Chapter 2

Giving someone a chance, getting to know them, would be a hell of a lot easier if they spoke to you back. It took forever to finally actually meet the boy they were going to be living with. Rumors abounded around the school about him but nobody really had much to say. He hadn't given them much to go off of, apparently.

He sat in the front row nearest the teacher's desk and was allowed to use a tablet while most of the other boys used a laptop. Phones were only to be used if the technology the teacher was using allowed it and once connected, only the aspects that the teacher wanted used were allowed until the teacher released their phones again. There were no private searches during class, only academic sites through their website was allowed.

Most just opted to use the school approved and dispensed laptop to answer the questions when prompted. They kept their phones from the main network, not wanting teachers to access the content via some loophole. The expectation of privacy argument went out the window when you consented to let the teachers control and access your phone, even if it was only for the duration of the class period.

Tapping into their wi-fi network also gave consent and so most students just used their data plans or created hotspots or their own wi-fi stations.

The new kid having a tablet was different but not really anything news-worthy. Being near the teacher made sense in some ways too, easier access to ask questions without disturbing the rest of the class. The teachers or administration probably requested him to sit there too to help him catch up faster.

He didn't talk though to ask his questions. He and the teachers would pour over his tablet together and have silent discussions, with the teacher being the only one heard for long lengths of time.

David knew the others had no luck in trying to spot the new kid, there was a text chain between the three of them and the other two were getting increasingly frustrated. David shared his last class of the day with him. It was a small enough school that he knew exactly which one was new, even without the seating arrangement being a hot button topic.

He slid into the desk next to him and presented him with a wide, white toothed smile. He was nice looking and people thought he looked kind and approachable, especially when he smiled. David was glad this class didn't have assigned seats. While he'd probably get a few annoyed looks for sitting in a different seat, nobody would ask him to go back to his usual one. They'd just be disgruntled and move to another one and disrupt the entire class's seating arrangement. However, the new kid being there would have done that for most of his classes anyway to varying degrees.

"Hi." David greeted when the boy flashed him a small look but tried to go back to being invisible. "That's not going to work here." David said conversationally. "Everyone already knows that you're new and no one is going to outright ignore your existence. Most will try to talk to you and be friendly. You should just get used to the fact that you can't hide here, even when you become old news. The school is too small." People didn't really get lost in the shuffle, but people did pair off into different groups. Yet no one was allowed to just flounder alone, someone or some group always took the individual in, even if the individual claimed they just wanted to be alone.

David's words were met by a tensing of shoulders and he wondered what he'd said to set him off. Maybe he really was used to being invisible or wanted to be.

"Let me start again, I'm David, I'm your new roommate." Startled eyes transferred to him. "Well one of them at least. I'll introduce you to the others later." It would be easier on the kid if he was brought into the room by one that already resided there than to be sprung upon them or be in there alone when the others entered. David bumped shoulders with him, trying to be friendly, they had a tendency to be touchy-feely around here. There really was very little privacy afforded to any of them with how close they lived together in all aspects of their day. "What's your name?"

The boy moved away from him, drawing into himself further and seemed to ponder it for awhile. David just waited patiently, everyone was different, everyone came from a different background and not everyone was in your face friendly on day one. He seemed to be assessing the situation while David assessed him. Finally, it seemed he relented and figured out that he might as well get over whatever hurdle held him back. It would be a harder transition if he kept to himself when others were making the effort. When he finally got around to it otherwise, they might no longer be interested. So with a lot of resignation in his body language, the boy spoke. "Kurt."

The singular word sounded like it was pulled from his throat painfully. It was scratchy and unused and barely heard among the other sounds in the room and David had really had to listen hard. He had seen that the boy was going to speak and so was focused on hearing him. David felt a little bit of disappointment to realize this was not a boy who would be joining the Warblers. He had an unique look and it was a warm and welcoming club. He would just have to find his niche somewhere else.

David forced his face to not betray any of his thoughts or feelings and beamed at Kurt. "Welcome to Dalton Kurt!"

Kurt's face crumpled and he looked away. Obviously he had not shared the sentimentality and David sighed internally. Blaine and Sebastian wouldn't have to work too hard to push him out the door. However, it seemed as if Kurt wasn't here by choice, so he wasn't going to go anywhere even with all three on the same pager. Or at least he wasn't going to go very far.

David did ponder Kurt's voice throughout the class, seeing what the others had mentioned about the lack of speech coming from him. Was it just disuse that had roughened it? Was it the fact that he hadn't talked most of the day make it nearly absent when he did try? He would flag a teacher down and point at something and the teacher would take the tablet, erase whatever it was that Kurt pointed to and then work on explaining the problem to him in a different way.

Kurt really did have a lot of catching up to do if the teacher had to spend so much time with him discussing the question rather than discussing Kurt's answer. Maybe it would have been better to put him back a year or two?

David waited for the class to clear out, Kurt and the teacher will still going over something, but David had tuned them out ages ago. David cleared his throat when the class was all gone. "I'm his new roommate professor. I was thinking I could show him around?"

"Oh." The teacher looked to Kurt, as if asking him if it was ok. Kurt looked unsure and the teacher smiled and said something that David didn't catch and squeezed Kurt's shoulder. Kurt nodded and mouthed a thanks before gathering up his belongings.

He followed David out of the room. Most people didn't bring much in to the dorms, weren't allowed. They were already furnished and new linens were provided, all with the Dalton Crest. A secondary set and different weighted blankets were stored in a chest at the foot of the bed, including towels and wash clothes. The Dalton uniforms arrived freshly pressed and hung up in their wardrobe prior to arrival.

There were Dalton approved skin care products and hair care and the boys didn't generally deviate from what was provided. There were a few cases when special considerations needed to be taken into account, but everything was hypo-allergic and didn't contain scents or sulfates. They were really high end quality products, if you could look passed the fact that it was within a Dalton label distribution.

They did not allow aerosol on the grounds. Blaine's fault, when he punctured one and lit it on fire just to see what would happen. He himself used gel and had stolen the spray from Nick's personal collection. Nearly lit Nick on fire too but Sebastian had managed to pull him away from the spray of flames just in time. It had sought out the chemicals it was already burning, which had also resided in Nick's hair from earlier application in the day.

Again, Blaine and Sebastian had ruined it for everyone else.

David had been the one to see a fourth set of Dalton approved and provided items appear in their dorm room that Sunday night. It took them some investigation to learn that nobody that already attended Dalton was moving in with them. An investigation that had culminated that next morning, which had brought them all to the fountain.

It should have been obvious from the start as there were no corresponding personal items or body sleeping in that bed. They figured the boy was only going to join them once the week started, spending the last of his time in his current room. It was a strange logic, but no one was really thinking all that clearly.

Sebastian had been on a 4 day bender and had come in and basically crashed in his bed. He gave no notice to anything around him, not even bothering to brush his teeth. "Sleep tonight, will be fine for the morning."

"Did you sleep at all?" Blaine had asked with a tease.

"Nope, three nights of raunchy, raunchy sex and all night parties. Man do they know how to party in Koreatown." Sebastian said sleepily, curling into his pillow, still wearing his street clothes rather than the Dalton provided sleepwear.

"Had to go all the way over there to find someone who would sleep with you?" Blaine asked with a yawn.

Sebastian only gave him the finger but never put it down, already sound asleep.

Blaine mumbled something and tossed Sebastian's blanket over him so neither of the other two would have to see that anymore and because Blaine did care about Sebastian's well-being. Blaine was nearly incoherent and it wasn't because he was out for three nights drinking in Ktown, Columbus, Ohio.

Wes had been behind that one though, he'd invited Sebastian along to meet and greet. David wondered how Wes was doing. Probably fairing a lot better than Sebastian as Wes would have moderated his alcohol, gone back to the hotel early to sleep and would have ate well. He would have asked his buddies to entertain Sebastian well, as further punishment of what happened to his beloved gavel. Sebastian enjoying a three night, four day bender probably just irritated Wes.

Blaine obviously thought Sebastian had flown out to the West Coast for it, not just head south 20 minutes by car. Sebastian had no problems seeking out different areas of the city and reeling in whatever bit. He always got away with it too without consequence, probably part of his charm lending him a bit of protection and able to slip away if it got too dicey.

Blaine had been forced to go to the Philippines for a family thing and had spent nearly a day each way flying and was super jet-lagged. He yawned again, apologized to David for not catching up tonight and then crawled into bed.

Whereas David had just gone down to dinner with the other boys who had spent their mid-term break at Dalton. Then went to go study before Monday's classes and headed back to his dorm shortly before the other boys arrived. Things seemed odd when he came in but thought maybe it was just one of the others getting in early. It was only after both passed out in their respective beds that David figured out there was one too many presentable and ready to house a male body.

"Shit." David's response wasn't exactly pleasant and would have given the other two a run for their money. He wasn't looking forward to a new roommate, a new routine and behavior and personality to get used to. He had finally gotten into a groove with the other two. Things were going to go topsy-turvey and he liked his routines. He wasn't quite at Wes' level but he did want to graduate in the four years they had to attend Dalton's halls, or any high school, and have the best prep for college. Dalton was already a school that colleges looked at favorably but David wanted to show the best version of himself for the college boards. He had plans and they did not include being stuck in a second choice college.

Still, he would put his best foot forward and welcome the new kid to the best of his ability. He didn't want to be labeled along with the others as unable to be a team player. Didn't want to risk getting kicked out of Dalton for making the transfer student's life miserable. He knew his college fund was paid for by his parents without even a flicker of worry and his name would pave the way. But he wanted to do things with his own merit and even his name would not protect him from being kicked out of a prestigious school like this. It would not convince a governing board of admissions to take a chance on him when many who came from a wealthy family did not put too much stock in education. They were just getting a degree and buying time until they could take over their parents' business.

He had other unique disadvantages that would hinder his admissions as he didn't fit their incredibly antiquated views, even with his parents' money. It was too much of 'new money' to be as respected as Sebastian's family would be. They would always be suspicious of where his family obtained it but would just assume Wes' family money came from even older stock that was harder to track because it was on the other side of the world in a language they didn't understand from an era that didn't keep as good of track of things.

Wes' family however was far newer into this game than David's were. Wes was only third generation. David was 8th, Blaine was 10th and Sebastian... Sebastian came from a family wealth that could no longer count how many generations back it amassed. Sebastian for all his fancy words was royalty himself just without a title as the countries he'd hailed from had overthrown the gentry long ago but the wealth had remained as they'd fled in the nick of time with everything they possessed.

Sebastian's saving grace was that he never viewed himself in that light. He was pretty down to earth for a ridiculously rich and besotted kid who'd never wanted for anything. He didn't act that way, all he really cared about was his count, his friends, Lacrosse and singing. There were other things he cared about too, but those were his most pressing day to day matters.

They'd left pretty early this morning to grab food and talk and so hadn't seen if Kurt had moved in any personal effects. Other than the tablet, David didn't see any on the boy himself or in his bag when he'd glimpsed inside it when Kurt put the tablet away. The bag was also Dalton issue. Everything was, down to the laptop, pens, paper and Kurt's tablet. Maybe they were moving away from laptops to tablets? Except he'd seen a laptop in that bag as well. So David just didn't get it and he'd ask about it at a better time.

Some boys found little ways to personalize their uniforms. Wes would harass the Warblers until they complied with the strictest of dress codes but the school didn't forbid small things, like a lapel pin or earrings. They were a private school, not the army and even the army allowed you personal effects as long as it didn't impede the mission or mission statement.

Nick wore an earring in his left ear and made sure it didn't glitter or catch the light during the week. On the weekends he switched it out to whatever he felt like. Wes begrudgingly let him get away with it because he tried to tone it down for the school week.

Maybe Kurt didn't know that he could do things like that? David would share some of the insider knowledge hegathered over years of attendance once Kurt was settled in a little more.

David showed him around the grounds, explained what each building was. Briefly passed the courtyard and made some noncommittal sounds and words but didn't really want to encourage others to invade their private space. Then pointed out the dorm rooms. "That's our building, seniors and juniors only. The one next to it is sophomores and freshmen. I'll show you our room after dinner." Kurt didn't say anything nor even nod his understanding, just dutifully trudged after David.

"Here's the breakfast room." He gestured to a room but continued on. "Lunch hall." Kurt turned toward it but David laughed and shook his head. "Nope, just lunch, nothing will be there right now. Dinning hall is just up ahead but the room to your left has a bunch of approved snacks for movie nights, late night studying or just snacking for the sake of snacking or if you somehow missed a meal, you can grab something from there." David touched the door. "It's not monitored but they would appreciate it if you didn't horde food, cuts down on the rodents they'll have to deal with later on."

Kurt nodded and David opened the door for the dining room, it was too early for anyone else to be there. "It's a bit fancier than lunch which is a lot fancier than breakfast. I'll show you the dorm room now and then later the study room. Hey- where are you going?"

Kurt for his part had held up his hand and shook his head. He was trying to express something but then pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at it before sending off a text in reply. David hadn't even known Kurt had a phone with him since he hadn't used it constantly like everyone else their age. Kurt tried to give a small smile of thanks for the tour but didn't verbalize it.

So he just turned to head to where he thought he knew he was going. David grabbed his arm and felt the shudder swarm through Kurt's body. He didn't drop Kurt's arm but he also didn't tighten his grasp when Kurt tugged it out of his hand. He had gotten Kurt's attention, which had been his sole goal.

Kurt hitched his thumb over his shoulder as if that should explain everything. David just looked at him blankly. Kurt hesitated and swallowed and thought really hard about what he was doing before his mouth opened and he hoarse out a single word. "Home."

"No, you don't go home after school. We're a boarding school, you spend the nights in the dorm." David wondered if the reason he needed extra specific help and the reason it seemed to be such a struggle to talk was because he had a stroke or something. Wasn't he too young to have that? And wouldn't his body be lax on one side or something/

Kurt shook his head and was really straining his voice now. "Home."

He didn't argue anymore, he just turned and continued where he thought the visitor's parking lot was. David followed after him, trying to tell him that he was just setting himself up for disappointment. "You can only go home on long weekend breaks, like the one we just had."

Kurt shook his head and continued on, determined not to be stopped again.

"Nobody is going to be there." Could strokes happen because of a hit to the head? Would explain his memory loss or whatever this was.

Except when they got to the parking lot, there was a blue truck waiting for him. It was older but it was in pristine shape. A large man got out of the cab and opened his arms. He didn't look to be in as good of a shape as his vehicle. David felt odd watching Kurt head over to him, nothing seemed dangerous if he was heading there on his free will and the man seemed excited to see Kurt. No warning bells were going off but it was just so odd to David. He'd never seen someone so... blue collar? In his real life. No one at Dalton should be getting in a car and heading off with someone like that.

The man enclosed his arms around Kurt and David started forward. This had to be an abduction or something, right? Somehow this guy had gotten close to this rich kid and was taking him with him. Maybe Kurt had reached out to his family's employee for a ride away from Dalton? It was more likely a former employee because if he looked like that and would go behind his bosses' backs then he wouldn't be working there for very much longer if he still was.

"Hey buddy!" The man's voice was pleasant and warm and no less excited than his actions. "How was today? Did you manage to say any words?"

Kurt held up 3 fingers before burying himself back into the embrace. Yes, definitely someone he had known for awhile. David hesitated, unsure what to do. It wasn't an obvious abduction, Kurt was going with him willingly and the man had somehow gotten onto the property and through extensive security.

Maybe the man wasn't a front end employee, maybe he was the gardener or something and he was the one tasked to take Kurt home? Still, that was unheard of. He only knew of a few occasions when someone was allowed off property during a school week. Or at least, sanctioned off campus activities. Sebastian snuck out all the time and came back in through the front gates without anyone ever calling him out on it. Still, Sebastian was a student and was always back before classes the next day. This was a middle-aged man, taking a student off campus on purpose.

David would get to the bottom of this. He only watched long enough to see Kurt hop into the truck in the driver's seat and the man walked around with a laugh to the passenger seat "Yeah, ok, thanks for not making me drive the whole trip, kid." It was so good-natured, not at all upset and even more bizarre to David. David had drivers, he had no reason to know how to drive or drive himself anywhere. He could accomplish so much more in the backseat of a chauffeured ride.

Sebastian drove but only because he liked pulling up with flashy cars and racing them when he had nothing better to do with his day. He also drove motorcycles but less frequently. Blaine enjoyed riding in cars but didn't seem interested in driving otherwise. Nick and Jeff weren't allowed to drive after they each had a near fatal crash in the span of one week. They seemed to do everything together or the same way. Wes had flying lessons but couldn't care less about cars. He had himself helicoptered in and out of Dalton and to and from any of his other destinations if possible. He had a fleet of small aircrafts that would take him around the world.

Wes' family fortune came from designing and providing air transportation, so that made a lot of sense.

David was still reeling from what he'd seen when he came across Blaine and Sebastian. He just didn't understand any of it. "You may not need to forth with your plans, the problem may have already resolved itself."

"What does that mean?" Blaine looked up from the papers he and Sebastian would burn after completion.

"Pretty sure he's not coming back after he ran off with the help just now."

His roommates looked at him as if he had hit the drugs too hard. He even thought he was imagining things but there's no way his brain could have come up with those images.