Chapter Eight

When You Wish Upon A Star (For A Star)

"Old movie theater. Nine o'clock."

Sebastian's unmistakable words rang in Kurt's ears for the rest of the day. While he was showering, styling his hair, dressing up, and having dinner, the words played on in a continuous loop in his mind. The pain in his head had reduced significantly, thanks to the painkillers Kurt had in his bathroom cabinet for emergencies. Now all he had to worry about is his nine o'clock hang-out with Sebastian.

At least, that was what he hoped it was.

Mercedes had gushed about her photo with Sebastian to anybody who would listen, but kept her lips firmly sealed shut about what would happen that evening.

"I'm not going to intrude," Mercedes stated when Kurt had asked her to accompany him. "You just hang out with Smythe. If he wanted me to go, he'd have asked me or he would have said so. I'm not getting in between you two."

Kurt had then questioned her words, but she had refused to elaborate.

Kurt rubbed a shine serum in his hair and stared at his reflection. He didn't know why he was making a big deal out of the night, seeing as it was Smythe. If it had been Blaine, however, he would have been psyched to the point of nausea.

Yet he felt anticipation all the same.

Why was he even going, anyway? He had better things to do than waste time with an Internet sensation, especially one that he constantly bashes. Why should he even bother following the guy's instructions?

A small part of him shoved the thoughts away. He was going to be hanging out with an Internet sensation. Even if it was Sebastian Smythe, it was still something entirely different. It would be more exciting than hanging out with Mercedes at the mall. They'll be watching a movie together.

What harm could come from that?

Blaine gradually weaseled out the information from Sebastian. It was easy enough, seeing as how the guy waltzed around the shared hotel suite bragging about it for the rest of the day. He'd all but sung the details of his planned evening with Kurt at the top of his lungs.

"The old movie theater's going to be showing The Little Mermaid," Sebastian remarked. "I figured we'd go watch that and then go for dessert. After that, who knows?" His voice implied that perhaps he did know.

"You're such a horndog," Pierre remarked, shaking his head at his talent. "When I said that it would be a favorable situation, I didn't mean this."

Sebastian smirked in response.

"I didn't know you were gay," Pierre said thoughtfully.

Sebastian pulled out some clothes from his suitcase. "Bisexual, actually. It's my personal preference, so I'd prefer to keep it on the down-low, okay?"

Dejectedly, Pierre replied, "Yeah, all right. Would've made a headline or two, but if that's what you want..."

"It's what I want." Sebastian smiled smugly at Blaine's expression. "And I always get what I want, don't I, Anderson?"

Sebastian acted like that for the remainder of the day. Despite the slight innuendos and bragging, Blaine detecting traces of anxiety in his adversary's voice.

"Why are you two even staying in a hotel?" Pierre inquired. "Your family lives in Westerville, right?"

Sebastian and Blaine simultaneously replied, "Reasons."

Pierre shrugged at their responses, but the two boys exchanged looks. Blaine thought, What could possibly be keeping Sebastian from his staying at his family's house?

Finally, Sebastian ducked into the shared bathroom of the suite to prepare, just twenty minutes before his "date". As soon as the door closed, Blaine left the hotel and made his way to the old movie theatre in his car.

He had less than twenty minutes to upstage Sebastian Smythe on his own date.

Of course, Blaine felt terrible about crashing his date, but it was Kurt Hummel. The boy he'd made a lanyard for Ensnared, the boy who he told he'd like to meet again. This was his only shot at seeing the guy again, and he knew it. Why did Sebastian have to meet Kurt again?

The unfairness of the situation made Blaine bitter for a moment. Then he remembered that he was partly ruining his adversary's date with Kurt, and he felt terrible again.

But he had to ignore his battling inner emotions. The old movie theatre loomed before him, the flashing marquee displaying THE LITTLE MERMAID 7:15 7:30 9:10 9:25 in black block letters.

Standing underneath the flashing marquee was a handsome teenage boy. The handsome teenage boy who had been plaguing Blaine's thoughts since they'd met.

It was eight forty-nine, and Kurt was waiting patiently for the arrival of a certain low-key celebrity. He had Sebastian's sweater tucked under his arm so that he could return it (after laundering it, of course). He kept telling himself that nothing was going to go wrong that night. He hadn't experienced a wardrobe malfunction, it wasn't raining, and judging by the marquee above him, they were going to watch a Disney classic: The Little Mermaid. Nothing could go wrong with a classic.

Kurt wasn't terribly excited to spend some time with Sebastian, but there were a few butterflies present in his stomach. He'd been standing underneath the marquee for more than fifteen minutes, as he'd come early enough to get himself mentally prepared, and that was more than enough time for him to come to a proper conclusion.

He had never hung out with someone famous before. The only reason he anticipated the time with him was because there was some small part of him that wishes that he could be Sebastian.

Kurt entertained himself with an unachievable fantasy while he waited. He was just as famous as Sebastian, and he and Blaine Anderson were on a tour together. Neither was proclaimed as the others opening act. On stage, they were equals.

Off stage...

Kurt shook his head. That damn photo was getting to him again. The signature on the picture of Blaine was merely a generic line. There was no way he'd ever see Blaine again. If Kurt ever did, it wasn't like Blaine would even remember him. He probably had fifty people throwing themselves at him per night.

Kurt smiled, remembering the words written on the photo in black Sharpie.

You really make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream. It's nice to meet you, Kurt. I'd like to see you again.

The sky had darkened considerably since the last time Kurt had looked up. Now he could just faintly see the first of many stars poking through the deep navy swathing the skyline.

How did the First Star nursery rhyme go? His mother had said it with him time and time again after he'd first heard it in Pinocchio. Every single night, she reminded him to make a wish on the first star of the night.

He remembered every word as though his mother was whispering the chant into his ear.

Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

Kurt squeezed his eyelids shut.

I wish to see Blaine Anderson again.

When he opened his eyes, he was shocked and speechless. Blaine Anderson, in a pair of dark blue jeans, a red graphic T-shirt, and a grey beanie, stood in his line of vision, smiling amicably at him.

"Hey, stranger," greeted Blaine.

Kurt could've done a lot of things at that precise moment. He could've choked completely and look foolish. He could've vomited all over the curb, disgusting the guy he'd been wishing to see. He could've straightened up and responded with a saccharine smile.

Instead, Kurt sneezed vociferously.

Blaine pulled out a miniature pack of tissues from his pocket and handed them over to Kurt.

"Are you all right?" He sounded genuinely worried for Kurt.

Kurt felt himself flush, embarrassed. "I'm just fine," he assured him, blowing his nose as quietly as he could for good measure. "I'm not sick."

Blaine cracked a smile. "Good. Then I'm glad we're meeting again. Just like how I wanted to." He winked. "Let's head inside."

Kurt's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to be meeting Sebastian Smythe."

"Sebastian?" Blaine's eyebrows furrowed. "Oh, right. You must be the date he was talking about."

Kurt swallowed hard. Date? Nothing that Sebastian had said at the Lima Freeze had indicated that this meeting was a date! He didn't even know that Sebastian was gay, let alone that he was remotely interested in him!

"O-oh," Kurt stammered. "I . . . I didn't know that this was a date."

Blaine shook his head. "You didn't? Well, then I'll join you, and you can consider it a simple 'hang out'. Why don't I go inside and buy us tickets to The Little Mermaid? When Sebastian comes, you both can come inside."

Kurt made to pull out a few bills from his wallet, but Blaine stopped his hand. "My treat, Kurt," he said softly.

So Kurt was left to wait again, this time growing more apprehensive by the second. What a funny coincidence that Blaine had shown up here, of all places.

Something wasn't right, but he just couldn't put his finger on it . . .

After Sebastian had showered, dressed, and quickly styled his hair, he had said goodbye to Pierce and headed out. As he hailed a taxi, he silently praised himself for his disguise. He looked completely ordinary in Abercrombie & Fitch jeans, a Hollister shirt, and Converse. He was determined to avoid making a scene that night.

Sebastian whistled as the taxi drove him to the old cinema. He was anticipating the smell of buttery popcorn and cheesy pizza slices, the ringing sounds of the arcade, the glow of the lit-up marquee, and seeing Kurt again.

Not necessarily in that order.

When the taxi finally stopped at his destination, Sebastian paid and tipped the driver before stepping out. As soon as he did, he spotted Kurt immediately. He was glancing over his shoulder, as if looking through the glass front doors for a glimpse of something.

"Hey, Kurt!" he greeted warmly, startling the teenager. Kurt quickly regained his composure and smiled, somewhat reticently, at Sebastian.

"Let's go inside." Sebastian opened the door for Kurt, and Kurt gratefully stepped through. "Tickets and candy are on me."

Kurt's eyes widened. "Actually-"

When Kurt paused, an arm slung around his shoulder. Sebastian froze at the sight of Blaine smiling at Kurt, his arm draped on him as though they were the best of friends. Or more.

"I bought tickets already," Blaine said brightly, acting unaware of the tension. "For Kurt and me, I mean."

Pursing his lips over his teeth, Sebastian feigned a smile. "No problem. I'll go buy my own ticket."

Blaine nudged Kurt. "While he does that, do you want to order some popcorn?"

Sebastian gritted his teeth.