Nothing too interesting happened over the next week — the New Directions were starting preparations for Regionals. It was early, but it was better than leaving it to the last minute. And of course Kurt was still the victim of Karofsky and his group of Neanderthals, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He hadn't seen or heard from Elijah since he visited Dalton. He'd missed the last family dinner night on Friday, but that wasn't too surprising. At least he wasn't being pestered about transferring.

The week after though, seemed to take a turn for the worst. Any suggestion he made for Regionals wasn't even taken in to consideration. The club would roll their eyes and turn away. Eventually they just started ignoring him all together, even Mercedes. Kurt would sit at the back of the choir room, arms crossed and glaring in front of him. And if that wasn't enough, the bullying from Karofsky seemed to worsen. He was slammed harder into the lockers, and it happened anytime he and Karofsky or one of his buddies crossed paths.

When Kurt checked out the bruises on his shoulders and back, that was when he decided he was done. He couldn't stay at McKinley — it was killing him. Realizing this, he fell back onto his bed, the tears starting to pour out. He curled himself around his pillow and stayed in that position all night, sobbing quietly into his sheets.

The next day he faked sick so he wouldn't have to go to school. He hadn't done this since middle school, but he couldn't go. He spent the day cuddled up in bed, millions of thoughts running through his mind. His friends were suddenly avoiding him and he couldn't figure out why. He stared up at the ceiling, pillow clutched to his chest — and that's when the realization sunk in. He was alone. None of his friends knew what he was going through, and it wasn't like there was another out-gay kid at McKinley he could go to.

He decided that he couldn't stay at McKinley any longer; being there was killing him. As much as he didn't want to believe it, it was killing him. He was tired of the bullying, tired of being misunderstood, and he was tired of the school not being able to do a damn thing about it. There was only one place he could go, one place that he would be safe and accepted for who he was.

Kurt forced himself out of bed that evening, and downstairs to make dinner. He wasn't particularly hungry himself, but he knew he couldn't let his dad make his own dinner — it would probably be something hazardous to his health, and Kurt was not going to allow that. He finished up just as he heard Burt walk inside and he greeted him with a quick hug before heading back to the kitchen to pile up their plates.

Kurt still wasn't hungry, but he couldn't not eat. His father would question him about it, and he wasn't in the mood for interrogation. They ate most of the meal in silence, Kurt mostly just picking at and swirling the food around his plate instead of eating it. Finally, he set his fork down and looked up.

"I want to go to Dalton." It came out in a rush. Burt mimicked Kurt's actions and raised his eyebrow at his son's sudden outburst. He cleared his throat and nodded. "Well, if that's what ya want, kid. Then okay."

Kurt smiled to himself. He was glad it had been that easy, that his dad hadn't asked why he suddenly wanted to transfer. He didn't want to tell him that he thought if he stayed at McKinley, he would probably die. He wasn't sure what would happen if he would have done that. Burt would be angry, no, worse than angry, and an angry Burt was never a good thing so the thought of anything worse than that made Kurt shudder.

Kurt missed school on Friday, too. He returned his books and quickly cleaned out his locker while everyone was in class, not wanting to chance running into Karofsky or his "friends". Kurt didn't even know if he could consider them his friends anymore. He'd received a few texts but ignored them just like they'd ignored him. He was still pissed at them, he wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of replying. Burt had called Dalton that morning before work, and was taking off Monday so they could go down and finalize everything.

He still couldn't believe it had come to this. Having to transfer schools for his life. It just wasn't right. He spent his weekend moving around his room, packing up things he would need to take to Dalton. Burt had tried convincing him that he didn't need all of this stuff, or junk as he'd put it, but Kurt was having none of it. His moisturizers were a must, and he had to have options for the times he wasn't required to wear a uniform. He wrinkled his nose at the thought of wearing a uniform. Kurt liked to express himself with his outfits, and it would be difficult to do with a uniform.

Monday rolled around and Kurt was exhausted. He didn't get much sleep the night before, and no matter how much coffee he guzzled down, he was still tired. He rubbed his eyes then flitted off to his bathroom to get dressed, going back downstairs for yet another cup of coffee. He returned to his room and found his phone blowing up with messages, no doubt they were from the New Directions. Kurt only scoffed and deleted them all, not bothering to even read them first. He was probably being immature, but he didn't care.

Burt helped him pile his things in the truck and they took off. The entire ride was spent in silence, neither of them really knowing what to talk about. Burt gave him a reassuring look as they headed inside, going right to the administration office. The two sat side by side as they listened to the Dean go on and on about the school. Kurt was bored and all he wanted to do was go to his new room and sleep.

While Burt filled out some forms, the Dean informed that there weren't any single rooms left, and that if his brother didn't already have a roommate, he could share with him. He learned that his new roommate, "Mr. Anderson", would also be his mentor while at Dalton. When he called the boy in, Kurt's jaw dropped. "Blaine?!"

The boy's expression matched Kurt's, his eyes wide. "Kurt?!"

Both Burt and the Dean watched the boys, Mr. Price looking enthralled. "Well, it seems like you two are already acquainted. Blaine," he turned to the shorter boy, "how about you show Kurt to your dorm then give him a tour?"

Blaine opted to leave out that he'd already shown Kurt around when he answered, "yes, sir."

Kurt shook hands with Mr. Price, then Burt. Blaine followed the father and son out to the parking lot to retrieve Kurt's things, standing back a little while they said goodbye. Kurt clung onto Burt, his head resting on his shoulder while his arms wrapped around his back tightly. "Eat right," he instructed before pulling away.

"Of course, bud. You'll be alright," he nodded, patting Kurt's shoulder. The boy winced — the bruises hurt, but he kept his mouth shut about it. He took a few steps back, and watched as his dad pulled out of the parking lot and sped down the road. He wiped a tear then turned to Blaine, putting a smile on his face.

"Shall we?"

A month had passed and Kurt was still adjusting to Dalton. The lessons were definitely harder than they were at McKinley, but that didn't really bother him too much. Kurt liked a challenge. Everything was still so different, he still got lost sometimes, and his teachers and classmates mistook him for his brother. But he had Elijah and Blaine to help him get by. He hadn't talked to any of the New Directions, but he wasn't ready to forgive them just yet — he wasn't done being bitter.

Regionals were coming up soon, and Kurt had finally been convinced to try out for the Warblers. He'd taken a break from Glee for a bit, but now he was ready to come back at full force. He also couldn't wait to see the New Directions' faces when they find out that he's at Dalton now, and a part of the Warblers.

Well, he wasn't a part yet; he still had to audition, but he knew he would get in. He was good, great, and he was a countertenor. Who wouldn't want him? Clearly not the New Directions, he thought bitterly before shaking his head and focusing on his audition song. He didn't need them.

The next day, Kurt met up with Blaine and Elijah after class, immediately heading to the choir room. He looked over the room, recognizing a few of the Warblers. He gulped and looked over at Blaine, who nodded encouragingly. He hadn't been nervous about his audition until now. What if he messed up? Would they let him try again? Surely they would, right? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyes shot open when he felt someone grab his arm and pull him away, but he relaxed when he saw it was Elijah.

"Dude, you need to chill," his brother whispered. "You'll be fine, and don't worry if you mess up, they will give you another chance." He said the last part with a smirk. Elijah was very... manipulative. It was very rare that he didn't get his way. Kurt took another breath and nodded, looking up.

"Don't call me dude," was all he said, with a hint of warning and annoyance, before pushing his way into the room again. Elijah continued to smirk after him; that was the Kurt he knew.

"Hello," he greeted, scanning the group. "I'm Kurt Hummel, and I'll be auditioning for the role of a Warbler."

He closed his eyes and opened his mouth, the words flowing out naturally.

As long as he needs me

Oh, yes, he does need me

In spite of what you see,

I'm sure that he needs me

His eyes opened up now, the nervousness had gone away. He picked up his voice with the confidence.

Who else would love him still

When they've been used so ill

He knows I always will

As long as he needs me

Everyone was watching him, and he looked over at Blaine, who was grinning andgiving him a thumbs up.

I miss him so much when he is gone

But when he's near me I don't let on

The way I feel inside

The love, I have to hide

The hell! I've got my pride

As long as he needs me

He finished the song, his eyes slowly opening back up again to find everyone gaping at him. Blaine and Elijah were the first to start the applause and soon everyone had joined in, everyone standing, clapping, and shouting praise at him. He ducked his head, and took a seat in between Blaine and Elijah. The cheering was still going on and Wes banged his gavel to stop the noise.

"I'm very impressed with your performance, Kurt," he praised, then turned his attention to the front. "All in favour of letting Kurt join the Warblers?"

The cheering started again, and Kurt just beamed at everyone. He'd just joined, and he knew very few of the members, but they seemed to all like and care about him. More than he could really say about his old Glee club. He mentally smacked himself, pushing them to the back of his mind.

The rest of the meeting was spent with everyone getting to know Kurt, and planning songs for Regionals. Transferring to Dalton had seemed like the best choice Kurt had ever made.