Chapter Sixteen
A/N: It's been a very long wait! I apologize, I've been sick for the passed month, and things have been crazy, but I finished it and I hope you enjoy this chapter. I hope you find it worth the wait!
Jenny paced around Kurt's room, hot rollers in her hair, trying to focus on her breathing.
"Kurt, I can't do this I have to cancel." Jenny's nerves were getting the better of her.
"Okay." Kurt continued fishing through her make-up case.
"Really?" She stopped pacing and turned around, eyes wide, surprised at his answer.
"No. Now sit down. It's make-up time." He ordered. Jenny obeyed, wringing her hands in her lap. "Jenny, you will be fine, although I can barely hear you over your stomach growling. Did you eat anything at all today?" He asked.
"Of course not. There's no way I would be able to eat today and keep it down." Kurt let out a frustrated sigh at his best friend's lack of nutrition. Jenny started fidgeting.
"Oh my God, honey, calm down." He put down the make-up brush he was using and reached for his ipod. "Here, just close your eyes, listen and breathe." He told her. He was so glad he spent the money to get that mediation cd. Once she started to calm down, he was able to continue with her make-up, give her a manicure and style her hair. When he was finished, he slowly turned down the volume on his ipod and pulled out the earbuds, bringing her back to reality.
"Okay, open your eyes and look in the mirror." He instructed. Jenny opened her eyes and her jaw dropped.
"Kurt, I look like I'm straight out of the 1940's!" She couldn't believe how beautiful she looked and Kurt beamed.
"Now go put your dress on!" He shooed her out of the chair and into the bathroom where her dress was hanging and closed the door behind her.
"Kurt!" Blaine knocked on his bedroom door. "Are you both decent?" He called.
"Yep we are. Get your butt down here. You need to be styled!" Blaine mumbled something to someone behind him and started down the stairs as Kurt started packing up the make-up and hair things for Jenny.
"Hey you." Blaine's arms wrapped around Kurt's waist and he kissed Kurt's cheek.
"Hi!" Kurt smiled, turning in his arms and kissing him. Out of the corner of his eye, Kurt noticed a movement behind Blaine. "Darcy!" Kurt pulled out of Blaine's embrace. "What are you doing here?" He asked. He couldn't help but think of poor unsuspecting Jenny in the bathroom.
"I figured it would be easier if I just carpooled with Blaine." He shrugged, his hands in his pockets. He also wanted to see Jenny and talk to her about the party, but Kurt and Blaine didn't need to know that.
"Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Kurt muttered, pushing Blaine into the chair and starting to run his fingers through his thick, curly hair.
Jenny finished putting her beautiful vintage inspired high heels on and glanced at herself in the mirror. She couldn't help but smile. She felt absolutely beautiful. Kurt had covered all the bruises on her arms and decollete with make-up so that her dress could be sleeveless. The dress itself was a gorgeous satin deep blue- the same colour as her eyes. It came to just above her knees. Jenny opened the bathroom door and skipped out with a huge smile on her face.
"What do you think?" She twirled around so Kurt could see every angle.
"You look incredible!" Kurt smiled. Both Blaine and Darcy- who was still unnoticed by Jenny could only stare.
"Jenny you look beautiful." Darcy finally chimed in from over by the stairs. Jenny instantly stiffened as her face fell, and she slowly turned around.
"Darcy." She didn't know what to say. "Hi."
"Hi." He said back. "Can I talk to you upstairs for a minute?" He asked, motioning to the stairs.
"Um...I guess so." She resigned. Darcy waited for Jenny to lead the way up the stairs, following her graceful but very high heels up each step. He closed the door behind him. Jenny turned around to face him, choosing not to look at him. Darcy cleared his throat, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"I want to talk about the kiss." He stated.
"I already figured that out." Jenny crossed her arms in front of her.
"I'm not going to apologize for the kiss." He informed her.
"Oh, really?" Jenny couldn't believe it. She was almost ready to turn around and go back downstairs.
"I'm not sorry for the kiss. I know you enjoyed it just as much as I did." He continued as he watched Jenny blush. "What I will apologize for is the timing. You and I barely know each other. I want to get to know you, if you will let me." He let the offer hang.
"Darcy..." Jenny tried to pull her thoughts together. Looking into his eyes was not an option. "It's not that I don't like you. You are right. I can't deny that but I can't be in a relationship. I can't let anyone else into my life."
"Why not?" He asked.
"I can't tell you without lying to you." Jenny stared at the floor. She knew he wouldn't want her to lie, so she thought she was safe.
"Jenny, I think I deserve a reason. If you think it's something horrible, just trust me, I've had my fair share. What is it? A jealous ex-boyfriend?" He tried to get her to open up with gentle prodding.
"You think you deserve a reason because we shared a kiss? I don't think so. Either way, Darcy, you need to just leave it alone. It's not something I can't talk about." Jenny's walls were definitely up.
"Who knows then? Kurt?" Darcy watched her reaction. Jenny didn't respond, which confirmed his suspicions.
"Jenny, I'm not going to force you to tell me anything, but I'm a very patient person and I don't give up easily. Somehow, I'll gain your trust." He reached for her hand. "I feel like I need to protect you and care for you. I just need to wait until you want to let me in." All Jenny wanted to do was hug him and tell him everything. She wished she could have one person in her life that she would be able to trust absolutely and not have that person be her gay best friend, but she resisted, deciding to end things quickly.
"I hate to sound like a bitch, but you will be waiting a very long time." Jenny pulled her hand out of his and pushed passed him, going back downstairs. Darcy sighed. He could see that the hard act was just another defence mechanism. One of her many protective layers. He needed to figure out a way to get passed it. The memory of her skipping out of the bathroom, smiling and happy flashed into his head. She was already beautiful, but with the look that was on her face then, he was glad he was the only straight man in the room, or he would have even more problems then Jenny shutting him out. Darcy sauntered into the living room, walking over to the tree and looking at all the decorations. He loved the Hummel-Hudson tree. It was so different from his own family tree. The Hummel-Hudson tree was full of decorations that took a lifetime to build up. There was no rhyme or reason to how they were placed, no order, just an explosion of so many ornaments that you could spend all day looking at them and still miss some. Every single ornament had a story. His family tree was always trimmed perfectly with a theme of silver and blue. His mother was a perfectionist that way.
After a few minutes, he felt certain that no one would walk in, so he took a little package out of his pocket and opened it. From inside, he pulled out a small silver star on a string. It had Jenny's name engraved on it. He hung it near the top of the tree and stood back to admire it.
"Okay, are we all ready to go?" Kurt walked into the living room, throwing Darcy's coat at him. He was also carrying a make-up case and an emergency costume repair kit.
"Ready!" Blaine walked into the living room, his hair slicked into a 40's style and wearing a nice suit and overcoat from the same era. Jenny was right behind them, pulling on her gloves, a beautiful navy coat covering her dress. She didn't acknowledge Darcy at all and was trying very hard not to show her nerves as she adjusted the grey hat on her head.
At the concert, Jenny paced the green room, waiting to either throw up or pass out.
"Jenny." Blaine walked up and put his hands on her upper arms. "You will be amazing. Try to relax and breathe." Blaine tried to help. Finn walked into the room.
"Hey Jenny, I wanted to talk to you about something." He walked over. He didn't wait for Jenny to answer. "Last week when you were on the phone with your brother and you guys were singing, I was standing at the top of the stairs with Kurt and I thought Johnny's voice sounded really familiar. Well I just figured it out! Your brother is-"
"Nononononono I can't deal with this right now!" Jenny sat down and put her head in her lap, trying to breathe and ignore Finn. She couldn't believe that so many people were figuring out her secrets. She didn't like it at all. She knew it would all come out soon, but she wanted her last few weeks of privacy to herself.
"Finn, why don't you go sit down, she's having some issues with nerves. You clearly aren't helping." Blaine started pushing him towards the door.
"But Johnny! He's-" Finn started.
"On the phone." Kurt finished, giving Finn a dirty look as he knelt in front of Jenny. "Honey, Johnny's on the phone. Talk to him." Jenny feebly raised her head and took the phone with shaking hands.
"Johnny you have perfect timing. I'm being forced to perform in a concert against my will, please tell Kurt that I can't do it." Jenny took a deep breath in, knowing Johnny wouldn't be on her side, but she had to try.
"I'm not going to do that. Once you get on stage, you will remember the thrill and the high you get. It will all be over before you want it to be." He tried to soothe her.
"You lie. I want it to be over with now and it hasn't even started." She said halfheartedly. She knew he was right and Johnny laughed.
"I know you will make me proud. Kurt has already promised to record the whole thing. I can't wait to see it. Which means you have to do it." Johnny knew that was the winning argument.
"Okay." Jenny sighed. "I will do it. But if I throw up on stage, I'm blaming you." Johnny laughed again.
"You won't throw up." He smiled. "Once you get out there you will be fine." Kurt interrupted.
"Jenny, you're up! Go!" Kurt grabbed the phone and pushed her all the way out the door and into the wing, standing behind her so she couldn't leave. Jenny's knees trembled as the curtains closed and crew members started pushing furniture onto the stage, arranging it into a cozy fireside scene.
"Courage, right?" Jenny asked Kurt.
"Courage." Kurt confirmed. With that, Jenny took a deep breathe and got into character, instantly transforming into a young woman from the 1940's, her poise and carriage were spot on. Quietly, she walked onto the stage, Blaine joined her from the opposite wing.
"You ready?" He asked, sitting on the couch in front of the mock fire, handing her a sherry glass with apple juice in it.
"Ready as I'll ever be." She took the glass, taking another deep breath and walking gracefully over to the fireplace, staring into the flames as the curtain rose and the house lights dimmed.
I really can't stay- But baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away- But baby it's cold outside
Jenny turned into the stage and smiled as Blaine urged her to stay, walking towards her.
This evening has been- Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice- I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
Blaine reached for her hands and held them to his chest, starting to waltz with her.
My mother will start to worry- Beautiful, what's your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor- Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry- Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just half a drink more- Put some records on while I pour
Jenny smiled and retrieved her sherry glass from the mantel on the fireplace, handing it to Blaine as she sat on the edge of the sofa, smoothing out her dress.
The neighbours might think- Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink?- No cabs to be had out there
Jenny stood and put her drink on the end table, walking over to the window and stared at the snow storm. Blaine moved up behind her and gently turned her around, tipping her chin up and staring into her eyes.
I wish I knew how- Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell- I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir- Mind if I move in closer?
Jenny moved across the room, her hands on her hips, a playful smile on her lips. Blaine was right behind her, taking her hand and leading her back to the sofa.
At least I'm gonna say that I tried- What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay- Baby don't hold out
Ahhh, but baby it's cold outside
Jenny stood and walked behind the couch, heading for the door, just as Blaine hopped up to sit on the back of the sofa and trapped her in his arms.
I simply must go- But baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no- But baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been- How lucky that you dropped in
Jenny broke free of his arms, smiling and wagging her finger as she continued towards the door. Blaine quickly refilled her sherry glass again and headed her off before she could leave, a grin on his face. Jenny smiled and accepted the drink.
So nice and warm- Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious- Gosh, your lips look delicious
Blaine ran a thumb along her bottom lip, moving in to kiss her as Jenny coyly pulled away, turning away from him.
My brother will be there at the door Waves upon a tropical shore
Blaine sneaked around in front of her as she turned to look back and managed a quick peck on her lips as she smiled and shook her head.
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious- Ohhh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a cigarette more- Never such a blizzard before
Blaine took her free hand and led her towards the audience, standing centre stage and started to dance with her again.
I've got to go home But baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat- It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand- I thrill when you touch my hand
Blaine took her drink from her and placed it on the end table again before rushing back to Jenny, taking her hands in his.
But don't you see- How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow- Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied- If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay- Get over that hold out
Ohhh, baby it's cold outside
Jenny finished the song in Blaine's embrace, staring into his eyes. She could see why Kurt loved them so much. Everyone stood and started cheering and clapping. She could hear Burt Hummel screaming proudly, his voice louder than everyone else.
"That's my girl!" She broke apart from Blaine and smiled at him. Johnny was right. The thrill felt so amazing. Blaine couldn't help but smile as she curtsied and the room burst into applause for the favourite performance of the night. The New Directions were the loudest of all. Jenny turned to Blaine, ignoring the crowd for a moment.
"Thank you for making me do this." Jenny beamed and hugged him.
"Yeah, you just remember me when you're famous." Blaine smiled, leading her offstage towards Kurt who was hopping up and down, ready to explode with excitement, which is exactly what he did as soon as they got close enough.
"You two were incredible! You brought down the house!" Kurt said to both of them but he was looking at Jenny.
"Thanks." Blaine smiled, "But none of it would have happened without everybody's favourite person." Jenny smiled, but it faded as she watched Darcy's retreating back slip out a side door.
"I'm not everybody's favourite person." She admitted, feeling terrible about Darcy and that she didn't give him a chance. Without another word, she walked away, and followed him out the door and into the street.
"Darcy?" She called after him. He turned around surprised to see her.
"You did amazing tonight. I'm really happy you got over your stage fright." He pushed his hands into his coat pockets.
"Why are you leaving?" She asked. She was still high on adrenaline and wasn't thinking with caution. She decided to let it happen.
"I figured I was the last person you wanted to see tonight...again." He shrugged. Jenny rushed into her next thought.
"Have you ever had anything you just can't tell anybody? Even your best friend?...even your girlfriend? Something awful you would rather try and hide and forget?" Her breath rose in clouds in front of her and she shivered, although she was pretty sure it was from what she was about to do rather than the cold. Darcy took off his jacket and slipped it around her shoulders.
"Would you believe me if I said yes?" He asked, pulling the jacket tightly around her slender shoulders. Jenny didn't answer. "Can we make a deal? If I tell you my secret, will you tell me yours? Then it's a completely level ground and we can be totally honest." He offered. He was surprised to hear himself offer his personal life up. No one at Dalton even knew. All he wanted to do was protect her and make her smile, so if this was the way to do it, hell, he would tell her everything. Jenny nodded.
"I guess that's fair." She looked into his eyes. "But I am scared that once you know everything, you will just walk away because it's too much to deal with." She admitted.
"How is that any different from being scared out of trying to make it work at all?" Darcy asked gently and it made Jenny smile. He was right.
"That's a valid point." She allowed Darcy to lead her over to a bench beside the theatre. "Okay, you go first." She reached for his hand. Darcy was momentarily thrown off by her making such a bold move.
"Well, it's big." He paused, trying to figure out how to go on. "When I was about thirteen, my younger brother, Colin, and I were playing around in the backyard. We were playing tackle football and he came at me with the ball. Naturally I tackled him. He fell on a wooden deck chair and it broke and splintered all over the place. Next thing I know he's screaming in pain and there was blood everywhere. A piece of the deck chair severed his spinal cord. He's paralysed from the waist down. Shortly after that, my parents shipped me off to Dalton so they could try and put their family back together along with their marriage. To this day, they still blame me, but things are getting better since Lizzie was born. She sort of represents my family healing itself and getting a new beginning. Anyway, that's my secret. I destroyed my family with a game of tackle football in the backyard." He squeezed her hand and turned his head to look at her.
"I'm so sorry. Your family shouldn't blame you for something you have no control over. That's terrible. Is your brother alright?"
"Yeah he's okay. He's in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Colin will never be able to actually play football with a team-" Jenny interrupted him.
"Yes he can! Artie is on the football team! Darcy, you should get Colin to meet Artie!" Darcy smiled.
"You think that would be good?" He asked. "Maybe I should. Anything to help give him the life I took away." He exhaled, watching his breath puff out in thin white clouds.
"No, no. Don't go down that road.!" Jenny's voice suddenly got more urgent. "Darcy, what happened is not your fault. If you keep thinking like that, it will screw you up." Darcy looked at her again, trying to read her.
"You are speaking from experience." It wasn't a question. Jenny looked at their hands in her lap. She let out a long breath.
"Shortly after I was born, my mother got sick. When I was in the fifth grade, she died. My father has told me everyday since that it was my fault. I believed it." She didn't want to look at him, but she forced herself to look up. The look on his face was a mixture of incredulity and sympathy.
"That's awful. I'm really sorry. You know it's not your fault, right?" He asked, worried that she still blamed herself.
"Yes. Kurt made me realize that a few months ago. My life has been a bit happier since I figured that out." She smiled, leaning into his side.
"Do you ever miss her? Your mother?" Darcy asked after a few minutes, wrapping an arm around her.
"Not really. It sounds terrible to say, but she was sick my whole life. I never really knew her." She paused, deep in thought. "She knew too. Even when she was home, she just let it happen." Jenny momentarily forgot who she was talking to and let her guard down too far.
"Let what happen?" Darcy was confused. Jenny panicked, but knew she had to tell him. She had to give him the chance.
"I let you partially in, so I might as well let you all the way in." She looked into his eyes. "Can I trust you? You wont' tell anyone?" She realized just how little she trusted people outside of her very small circle.
"Of course you can trust me. I won't tell a soul. I just want to know the real you. Secrets and all." He watched as she analyzed what he said and made the decision to speak.
"My father doesn't just tell me I'm to blame for all of his problems. He sort of...well he takes it out on me physically too. He hits me." She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, but she didn't look at him. She was scared that he was going to walk away. There was a long moment of shocked silence.
"What? No. No, Jenny, he can't...how could he...but there would...bruises." He was having trouble keeping his composure. "There would be bruises." Jenny gave a sad laugh.
"That's all make-up and a magician named Kurt Hummel." Jenny smiled.
"You can't go back there. I won't let you. Now I know why Kurt wants you to move in so badly. You have to." Darcy squeezed her hand.
"I wish it was that simple." Jenny shook her head.
"How is it not that simple?" Darcy stood up and started pacing. He hated the idea of someone hurting Jenny. He couldn't keep his composure anymore. "That lowlife beats the crap out of you!" Jenny remained seated and told him about her job and all the responsibilities she had and how her brother was away and has no idea what's going on. Somewhere along the line, Darcy stopped pacing and stood in front of her.
"So where is your bother?" He asked, trying to hide his automatic dislike of him for leaving her alone.
"I'm pretty sure if I told you, you would dismiss everything I have been saying and call me a liar." She crinkled her nose, putting her hands in the pockets of Darcy's coat.
"There's only one way to find out, although so far, I'm still standing here and some of the things you've been saying are pretty outrageous." He put his hands in the pockets of his dress pants. Jenny calculated her odds for a second but knew she was already in too deep.
"You know that talent show on tv?" She waited until he nodded.
"The one that produced people like Dixon, right?" He asked. Jenny started laughing.
"What's so funny?" His brow furrowed. He couldn't see anything comical in his question.
"You finished my story for me!" She let her laughter die, waiting to see what his reaction would be. "My brother is Dixon." For a moment, all he could do was blink.
"Dixon? Your brother?" He asked.
"Yes." She nodded. "Do you need proof?" She asked.
"No." Darcy sat down. "So your brother is a famous celebrity and left you behind in the dust?" He asked.
"No, not at all. He just wants me to finish school first before we make any decisions. When he comes back from his God Made Dixon tour, we are going to get an apartment. Then everything will be better."
"So what you are telling me is that you somehow manage to keep him out of the loop of your problems just like you do with everyone else." Darcy concluded.
"Yes." Jenny nodded. "It's easier now that he's halfway across the world." Darcy decided not to delve into an argument about that just yet. It sounded like he had a lot of time to try and argue the point.
"So now that I know everything- I'm presuming- and I'm still sitting here, fighting for a chance, will you give me one?" Jenny looked into his eyes, his gorgeous, pleading eyes and felt the last of her walls come down. She smiled, leaned over and kissed him.
"Yes. You can have a chance. I didn't mean to play so hard to get." She closed her eyes and smiled when he wrapped his arms around her.
"I promise I will treat you the way you deserve to be treated, Jenny." They sat for a few minutes in silence with the snow falling softly around them.
"Best Christmas present ever." Jenny smiled, hugging him. "I'm not sure how you went from no chance in hell just a few hours ago to holding me on a park bench and knowing everything about me but I'm okay with it." Jenny laughed and Darcy did too.
"What can I say? I told you I wasn't going to give up." Kurt and his family walked out with Blaine right beside them, holding Jenny's coat.
"Uh oh, are we interrupting something?" Blaine grinned as Kurt did a double take.
"Yes, but that's okay." Jenny smiled, standing up and walking towards them, holding Darcy's hand the whole time. For a few minutes, the scene was quite comical. Blaine was grinning from ear to ear, Kurt looked dumbfounded, Burt looked like he was ready to kill Darcy, Carolyn looked like she was going to cry, and Finn...well, Finn looked like Finn. Finally Kurt started talking.
"Do I get to hear all about this? Because I can't imagine how it happened." He asked, looking at them like they were some strange new fascinating thing.
"Yes, but only if you make some of your famous hot cocoa when we get home. Then I will tell you all about it." She bartered.
"Done!" Kurt agreed immediately.
"Will he be joining us?" Burt asked, although it sounded like he had a really hard time getting the words out.
"Yes he will." Jenny smiled. "Don't worry, Dad. He's the good guy."
"Oh this is perfect! I will make us all a little snack when we get home! I can't wait to hear the story!" Carolyn was beside herself.
"Oh good! I'm starving!" Jenny said as another painful wave of hunger pangs hit. Everyone started piling into the cars, and Blaine and Darcy were the last one's to get it. Blaine gave Darcy a quick high five.
"You rock!" He stated and got it. Darcy laughed.
A/N: Did you enjoy the chapter? Noooo more secrets! Yayyy! Please let me know what you think! I'm very curious to know. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Now to give myself a well deserved manicure after typing this up.