The mall was so packed with holiday shoppers Kurt didn't see David and Azimio before it was too late. Soon Kurt's shopping bags were strewn across the tiled floor of Lima's only mall, getting trampled by hurried shoppers who couldn't care less about Kurt's belongings. He gathered them as quickly as he could. He counted the bags noting that a few were missing and likely being trailed halfway across the mall by now. He looked up in search for the bags only to find a boy, about his age holding the missing bags out to him.

"Oh- thank you." The boy didn't say anything, instead his hands swept gracefully through the air in practiced motions. He was signing, because this boy was deaf. Kurt didn't know what to do, what to say. Well saying something wouldn't do much to help him anyway. "I'm sorry, I don't sign. And you probably don't know what I'm saying do you?" The boy just smiled pointing to his lips. "Oh you can read lips?" The boy nodded. "Great! Well thank you, again, have a nice day."

With all of his bags in hand Kurt turned to leave only to have the boy pull him back. Kurt must have looked very confused because the boy let out a small laugh. He reached into his pocket, retrieving a marker he pushed up the sleeve of Kurt's sweater. His handwriting was small and neat as he wrote out his phone number putting (text only!) in parenthesis. Kurt couldn't help the giggle that rose from his throat. He signed the message -Blaine.

What a nice name to match those brilliant Hazel/green eyes and that amazing mop of dark curls.

Kurt barely had enough time to blush before Blaine was gone, slipping into crowds, leaving Kurt confused and giddy. That was the first time Kurt had ever gotten a guy's number.

He made sure to save Blaine's number before it had a chance to get smudged. He waited until after he had finished his moisturizing routine to text him though. He thought he'd keep it simple.

8:50: Hi, it's the guy from the mall earlier. I really hope this is Blaine because that would be really embarrassing if you gave me a phony number.

9:04: Of course it's Blaine 'guy from the mall'.

Kurt giggled to himself quietly not wanting to wake up his dad; he needed all the rest he could get.

9:05: Kurt.

9:06: Nice to meet you Kurt, I'm Blaine.

9:08: I know, do you know how long it's gonna take me to get your name off my arm?

9:10: Sorry but I needed to give you my number somehow.

9:11: Well branding it on my arm was surely effective.

9:12: Seems like it. So Kurt, I was wondering...

9:12: Are you asking me out on a date Blaine?

9:14: And if I was?

9:15: Hmm I don't know.

The reply took longer than the other ones and Kurt cursed himself when he saw it.

9:21: Is it because I'm deaf?

9:21: Oh no, Blaine, I was joking! I'm sorry sarcasm doesn't transmit through text well does it?

9:23: No, not really. So… would you like to go on a date with me Kurt?

9:24: I would like that very much Blaine.

9:25: Great! Breadstix tomorrow at 6? I'll bring the notebook and pens :)

9:27: It's a date :)

9:27: Where should I pick you up?

9:29: You drive?

9:31: Yes Kurt the hearing impaired can drive.

9:33: I'm sorry, I just...

9:33: Kidding :P

9:34: Butthead.

9:35: 46 Arch Street.

9:36: Did you just call me a butthead?

9:36: And?

9:37: Nothing, just haven't heard that one since the third grade.

9:39: See you tomorrow Blaine :P

Kurt waited anxiously by the door for Blaine to show up. He had practiced this all morning and he was sure he had it down. But even when Blaine knocked on the door Kurt still waited a few seconds to open it; he didn't want to seem too eager.

"Hello, it's nice to see you." Kurt signed. Blaine's face lit up. He reached into the satchel that was slung over his shoulder, and grabbed a notebook and a pen, quickly scratching down a quick message.

You learned to sign some stuff! That was really nice of you Kurt. Kurt returned the smile and took the notebook from him, writing his own message down.

Don't get too excited that's all I learned. It took me all morning.

It's still a really nice gesture. Thank you.

It's the least I could do. Blaine blushed but his smile only grew. People obviously don't make this kind of effort often.

Should we go?

Yeah I just have to grab my coat.

Kurt slipped inside; pulling his coat off of the rack he shouted a quick goodbye to his dad before stepping outside where he was greeted with Blaine's still beaming face.

The car ride to Breadstix was silent, but not uncomfortably. Kurt wanted to turn on the radio but he thought it would make Blaine feel weird, so he decided against it. So instead he focused on the road, sneaking looks at Blaine every so often. He was gorgeous. How could someone be so boyish looking while also being amazingly hot at the same time? It shouldn't have worked, but it definitely did on Blaine.

Once seated Blaine immediately got out the notebook.

I'm sorry this is our only way to communicate. It must have been weird for you in the car.

Kurt shook his head to add to the words he wrote down.

No please Blaine don't be sorry. The car ride was nice. He emphasized his words with a smile. Blaine seemed to relax a little. So do you know what you're going to get? Kurt wrote after a minute of just looking at each other, which should have been weird but wasn't.

I should probably figure that out shouldn't I?

Probably… so should I.

They both laughed and Kurt couldn't help but wonder what it must feel like to not know what your own laugh sounds like, what anything sounds like. It must be so frustrating.

The rest of dinner went by without much further conversation. It was hard to write and eat at the same time. But that was fine because it left more things for them to discuss at the Park near Kurt's house when he pulled Blaine to pull over. He really didn't want the night to end, and if Blaine's blinding smile was anything to go by he didn't either.

Kurt pulls Blaine over to the swings, where they sit side by side. They don't swing though, they just rock slightly back and forth for a few minutes in the beautiful silence, just looking at the sun setting before Kurt starts up the conversation again.

So you obviously don't go to McKinley or I would have seen you before, so where do you go to school?

I go to a school for the deaf; it's called Dalton it's in Westerville.

Do you live in Westerville?

Yup.

You drove all the way from Westerville to take me on a date? A two hour drive, and with no music… Kurt would have gone stir crazy.

Of course.

Why? You don't even know me Blaine, I could have been a total jackass and you could have drove two hours for nothing.

Yeah but you're not, and how could I have learned that if I didn't take a chance on it? That's what life is all about Kurt. Taking chances and hoping that somehow- everything will work out.

Did I work out? Kurt asked lifting his eyes from the paper for the first time since they started up the new page. He met Blaine's sparkling hazel-green eyes and he didn't have to write anything for Kurt to know what he wanted to say. Kurt blushed, his eyes drifting back to the paper. This was crazy. He had met Blaine yesterday, they had been on one date, but he couldn't help the way his stomach flipped every time he looked at him. And it wasn't like he had any prior experience to go one but being with Blaine… he just felt like he could be himself. The self that he hid even from Rachel and Mercedes, even his dad didn't know the honest to god real Kurt. So when Blaine scratched down a shaky, Can I kiss you? Kurt only hesitated a second before he nodded.