Happy Leap Day, Fanfiction-ers! It's that magical day that comes only once every four years. Enjoy it! Do something special! :D
Once again, I can't thank you enough for your kind words. Your feedback means a lot to me and I never thought my story would be met with all this reception!
This chapter brings about a momentous leap forward in Kurt's freshman year at Yale. Yes, he enjoys costume design in the theatre department, but he rediscovers his passion for performance as well. Of course, I won't give anything away prematurely, so please read on! Enjoy!
Kurt sat alone at a table in the Thain Family Café, which was right next to the Bass Library on the western side of the Yale campus. He was waiting for Sebastian. The boy had texted Kurt a brief time earlier saying how he needed to give him something. Uncertain of what to expect, Kurt ordered his lunch, (a chicken salad sandwich,) and was waiting patiently for his new friend to arrive.
When Sebastian finally stepped through the turnstile at the end of the lunch lines, he seemed a little flustered and frazzled. "Hey," he said, breathless, as he took a seat opposite Kurt. His glasses even fogged up from perspiration.
"What happened to you?" Kurt eyed the young man nervously. "Is there a lot of bike traffic on campus today?"
Sebastian smiled. "No, it's not that. I'm just stressing myself out because I have class in five minutes, but I simply had to deliver this to you before that time." He produced a gold envelope from his backpack and handed it to Kurt, who reluctantly took it and held it in his hand, observing the strange object.
He returned his attention to Sebastian and gave a puzzled smile. "What is it?"
The grin on Sebastian's face was bright. "It's an invitation. I'm throwing a Halloween party at my parent's summer home in nearby Hamden this Friday evening, and I'd be obliged and honored if you came."
Kurt smiled softly. "Really? You didn't have to do that…"
"Please!" Sebastian waved it all away. "How dare you say a thing like that? Of course I had to invite you! You're one of my closest friends. Besides," he added, gesturing toward the envelope. "I think you'll enjoy the theme."
Kurt shot Sebastian a curious glance as he slipped his finger under the golden flap and opened the envelope. In it was a thrice-folded card stock paper that was sealed with a red sticker. "I feel like I'm about to announce the next Academy Award winner."
Sebastian laughed as Kurt started to read the gold-embossed words on the card stock aloud:
"'You are cordially invited to an All Hollows' Eve Old Hollywood bash this Friday evening at the eight o'clock hour. Formal attire and/or a costume are required for attendance. Come celebrate Halloween with movies, magic, and madness!"
Kurt could barely contain his excitement as he turned the invitation over and found the address on the back. "Sebastian, I'm already there!"
The handsome boy laughed. "That's what I was hoping to hear." He swiftly stood up from his chair and consulted his pocket watch. "Ooh, I've got to run to class, but I'll see you Friday, Kurt!"
"I can't wait," Kurt called after him as Sebastian's retreating figure disappeared out the glass doors. Kurt pulled his sketchbook out of his book bag and grinned with pleasure as he started plotting outfit ideas for the party.
The sweet sounds of big band swing music mingled with the muffled drone of conversation and happy chatter. They cut through the still night air as Kurt stopped in front of the beautiful two-story, craftsman-style house along Lake Whitney in Hamden, just six miles outside of New Haven. The Smythe summer home was certainly beautiful and featured some of the best views of the lake and the shores surrounding it.
Kurt was dressed to the nines. He wore a stark white dinner jacket with a black bowtie with black dress pants and shiny black shoes. His hair was slicked back with pomade and his skin seemed to glow in the bright moonlight. He was going for the Humphrey Bogart look from Casablanca and had somehow managed to pull it off perfectly. He couldn't wait to show off his outfit to the other guests. His heart beat excitedly as he walked up to the front door. Aside from the fact that he loved vintage-themed parties, this was also his first college party, and word on the street was that they were wilder and more fun than the toned-down, innocent parties he remembered from high school.
He stood on the porch and knocked on the door. It wasn't long before a beautiful young woman of about his age dressed as Marilyn Monroe answered and stood seductively framed in the entryway. "Well," she said in an airy voice tinged with a French accent. "Aren't you looking, how do you say, 'spiffy'?"
Kurt giggled. The girl was clearly intoxicated. "Good evening," he said, bowing slightly.
"Marilyn" stepped aside and beckoned the boy in. Once inside, she threw her arms around Kurt's neck. Her face was mere inches from his. "Everyone is out back. Perhaps we can spend some time alone to get better acquainted."
Kurt chuckled nervously but remained outwardly calm. "I'm sorry, miss, but before we get all chummy, I think there's something you should know about me…"
"I hate to break it to you, Carla, but he's homosexual."
Kurt turned his head toward the staircase in front of him and he grinned as his savior, Sebastian, came down from the second floor. He was dressed in a dashing top hat, black tails, a white silk scarf, and shiny black dress shoes and carried a black cane along with him. He had opted out of wearing his glasses for the evening and Kurt marveled at just how green his eyes were.
The young woman called Carla took a step back and did a full-body scan of Kurt with her eyes. "Mon Dieu! Je sais comment les prendre?" She shook her head and smiled. "I am so sorry for wasting your time."
Kurt waved it away. "Oh, that's alright. I must say, I was flattered to be hit on by such a charming lady as you." He took her gloved hand and kissed it.
Carla smiled and turned toward Sebastian. "I like him! He's a gentleman!" She then whispered something into his ear in French as she walked by, but he waved her away with a distasteful expression on his face.
"Well," Kurt said. "She seems like a nice girl. Is she a friend of yours?"
Once she was out of earshot, Sebastian nodded and spoke. "I know her from my general ed. anthropology course. She's from Nice in southern France, and she came to Yale so she could study film. I do apologize on her behalf though. She tends to get a little flirty when she's drunk. She's also single."
The two shared a giggle and hugged. Sebastian eyed Kurt's outfit with great interest. "Well, look at you! Don't you look like a million bucks?"
"You look like ten million!" Kurt was wowed by the boy's choice of clothes. "You really dedicated yourself to the theme. You look like a silent film star!"
Sebastian removed his top hat and gave a sweeping, grand bow. "Thank you, good sir! I quite like your dinner jacket. You never looked sharper… Or more handsome…"
Kurt gazed up into Sebastian's green eyes. It was the first genuine compliment that the boy had ever given him. He was overwhelmed by it and could suddenly feel his face burning up. "Thank you," he said softly, unable to look him in the eye. "You're too kind."
"I mean it," Sebastian said, softer still. "You look wonderful."
An odd silence came over the two and Sebastian suddenly seemed distressed. "Well, I guess we'd better head on to the back, yes? The party's taking place in the backyard." He beckoned for Kurt and the young man followed Sebastian through a maze of halls and rooms before he reached the sliding-glass screen that led to the wooden patio and backyard.
Stepping through the sliding door was like stumbling into a whole other world.
There was no fence or gate surrounding the property behind the house. Instead, the backyard gave way to the shores of Lake Whitney, and some of the guests had even decided to dip their feet in the cool, gentle waters. Japanese lanterns had been strung up between two large elm trees and a seven-piece live swing band played nostalgic, bluesy tunes from the patio. Most of the guests were dancing to the music. Two long tables had been set up with white tablecloths. The one on the left was covered entirely with liquor bottles of every size and shape. The right one was covered with countless plates of delicious domestic and exotic foods.
The guests were all dressed in various fashions from Hollywood's golden age. Anything from the 1920s through the 1950s was showcased there that evening and Kurt just about had a field day with all the gorgeous styles that were on display.
Sebastian stepped through the sliding glass door after the song ended and everyone immediately burst into cheers and applause. He did a quick little tap dance number on the patio in front of the band, gaining even more exuberant cries from the crowd. He suddenly reached for the nearest champagne tray and held a glass, addressing the guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my friends, I'd like to start off by saying thank you for coming this evening to celebrate All Hollows' Eve with me!"
This was followed by some enthusiastic responses and the raising of some glasses. "And now, if I may, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to someone very special."
Kurt was just as confused as anyone but could feel his heart beat excitedly. Maybe it's a surprise guest, he thought to himself with hope. Someone famous, perhaps?
Sebastian continued to speak. "He's an old acquaintance of mine who I've just reconnected with. We went to separate high schools but more or less had the same pool of friends without ever really knowing each other. He kind of saved my life this semester, and I'm grateful for him and value his friendship. Luckily, I invited him here this evening and I'd like you all to meet him. His name is Kurt Hummel!"
Kurt's eyes widened as the crowd cheered. Sebastian beckoned him out onto the patio, but Kurt tried to shake it off. "No, no," he said, laughing, but Sebastian wouldn't have it. The boy took him by the arm and brought him to the patio much to the jubilation of the guests.
Sebastian smiled and put his arm around Kurt, who smiled awkwardly at the crowd. "Now, Kurt here is a theatre major with an emphasis on costume design. If you have seen any of the student-directed plays at Yale this semester, then you've had the chance to see his work first-hand. But when he and I were in high school, he was quite the singer! In fact, he won several awards with his school's glee club!"
Kurt's heart started pounding. He knew what Sebastian was driving at, and he desperately wished that he wouldn't say anything more on the matter. The truth was that Kurt hadn't sung, not even to himself, since junior year after the whole Blaine fiasco. It wasn't exactly clear why he stopped. He just didn't have the interest or the drive to do so.
Sweat formed on his brow as Sebastian spoke the words he'd feared.
"Now, I realize that it's been awhile, but I'm sure he'd be delighted to sing for you this evening! How about it, folks?"
The guests went wild and enthusiastically started chanting, "Kurt! Kurt! Kurt!" Kurt, red-faced, stood alone on the patio in front of the band. Sebastian stepped aside and grinned happily at him. Kurt narrowed his eyes and, half-jokingly, mouthed, "I'll get you for this" before he reluctantly turned and whispered his song choice to the bandleader.
Kurt turned his back on his audience as the opening notes of the song started playing. He took a deep, calming breath but suddenly wished that Sebastian hadn't said anything on the matter.
"In this factory where dreams can come true, are you ready to make someone new? You're the team that must teach me to do the 20th Century Fox Mambo."
A sudden silence fell over the yard. Everyone seemed to be captivated by the clarity of Kurt's voice. Sebastian smiled and watched, intrigued.
"Done the homework and I'll pass the test. I'll do whatever my teacher suggests. I can do it clothed or undressed, the 20th Century Fox Mambo!"
Kurt was surprised as he felt his fears melt away. It was as if a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders. It was just like the old days when he was on the New Directions. His heart soared like a bird in flight. How he missed the feelings!
The guests went wild as the music crescendoed into a dazzling Latin beat that was impossible to resist. Sebastian, unseen by anyone, stepped to the back of the enthusiastic crowd to speak with two other young men.
Approaching one of them, he grinned. "Well, what do you think?"
"He's superb," the taller of the two said. He was dressed in a slim black tuxedo. "I think we ought to give him an audition."
"I agree," added the other. He was shorter and had removed his suit jacket, revealing a long-sleeve dress shirt and black pants that were held up by suspenders. "He'd be a great addition to the group."
"Don't you worry about a thing, boys," Sebastian said with a wicked grin. "I'll see what I can do. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear it!"
All three turned back towards Kurt, who was singing quite animatedly on the patio.
"Make it up, shake it up, let the fantasies begin! Here's the dope: To get cast, change the past, make the light just right for Cin—emascope!"
Kurt couldn't believe how easy and effortless it felt to sing again after almost three years of being silent. The enthusiasm of his fellow guests made him enjoy it even more. They were dancing along with wild abandon and he realized just how much he missed singing.
He didn't know if there was a glee club at Yale, but he was damned if he wasn't going to find out. A smirk danced across his face as he thought of the possibilities.
He threw his arms into the air as he belted out the notes.
"Take a gamble, 'cause it's safe to bet. Mr. Zanuck ain't seen nothing yet! When we're finished, he'll never forget the 20th Century Fox!"
To be continued…