Author Note: Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed and alerted chapters 1 and 2 of "The City on a Hill". Again, I do not own any characters, locations, etc. I only own plot and my OC's. Also, I need places around Boston for Kurt to visit. If you have an idea, please leave it in a review. Without further ado...
Chapter 3: Settling In
The uniformed van chugged smoothly to a stop. Kurt had fallen asleep during the ride, but the feeling of the car stopping had woken him up. Kurt stretches lazily, yawns, and unbuckles his seatbelt. The car door clicks closed behind him as he slides out, saying,
"Dad, will you help with my suitcases? They're quite heavy."
As both the other man heaves one of Kurt's three suitcases out, Kurt gets his first real glimpse of the school.
Dalton is a classic red brick school, spread out in an open "U" shape. There's a courtyard in the middle, and according to the pamphlet he had read, the maple trees around the corners were planted in 1900, when the school was originally built. Over time, it had spread. There's a clock tower, and Kurt immediately notices that it's nearly eight o'clock. It also seems to have blue and red stripes.
Alan notices the time as well, and says, "Jeez, it's late. Mrs. Writh, Kurt and I are going to drop off his stuff really quickly. Can we skip the tour and go straight to the dining hall? I'm hungry."
Mrs. Writh laughs. "Ok. Mr. Hummel's staying in one of the visitors rooms by Admissions. I'll show him there, and we'll meet for dinner in ten minutes."
With that, Alan literally starts pulling Kurt along, telling him, "You're going to love our room. I cleaned up your side, but you can do whatever you want to it. But think about doing Dalton colors. It never gets old."
It was old a long time ago. These people are seriously insane, Kurt thinks to himself as he is dragged inside a worn building.
Break Line!
The cafeteria food is surprisingly good. Creamy chicken with pasta in alfredo sauce, salad and sandwich bars, and a view onto the playing fields, where ninth graders were playing soccer. Kurt and Alan were chatting on the subject of their room. They've decided to re-paint the walls to white, and put as many posters as they can find up. The posters will be mounted on different colors of poster board, to brighten up the room.
"Wicked needs to go over the head of my bed," Kurt says. "It's my favorite musical ever."
Alan replies, "As long as The Princess Bridegoes over your desk."
Kurt laughs, and the two seal the deal with a handshake. They're eating off to the side, next to Mrs. Writh and Burt, who are discussing their jobs like the oldest of friends. No other students are sitting next to them because dinner is over already. Everyone else is studying, playing soccer, or at a meeting for the many committees that meet at Dalton.
With a yawn, Kurt says, "I'm really tired from traveling. I'm going back to my room and going to sleep. I'll see you all tomorrow." He heads off, and within five minutes of getting back to his room and changing, Kurt falls asleep.
Break Line!
Friday morning, Alan wakes Kurt up at seven AM for his first day of classes. He sings, right in to Kurt's ear, "What good is sleeping, alone in your room? Come hear the music play. Come to breakfast, with me Kurt. It's your first day!"
"Don't mangle the words of musicals please, Alan. I'm a stereotypical gay guy; I know all the words by heart."
To his surprise, Alan doesn't seem to care (those roommate surveys are pretty in-depth), he just yells at Kurt to get into his uniform and head back to the cafeteria. Kurt doesn't want to offend his roommate, so he does as Alan says, mentally grumping about the uniform along the way.
Break Line!
In his first class, chemistry, Kurt is introduced to how different Dalton is. No one talks out of turn, no one has their cell phone out, and everyone seems to be concentrating on the lesson. It might also help that Mrs. Harbinger is also an amazing teacher. She's engaging, uses pop culture references, and generally makes it the best class Kurt has ever had. It's offset slightly by the fact that he obviously has a lot of work to make up, so he stays after class to talk to Mrs. Harbinger.
"Hi, Mrs. Harbinger, I'm Kurt Hummel. I'm a recent transfer, and I can tell that I have a lot of work to make up. Can you maybe give me some assignments from earlier this year, and I can work to catch up."
Mrs. Harbinger replies, "Sure. Welcome to Dalton, Kurt. I've heard a lot about you from Alan, but I didn't want to make you introduce yourself. It's hard enough being the new kid. You can take this at your own pace, and if you ever need any help, just make an appointment with me during a free block. I'd be happy to help!"
Wow,Kurt thinks, there were no teachers this good at McKinley. I like this place.He says a quick goodbye, and hurries out the door, where Alan is waiting to escort him to his next class.
Break Line!
The rest of Kurt's day flashes by in a flurry of introductions, new teachers, and homework. However, Kurt feels more at home than he has ever been. The teachers are kind, the work is interesting, and Dalton even has a mid-morning recess, where Kurt gets handed around from group to group of people, getting invitations for dinner, offers of help catching up, and many requests to join different clubs. He says goodbye to Burt at lunch, and watches him drive away towards the airport. With that he feels like he's finally at Dalton.
There's no going back.