The Scholarship

Episode 7: Centre Stage

Well, I'm never going to explode again. I had counselling on Friday, and it was awful. I couldn't say anything to her…she decided I don't have to see her again, soon. Also, I never thought that I'd say this, but I'm getting kind of sick of both my songs. It's Saturday, and it's just before their first performance to the school of Les Mis, and I've been rehearsing since I got up. I'm a little worried that I might ruin my voice, but I should be okay. I'll have time to rest it during the play after all. I haven't had another chance to talk to Blaine, not about the audition, but I think that we've come to an unspoken agreement to not mention it until after the stress has passed. That being said, I think the stress is more likely to kill Flint than anyone. He hasn't said anything to anyone, and he's barely eating. The others are forcing him to on the threat that he'll faint on stage if he doesn't. I think that idea nearly made him faint. I'm going to hear Blaine's voice for the first time tonight, that should give me some idea of what I'm going up against…

Kurt laid down the sheet music, and checked the time on his phone. He still had half an hour. He'd been alternating between Defying Gravity and Don't Cry for Me, Argentina for the past two hours and he still couldn't decide which one he'd rather sing. A part of him was also tempted to go back to My Heart Will Go On, but he decided that that would be reckless because he'd barely practised that. It was starting to get stressful, and he was certainly glad for the amount of work he'd gotten through with Keats and the others yesterday. That being said he was beginning to regret giving Keats his number as he was constantly texting him. Right on cue his phone went off.

Hey, you're welcome to sit with us at the performance.-Keats

Kurt smiled, and tapped out that he would, seeing as everyone else he knew seemed to be involved in the play in some way. He turned back to the music. It wasn't immediately obvious which one was safer, either. A strange part of him was tempted to just slap on his leotard and dance Single Ladies, but that would be too outrageous. He sighed again, and eyed the room. Juri had whirled through it like some sort of hurricane this morning, searching for his part, and then dropping it so he lost the last page. He'd also tried to get changed into his concert dress, but Kurt refused to let him go to breakfast in his tux, he could just see him spilling something onto his shirt which could only result in disaster.

Have you had lunch?-Keats

Kurt smiled again, liking the feeling he got that someone out there cared about him. Kurt glanced at his watch, and realised that he was about to miss the last sitting for lunch if he didn't hurry. He wasn't sure that he wanted any. The door to his room opened, and Parker stuck his head around.

"I have instructions to get you to come to lunch, now." Kurt smiled at the boy who seemed unwilling to come into the room.

"Okay, just let me put my stuff away." Parker remained in the doorway, and Kurt shot him a confused look. "You can come in, you know."

"No thank you," said Parker. "I'd rather not do myself any bodily harm." Kurt snorted, and carefully slotted the sheet music onto one of the shelves.

"Fair enough." Kurt pulled a scarf from his collection, knowing that it was chilly outside and the last thing he wanted was an infection, and wound it round his neck.

"You sound really good." complimented Parker as they made their way through the common room that was mostly deserted. Kurt smiled at him.

"Thank you." they walked into the grounds, and Trinity ran past, half dressed in their costume and yelling something about hats. Kurt laughed as they tumbled, rolled, and kept running as one. "How do they do that?" Parker shrugged.

"No idea, they tell us that there's a psychic connection between them, we just reckon they must have known each other their whole lives."

"Do you ever get use to it?" Parker nodded.

"Yeah, you stop thinking about them as three people and they just become Trinity."

"Who came up with that?"

"Mr Sutherland, he likes them a lot, he thinks they're fascinating." Kurt laughed.

"I guess that's one way of putting it." he let out a loud sigh, watching his breath form in the air. Parker looked at him.

"Are you okay?" Kurt shrugged.

"I just- which song did you think was better?" Parker looked mildly alarmed. He shrugged.

"I don't know…they were both good." Kurt sighed, again.

"I have to pick one, though." Parker tilted his head in thought.

"Why don't you do one for your audition, and the other for your Warbler audition?" Kurt stared at him, blinking incredulously. Why hadn't he thought about that?

"Parker, you are brilliant!" the deaf boy smiled at him.

"Thank you." they made their way into the building, and Kurt pulled off the scarf, and glanced at the boy next to him who seemed to prefer listening to Kurt talk about music than say anything much.

"So, what do you like doing?" Parker shrugged.

"I like…I like sitting on top of tall buildings and taking pictures of things." Kurt looked at him with a mildly raised eyebrows.

"Just on top of tall buildings?" Parker shrugged.

"It's my favourite place, you can see everything from up there." they fell back into silence after that, and Kurt realised that, unlike the other friends he'd made at Dalton, Parker did not feel the need to make constant conversation.

"Kurt!" Kurt looked and saw that Keats was sitting at a table with his other friends. "You need to eat!" he scolded as Kurt sat down and had a pasta salad shoved in front of him by Andy. Kurt gave him a warm smile.

"I know, I just lost track of time because I was singing." Keats rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to be as skinny as you." for some inexplicable reason Kurt found a faint blush working it's way onto his cheeks when Keats said that.

Kurt wasn't insecure about his body, far from it, but nobody had ever openly complimented him like that. In fact, nobody had really ever treated him like Keats did. Keats seemed to treat with a certain amount of…it wasn't respect, as such, but it made Kurt feel special. The other Dalton boys were nice, and he felt an incredible amount of fondness for Juri already, but they had a habit of seemingly forgetting that he was there, or that he didn't understand what was going on. Keats, however, paid him attention in a good way, and there was something calming in his grey eyes.

They ate lunch in a half silence. The other boys making conversation only to comment on their feelings towards the upcoming play; they were excited, and to make observations about the other people in the lunch hall. They seemed to be most interested in two teachers that Kurt didn't know, who were whispering together at the end of the teacher's table, and the boys kept laughing every time they looked around.

"Who are they?" asked Kurt, glancing over at them in confusion. Keats suppressed a smile as he turned to Kurt.

"That's Coach Cunningham, and Mrs Richardson, they're having an affair together." Kurt choked on his piece of pasta.

"How do you know?" all the boys snorted and rolled their eyes.

"Everyone knows that." explained Stuart, half laughing. "They think they're being discreet, but the whole student body knows."

"Yeah, they're lucky that Mrs Daniels and Mr Hammonds are, basically, the only ones that don't know." Kurt frowned at Andy.

"Why?"

"Because he'd fire them." said Vince, casually, biting into an apple. Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Oh yes." said Keats. "They're setting a "bad example", but none of the other teachers will tell on them." Kurt raised his eyebrows further.

"Why not?" the other boys shrugged.

"Code of conduct." guessed Parker. "You don't just grass up your fellow co-worker, just like we don't tell on each other if we break the rules." there were nods from the other boys at the table.

"That's an important lesson to remember." said Keats. "No matter what, we don't tell on each other. You only get punished if you get caught, that's the rule." Kurt nodded, and the other boys smiled at him in an encouraging manner.

It seems the more I learn about Dalton, the more intriguing it becomes. The all-for-one-and-one-for-all attitude is refreshing, yes, but it seems a bit, well, dated. I'm not sure that I really get why they found the two teachers having an affair funny, I guess that'll probably something that will grow on me with time, but, from what I've seen of Mr Schuster and Miss Pillsbury, they're not likely to end up happy. Then again, they might not have psychotic wives who fake pregnancy and agree to adopt the child of two of his students. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that that kind of thing only happens at McKinley, or at least I hope it does…

"Oh hell." muttered Blaine. He was peeking out of the curtain at the hall that was rapidly filling with Dalton boys and Crawford girls.

"What?" asked Nick who was busy stretching, and humming.

"Look at Kurt." Nick ran over to the curtain and peered out, looking for the new student.

"Oh fuck!" he exclaimed, and Flint, Jeff, David and Thad all turned around in surprise.

"Guys, what are you doing?" demanded Flint, hands on his hips.

"Come look at this." they all stuck their heads round the curtains.

"What are we looking at?" whispered David.

"Look at Kurt." Blaine pointed towards the almost-Dalton boy, and four mouths dropped open.

"What the hell?" exclaimed Jeff. "Since when was he friends with Keats?"

"No flipping idea." muttered Blaine. "But look at them, I mean, have you guys seen him laugh like that before?" there was a pause as they all stared at Kurt who was giggling, hand over his mouth, and leaning back in his chair, head tipping towards the ceiling.

"No." said David in a rather harsh voice. "No, I have not."

"Do you six have a death wish?" Blaine jumped at the sound of Sebastian's voice. He retracted his head, the others doing the same, and attempted to look as if he hadn't just been caught with his head out of the curtain.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, in a falsely calm voice. Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"You're spying on the audience. You do know how Luc reacts to people doing that, right?" Blaine swallowed and nodded.

"Yeah, but-" he broke off, swallowing again. Sebastian looked at him intently.

"Are you okay?"

"Keats is chatting up Kurt." Sebastian's eyebrows skyrocketed as Blaine clamped a hand over his mouth, having blurted out the truth by accident.

"What?" he yelped, almost wrenching the curtains apart in his eagerness to see if what Blaine was saying was true. He jumped backwards, the curtains swaying alarmingly, a dark look on his face. "Okay, this ends-" he made to march off, but Trinity leapt out of nowhere.

"No."

"Don't."

"Stop." Sebastian looked down at them, glaring at the three boys who didn't seem at all intimidated by him.

"Move." he said, calmly, to the three small boys. They shook their heads.

"Don't start a fight."

"You guys have been doing good."

"Luc will murder you all." there was a tense pause.

"Maybe he'll be okay." all eyes fell onto Wes, who was standing there with his arms around himself, looking self-conscious in his bishop costume. He sighed, and stepped closer to them. "Keats only got mad when he gets rejected…did Kurt look unhappy to any of you?" they shook their heads slowly. "Then he'll be fine." there was a tense moment. Blaine kicked at a bit of paper on the floor.

"Alright…where's Drew when you need him." muttered Blaine as they moved away.

"In the medical wing." said Chris, standing by some of the props with Fred. The others raised their eyebrows.

"Was it bad?" there was a pause as Chris and Fred exchanged thoughtful looks.

"Well, it wasn't Drew bad, just normal bad." there were eye rolls from the boys.

"Why do you need him, anyway?" Blaine sighed and ran a hand through his untamed curls.

"Kurt's sitting with Keats." there was a pause in which they waited for gasps of shock that never came. Blaine raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem surprised." he commented. Chris shrugged.

"They were eating lunch together yesterday, I thought it was odd, but I was in a hurry…" he shrugged. Blaine glared at Chris.

"You let them eat lunch together?" Chris shrugged.

"He was already with them, what was I meant to say?"

"Chris' right." said Fred, shrugging some more. "What did you want us to say?" Blaine sighed, running a hand through his messy curls once more.

"Right, of course, you're right." there was a tense pause in which Blaine took several deep breaths to steady himself. "Right, okay, I'm good. You're all right…I'm good now." there were raised eyebrows.

"Sure?" asked David, and Blaine noticed that his friends were all still staring at him with concerned expressions. Blaine nodded.

"Yeah, I just…you know what, forget it." he took a deep breath, and Sebastian rubbed his hands together. Wes frowned up into his friend's face.

"You alright there, man? You look kind of ill." Sebastian gave him a weak smile.

"Couldn't sleep last night. I've never been so nervous in my-"

"Boys, if you're not in your places in precisely three seconds I'll kill you all on Tuesday." the boys jumped, and Chris and Fred dashed off the stage. Blaine looked up at Sebastian.

"You'll be bril-" he stepped forward, but was prevented from hugging him by Luc.

"Do not hug him in his costume." Blaine held up his hands, and Luc gave them all a look that sent Trinity scampering away. Thad ducked his head and moved off. Blaine swallowed under the look Luc was giving him. "I don't want to know what's going through your mind, Blaine, but please just sing the right notes, and fume later." Blaine smiled at that, and he gladly walked away from Sebastian with his other friends.

Blaine and the others hurried to the side where they would act as extra voices for the chorus. There were nervous looks on Flint and Nick's faces. Thad looked as though he may be sick, and Blaine had heard enough of his mutterings at night about stuttering to know it was his utmost fear to stutter over his small solos. However, Blaine had never heard him stutter whilst he sung so he was confident the fear was unfounded. Just like Flint's fear of forgetting the lyrics.

"Good luck guys." muttered Chris who had appeared unexpectedly by their side with the silver for Sebastian to steal. Blaine swallowed heavily. This play seemed to be a lot bigger than the other one he'd done, and he guessed it was because in that he'd simply played Macduff's son, and been murdered very quickly.

I'm really excited to be honest. The whole of Dalton and Crawford together, doesn't quite fill the hall, probably because there's so many involved in the play, but it's certainly enough to be intimidating. There's one thing I don't get, though, if Blaine is one of the lead singers why is he not playing Marius or Enjorlas? I would have thought that he'd be better than Flint or Nick, unless they're all amazing, that makes me just a tad worried about getting into Warblers. If they're all so good…either way, I guess I should just sit back and enjoy the play…

Kurt didn't have to wait long to be completely hooked by the play. He had fully prepared himself to hate Sebastian with a passion, but found that he could not. He'd barely finished the prologue before Kurt was forced to admit that he was an outstanding singer, and that he fully deserved to be Jean Valjean. Wes was good as the Bishop, but he didn't have the stage presence that Sebastian possessed. In fact, Kurt got the distinct impression that Wes didn't really want to be on the stage. The blonde boy, who he remembered was called Liam, playing Javert was good, too, but he kept glancing at Sebastian for, what looked like, support and Kurt guessed that it was meant to be subtle, but it just looked odd and completely out of character.

Sebastian's renditions of What Have I Done? and Who Am I?-The Trial, were enough to convince Kurt that there was an incredibly slim chance that he would ever be a soloist for the Warblers. Kurt knew that he was good, but Sebastian sounded like a recording. Kurt was suddenly insanely glad that he didn't have to sing against Sebastian. He also noticed that Keats was completely blown away by his voice, if his wide eyes and slack jaw was anything to go by. Andy, Vince and Stuart looked mildly bored by the whole affair - he already knew that musicals weren't their thing - and he noticed that Parker had switched off his hearing aide. He was still watching the stage, though, and Kurt wondered whether that was just an attempt to be polite.

He had been impressed with whoever was playing Fantine. She'd convinced Kurt completely, and made him almost shed a tear when she was dying, but he was unimpressed by their Cosette and Gavroche. Neither of them looked at all like children, and Sebastian seemed to strain slightly when he carried her off stage. However, they did have an okay voices, even if he had to strain to hear all the lyrics to Castle on a Cloud, and the boy playing Gavroche had a tendency to shout. His words were rushed, too, but Kurt guessed that that was probably more to do with opening performance nerves than anything else.

He sat upright when Flint and Nick came on in Look Down. They didn't have that much to sing in that song, but it gave Kurt a lot to be excited and nervous about. On the one hand, he was sure that they were going to be brilliant, but it worried him that - if they were that good and only singing back up - what would Blaine be like? It put him on the edge of his seat, and when Liam gave his performance of Stars, Kurt began to feel seriously worried about his chances of getting into the Warblers. They were singing like a musical cast, like his recording of the musical.

By the time they'd reached the interval Kurt actually felt like he might be sick. Any amusement he felt at the sight of Blaine with a mass of curly hair, vanished when he began to sing. Playing a drunk or not, Kurt could tell that he was at least as good as Flint, and could probably easily play Marius. He'd heard them all sing, now, as Jeff, David and Thad were playing Combeferre, Courfeyac, and Feuilly respectively, and Kurt wasn't sure he could say that he was easily better than them. They all had a confidence in their voices, and Blaine was right when he said that Thad didn't stutter and sing. Their finale had Kurt on his feet, and he was equally impressed with the Cosette and Eponine, and he gave them a standing ovation. Vince had somehow managed to fall asleep, though Kurt couldn't understand how he'd managed that, and Parker flicked his aide back on. Stuart and Andy were stretching, and Keats had his lips pursed.

"What did you think?" he asked as they got to their feet and stretched.

"I'm screwed." he said, honestly. "I didn't realise that they were all so good." Keats rolled his eyes as Kurt sank back into his seat. "I mean, how is Flint not singing solo? Seriously, how?" Keats shrugged.

"The Warblers used to share the solos more until Blaine came." Kurt raised an eyebrow as Keats retook his seat, and leaned on his elbow to face Kurt full on. "Then Sebastian refused to sing with anyone who wasn't him…" he shook his head. "It also helped that Curtis was more than happy to step aside." he shook his head. Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"You mean that Blaine only got solos because someone else stepped aside?" Keats made an indecisive motion with his head.

"Well, yeah, kind of…it's complicated." there was a long pause in which Kurt raised his eyebrows higher, and Keats shrugged. "I don't really know, I'm not that involved in the Warblers." Kurt sighed, slightly, getting the feeling that Keats wasn't being truly honest with him, but letting it go because Keats was always kind. He licked his lips, slightly, and sought for another topic of conversation.

"So, um, who was playing Thénardier?" Keats blinked, and half-glanced at the stage.

"Oh, um, Travis."

"Is he a Warbler?" Keats shook his head.

"No, he's in the other choir."

"And he's a Senior, right?" Keats nodded again.

"Indeed…Travis is…he's a good singer, but I've never seen him do something like this." a smile quirked at Keats' lips, and Kurt just let them fall back into silence.

The rest of the play was drop dead amazing! I'm seriously disappointed that I didn't get a chance to be in it, and, of course, completely freaked out by my upcoming auditions. I'm not ashamed to say that Sebastian's 'Bring Him Home' brought a tear to my eye. I could see, though, that he looked completely relieved at the end, guess he's not so unflappable after all. I just remembered that Wes, David and Jeff were dating the women playing Fantine, Cosette and Eponine. I wonder what their names are, they're certainly amazing. They must be the three of five girls that Blaine actually likes from Crawford. Oh god, my audition with Blaine is in practically no time! I've also been informed by Juri to not expect to see him, which means I'm not going to see Blaine, either. That's a shame, but at least that means he's not going to have any time to prepare for the audition…unless he sings whatever they did at Sectionals, then I'm probably screwed.

Blaine hadn't noticed that David was pacing until he fell over onto his face. Blaine turned round to look at the boy who was lying on the floor with a raised eyebrow. The other Juniors had also turned to stare at him. Trinity were edging forward, cautiously poking him with their toes.

"Um, David?" began Flint, caution evident in his tone. "What the hell are you doing mate?" David let out a long overdue groan. He rolled onto his back as a couple of Crawford girls came running by. Blaine groaned and dived behind Thad, who looked positively alarmed at being used as a shield, and one of them - who played Cosette - stopped. She stood, one foot either side of David's head, hands on hips, and glared down at him.

"Hey Elise." he said, weakly.

"David Thompson, get off the floor before you destroy your costume." David looked down at himself.

"I'm a revolutionary that dies, I don't think there's much to destroy." Elise snorted, and began to jab him with her toe.

"Up, now." she commanded, and then stood aside as he began to get up. Ignoring her boyfriend, who was currently making pouty faces as he got to his feet, she walked over and kissed Flint on the cheek.

"You were amazing." said Flint as he hugged her, and she smiled at him.

"As were you." the others observed the scene.

"Man are you lucky Flint's gay." said Jeff in a not-so-subtle whisper. David glared at his roommate. Elise let go of her Marius, and swooped over to Nick, kissing him on the cheek too, and complimenting him. "Now you're in danger." David stomped on Jeff's foot, glaring at Nick as he smiled, flirtatiously, at his girlfriend. Blaine rolled his eyes, and decided that it was safe to come out from behind Thad.

"Why were you pacing anyway?" he asked with a frown. David blinked, tearing his narrowed eyes from Elise and Nick.

"What?"

"You were pacing, why?" David sighed, folding his arms across his chest.

"Adam's coming tonight." he said, simply, sitting down on a random stool that was just placed backstage. All the other boys raised their eyebrows.

"Why is that bad?" asked Flint, brow furrowing. "You have a creepily good relationship with your step-fathers."

"Yeah, I don't get along half as well with Tristan." David raised one eyebrow at Nick, and the boy shrugged. "What? It's true... oh, okay, but it's not just because I told him he looked like a walrus…" there were eye rolls from the other boys, and Elise walked over to David, moving to stand behind him and rubbing his shoulders.

"Why are you so worried about Adam coming? You were overjoyed when you told me that Todd said they were coming."

"Yeah, and I'm really glad he's here…I just didn't want him here first." there were raised eyebrows and confused looks, and he sighed. "Him and mum… the divorce isn't that old, you know it happened in the summer, but she's not even dating anyone…" he sighed and ran a hand over his face. "It just makes things with Adam weird. You know, they way she didn't cheat on him…" there was an awkward pause before Trinity burst into hysterics and ran off. The group blinked as one.

"Well…that was unexpected." there were snorts at that.

"For you, El, maybe…for us…" Flint shook his head in a long suffering manner, and Elise began to laugh.

"Where's Cat?" asked Jeff, suddenly. Elise shrugged.

"I think she wanted to talk to Jen, it looked serious." Jeff gnawed at his lip and Elise rolled her eyes. "She's not breaking up with you."

"I wasn't thinking that!" exclaimed Jeff, the sudden colour in his face contradicting him. The others all began to laugh at his expense, and Jeff crossed his arms across his chest looking like a petulant five year old. "I hate you all." he proclaimed and then stalked away, nose firmly held up in the air. They watched him go, and then doubled up again. David was leaning against Elise, her arms looped around his neck, and not looking half as stressed as he had been a couple of minutes ago.

Luc appeared on the scene, his brows dipping at the sight of pure hilarity before him. His eyes darted between the five boys and one girl with a suspicious glint in them. It was clear, by the expression on his face, that he was struggling to comprehend how such light hearted behaviour could be happening before their first show, or how they could not have noticed him.

"Alright people." he clapped his hands together, and they all jumped, trying, and failing spectacularly, to pretend that they hadn't just been laughing for the past ten minutes. "Where's Jeff?" he demanded, looking around the group and noting that the blonde Combeferre was missing. They all shrugged as one.

"He stormed off." explained Nick. Luc raised an eyebrow at the casual way he said that.

"It wasn't a serious this-is-the-end-of-our-friendship kind of storming off, he just got sick of our teasing." Luc rolled his eyes, hands finding his trouser pockets.

"Oh, I wonder why." he muttered. "Now, get to your places. Also, has anyone seen Tyler?" they all shook their heads as one. Luc tutted. "He better not be late because I was not impressed with his performance."

"What was wrong with it?" Luc raised his eyebrows, slightly coldly, at David.

"You know perfectly well that he seemed to favour shouting over singing, and he was too rushed." there were eye rolls.

"He was just nervous." assured Blaine, and Luc shrugged.

"Either way, get to your places…we have a show to perform."

Okay, I'm freaked out. I have no idea where the weekend went. I spent Sunday practising, and got dragged out for meals by Keats and his friends. I barely saw the others as they were either performing, rehearsing or sleeping. Juri kept almost crashing out in his tux, and the amount of wrinkles on it nearly caused me to have a heart attack…I dread to think what Luc would have done if he'd seen it. I managed to get him ironing it, though, and Chris looked like he might faint when he saw that scene. Either way it's Tuesday, and my audition is at lunch. I feel like screaming I'm so nervous. Burt and Carole are coming down to watch. I just hope I can do this well. If I don't screw up, I come to Dalton, if I do…I don't really want to think about that.

Kurt adjusted his bag strap and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. After the success of the show, Kurt couldn't walk down a corridor without one of the people he was with getting a high five. Most people were also offering them to him, and giving him a pat on the back for good luck. Kurt found it a bit unnerving, and, because of his nerves, he found that it just gave him a strong desire to throw up. He knew that, had this been any other day, he would have been revelling in the attention that was being showered up on him, but not today. Today, he just couldn't look at anyone.

"Chin up, Kurt." said Nick in a cheerful voice, gladly receiving a high five from a Freshman who looked over excited. Kurt sighed and raised his head slightly.

"You should try smiling, Kurt, you look like you're going to your last lesson. You're not doomed." Kurt sighed as he looked at Jeff who stood by his other side.

"I might be…" he said in low voice. "I just- if I screw this up…" he sighed again. "I can't go back to McKinley." Flint gripped his shoulder tightly.

"We know." he assured him. "We know that you can't go back, don't worry." he sighed. "We can't guarantee anything, obviously, but we're all rooting for you. Blaine's rooting for you, you know, he's just struggling with his conscience, or whatever." Kurt gave him a weak smile.

"I just- I really feel like I might be sick." there was a pause before Nick handed Jeff his bag, and Flint took Kurt's.

"Come on," he said, hook his arm under Kurt's. "let's get you something to drink." Kurt was unable to protest as Nick all but carried him to the lunch hall.

"Nick." said one of the ladies who was working there, setting up lunch. "Shouldn't you be in lessons?" Nick gave her a charming smile.

"Yes, yes I should be, Stacey, but Kurt here needs something to drink, and eat." Kurt shook his head, vigorously, absolutely sure that he couldn't stomach any food.

"Is he ill?"

"No, Stacey, he's just got a scholarship audition." her expression cleared and brightened.

"Oh you're Kurt Hummel, we've heard a lot about you. I'll go rustle something up right away."

"No, I- Nick, it's okay." Nick gave him a smile, depositing Kurt into a seat and dropping down opposite him.

"Kurt, this fine, I promise. I do this all the time. You know, in Freshman year, when Blaine came he use to have panic attacks over nothing, and I brought him here, every time. Got him some water, and some biscuits and he was fine. I do this for everyone." Kurt nodded, swallowing heavily.

"Thank you." Nick smiled, again.

"Trust me, between Blaine, Thad and Flint, I've spend a lot of time here. That's why I'm on first name terms with Stacey." At that precise moment Stacey came back with a plate loaded with biscuits and a two cups, one with water and one with squash.

"Hands off Nick, this is for Kurt. Eat up Kurt, you look awfully pale and skinny." Kurt gave her a weak smile, and gingerly picked up a biscuit.

At least they're trying to take care of me, even though eating these biscuits is more like torture than anything else. I guess I should be grateful, though, because, after all, I did get pretty upset when I thought that they thought that I was second rate.

"How was counselling?" asked Nick as he escorted Kurt to the hall. Kurt, who had only managed to stomach a third of the biscuits, but had drunk both drinks, gave him a shrug.

"Not that helpful. I couldn't say anything." Nick nodded.

"Yeah, I thought you might say that." Kurt looked at him, eyebrows raised. "They referred Blaine there, and Thad for a little bit too, and they both said that she was rubbish." Kurt nodded.

"Right, well, I don't have plans on going back." Nick snorted, and Kurt felt his heart leap as he stepped into the hall. It suddenly twice as big. Nick gave him a smile as the door on the other side opened and Hammonds, Luc and Burt and Carole walked in. Kurt took a deep breath, he totally wasn't going to faint.

I am so nervous. I just have to keep calm. Deep breaths, hug dad, and smile. It's weird how nervous Hammonds looks, and the Warblers, too, don't look like they're particularly comfortable. Where's Blaine? He's not with the others. Oh god, he better not be late, I'm not sure my heart can take much more…

Blaine Anderson was hurrying towards the main hall. Why Luc wanted to hold the audition there, he didn't know. Either he wanted to intimidate Kurt - though, he couldn't see the point of that - or he was trying to impress Burt and Carole - again, he couldn't see the point. He paused, for a second, to readjust his grip on the books in his hands. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Keats come to a stop, and then - to his complete surprise - he saw Sebastian chasing after him.

"Hey! Keaton! Wait up." Sebastian came dashing after the Junior, aware that he was running late for Blaine and Kurt's auditions. The boy came to a stop, his eyes blazing slightly.

"What?" he demanded, paper almost streaming from his arms as he whirled around.

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm not interested in what you have to say, Sebastian!" Sebastian sighed, stepping forward.

"Look, just hear me out." Keats sneered at the head boy.

"No. I don't have to, I don't want to!" Sebastian closed his eyes, briefly, and took a huge breath.

"Look, Bright Star-"

Blaine stormed away, throwing open the outside doors dramatically, causing Sebastian to jump as they slammed against the wall. Anger burnt through his body, and he marched across the lawn, fuming openly. How could he? He was- they weren't- how could he call him that? However, he'd left so hurriedly that he didn't hear Keats' hiss in response.

"Don't ever call me that, again!"

Blaine threw open the doors, making them bang, and everyone in the hall looked at him, and then did a double take. Eyebrows rose when they took in his seething expression, and tense posture. He marched straight up to Luc, who looked incredibly taken aback. Sebastian came dashing in, looking troubled, and most eyes darted between them, as Sebastian sank into a seat and put his chin in his left hand, right hand tapping angrily against his leg.

"I want to change my song." said Blaine from where he'd stopped before Luc. Luc raised an eyebrow at Blaine, a smirk fighting to stop itself from spreading across his face.

"Excellent! What do you want to change it to?" Blaine leant forward, and muttered something in his ear. Luc got a devilish grin on his face, his eyes moving form Blaine to Sebastian in a knowing manner. Then he clapped his hands together, springing to his feet. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."

I don't know what happened, but Blaine looks really angry. Mercedes said he exploded on her, but I hadn't really believed that. He looks kind of scary. That also makes me worried about his performance. On the one hand it could make him careless, but seeing as he just asked to change his song, he's picked something that he can sing with passion, and that worries me. Okay, Kurt, this is your moment to shine, you've got this.

Kurt swallowed and got up from his seat. Burt clapped him on the back, and Carole squeezed his hand as he edged past them, songbook clutched in his left hand, and ran down and then up onto the stage. He swallowed again, taking a deep breath as he stood opposite Blaine, who still looked angry.

"Kurt, heads or tails?" Kurt tore his eyes from the fuming boy across from him, and looked at Luc.

"Um…tails." Luc tossed the coin, and Kurt felt his heart plummet when he saw the head that was resting on the back of Luc's hand.

"Blaine, where do you want to go?" Blaine continued to glare at the floor, before snapping out of it.

"Pardon?" Luc rolled his eyes.

"First or second?" Kurt watched as Blaine blinked several times, and mildly furrowed his brow in thought.

"First." Kurt took a deep breath, and Luc indicated that he should go and sit in the front row. Blaine stood on stage, rooting through his back until he found the right set of music. "I'll play for myself, thanks." he added to Luc who was still on the stage. Luc nodded once, moving to sit by Hammonds. Blaine rolled his shoulders, and moved to the piano stool. Kurt could feel something in his stomach clench as he watched him prepare to play.

The introduction was enough to cause everyone to start, most eyes darting towards Sebastian, who had sat bolt upright.

Head under water

And they tell me to breathe easy for a while

The breathing gets harder, even I know that

Made room for me but it's too soon to see

If I'm happy in your hands

Kurt didn't know how he was meant to feel. On the plus side, it looked like things weren't good between him and Sebastian, but Blaine was singing this with every part of him. He was making it his own song as his fingers danced across the keys, and he closed his eyes. This was bad.

I'm unusually hard to hold on to

Blank stares at blank pages

No easy way to say this

You mean well, but you make this hard on me

I'm not gonna write you a love song

'Cause you asked for it

'Cause you need one, you see

Sebastian was sitting upright, his eyes wide, and mouth gaping. Luc was smirking outright, and all Kurt's other friends were clearly trying not to start giggling at whatever they found funny. Kurt sure as hell didn't think that there was anything to be laughing at in this situation.

I'm not gonna write you a love song'

Cause you tell me it's

Make or break in this

If you're on your way

I'm not gonna write you to stay

If all you have is leaving I'm gonna need a better

Reason to write you a love song today

And Blaine hadn't even tried to be subtle because, whilst he sung the chorus, he opened his eyes and glared right at Sebastian, who had slowly, slowly, sunk further down into his seat, hand out to stop Wes' whispered questions. All the anger that had been bottled up in his tense posture seemed to be poured out into song, fingers banging at the chords without instruction from the music, and all through the second verse and chorus the Warblers began to clap along, smirking to themselves, and Blaine almost looked like he was beginning to enjoy the performance he was giving.

Promise me that you'll leave the light on

To help me see with daylight, my guide, gone

'Cause I believe there's a way you can love me

Because I say

There was something almost desperate, Kurt thought, about the way Blaine sung those lines, and it hurt Kurt to hear it because Blaine's voice was rich, and smooth, and it had moulded the song so perfectly into it's own shape, and Kurt wanted that. He didn't know why, but the way he was singing just made him fall for him, more and more.

If your heart is nowhere in it

I don't want it for a minute

Babe, I'll walk the seven seas when I believe that

There's a reason to

Write you a love song today

He sang the ending at the top of his voice, head tilted back, but still with a blazing look in his eyes, like he wanted to give Sebastian an ultimatum. Sebastian had his head hidden behind his hands, and Blaine breathed deeply, several times when he'd finished. The Warblers stared at him for a second, letting him calm down, before getting to their feet as one. Blaine looked away, the fire dying from inside his eyes, and gave the group of boys a sheepish grin, red faced. Luc got to his feet, clapping and giving him the thumbs up.

Kurt clapped because he didn't know what else to do. Fear and nerves were coursing through him. He could hear his heart pounding over the enthusiastic praise of the Warblers. Luc turned to him, and raised an eyebrow. Kurt took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second, before walking onto the stage.

"Accompaniment?" he asked, and Kurt nodded handing him the book. Luc flipped to the marked page and raised his eyebrows. "You sure?" he asked, and Kurt nodded, once.

"Yes, yes I am." Luc gave him a look that said if-you-say-so, and moved to sit down at the piano. He then looked over at Kurt, one eyebrow raised.

"Ready Kurt?" Kurt nodded, looking over at his father who nodded, and Carole smiled, clearly feeling nervous for him. He took another deep breath, and looked over Luc.

"Yes, yes I am." Luc gave him a genuine smile and began to play. Just like with Blaine's song people shot upright as they recognised the introduction. There were raised eyebrows, and Kurt just smiled.

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules

Of someone else's game

He knew he was meant to be quiet at the beginning, but he reckoned he was too quiet. He could feel the nerves constricting his chest, making it hard for him to breathe deeply. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he prepared for the second verse, he just had to trust in himself, and leap.

Too late for second-guessing T

oo late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

Most of the Dalton boys were looking on in interest. They had their mouths slightly open, and Sebastian was sitting up again, a curious expression on his face, as Kurt's voice grew in confidence and volume.

It's time to try defying gravity

I think I'll try defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye I am defying gravity

And you wont bring me down!

Kurt felt an almost smile work it's way onto his face as he saw the mouth's of the Dalton boys drop open as he sang the chorus. They clearly hadn't been expecting what he was singing. Burt and Carole were holding hands and exchanging proud smiles.

I'm through accepting limits

'Cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know!

And now he was into the song, and he could feel this because he wasn't accepting that he couldn't come. They'd pushed for this, and he didn't know if things could get better with all the prejudice, and the hate, but if they didn't try, then nothing would ever get better.

Blaine shared a stunned look with David who sat next to him, both amazed by his vocal range. Flint's mouth was hanging open, and Nick kept pinching himself. Jeff's eyes looked ready to pop out of his head in shock, and Sebastian looked, albeit rather grudgingly, incredibly impressed. Luc, who Kurt couldn't see, had his eyebrows raised towards his hairline, and a smile on his face. Only Thad looked completely unruffled by what he was singing, if he anything he just looked fascinated.

I'd sooner buy defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity

I think I'll try defying gravity

And you won't bring me down!

Bring me down!

Ohh ohhh ohhhh!

The Dalton boys were on their feet as Kurt held his last note, already clapping. He broke off, feeling giddy due to the adrenaline, and he didn't think he could stop smiling. He'd almost thought that, right at the end, he was going to choke, but he hadn't. He took several deep gulps of air to steady himself, Luc came over, handing him the songbook and clapping him on the shoulder.

"Very impressive." he said, in a low voice, and Kurt let out a half laugh, not really able to think straight. Burt gave him the thumbs up, his expression speaking volumes about how proud he was of Kurt, and Carole was crying. Luc wandered over to Hammonds, as the other Warblers came to shake his hand.

"That was impressive." said Wes, shaking his hand. "Very impressive." the others were clapping him on the back, and Nick threw his arms around him.

"You never said you could sing like that!" he exclaimed. Kurt laughed, stumbling slightly due to Nick's added weight, and Blaine caught his elbow with a smile on his face that caused Kurt's already overworked heart to flip.

"It's true, that was unfair." he continued to smile, almost knowingly, at Kurt when Hammonds cleared his throat.

"We've made our decision." hands tightened on Kurt's shoulders, and there was a shared feeling of nerves. "Kurt, welcome to Dalton." Kurt felt his mouth fall open. The other Dalton boys were cheering and giving him congratulatory hugs. Kurt broke away though, and ran over to his father, throwing his arms around him. Burt hugged his son too, and it was only as he looked into his father's proud eyes that it really sunk in.

I'm going to Dalton! I'm actually here! This is it! I'm safe! I just- I can't believe it! And they all…they're all so happy for me. I just can't believe it! Just a week ago I was scared for my life, but now I feel on top of the world, like there's nothing I couldn't do, except…

Kurt caught sight of Blaine leaving the hall, with Sebastian following after him. The other Dalton boys were gesturing that Kurt should follow, talking about a party. Burt gave him a clap on the back.

"Go on." Kurt smiled and ran after the other boys, just in time to dash into the corridor and see Sebastian trying to talk to Blaine.

"Look, Blaine-"

"I'm not interested, Sebastian." there was a heavy sigh, and then a hand caught his elbow, pulling him round.

"Look, you have to listen to me!"

"No, I don't have to, and I don't want to!" Sebastian stiffened, recognising that the words were those that Keats had used.

"Blaine, please!" his grip tightened, and Blaine struggled.

"Sebastian, let go!"

"No, you have to listen to me!"

"Bastian, you're hurting me!" Sebastian let go of Blaine, leaping back, looking as if he'd been burnt. A crowd was gathering, and Kurt stood on tiptoe, as the others edged forward a little bit.

"I-I…Blaine." Blaine was backing away, moving towards Nick and the others.

"I'm sorry, Bastian." there were tears in his eyes, and Kurt wondered what the hell was going on.

"You don't have to write me to stay." he said, suddenly. Blaine froze, spinning around.

"What?" Sebastian swallowed, looking uncomfortable for the first time ever. Kurt blinked, watching the scene with heavy hearted interest.

"You don't have to write me to stay- I'm not leaving." Blaine's mouth hung open.

"But-but…I…you…Keats." Sebastian rolled his eyes.

"I was just trying to appeal to him."

"But you promised. You promised me that you'd never call him that again!" Sebastian swallowed, shifting awkwardly again.

"Look, I just- we're both worried, right?" Blaine nodded, slowly. "There's…it was the only way I could think of…he told me to never call him that again." Blaine swallowed.

"Oh." Sebastian shifted, glancing at the floor and pursing his lips.

"Yeah…look, Blaine." he said, edging towards Blaine. "I'm not perfect…and I can't- I don't…Blaine, I'm trying. I just-" he burst into laughter. "-you know you've made me consider an actual monogamous relationship, Blaine!" Blaine was going red, looking at the other people in the hall who were watching with interested expressions. "I just- Blaine I'm trying, for you." Blaine swallowed. "You know, I've never…this is the first time I've ever tried to change. Blaine, you know- when I met him it was just; "oh, hi, nice to meet you", but when I met you…I wanted to get to know you." Blaine blinked at him.

"I just- Bastian, I-" Sebastian shook his head, continuing to talk.

"You know, had I been given anyone else to orientate I would have just dumped you on those five, and had nothing more to do with it, but I just-" he shook his head, and looked awkward and embarrassed. "So, there, I just- I'm sorry. You know, if you can forgive-"

"I forgave you the moment you said that I didn't have to write you to stay." Sebastian went slightly bug eyed.

"You mean that I just bared my heart for nothing." Blaine, a sneaky grin appearing on his face, nodded. Sebastian growled. "Anderson!" Blaine just grinned, and then rolled his eyes.

"What the heck," he muttered to himself. "Sebastian Smythe, will you go out with me?" Kurt's jaw dropped.

I- oh my god! I just…he didn't…he just asked Sebastian out! I just- I just got into Dalton. Wow, way to ruin my day. Worse of all, dad is standing by my shoulder. Thank god he's only just going out of the hall.

"Um, what?" exclaimed Sebastian, and Blaine's face fell. The crowd winced as one.

"Err, Sebastian, that was the point in which you squeal like a five year old, and jump into his arms." everyone burst out laughing at the idea of Sebastian jumping into Blaine's arms. Sebastian blinked.

"Right, sorry, I just- I wasn't expecting you to ask me out!" Blaine shifted from foot to foot.

"Well, answer?" Sebastian blinked and swallowed.

"Do you really need to ask that? After everything I just told you?" Blaine began to smirk again, and Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Fine! Yes, Blaine Anderson I will go out with you!" the boys let out a cheer, and began to clap as Blaine hid his head in his hands, and Sebastian turned to Liam. "Sorry, Saturday is cancelled." Liam rolled his eyes, but applauded, shaking his head.

Kurt did the same, trying not to appear disappointed or disheartened. He didn't want his dad to realise he had a crush on someone, especially not someone who had just gotten together with someone else in the middle of the corridor. Burt was muttering to Carole, but Kurt could tell that he was happy with kind of scene he'd just watched.

And why wouldn't he be? After all, the whole reason I'm here is because I was bullied at my previous school for being gay. Now I'm in a school where two guys are asking each other out in the corridor, and their peers are cheering. It's the kind of school I want to be in. I wonder, though, exactly what they were rowing about. Blaine mentioned Keats, and Keats did sound a little funny when he mentioned Blaine last time…I wonder what that was about, and the way Sebastian reacted when Blaine said that it hurt…I might just be dreaming it all up, though, 'cause I'm insanely jealous. Yeah, that would actually make sense. On the plus side, though, I'm safe! I'm at Dalton, but I'm not saying any famous last words; like what could possibly go wrong?

Next Time- Roadblocks: Kurt is now officially a Dalton boy, but it's just the first step down a long road to understanding his strange new school, and becoming a real student. For one there's his Warbler audition to deal with, and then there's Blaine. Now that Blaine's dating Sebastian there's more than one obstacle he has to overcome…