Kurt wrapped his arms around his knees, staring out at the night sky as he tried to hold back the sobs that threatened to rake through him. Four years-- it'd been four years since his mother's death, and he missed her more than ever. Her death had been so sudden to him; she'd hid her growing sickness from his eight-year-old eyes, but now that he was older he cursed himself for never seeing it before. The paling skin, the dimming eyes, the loss of energy... it was all in plain view for him and henever once noticed.

A grunt of frustration broke him from his trance and helooked over to see his one and only best friend climbing the tree beside his house. Blaine carefully stepped onto the roof of the Hummel household before walking over to where Kurt was perched. When he was settled in beside the crying boy, he wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"You alright Kurt?" He whispered after a few beats of silence, his tone of voice earning a tear downthe paler boy's face.

"No, Blaine, I'm not. I miss her so much." He responded, voice cracking as he completely broke down into a fit of sobs. Blaine just pulled him close and hugged him tighter, rubbing his back. He knew exactly how to calm him down, he'd done it for three years in a row. Each night before Kurt's birthday they would meet up, since age seven.

The roof was somewhere Kurt's mom liked to take them, to read the stars and relax under the pale moonlight. It was a safe haven for both of them, but especially for Kurt who went up there every night since his mother's death. Birthday's were the hardest for Kurt, and when Blaine had found him on the roof sobbing on the night before his ninth birthday, Blaine had promised he'd always be there for him. Through thick and thin.

"Why her Blaine? She was amazing, she didn't deserve it! She was only thirty-four, she was so good to people. To everyone!" Kurt cried into the other boy's shoulder, earning a sigh.

"I don't know Kurt, but she would want you to live your life... not cry over her death. Remember the good times you two had and not the last moments. I believe she's watching over you, whether or not there's a Heaven or Hell. God or not, she's here with you." He muttered into his friend's ear, hearing his cries slow down.

"You think so?" He hiccuped, to which Blaine pulled away to look into his shiny, blue-green eyes.

"I know so. She would never really leave you. Just like I won't." He grinned. Kurt returned the gesture with his own, watery smile that was more forced than anything.

"Pinky promise?" He asked softly, holding up his right pinky. Blaine nodded and hooked Kurt's little finger with his own.

"Pinky promise, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel." He echoed. Kurt couldn't help the genuine smile that stretched across his face as they both turned toward the sky and admired the stars.

Two years later...

"Kurt, you're gonna make us late to pick up Blaine if you don't hustle, Bud," Burt called down the stairs into Kurt's room. With a roll of his eyes, the fourteen-year-old finished his skin care routine and fixed his hair before grabbing his bag and heading upstairs.

"How many times have I told you, dad, it's the first day of high school and I don't want to be made fun of for my looks." He said, grabbing a bagel and spreading some cream cheese over it. Burt just shook his head and smiled fondly at his son.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean poor Blaine should be late. Now c'mon, let's move." He said, grabbing his car keys. Kurt smiled at his dad as he skipped out to the car, climbing into the passenger seat and buckling as his dad got in as well. He was excited for his first day of high school at McKinley and he was even more excited to share the experience with his best friend.

As they pulled up to the Anderson household, Burt honked the horn. Seconds later, Blaine was running out of the house, waving back at his mom before clambering into the car recklessly. He buckled up before giving both of them an earsplitting grin.

"Who's ready for the first day of high school!?" He asked cheerfully, basically bouncing in his seat as Burt laughed and pulled away from Blaine's house.

Kurt turned in the front seat to face him, "I'm so ready." He replied just as cheerful, returning his smile.

"I'm thinking about trying out for the football team," Blaine started, adjusting the glasses that had fallen to the tip of his nose, "You know I've been boxing for three years already, so I think I'll have a good chance at getting on the team." He finished, smiling widely. Kurt couldn't help but laugh gently.

"Of course you will, Blaine! I've seen you play for the city team, you're a pro." He nodded, unbuckling as Burt pulled up in front of the school.

"Here we are boys, I'll pick you up at four as discussed in case there are any teams you want to try out for. Good luck with football Blaine, I'll be at every game if you make it." Burt winked at the curly-haired boy as they both got out. Kurt smiled at his father.

"Thanks, dad, I love you. See you later!" He said before grabbing Blaine's arms and dragging him toward the doors of the school.

"Freshman! Follow the signs to the auditorium to get your schedules." An older lady with greying, brown hair pulled into a pristine bun. Kurt and Blaine did as told, following the signs and finding the auditorium. They had to split up since the freshman schedules were divided by last names, and since Blaine's was A and Kurt's was H, they weren't exactly close.

Once they both had gotten theirschedules, they met up and compared them. When Kurt realized they had no classes together, his shoulders slumped.

"Well, damn. I'm glad we have lunch together at least." Kurt sighed, folding his schedule. "And our lockers are next to each other."

"Yeah, well, I guess I'll see you at lunch then Kurt." He smiled, giving him a hug before they went their separate ways. Kurt was restless throughout the morning, awkward without his best friend. All of junior high, he and Blaine had been in every single one of each other's classes. They were inseparable, but now they had absolutely none together.

When lunch finally rolled around, Kurt jumped up and rushed to his locker to meet Blaine. He spun in his combination before opening the metal door and grabbing his wallet. Shutting his locker, he adjusted his bag and looked up. He jumped in surprise when he saw his hazel-eyed best friend standing there.

"Blaine! Don't sneak up on me like that!" He demanded with a swat to the taller boy's shoulder. Blaine let out a soft laugh, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you Kurtie." He responded, throwing an arm around his friend's shoulders as they started making their way to the cafeteria. Kurt giggled, brushing his hair from his eyes.

"Hmm, sure you didn't. Have you found out when football tryouts are?" He asked, tilting his head as he looked over at Blaine who nodded.

"Yeah, I had gym this morning and Coach Tanaka was talking about them. They're having three different tryout days, but I'm going to the one after school today. Have you seen any clubs you want to join?" He pushed his glasses back into place on his nose. Kurt shook his head.

"No, not really. Nothing's caught my eye. I need something that'll fully fit...me. You know?" He decided which earned a bright smile from Blaine as they walked into the lunch room.

"I don't think anything will ever be 'you.' You're special, unique." He affirmed. Kurt blushed at the compliment, pulling away from Blaine's hold and heading to the lunch line with his friend in tow.

"Thanks, Blaine, you're special too. Which is why I know you'll make the football team. You can do anything you put your mind to." He admitted, grabbing a chicken salad and some water. He paid for his food and waited for Blaine to do the same.

"Knowing you believe in me is all I need." He said dreamily, giving Kurt puppy dog eyes before both of them started laughing as they sat down.