Episode 3, Chapter 1:

Good morning, Upper East Siders! Gossip Girl here. Your one and only source in the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. Top story on my homepage: Kurt Hummel. Everybody's favorite It-Boy has just returned from a mysterious absence and was learning the hard way that you can never go home again.

But now that Kurt is back, will the Upper East Side ever be the same? It takes two to tango and boys and girls like these don't go down without a fight.

Kurt had a nightly and morning ritual for skincare. He'd perfected his system using an algorithmic approach with Quinn years back and had stuck by it ever since. He never missed a day. If he did, he could expect oily skin that made him look like he'd swallowed a whole stick of butter.

Kurt sadly reminded himself about the popcorn he shared with Blaine just two days ago. At the time it had been worth it because he never went on a date in such a normal place. He shook his head and continued moisturizing. Internally, he knew to check the clock in the middle of his routine when the clock hit 6:45. Kurt knew Quinn woke up every day for school at this time and again had to check himself so he wouldn't get sentimental. He couldn't cry early in the morning or else he wouldn't be able to hide his pink flush.

"So, do you have any plans after school?" his mother dropped in his doorway with a steaming mug in her hand.

"No why?" he gave her a short-confused glance before going back to his lotions.

"Just wondering if maybe you signed up for a club or activity…"

"I don't have any interests."

"I don't believe that. There's got to be some kind of club dedicated to fashion right?"

"It's a nice thought, but I just want to graduate as soon as possible."

"You're only a junior. You still got two years to go. You need to be ready for college. You know how important it is for me that you go."

"To you of course, mom. When is Finn getting out?"

"Kurt—"

"He needs to get out of there and start being a part of the world again. It's been long enough. Any longer he'll only get worse."

"I'm worried about him—"

"And I'm not? I haven't seen you spend one-night with him there since I got back. I always leave after he's fallen asleep."

"He's not a baby Kurt."

"No, but we were born 10 months apart, but he's two years behind making him a freshman. I was gone for a year, but I'm in the right class."

"He's had some troubles."

"He tried to kill himself! Admit it to yourself and maybe things will change. Get him out. I'm not kidding." Talking to Carole had started to become a constant fight. In his mind, he called her Carole to distance himself from her. She was one of the many people that were to blame for the recent struggles in his life. Once she left, he continued his routine.


A school full of Manhattan's finest, everyone was supposed to be on equal footing when they stepped through the gates, but some people always looked better: for example, Kurt had brooches and ascots to dress up a plain uniform of chino pants, white dress shirt, blazer and tie. The people he knew all had looks they were known for because they followed the one item different policy. One girl he knew had different nail designs every day. A guy wore oversized nerdy glasses though he didn't even have a prescription. Puck had his Mohawk. Sam had a bob of bleached blonde hair. Brittany had arm socks. Santana had oversized hoop earrings. Quinn had fashionable cardigans.

When his car dropped him off, he saw that Blaine and Rachel had joined the club in having something that distinguished them from the rest. The brother and sister duo sat together at a table; Blaine wearing a bowtie, school colors, of course, and Rachel wore ridiculous knee socks and appropriately matched penny-loafers. It didn't matter what you did as long as you stood out from everyone else. Mostly everyone came from money so counting what your parents had in the bank was pathetic. If you wanted to be important, you had to look and act the part. A nobody could climb to the top and be a somebody if they had the nerve to do it. Quinn wasn't always somebody, and Kurt definitely hadn't been the year he came out, but when they demanded respect, they got it.


There's plenty of upside to being the spawn of the fabulously wealthy, but, the downside, super successful parents expect nothing less from their offspring and when it comes to college that means the Ivy's. It's more than just getting into college; it's setting a course for the rest of your life and for those few who aren't legacies, the pressures are no less. When parents have sacrificed for their children's future, what kid would want to let them down?

Blaine had no clear plans for after college though he might consider a life in the arts. He loved New York so all he really wanted was to stay in the city.

Kurt felt the same way though he never thought seriously about going to college before. High school had always seemed like the end all. Therefore, he didn't have plans to go to the college mixer.

Puck didn't have college problems. His father only cared about "legacy" when it came to his business that he was planning for his son to take over. The only issue Puck had was preparedness. Mr. Puckerman knew he acted too immaturely to really take over the company so every once in a while, he had to threaten not to give him the primary share. His company mattered more to him than his son, though he'd never admit it, and it definitely didn't matter to him that his son take it over once he was gone.

Meanwhile, Sandy had been having his son meet with Princeton graduates for years because he went to a private school no one ever heard of in Vermont and needed his son to prove that he wasn't a screw up. Sam tried telling him a bunch of times where his heart really was.

"You know college isn't for me. You've seen my grades long enough to know. I mean I have a tutor to help with my dyslexia, but what am I going to do in college? I want to be a model. My looks are what make me special."

"It's what I say that makes you special Sam, and you just need to pick up your grades a little bit for Princeton."

"You never listen to me," Sam kept his head down.

"What would your mother say?"

"Mom doesn't care. She never cared about where I go to college, only you do. Her family would take care of me. I wouldn't go hungry—"

"So, you want to be a freeloader on our family," Sandy snuck in the "our" because he hated when his son pointed out that his family didn't have money like the Rhodes' did.

"I didn't mean that. I would have my own money I'm just saying you wouldn't have to worry about me and—"

"Is that the reason you think I won't let you become a model? Oh no! You could join the Ziegfield Follies for all I care, God rest their souls! I'm not worried about you. I'm upset you're gonna be without a plan or direction without mine. If you weren't so stubborn, you could have it all, and I could be proud of my son."

"You won't be proud if I followed my heart?"

"No!" he answered honestly. "And you better impress the hell out of that rep!"


The school had an assembly at 8am that seemed to go on forever to discuss the Ivy Week mixer. Quinn was in charge of the mixer where representatives from the best schools in the country dropped by and hopeful attendees had a once in a lifetime introduction to some of the most powerful admissions counselors. You had to make a good impression. No one could be too hopeful they would go where they wanted to. Quinn couldn't be prouder every time her name was called by Ms. Castle and Mr. Martinez, even with her sights set on Yale and her alumna father out of the picture, it was important that she stood out. She hoped her dad would somehow pull through when it came to admission.

When she looked at her two friends whispering to themselves, she was mildly upset they hadn't been paying attention.

"Want to clue me in girls?" she asked the whisperers.

"It's just that Kurt hasn't appeared at the assembly, and we are pretty sure we spotted him this morning," Santana spoke.

"He might not be coming to the mixer," Brittany alerted.

"That wouldn't be the worst news I heard this week. Now, can we please stop talking about him? I can't go one conversation without his name coming up."

"That's going to be difficult," Sunshine said looking behind her where Kurt peeked through the door.

Quinn looked and rolled her eyes. That was her luck, for her to wish he wouldn't show only to have the short dream crushed. For fun she looked to Blaine, but he hadn't turned around. Sam, however, looked his way. He turned away when Quinn found him staring. She wondered to herself how much more of this she would have to take.

Kurt wasn't late or missing. He was boycotting the mixer. The only problem was his curiosity about what was going on and having the rest of the building to himself wasn't as fun as he would have thought. He was tough, but he didn't have much ingenuity when it came to good pranking.

When the assembly was over, Kurt caught Blaine in the hallways before he went to class. The face he associated with Blaine, the puppy eyes and tentative smile that before he'd found confusing and charming, wasn't there anymore. Kurt now knew the face and eyes Blaine had given him were from when he admired Kurt. After their last talk, that was all gone.

"Hi," he still said hopefully. Blaine gave him a half-smile and walked away without a word. Kurt breathed heavily as he went.

"Trouble in paradise," Quinn greeted coming up behind him.

"I wonder who I should blame for that."

"Yourself," she grinned ferociously walking away with two shadows Kurt didn't even notice. He wanted to be mad, but her answer hit him smartly in the head. True, it was his fault. He smiled at her. Touché.

Spotted! K not so fashionably late and dressed down by Q. Game on.


The next period was co-ed gym, and dodgeball was Kurt's least favorite physical activity. Quinn's goons set up on one side of the court. Kurt was unprepared for their fury as he felt most attacks aimed directly at him. He managed to knock out Quinn just before Santana took him and the rest of his teammates out. Santana claimed victory and cut in a little too harshly at the last player standing.

Kurt ran back onto the court, "Hey, stop it! We don't need to behave like animals!"

"Go cry to your momma," Santana taunted. Kurt squinted at her and threw an evil glance at Quinn. He knew Quinn had more say in this. They'd taken their fight too far.


Quinn sang in Chorus with Brittany and Santana. Even though they were better vocalists overall, she brought a nice sound that was well-appreciated in the small group. Kurt had dropped out of Chorus because he usually preferred to keep his daytime free. However, because they were duking it out, he thought it'd be a nice idea to stop by the choir room.

Brad, the piano teacher, didn't speak so he left the sheet music they'd be singing on the piano for whoever came in. Kurt beamed at Quinn as he swiped a paper off the pile and took up a spot on the opposing side of the room. It was her unlucky day as they were singing Les Mis and Kurt knew every song from the show by heart. His rendition of 'Bring Him Home' brought tears to the eyes of all the women in the room, except for Quinn, who seethed on the outside and was humiliated on the inside. Kurt knew the look on her face and felt he'd won that one. He still wanted his friend back. He stopped her while everyone else left.

"Are we done with this fighting? I screwed up with Sam and you destroyed my chances with Blaine. I liked him okay. So, is it over? We've come to a…truce."

"A truce? No Kurt, this isn't over, especially after what you just did."

"Seriously? You're holding that against me?! You haven't been a perfect friend either."

Quinn didn't even respond. Kurt watched her, his mouth opened in an aggravated sigh, and eyebrows furrowed as she flipped her hair and stormed out.

Hey Upper East Siders. We hear that World War Three just broke out and it's wearing knee socks. Choose your side or run and hide. We have a feeling that this one is to the death.


Blaine didn't have any true reason for walking into the Chorus room, in some strange way he felt drawn there. When he heard Kurt's beautiful voice, it all made sense. His eyes welled up with tears at his voice, but he controlled his emotions. He was still upset with him and falling all over him wouldn't do him any good. He wiped his eyes when the song ended and clapped silently. At the end of the class, he was going to disappear when he heard Kurt's voice again, speaking this time. Blaine bit his fingernails listening to Quinn refuse to forgive him. He had two options. Walk away like he was never there or go inside. He suddenly sprung up, knowing he'd probably regret it.

"Hey Kurt."

"Blaine hi, what are you doing here?" he asked startled.

"Oh, um, I was just…walking by." Kurt didn't believe him. He took too long to answer. Kurt shot him a disbelieving look and sat down on a chair. Blaine slipped off his bag and took a seat on the now empty piano bench. "I didn't know you were still in Chorus."

"I'm not, but how did you know that I was in Chorus?"

"We were in the same class."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize…"

"I was pretty invisible, and you had such an amazing voice I didn't have the nerve to ask for a solo. They wouldn't have given it to me anyway."

"Why not? I'm sure you have a lovely voice."

"I'm not that great."

"Can I hear you sing?"

Blaine mouthed "Now?" and the other boy nodded kindly.

"You do have a piano behind you," he pointed out.

"Only if you promise to sing with me," Blaine said excitedly having an idea of what he wanted to play. He stretched his hands before playing the opening bars of his favorite Smokey Robinson and Linda Ronstadt song.

"Ooo la la la la / I did you wrong, my heart went out to play / But in the game I lost you / What a price to pay, hey I'm crying / Ooo, baby baby / Ooo, baby baby," he sang.

"Mistakes, I know I've made a few / But I'm only human / You've made mistakes too, I'm crying / Ooo, baby baby / Ooo, baby baby," Kurt joined in with the second verse smiling.

"I'm just about at the end of my rope / But I can't stop trying, I can't give up hope / 'Cause I feel that someday, I'll hold you near / Whisper, I still love you / Until that day is here, I'm crying / Ooo, baby baby / Ooo, baby baby / Ooo, baby baby / Ooo ooo ooo ooo, baby baby," tentatively they joined together for the final part of the song. Blaine's choice astounded Kurt as he thought of him more as a Katy Perry fan, but it also felt just right. Blaine felt the same way. He wasn't sure if Kurt would know the lyrics or if he'd just sing the chorus part.

"I wouldn't expect you to know that song," Kurt smiled, and Blaine chuckled back.

"You either, you can be full of surprises Mr. Hummel."

"So, Mr. Anderson, where does that leave us?" Kurt asked cleverly.

"I want to sing with you again, but I don't know if I trust you."

"That's fair. We haven't talked long enough…"

"I want to," Blaine said making Kurt smile. Hope wasn't lost.


Quinn couldn't play nice girl anymore. She'd been run over by everyone she cared about and needed to do something. The only person she knew with as much hate in her heart was Puck. She called when she was home and ignored his snide tone when first answering.

"Why do you answer the phone like you're having sex?"

"Maybe because I am. What do you know about it anyway?" Puck teased, and she kept her mouth quiet, which was her right.

"I need your help with something so you're either in or out. You love drama so I'm expecting you to do this without asking for anything in return."

"I might still ask out of principle, but sure, what can I do?"

"It's Kurt. I need you to tell me why he's back suddenly. His current excuse is lame and likely a lie. Whatever he's been doing for the last year—boarding school? —it's not the whole picture. Find out something juicy I could use before Gossip Girl gets her hands on it."


Kurt finally left the Chorus room after talking to Blaine for more than an hour. Even though it was a spontaneous date, it still counted to him. Blaine made him feel special. Guys didn't normally do that for him. He felt used once they'd gotten what they wanted. What Blaine wanted however was different and now Kurt was in a position to run away. Kurt could run, not for the fun of the game, but because Blaine was serious. He wanted a relationship with intimacy and getting to know each other before taking the first step. It was a completely new concept to him. There was no sex currently on the table or involved in the decision-making, just the possibility of commitment, which was scarier. Whatever it was, he needed to talk it out and the only person he could speak to was his brother who, Kurt once again had to remind himself, knew nothing about romantic love. Still, the rehab center was walking distance, and Kurt didn't think twice about it.


~A. about the future of these characters I wonder how different their paths will be in this AU versus Glee canon. Ivy League, anyone?!