AN: Okay, I know I'm behind on my chaptered stories. Sorry. Enjoy! :)
Monday morning came around and Kurt Hummel was in a better mood than he had ever been since starting McKinley. Having spent the weekend with Rachel and cleaning with his dad, he was fairly relaxed. Even his shoulders were not as tense as they usually were. He just hoped Karofsky didn't push him around today. He was really getting tired of that idiot being a complete asshole to him. But then, most of the football team thought they could just mess around with him as much as they pleased. He wish sometimes that the teachers and administration didn't turn a blind eye like they usually did.
He contemplated Rachel's text from earlier. She said she ran in the mornings and asked if he would like to join her. He liked to be healthy, but he mostly used his mom's old Jazzercise and Sweating to the Oldies tapes for exercise in the privacy of his room since he really didn't want to work out at the school or either of Lima's two public gyms.
Well, that and his secret dance routines to current pop hits. But those were secret.
Maybe he could go with her. He didn't have to do it every day like she did. He probably didn't have the lung capacity and endurance to even attempt it right off. But he could try.
Not that he wouldn't mind falling back a bit and watching Rachel run from behind...
He was contemplating this thought when he literally ran into Mercedes at her locker, knocking what she had in her hands down to the floor.
"Oh sorry honey," he said as he scrambled to help her pick up her things.
"Deep in thought much?" she said, giving him a smile as she starting putting things back into her backpack. "You so weren't looking where you were going."
"I was just... thinking," he said, mentally chastising himself. "How was the choir competition?"
"It was nice," she said as she shouldered her bag. "They had Kirk Franklin as an honorary judge. He is so short in person, I couldn't believe it."
"Who is Kirk Franklin?" said Kurt, feeling perplexed.
"He's a gospel singer," Mercedes said, taking his arm. "I didn't expect you to know him."
"Sorry," he mouthed. Mercedes laughed.
"Kurt, you don't have to know everything about my church."
"I know, but I feel like I'm a bad friend if I don't know some things."
"Well, you can tell me what you did on Saturday then."
Kurt went to open his mouth, but nothing came out. This... this wasn't going to end well. Could he tell Mercedes that he had been out with Rachel on Saturday? She had wanted to be in a relationship with him once, and while he loved her as a friend and a dedicated partner in crime when it came to survival at McKinley... he just couldn't see her in that way. Not to mention that for a while, he had contemplated hiding behind their idea of gay as everyone liked to describe him... it would have been easier to explain than yelling that just because he liked the Sound of Music and had all the theatre names in New York memorized didn't mean anything. He was more than just a label.
And one day, he would have that.
"I was at the mall," he said lamely. "Went and saw Fame, did a little shopping."
"Get anything fabulous?"
"No, but I found a new hat. We'll have to go back sometime and get it."
"Sounds good," smiled Mercedes. "You want to come home with me this evening? We can pick out a song for Mr. Schue's assignment for this week."
"I can't," said Kurt, remembering the plans he had made with Rachel. "I'm going out... somewhere."
"Okay," said Mercedes, trying not to laugh. "So tell me about this hat..."
Down the hallway, Quinn gave Santana a head nod. Brittany sighed and pulled out her phone, flipping it open. She wasn't sure if she had that Asian girl's phone number, but it had to be something smart. The Asian kids were always the brightest of the school. And Artie. Although Becky helped her with her math homework.
Rachel Berry was really happy to be going to school. She had already been up for hours, doing her best to look sharp. Her new love interest had impeccable taste in clothes and she wanted to squeal every time she looked in her closet. Nothing seemed to match or be good enough. She sighed. Maybe she was trying too hard. She finally settled on a short sleeved pink shirt with white tank top underneath and her tweed beige skirt. She clipped her bangs back and let her hair fall in loose curls. She sighed and picked up the spare outfit she had chosen, just in case.
She really hoped she didn't have to change. She really hated the slushies. But at least one thing would be good as she looked in the mirror with a small side smile. She could see Kurt in the hallways between classes, and then that afternoon, they were meeting up to work on their assignments and talk about how they could possibly whip their classmates into a working musical show, preferably without real whips.
But as soon as she got to school, her mood dropped slightly at the sight of Finn Hudson. He seemed to be forcing a smile as he came up to her.
"Hey Rachel."
"Hello Finn," she said, smiling back. "How was the football game Friday evening?"
"We didn't win," shrugged Finn. "But it's cool."
"Maybe next game," said Rachel.
"Maybe," said Finn. "Did you have a good weekend?"
"It was very enjoyable," said Rachel. "I had a date and got to spend some more time with my grandmother."
Finn seemed surprised. "You had a date?"
"Well yes, I can do that sort of thing Finn. I may not have been the object of any one's affections up until now, but I do believe I can be desirable in someone's eyes."
"It's not that," said Finn, hastily trying to think what to say. "I-"
"I can't sit and wait forever Finn," said Rachel. "There are choices and there are choices. We've both made them. I have someone else I like now, and I think he'll be good for me. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to hopefully get to my locker before the bell rings and I end up with a mark on my clean permanent record." Rachel waved her hand at him. "See you in class."
"Rachel, wait..." said Finn, but she was already gone. He sighed when he felt his phone go off, knowing it was probably his girlfriend. He watched Rachel at her locker as she put in her combination, feeling like he had completely missed something.
"He's got it bad," said Mercedes to Tina as they walked down the hallway. "Kurt wouldn't even look me in the eye and he squirreled the whole time I asked what he had done on Saturday."
"Artie said that Rachel wasn't even outside Mr. Schue's office this morning. She's usually there first thing to talk about her taking over the glee club."
"Maybe this will be a good thing for her," laughed Mercedes. "Mellow her out a bit."
"Good, because I don't think I could handle Rachel even more intense," said Tina, rolling her eyes.
"Yo, my girls!"
"We're not your girls," said Mercedes to Artie as he approached. "Well, maybe Tina is." She had to dodge Tina's slap to her shoulder.
"I need your help," said Artie. "The Jazz band needs to set up in the choir room so I'm recruiting the glee club members to come help move equipment from the auditorium."
"Do we always have to have live music?" asked Mercedes.
"Why not?" shrugged Artie. "They like to play." He motioned for them to follow him, and they slowly started making the short walk to the auditorium.
"It's just so weird that they're always there."
"And you don't think it's weird that we always have the piano teacher in the choir room?" said Tina, checking her text messages.
"Well Brad is the Jazz band sponsor," added in Artie. "He kind of has to be."
"Brittany texted me again," said Tina to Mercedes. "She's on her way. She's bringing Mike. Matt's out today."
"Good," said Artie. "We could use some more hands."
Kurt was glad to be getting out of class. It was lunch time and he was kind of hungry. Maybe they'd have something edible for lunch, he had forgotten to grab anything on his way out the door that morning. Or maybe Rachel brought something her grandmother had cooked. The thought made him perk up a little.
"Kurt!" said a voice from behind him as he was walking alongside a group of juniors as they were switching classes. He turned and saw Tina coming towards him. She caught up with him, smiling as she adjusted the beanie on top of her head.
"I've been looking for you. Come on!" She grabbed his arm and started headed back down the hallway she had just come from.
"Tina, hey wait!" said Kurt, confused as she dragged him along. "Where are we going?"
"Not too far," she said as she opened the door to the auditorium. She pushed Kurt in front of her and closed the door behind them.
"Kurt?" said a voice. He looked up and saw Rachel with her own confused look standing beside Artie. Mercedes was standing behind the wheelchair bound boy with her arms crossed. Brittany and Mike were sitting down in the seats playing red hands. It was a rather unusual ensemble, and Kurt was coming to rather glaringly obvious conclusion that something was up. But then, there was always something up with the glee club.
"Now that we're all assembled," said Tina. "We can begin." Brittany looked up with a smile and waved at Kurt, who waved back meekly.
"What is going on?" asked Rachel to Tina.
"And why have you gathered... most of the glee club?" added Kurt.
"Simple," said Artie. Tina took Kurt by the hand again and lead him over to Rachel.
"We are here because of you two. Which, by the way, you look disgustingly cute when you're so oblivious to people spying on you."
"Spying..." began Kurt, looking at Rachel in a panic. Mercedes started laughing at their facial expressions.
"We know guys. Give it up."
"Mike and I totally knew Thursday," said Brittany with a grin.
"Friday," said Artie.
"...Wait, Friday?" said Rachel, turning her head sideways as she looked at Artie. Kurt was holding his head in his hands with a groan.
"We're such good spies," said Tina to Artie, giving him a high five.
"I knew there had to be a reason Mercedes was glaring at me," said Rachel, looking at their friend. Mercedes sighed.
"Sorry... habit."
"We all just wanted to tell you that it's okay," said Tina. "You don't have to be quiet about things."
Rachel looked at Kurt before looking again at the group. "We... I think, appreciate that, but we don't even know what this is..."
"We're... dating," said Kurt, breaking in. "Oh dear god, I just said I was dating Rachel Berry."
"So sex is dating?" said Brittany, looking at Mike, who did his best to stifle a snort at Brittany's comment. Artie laughed while Rachel shook her head rather quickly.
"No, none of... that," she said. "But Kurt and I... we made a connection at Brittany's party. And we want to explore it."
"So it just happened then," said Mercedes. "You two, together."
"Yes," said Kurt. Rachel smiled at Kurt and took his hand.
"We even went on a date this weekend," said Rachel. "Our first one."
"We know," said Tina. "Which brings us to the point why we're all here."
"Which is...?"
"Quinn."
"Why... Quinn?" repeated Kurt, looking confused.
"She's up to her games as usual," said Mercedes.
"She thinks that Rachel's using Kurt," said Brittany. "I tried telling her no, but she doesn't believe me."
"Why would I... use Kurt?" repeated Rachel.
"Finn," said Mike. "I talked to Santana this morning after early practice. Quinn seems to think you're using Kurt to get to him."
Mercedes rolled her eyes at Kurt, who laughed.
"That does sound like a Rachel Berry plan."
Rachel made a noise at that and Kurt felt nails digging felt nails dig into his palm.
"Okay, ow," he said, giving her a look.
"I'm... not," she said with a sigh, looking around at the others. "While I do have to agree that the outrageous-ness of it does sound like something I would do, I wouldn't hurt Kurt like that."
"We kind of figured that out," said Tina. "Because Kurt would have seen through that B.S." She went up to the both of them with a smile. "And this, I have to say, is adorable."
"We think Quinn's going to try something soon," said Mercedes. "She tried to get me and Tina to confront you about taking a brunette home with you."
"Taking a brunette..." Kurt looked at Rachel. "How did she–?"
"She didn't," said Rachel. "She's making things up."
"Well, my good day has gone from good to less so," said Kurt. "So what..."
"We," said Artie, picking up his book bag and starting to open it. "Have a plan."
"So now everyone knows," said Kurt. "In the Glee club."
"According to the others," said Rachel, looking over to Kurt, who was frowning. They were sitting in the park, their schoolbooks out in front of them as they sat by each other at one of the concrete tables scattered throughout.
"You going to be okay with that?"
"I am," he said slowly, blinking. "Although the thought that Tina, Mercedes, and Artie were spying on us is just..."
"Awkward?" said Rachel.
"I was going to say oddly endearing," said Kurt. He sighed. "And you're right, awkward."
"It is nice that they didn't believe what Quinn said."
Kurt spun his pen between his fingers. "Why would they believe Cheerios when Sue has given the Glee club so much flack?"
Rachel agreed, nodding. She rolled her necklace between her fingers. "I guess I'm so used to everyone teaming up against me that I'm not used to being included on the good side."
"They just have to get to know you Rachel."
"Even so, I'm still better than all of you," she sniffed, giving Kurt a look.
"Only if you finish your French homework before me," smirked Kurt.
".,. That's not fair," complained Rachel with a whine. "You're practically a native speaker."
"Which is why it's not fair to compare yourself to the others when they haven't had any lessons of any sort. You've trained. Some of them probably have never sung or danced outside of their bedrooms or the shower. You are poised to be completely better than the rest of us because you've practiced. A lot, Rachel. So it's a little bit silly that you feel the need to make it clear that you are better than them. You are polished and rehearsed in voice and performance. They are not."
"I-" began Rachel. She opened her mouth to speak, but put a hand over it in thought.
"I know you feel like you need to have some dominance," said Kurt. "And I can understand it. Really understand it."
"But I'm pushing people away like that," said Rachel simply. She picked up her pen and tapped it against the side of her notebook, lowering her head down to her arms.
"You are quite talented," said Kurt. He leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. She closed her eyes and enjoyed Kurt's lips pressed against her skin. "No one can deny that."
"So am I better at singing or kissing?" said Rachel.
"Homework," said Kurt, pointing down at their things. She sighed and rolled her pen in her hands.
"I feel like you're trying to train me."
"No, training you would involve bribery. I do however as a friend with a romantic interest want to see you get to know the others since we're all going to be in this club for the rest of our high school years. They are nice. You don't have to feel like you need to jump ship every time something doesn't go the way you want it. The others aren't very happy with some of Mr. Schuester's ideas at times either."
"So what are we going to do about Quinn and her plans?"
Kurt shrugged. "Does it really matter? We know she's up to something, and the others know about everything. It's not like anything she does is really going to affect us."
"You don't think that if she goes and tells the rest of the school about us that it's not going to be a problem?"
"I... I don't know," said Kurt. "I don't know if I even care, really."
"It's not like most of them have ever tried to get to know us."
"Which I suppose is the point," Kurt said, thinking. "Mercedes, Artie, Tina... even Brittany. They know and they don't really care that I'm seeing you. So really, do any of the others matter?"
"No, I suppose not," said Rachel, frowning. "Although part of me wants Finn to know."
"I suppose that is our next point of topic about our relationship," said Kurt, glumly.
"Kurt. I'm not..."
"That wasn't my point, but thank you for relieving my ego," said Kurt. "His mom is dating my dad. It's been a little bit awkward between us because of that. Now it's probably going to get worse."
"If it does, it'll be his problem," said Rachel firmly. "I really do like you Kurt. More than anything."
He looked at her, his gaze locked onto hers. Sitting there in the cool of the shade of the trees, Lima and McKinley seemed so far away. Their faces were so close, it almost felt like they had melted into each other.
"I definitely think that closet has changed our perspective on things," he said, finally. Rachel giggled, planting a kiss on his lips.
"It was all that darkness," said Rachel. "I am aware your hands went places Kurt Hummel."