Sept. 1, 2013, 9:04 a.m.
Still My Bestfriend: Chapter 10
T - Words: 7,267 - Last Updated: Sep 01, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 22/22 - Created: Jun 03, 2013 - Updated: Apr 13, 2022 253 0 0 0 1
I'm glad things don't feel awkward with Blaine now. I've completely concluded the feeling I got when we kissed as just a simple shock.
I've never kissed Blaine before- that's why it felt different. Not that I've kissed a lot of men, but I've known Blaine my entire life I was bound to feel at least a little awkward and different kissing him.
I'm worried about him though. He has had to endure so much in these past few days. I wish he didn't have to carry so much weight of his shoulders. He tries to put a strong front all the time, and I hate that. He was screaming in his slumber a few nights ago when he slept over my place. Seeing him that vulnerable always takes me back to the time
I was in the hospital from coma. When I woke up, I could see the relieve in his eyes. I'll never forget that look.
It's a bright Monday morning- a new week awaits.
I flutter my eye lids and smile at the sight of my boyfriend next to me on my bed, snoring slightly. Things have been good with Gabe too. We went out for dinner last night and came back to make sweet, sweet love. Did I just refer to sex with Gabe as making love? Well it certainly feels that way.
He stirs in his sleep, before his eyelids open to greet me with the captivating sight of his emerald green eyes.
"Morning," I smile.
"Good morning handsome," he hums and kisses me chastely on my lips. "I wish you didn't have school," he pouts.
In the midst of Blaine's hectic life, and studying for my test, I completely forgot that the History of Ballet course has come to an end, which means Gabe's short attachment to NYADA is over.
"I'm gonna miss not seeing you in school," I pout right back and he smiles.
"I'm gonna miss not taking you hard on my desk during breaks," he winks.
"We did that one time," I scold him.
"Still- best one timer ever."
"I feel like I've reached the end of a really good book-"
"It's not the end," Gabe says and he climbs on top of me, his thighs grazing against mine. "Besides, good books never truly end. They stay with you."
"Is that you saying you're going to continue staying with me?"
"Well- duh," he smiles and kisses me again. "Do you wanna know a secret?"
"That you secretly trim your eyebrows and they're actually not naturally that perfect?"
"They actually are natural, but no, that's not the secret," he tells but I doubt he's telling the truth. No human looks that good.
"I'm intrigued."
"Initially, I refused to take up this side job- teaching at NYADA. I'm glad I gave it a chance- otherwise I wouldn't have met you."
"Technically you met me at a coffee shop."
"Yes, on bad terms at that," he says.
"But I'm glad you threw that coffee at me."
"You are? I thought you're still holding a grudge and that dating me, and making me fall in love is all part of your devious plan for revenge."
"That sounds meticulously thought out," he grins.
"Well- I had some time."
"I'm glad you got my coffee order wrong-"
"I did not," I argue.
"Fine, you did not-"
"Oh my god! Finally!"
"Was this part of your revenge plan, then? Getting me to fall in love with you to get me to admit that you didn't get it wrong?"
"Maybe," I shrug nonchalantly.
"Anyway, I'm glad you threw that coffee at me because otherwise I would have been too distracted with my phone to realize the handsome, sexy guy behind the counter."
"Funny," I roll my eyes at him.
"I so fucking love you," he says and I blush so hard under his gaze.
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It is odd not having Gabe around NYADA, or see him standing on the podium like the mythological Greek God that he is. I'll admit, back when he was teaching here I spent half the time paying attention, the other time basically eye flirting with him. I kinda miss that.
Ginger and her judgemental bunch have stopped talking to me completely, and to be honest I could not care less. She's been giving me the hostile stare every time she walks by me or sees me at the yard having lunch. I honestly don't know what is her problem. How can two people go from friends, to just something else?
"Calling all senior NYADA students. There is a mandatory assembly in the round room. Right now. By Miss Tibideaux. Do not be late," the PA says.
Knowing the character of Carmen, we should be there twenty minutes in advance. I down my juice and quickly take off to the round room. This place gives me memories. It was how I got accepted to NYADA when I sang Company's Being Alive during the winter showcase- very impromptu, by Carmen, a very mercurial woman. This room also reminds me of how Rachel won the winter showcase by singing Being Good Isn't Good Enough- it was by far one of the best performances in NYADA history- a known fact not to just me because on that night itself, after Rachel performed, the audience asked for win encore.
Such a waste she's in LA when New York clearly is her haven.
"Upperclassmen of NYADA," Carmen greets us as she walks down the centre aisle, silencing all of us. "The results or your History Of Ballet assessment will be posted out tomorrow. Those who don't make shall be asked to perform for me, a few other faculties. Those who do shall proceed on to finish the rest of the year. Bear in mind, if your performance is not up to an optimum level, you will either be cut and reapply for the final year in six months, or retake the assessment test. All shall be determined by your performance- so do not fail."
I feel a cold shiver run down my spine. To be perfectly honest, I don't know how I did. I did my best, definitely, but a part of me wished I had asked for help from Gabe. I don't know, but I guess I'll just have to wait for the results tomorrow.
I notice Ginger and her friends whispering amongst each other, looking at me. She really is asking to be slapped.
"That is all. You are all dismissed," Carmen says and she is the first to exit.
I pick my bag up and head out from the round room. I can actually eat Ginger still muttering about me. What is her deal, honestly. I remind myself that it I do pass this test, then I'll only have to endure a few more months of the stuck up students her. God knows what am I going to do when I graduate.
My phone rings and it's Blaine. I always feel this sense of comfort, and excitement when he calls me.
"Hello?"
"Hey, what are you up to?"
"Are you high? It's Monday. I'm in school," I laugh.
"Oh, right. Sorry. Are you busy?"
"I have exactly ten minutes before my acting class. Can you sum up whatever it is you have to say in ten minutes?"
"That is not courteous best friend behaviour."
"Nine minutes and fifty seconds now."
"I called my father's security to get the latest on his condition?"
"And?" I ask nervously.
"He's still under an induced coma. They're taking him off that today, which means I might be able to talk to him tomorrow."
"That's great!" I say, though I still hear his sullen tone. It breaks my heart. "And the results of his surgery?" I ask.
"In about one to two weeks."
"That's going to be a dreadful, anxious wait."
"I know," Blaine sighs.
"But you won't be alone, okay? I'm here," I reassure him and I sense him smiling.
"I know you are," Blaine says. "Alright, I don't want to think about anything right now. I'm just going to wait until tomorrow to call him."
"Good," I say.
"How is school without Gabe?"
"Relatively mundane-"
"No more exciting sex with the prof, huh?"
"That is the least of my worries."
"What are you worried about?" Blaine ask, and I know I can tell him about Ginger and her judgemental assholes.
"Well, my test, the assholes in my class, possibly getting cut."
"I thought you said you think you did well?"
"I think I did, Blaine. But you know me. The tests I usually think I did badly at are usual the ones I flunk."
"But you're a genius, Kurt. I know you're gonna score so well I might have to get you the most biggest present ever as your reward."
"If you get me anything, I will kill you. The rent payment, school fees, plus this stupid shirt I'm wearing today was enough."
"Nothing is enough for someone who deserves more, like you."
"Very flattering, thank you."
"What are those assholes in your class saying about you this time?" Blaine ask.
"I don't know, but I imagine something about how they think I'm going to pass this test because I am sleeping with Gabe," I sigh my confession.
"Seriously, give me their names I can get them arrested for- like slandering or shit."
"Your protectiveness over me is showing."
"It always shows, and I'm not ashamed," Blaine says confidently.
"Okay, I'm in front of my class right now, and you have approximately twenty seconds left. Anything else?"
"Give me their names and I'll give you more Gray's Papayas."
"No, and you wasted your twenty seconds. Goodbye, and call me tomorrow if you get the chance to talk to your dad, alright?"
'Got it, see you soon."
I hang up and enter my acting class. Mister Matthews, an old man with a receding hairline is already pacing back and forth the class. I notice Ginger and her clique huddling together when I enter, and for a brief second I contemplate giving Blaine their names. I actually believe he can pin something on them.
---------
It's Tuesday morning- day of results.
I am behind the point of being sane. I was not this nervous last night, but as I make my way to NYADA on this drizzly, wet Tuesday morning, I'm mostly in a daze, so anxious to know my results. I hate feeling this scared.
This school is a testament to how hard I worked to get in- now my graduation is going to determine on one test? It's ridiculous and frankly I wonder what major role this course will play in our future lives. Don't get me wrong- it was interesting, and the lecturer is fine as hell, but not everyone wants to pursue ballet. Should they lot have made the course voluntary instead?
NYADA'a school gates await like the fiery gates of hell. I gulp hard and make my way inside. Despite wearing a coat over a sweater, I still feel like my fingers are about to fall off. That is how nervous I am right now.
My phone rings and I pull it out to find a message from Gabe.
From: Gabe Parker
March 12, 2013 9:10 AM
Hey babe. Good luck for your results. I'll see you later, okay? I love you.
I smile at the text, especially that last bit. I wish he was here, but he had told me yesterday that he has a ton of work to attend to. As much as I wish I had my boyfriend here, waiting with me for support- I know he can't.
But my thoughts are immediately forgotten when I hear a familiar voice calling me name.
"Hummel!" Blaine shouts ahead as he strolls to me from the entrance of NYADA.
"Blaine? What are you doing here?" I ask, frowning, studying his face. "You're drenched."
"Slightly, from the rain. Here," he says and he hands me a paper bag I recognize from my favourite bakery- Love For You.
"What's this?"
"It's your good-luck-I-know-you're-going-to-score gift," he tells and I open it up to find two pink boxes. I pull them up and open them to be greeted with the mouth watering sigh of macaroons, of two rows six.
"Blaine," I blush hard. "Thank you," I say as I wrap my bestfriend in a hug. "Gabe got me the exact ones for valentines day," I say.
"I know," Blaine says and I wonder briefly if he had asked Gabe himself or did he remember it when I told him about that sweet, sweet valentines day.
"So, when are you getting you results?" he ask as we part.
"Calling all senior students to report to the round room for distribution of result slips," the PA sounds as if on cue.
"Now, apparently," I say nervously.
"You'll do great, okay? No sweat," he tells me, stroking up and down my arms.
"I hope so-"
"I know so," he says with an assuring smile that comforts me. "Now get your butt in there. I'll wait out here," he says.
"You're waiting here? No! That gives me more pressure!"
"Are you kidding? This will determine you! I'm waiting out here no matter what you say."
"Thank you for adding the pressure," I roll my eyes.
"Go," he says sternly, pointing to the wrong direction.
"That's the bathroom, you idiot," I laugh. "If I come out crying, you are to go away."
"Not a chance. Go," he says again.
"Wish me luck," I sigh as I make my way to the place that will unveil my route.
"You won't need it- but good luck," Blaine yells after me, and I smile in comfort.
-------
All of the other students are already in their seats, waiting anxiously for our results to be released. I see Ginger and her friends at the very front, and I am glad the only empty seat left is way in the back. I am so nervously I would rather not have to endure their judgemental stares and whispers.
The door opens again and silence befalls over the room as Miss Tibideaux walks down the aisle to the front of the room, with two freshman students carrying boxes that holds out results. I gulp hard.
"NYADA students, I shall let you know now that among the twenty seven of you seated here, there are three failures who will have to put up a performance for me and the faculty."
I gulp hard- honestly I have never been this nervous. Not since the test results for my father's prostate cancer a few years back.
"Without further ado, I shall release your results. When I call your name, come forward," Miss Tibideaux says.
I hear a few familiar names being called. I hate how it's not in alphabetical order- which means I can't anticipate and brace myself. I hear Ginger's name being called and she stands to take her slip from Miss Tibideaux. Ryan, the pretentious asshole in Ginger's clique. Kyle, also part of their club- and then I hear it.
"Kurt Hummel," Miss Tibideaux says my name like God would on judgment day.
I walk nervously down the aisle. Her face gives nothing away, just like Gabe's when I asked him about my test last night. I take the brown folder from her hands and walk back up to my seat.
The folder is brown, with the school's name NYADA plastered across the front cover in gold. This single folder right here will determine whether I go right, or left. It's one of those crossroads moments in life. If I pass this, all I am left with is my dance finals- a tango piece I had choreograph with a ballerina. That I am not too worried about because that girl is a genius.
But this- this folder right here, is the real deal.
My phone rings then and it distracts me momentarily- or maybe purposely, solely for procrastination purposes. I pull it out and a text from Blaine appears.
From: Blaine Anderson
March 12, 2013 10:03 AM
You're killing me here kid. How did you do?
I breathe and slowly, gently, carefully pull the front cover apart to find my results.
-------
"Kurt!" Blaine yells when I emerge from the round room, clutching on my folder. "How did you do?" he ask, studying my expression trying to gauge it himself.
I say nothing, still in shock.
"Kurt?" Blaine ask nervously, clutching on my biceps.
"I got- a near perfect score."
"I knew it!" he yells in triumph and pulls me into a death hug. "I knew you were going to ace it!"
I fall into my bestfriend's embrace, my legs still paralysed from my success. I least quite expected this to happen because- well because I thought I didn't do so well and I was already picking out Broadway numbers to perform for Carmen.
"Say something!" Blaine urges.
"I still can't believe it...Blaine, this means I'm just that closer to graduating from NYADA."
"I am so proud of you," he breathes genuinely and I smile. "I'm taking you out for a celebratory early lunch. Right now."
"I have class-"
"Screw class you're going to graduate-"
"No surprise you passed," a man's voice says as he walks pass me and Blaine. "I hope all those nights was worth the grade!"
"Excuse me?" Blaine says, and I can see he's pissed. The man turns and it's Ryan, followed closely by Ginger and Kyle as well.
"Everyone knows Hummel here passed because he slept with the lecturer, or that Mister Parker passed him solely because they're dating. Did you also tell him to fail Ginger, hm?" Ryan says, with his snobbish, superior face.
"Okay, listen up here fuck face," Blaine starts and I chuckle at Ryan's stunned expression. "One, nobody wears fedoras anymore you look stupid and you probably don't get laid much. Two, Kurt is a genius if there was any reason for him to sleep with anyone to get an upper hand, it would to be stop terrorism or something. Third, Ginger failed because she's a moron with really, really tacky sense of fashion- oh and you might want to get those split ends trimmed, honey. Fourthly, if you ever say anything to Kurt again, not only will I get your dysfunctional penis chopped off, I will make sure that you will be a convicts' daily fuckmeat in prison, got it?"
The tree of them are staring at Blaine with eyes wide open and mouths unsure to form coherent sentences. This reminds me so much of back in high school, after my coma, how Blaine was to every single jock that harassed me. He used to be violent then, now he isn't- and despite the many times I told him I can stick up for myself, he never stopped protecting me. After awhile, I just gave up trying and let him do what he needs to do- because I know it's part of his nature over me.
"Who the hell do you think you are-" Ryan says.
"Oh, do not speak to me. Just know, that don't you ever dare to come within smelling distance with Kurt, okay? Have a nice life," he says and he wraps his arm around mine and tugs me away.
"You know you didn't have to do that, right?"
"I know, but I love seeing faces of defeat," he tells and I chuckle. "So, where do you wanna go for lunch?"
"Anywhere," I say disinterestedly because Ryan's words are ringing in my head.
Did Gabe pass me because we are together? I've never considered that, but if you look at it from an angel, if you were in a position to put your boyfriend at an upper stance, wouldn't you, solely out of passion?
"Bernie's House Of Burgers then, because I'm craving for a good ol' American cheese burger," Blaine says.
--------
The buzzer goes off later that night. I press the intercom and my boyfriend's voice comes through the speaker.
"Hey," he simply says.
"Hi, come on up," I tell him and press the green button.
I've been debating this over in my head the entire day. I know for a fact that I don't sleep with Gabe to get good grades- that is what someone with low morals would do, and I definitely do not have low morals- but what if Gabe enhanced my grades, because he loves me? I don't know, but I intend to find out.
There is a knock on the door and I pull it open. "Hey baby," he says and catches my lip in a deep, passionate kiss that makes me lose my equilibrium.
"Hi," I pant when he parts away.
"I'm so proud of you," he says.
"Thank you."
"I bought dinner. Chinese, if you don't mind- and I propose we eat this naked, in bed. How does that sound to you?"
"Sounds like a bad combo- naked, and spicy food."
"Did you want me to eat ice cream off you instead?" he smirks, and I feel it go down to my groin. God, can this man be any more sexy?
"Can we talk? For just a bit?" I ask.
"Sure," he shrugs.
I feel myself grow nervous as he sexily strides to my couch. How do you ask your boyfriend if he helped you cheat on your major test without sounding accusatory. I don't want to offend him, but then again I need some assurance to feed my unstable soul. I don't normally listen to gossip, but I need to know this for myself. I even asked Blaine over lunch earlier today and he simply shrugged.
"So, what's up?" he ask, resting his long arm over the headrest of my couch.
"I need to- ask you something, and it might offend you, but I don't mean to- I just..need to know, okay?" I say nervously and I see his naturally perfect eyebrows raise.
"o..kay.." he says.
"Okay, well here's a little back ground check," I start, taking a seat next to him. "Ever since the school found out about us, I've been getting a lot of flack- things like how I am only sleeping with you to get better grades in class, which is not true because I really am dating you, like for real." I tell and I see him grow confused.
"Who has been giving you flack?" he interrupts.
"Not important, let me continue, please?" I beg, and he nods.
"Okay, so today I got my results, right? And I did exceedingly, unexpectedly well, and an idiot said that you probably bumped my grade so I would pass..and normally I wouldn't succumb to stupid remarks, but I just have to know- for me- if you did.."
"If I did?"
"Did you bump my grade up?" I ask nervously.
Gabe studies me for awhile, staring at me with beautiful, curious green eyes. I feel exploited under his scrutiny. "Why can't you believe you did well?"
"Because I was sure I was either going to do average, or not pass at all because I am no ballet whiz," I point out.
"Can you just believe you did well?" he says and a part of me dies.
"You did, didn't you?" I ask, though I already know the answer.
"Kurt-"
"Oh my god! You did!' I yell, standing up and staring at him in disbelief.
"Kurt, please-"
"No! How could you, Gabe!"
"I only did it because you were close to failing and I didn't want you to graduate as a mediocre student! I wanted you to be the best, and ballet history was only one part of the whole final performance! It was a requirement to get through NYADA! I couldn't let you have to retake it, Kurt-"
"I would rather have retaken it than illicitly get through! Gabe- oh my god," I slump into the couch and bury my face in my hands.
"Please don't be mad-"
"How can I not? You cheated for me, Gabe! Plus, you confirmed all the rumours about me sleeping with you for better grades! God I feel like a whore," I exhale.
"You're not a whore, Kurt," he sighs and scoots closer to me. "You did not sleep with me for good grades- at least I hope not because that would suck- but I did what I did for you, because I'm your boyfriend and I want you to do well, and if it was in my power to help you, I'm going to-"
"But it's wrong! Don't you get it? This means I won't graduate based on my hard work! I will graduate because- well because I bent over for the teacher!" I yell, finding it hard to comprehend what the hell is happening.
He cheated for me, his intentions were good, but this- it's wrong, it's beyond my beliefs, it's cheating. It's what my father taught me against. It's not my hard work.
"Stop that, okay? Stop saying things like that. Ballet history was only one requirement to graduate, frankly it's not that important considering not everyone wants to be in the ballet dance art. It should not have been mandatory in the first place. You still will graduate based on your talents, Kurt. Ballet history is not your route, and you don't need it-"
"Why can't you understand that this is cheating?" I say heatedly, standing up from his hold.
"Because it's not. I did it-"
"Because you wanted to help me, I get it, but fuck- it still does not make it okay," I say and I feel tears welling up in my eyes.
"Please don't cry-"
"How can I not, Gabe?" I say through sobs. He stands but I turn my back to him. I feel his hands on my shoulders but I shrug it away. "I'm not going to go through with this," I sob.
"What do you mean?" he ask.
"It means I'm going to Miss Tibideaux and telling her I want to retake it, or perform for her."
"Kurt, you can't do that."
"I have to! Why is this so hard for you to understand? My whole life throughout NYADA, I did everything with my own hard work- juggling work and my dad's health and everything. It's my final year, and I was going to graduate feeling rewarded and satisfied with my time here, and now this happens? I can't. I'm sorry. I have to retake the test and tell Carmen I cheated."
Gabe sighs and turns me to face him. "Kurt, listen to me, you're still going to graduate from your hard work. Ballet history should not have been part of the requirement. It should have been an elective. If you do this, not only are you jeopardizing my credibility, it's going to ruin yours too. Please don't do this."
"I'm not going to tell that you did it, okay? I'm going to tell her that I cheated, and that I would gladly perform for her. This is what I need to do, and you can't stop me."
"I'm sorry," he says and tries to hug me.
"Can you just- can you leave?" I tell him. "I really just need to be alone right now."
"Kurt, I'm sorry. I did this for you-"
"I know you did, but it still doesn't make it okay. Just- I'll call you tomorrow or something."
He studies me for a bit, his face ashen and regretful. He leans in and kisses me lightly on my cheek- though I really can't stand to be around him right now. He turns and strides to the door, but stops to turn to me at the door frame.
"If I knew you'd be this mad I would've done it, I just wanted the best for you."
"I know," I sigh. He smiles sadly before he exits my apartment.
-----------
The next day, I wake up feeling as shitty and upset as I felt the night before. My worries have basically duplexed in the span of nine hours. I still can't accept what Gabe did- for my advantage or not, it still was not morally right. The words of Ryan ring back to me. He was right- I basically did sleep for good grades, intentionally or not.
I climb off my bed and drag myself into the shower and allowed the water to clean off the dirt I feel on my body. It sucks- it sucks so bad at what Gabe did. I feel disgusted with myself, with him, with those people who talked about it.
NYADA was supposed to be my achievement that I succeeded on my own, now it's no longer. I know Blaine paid my tuition fee, but this is different. This is point blank cheating. I have never cheated on my life. The last time I even came close, was when I sabotaged Rachel's ugly blue plaid skirt so she wouldn't wear it but that was different.
My head hurts so bad from all the crying. I know I have text messages from Gabe, but I just am not in the high spirits to even bother with them.
I cannot pin this on him, that I know. He is a working adult, with a responsible career. If word gets out that he cheated for his dear boyfriend, it will ruin him. His credibility, his life basically. Everyone will question his own achievements of Julliard and everything in his resume. I know I have to take the heat for this, because sucks to admit it, but for now, my goals and reputation is the least of importance compared to Gabe's career.
I pull out a glum looking outfit- navy and black.
The weather resonates with my mood this morning- cloudy, with a 60% chance of precipitation. The walk down to school feels longer this time. I stop at every chance I can through traffic lights, bakeries, a coffee shop, a newspaper stand- but despite my procrastinations, there I am, upon the tall gates of NYADA.
My phone rings then and I pull it out, but just as I am about to press Ignore because I am seriously not in the mood for conversations, it's Blaine and I know despite what I'm going through, he's going through things more profound than me. I press the Answer button and his voice comes through.
"Good morning," he hums and somehow, I feel lighter by the sound of his voice.
"Hi," I say.
"That was a glum greeting," he points out.
"Not feeling that good today," I tell him, hoping he would buy it.
"Why the hell not? You do realize you aced your test, right?"
I sigh heavily at the reminder of that cheated-on test. "What's up?" I say, changing the topic.
He's silent for a moment, no doubt trying to gauge whether he should press on. I slightly pray he doesn't press on because when I tell him, no doubt will he get super pissed at Gabe- probably on a murdery level. My best friend is protective over me that way.
"Well, I heard from my dad," he tells me and I'm glad- both that Mister Anderson is okay, and that he chose not to pry.
"Really?" I say. "What did he say?"
"Well, he called my last night and told me that the surgery went according to plan, and that he would be coming back on Friday, but he has to go back the following week to get the results."
"That's- good, right?"
"Good that the surgery went okay, yeah. But the results- I don't know it's going to be such a wait. How did you cope? Waiting for your dad's test results?" he ask me.
"Well," I start. I'm glad he's asking me this, taking me away from my worrying thoughts about going in and talking to Carmen. "I didn't wear any dark colours- because dark colours are bad luck- I did yoga, I did a lot of work and drowned myself in my job, taking lots of shifts basically. It's going to be fine, Blaine."
"Who knows that, Kurt," he sighs. "I really hope it's going to be okay."
"I'll be right by your side, okay?"
"I know you will be," he says. "Anyway, where are you?"
"On my way in to school."
"Okay, well knock 'em dead in there! You're already going to graduate- be defiant to that devil's mistress, okay?"
"I'll try," I say tiredly.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Fine, don't worry about it."
"I will, but okay. Just call me if you need me, alright?"
"Yeah, okay. See you soon."
With one last heavy inhale, I enter NYADA with the heaviest heart ever. The first unfortunate sigh I see is of Ryan, Kyle and Ginger. They look at me with their disapproving eyes, but they don't throw something annoying at my way, and I'm glad. With my mood, who knows what I'm capable of.
I stand in front of Miss Tibideaux's office, gulping so hard I think I tore my airways. My fist comes into contact with the frosted wood, and I tap it lightly. A muffled 'Come In' voices from behind it and I slowly turn the knob in my hand, scared to death of what might happen when I am inside.
"Mister Hummel," Miss Tibideaux says with the least enthusiasm. "What can I do for you."
"I- urm- actually have to talk to you..about something."
"Please be specific, Mister Hummel. I really have a lot to do."
"On the test. The ballet history test."
"Okay, what about it?"
I exhale heavily, wishing heavens to Gods that my boyfriend cared less of my future- I don't know why, but I wish he didn't have good intentions on this. "I cheated."
"Excuse me?" Miss Tibideaux says, looking at me through her half moon specs.
"I cheated on that test," I tell her.
Miss Tibideaux studies at me. I feel like bursting into shreds under her stare, but I don't know how to gauge this. "Why would you do that, Mister Hummel?"
"Because- well because I I knew I wouldn't pass, and I know how important this test would factor into the finals, so I wanted to make sure that I would graduate, but after I've done what I did, I realized how wrong it is, and I don't feel morally good about the results, so I was hoping, with your nature, that you would grant me a second chance to retake that test. Please," I say, but I feel like I was grovelling, begging for what was not even my mistake.
Miss Tibideaux sighs. Her gaze travels elsewhere. I am worried beyond sanity. What if she does not allow me to take that test? I don't know what's going to happen, but I can tell it isn't something good.
"Mister Hummel, I don't know why you would do this," she says with an aggravated tone. "You auditioned twice to get into this school, and in your final year you do this?"
"I'm sorry-"
"No, you cannot apologize for this. I had hope better from you, especially since you were good friends with Rachel Berry. This is your final year, you could have graduated well if you had done the work like the rest. Why do you think I should grant you another second chance, when what you did was your mistake, your own stupidity?"
"Miss Tibideaux, please..I wasn't thinking. I was worried for my future-"
"If you were worried for your future, you should have known better than to cheat on a final test that would have factored well into your final grade. Mister Hummel, I don't know if a retest is even in your midst. This is very serious, and I will have to take this up to the other chairmans."
"I wasn't thinking- please Miss Tibideaux, I know I screwed up but I promise, if you give me this last chance-"
"If you know me well from your extensive research, I am not a woman who simply hands out second chances. The fact that I gave you a second chance and enroll you in was a testament that I thought you were worth it. I'm now doubting my past decision."
I feel my insides breaking into shards. This cannot be happening. This room has far too less oxygen for one woman, and a man who is about to go into asthmatic shock. I await for her to give me a verdict, nervously with my thumbs twiddling.
"I don't know what will happen. We might have to expel you, or we might give you a second chance. But I am sure it's the latter. Kurt, I saw something in you at your audition the second time. I thought you could be something fresh in the Broadway industry, but cheating is intolerable here. For now, you're suspended until further notice."
I had to lean forward to catch her words, but despite that I still could not process it. Expelled? Suspended? What did I even do to my future. I try my best to give an understandable nod, but Miss Tibideaux is not looking at me, but I can sense she's so disappointed.
I pick my bag up and dash out the office, down the hallway, my tears stinging my eyes like crazy. My heart is compressing and releasing. I have no oxygen left in these lungs of mine. I ignore all the stares I got when I emerge out the school and I begin running back home. It has started to rain- hard- and I am soaked within minutes.
I dash up the stairs, into my small apartment, my heart about to burst. I crumble onto my bed and lose myself in complete, and utter devastation.
-------
I still have my black combat boots on, my outfit still intact but my eyes feel swollen from the crying. God knows what time it is but it's dark outside.
If death is the most painful thing in the world, then this comes pretty close.
I can't bear to get up- to face the reality that I might quite possibly be kicked out of the school I worked so hard to get into- and on my final few months at that. I don't know who to blame. I know Gabe had the best of intentions, but it does not overwrite anything. It's still wrong, but a part of me am glad I did what I did, otherwise I would grow even more guilty at triumph- not to mention actually feeling like the things Ginger and her male whores has been saying about me.
I pull my phone from under my pillow, where I kept it on silent mode, and fun myself in the face of a dozen missed calls and text messages- most of them from Blaine and Gabe.
I can't either- Blaine would be pissed when he finds out, especially after that look of proudness he had when I emerged from the round room with my results. I can't face Gabe because I really don't want to blame him for what has happened- he had pure intentions, that I have to remind myself.
And what about my dad, then. I left Lima to pursue NYADA, and if he finds out that the reason why I've been kicked out was because I was too sidetracked with a relationship- it won't look so well, and he'll probably be so disappointed in me, and the last person I want to disappoint is my father.
There is a knock on the door and for a brief second, I fear it's Gabe, but it's not.
"Kurt? Kurt are you in there?" Blaine calls, but I bury myself deep in covers to drown his voice.
But then I hear the tell tale sound of a key being inserted, and the door slowly creaking open. Honestly, I should hide my spare key somewhere where nobody can find it. I hear soft footsteps approaching my bedroom and I am under the covers in a gif.
"Kurt?" Blaine's voice calls but I stay silent, still stifling my sobs. "Kurt, what's wrong?" Blaine says, and his voice is gentle, comforting and I feel broken and upset. I throw the covers off me and leapt into his arms and he catches me in a hug, and I cry hard into my best friend's shoulder.
He strokes my back gently, soothingly and I begin to calm in his hold. He doesn't say anything, he allows me to cry myself out until I die down to soft sobs. Carefully he puts me down on the bed and sits beside me, clutching on my hand, one arm across my shoulder, still calmly stroking me.
"What's wrong?" he ask soothingly.
I can't bare to tell him. The way his face lit up at my false triumph passed of that test- I don't want to be seen as a disappointment in his eyes, but then again he's my best friend and I know for a fact that even if I was in a reform school, he would still look at me like I'm freaking Albert Einstein. I choke on my words, muffled by my sobs.
"Do you want some water?" he ask.
I simply shake my head, unable to string words into sentences.
"Then tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me. You haven't cried this hard since your dad got cancer- Oh god, did he have a relapse?"
"N-no," I stammer.
"Then what is it?"
"I m-might get expelled- from NYADA," I tell him, and by words from my own mouth, I sob harder.
"Expelled? What are you talking about? You aced that test-"
"I didn't," I tell him. "I cheated."
Blaine pulls away from me, and he frowns- studying me with his hazel eyes. I sob quietly now beside him, trying to even process this while I tell him.
"You cheated? You? Kurt Hummel?" he says.
I nod my head slightly.
"Bullshit," he accuses.
"What?"
"You're Kurt Hummel. You don't cheat- you wouldn't even know how to. You once thought you wouldn't do well on a math quiz so you brought the entire formula book into the class room thinking you could hide it inside your sweater. You don't know how to cheat, Kurt. So tell me, what really happened," he says.
I sigh lethargically, my body so drained out of energy. I don't know if I should tell him. He's my best friend, but a part of me knows he's going to get severely pissed at Gabe if I tell him- but then again I can tell him anything, and I need to because I'm about to crumble into pieces.
"Gabe cheated for me. He gave me better marks than I actually scored," I tell him.
"But you didn't tell him to do that, did you?"
I shake my head.
"He did himself," Blaine continues on.
I nod.
"Why the fuck would that asshole do that," Blaine says heatedly.
"Because I didn't do so well initially, so he bumped my grade so I would be an overachiever or something. His motives were good, but I really wish he hadn't done it-"
"Good? His motives were stupid! He should have known this would jeopardize your chances of graduating! Wait, but if he cheated for you, why are you getting expelled- Oh..you told them you cheated, didn't you?"
I nod.
"Kurt! What the fuck are you thinking? It wasn't your fault!"
"I know, but this is complicated, Blaine! His career is his life, and I still have my future to work on but if I tell them that Gabe was the one who cheated for me, I don't know it will ruin his reputation-"
"Screw his reputation! This school is all that you've been working for- to graduate, and now you're going to take the fall for something that wasn't even your freakin' fault? Screw that, Kurt. You always wanted to be in NYADA, you can't just let them kick you out because you want to protect your boyfriend! Tell them you didn't do it!"
"I can't-"
"Yes you can!"
"No-"
"Yes," Blaine says sternly.
"Please don't- I just, I can't talk about this, and I just don't want to ruin Gabe's credibility, okay? I can still come out of this. There is still hope they would give me another chance, for now- I'm suspended-"
"Kurt, this is shit, alright? Why are you letting him treat you like this? And why didn't he go up to the faculty himself and tell them he did it, not you? This is fucking nonsensical."
"He knows his career will be in the crapper if he does," I tell him. "And it's true. I don't want to do that, okay?"
"But- this is in justice-"
"Blaine! Please, I'm having a hard time trying to accept this myself so can you just stop it?" I cry, burying my face into my palms.
He sighs and slowly pushes me back to rest. My head falls softly on the pillow and I sob at the realization that I can possibly be out of NYADA, on the final few months. I hear the springs squeak as Blaine climbs over me and lays on the other side of the bed. He pulls into into his arms and I rest my head in the crook of his neck. He twirls the back of my hair- how he knows it calms me- and I slowly drift.
"It's okay. You'll fix this. We'll fix this," he repeats, soothingly and I fall into slumber, my heart still in devastation.