25th July. Day 3

Blaine was nervous. Two more hours and Kurt would be back at Dalton. Even after everything that has happened he hoped Kurt was okay. He was so use to having Kurt around, the hardest thing is not talking to someone you use to talk to everyday. He missed their conversations, he missed being able to have someone to tell everything too. You realise how much you truly miss someone when something happens, good or bad, and then the only person you want to tell is the one person who isn't there. Blaine was sat on his bed with a book placed on his lap and his glasses perched against his nose. He loved reading, it was his escape – today he just couldn't get into it. Blaine threw the book on the floor with frustration and sighed. Why is this so fucking hard?

He heard a knocking on his door. "Blaine? It's me. I was wondering if I could spare a minute or two of your time."

"Of course Wes, I'll be right there!" Blaine stood up and walking over to the book that was laying limp on the floor and picked it up before placing it on his bedside table. "Come in!"

Wes walked in the room. Very formal. Blaine smirked before smiling at his friend. Even as friends he couldn't drop the formalities. Wes approached Blaine and sat on the sofa that was placed in front of the TV. Blaines room was massive, one of the perks of being student body president. It was all for show for the other students. They needed a leader and Blaine was that person.

"Hey, how're you doing Wes?" Blaine questioned as he sat next to his friend. Wes looked different. He didn't seem as composed at normal. He demeanour had changed. Is he slouching? Blaine thought as he looked concerned at Wes. "Wes? Is everything okay man?"

Wes looked towards Blaine with tired eyes. "I'm sorry Blaine, I tried everything. Even having a parent who is part of the council didn't help. I argued the case about Kurt boarding next to you but I.. I lost." Wes paused for a moment before carrying on. " they think it'll be beneficial for both parties. I tried Blaine… I tried my hardest."

"You tried Wes? For me?" Blaine knew that his friend was extremely intelligent but he also knew the council was extremely set in their ways. He knew making them budge was hard, he knew that from his own person experiences. Wes nodded before raising his eyes to meet Blaine's. "Of course I tried Blaine. I know this is extremely difficult circumstances for you. I thought if he boarded next to Nick and Jeff his transition would be a lot easier on you."

"You know I love you right Wes?" He placed a hand on his knee and smiled. "Thank you.. so much. I can't even explain to you what that means for you to even try. You're such a good friend Wes."

Wes still looked put out. He knew he hated loosing, another reason him and Kurt clashed so much.

"I know. I love you too curly." Wes grinned and patted Blaine on the shoulder before standing up and making his way out the room. He turned back around so he was facing Blaine, a smile still lingered there. "You're the strongest person I know, if anyone can do this it's you. You have the whole school backing you Blaine." He smiled one last time before shutting the door quietly behind him with an soft click.

Finn just finished packing the last of Kurt things into the car while Kurt finished getting ready. They decided that he was only taking one suitcase and a duffel bag for now and Finn was going to bring the rest of his things later in through the week. Kurt looked at himself in the mirror. He wore a pair of black jeans that was ripped at the knees with a black and blue stripped kitted thin jumper. The jumper was slightly big and it fell slightly off his shoulder. He sported it tucked in on one side and loosely out on the other. He looked different yet himself. He styled his new blue hair messily, it fell on his forehead. He really liked his new look. He felt confident and strong, exactly what he needed to be. He grabbed his round glasses and perched them on his nose. He smiled contently before taking a few breaths and making his way out his room. He stopped and turned round and looked at his room for the last year, he was sad. He had missed living back with Carol and Finn and would miss it even more when he returned back to Dalton. He closed his door gently before making his way down stairs. Finn had just came through the door, sweat dripping down his face. He wiped it quickly with the back of his hand before catching Kurt at the stairs.

"Damn man you look great." He whistled lowly and took Kurt in. He knew the new look was going to be a shocker to the dalton guys. Kurt beamed before taking turning round slowly showing off his outfit.

"Thank you Finn, I feel great to be honest." Kurt answered truthfully as he approached Finn. He gave him a quick hug.

"Are you ready man?"

"I guess so."

The drive to Dalton was long. They had just reached the half way mark. Kurt was looking out the window. Kurt insisted on driving but Finn wouldn't let him. He just told him to 'relax dude' Kurt replied with rolling his eyes. Kurt was playing with the delicate locket that hung on his neck. When his father had died, Carol had asked Kurt if it was okay for his father to be cremated so they all could have a little piece of him and have the rest scatted on his mother's grave. Kurt was extremely hesitant at first but he knew he had to be fair for Carol and Finn's sake so he agreed. Carol had got him the locket for his birthday this year, she wanted him to have a piece of his dad where every he went. It was small and shaped like a spanner. Carol knew how to pull on his heartstrings. It became his safety net and he didn't even realise half the time he was doing playing with it. Finn looked over and noticed.

"You okay dude?" he asked quietly when they came to a stoplight. Kurt nodded slowly and replied. "Im just nervous I guess? I miss my dad."

"I miss him too Kurt."

Jeff was excited. His best friend was coming home today. He knew this was going to be hard for his friends but he needed to be there for Kurt. He bit his lip nervously but he was so excited. He fidgeted with his fingers and looked round his and his boyfriends room. Nick came out of the bathroom with towel wrapped round his waist. He could see the joy in eyes, it had be the first time in a year he had seen that look on his face.

"You can say it babe. I know you want too." Nick chimed giving Jeff a knowing look. Jeff laughed before standing up and facing his boyfriend.

"I'm so fuuuuucking excited Nicky! I can't keep still! I keep looking out the window to see if he's here! Do you think it'll be okay for me to meet him outside? I think it's okay but I don't know how Kurt will be so I don't wanna me to much and-

Nick cut him off with a short kiss and Jeff relaxed init it. "Baby breathe." Jeff took a few shaky breaths as he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry Nicky, I can't help it." There was a pause. The air became thick. Jeff knew his boyfriend hated the fact he could forgive Kurt but Jeff also knew that Nick would respect it. Plus, it was a good thing for Nick because finally his boyfriend would be happy again.

"I just.. I just don't want you to get your hopes up. It's been a a year you know? I don't want you to get hurt Jeff. He's had no contact with you for a year." He hoped to god Kurt would be okay with Jeff. If knew if he seen the rejection in his boyfriends face he would break the guys neck.

"Whatever happens, I'm just glad he's coming home." Jeff said sweetly and gave Nick a chaste kiss on his lips. "I know this is hard for you and I'm sorr-

"Don't be. I really am happy for you babe." Nick replied quickly and truthfully. "I think you should wait outside for him, I think it's a great idea."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Wes had just reached his best friend's room. He opened the door and walked in uninvited. David was sitting with his eyes glued to the TV. He was watching a crime show. Is this all he bloody watches?

"I could have been naked you know." David paused the show and turned to his best friend.

"Nothing I haven't seen before." Wes smiled cheekily before taking a seat. David chuckled and nodded his head in agreement. "So, you feeling good about today?" David knew how hard Wes had worked to get the decision of Kurt's room being next to Blaine's overturned.

"I don't know David." He paused for a moment. "Me and Kurt had our differences and I would never admit it but I did love the guy. I don't know how I'm going to feel when I see him again."

David had never heard him admit that. None of them ever heard him express his feelings towards Kurt. They both was in constant battle between each other. Always bickering, always had something to say. It was extremely entertaining.

"Wow." Wes nodded "how're you feeling? I know you and Kurt had gotten really close a few months before he left."

"I'm conflicted Wes. I want to be their for him, for Kurt. I just can't forgive him like Jeff. I wish I could but I can't. Does that make me a bad person?" Sighed before leaning his head back against the sofa.

"No, it makes you human." Wes laughed out and David joined in. human. That was something they both wasn't. Inside jokes about their humanity was a thing for the six of them. They sat there for a while collecting their thoughts, drinking from a blood bag David had just passed over.

"He's got some balls, I'll give him that." David broke the silence. He turned towards his friend with a knowing look.

"Burt Hummel is the same. Spit from his fathers mouth."

All the Dalton loved Burt Hummel. They all knew how close him and Kurt was. He was hard but fair, compassionate in his own awkward way. He was there for everyone of them. Burt even had taken a visit to Dalton after Kurt left just to see how they was doing. He was a selfless man and they was all secretly glad that he would be there for Kurt.

Little did they know about the year Kurt has had.

They all met half half an hour before Kurt's arrival. All nervously waiting in the common room. Mr Alexander had just joined them.

"Kurt has just called, they are about twenty minutes away. I've got all the correct arrangements in place. I know Blaine would normally do the introduction but seen as Kurt is not a new student and yours and Kurt's situation is difficult, I have assigned Jeff to it." Blaine nodded "Thank you."

"I know it feels like I'm torturing you with Kurt's placement and I'm deeply sorry but I feel like it's the best way to resolve the conflict. If there is any difficulties Blaine, you can come to me and we can sort another living arrangement out for Kurt." Mr Dalton paused so it could sink in for the gentlemen. "Does any of you have any questions?"

"I think we are all okay. We've had three days to speak about everything but if there's any concerns we will come to you." Wes piped in formally. They all nodded in agreement.

"Once Kurt is settled, would you mind sending him to my office Jeff?"

"Of course Mr Alexander." Jeff smiled politely and with that Mr Alexander left the common room.

"I just want you to all know how grateful I am to you all for the past year. It's been hard for all of us. I don't know what I would of done without you all." Blaine said softly as he gazed at his four friends.

"We love you B, whatever you need." Nick replied with a soft smile. Jeff leaned over and placed a kiss to his head. "I have to go, I love you." Jeff stood and started to walk out the double doors.

"I love you too Jeff." Jeff beamed before he headed out the double doors to meet Kurt.

"You guys ready?" David spoke out. Wes nodded and walked towards the locked fridge. He opened it with his key and grabbed out a blood bag. He poured it equally into four solo cups and started to hand them out to each of his friends. When each of them has received there cup he spoke

"May this year be better than the last." They all knocked their cups back, letting the red liquid slide smoothly down their throats. Then they heard a noise. It was getting closer. The sound of the engine driving up towards the school. They could hear two heartbeats the first one he notice was slow and steady and then there was another. It was beating fast, erratic even. They all looked up knowingly, they recognised it instantly.