An Accident of Circumstance: Chapter 30
Chapter 30
A/N: The song used here is "Before the Parade Passes By" from the show Hello, Dolly.
“TWO WEEKS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Kurt shouted into the phone, his heart pounding in panic. “I haven’t been training for like, two years. How am I supposed to be Broadway ready in two weeks?”
“I’m so sorry, Kurt,” Jenni replied placating over the phone. “I called you as soon as I heard about it, the whole thing was kind of last minute. But you’re a pro, you’ll manage to pull something together.”
Kurt raked his hand through his hair. “Say I get the part. What’s the time frame for rehearsals starting? Because I can’t fully move back to the city until after Chris gets out of school...”
“Probably a month or so? That would put us what, in early May? You could always come out sooner, I know you’d hate to leave Chris for so long but I’m sure you could work out a schedule so you could fly back and see him.”
Kurt shook his head. “I have to get the part first before worrying about all that.”
“I have every confidence that you will. We’ll make this work. And Kurt?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s great to have you back.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Something was wrong.
Well, everything was wrong in Amy’s life right now. Her grandfather kept getting sicker. He didn’t even know who she was anymore. It had gotten so bad that her dad had decided to move him to a new home, one in New York. Papa had just been offered a job there and Daddy had said it would really great there, but all Amy could think about was how she’d have to say goodbye to Chris.
Speaking of whom, Chris didn’t look too happy himself. Could things get any worse?
Unfortunately, they didn’t get a chance to talk until lunchtime. Chris looked about as miserable as she felt. He practically slammed his lunch on the table, earning a reprimand from the lunch monitor. "Hey," he muttered, looking down at his food glumly.
"Hey," Amy replied back. They sat there in a somewhat awkward silence for a few minutes before simultaneously turning to each other and blurting out, "I'm moving."
They sat there for a few seconds, staring at each other comically before breaking out into laughter. "Wait, what?" Chris asked, a hint of a hopeful smile creeping onto his face.
"I'm moving," Amy repeated.
"So am I. I guess I don't have to be as sad about leaving if you're not going to be here still."
Amy nodded. "Yeah. So, where are you moving?"
Chris perked up, telling Amy that at some level Chris was excited for this change. "Back to New York, where we used to live. I don't know where exactly but my dad said they might start looking in Brooklyn."
Amy bounced excitedly in her seat. "I'm moving to New York too! I don't know where, though, and it is a big place..."
Chris beamed. "But we'll be nearby, in the same state at least. So we might be able to see each other!"
"Yeah!" Amy replied enthusiastically.
Maybe this move wasn't such a bad thing after all.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Blaine was surprised to see ten missed calls from Kurt when he checked his phone during his lunch break, but it couldn’t have been desperately important because he didn’t leave any messages. Still, he pulled up Kurt’s number and hit the call button, knowing that if Kurt had called so many times he must be going frantic over something.
“Oh thank god you called,” Kurt’s voice answered in greeting.
“Well, hello to you too,” Blaine remarked dryly, hoping to try and distract Kurt a little from whatever was bothering him so much.
“Sorry,” Kurt responded sheepishly. “It’s just...I’m going to need your help. Are you any good at private lessons?”
“Well...” Blaine started suggestively, but Kurt cut him off before he could say anything embarrassing in the teacher’s lounge.
“Get your head out of the gutter, Anderson, not like that. Like music lessons.”
Blaine frowned. “Kurt, you’re amazing, you’re professionally trained. You don’t need lessons.”
“Maybe so, but I have to be Broadway ready in two weeks after barely singing for about two years. I’m panicking, Blaine. I can’t do this-”
“Yes you can,” Blaine stopped him, trying to stay as calm as possible. “Of course I’ll help you. We won’t want to overdo it, though, you need to save your voice for the audition. But if we start tonight we can at least see where you are and focus on the little things you might need to brush up on, okay?”
“Yeah,” Kurt replied, his voice sounding small as he let the panic recede.
“I have my first instructions for you. Find your audition song today. Something with a similar range and style. But no singing. A few bars to test it out is fine, but no singing until I get there. I’m not going to have you strain your voice on my watch.”
Kurt giggled. “Yes, sir!” he replied. Blaine could practically see the mock salute. “Thank you, Blaine.” Kurt added, his voice becoming a bit more serious. “Sometimes I get a little crazy before an audition.”
Blaine couldn’t help but laugh. “I know, I’ve been there, remember right before your NYADA audition? All those gosh darn candles?”
“Good thing I have you to keep me sane.”
Blaine grinned. “I guess so.”
Kurt was quiet for a moment. “I should probably let you eat your lunch now.”
“I suppose, unless you want me to wither away to nothing...and it would be all your fault...”
“Go eat, Blaine, I think the hunger is making you delirious.”
“If you insist. Love you.”
“Love you too. Thanks again.”
“You know my fee is pretty steep-”
Kurt huffed softly. “I think we can negotiate payment. Go, Blaine.”
“Okay, okay. See you later.”
“See you later.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
“So,” Blaine started as they sat down after dinner. “Have you picked your song?”
Kurt nodded. “Yeah, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’ from Hello, Dolly.”
“I like your taste, Mr. Hummel-Anderson,” Blaine replied, grinning. He knew the song well and more important, he knew that Kurt knew it like the back of his hand. It didn’t quite have the range of Wicked, but frankly, not much did. The song would show off Kurt’s vibrato which should help, and they could always play with the arrangement a little to show off Kurt’s talents. The content of the lyrics didn’t escape him either; it was a fitting song for Kurt’s comeback. “What?’ he asked when Kurt shot him a funny look.
“My name...”
Blaine shrugged. “So? That’s your name.”
“But you remembered...” Kurt muttered, pulling Blaine up from his chair by his collar and into a kiss.
“We should probably practice,” Blaine mumbled as he pulled back a little.
Kurt grinned. “I thought we were.”
Blaine groaned. “Oh no you don’t, you always get me with that line. We really do need to work on this. Two weeks, remember?”
Kurt leaned into another kiss. “Why don’t you help me forget?” he whispered seductively. Blaine had to physically pry himself away.
“After,” he replied in response to Kurt’s pout. “I promise.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Kurt paced around Finn and Rachel’s living room with an hour to go until he had to leave for the audition. He was grateful that they offered to let him stay with them while he was in the city. But right now, he was trying his best not to panic.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Both his step-brother and sister-in-law were out at work, so Kurt figured he would answer it. A delivery woman stood on the other side of the door. “Package for Kurt Hummel.”
Kurt frowned as he took the gift basket she handed him, awkwardly signing that he had received it. “Thanks.” He brought the modest basket inside, quickly setting it down on the table and unwrapping the cellophane. A card was sitting on the top of the pile, which included all of his favorite treats and some fruit. Slipping a finger under the edge of the envelope, Kurt ripped it open, gently tugging the card out. A huge smile lit up his face when he saw who wrote it, only growing bigger as he read through the entire thing. He scrambled for his phone, quickly punching in the number he needed. “Hey, stranger.”
“Hanging in there?” Blaine asked, a smile in his voice.
“Thanks for the basket. Though I can’t eat like half of this until afterwards.”
“Call it motivation.”
Kurt laughed. “I think I have plenty of that. Thank you, though. For the distraction. I needed that.”
“I know,” Blaine replied cheekily. “I just know you so well.”
Kurt shrugged, sitting down on the sofa. “You kinda do.”
“Whatever you were freaking out about, stop. It will be okay. You’ve been amazing, trust me I’m a professional. You’re not nearly as rusty as you think you are.”
Kurt nodded to himself. “I know. But what if it isn’t good enough?”
“Then we’ll keep working and there will be other parts. If this one doesn’t pan out it wasn’t meant to be and something else will come along.”
Kurt sighed. “You’re right.”
“Duh.”
“I think I’m going to head over there early, just in case the subway breaks down or something.”
“The subway isn’t going to break down.”
Kurt huffed. “You never know.”
“I suppose. Alright, I’ll let you go. Break a leg, sweetie. We’re all rooting for you.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Kurt smiled as he hung up the phone, thankful for the calming effect of Blaine’s voice. Blaine was right. He could do this. And if it didn’t work out, it wasn’t on him. He had done his best.
But still, he really wanted this part.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
He’d forgotten just how much he enjoyed this. Sure he was a wreck in the days and hours leading up to an audition, but once he was there, waiting his turn, he was filled with a shot of adrenaline that gave him the power he needed to get through the experience. There weren’t too many people waiting in the room with him, and though he had greeted them politely when he arrived he was glad that most of them seemed content to keep to themselves.
“Kurt Hummel-Anderson?” he started as his name was called, though he quickly schooled his features and followed the assistant into the room.
He walked inside, taking his place at the front before the panel. He’d long outgrown his old introduction. They already knew who he was and what he was auditioning for. But it didn’t stop him from running through it in his head. It had kind of always been his good luck charm.
There were two men and two women sitting at the table set up at the front of the room, scribbling furiously on their notepads. One of them looked up and smiled politely at Kurt as he gave a much more evolved introduction. Each of the panel introduced themselves and their positions, including another person he hadn’t seen sitting at the piano in a corner. They had him run through some scales first to warm up, and once he got going all of his worry faded away and he sank into what he knew best. He belted out the high notes, knowing that he could and relieved that his fears had been unfounded. The panel looked impressed with his range, and inside he was preening. They had him read through some scripts, which was a breeze considering he’d practically had the entire show memorized from the time he was twelve. They handed him a few sheets of music and asked to sing a page or so from the show itself. He didn’t even need it; he had sung these songs so often he could do it in his sleep. Once he had finished, hitting those high notes even better than when he was a kid practicing in the choir room, he looked at the panel expectantly.
“What will you be singing for us today?” the musical director asked.
“‘Before the Parade Passes By’ from Hello, Dolly,” Kurt informed them.
There were a few raised eyebrows and impressed nodding. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Before the parade passes by
Before it goes on, and only I'm left
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get in step while there's still time left
I'm ready to move out in front
Life without life has no reason or rhyme left
A wave of euphoria rushed through Kurt as he crooned the opening lyrics, the words ringing truer than ever. Sure, he’d thought about it a lot when he was practicing with Blaine, but something about the intensity of the moment put everything in a sharp contrast. He’d been avoiding this, everything that had anything to do with Mike because it just hurt too damn much. But now...now he could use it as a way to stay close to him.
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I wanna hold my head up high
I need got a goal again
I need got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by...
Before the parade passes by
Everyone had been right. He had been stagnating. He needed this and his need poured into the music. God, to be back on stage, for real this time...being so close really made it clear how much he had missed all of this.
I've gotta go and taste Saturday's high life
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get some life back into my life
I'm ready to move out in front
I've had enough of just passing by life
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I can hold my head up high
For I've got a goal again
I've got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by
Blaine had helped him so much, helped him get to this place where he could be himself again. And now? Now he felt as complete as he ever could.
They had changed the arrangement to cut out the interlude and allow him to sing what was generally the chorus part. Kurt felt like he was on fire, pulsing through the song like nothing he had done during the rehearsals.
When the parade passes by
Listen and hear that brass harmony growing
When the parade passes by
Pardon me if my old spirit is showing
All of those lights over there
Seem to be telling me where I'm going
For the faintest of seconds, Kurt allowed his eyes to close as he headed into the finale, transported back to his first opening night on the big stage: the surge of adrenaline after the final bow, finding the flowers in his dressing room, Mike literally sweeping him off his feet in his enthusiasm, the look of pride on his dad’s face. He knew it wouldn’t be exactly like that now. But he’d always have those feelings, that connection. And he had so many people to share it with, to share his life with.
When the whistles blow
And the cymbals crash
And the sparklers light the sky
I'm gonna raise the roof
I'm gonna carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by!
Kurt breathed heavily as he finished, thankful that they had allowed him to run through the entire song. The panel clapped approvingly. The casting director looked at the others before speaking. “I think we’ve seen enough. We would like to offer you the part, Mr. Hummel.”
Kurt’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” This was so quick, usually there were callbacks or at least some time to wait and fret about everything... “Don’t you have anyone else you need to consider?”
“Really,” the director reassured him. “Your name actually was the first to come up when we started getting serious about pulling together this production, that’s why we contacted your agent. We just needed to know that you hadn’t gone soft in your absence. But your range is still strong and you are exactly what this show needs. You’re our last audition for this part, and you blew the others out of the water.”
Kurt couldn’t believe the praise. “Thank you, thank you. Believe me, this is a dream come true.”
“You’re welcome.” The director told him with a smile. “We’ll be in touch about the specifics. We still have to cast most of the roles, so it’ll be awhile before we start rehearsing.”
Kurt nodded. “I look forward to hearing from you then.”
“Welcome back, Kurt Hummel-Anderson. Welcome back.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
As soon as he had exited the building, Kurt quickly dialed Blaine’s number. “Hey,” he began when Blaine picked up, trying to sound as neutral as possible.
“So, how did it go?” Blaine asked anxiously. “How do you think you did?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Kurt sighed, milking this for all it was worth. “I think I did okay. Only...”
“Only what, Kurt?”
“Only they offered me the part.”
“WHAT?!?!” Blaine exclaimed so loudly that he had to hold the phone away from his ear until his boyfriend calmed down. “Oh my gosh, Kurt,” he gushed once Kurt could bear to listen again.
“I’m so proud of you. Congratulations!”
“Thanks,” Kurt replied shyly. “I wish I could see you so you could properly congratulate me...”
Blaine chuckled. “I wish I could too. But you’ll be back this weekend, right?”
“Yeah,” Kurt replied. “I need to start getting things figured out on this end. I’m going to look at a few listings while I’m here, just to get a feel for what we might like.”
Blaine sighed. “I wish we could be doing that together.”
“We will, I promise. You keep looking at stuff online and I can check them out and when you and Chris come out eventually we’ll all go together.”
“Yeah,” Blaine replied on the other end. “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
Kurt nodded, mostly to himself. “It really is.”
“I’m glad we’re doing this together,” Blaine replied tenderly, his voice growing softer.
“Me too,” Kurt responded with a grin so big he was sure that they could see it from outer space.
Next
A/N: The song used here is "Before the Parade Passes By" from the show Hello, Dolly.
“TWO WEEKS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Kurt shouted into the phone, his heart pounding in panic. “I haven’t been training for like, two years. How am I supposed to be Broadway ready in two weeks?”
“I’m so sorry, Kurt,” Jenni replied placating over the phone. “I called you as soon as I heard about it, the whole thing was kind of last minute. But you’re a pro, you’ll manage to pull something together.”
Kurt raked his hand through his hair. “Say I get the part. What’s the time frame for rehearsals starting? Because I can’t fully move back to the city until after Chris gets out of school...”
“Probably a month or so? That would put us what, in early May? You could always come out sooner, I know you’d hate to leave Chris for so long but I’m sure you could work out a schedule so you could fly back and see him.”
Kurt shook his head. “I have to get the part first before worrying about all that.”
“I have every confidence that you will. We’ll make this work. And Kurt?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s great to have you back.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Something was wrong.
Well, everything was wrong in Amy’s life right now. Her grandfather kept getting sicker. He didn’t even know who she was anymore. It had gotten so bad that her dad had decided to move him to a new home, one in New York. Papa had just been offered a job there and Daddy had said it would really great there, but all Amy could think about was how she’d have to say goodbye to Chris.
Speaking of whom, Chris didn’t look too happy himself. Could things get any worse?
Unfortunately, they didn’t get a chance to talk until lunchtime. Chris looked about as miserable as she felt. He practically slammed his lunch on the table, earning a reprimand from the lunch monitor. "Hey," he muttered, looking down at his food glumly.
"Hey," Amy replied back. They sat there in a somewhat awkward silence for a few minutes before simultaneously turning to each other and blurting out, "I'm moving."
They sat there for a few seconds, staring at each other comically before breaking out into laughter. "Wait, what?" Chris asked, a hint of a hopeful smile creeping onto his face.
"I'm moving," Amy repeated.
"So am I. I guess I don't have to be as sad about leaving if you're not going to be here still."
Amy nodded. "Yeah. So, where are you moving?"
Chris perked up, telling Amy that at some level Chris was excited for this change. "Back to New York, where we used to live. I don't know where exactly but my dad said they might start looking in Brooklyn."
Amy bounced excitedly in her seat. "I'm moving to New York too! I don't know where, though, and it is a big place..."
Chris beamed. "But we'll be nearby, in the same state at least. So we might be able to see each other!"
"Yeah!" Amy replied enthusiastically.
Maybe this move wasn't such a bad thing after all.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Blaine was surprised to see ten missed calls from Kurt when he checked his phone during his lunch break, but it couldn’t have been desperately important because he didn’t leave any messages. Still, he pulled up Kurt’s number and hit the call button, knowing that if Kurt had called so many times he must be going frantic over something.
“Oh thank god you called,” Kurt’s voice answered in greeting.
“Well, hello to you too,” Blaine remarked dryly, hoping to try and distract Kurt a little from whatever was bothering him so much.
“Sorry,” Kurt responded sheepishly. “It’s just...I’m going to need your help. Are you any good at private lessons?”
“Well...” Blaine started suggestively, but Kurt cut him off before he could say anything embarrassing in the teacher’s lounge.
“Get your head out of the gutter, Anderson, not like that. Like music lessons.”
Blaine frowned. “Kurt, you’re amazing, you’re professionally trained. You don’t need lessons.”
“Maybe so, but I have to be Broadway ready in two weeks after barely singing for about two years. I’m panicking, Blaine. I can’t do this-”
“Yes you can,” Blaine stopped him, trying to stay as calm as possible. “Of course I’ll help you. We won’t want to overdo it, though, you need to save your voice for the audition. But if we start tonight we can at least see where you are and focus on the little things you might need to brush up on, okay?”
“Yeah,” Kurt replied, his voice sounding small as he let the panic recede.
“I have my first instructions for you. Find your audition song today. Something with a similar range and style. But no singing. A few bars to test it out is fine, but no singing until I get there. I’m not going to have you strain your voice on my watch.”
Kurt giggled. “Yes, sir!” he replied. Blaine could practically see the mock salute. “Thank you, Blaine.” Kurt added, his voice becoming a bit more serious. “Sometimes I get a little crazy before an audition.”
Blaine couldn’t help but laugh. “I know, I’ve been there, remember right before your NYADA audition? All those gosh darn candles?”
“Good thing I have you to keep me sane.”
Blaine grinned. “I guess so.”
Kurt was quiet for a moment. “I should probably let you eat your lunch now.”
“I suppose, unless you want me to wither away to nothing...and it would be all your fault...”
“Go eat, Blaine, I think the hunger is making you delirious.”
“If you insist. Love you.”
“Love you too. Thanks again.”
“You know my fee is pretty steep-”
Kurt huffed softly. “I think we can negotiate payment. Go, Blaine.”
“Okay, okay. See you later.”
“See you later.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
“So,” Blaine started as they sat down after dinner. “Have you picked your song?”
Kurt nodded. “Yeah, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’ from Hello, Dolly.”
“I like your taste, Mr. Hummel-Anderson,” Blaine replied, grinning. He knew the song well and more important, he knew that Kurt knew it like the back of his hand. It didn’t quite have the range of Wicked, but frankly, not much did. The song would show off Kurt’s vibrato which should help, and they could always play with the arrangement a little to show off Kurt’s talents. The content of the lyrics didn’t escape him either; it was a fitting song for Kurt’s comeback. “What?’ he asked when Kurt shot him a funny look.
“My name...”
Blaine shrugged. “So? That’s your name.”
“But you remembered...” Kurt muttered, pulling Blaine up from his chair by his collar and into a kiss.
“We should probably practice,” Blaine mumbled as he pulled back a little.
Kurt grinned. “I thought we were.”
Blaine groaned. “Oh no you don’t, you always get me with that line. We really do need to work on this. Two weeks, remember?”
Kurt leaned into another kiss. “Why don’t you help me forget?” he whispered seductively. Blaine had to physically pry himself away.
“After,” he replied in response to Kurt’s pout. “I promise.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Kurt paced around Finn and Rachel’s living room with an hour to go until he had to leave for the audition. He was grateful that they offered to let him stay with them while he was in the city. But right now, he was trying his best not to panic.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Both his step-brother and sister-in-law were out at work, so Kurt figured he would answer it. A delivery woman stood on the other side of the door. “Package for Kurt Hummel.”
Kurt frowned as he took the gift basket she handed him, awkwardly signing that he had received it. “Thanks.” He brought the modest basket inside, quickly setting it down on the table and unwrapping the cellophane. A card was sitting on the top of the pile, which included all of his favorite treats and some fruit. Slipping a finger under the edge of the envelope, Kurt ripped it open, gently tugging the card out. A huge smile lit up his face when he saw who wrote it, only growing bigger as he read through the entire thing. He scrambled for his phone, quickly punching in the number he needed. “Hey, stranger.”
“Hanging in there?” Blaine asked, a smile in his voice.
“Thanks for the basket. Though I can’t eat like half of this until afterwards.”
“Call it motivation.”
Kurt laughed. “I think I have plenty of that. Thank you, though. For the distraction. I needed that.”
“I know,” Blaine replied cheekily. “I just know you so well.”
Kurt shrugged, sitting down on the sofa. “You kinda do.”
“Whatever you were freaking out about, stop. It will be okay. You’ve been amazing, trust me I’m a professional. You’re not nearly as rusty as you think you are.”
Kurt nodded to himself. “I know. But what if it isn’t good enough?”
“Then we’ll keep working and there will be other parts. If this one doesn’t pan out it wasn’t meant to be and something else will come along.”
Kurt sighed. “You’re right.”
“Duh.”
“I think I’m going to head over there early, just in case the subway breaks down or something.”
“The subway isn’t going to break down.”
Kurt huffed. “You never know.”
“I suppose. Alright, I’ll let you go. Break a leg, sweetie. We’re all rooting for you.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Kurt smiled as he hung up the phone, thankful for the calming effect of Blaine’s voice. Blaine was right. He could do this. And if it didn’t work out, it wasn’t on him. He had done his best.
But still, he really wanted this part.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
He’d forgotten just how much he enjoyed this. Sure he was a wreck in the days and hours leading up to an audition, but once he was there, waiting his turn, he was filled with a shot of adrenaline that gave him the power he needed to get through the experience. There weren’t too many people waiting in the room with him, and though he had greeted them politely when he arrived he was glad that most of them seemed content to keep to themselves.
“Kurt Hummel-Anderson?” he started as his name was called, though he quickly schooled his features and followed the assistant into the room.
He walked inside, taking his place at the front before the panel. He’d long outgrown his old introduction. They already knew who he was and what he was auditioning for. But it didn’t stop him from running through it in his head. It had kind of always been his good luck charm.
There were two men and two women sitting at the table set up at the front of the room, scribbling furiously on their notepads. One of them looked up and smiled politely at Kurt as he gave a much more evolved introduction. Each of the panel introduced themselves and their positions, including another person he hadn’t seen sitting at the piano in a corner. They had him run through some scales first to warm up, and once he got going all of his worry faded away and he sank into what he knew best. He belted out the high notes, knowing that he could and relieved that his fears had been unfounded. The panel looked impressed with his range, and inside he was preening. They had him read through some scripts, which was a breeze considering he’d practically had the entire show memorized from the time he was twelve. They handed him a few sheets of music and asked to sing a page or so from the show itself. He didn’t even need it; he had sung these songs so often he could do it in his sleep. Once he had finished, hitting those high notes even better than when he was a kid practicing in the choir room, he looked at the panel expectantly.
“What will you be singing for us today?” the musical director asked.
“‘Before the Parade Passes By’ from Hello, Dolly,” Kurt informed them.
There were a few raised eyebrows and impressed nodding. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Before the parade passes by
Before it goes on, and only I'm left
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get in step while there's still time left
I'm ready to move out in front
Life without life has no reason or rhyme left
A wave of euphoria rushed through Kurt as he crooned the opening lyrics, the words ringing truer than ever. Sure, he’d thought about it a lot when he was practicing with Blaine, but something about the intensity of the moment put everything in a sharp contrast. He’d been avoiding this, everything that had anything to do with Mike because it just hurt too damn much. But now...now he could use it as a way to stay close to him.
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I wanna hold my head up high
I need got a goal again
I need got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by...
Before the parade passes by
Everyone had been right. He had been stagnating. He needed this and his need poured into the music. God, to be back on stage, for real this time...being so close really made it clear how much he had missed all of this.
I've gotta go and taste Saturday's high life
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get some life back into my life
I'm ready to move out in front
I've had enough of just passing by life
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I can hold my head up high
For I've got a goal again
I've got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by
Blaine had helped him so much, helped him get to this place where he could be himself again. And now? Now he felt as complete as he ever could.
They had changed the arrangement to cut out the interlude and allow him to sing what was generally the chorus part. Kurt felt like he was on fire, pulsing through the song like nothing he had done during the rehearsals.
When the parade passes by
Listen and hear that brass harmony growing
When the parade passes by
Pardon me if my old spirit is showing
All of those lights over there
Seem to be telling me where I'm going
For the faintest of seconds, Kurt allowed his eyes to close as he headed into the finale, transported back to his first opening night on the big stage: the surge of adrenaline after the final bow, finding the flowers in his dressing room, Mike literally sweeping him off his feet in his enthusiasm, the look of pride on his dad’s face. He knew it wouldn’t be exactly like that now. But he’d always have those feelings, that connection. And he had so many people to share it with, to share his life with.
When the whistles blow
And the cymbals crash
And the sparklers light the sky
I'm gonna raise the roof
I'm gonna carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by!
Kurt breathed heavily as he finished, thankful that they had allowed him to run through the entire song. The panel clapped approvingly. The casting director looked at the others before speaking. “I think we’ve seen enough. We would like to offer you the part, Mr. Hummel.”
Kurt’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” This was so quick, usually there were callbacks or at least some time to wait and fret about everything... “Don’t you have anyone else you need to consider?”
“Really,” the director reassured him. “Your name actually was the first to come up when we started getting serious about pulling together this production, that’s why we contacted your agent. We just needed to know that you hadn’t gone soft in your absence. But your range is still strong and you are exactly what this show needs. You’re our last audition for this part, and you blew the others out of the water.”
Kurt couldn’t believe the praise. “Thank you, thank you. Believe me, this is a dream come true.”
“You’re welcome.” The director told him with a smile. “We’ll be in touch about the specifics. We still have to cast most of the roles, so it’ll be awhile before we start rehearsing.”
Kurt nodded. “I look forward to hearing from you then.”
“Welcome back, Kurt Hummel-Anderson. Welcome back.”
*#*#*#*#*#*#*
As soon as he had exited the building, Kurt quickly dialed Blaine’s number. “Hey,” he began when Blaine picked up, trying to sound as neutral as possible.
“So, how did it go?” Blaine asked anxiously. “How do you think you did?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Kurt sighed, milking this for all it was worth. “I think I did okay. Only...”
“Only what, Kurt?”
“Only they offered me the part.”
“WHAT?!?!” Blaine exclaimed so loudly that he had to hold the phone away from his ear until his boyfriend calmed down. “Oh my gosh, Kurt,” he gushed once Kurt could bear to listen again.
“I’m so proud of you. Congratulations!”
“Thanks,” Kurt replied shyly. “I wish I could see you so you could properly congratulate me...”
Blaine chuckled. “I wish I could too. But you’ll be back this weekend, right?”
“Yeah,” Kurt replied. “I need to start getting things figured out on this end. I’m going to look at a few listings while I’m here, just to get a feel for what we might like.”
Blaine sighed. “I wish we could be doing that together.”
“We will, I promise. You keep looking at stuff online and I can check them out and when you and Chris come out eventually we’ll all go together.”
“Yeah,” Blaine replied on the other end. “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
Kurt nodded, mostly to himself. “It really is.”
“I’m glad we’re doing this together,” Blaine replied tenderly, his voice growing softer.
“Me too,” Kurt responded with a grin so big he was sure that they could see it from outer space.
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