Chapter Eleven

A/N: So I'm not really following the plot line of the show, in case you haven't figured that one out since Kurt is still at McKinley. I would love to follow the show, and I thought long and hard about it, but I think it would work better the way it is. I apologize if there are any show-plot sticklers out there.

Good luck at Sectionals today. I know you will do great.

Jenny sent Kurt a message. It was the first one since their fight. She checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror and made sure there was no extraneous puffiness or bruising showing and shortly after that, she walked out the apartment door to go watch Kurt and the New Directions perform. She wouldn't miss it for the world, even if Kurt was mad at her.

Kurt checked his phone and noticed the message from Jenny. He was still mad at her, but when he read the message, he realized he missed her too. She wouldn't be keeping things from him for no reason. He still needed to find out why though, and after Sectionals was over, he would find out why she went to Dalton to talk to Blaine. One down, way too many too go. He didn't have time to reply, he was busy warming up and rehearsing with the New Directions.

Blaine was looking forward to seeing Kurt, even if it was during a competition where they were against each other. He briefly wondered if Kurt would be sitting in the audience when he was singing. Would he be able to see him? He was excited to talk to him after the day was over, but he was more nerves than anything. He was worried that Kurt would just tell him to shove it, there was too much drama.

Jenny took her seat in the middle part of the theatre, sitting in an aisle seat. She didn't know how her presence would affect Kurt if he found out. She did her best to keep her head down, wanting to remain invisible. After a few minutes, the lights dimmed and the show started. She watched as The Hipsters wowed the crowd and inspired the audience. Next up was The Warblers, Blaine right in front where she expected him to be. There was one thing that caught her off guard: standing just behind Blaine was Darcy. He failed to mention that he was a Warbler. Jenny also noticed that Blaine was singing mostly to one section of the audience. She couldn't figure out why until their performance ended and Kurt and the rest of the New Directions stood up to go to their dressing room. Jenny sank a little lower in her seat and pretended to be very interested in the programme in her lap. No one noticed her sitting there. They were all to buzzed and trying to focus. Soon, the lights dimmed again and the audience hushed, knowing a performance was about to start.

The curtain opened at the back of the theatre on the other side and Sam stepped into the aisle, singing (I've Had) the Time of my Life. After a small intro to the song, Quinn pulled back the curtain on her side of the aisle, stepping onto the carpet, singing the female lead. Soon the song picked up and they started down the side aisles, staring at each other. Quinn's hand brushed across Jenny's shoulder. When she looked up at her, Quinn winked before looking back at Sam, continuing to move up the aisle. Jenny couldn't help but smile. The curtains on the stage rose and the rest of the New Directions began singing along. Kurt was singing near the back, dancing with Santana. A part of Jenny wished she was up there too dancing with Kurt and singing.

After the performance was over, the two other opposing teams gathered on the stage beside the New Directions and huddled together. Jenny watched Blaine and Kurt exchange a look. She wasn't sure what kind of look it was, but Kurt didn't look mad.

The Hipsters were announced as third place, and then it all came down to the moment of truth. Jenny crossed her fingers, sitting up a little straighter. After a dramatic pause, a tie was announced and the audience roared. New Directions and The Warblers were all hugging and screaming to each other over the crowds and bouncing around with excitement.

Back in the dressing room, Kurt was happy, but he wasn't ecstatic.

"Kurt, what's wrong?" Mercedes caught him in a moment of not smiling.

"Nothing." He lied, pasting his smile back on his face. Mercedes raised an eyebrow, giving him 'the look'. "I just thought Jenny might show up. I guess that was stupid of me." He shrugged. Quinn turned around, a confused look on her face.

"She was here, Kurt. She was sitting right on the aisle." Kurt didn't even wait to hear anything else, he jumped out of his seat and ran out the door, trying to find her in the crowds of people moving towards the exit. At one point, he saw her shining hair bobbing through the crowd between two shoulders, but when he tried to get closer to her, she disappeared again. Finally, he made it out the door, spinning in all directions, trying to spot her again. It was no use. The crowds were starting to thin out by the time he finally gave up. She would have been long gone by then. Kurt walked back inside, trying not to show how disappointed he was. After all, he did just make it through to Regionals, and so did Blaine. What more could he ask for? When he got back to the room, Mr. Schuester was just announcing a dinner at Breadstix on him to celebrate. Kurt picked up his phone and texted Blaine.

New Directions is going to Breadstix for dinner. Coffee after that?

He received his reply shortly after.

You're on. Meet you there at 8?

Kurt was glad to finally be seeing him again. He missed him and couldn't wait to hear this answer that he had in store for him. It better be good.

Definitely.

Blaine held his phone in his hands, reading the response Kurt gave him. Before thinking, he typed him a quick message.

Meet me in the back hall for a minute.

He immediately set off to the back hall, making an excuse to get away. Kurt read the message, wondering what this was all about.

"I'll be right back, I'm just going to check for Jenny one more time." Kurt lied.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Mercedes asked. She was definitely still on her post-tie high.

"No, it's okay. I shouldn't be long." He slipped out the door and headed to the back hallway. When he rounded the corner, Blaine was pacing up and down, shaking his hands like he was trying to rid himself of nerves.

"Hi." Kurt announced himself. Blaine whipped around at the sound of his voice. He immediately walked right up to Kurt.

"I need to tell you this now because if I wait until later tonight I might chicken out again so please don't interrupt." Blaine looked straight into his eyes, his voice was a little breathless. Kurt was a little taken aback, but nodded his consent. Blaine took a deep breath.

"When we were in the park and you asked if we were on a date, I really wanted to say yes, but I got scared. I started to explain everything to you but then I made an idiot of myself. The reason I got scared is this: I watch all my gay friends going through boyfriends like they go through days of the week and I don't want that to be what I have with you. I love you Kurt Hummel. I know we've only known each other for just over a month, but I can honestly say that I love you. And I didn't want to start dating you just to have it end in a break up like all my friends and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so scared. I should have talked to you about it. In the end, all I did was hurt you. I tried to tell you on the phone, but you hung up before I could and I felt terrible then too." Blaine was starting to get breathless. "The bottom line is I'm sorry and I know that explanation probably isn't enough for you but that's all I've got and it's the absolute truth. I know I probably scared you off by telling you I love you but Jenny made me see that I just had to be totally honest with you. So I am." He stopped talking, trying to remember to breathe as he watched Kurt for a reaction, which was painful because Kurt's face was uncharacteristically blank. There was a very long pause, or at least in Blaine's head it was and he started to panic. Kurt was still mad at him, Kurt didn't want anything to do with him anymore, Kurt was about to slap him, Kurt...kissed him. It took him a second to get over the shock and kiss him back, his ice cold hands, wrapping around him. Kurt broke the kiss first.

"You definitely should have just told me that in the beginning, but that must have been really hard for you." Kurt hugged him. "Thank you. I understand now." He pulled out of the hug and held Blaine's hands, trying to warm them up. "Neither of us can say what's going to happen if we start dating, but that's part of the fun, isn't it?" He smiled. Blaine smiled back, so happy to finally have all of that off his chest. Kurt thought of something. "So Jenny helped you with all that?"

"Yeah, she just waltzed right into the Academy and wouldn't leave until I talked to her. She just wanted to make sure you didn't get hurt anymore. She wanted to protect you." Blaine pushed a piece of hair out of Kurt's eyes.

"She still should have told me." Kurt huffed.

"Kind of like I should have told you?" Blaine smiled. Kurt had to laugh. He did have a point. His phone rang in his pocket.

"Oh crap, I have to go. That's probably Mercedes telling me we are leaving for Breadstix." Kurt frowned, coming back to reality.

"Well have fun." Blaine leaned in and kissed him. "I'll still see you later?" Kurt fought the urge to get lost in Blaine's big hazel eyes when they were so close up.

"Mhm." He smiled, kissing him again before walking back down the hallway. Blaine smiled and watched him walk away.

"Kurt?" He called. Kurt turned around. "You were the only star during your performance."

Kurt practically skipped back to the dressing room. He finally understood why he was so scared. He had no plans of melting when he started talking, but when Blaine started tripping over his words and babbling in his rush to get it all out, Kurt couldn't help but find it adorable. He didn't even mean to kiss him, it just happened. At least he finally knew how Blaine felt about him, and he couldn't be happier. He realized with a pang of regret that it was all thanks to Jenny.

Blaine made his way back to his dressing room, happy-dancing down the hallway, humming (I've Had) the Time of my Life and doing a very convincing Patrick Swayze swagger. He pulled out his phone.

Jenny, you little miracle worker! I could kiss you...but I won't. :D If you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask! Thanks for the courage. ;)