First of all : Thank you all for the many alerts, reviews and nice comments. It was very, very encouraging to hear people actually like what I write.
I know my updates are pretty slow, and I'm afraid it might stay like that for a while, but I will do my very best to be faster next time. I feel like this chapter is really slow and not a whole lot happens - I haven't decided wether I like this or not. I do have things planned out though... but if you feel like this is moving along way too slow, let me know and I'll try to speed it up.
Little reminders: Still not a native speaker, commas still hate me and I still do not own Glee.
Blaine made it through social studies – barely. Not only was the class horribly boring and the teacher lousy at her job, he also had to endure the worried looks David shot him every time he dared to rub his eyes or do anything else that would suggest feeling unwell.
So the minute the class was over he sighed loudly and got up; maybe a bit fast cause he definitely didn't remember the floor moving around that much before. He got it under control quickly with a deep breath and made his way through all the other students trying to make it out of the room and to lunch. Just outside he turned to David and said:
"I think I'll skip lunch today. I'm still full from breakfast and have stuff to do… you know…"
"Yeah Blaine I do know. I know that what you had for breakfast doesn't really qualify for food and I know that you're dead tired and probably have a headache."
And with a tired sigh he added:
"And I really wish you'd trust me enough to just tell me the truth every once in a while. You know, you don't have to…"
Before he could finish Blaine interrupted:
"You're right David, I'm sorry… I am a bit tired and just wanted to lie down for a while. You should go ahead though, you know how fast they run out of pizza and how that would destroy your whole day."
David gave up for now and waved Blaine goodbye, who was already starting to walk the other way and towards the dorms.
"I'll see you later at practice then. Take it easy."
And with that he left for lunch and to meet his other friends. His thoughts stayed with Blaine though. David couldn't shake the feeling, that he should do something – he wasn't sure what, yet, but he'd think about it.
Blaine finally made it to his (and David's) room. He quickly opened the door, threw his bag in the next corner and practically fell onto his bed. He didn't even bother taking of his shoes or uniform, but just crawled under his blanket and hugged his pillow to his chest, heaving a big sigh.
He tried to listen to his body and figuring out what exactly was going on. He didn't really feel sick – didn't have a stuffy nose or any sign of an oncoming cough, nothing that would hint to the common cold. There was just this unrelenting pounding in his head and this extreme exhaustion.
Man, he was tired! He checked his watch and decided that he could in fact take a nap; it had to be short but he could sleep just for a little while. He set his alarm and attempted to get comfortable. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep. When his alarm clock went off about thirty minutes later, he
was just about to throw it across the room and against the nearest wall, when he heard a hesitant knock on the door. Blaine sat up slowly, still half asleep and not quite there and said:
"Yeah?"
"Blaine? It's me. It's Kurt… can I come in?"
Blaine took a deep breath and swung his legs over his bed until he was in a regular sitting position before he told Kurt to come in.
What Kurt saw, when he stepped into the room warmed his heart. There was Blaine who clearly had just woken up, with the worst bed head imaginable and his blanket thrown around his shoulders.
"Hey you. How are you feeling? I brought you some lunch in case you are hungry."
"Thanks Kurt. That's too nice of you. Come on in, I don't bite"
Kurt stepped into the room and set the plate he had brought onto Blaine's desk. When Blaine patted the space next to him, Kurt blushed just a little and sat down. Before he could say anything, Blaine beat him to it.
"So, how has your day been so far? I'm sorry I wasn't in a great mood this morning and I feel like I haven't really talked to you – so I'm sorry."
"Wait… what? It's ok you know…I understand when you're not on the top of your game every day. So don't worry about. I think the others were worried about you though… so…how are you? I'm sure they will interview me the minute I step out of this room."
"Ah yeah… I'm sorry about those two, too." Blaine chuckled. "They can get a bit extreme sometimes. But there's nothing to worry about. I'm totally fine. Every once in a while I get a little headache but then I just sleep it off and I'm good again. So… if you wouldn't mind, just tell them that I am my very fabulous self."
"And your humble self, of course?" Kurt snorted.
"Of course!"
Blaine smiled that smile then; the one that made Kurt forget why he even came over or what he had to do next. That smile that made him fall in love with him right from the start.
While he was lost in thought for a few seconds, Blaine got up and went to his desk to at least pretend to be eating something. He was relieved to see no greasy pizza or something else that probably would have made him gag, but some fresh fruit and a piece of lightly buttered bread. Walking back to his bed he asked:
"Back to my original question. How was your day? Anything exciting going on? Any warblers getting in trouble? … well besides me, I guess?"
Kurt laughed at that and leaned back against the headboard. Blaine really did seem better. He was eating and chatting away just like he usually would. He might have been a bit paler but Kurt didn't think that would be enough to freak out about. Wes and David were apparently two big drama queens.
"Well, let's see… All my classes were fine. Studying with Wes really helped a lot and for the first time I actually think I might be able to catch up to the rest of you guys. Oh and then, right before lunch, after my French class Mr. Walden asked me if I could come to his office later today. He wanted to ask me to join some club. It was a bit strange… he insisted that I would be just perfect. Please tell me, you have some idea what he was talking about!"
Blaine laughed loudly at that. He had finished his fruit and gave up on his bread after being half way done. His head was still hurting a bit and he was happy to be able to rest it on his pillow while leaning against the wall next to his bed.
"Aaah, young seems to be Dalton's new golden boy!
But don't you worry, it's nothing too strange …. is doing the drama club. I heard they were planning on some new production and were getting ready for the general casting. I don't think I've ever heard about him approaching students like that though. You must have impressed him."
"Drama, huh? That's kinda cool, I guess. Well… maybe I can join and be awesome and he'll let me skip class every once in a while. Might as well milk my fame!"
"That's my boy!"
They debated a bit on which play they thought Mr. Walden would do and which parts were just screaming Kurt's name, before Kurt noticed that time had flown by again and that it was time for him to go to his next class.
"Alright, well – I'll be happy to tell the others that you had lunch and didn't collapse or faint. And I'll make sure to report about my introduction to stardom later. Ah, never mind, we'll see each other at warbler practice right?"
"Ah, yeah – right. I'll be there. Have fun at class and thanks again for bringing me lunch."
"No problem. It was my pleasure, really. See you later Blaine!" Kurt smiled and let his hand brush Blaine's arm. While he left and started to walk to his class he thought about their friendship and how important the other boy was to him. He made him feel good, feel like he could be just himself. He was so thankful to have him in his life.
After Kurt had closed the door, Blaine collapsed back onto his bed. Keeping up appearances was hard work. It also didn't do his exhaustion any good and when he realized that he hadn't actually done any work since he had decided to skip lunch he panicked for a minute. He got back up, sat at his desk and began rummaging through millions and millions of sheet flying around. He would have another hour to research…or do his French homework…or math… or all those other things and before he'd have practice, which he promised Kurt he'd go to.
His hands were a little shaky when he picked up his pen to take notes, but he didn't worry about it. It was just that damn lack of sleep and he would make sure to deal with that maybe even tonight. But first he had to do work and lots of it.
While the actual Warbler practice was always super organized and structured the minutes before, when everyone was still coming in and getting ready, was not. Instead they all were a bunch of rowdy boys, usually way too loud and hyper. After a whole day of classes and pretty serious teachers, practice was the first time to let loose and really talk to each other.
Everyone was talking about their tests, assignments and their general stress. Once more Kurt felt affirmed, that he wasn't alone, but that everyone was going through the same thing.
But even though everyone was busy, almost never did it happen that people would skip practice. They all cherished their time together as sort of a breather from their daily routine. When Kurt would come into the room every other day, he always had to smile. The Warblers might have not been the same tight knit group than New Directions were, but they were close. People were always excited to see and speak to him and that made Kurt feel special. This time was no different when he had to high five (who still does that, really?) at least three people, before he even made it to Wes and David. He hadn't had a chance to see either of the two after he had seen Blaine, and he wanted to make sure they knew that he was just fine, before they would jump on the other boy the minute he would walk in.
David and Wes were expecting him with worried faces.
"Hey Kurt, how did it go? Did he eat?" David started before Wes continued:
"Do you know if he slept at all? How's the headache?"
Kurt noticed that not only were the two boys in front of him freaking out, a few other Warblers seemed to listen attentively too.
"Will you settle down, please? You're kinda making a big deal out of nothing. Blaine's fine. He ate lunch and yes, he had slept before I came in. We talked a bit and he was good. Nothing to worry about. He is just as stressed as everyone else." He added a stern look to Wes and David and the others around them.
"Really you guys, you should focus about school and not obsess about Blaine."
This seemed to convince the few people listening in, but not Wes and David. Wes in particular looked frustrated and like he wanted to retort, but David settled his hand on his arm discreetly, which helped him settle down.
Kurt had been busy making himself comfortable and being careful not to wrinkle his uniform, more than absolutely necessary, but looked up curiously when Wes and David joined the others at the desk up front composing themselves, since they were part of the council.
"Ok guys… let's get started. Is everyone present?" John, a redheaded councilmember with millions of freckles, asked while looking around the room.
While the boys looked around and checked to see if everyone was there, David mumbled something and John gave a curt nod.
"It seems like, we're just waiting for Blaine. But that's fine. We have to talk about our last show anyways. I brought the recording and we're going to watch it and debrief, before we'll focus on the new songs."
Debriefing was everyone's least favorite part of practice. John always insisted on it though, which meant that the rest of the group were gathering around a TV set, although only grudgingly, ready to face boredom.
Just when they were about to finish watching their set for the second time, Blaine came through the door. Kurt looked up to him and expected a bright smile – the same he would get at every practice.
But Blaine looked flushed and sweaty when he walked up to the desk right away and mumbled an apology to the council members. Kurt watched on as they exchanged some words and Blaine repeatedly nodded his head, while David kept on talking to him. Kurt moved around to face the screen again, when their conversation ended and Blaine made his way to sit down somewhere close to him.
John was stopping the video and started talking about their stage presence and the backup vocals. Everyone was, at least somewhat, listening and Wes used this moment to stare at Blaine. He noticed how he tried to wipe his face with his dress shirt, looking uncomfortable and not himself. Once Blaine apparently thought he couldn't do better with his current look, Blaine looked for Kurt and gave him a bright smile.
"What a faker!" Wes muttered under his breath.
"We'll talk to him later. There's nothing we can do now, Wes." David had leant towards him and once again succeeded in calming him down.
They all finally payed attention again, when John finished his little monologue and they started talking about new song ideas and general opinions about their next shows.
A bunch of freshmen and kids that had transferred to Dalton and were sticking together, because of it, raised their hands and one of them, the only one usually not afraid to talk to some of the older boys, stood up and approached the rest of the Warblers.
"Ehm… I…well …we had an idea about a new song and we thought you guys might consider it, since we don't have our next program mapped out yet."
"Hey that's great Dylan. Go ahead – what have you been thinking of." David reassured the group of younger boys.
This seemed to loosen up the others and they all looked on excitedly when they took turns describing their song ideas.
The last one seemed to be their favorite and the council was surprised to see them actually turning towards Blaine, who jerked up, when he heard his name.
"Huh? I'm so sorry Dylan, what were you saying?"
"Blaine… we really want to do Mr. Brightside by the Killers. It could be such a great arrangement and you would be perfect for the lead. I know you already have a solo, but this is just perfect. Don't you think?"
"Well…" Blaine tried to think of a way to let them down softly. He really didn't want yet another task to worry about and besides taking another lead, the arrangement would need a lot of work and he knew that probably would fall back onto him, once the younger boys would realize how much time it would need. He noticed then, how everyone was looking to him expectantly and excited. They mumbled about what a great addition the song would make and how Blaine's voice would fit perfectly.
David noticed Blaine's dilemma and tried to step in.
"You guys… that's a really great idea, and yes – Blaine's voice would be great. However he already has one solo and we need to spread the love. Everyone should at least have a chance to audition, don't you agree? Or what about your other ideas. I liked the Lifehouse song…"
Blaine gave him a relieved smile, but dropped it immediately when the noise of the group rose and Dylan was now actually backed up by a bunch of other older Warblers.
"David… we all seem to agree that we don't mind Blaine having another solo. He's awesome and we should use his skills as much as possible. And for the song choice… those guys are right. We need a wider range. It's not only pop music, but has a different twist about it. It could be great Warbler tune. We should do it."
The others seemed to agree and Wes shrugged defeated when David looked over to him.
"Well Blaine, what do you think? Do you want to do it? It's ok when you don't. I'm sure we could agree on someone else" David tried to give Blaine a last way out of the solo, but at the same time knew that he wouldn't take it. Not when there was a whole room expecting something else from him. And especially not, when Kurt was smiling over to him, nodding his head, encouraging him to take it.
Blaine sat up and answered:
"Alright guys… I'll do it."
Everyone around him cheered and Dylan actually came over, shaking his hand excitedly.
"Oh, that's so great Blaine. Thank you. We have so many ideas for the arrangement. Can we meet and discuss them with you? How about later tonight, or tomorrow before classes?"
Blaine was overwhelmed by the boy's excitement and tried to remember how he had felt, when his first idea was accepted by the council. Probably just as on top of the world as Dylan and the others were right now.
"Sure Dylan, we can do that. I'm not sure about tonight though – I have to go see a teacher of mine. So let's do tomorrow morning. "
"Awesome. How about … maybe 7:30 before breakfast? Does that work for everyone?"
The younger kids around him nodded eagerly and Blaine swallowed visibly.
"Uh…yeah. Alright, let's do 7:30 then."
People were patting him on his back and trying to high five him, before he slumped back into his chair and the conversation moved on.
Kurt gave him a little thumps up, when he looked over to the beautiful boy, which made him force a smile back onto his face.
After they had sung some songs and parted afterwards, David and Wes walked over to Blaine while he packed his messenger bag.
"Blaine…" David began.
"Don't worry David; I'll make sure they won't wake you up in the morning. We'll meet in the choir room." He started to walk towards the door and added
"Sorry guys. Would love to chat with you, but I have to see a certain teacher now, before he decides to expel me or something."
"I sure wasn't worried about you waking me up…" was the last thing Blaine heard of David, before he made his way out of the choir room and towards ' office.