Author Note: Hey peeps, sorry it's been like forever since I've updated but I've been really busy. It's almost summer, so I should be able to update more frequently for a while (with a break while I go to camp). Thanks to everyone who has put up with me. I don't own Glee, any characters from other works, any songs or any places in Boston you recognize. Here is chapter 6 of The City on a Hill!
Chapter 6: Stormy Day
Tuesday morning, Kurt wakes up to see the rain streaming down his windows. Claps of thunder shriek, and hail hits the window with a rhythm that sounds oddly like drum beats. Then Kurt looks at the clock on his bedside table. It was nine o'clock, and his first class started at 8:15. For the love of Marc Jacobs, I am screwed, Kurt thinks. Then he notices a note from Alan on his bedside table. It says that since most of the day students and teachers who lived off-campus weren't safe on the roads, classes had been cancelled. However, he still had Warbler practice at three, with the other boarding boys, but the rest of the day was free.
After a light breakfast of yogurt and fresh fruit, Kurt decided to Skype with people at home. Most of his friends would be at school, but he knew that his Dad usually took a break around this time. Kurt opens his computer to see that Burt Hummel was already online, and quickly starts a conversation.
After the usual re-introductions, where Burt talks about Finn and Rachel's wedding plans, the conversation takes a serious turn. Burt had noticed the droop of Kurt's eyes, a sure sign that something was not right in the world.
"How are you, kiddo?" Burt asks his eyes staring at Kurt like he was worried. Although Kurt is stubbornly independent, Burt tries to protect him as much as possible. Kurt shrugs and says
"I'm tired because of all the work I have to do to catch up, and it's raining and thundering like cats and dogs, which isn't appealing to me...you know, because of Mom."
"You are going to be okay, though? I can call the counselor, or I can come out there. I can be out there to bring you home by Friday, and we can find a school closer" Burt was cut off by Kurt as he said,
"Don't worry. I'll be fine; I just wanted to keep myself busy. I miss you, Dad, and sometimes I want to go home, but I know that I'll get through it. It's really great here when I get caught up in what I am doing, but when I have space in my mind, it does not go as well."
Burt's face falls as he sees tears start to slide down Kurt's face. Kurt gets less understandable as he cries, mumbling something about how he'll get over it and it will be fine. There's a sharp knock on the door, and Kurt begins to ask Alan to go away when Burt says that they can talk again later that day, and that Kurt can call him if he needs to come home. With a last "I love you", Burt signs out of Skype, and Alan bursts into the room.
The first thing Alan does is grab the box of tissues from the bedside table. He grabs Kurt's wrists gently and leads them over to the bed, his voice soothing. The first thing Alan says is,
"Listen to me. I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now, but I think it will be really helpful. I'm going to stay here until you feel better." The two boys sit in silence for a few minutes, but Kurt slowly begins to speak, his voice catching on each breath.
"I told you that I live with only my dad, and my stepmom? Most people assume that my mom and dad divorced, but it's a bit different than that. When I was eight, there was a huge storm. It was probably worse than this. My mom and I had gone to Columbus to see a show. The Sound of Music, I think it was. Yeah, it was The Sound of Music. That was her favorite show. We were driving back, and we were almost home. Our car-our car skidded and slid off the road. The last thing I remember was looking over to her- Oh, God, there was blood all over her. I could have prevented it. I could have told her to get off the road, that Dad would be fine if we didn't get home to make him dinner." Kurt was shivering by this time, and his breathing became shallow, like he was panting. Alan quickly pulled Kurt into his arms, rocking him back and forth, waiting for his breath to slow and the panic attack to end. Alan knew that reassuring Kurt would be the best thing to do, but he couldn't get a spoken word to come from his mouth, so he figured that the next best thing would be singing.
Tell me why you're crying, my son
I know you're frightened, like everyone
Is it the thunder in the distance you fear?
Will ithelpif I stay very near?
I am here.
And if you take my hand my son
All will be well when the day is done.
And if you take my hand my son
All will be well when the day is done.
Day is done, Day is done
Day is done, Day is done
When Alan looked down at Kurt again, the brunette's eyes were closed. Tracks of tears still lined his face, but his breathing was even, and Kurt looked like he was at peace.
Break Line
Kurt woke up at two fifty-five, to the rhythm of Alan gently rubbing his shoulder. He held half a sandwich in one hand, and the other half had obviously just been stuffed into his mouth, as there was mayonnaise all over his chin. Even though Kurt would normally never eat something as unhealthy as an egg salad sandwich, he made an exception just one time. As he opened the door to his room, Kurt glanced out the window. It was still raining.
Author's Note: Hi guys, I hope you enjoyed that chapter. The song Alan sings to Kurt is called "Day Is Done", written by Peter Yarrow and performed by Peter, Paul and Mary.