Sebastian was woken up when it was way too dark outside by someone shaking his shoulder. He snuggled down into the bed. Kurt had already cut two slices of bread and had already made coffee in the new machine. Two bowls of fruit and yogurt sat on the counter. He didn't have time for Sebastian to be cute.

"Sebastian, you wanted to have breakfast with me. You need to get up. I have to leave soon."

"What time is it?" Sebastian slurred sleepily.

"It's time to get up. I already have everything ready to eat. Come up. Up and at 'em."

"It's dark outside."

"You can sleep. I'll put yours in the fridge."

Sebastian made an unhappy noise but started getting up. "We had a deal."

"We did. And I'm keeping up my end of it."

Sebastian followed him to the kitchen. "Oh, you didn't have to make me yogurt, but thanks." He picked his bowl up and sat down in a chair to eat it.

"It goes well with the bread."

Sebastian nodded approvingly. "I'm going to go out and look at tables again today. I'm looking for a drop leaf table. That way it won't be in the way when we're not eating. I'm not sure where to look because I'd like one to go with the white."

"I'll text you some places to try on my break between classes."

"Thanks, that'd be great." Sebastian said. "Have you seen a lot of the city?"

"Not really." He kept the part about how he had put most of it on hold after the breakup because they had planned to see the sights together. "Have you?"

"I've seen some. It's a big city. I plan to explore a lot more this summer."

"I hate to eat and run, but I need to turn in a change of address and not be late to Miss July's class. I'm not interested in a derogatory nickname. I've avoided one for half the semester."

"Yes, of course. Thanks for this," he gestured at the counter. "It's way better than yesterday morning."

Kurt looked perplexed, not knowing what had happened the previous morning. "You're welcome. I need to run. I'll text you the furniture stores and second-hand places I know of. You might find something vintage that would go along with your Mid-Century stuff, but still go with the white modern kitchen. Maybe something with chrome legs to go with the stainless appliances." Kurt grabbed both of his bags from his room and headed to the door. "See you later. Probably tonight."

Kurt shut the door, leaving Sebastian alone in the apartment. Sebastian went to get his phone to find out what time it was, so he could decide whether to go back to sleep or not.

After checking the time and deciding that it was way too early to do anything else, Sebastian headed back to Kurt's bed, hoping that he'd get at least some more sleep before he had to meet up with his family.

Two hours later, he was awakened by knocking on his door. He got up, barely awake enough to see where he was walking and looked through the peephole. He saw a man in a jumpsuit.

"I didn't order anything," he said through the door.

"Is this Sebastian Smythe's place? We got a call to come finish the cable and internet hookups."

Sebastian groaned and opened the door to let him in. He sat on the couch and watched the guy, mostly, while still halfway between awake and asleep.

The job was done rather quickly. Or at least it seemed to be with Sebastian napping.

"Dude. Wake up. I need you to sign this form that I did the work."

Sebastian sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, yeah. Sure." He took the pen and signed. He followed the guy to the door and locked it after he left. He started a pot of coffee and headed to the bathroom, thinking that his only hope was a shower and a large cup of coffee.

When Sebastian stepped out of the bathroom in just a towel, somebody was knocking on the door again and was being quite persistent.

"Oh, come on!" He looked through the peephole. He opened the door without asking any questions. He stepped behind the door and told them which room to put it in. He gave them enough of a head start to grab the pajama pants he had been wearing before he showered.

Two guys carried the bed to his room. Once his bed was unwrapped and on his bed frame, he thanked the delivery guys and they left. He relocked the door and headed for his room to get dressed. Before he managed to get his shoes on, his phone beeped with a text. His parents were there already. He grabbed his wallet, locked the door on the way out, and ran down the stairs to meet them to head to NYU for his campus visit.

X-X-X-X-X

Kurt managed to make it to Miss July's class with ten minutes to spare. He began to warm up and stretch. He did his best to relax and focus, but he still had a lot on his mind. Miss July entered and the class got started right as Rachel had managed to put her shoes on. She hadn't warmed up and class didn't go well for her. Miss July called her out several times. She packed up quickly and headed into the showers as soon as class ended. Kurt didn't see her again until a couple of hours later when they both showed up to help with the piano tuning early, hoping to eat their lunches in peace before anyone else showed up.

Rachel approached him when she saw him sitting in the corner of the room in one of the window seats. "Mind if I sit here?"

"It's fine."

"I don't…" she stopped. "Cassie July still hates me." She sighed. She took out a bottle of tea and took a drink.

"You showed up late. You weren't warmed up. You didn't perform at your best level. Of course, she was going to say something. You know her."

"I know. I know. I'm just so confused. Why did you run off? You said 'yes' and then disappeared. We came back and your stuff was just gone. No note, no text, no call. How could you just move out without saying anything?"

"What was there to say? There's just not room for the three of us in the loft. You and Santana are at each other all the time. I'm tired of being the referee. I work two jobs and I'm taking two extra classes. I got permission to start in the same dance class you're in, but if I don't get an A, I have to take the class from the fall this summer."

"Why didn't you tell us that you were unhappy?"

"You don't listen."

"I do."

"You know that's not true. You hear what you want to hear and it's not what I'm saying. That's how we ended up facing off in Midnight Madness."

She looked down. "I'm not going to get Fanny. If I was, I would have heard by now."

"Give it time, Rachel. Broadway doesn't move lightning fast. You better eat." Other people started coming into the room and choosing a piano to work on. Random notes rang out through the room.

Once they finished, Kurt followed Rachel over to where someone was already working on one of the pianos. "Rachel, you have lost your mojo obsessing over this part. We can't let our feelings of self-worth be determined by some part in a play. I'm telling you - you've got to get your mojo back. Right here. Right now. This second." He started to sing. The person at the closest piano joined in and he got Rachel back in the groove with an impromptu singing of "Get Back". They left after working on one of the pianos together, both feeling lighter than they had before the song.

Kurt wondered how much longer it would be until Rachel found out that he and Blaine weren't together anymore.

X-X-X-X-X

Kurt was sitting outside in the courtyard reading his History of Theatre assignment, enjoying the sun even though he was bundled up when his cell phone began to ring. He so rarely got actual phone calls that he jumped up to get it out of his coat pocket more easily. He saw that it was Sam and answered. His heart dropped to the floor, assuming the worst. "Sam? Is there something wrong with my dad?"

"No. No. He's fine. That's not why I'm calling." Sam was out on the football field bundled up as well, underneath one of the bleacher sections away from everyone.

"Well, that's a relief. You scared me half to death. You've not called in so long. I couldn't think of any other reason you'd be calling."

Sam knew he was right, but it stung. "I wanted to apologize. Now I guess I should apologize for that too, huh?"

"You're not making much sense. You called to apologize? For what?"

"I know what happened with Blaine. Carole told me. Along with some other stuff." Sam answered.

"I still don't know what you're apologizing for. And I figured she would or my dad would. You live with them."

"Yeah. So, they did." Sam said awkwardly.

"Look, Sam. You obviously had a reason to call me. What is it?" Kurt had reading to do and he was losing his patience with Sam's hem hawing.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry for being, like, distant over the past few months. And for picking Blaine over you."

"Oh. Don't worry about it. That's just how things go. What's mine became his and what's his stayed his. He got everything I had wanted. It is what it is."

"Hey, no. Stop. This is on me. You were my friend first. You let me live in your house. And gave me clothes. And I just… I don't know how to explain it. I just was really alone. Your parents are nice, but they're gone a lot. Finn was gone. I didn't really hit it off with the new kids. They were like 15 and 16. I was repeating my senior year. Blaine was just so enthusiastic. He, like, gave me something to focus on besides missing everyone who graduated and my family. He was this big distraction."

"Yeah, I get the loneliness. I was here with Rachel. And Blaine was lonely enough in two weeks' time that he cheated on me."

"He was really beating himself up for it, you know."

"Good. He should have. He blamed me. He told me it was my fault. That I wasn't there for him. I called, Skyped, texted… every day. We watched TV shows together. I broke the rules at my job and talked to him at work. Two weeks. I'm not enough. I'm never enough."

"Kurt, no. Stop that."

"You know that he doesn't actually give a crap about Star Wars , right? To my knowledge, he had never even seen the movies before last fall. You say he was a distraction. You were a distraction. He picked up your hobbies in order to get your attention. He might actually like that stuff now, but he had never once mentioned anything geeky or nerdy. He didn't own any sci fi movies or comic books unless he was hiding them somewhere out of sight."

"Why would he do that?" Sam asked curiously. "Is that, like, a thing he does?"

"Take what's mine? You mean? Yes, it's a 'thing' he does." Kurt stopped. "I have no interest in discussing this. Go ahead with why you called me."

"Right. So, like, Burt and Carole told me about your breakup. And I get it. I mean I guess I didn't think about how big of a deal it really was because I thought your parents knew all along. And they didn't make a big deal of it. Blaine came over for Friday Night dinners. He hung out at the house. He went to see you at Christmas. Your dad took him. I thought like… like they weren't treating him any differently, so I thought you two were going to get back together once he moved to New York, but then he got it in his head to get you back at Regionals and propose to you. It seemed like something you'd like. I remember those old movies you love with the huge musical numbers and people dancing on staircases and whatnot."

Kurt sighed. "They are movies. How many times do I have to say that?"

"I know. I know. But I just… Blaine was so enthusiastic. Anyway. I called to say I'm sorry that I helped him and I'm sorry that I let myself be drawn away by his excitement. Looking back, he was just trying to fill the same void I was. Everyone we were friends with left. I'm honestly sorry. You were my first real friend here and I blew that."

"Yeah. You really did." Kurt agreed. "I accept your apology. Just, Sam? Please make some better friends."

"I was kinda hoping you'd take me back." He bit his lower lip and sighed. "I'm done with Blaine. After talking to Carole, she helped me see a lot of things that I hadn't. She's a good listener. You're better, but she's good."

Kurt smiled. "I've missed you. Of the things he's taken from me, losing you was right at the top of the most hard to deal with. You were my first friend that was a guy. Most of the things he took, I can't get back. But I'd love to count you as a friend again."

"Really? Awesome! I need to get out of here, but I only applied to one college that I don't think I really have any chance of getting into."

"Well, what I found out too late last year is that a lot of places have rolling admission, which means that as long as they haven't already accepted as many students as they have places for, you can apply until all of the places are filled."

"That's cool, but my grades suck."

"Get some good references and apply to community colleges. Build your skills for a year so you'd be ready to move on if you want."

"I do. I really do."

"Some of the state schools here wouldn't cost you anymore than going to OSU. I just had my head in the wrong place the fall of my senior year. I actually applied to a few last fall in case I didn't get into NYADA. I applied to FIT and Parsons too. It's too early to have heard back from any of them." He remembered that he hadn't been to the post office to change his address yet.

"Wow, dude, that's amazing! But you already got into NYADA."

"I did, but I didn't know whether I would when I sent the applications in last fall."

"Yeah, but like, what if you get accepted? Are you gonna stay at NYADA or...?"

"It's so expensive. I just don't know. It's hard to know what to do, but I'm not particularly enjoying working 40+ hours a week and going to school full time. So, if I get any acceptance letters, I'll be faced with a choice I guess. I hadn't really thought about them much honestly."

" Whatever you do just let me know, ok? I've been out of the loop too long."

"Sure."

"I was planning to come to New York with Blaine when he auditions for NYADA, but I'm not sure what to do now. I still need to go because I did apply for this one scholarship at Hunter College, but I don't really think I have a chance of getting in. I'm not sure why they're even asking to interview me."

"I'm not asking you to dump him or take sides. If you still want to come to New York with him, then do it. If you try to completely cut him out of your life, it's going to be hard. You have Nationals in what, six weeks?"

"Ugh, don't remind me. We are obviously not rehearsing yet. I haven't even seen Mr. Schue today."

"I take it that Blaine hasn't said anything to anyone about the breakup."

"Not that I've heard, but I haven't seen him."

"As expected." Kurt rolled his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure Tina's onto something."

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, she's noticed there's something off with him because he's not responding to her texts. I wonder how long it'll take for him to break."

"Possibly by the end of lunch tomorrow at the latest if she's already badgering him."

"Yeah, she can be pretty intense."

"I hate to cut this short, but I have to finish this reading assignment before my next class."

"Right. I have to get back inside too. Call me when you have some free time. I know you're busier than I am. I'll look into that rolling admission thing you mentioned."

"Thanks for calling." Kurt disconnected the call and put his phone back into his pocket. He forced himself to push the conversation out of his mind so he could focus on his reading.

X-X-X-X-X

Arthur, Nina, and Sebastian sat around the small table in the cafe they had chosen for lunch.

"So, what did you think of the physics department tour?" Nina asked.

"It was nice, but you already know that I want to go to Columbia."

"Do you even want to continue with the full campus tour this afternoon?" Arthur asked, hoping that he'd say no and save him from having to schlep around listening to one of the students try to convince Sebastian to attend NYU.

"Now, Art, you know we came to give both schools a fair shot."

Sebastian and his dad looked at each other knowingly.

"Mmm hmm, dear" Art said, trying to keep a straight face.

"You know I love you, Mom. And I know you love NYU, but I had 99% decided I wanted to go to Columbia before I applied anywhere last fall."

She sighed in defeat. "Alright. You should go where you want."

"Columbia has an amazing physics department. You'll see when we go on Wednesday. Plus, I'll get a lot of credits for my AP exams, provided that I get 5s again this year. I'll be able to graduate and start on my Master's a whole year early."

"I'm sure that NYU does that as well, honey. But I said I would quit trying to convince you. Just because I loved it there doesn't mean that you would."

Art said, "We could hit up some of those places on that list Kurt gave you. Then you'd have some place to eat if we can find a table you like."

Sebastian realized how desperate his dad was to not tour NYU if he was offering to go furniture shopping to get out of the tour.

He smiled and chuckled. "Sure, Dad. After we finish eating, we can go look for a table."

X-X-X-X-X

Santana was already done with work for the day, but she had one more thing planned for the evening. She changed quickly out of her uniform and waited outside to find out where Kurt was living.

About an hour later, the man in question stepped out of the diner and headed down the street, not noticing her hiding in the shadows. Perfect.

He was walking circumspectly, so she had to work to stay out of his line of sight while maintaining a close enough distance to not get separated easily. She would have had an easier time if he weren't so tense about having so much cash on him.

A few minutes later, Santana realized where Kurt was heading. He was walking towards the subway station. She waited down the platform to see which line he was getting on and got in one door down from him. Rather than sit, she stood on the same side he sat on. That way she could see when he exited.

Once they were both surface level again, she was glad for her choice of a navy NYU hoodie she had borrowed from one guys that worked at her other job. It was oversized enough to keep her face hidden. She followed Kurt without him spotting her and she took down the address of the building he went in. She took off for the subway station and made the long trek back to the loft.

X-X-X-X-X

Kurt unlocked the door to the flat and heard voices coming from the living room after he stepped inside. He walked through the kitchen and found himself facing two adults he assumed were Sebastian's parents. He freaked out internally, not knowing what Sebastian had told them, if anything.

"Hey, Kurt. Do you want something to eat? We just finished and there are plenty of leftovers. Mom ordered enough Indian food for ten people and there were only five of us."

"Sure. Thanks." He washed his hands. "I think I'll shower and change first, though if that's okay. I hate smelling like the diner." He looked around. "The table you found looks great with the green sofa. I can't believe you found one in just one day that's got a green and gray pattern on white formica. It usually takes several trips to find something that matches so perfectly." Like the sofa matches your eyes , he caught himself thinking.

"I've just got great skills."

"Mmm hmm."

"Sebastian, are you going to introduce us to your friend," his mother hinted.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. Kurt, this is my mom, Nina Smythe and my dad Arthur, but people call him Art."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Smythe."

"You too, dear," Nina said. "I'm glad Sebastian was able to help you out with your housing issue. I know how hard that can be around here. It can take a while to find someplace decent."

"Oh, I'm glad too. I honestly don't know what would have happened if he hadn't. Well, I do, but it wouldn't have been pleasant. I would have just been stuck where I was." He walked towards his room. "Thanks for dinner. I'll be back out in a bit." Kurt grabbed some clothes from his closet and went into the bathroom.

Art said, "We'll get going. We'll see you bright and early tomorrow." He stood up.

"Not too bright or early, Dad. I'll meet you at the MET when it opens."

Nina teased him. "You can wow your grandma and grandpa with all of your art history knowledge." She got up and followed Art to the door.

"I'll do what I can. I'm sure I can't out trivia Grandma. She was an art history professor."

"She'll appreciate the effort." Nina said on the way out.

"I'm sure she will."

Sebastian closed and locked the door. He remembered that his bed had been delivered and he'd have to sleep in it. He sighed. He had washed the pajamas that Kurt had loaned him and went to put a pair on and waited in the living room for Kurt to get out of the shower.

He didn't have to wait long. Kurt came out in jeans and hoodie, which seemed so un-Kurt-like, but he liked it.

"Please help yourself to whatever you want. I'll be eating leftovers until it's all gone."

Kurt made himself a plate and sat down at the new table. Sebastian got up and sat with him.

"How was your campus tour?"

"It was nice enough, but I got Mom to finally understand that I'm sure about Columbia, so we skipped the walking tour and went table hunting."

"That's good. I'm glad you're certain about your school choice. I know it's a struggle for most people."

"Yeah, I've known I wanted to go to Columbia for a couple of years now. I applied to the other schools, you know, just in case."

"Smart move. Sam called today at lunch and we talked about college choices. I guess he applied to a place called Hunter College. I don't know anything about it."

"Wait, weren't Blaine and Sam like bffs? They once dressed in some weirdass costumes and snuck into Dalton to get their trophy back."

"He was my friend first, and he lives with my family. I guess Carole sat him down and had a long talk with him. He apologized for his role in what went on and he wants to be friends again."

"I dunno. Sounds kinda suspicious to me."

"Not everybody's plotting against me, Sebastian. Pretty sure it was just you."

Sebastian got up from the table to go to his room.

"Sebastian, wait. Please?"

He turned back.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying and failing. I keep being a smartass to you. You're right that I should be more cautious, but when the first person who ever wanted to be my friend apologizes and wants to be friends again, it's hard not to just take him back with open arms. I've missed him. I lived with him for over ten months. He was more of a brother to me than Finn has been."

"Okay, I guess. I don't know him, like, at all. I'm just not sure what to think about his connection to Blaine."

"Which is nonexistent now." Kurt reassured him. "He told me he'd rather be my friend. He's on Team Kurt now."

"Good. I'm the Team Kurt team leader, though," he teased.

Kurt smiled. "Of course you are."

Sebastian smiled and sat back down.

Kurt looked over Sebastian's shoulder towards the still barren windows. "If you haven't ordered curtains from somewhere, I could offer my services."

"You already work two jobs."

"I also do alterations for a side job, for extra money to spend on non-bill related purchases."

"Well, you can send me your going rates." He winked at Kurt.

Kurt's eyes flashed, but then he laughed and shook his head.