Blaine Anderson, honours with distinction," and Blaine steps onto the stage now, looking out at the audience as he makes his way toward the vice principal to accept his own diploma. When Blaine finds Kurt in the audience, their eyes lock, and a smile spreads across Blaine's face before he looks away to greet the man handing him the piece of paper that brings him one step closer to New York City.
The rest of the ceremony drags by, and Kurt spends most of it daydreaming about the summer that he and Blaine will get to spend together before Blaine heads off to NYADA. Eventually, the last student walks across the stage, and the principal is thanking everyone for their attendance and congratulating the class of 2011 a final time. Kurt doesn't really hear the words, just gets up and makes his way out of the auditorium to find Blaine.
He stands there for a while, watching the grads slowly filtering out. He sees David first and makes his way over to him.
"Congratulations!"
"Hey Kurt, thanks!" David says, giving him a quick hug.
"Do you know where Blaine is? I haven't seen him come out yet."
"Yeah, he was still in there, he should be out soon," David tell him. "I have to get going, though."
"Yeah, of course! I'll see you later."
David walks off with a wave, and Kurt directs his eyes back toward the door just in time to see Blaine walking through. Kurt heads toward Blaine, and when Blaine spots Kurt, a smile spreads across his face and he walks forward to meet Kurt. They meet in the middle, arms wrapping around each other, holding. Kurt plants a soft, sweet kiss on Blaine's lips before pulling his boyfriend closer.
"I'm so proud of you, Bee. And your speech was beautiful."
"I love you," Blaine says simply.
"I love you, too."
They stand there for a moment longer, in each other's arms, until Kurt hears a throat clear behind him. They pull apart, and Kurt turns to see Blaine's parents standing behind him.
"Blaine, we need to get going now, we don't want to keep your grandparents' waiting," his mother says, neither of his parents even looking at Kurt; although, given what Kurt knows about them, he thinks that might be for the best.
"Yeah, right," Blaine says, then turns to Kurt, "I'll um, see you later."
"Okay," Kurt says simply, and nods, and then he stands there as he watches Blaine walk away, trailing behind his parents.
It's the first time Kurt has ever come to Blaine's house. Anytime they hang out it's at Dalton, or at Kurt's house, or at one of their friends' houses, or somewhere out in public, but never at Blaine's house. Blaine never invites Kurt over, and Kurt never asks. Quite frankly, Kurt doesn't want to spend any time here. They don't talk about why, but Kurt remembers Blaine's dad's reaction when he'd found out about their relationship. They don't need to talk about it.
But this is Blaine's graduation party, and all of the Warbler's will be here, and Blaine wants him here, and Kurt can't not go. Blaine had insisted that his father won't make a scene, and Kurt trusts Blaine, of course he does, but he's still a little nervous about it.
It's a beautiful sunny Saturday, and as Kurt pulls onto Blaine's street and approaches the house, he can see the cars lined up on the side of the road. A lot of people have already arrived, and he's thankful for that. He pulls up to the curb, kills the engine, and takes a deep breath. This is it. His plan is to stick close to Wes and David. He knows that Blaine's parents like them, so he figures Blaine's dad probably won't risk being outright hostile to him if he sticks with Blaine's closest friends. Mercedes and Rachel are coming, too, so he'll have lots of friends to surround himself with. He steps out of the car, smoothes the wrinkles out of his shirt, and walks toward the house.
He rounds the corner to the backyard and pauses for a moment, taking everything in. Both the house and the property it sits on are beautiful; it's easy to see that the Anderson's have money. The yard is fenced in, with a large pool to one side where some younger kids are already splashing in the water. A large red banner with the word "CONGRATULATIONS" written across it in bold white lettering hangs from the patio which seems to be where all the food is situated; several tables full of a variety of hors d'oeurves are arranged around the perimeter. A beautiful flower garden sits against the fence across from the pool, bursts of blue, red, and yellow drawing the eye. Several clusters of lawn chairs are scattered throughout the yard, most occupied by groups of guests chatting happily as they sip their drinks and enjoy their appetizers. Kurt scans the crowd for someone he recognizes when he finally spots Blaine with Wes and David standing off to the side of the pool. He makes his way toward them, weaving around the other guests.
Blaine's back is to him, but Wes spots him before he reaches the group and waves. Kurt waves back as Blaine turns, and a smile breaks out across his face as he sees Kurt. Kurt finally reaches the group, and he gives each of the three boys a hug, holding on to Blaine a little longer than absolutely necessary; he knows better than to try to kiss Blaine in front of all these people, so it will have to do.
"I'm glad you could make it," Blaine says with a smile.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Kurt smiles back, and he means it.
As much as he hates the idea of being around Blaine's family, given what little he knows of them, he loves Blaine more. And if his boyfriend wants him to be here, then he wants to be here, too.
"Have any of the other Warblers stopped by yet?"
"Not yet," David answers, "but I'm sure some of them will come by later."
"Are any of your McKinley friends coming?" Blaine asks.
"Mercedes and Rachel should be here soon. Tina couldn't make it, but she said to send her congratulations to you."
"Well, tell her I say thank you," Blaine says with a warm smile.
"I will."
"Blaine, your grandparents have just arrived, come say hello," a voice says from behind Kurt; he recognizes it instantly as Blaine's father, and he sees Blaine's smile falter briefly before he recovers.
"Right, of course."
"Kurt, you absolutely need to try the sausage rolls, come on," Wes says, and Kurt couldn't be more thankful as Was grabs his arm and drags him toward the patio where all the food has been set out, away from his boyfriend's father, David following behind them.
"Thanks," Kurt says when they're out of earshot.
"Hey, I want to avoid any scenes just as much as you do," Wes says with a sad smile. "I'm making it my personal mission today to keep you as far away from Thomas Anderson as possible."
David laughs at that. "I think Kurt could probably handle that himself."
"I could, but I'll take all the help I can get," Kurt replies with a smirk.
Kurt has to admit that the sausage rolls are delicious, although his favourite hors d'oeurve is without a question the mini cheesecakes; he can never say no to a good cheesecake. The three boys make their way around the tables of food, filling up their small plates with carefully chosen entrees, except for Wes who just takes one of everything. By the time they've circled the patio, Kurt and David each have a plate with a small selection of finger foods, and Wes is carefully balancing his tower of hors d'oeurves on his small plate. They're walking down the steps and onto the grass again when Rachel and Mercedes approach them.
"Hey boys!" Mercedes greets them with a wide smile.
"Hey 'Cedes! Rach. You remember Wes and David, right?"
"Of course," Mercedes answers.
"Where's Blaine? I need to congratulate him and give him a hug!" Rachel asks.
"I think he was over talking to his grandparents, but he should be back soon." Wes supplies before he pops a shrimp into his mouth.
"We're just heading over there," David says, pointing to a cluster of vacant lawn chairs. "Come with us, you can have some of Wes' food."
"Hey, speak for yourself!" Wes argues, still chewing on his shrimp.
Kurt rolls his eyes. "Come on," he says as he grabs Mercedes' hand and leads the group toward the chairs.
They sit and chat for a while until Blaine approaches the group.
"Hey Rachel, Mercedes, glad you could both make it," he says, smile warm as ever, and Kurt doesn't know how Blaine manages to seem so cheery all the time.
"Blaine!" Rachel squeals as she jumps to her feet, "Congratulations!" Then she's pouncing on him, wrapping him in a hug and he stumbles back a step before he can steady himself.
"Thanks, Rachel!" Blaine replies with a chuckle, and then she frees him and returns to her seat.
"I'm not going to attack you like Berry over here, but congrats, Blaine," Mercedes says, staying put in her chair.
Blaine laughs at that, too. "Thank you, I appreciate that."
"Can you sit and hang out with us for a bit?" David asks.
Blaine glances over his shoulder for a moment before looking back at the group. "My dad's boss just got here, so I think I'd better get over there before my dad comes looking for me again," he says regretfully.
"No worries," Wes says quickly, "you do your thing. I'll keep everyone entertained."
Blaine actually snorts at that, and Kurt wonders how he manages to make snorting adorable. "I'm sure you will, Wes. I'll see you guys around, though. Try to have fun. And eat as much food as you can, seriously, my mom has a ridiculous amount of food and I don't want to be eating leftover bruschetta and hummus for the next two weeks," he says with a smirk before turning and heading toward where his father is standing with another man dressed in a sharp suit.
The party is mostly just that. Blaine will stop over to say a few quick words before heading away again to talk to some other relative or family friend. A few of the other Warblers drop by, but none stay very long, and it's just the five of them for most of the afternoon. But true to his word, Wes does a wonderful job of keeping Kurt away from Blaine's father, and he ends up having a great afternoon.
As the party wraps up, Blaine comes back over to find Kurt. "Sorry I haven't really had a chance to spend any time with you," he says apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, Bee. We all had a great time," Kurt reassures him.
"Still. I wish I could have spent more time with you." Blaine takes a quick look over his shoulder, and then takes Kurt's hands into his.
"We'll have lots of time to spend together this summer."
"Yeah, you're right."
"I'm so proud of you," Kurt says, and he sees a faint blush colour Blaine's cheeks. "I hope you know that."
"I know. Thank you."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Blaine looks over his shoulder again, and then drops Kurt's hands. "I uh, I think some of my family is leaving now, so I should..."
"Go ahead. I'm going to head home now anyway," Kurt says with a smile.
Blaine smiles back at him. "Yeah, okay. I'll see you later."
And then Blaine is walking off toward a group of people who seem to be getting ready to leave, greeting them with warm smiles and hugs and Kurt is still wondering how Blaine manages to do it.