Chapter 28: Back In the Choir Room

                                    

                                          
My bookbag is strung around my shoulder across my body, I take a deep breath and paint a smile onto my face. Classes throughout the day were fine, in fact, I'm way ahead of all my classmates thanks to Dalton's excelled curriculum. It's going back to glee club that I'm worried about. I don't want to be the reason they lose a competition, for all I know I could have been the reason the Warblers only tied with the New Directions. Wait, I'm going to have to see the Warblers at Regionals. Which means I am going to have to see Blaine. No. I can't think about him. Not now, he's dead to you, I scold myself. 
                          
	I step into the choir room and make my way to the back. Right where I used to be, swaying in the background. There is both a comforting sort of warmth to the feeling as well as a sadness that I won't be able to showcase what I can do anymore. Everyone trickles into the classroom waving at me quietly, they aren't too surprised to see me because I was in classes all day today as well. There are a few people who I haven't seen yet though, including Mr. Schue and Sue. Mr. Schue walks into the classroom with a bounce in his step.
                          
	"Kurt! I didn't know you were here? How long will you be with us today?" he asks.
                          
	"Well, if you will have me back, I was thinking indefinitely?" I laugh nervously.
                          
	Mr. Schue's smile widens, "Of course, welcome back. Alright, let's get started then."
                          
	"Mr. Schue! Shouldn't we do something to celebrate Kurt being back?" Sam exclaims.
                          
	"Kurt?"
                          
	My eyes widen, "I-uh. I mean sure. Did you all have something in mind?"
                          
	They all stand up almost like everything was planned. Rachel nods at the band and the music starts.
                          
I'm staring out into the night, trying to hide the pain
                          
I'm going to the place where love
                          
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing
                          
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain
                          
Rachel is the first one to sing, smiling softly at me. Sam continues with the next lyrics.
                          
Well, I'm going home, back to the place where I belong
                          
And where your love has always been enough for me
                          
I'm not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong
                          
I don't regret this life I chose for me
                          
But these places and these faces are getting old
                          
So I'm going home, well I'm going home
                          
I can feel tears filling my eyes, this time they are happy, happy tears. This is my family, no matter what this will always be my home. I don't know what I was thinking, leaving. I could have avoided so much heartbreak, they would have protected me if I had stayed. I probably could have protected myself honestly.
                          
The miles are getting longer, it seems, the closer I get to you
                          
I've not always been the best man or friend for you
                          
But your love it makes true and I don't know why
                          
You always seem to give me another try
                          
They bring me up to the front of the room crowding around me in a hug. I laugh as they continue singing to me.
                          
Oh, well I'm going home, back to the place where I belong
                          
And where your love has always been enough for me
                          
I'm not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong
                          
I don't regret this life I chose for me
                          
But these places and these faces are getting old
                          
I said these places and these faces are getting old
                          
So I'm going home, I'm going home
                          
The song ends and I hold onto my friends tightly, "Thank you. I'm so happy to be home."
                          
There are echoes of 'we missed you' or 'we're glad you're home too'. There are a few tears and lots of hugging for the rest of the day. It was a day to catch up, not to practice. Not much changed honestly, Tina and Mike are happily together, Finn and Rachel are still their normal selves with an on-again off-again relationship. We had to sit through an uncomfortable conversation between Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury that lasted several minutes. It was very gross honestly. It felt truly amazing to be back in the choir room with everyone.