New Beginnings

Chapter Five

Tuesday night came quickly and Kurt couldn't be more excited. He'd never been a part of a 'Guys Night" before!

The plan was to go out on the town for a bit, and the first stop was bowling. He climbed out of his Navigator, being one of the first sophomores to get his license and a car, with Jeff, Sebastian, Nick, David, and Wes piling out with him. Kurt watched from the corner of his eye as Jeff walked closer to Nick than normal; which was something, because they were typically always attached at the hip more than even he and Kurt were. Yeah, Jeff was definitely asking Nick out tonight.

Once they were in the bowling alley and had their lane set up, Kurt sat as he waited for his turn. Sebastian sat next to Kurt, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

"How much to want to bet Wes is the one that ends up whining until we put up the gutter guards?" Wes hadn't even rolled his first ball yet, but Kurt chuckled, turning towards his friend.

"I don't bet against something that I know will lose." With hushed shared laughter, the two waited for David to go, and then Nick. They then watched as Wes stepped forward and rolled his ball....

... straight into the gutter.

Kurt hid his face in Sebastian's shoulder, hoping to stifle his laughter. It didn't help much that Seb's should itself was shaking in poorly concealed chuckles. Kurt only peeked up when Wes went to roll his second ball. This one also went straight into the gutter, and Kurt couldn't help the fact that he laughed so hard he nearly started crying as Wes huffed and began to rant about how bowling alleys were rigged.

"-and it's not as if rails are only for little kids! No, they are merely noble guides for those that have trouble. Many adults use them, even and I-"

Seb cut him off, trying to hide the laughter in his voice.

"We are not putting the kiddy rails up, Wes. Even Kurt seems to think the idea is ridiculous, and I'm sure he has the same troubles as you!"

"Oh, you didn't just say that, Seb..." Sebastian turned to Jeff, sitting next to Nick, with a raised eyebrow. Jeff seemed amused, and his eyes sparkled with mischief, saying 'i know something you don't.'

"What? What did I say?"

"I have the same troubles as Wes?" Sebastian then turned towards Kurt, who had removed himself from Seb's shoulder, and was looking at him with his arms crossed and his own eyebrow raised.

Sebastian simply shrugged. "Well, we all know how much you really don't like sports. And, while recreational bowling may not be a sport, I'm sure this will be on the list of things you won't have much luck with. Sorry, Princess." Kurt glared at Sebastian and huffed and he stood to take his turn.

"Seb..."

"Jeff, I didn't say anything wrong! I said the same thing about Wes! So you don't get to ridicule me, because I was just picking on my friend-"

"I wasn't going to... How about we make a bet? I bet that Kurt will kick all of our asses, even yours, in this game." Sebastian huffed out a beat of laughter at his friend. Jeff knew how good at bowling Sebastian was, this would be easy money.

"Deal."

...

"Pay up." Jeff held out a hand for Sebastian to put money into, his other hand now holding Nick's.

The night had gone very well. Well, for Jeff at least.

Sebastian couldn't even act mad as he placed the fifty dollar bill into the blondes open hand. He was gobsmacked. He thought back to only a moment after the bet.

Kurt had stepped up, holding his ball to his chest and turning his head to send one more glare in Sebastian's direction, to which Sebastian grinned smugly and gave him a sarcastic wave, before focusing on the pins. He stepped back a few steps and then strutted forward, swinging the ball back and then releasing it. Everyone watched as the ball flew towards the pins and the resulting sound of it hitting the pins dead on and coming down in a strike. Sebastian's cocky grin had quickly fallen after that.

Jeff very happily tucked the money into his pocket and pulled his new boyfriend closer against his side. He then turned to Kurt, grinning.

"So, what next? Anything else I can use to get money from Seb?" Kurt laughed as Sebastian pouted. Kurt grinned teasingly, patting his other best friend's cheek.

"It's okay, sweetie. You'll learn to keep your pretty mouth shut soon enough."

...

Later that night found Kurt staying in Sebastian's dorm, having fell victim to Jeff's puppy eyes begging him to switch with Nick. Kurt sighed from his place on Nick's bed.

"What's wrong, Princess? You don't sound the happiest." Kurt turned on his side to face Sebastian's bed across the room, giving the other boy a shrug.

"You're going to laugh at me."

"What if I promise not to?"

"Then you're going to laugh anyways, and you'll break a promise." Sebastian rolled his eyes, turning towards Kurt.

"I pinky promise?" Kurt let out a chuckle that was close to a giggle. A soft blush took over his face.

"Well... As happy as I am that Jeff and Nick are finally together..... I'm kinda afraid that I'll lose Jeff now. They've only been dating a few hours and already I've been kicked out. I'll lose my cuddle buddy, my best friend." Kurt hugged his blanket closer to himself, hoping to provide himself some comfort. Kurt looked up as footsteps crossed the room, letting out a yelp as a body landed on top of his.

"Bas, you tall gangly doofus! What are you doing?!" Kurt erupted in laughter, waiting as the other wiggled around so he was behind Kurt, wrapping his arms around his middle. Kurt turned to look at him, giggling softly at the goofy smile on his other best friend's face.

"I may not be a Jeff, but I can definitely be your back up cuddle buddy, Princess." Kurt's grin spread as he turned in Sebastian's arms, burying his face in Sebastian's chest. He hoped it hide how intense his blush had become.

"Thank you, Bas. And who knows, maybe instead of a backup you'll be promoted to full time cuddle buddy." The taller boy laughed, holding Kurt tighter.

"I think I can live with that."