Kurt took his time driving to Dalton, considering it was only forty-five minutes away on a slow day he decided to do something he had missed this summer, just enjoying his solitude as he blasted top forty music on his radio. Before his learning adventure of the previous summer, Kurt had thought it was horrible being alone but as he was around friends more and more, he saw the benefit in introspection and reflection as he drove along the highway.
His thoughts drifted back to McKinley, wondering not for the first time whether he would really leave all the people he knew to join a school that he knew nothing about. 'I guess that's what this trip is really for, Puck thinks he has me fooled by telling me that bogus crap about checking out the competition, he knows as well as I do that all it would take Rachael is an internet connection and thirty minutes and that girl could have the Dalton boys' social security numbers. If singing doesn't work out for her she could always become a private investigator. He knows I've been on the fence about Dalton since Dad first brought it up a month ago so now he's practically forcing me out the door. He is just looking out for me though' Kurt thought, smiling at the thought of his straight and hunky co-best friend.
That boy was an enigma to be sure, he acts like he is as dumb as a box of rocks and yet he is almost tied with Kurt academically, if he weren't so concerned about his popularity and hated McKinley as much as Kurt did, he could go with him to Dalton on an academic scholarship. 'Hell at this point Dad and Carole would probably pay Noah's way too with all the help he has given me over the past four months.' Kurt thought.
Burt had been a little concerned at Kurt's change of look and his attitude, not that he would ever get an attitude with his Dad, Burt had been more concerned at how it seemed that Kurt was losing himself over the course of only a couple of months at which point Kurt interrupted his father and asked him a question that really got Burt thinking.
"Are you still the same person you were in high school Dad?"
"Of course not Kurt but you need to remember something, you're still in high school, I've never seen someone change their entire image and personality as quickly as you have."
"I thought you'd be happy Dad, I'm actually dressing like a guy my age normally does, I figured you would be happy to see your weird-ass son dressing like a normal teenager for once and not some bitchy runway model."
"Kurt Hummel! You can wear men's clothes, women's clothes or even a plastic bag for all I care, I have never been ashamed of you! So you can drop that thought right there mister, all I care about is whether this is truly what you want, and not some attempt at fitting in or making me happy. When you're happy I'm happy Kurt."
"I know, and I am happy, for once I'm comfortable in my own skin which hasn't been true since Mom died. Noah has really helped me out Dad and for that. I will be eternally grateful if you'd just let me be with this."
"That Noah boy, is he your boyfriend?" At this Kurt laughed a little longer than was necessary because that was the stupidest thing he had ever heard and he hangs out with Puck all the time.
"Noah's straight Dad, don't worry about him, and I am actually glad he's straight, it gives me a chance to just have a guy friend without having to worry about trying to impress them or something. Noah is kind and smart and amazing and he will make some woman a great husband someday, but no that is never gonna happen."
Burt had looked a little relieved at that, being able to put off the sex talk with his only child for another day was embarrassment avoided today after all. Burt had let Kurt do what he needed to do that summer, and by the end of it, even though they hadn't really seen much of each other, the time they had spent together was spent talking to each other instead of just sitting in silence like they had for so long and they had bonded and become closer. Burt now knew Kurt didn't need him to fight his battles for him and that always hurts when a parent doesn't really need to protect their child anymore. Kurt had grown up a lot quicker than other children, with the death of Elizabeth and the near constant bullying that started the first day of middle school, Kurt had learned much faster than kids should that life can really suck. Kurt had always been a trooper though and it shocked Burt to learn during one of their late night conversations during the summer that Kurt had been so depressed. Burt held Kurt's face in his hands and had made Kurt promise that night that if he were ever that low again, to please tell him. Kurt, with tears in his eyes had nodded and they had hugged, and if there had been tears in Burt's eyes too then it was only a trick of the light.
Kurt laughed quietly at that particular memory before pulling on a side road with an ornately decorated sign reading DALTON ACADEMY. He had to pull over for a moment just to look at this behemoth of a school in front of him. It was beautiful and with its ornate structure, it looked as if if belonged in a major city in Europe as an historical site rather than as a home for kids who had parents with way too much money to spend. Kurt wasn't so easily impressed though so he put his Navigator back into drive and drove up the winding street to the school.
Kurt parked his car in a well maintained lot and stepped out to see boys walking to and fro, presumably going to classes or meetings. Kurt took in the sight of the grounds, well maintained of course and beautiful with oak trees and flower beds with an occasion bench strewn about almost haphazardly, as if comfort was a last concern for the gardener. Kurt walked into the front doors and saw the main office, there was a sign after all at the top of a set of stairs placed directly in front of him.
The main office was decorated in a successful attempt to imitate European style with expensive furniture and a rich burgundy carpet.
"May I help you?" The receptionist asked with a smile.
"Yes, I'm a prospective student and I wanted to see if it was possible to tour the grounds and learn more about the school?"
The receptionist nodded and indicated a door directly behind her semi-circular desk.
"If you will just wait in one of those chairs by that door, I'll ask the Dean if he has some time to talk."
Kurt sat in the admittedly comfortable chair and watched the receptionist's back as she picked up her phone receiver and spoke with someone quietly before hanging up and turning to face Kurt.
"Dean Thompson will see you now, you can just go on in" Kurt smiled in gratitude and went through the doorway to see an older gentleman behind a huge desk that Kurt surmised was supposed to be intimidating but made Kurt wonder if the Dean was trying to compensate for something.
"Ah yes I'm Dean Thompson, I'm pleased to meet a prospective student to our prestigious school, may I ask your name please?" The Dean smiled in a reassuring way that Kurt immediately associated with a used car salesman.
"Kurt Hummel Sir, I believe my Dad has spoken with your staff about mid-semester enrollment?"
"While it is highly unusual for a mid-semester transfer, it's not unheard of Mr. Hummel. I will admit though that it would help a great deal if you have some academic success under your belt." Kurt knew as soon as the Dean said that, he would definitely be getting in. He may love McKinley, but Kurt was objective and knew that his prospects would be slim if he stayed at McKinley. Kurt would only miss the glee club but in all honesty, other than a few select people in there, he had no one to stay there for and he could always see them every weekend when he went home.
"Would it help your decision to accept me if you knew that I'm within the top five percent in my entire district?"
The Dean's face lit up at that at his entire demeanor changed from reserved to that of an excited business man wanting to make a sale.
"If you do decide to come here Mr. Hummel you will need your parents to come in and meet with me of course."
"Of course Sir, I realize that, I just wanted to tour the grounds, get some background on Dalton and learn more about your school. Will that be possible today?"
"Of course! Here I have a packet of information in my desk for prospective students that will be able to answer most of your questions and I will have a student walk with you around campus and I know just the student. He is an upstanding member of our school and he will be able to give you a perspective closer than what I would be able to provide."
The Dean picked up his telephone and pressed the intercom button.
"Dianna, would you please see what class Sebastian Smythe is in and call him up here please?"
"Yes Sir Mr. Thompson" The receptionist, Dianna, replied in a cheerful tone.
It took several minutes but soon there were solid knocks in short order on the mahogany door.
"Come on in Mr Smythe" The Dean said.
Kurt watched as a guy walked into the room in the same uniform he had seen on every other student on campus. There was a huge difference though, this guy was gorgeous. 'Easy Kurt, he's probably straight" Kurt thought to himself.
"You called for me Mr. Thompson?" The guy, Sebastian, Kurt corrected, asked in a smooth and controlled voice that made Kurt that much more intrigued.
"Ah yes, Sebastian, this is Kurt Hummel, he is interested in touring the campus and learning more about our little school. You think you can help him with that?"
Sebastian nodded before extending his hand for Kurt to shake.
"Charmed, Well, If you will follow me, I'll try not to take up too much of your time."
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? From what I hear, you as an 'upstanding member' of Dalton should be swamped with work about now."
Sebastian smirked at Kurt before silently leading Kurt out of the office with a hand firmly on the small of Kurt's back. They walked out of the office and down the steps before Sebastian finally answered Kurt.
"While I may be an overachiever is some aspects, and I freely admit that, unfortunately I believe that the Dean requested me specifically because I'm gay. If he didn't suspect you were too then he wouldn't have bothered sending for me. He's a great administrator, don't get me wrong, but I think he was trying to help you decide to come here more readily if you have seen another gay student in residence at Dalton."
"Does he seem like a used car salesmen to you too?" Kurt snarked, not mad at Sebastian, just annoyed that the "gay" label was even affecting things such as his prospective education when it should make no difference at all.
Sebastian freely smiled an even row of pearly white teeth at Kurt. "Now that you mention it, some of the guys really believe he was in sales before education. He's certainly better at reeling them in with a hook than making them happy that they've been caught."
Kurt shook his head with an amused expression directed at Sebastian before sweeping an arm towards the grounds.
"Shall we?"
"You better let me lead Princess" Kurt's whole demeanor changed at that before he hissed "The last guy to call me that got his ass kicked."
Sebastian kept that infernal smirk on his face. "Easy tiger. I call you that cause I've known you for all of two minutes and I can already tell you're high maintenance."
Kurt giggled at that. "Maybe, but just remember, this tiger has claws, and he's not afraid to use them."
Sebastian ran his eyes up and down Kurt's lithe figure after he had turned to walk out the door.
"I'll definitely keep that in mind."
A/N. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the reviews this story has received and if there is anything you want to see in the story, just let me know and I'll see if there's a way to work it in.