"Kurt" Blaine said as he hobbled into the hotel lobby. The ride back was very uneventful and ended with Mr. Schue telling them that they must pack up and clean the rooms, making them all groan. On the plus side, it was just a room now and not a whole condo like last time they had to pack up.
"Yeah?" Kurt replied, helping Blaine walk.
"I think we're going to have to take the elevator" Blaine said slowly.
Kurt paled. "No no no no no" he shook his head. "No, come on, you can make it up the stairs. You can do it. Please no elevator."
"Yes, Kurt. I have to. I can't walk up all those stairs. I have to take the elevator" Blaine pleaded. "But, I'm not going to make you come if you don't want to. You can take the stairs. I'll be fine."
Kurt paused. By now, everyone was already at the stairs and elevator doors, except for the adults who had stopped to talk to Peter Reid at the front desk.
"You pulled the guilty card" Kurt frowned. "How can I possibly leave my injured boyfriend alone in a temperamental elevator? Are you sure you can't take the stairs? I could carry you or something."
Blaine chuckled. "No... But seriously, I don't want to push you to come if it makes you uncomfortable. Seriously, Kurt. It's not a big deal."
Kurt paused, seriously considering it.
"Come on, Kurt" Blaine poked his arm playfully. "Courage."
Kurt smiled. "Would you hate me if I didn't go?"
"Of course not."
Kurt stamped his foot lightly. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you go alone? Okay, I'll come. But if I pass out, don't be surprised."
Blaine smiled. "Really? You'll come?"
"Yes" Kurt nodded.
"Aw, thank you!" Blaine exclaimed and hugged Kurt the best he could.
Blaine and Kurt hopped over to the elevator. Blaine hit the button. By now, everyone was gone.
Finally, the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
"Blaine, Blaine, I can't do this" Kurt shook his head as he peered into the small elevator space.
"Yes you can" Blaine said. "I'm right here. You can do this, I promise."
Kurt let himself be pulled into the elevator and he watched in horror as the doors shut.
"See? It's fine. Look, the walls are lined with mirrors. You like mirrors. It's okay. Very cozy" Blaine mumbled, trying to keep Kurt calm.
Kurt squeezed his eyes shut and started breathing heavily.
The elevator started moving. They felt that funny feeling in their stomachs. Kurt gasped and tightened his grip on Blaine's arm.
Blaine couldn't take the discomfort Kurt was showing. He shuffled over so he was across from Kurt. He took his hands in his own and shifted his weight so he could stand on one leg. Then he leaned forward and swiftly kissed Kurt. At first, Kurt froze but he eventually loosened up and kissed back a bit. Blaine kept his lips firmly on Kurt's until the elevator stopped moving and they heard the ding. The silver doors slid open and the couple hurried out. When they were safely out of the elevator, Kurt breathed a large sigh of relief.
"That was the worst experience of my life" he said.
"Kissing me was the worst experience of your life? Geeze, Kurt, why don't you just take a knife and stab me in the heart" Blaine joked.
Kurt made a 'tch' sound. "Not you, silly. The elevator. Never again. I swear Blaine, never again. I don't care if you actually broke your foot or both, I am never again setting foot in an elevator."
Blaine laughed at Kurt's dramatics as they hopped down the hall to their room. "Suit yourself. I'm just proud of you for trying it."
"Mike, have you seen my yellow toothbrush?" Artie called from the bathroom, where he was packing his toiletries. "I can't find it anywhere!"
"Yeah, it's here in the fridge" Mike said, opening the mini fridge door so Artie could see when he poked his head out of the bathroom door.
"Oh yeah!" Artie smiled and wheeled out to the fridge.
"Explain to me again why you put your toothbrush in the fridge?" Mike asked. He was lounging on his bed. His luggage was only half packed.
Artie sighed. "I told you three times already."
"Yeah I know, but it's funny every time."
"I like a cold toothbrush. So I keep it in the fridge. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is" Artie snapped as Mike rolled around as he laughed.
"It's so weird" Mike said between giggles. "You're so weird."
"It is not" Artie said, taking his cold toothbrush and packing it away. "Besides, I'm not asking you to use it, so butt out."
Mike laughed.
"Don't you have a bag to pack or something?" Artie asked, wheeling back to the bathroom.
"Do you put your comb in the oven too?" Mike called, in hysterics and ignoring Artie's question.
"You're real funny, you know that?" Artie asked. "I say ditch the dancing and do standup comedy."
"Or what about your razor? Do you put that in the microwave?" Mike asked, howling now.
Artie rolled his eyes and wheeled out of the bathroom. "While you were making ridiculous jokes, I was actually doing what I was supposed to do and now, I am all packed."
Mike sighed and stood up. He grabbed a shirt and messily folded it.
"So now" Artie continued. "I'm going to see what the others are up to." He wheeled to the door. "Ta-ta!"
Mike watched him leave and shoved his shirt into his suit case. He'd have to ask Tina to help organize it.
Mercedes heard the knock on the door. And behind the door was Artie.
"Sup girl?" Artie smiled Mercedes.
"Hey!" She smiled back. "Are you done packing?"
"Yeah" Artie wheeled into the girls' room. "I figured that no one else is except maybe you two. Rachel's so impeccably neat."
Mercedes scoffed. "You're kidding. She's a bigger mess than Puck."
"I can hear you" Rachel frowned as she strutted out of the bathroom, her hands full of products.
"She isn't denying" Artie said, adjusting his glasses.
Rachel smiled. "I'm not. I can be so neat at school and home that it even scares me. But once I'm on vacation, I'm a mess. I'm not sure why. I just let loose of any organization skills."
Artie laughed. "Vacations bring out the best in people."
Mercedes nodded. "That's so true. I mean, we've been here for nine days or so. I've lost track. And the whole time, none of us have fought or cheated or yelled. Back in Lima, we can't go five minutes without some hurtful comment being said."
"Just watch, as soon as we land in Lima, it'll be just like old times" Artie said.
"I like the way we are now" Rachel said. "We're all so happy."
"Who's so happy?"
They all looked to see Sam and Rory in the door way. Mercedes had left the door partly open.
"Oh, hello" Rachel smiled.
"I see you're done packing" Sam laughed, seeing Rachel's five pairs of footwear all over the room.
"Shut up" Rachel huffed but she had a smile on her face.
Rory laughed and went and sat on a bed. Sam and Mercedes settled in the chair together.
"So how is it living with Brittany?" Rachel asked Rory.
He chuckled. "Different."
"Lots of random conversations?" Rachel grinned.
"Too many to count. On the plus side, her parents are really nice, as is her sister" Rory said.
"Do you miss home?" Mercedes asked.
Rory nodded. "Aye. But I love it here so much. You guys are all fun to hang out with. I don't think I've laughed this much in my whole life than I've done this trip alone."
Artie laughed. "That's true."
"Hello!" Mike said, bounding into the room.
"Hey Mike" Rachel smiled.
"Is Tina in here?" Mike asked, looking around.
"No. Why?" Mercedes asked.
"I need help organizing my things" Mike said, blushing a bit.
"I'd help you, but you're mean to me" Artie stuck his tongue out at the Asian.
"Oooh" Sam said. "What did he do?"
"He was laughing about...something" Artie explained.
"What was it?" Rory asked, looking excited.
Mike snickered. "Artie keeps his toothbrush in the fridge!"
They all burst into laughter. Artie rolled his eyes.
"Uh...okay" they heard a voice in the doorway. There stood Kurt, Blaine, Puck and Finn. It was Finn who had spoke.
"You know those times when you come into a conversation and hear something so random that you regret coming over in the first place? Yeah, that's what I feel now" Blaine said with a raised eyebrow.
Finn nodded. "I have so many questions right now."
"Let's start with why do you keep your tooth brush in the fridge?" Kurt asked.
Artie sighed. "I like a cold toothbrush so I keep in the freezer or fridge. I like the coldness. It isn't that weird. It's about as weird as putting your pajamas on the vent to get them warm."
"Who does that?" Puck asked.
Rachel and Blaine raised their hands.
"What?" Rachel asked when Puck gave her an odd look. "It makes them so warm and cozy."
"Yeah but the pajama thing is normal. Everyone likes a good pair of warm PJs. A toothbrush in the fridge is just plain odd" Mike said.
"I agree" Finn nodded.
"I think it's cool" Mercedes said. "Maybe I'll try it at home."
Artie smiled gratefully at her.
Mike stood up. "I'm going to find Tina and see if she'll help me."
"Bye" Sam said as Mike walked out of the room.
Twenty minutes later, Santana, Brittany, Sugar and Quinn had joined them in Rachel and Mercedes' room. Tina was helping Mike pack but all the others guessed that they were done packing a long time ago and now they were enjoying some alone time. But only five minutes later, the couple came back to Rachel and Mercedes' room.
"Took you long enough" Sugar drawled.
"I'm a mess" Mike shrugged.
"Sure" Rachel smirked, drawing out the word.
Tina blushed.
Suddenly Kurt jumped up. "Oh! I almost forgot!" He grinned and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small white ping pong ball. "When packing up our things, I found Blaine's bag of ping pong balls. Mike, we still have to finish our game."
Mike smiled. "Let's do it!
Rachel smiled and tossed Mike and Kurt a flip flop as Puck and Quinn moved the desk over to the center area.
"Here, I have a belt we can use" Mercedes offered and pulled one out of her suitcase.
Kurt served the ball when they were all set up. Mike swiftly hit it back. And from there on, the game got crazy intense and fast.
Finn acted like a commenter. "Who will win? Who will lose? The game is steady with no competitor showing an advantage. Kurt Hummel hits the ball to Mike Chang who skillfully hits it back. The game is tight and-"
"Finn, shut up. If you ruin my concentration and I lose, you will live to rue the day" Kurt threatened.
Finn obeyed and watched silently.
It was a long rally.
"You guys are evenly matched" Quinn said. "This will take forever!"
"Who wants to bet?" Puck asked. He dug around in his pockets and pulled out a few bills. "Five bucks says Mike wins."
"I'll bet with you!" Sugar said. "I think Kurt will win."
Mercedes smiled. "I agree. I'm for Kurt" she said and confirmed this with her own bill.
"Anyone else want to join the pool?" Puck asked, looking around.
Finn pulled out five bucks and slapped that on the bed. "Sorry Kurt, but I'm going with the Changster this time."
"Gee, thanks bro" Kurt rolled his eyes.
"I'd join but sadly, I'm poor" Sam shrugged.
"You know, they're right Kurt. This will take forever" Mike said while he hit the ball to Kurt. "How about next one wins?"
Kurt considered this. "Well, okay" he said as he wacked the ball.
Finally, the game came to an end. Kurt hit the ball to Mike's left and he hit it back and put a wicked spin on it so Kurt missed it. The ball hit the desk top and bounced to the floor as Kurt made a failed attempt to hit it. Mike dropped his flip flop and threw his hands in the air. He had a huge smile on his face. Cheers went up across the room. Kurt shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. Finn and Puck happily collected their winnings from Mercedes and Sugar. Tina jumped up and kissed Mike. After their kiss, Mike shook hands with Kurt.
"Good game. It was tough" he said.
"Sure was. Congrats" Kurt politely replied.
"Is there a ping pong club at school?" Rory asked.
"Who wants to join that?" Santana asked.
Rachel gave a smile. "Let's start one! I'll be president!"
"You're already in like twenty clubs" Mercedes said.
"I like clubs" Rachel said. "Makes me feel involved and special."
"Rachel, you can't be the president of a ping pong club if you suck at ping pong anyways" Kurt pointed out.
"If you start a cat club, I'll join" Brittany informed Rachel.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Door" Quinn said.
"Blaine's closest to the door" Puck said.
"Blaine can't walk" Kurt snapped.
"COME IN!" Santana yelled loudly.
"You're lucky the door was already open" Shelby said as she came in slowly. "I don't have a key."
"Sorry" Rachel apologized. "We're all so lazy."
Shelby chuckled. "Anyways, are you guys all packed?"
"Yeah" Mercedes nodded.
"Great well then I think it's time we start going so make sure you have everything, and I do mean everything because we are not coming back" Shelby said.
"Do we have to?" Brittany asked.
"Uh, yes" Shelby nodded. "So come on, let's go!" She clapped her hands and left the room.
The teens all reluctantly stood up and went to their rooms to double check the room and grab their luggage. Once they were ready, they assembled in front of the elevators.
"Someone is going to have to help Blaine in the elevator" Kurt said loudly. "I am not going through that again."
"Hold up" Mercedes paused. "Again?"
Kurt smiled. "Yea, today I took the elevator."
"What?" Rachel screamed.
"Shut up!" Artie said, putting a hand over his ear.
Rachel ignored this. "You rode the elevator? How was it?"
"Torture" Kurt shuddered. "Never again. Anyways, so someone will help him right?"
"Aw, Kurt we're so proud of you!" Mercedes said, pinching his cheek.
"That's what I said!" Blaine piped up.
"I'll help you, Blaine" Quinn said.
"Thanks. I just need someone to hold on to so I don't fall" Blaine said.
"We're going to have to take two trips because us plus our luggage can't all fit" Tina said.
They split up and half of them loaded into the elevator. The others waited for it to return. Kurt took the stairs.
"Well, here we go" Rachel sighed. She watched Mr. Schue load the last suitcase into the bus. "We're on our way."
They a stood outside the hotel. Mr. Schue had brought the bus up to the front of the hotel and had just finished loading their large array of luggage.
"I change my mind" Mercedes said. "I've decided to stay here forever."
"Nice try" Will said to her. "You are all getting on that plane."
"But it's so nice here" Mercedes whined. "Don't make me leave!"
"Tough luck" Puck said, strolling past.
Mercedes frowned and pulled out her camera. She took several pictures of the hotel.
"This is so depressing" Quinn sighed.
"Even the sky agrees with us" Finn said, looking up. The sky wasn't it's normal bright blue colour. Instead, large grey and white clouds covered the sky, leaving a few spots of blue poking through.
"I hope it doesn't rain" Kurt said darkly.
Beiste looked at the kids. "Okay guys! Everyone in the bus!"
"Well, well, well" they heard from behind them. "Leaving without saying goodbye?"
A/N
Hey hey heeey! :) I'm sorry this chapter is short, but I wanted to get this up and I have a plan for the next chapter so I didn't want to combine them. Again, I apolgize. Hope you are all coping without Glee on TV. I am (sorta). Thanks to ff, my blog and my Glee DVDs. LOL well, I don't have much to say now. I hope you liked this chapter. I added some Klaine parts in for y'all (I'm a Klainer) and I really don't know where Artie's toothbrush story came from. Really random and I have no idea what a cold toothbrush is like. But if you try it, I'd love to hear about it. Who knows? Maybe my randomness is actually a good thing? But seriously, I have no idea where that came from. LOLZ.
Thanks to all you readers and reviewers. You make me happy! :D
gleerificnewsstop(dot)wordpress(dot)com is the place to go if you're a Gleek! :)