After the initiation, Kurt feels so much more confident. He still wakes up every morning screaming from the nightmares but he always has people to surround himself with. They of course don't actually know these nightmares plague him and he's grateful for that. He's found another steady friend in Reed. He's caught up on all his lessons. (Apart from Murdoch's.) Kurt begins to think about the scholarship exam at the start of the new half-term. Dean Ramsey had given him a free half-term from the emergency transfer fund and told him to concentrate on adjusting before putting too much academic pressure on him.
That's when the fashion show is announced, in unity with their sister school, Dobry Hall. Kurt and Reed start clearing the breakfast table in order to roll out yards and yards of fabric. While the boys are still eating. There's complaints but when Kurt threatens to stop cooking for 2 weeks, magically no one has any problems.
Kurt gets so engrossed in this show that in all his free time, he will be found in the school grounds sketching away. It's due to this that Windsor gets the worst experience of their life. A tall blonde figure stalks the path of Dalton. Her trainers hit the ground with huge, deafening thuds. Her tracksuit clad arm wrenches open the dorm door.
"Where's Porcelain?"
Blaine, having talked with Kurt about his fierce cheerleading coach, laughs and points outside. Wes, on the other hand, is cowering in the background. He's heard too many stories about Sue from his girlfriend and he's not about to be in her presence while she's cross. She storms over to the door, leaving the usually fearless Windsor boys quaking in their shoes.
"Porcelain, practice started 15 minutes ago. Get your uniform on and let's move. I'll meet you on the pitch."
Kurt runs straight to his room and pulls on his uniform. Of course he's grown so it fits slightly tighter than at McKinley. He forgets that the other boys are only vaguely aware of the fact he cheers, let alone that he has to wear a uniform for it. He grabs his cheer bag, but groans when he realises his multiple waterbottles are all empty. Heading down the stairs, the twins are too stunned to let go of the multiple water balloons in their hands when they glimpse Kurt. He practically struts down the hallway, making a beeline for the kitchen. Which he forgot overlooks the dining room. The second the cheerleader starts the tap, the unusually quiet boys studying in the dining room look up. Wes and David silently look at each other and snap pictures of the unaware boy. Then he heads out of Windsor straight to the pitch.
"Porcelain, I trust you warmed up. I need a standing back tuck and a full 3 rotations into a basket, on position one." Sue barks through her megaphone. She's not happy about this arrangement, especially on her part. Dalton, as a completely girl free zone, did not have a cheerleading squad, costing games, from when they'd get distracted by the Banshees. Technically in the Nationals rules, squad members could only compete if the squad cheered for their school. Sue, naturally, had found a loophole wherein Kurt could cheer for the Cheerios only if the Cheerios also cheered at Dalton. And since there was a distinct lack of a cheerleading squad there, Sue had muscled her way in, and Dean Ramsey was certainly not going to refuse the offer if it meant a win for the Kings finally.
Thankfully, due to the nature of the all-boys school and the fact Kurt was the only male on the squad currently, Dean Ramsey had declared Thursdays after school would entail a closed practice pitch. There had been an outcry by multiple sports teams but somehow from the depths of Windsor, someone had let slip that Dalton had gained a cheerleader, and with it a whole squad. No one but the Windsor boys actually knew Kurt was the cheerleader so it hadn't twigged that it was the world famous Cheerios. However, it didn't stop the boys from conspiring, and gossiping about who this squad could be. Kurt, thankfully hadn't been privy to such conversations as the majority of the gossip had come from the day students. They were usually the ones to book up the pitch straight after school so that their commute wouldn't be delayed too late and thus the ones directly affected by this sudden closed pitch. Unfortunately, one of the only boarding students who had taken an interest was Logan. Someone who had an intense history with a certain someone Kurt was pining over. He managed to sneak into this closed rehearsal via the space under the bleachers commonly used as a make out spot. He locks eyes on the only male cheerleader. He'd heard about the new emergency transfer through the Warblers and Blaine gushing about him, but he was even cuter in person. Nothing could distract him, especially the skirts of the cheerleaders when they executed a difficult move. No, nothing would sway Logan Wright when he'd decided he wanted something.
It soon grows dark, forcing Sue to give the squad a well earned finish to the rehearsal. Kurt hadn't even noticed but it had been 4 hours already. It was good to be back with his friends, keeping in shape. It made him feel like he hadn't just left McKinley behind. Sue got her big rehearsal space to herself and Kurt gets a piece of home every Thursday, finding he actually wants Thursday to come around very quickly. Kurt gathers up his stuff, barely getting a chance to say goodbye before the girls are squirrelled away into the coach home. He makes his way down the darkened path down to Windsor, on his phone, utterly distracted from his appearance. He's also apparently not very quiet when he walks as every single Windsor boy is pressed against the window watching him go.
Wes notices Blaine's slacked jaw and reaches out, closing his jaw without a word. Blaine doesn't even notice.
"Would you look at that?" Evan giggles.
"The scarecrow just can't help but admire Dorothy." Ethan jabs at Blaine playfully.
The door to Windsor opens, and Kurt makes his way into the common room. The boys have managed to actually look like they weren't just staring at him through the window but Blaine is still just as star struck. Kurt finally looks up, noticing several pairs of eyes staring at him. "What's wrong?" Kurt realised exactly how he is dressed, and the current state of disarray he is in. "Oh my haha, I'm literally dripping in sweat. I have to go take a shower."
"That uniform shows off everything. I mean I thought it looked good on the girls but, respectfully, as a straight male, that uniform really does wonders for your body." Wes chuckles. Kurt just blushes as a response and flees the room.
"Damn now he's never gonna come in here wearing that again." Reed laughs. "He's gonna ruin his clothes. Guess that means I'll be able to pass on all of the clothes my mum gives me from her runway show."
—
Han sits in his room, concerned. His numerous cameras pick up Logan sneaking back from the pitch and he knows Logan was definitely not invited to rehearsal but he doesn't want to alarm Kurt any more than he already is, with the exams and various difficult classes.
The other boys sit expectedly around the dining room. Kurt again is cooking, this time a rather nice selection of pies. There's something for everyone and Han is somewhat jealous. He thinks, you know what, that's worth socialising for. God knows no one is expecting him especially Kurt who has never met him. He attempts to slip into the room unnoticed but of course every single person is suddenly looking at him.
"Oh my god. It's a Han." Blaine, to everyone's surprise, has a face so shocked, it's not unlike the face he made meeting Kurt for the first time.
"I trust you've been keeping well up in the batcave of yours." Charlie quizzes.
"Thought I might as well sample this food everyone keeps raving about." Han takes a seat and conversations start back up. Kurt comes in bearing some food, going back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room. Once he's finally finished setting up, he takes his usual seat opposite Blaine. He tells everyone to help themselves, passing the food to Han and promptly doing a double take.
"Have we just adopted another student?" Kurt is genuinely serious and Charlie takes over.
"This is Han-"
"He's Uncle Joe!" Evan butts in.
"Yes, his nickname comes from the fact that he, on the surface, is the most normal of us. He usually doesn't come out of his room despite living here the same amount as everyone else but thats because the Internet is sort of his thing."
"Well in that case, hi Han. I'm Kurt."
"Oh, I know. I have cameras all over the school."
Kurt's eyes widen as he hears this. "Wait, everywhere? Because I am not ok with having camera feeds in my room, or quite frankly anywhere I can be seen in a compromising position."
"Oooo, compromising positions with who?" Reed laughs and suddenly the twins appear, hi fiving him. Of course, Kurt's mind immediately goes to Blaine but no, he shouldn't be thinking like that. But what he wouldn't give to see Blaine in a compromising position caused by him. Ugh, he doesn't need these thoughts at the dinner table.
"Reed, you know exactly what I meant."
"Don't worry, Kurt. There are no cameras in rooms and there are certain points in the school, it's quite obvious where they have blind spots." Han smiles at Kurt, a rare occurrence. "And thank you for the food. I usually eat Pot Noodles for dinner, but it's really nice to have someone around who can actually cook. Sometimes Howard would just make sure we got some nutritious food and cook us something but I'm not complaining about the lack of food from him, for sure. This pie is actually delicious."
Kurt follows most of the boys he knows well, into Warbler Hall. He's acutely aware of the fact that everyone else in the hall is staring at him, bar the Windsor's. He notices that the other students have different badges on, and Blaine whispers "They're Hanover and Stuarts. I don't think there are any day students in the Warblers currently." The hall fills with chatter and Kurt starts to feel lost in the chaos. That is until Harvey and Medelenter the hall. All at once the room is silent, showing the reverence for the faculty advisors that the singers have.
"Morning all. I know it's early but I'm hoping all of you are raring to go. We have a different style of session today and Ms Medel will go through it all." Mr Harvey explains and passes over to Ms Medel.
"Yes, I do believe we have a new student at rehearsals today. So if we can give a big welcome to Mr Kurt Hummel!" At Medel's insistence, Kurt stands up and waves to everyone, before sitting down, face flushed. "Kurt, would you like to introduce yourself?"
"Um, hi, I'm Kurt. I've moved into Windsor. I transferred from William McKinley High School, in Lima. I was a part of the New Directions there. I don't know the dynamic you guys had with the New Directions but I understand we will be facing them at Sectionals. I keep in contact with some of the members on a no shop talk basis. If I make it into the Warblers, rest assured nothing will be leaked."
"Thank you, Kurt. So Kurt has a chance to see how we roll over here, we'll show him one of our practice songs, Blaine will take the lead so discuss which song you'd like. After that, Mr Harvey and I will take Kurt next door to a practice room for his audition as he is the only one auditioning today. We will return, and if Kurt is successful, we'll work on slotting him into some of our potentials for Sectionals." Ms Medel smiles at her students and claps her hands. "Warblers, in position!"
Blaine whispers to the twins, and they start running around, spreading the word to everyone in regards to the song choice. As each boy hears, he immediately runs to his position. Blaine smiles encouragingly to Kurt as he, too, gets into position to sing.
You think I'm pretty without any makeup on
You think I'm funny when I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down.
Kurt laughs, at the realisation that Blaine is just a massive dork and Katy Perry fan. He admits to himself that Blaine suits the narrative and that he is in love with hi- his voice. Only his voice, for sure.
Lets go all the way tonight, no regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die, you and I
We'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back, don't ever look back
My heart stops, when you look at me, just one touch
Now, baby, I believe this is real
So take a chance and don't ever look back, don't ever look back.
Blaine, it's clear to see, is singing this directly to Kurt. Harvey and Medel send a warning look to each other. The last time Blaine serenaded someone in this room, it ended badly and they can't bear to see it happen again. Looking back to Kurt, he has a look of adoration and Sylvia can't believe that Kurt is even aware of it. Greg looks to Logan, and he is shooting daggers towards Blaine.
I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight.
Harvey and Medel can already see it now. The fights, the constant serenading, th love triangle about to form. They are going to have to think carefully about letting Kurt join if this is the sort of havoc it will cause. And they haven't even heard him sing yet.
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back, don't ever look back
My heart stops, when you look at me, just one touch
Now baby I believe this is real
So take a chance and don't ever look back, don't ever look back.
I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight.
Kurt is up and out of his seat the second the song is over, clapping furiously. All of the Windsor boys laugh and surround Kurt with a hug and good lucks coming from all around. Medel approaches and attempts to break through. "Guys, guys, well done. Now, please get on with practising while I take Kurt next door." She offers a hand to Kurt who takes it gratefully, fighting through the boys. Once next door, she offers Kurt a seat as she and Mr Harvey take a seat at the piano. "Now, I have had the pleasure of speaking with a Mr William Schuester who sings your praises from the rooftop. Now he claims you have a four octave range and that I should ask you to sing Le Jazz Hot from Victor/Victoria. This is confidential information but we are looking to develop a more New Directions approach in time. We try not to interfere with the student council with song selections and act as coaches. Wes, David and Thad will be asked to take into account our competition teams and as you are New Directions alumni, should you be accepted, your input would be gladly appreciated. Now, time to show us what you've got."
Kurt slows his breath to calm his nerves and jumps up. He knows not to do his full routine but he tries to inject some fun into the performance.
'Bout twenty years ago, way down in New Orleans
A group of fellers found a new kind of music
An' they decided to call it jazz.
No other sound has what this music has.
Before they knew it, it was whizzing 'round the world.
The world was ready for a blue kind of music
And now they play it from Steamboat Springs, to La Paz.
And at this, Harvey and Medel know they're in trouble. They can't not let Kurt in. They've been waiting for a countertenor for 15 years and his tone is rich, and stunning.
Oh baby, won't you play me Le Jazz Hot
Maybe, and don't ever let it end
I tell ya friend, it's really something to hear
I can't sit still when there's that rhythm near me
Also, baby, Le Jazz Hot, may be what's holding my soul together
Don't know whether it's morning or night
Only know it's soundin' right so come on in
And play me Le Jazz Hot, baby, 'cause I love my jazz hot
As if all at once, every Warbler stops singing and runs to the adjoining wall, straining to hear this strange voice. Blaine physically has to stop all thoughts because, wow, Kurt is amazing. Logan smiles to himself. Harvey and Medel have to let him in and that's just another way to get to him. The rest of the Warblers remain in awe. Most of them have never met a countertenor before and here was one, fresh from the opposing team and hungry for a victory.
Before they knew it, it was whizzing 'round the world
The world was ready for a blue kind of music
And now they play it from Steamboat Springs to La Paz
When you play me Le Jazz Hot, baby, you're holding my soul together
Don't know whether it's mornin' or night, only know it's sounding right
So come on in and play me Le Jazz Hot
Baby, 'cause I love my jazz hot, Le Jazz Hot, Le Jazz Hot.
At that last note, everyone, including Harvey and Medel give Kurt a standing ovation even if Kurt isn't in the room with them. Harvey approaches the boy with a hand, stating, "Well I believe that is a winning audition. We'd be delighted for you to join our ranks. I'll have Blaine pick up a packet of our repertoire for you to rehearse with tomorrow, during his private. One thing we forgot to mention is that for members of the Warblers who we feel would be well suited for competition solos, we offer one to one privates each week. We feel you could benefit from this. We will chat to you more about this next rehearsal, but for now, please join your new choir mates!" Kurt beams and practically runs into the room. The first person he sees is Blaine, who sweeps him up into a huge hug before letting him start to chat to some of the other students Kurt has yet to meet. Harvey and Medel once again survey the room.
"I've got a good feeling that Kurt will be their saving grace. These boys have been stuck in a rut, emotionally and singing wise. Kurt just has something different." Sylvia smiles.
