Chapter 3:
Kurt stared out the window of the bus that brought him to the last stop at Xavier High School, an elite all boys private Catholic prep school. He stepped out of the bus which had been about a 20 minute ride. He checked his phone and saw that he was only about 10 minutes from Times Sqaure and 15 minutes to Central Park! He decided to first familiarize himself with the area so he could find his way back. Once he was sure he could find this bus stop again, he hailed down a taxi that took him to Time's Square.
Even thought he was alone, Kurt was thrilled with the people and billboards and the FOOD! There was so much food everywhere. And Kurt was splurging buying pizza, cinnamon rolls, and a giant pretzeal. It was almost 6pm when he decided to head to Central Park and check out the "FRIENDS" fountain. It took him about 45 minutes to actually find it after getting a bit lost in the park. By the time Kurt was making his way back to the bus stop it was nearing 9pm. The lights were bright and Kurt was awestruck. So much so that he got lost on the way to the bus.
"Just my luck." Kurt thought he had it all planned out but he ended up on the other side of the bus stop. Things looked vaguely familiar but that was becuase all the buildings were enormous! It was impossible to differentiate the streets and Kurt's phone was at 15%. He wanted to save his battery in case an emergency presented itself on the ride back to Brooklyn.
Feeling desperate and on the verge of frightened he decided to ask for help. There were a group of boys in blue blazers with ties and slacks hanging out just one street in front of him. They looked friendly enough. He briskly walked over to one of the boys and tapped him on the shoulder.
The boy turned around and stared at Kurt with a confused face. He was a bit taller than Kurt with blond hair and blue eyes.
Kurt was speechless for only a moment before he spoke. "Sorry, I'm a little lost and was wondering if you knew where the bus stop was around this area?"
Kurt glanced around at the rest of the boys in the group. One was Black, another was Asian, one a little cubby, and another boy in the back with a confused look on his face. Kurt looked back at the blond boy who was actually holding hands with the boy next to him with shabby black hair.
"Oh yeah it's right across this street on the other side of the school. Want us to show you?" The boy looked down at Kurt with a genuine look. "My name's Jeff." He held out his free hand to shake Kurt's.
"Kurt. Nice to meet you. And yes please! I thought I knew where I was but I'm totally lost."
"No problem at all, it's probably faster if we go through the school. We just finished practice so luckly the school's open late." Jeff turned to the other boys, "We'll catch up later." He waved a hand and they all left leaving only Jeff and the boy whose hand he was holding. "Sorry, I'm being rude. Kurt this is Nick, my boyfriend."
Nick held out his free hand and shook Kurt's.
"Nice to meet you Nick." Kurt smiled and then turned toward the school. "So you both go to Xavier?"
"Yup! We're in our last year. Thank god cause I don't think I can handle Catholic school anymore." Nick looked at Jeff and they exhanged smiles.
This made Kurt smile as he secretly envired the two boys.
"This way Kurt." Jeff led them into the school past coriders and if Kurt was being honest with himself, this place was beautiful. It looked like Hogwarts or something with the candles and large portraits. He was almost started when Jeff spoke again, "It's pretty deserted except for the security and us, we had after school practice so they kept the school open. Lucky for you we literally just finished."
Kurt looked at the boys in uniform and noticed a lack of any gear. "What were you practicing?"
Jeff and Nick both laughed and said at the same time, "Show Chior."
Kurt stopped and stared at them. "You guys sing?!"
Jeff grinned, "Yeah, we love to sing and compete in show chior competitions but no one takes it as seriously as Blaine does. He's our lead soloist and wants to be a professional singer. The rest of us just do it for fun and cause Blaine's our friend."
They continued walking and Kurt told them that he's in the glee club at his school and it's the same deal with his friend Rachel who wants to be a professional singer on Broadway. "Maybe they should get together." Kurt laughed at the idea and how jealous Finn would be.
Jeff and Nick laughed as well when Nick said, "Only if Rachel's a boy, Blaine's gay."
They continued walking when Jeff pulled Nick and subsequently Kurt into a large room with pianos and guitars and all sorts of other instruments. The room was abandoned except for one boy who sat at the piano playing something very lightly and melodic. Kurt was about to walk right up to him but was stopped by Jeff who motioned to stay quiet and listen.
The boy had his back to them and continued playing on the piano. And then the most angelic voice that Kurt had ever heard filled the room. It was a slowed down version of Against All Odds by Phil Collins. The boy was pouring so much emotion into the song that Kurt's heart actually ached for the boy and how broken he sounded. His voice was strong and beautiful. Kurt was about to protest when the song ended, he wanted to hear more and didn't think he would ever tire of the voice. Jeff and Nick started clapping loudly making the boy jump around and hit his knee on the piano bench.
"I just knew you wouldn't leave right after practice Mr. Perfection." Jeff let go of Nick and walked over to Blaine who was standing with his arms crossed across his chest.
"Seriously Jeff. I'm still kind of mad at you." The boy, Blaine, spoke with a soft voice.
"Blaine I already said sorry and I really am sorry! I promise to let it be now!" Jeff pouted and held out his arms until Blaine eventually grinned and hugged him back.
"Alright alright I think we're good here now." Nick walked over to Jeff and tugged on him to get out of the room.
Kurt was about to follow before Jeff spoke, "Oh before you leave can you show Kurt to the bus stop Blaine? Our rides here so we have to go. Thanks Blaine!" And without another word the two boys ran out of the room leaving Kurt awkwardly standing there.
Kurt turned to stare at Blaine when he noticed the anger on Blaine's face. Blaine turned to Kurt and the anger disappeared immediately replaced by a shy timid smile. Kurt was flabberglasted. He took a moment to really look at Blaine. He was so beautiful. Big hazel eyes, slightly gelled down hair, and just the most perfect face Kurt had ever seen. Blaine was only a few inches shorter than Kurt. He had a beautiful smile and obviously a killer voice. Kurt was actually swooning.
"Hi." Kurt looked up at Blaine who had walked over to him and held out his hand, " My name's Blaine."
"Kurt. Nice to meet you."
"You too. Let me show you the way to the bus stop then."
Kurt slapped a hand to his face from embarrasement and found himself angry with Jeff. "I'm so sorry about that. Jeff told me he was going to show me to the bus stop and then we got side tracked and ended up here listening to you sing, which by the way, you have a wonderful voice. Really, it's so amazing. But you don't have to show me the bus stop, I think I can find it from here."
Blaine was smiling ear to ear now with a stupidly cute grin on his face, "It's no problem at all Kurt. Honestly Jeff is an idiot. He's been annoying me to no end now setting me up with random guys he finds becuase he thinks I'm lonely. It's exhausting keeping up with him. He probably saw you and planned all of this so we can meet. I should be apologizing to you."
Kurt let out a small laugh and then stopped. He opened his mouth in shock, "Oh my god…you're that phone number!" Kurt grabbed for his phone and sent a small text.
Kurt:
Hi.
Blaine's phone buzzed by the piano and he walked over to it. His mouth hung open at the text. He hung his head humiliated, "Wow, of course I sent that to you. You must think I'm totally psycho."
"Not after meeting Jeff." Kurt laughed when Blaine actually chuckled.
"Let me show you to the bus stop."
Blaine and Kurt walked out to the bus stop where they waited 3 minutes until the bus arrived.
"It was nice to meet you Kurt. Although I'm sorry it was under such weird circumstances."
"You too Blaine and thanks for helping me find this place. Our meeting was nothing to be sorry about, it was adventerous."
They shook hands and Kurt hesitantly boarded the bus. He sat in the back near the window and looked out. He caught Blaine starring at him and gave a small wave before the bus took off.
—-
Blaine realized he was still standing in the same spot after the bus with Kurt had took off and a small blush crept its way up until he turned back and headed home.