As a White Knight on His Steed - Klaine Edition

I Can't Wait for Next Summer!

Chapter 2 – I Can't Wait for Next Summer!

2002 — 2003

Kurt discovered that he enjoyed having Blaine as a pen pal. Of course, it wasn't the same as being together, but Kurt found that he really liked writing to Blaine, and he always looked forward to receiving Blaine's letters in return.

All throughout third grade, the boys wrote to each other every week. In his letters, Kurt told Blaine about things he didn't feel like he could discuss with anyone else. He wrote about his mother – how much he loved her, how worried he was because she was sick, how angry he sometimes felt when she couldn't do the things she used to do with him, and how guilty he felt about being angry. Later, when Kurt's mother died, he wrote to Blaine about his father — how much he loved him, how worried he was because he seemed so sad, how angry he sometimes felt when his father didn't know how to do the things his mother used to do with him, and how guilty he felt about being angry.

Blaine's responses always made Kurt feel better. Somehow, Blaine seemed to understand him and to believe that he was a good person, which helped Kurt to believe it, too.

As summer drew near, the boys' letters began to be filled with their hopes and dreams about camp. Seeing Blaine again was the only thing Kurt found himself looking forward to since his mother had died.

The days seemed to drag by, but finally July arrived. That Sunday morning, Kurt woke up early, feeling like it was Christmas. He tried to be patient, but by 9:00 he couldn't help asking his dad, "Can we leave yet?"

"Kurt, buddy, the registration packet says you're supposed to arrive between 3 and 4 o'clock. It takes three hours to drive there, so if we leave right after lunch we'll have plenty of time."

"After lunch?! Dad! I'm already packed. Can't we just go now?"

"I know you're excited, but you and Blaine have been apart for almost a year. Another couple of hours won't kill you."

"But Dad —"

"Kurt, I said we're leaving after lunch."

Kurt could tell there was no point in arguing, so he changed tactics. Although he usually ate at noon, by quarter to eleven he approached his dad with, "I'm starving. What are we having for lunch?"

With a knowing look, his dad answered, "Well, if you're that hungry, I guess we could have lunch a little early today. How does tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich sound?"

"Great! Thanks, Dad."

When they finally reached Ride 'Em Cowboy Ranch Camp (20 minutes before the registration tables were due to open) Kurt was disappointed to see that there were no other cars in the visitors' lot. Noticing the look on his face, his dad said, "Buddy, I told you we were going to be early. The other campers will be arriving between 3 and 4 like they're supposed to."

At that moment, another car pulled into the lot. Before the driver had even switched off the engine, a rear door opened and Blaine flew out.

Kurt felt suddenly shy. Subconsciously, he'd been expecting Blaine to look exactly the same as he had last summer. He hadn't thought about the fact that Blaine would look older. He wondered if he looked different to Blaine, too.

Blaine apparently felt none of Kurt's hesitation or self-consciousness. He raced over and threw his arms around Kurt with a whoop of delight. In an instant, all of Kurt's reserve melted away. Here was his best friend, and they were back together at last.

Kurt and Blaine quickly fell back into their old closeness, spending all of their time together. Blaine often held Kurt's hand as they were walking around camp or sitting in front of the campfire, and after an initial burst of self-consciousness, Kurt found that it just felt natural to have Blaine's hand in his.