Chapter 22 - Lies

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Kurt had cleaned himself up and wrapped up his arm before his dad got home and had, of course, had to throw out the fish that had been in the pan but the rest of it he managed to cook up nicely shortly before Carole arrived. Finn was having dinner at Rachel's for the night so it was just the three of them.

Kurt loved Finn like the brother he now was but it was kind of nice to have his dad and Carole to himself every now and then. Finn got that chance when Kurt would spend nights at Mercedes or Rachel's house. He smiled a bit as they ate before his father finally piped up to ask the inevitable question...

"How was school today?" he asked and Kurt frowned a bit and sighed, "It was fine..." Kurt murmured and Carole gave him a worried look and he knew his father probably was too. He wouldn't meet the others eyes though as he sighed, "The jocks are still kind of upset... I got... slushied a few times. Nothing serious... Just... tired of my clothes getting ruined..." he mumbled out.

"Oh hunny..." Carole said quietly, reaching out to put a hand on Kurt's shoulder as his dad let out a breath and gritted his teeth, "If any one of those punks lays a hand on you, you tell me and I'll make sure they never even think about touching you again..." he said with a nod, "And if you need to talk we're both here... You know we both make pretty decent sounding boards."

Kurt looked over to his dad and smiled weakly, giving a nod, "I... I know. I just want to forget about it. It's not like they hit me or anything. They're just frustrated... they'll get over it eventually and find a new player to replace Karofsky and then I wont matter as much to them... I hope."

"I hope so too..." Carole said with a sigh, "Finn's worried about you too. He really feels guilty for not sticking up for you in the past," she said with a small smile, "He's a good boy... he just sometimes doesn't really know what to do. He's learning though."

"I know... And I really appreciate that he cares... him and the rest of the New Directions... they're always walking me between classes and stuff. It's nice... though I'm afraid walking with me has gotten a few of them some slushies of their own. Brittany didn't seem to mind today though," he chuckled.

"She just scooped up the slushy and sucked on her fingers for like... fifteen minutes before I convinced her she should get cleaned up. When Coach Sue finds out Brit got slushies in her Cheerios uniform though... those jocks are going to wish they were dead..." He smiled and his parents just chuckled back.

"Well, you seem to be taking everything in stride..." Carole said with a smile as his father nodded, "We're proud of you Kurt... Don't let them get to you buddy. You're a Hummel... and no one pushes the Hummel's around and no one can bring them down. "

Kurt smiled a bit and nodded just before the phone rang. Kurt tensed right up, eyes shooting towards the cordless that sat on the kitchen counter. Carole rolled her eyes and sighed as she stood up. Kurt gnawed his bottom lip, eyeing her as she picked up the phone.

"Hello, Hudson-Hummel residence..." she said calmly before frowning a bit, "The School Board? I thought we had all of this sorted out already..." she said, turning to Burt who got up instantly and walked over to take the phone from his wife, "This is Burt Hummel."

"What do you mean? We already gave our side of the story. There's nothing more to tell. I don't want that kid near my son..." Burt said, seeming to grow angrier as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. Kurt frowned and curled in on himself a bit, one hand moving to wrap around his stomach as the other moved to press into one of the newest wounds on his arm as discreetly as possible.

"Are you telling me you think my son is a liar?!" Burt snapped out angrily and Kurt shrunk even more. Carole looked over to the boy and frowned when she saw him looking so frightened. She sighed as she walked over and pulled her chair closer to him, moving to put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a warm smile as she mouthed, 'it'll be ok'.

"No, you listen! My son has no reason to lie! It's that other kid who's lying to you! That Karofsky kid is nothing but trouble!" he growled out, clenching the phone tightly before he hissed out, "Fine... fine... we'll be waiting for you. Lets just get this over with."

Kurt took a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing himself to relax as he looked to Carole, giving her a weak smile and a nod as he heard his father mutter a 'goodbye' before all but slamming the phone down onto the table after shutting it off, "she's coming over... She wants... our side of the story. She says that little fucker told her that Kurt's lying..."

Kurt frowned and looked away from both his parents as he sighed softly. He knew he didn't really have much of a choice. He was too afraid of Karofsky to say anything... he just wanted to get this over with himself as well. Maybe he could find a way to avoid Karofsky at school... maybe he could change his appearance completely? No... No Kurt wouldn't change himself for someone like Karofsky.

"Kurt?" came his father's voice finally and Kurt looked over towards him, frowning, "Hey... you ok buddy? It's going to be alright... I promise," he said quietly as he moved to pat Kurt on the shoulder, "Come on... lets finish eating before that woman comes over and ruins all our appetites."

Kurt smiled weakly and began to play with his food. He wasn't that hungry anymore... well... he wasn't hungry at all anymore really... So he left what was there and just waited will Carole and his dad were done. The three of them cleaned up quickly and just as they were putting the last few dishes away they heard the doorbell ring.

Burt narrowed his eyes as he looked to Kurt and Carole, "you two finish that and I'll get the door," he said as he moved to answer the door. He opened it to reveal a woman around her mid thirties with dark brown hair in a bun atop her head and very professional attire.

Burt scowled as he looked the woman over before he let her in, closing the door behind her, "I'll show you to the sitting room..." he said in a gruff voice, trying hard to be polite though he really just wanted the woman out of his house. He had to remind himself that she was just doing her job... but it was hard.

Burt motioned for the woman to sit just as Carole stepped into the room with a very quiet nervous looking Kurt. She smiled warmly, one hand on Kurt's shoulder as she moved to sit both of them down on the couch next to her husband, making sure Kurt was between the two of them so he would feel more secure.

"My name is Amelia Morison. I work for the schoolboard. I've been asked to 'interview' you, Kurt," she said as she looked to the teen, "I'm afraid there are some discrepancies between your story and Mr. Karofsky's story. It's my job to get the truth one way or another. So I just need you tell me what happened in your own words..."

"I..." Kurt went quiet at this point. What was he supposed to say. How was he supposed to tell them it was all a lie... when it wasn't? He knew if he did his dad would be upset with him... whether he believed Kurt had lied or not. He'd either be upset that Kurt lied or upset that Kurt was saying he lied when it was clear he hadn't.

"Kurt... I need you to realize how important this all is... this is David's future we're talking about. This would go into his permanent record... it would effect the rest of his schooling and everything," Amelia said in a calm voice and Kurt couldn't help but frown and look towards his father.

Burt scowled instantly as he looked to the woman, "are you trying to make my son feel guilty? This incident should go in his permanent record... He's violent and dangerous!" Burt snapped and Carole's hand shot out to push him gently back down, "Your heart Burt... please calm down..."

"Dad..." Kurt whispered, agreeing with Carole completely, "It's alright... Please just calm down..." he whispered before he looked to Amelia and frowned again. At least this was an out... his dad would just assume he felt guilty... he might be disappointed but at least he wouldn't think Kurt was a liar.

"Kurt... please... did David Karofsky really hit you?" the woman asked, eyeing the small boy with a stern look. The truth was she didn't exactly like 'gays'. This boy in particular was rather visibly disturbing... his clothing, his features... his voice... She just wanted to get this over with and get out of here and away from the strange effeminate teen.

"I... N... No..." Kurt whispered out and Burt's eyes went wide as he looked to Kurt, "Kurt! Don't give in to her!" he let out and Kurt just shook his head, "I lied..." he uttered out, "I just wanted him to leave me alone. To stop... calling me names and throwing slushies at me... He... Dave never hit me..."

"Oh, Kurt..." Carole whispered out, unsure of whether or not Kurt was telling the truth or not but knowing either way that the boy was frightened. Clearly Karofsky's bullying was bad enough that Kurt was willing to lie or Kurt was too easily swayed to guilt and he was willing to lie to help someone who'd hurt him so badly.

"As I thought..." Amelia let out, writting something on the pad of paper she'd brought with her, "Thank you, Kurt, Mr. Hummel, Mrs. Hummel..." she said as she moved to stand. It looked like she'd gotten exactly what she'd wanted and now she was ready to go before he changed his mind.

Burt scowled, "You keep that kid away from my son. I know what he did even if Kurt said he didn't do it. I don't like your methods... you come in here and terrify my kid so that you'll get what you want... You're a twisted person and I hope to god that the negative Karma bites you in the ass... Get out of my house..."

Amelia looked to Burt and frowned as she spoke, "I asked only for the truth. It's not my fault if he did in fact decide to lie instead of tell me the same story he told his principle... I can only use what is given to me. And what has been given to me is a statement that says that David Karofsky did nothing... Now if you'll excuse me..."

Amelia then moved towards the door, opening it and slipping through without another word. Burt was shaking with fury as he looked to a worried Carole. Kurt just sat on the couch not looking at either of them as Carole finally moved to pull Kurt into a hug as Burt moved to sit next to them.

"Kurt... why... why would you tell her that?" Burt let out, shaking his head, "After everything that kid put you through? Why would you let him get away with it?" he asked and Kurt just shook his head a bit, "I'm sorry... I lied... I lied ok? I thought... I thought I could get rid of him like that and no one would be the wiser..."

"K... Kurt..." Carole murmured out, biting her bottom lip before she looked to Burt who sighed and just moved to wrap his arms around Kurt as well, "hey... hey... we're not mad ok? You were just trying to protect yourself from a bully. I'm proud of you either way. You stuck up for yourself... even if you had to lie to get what you needed... ok?"

"Y... ya... I'm still sorry... but thank you for understanding," he whispered out, feeling his stomach churn with pain and the need to throw up again. He pressed his fingers tightly into his injured arm as Carole and Burt finally pulled away and Carole sighed softly, "I say we need a distraction... movie night?" she asked with a warm smile, just wanting them all to be able to forget this night ever happened.

"Sounds like a plan..." Burt said with a smile and Kurt gave a bit of a nod, even if he just wanted to go downstairs and pass out... or throw up at the very least. He held it all back, however, not wanting to worry his dad or Carole anymore then they clearly already were.

The three of them stayed curled up on the couch for the rest of the night watching a couple of comedies that they all enjoyed. Before they realized it, Kurt had fallen asleep against Burt. Burt sighed and chuckled as he moved to lift a rather light Kurt into his arms and take him downstairs.

"He's loosing weight..." he murmured to Carole who followed him downstairs to help tuck the exhausted teen in. She frowned a bit and nodded as she looked the skinny boy over. They considered taking Kurt's clothes off but they figured that might make him feel uncomfortable so in the end the two of them just slipped the blanket over him, clothes and all and headed upstairs.

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Kurt frowned as he and his dad and Carole stepped through the halls of the school the next afternoon. His parents had gotten a call from Principle Sue who'd asked them to come in and speak with her. Kurt knew what it was about and he was pretty sure his parents did too by the worried look on Carole's face and the angry look on his fathers.

They knocked on the door and Sue opened it for them to slip inside, "I'm glad you could make it. Please come in and take a seat..." she said in a calm professional voice, "I have a feeling you already know what this is going to be about so I'll get straight to the point..."

Kurt moved to sit, his parents sitting on either side of him. The brunette trembled just slightly though he tried not to let it show. He knew what Sue was going to say... they all did. Karofsky was coming back... and the fear and the disgust and more then likely... the unwanted advances.. would all be coming back with him.

"The school-board has voted in Karofsky's favour. He'll be back at school starting tomorrow. I'm sorry... I did what I could but I'm afraid there's nothing to be done from here. Not after a certain somehow decided to tell a school-board official that he lied to me..." Sue said, looking straight to Kurt who frowned and looked to the floor.

"Porcelain... I don't care if you really were lying to begin with... Karofsky deserved to be expelled sowly for the fast that he threatened your life... so why... why would you tell them that you lied about him hitting you? Even if he didn't hit you... it would have kept him away from you," Sue said, shaking her head a bit.

"I know... wanting Karofsky to get expelled for something he didn't do isn't very professional of me... but I hate to see someone like him getting away with some of the things he's done... but he is... he's gotten away with all of it... and he's coming back tomorrow," Sue frowned, "I wish there was more I could do."

"This is not acceptable..." Carole said shaking her head before she looked to Kurt. She knew the boy felt conflicted about the whole thing and she still wasn't completely convinced it was because he'd lied about Karofsky hitting him. It felt like there was more to all of this then the two boys were letting on.

"No way... This psychopath threatens the life of my kid and some school-board, made up of a bunch of people I don't know, tells me there's nothing they can do about it?" Burt scowled as he looked to Sue, "Who do they think they are. This is my son... Who are they to say that he's not important enough to protect... not important enough to be treated with respect."

"Oh there's plenty they can do about it... They just chose not to..." Sue sighed, "and I wont pretend that none of it has to do with the fact that your son is a homosexual. This is Lima, Ohio... The streets are littered with homophobic filth. You either get use to it or you go somewhere else."

"Besides that... No one made a report of seeing Karofsky being violent... And there's really no way to prove he threatened to kill you..." she said, her last words directed to Kurt as she frowned, "And with your statement that 'you lied' and that Karofsky never hit you... It just makes you look more like a liar and they've basically just tossed the entire case aside."

"The school-board presidents issues a verbal warning to Karofsky... And that's where we are now... You should have just told them he hit you even if it was a lie," Sue sighed.

"I can't... I don't..." Kurt sighed softly, clenching his fists a bit. He was so scared right now and he just wished he could open his mouth and tell them all why but... he couldn't, "I don't want to go back to being afraid all the time," he whispered, "I jump every time a locker slams shut... I flinch every time I turn a corner. I don't feel safe here anymore..."

"Kid's who bully, for the most part, tend to have been bullied themselves. And I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that that behavior can change..." Sue said calmly, shaking her head a bit, "David Karofsky's not going to just... all of a sudden be nice to you. We all know this... And I will no longer stand by unable to do anything about it."

"So... effective noon tomorrow... Figgins is back in charge as I have given my resignation as principle in protest," Sue said with a bit of a smile. The truth was she liked Kurt. There was something about the boy that reminded her of herself when she was younger... Back when she was bullied for having a hand-capable sister... Not that she'd ever admit that to anyone.

"I can't help you sitting here in this office... but I can be an extra pair of eyes if I'm out there in those halls. After all... someone has to have your back," she said with a nod of her head before frowning a bit, "Besides... I kind of miss my office... This room smells weird... I can't shake the creepy feeling that I'm inhaling a whole lot of dead skin."

Kurt felt everything just... disappear. It was like he couldn't feel anything anymore. This was it... his last day before it would all go back to the way it was... back to being afraid every moment of every day... afraid of what was around the corner... afraid of what tomorrow would bring... afraid of any loud noise... but most of all afraid of any touch...

His skin felt like it was crawling already as Carole reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Kurt tensed a bit but didn't pull away. He knew his dad and Carole were speaking to Sue still but he couldn't hear any of it. He just stared down at the floor... silently wishing that it would open up and swallow him whole.

"Alright... thank you Principle Sylvester... for trying," Burt let out quietly as he moved to stand, reaching out to guide an almost comatose Kurt up to his feet. Carole sighed and looked to Burt who gave her a weak sad smile before the two of them guided Kurt out of the room.

Once they were in the outter office, Burt turned and grabbed Kurt by the chin, lifting his head up as he frowned, "Kurt... look at me..." he said and Kurt did as he was told, "Hey... you're going to be just fine... alright? If that jerk tries anything... if he touches you... you call me and I'll be done here before you know it."

"Alright dad..." Kurt whispered out quietly. His dad nodded and let his chin go as the three of them headed off into the hall. They stopped in front of Kurt's locker and the teen turned to his parents and smiled weakly, "Well... guess I should go and enjoy the rest of the day before all hell breaks loose tomorrow..."

He then moved to slip past them, tears stinging his eyes a bit before he heard his fathers voice call out to him, "Hey, Kurt... Wait up a second," his dad said with a small smile as he motioned him over, "There's something we wanna talk to you about."

"I... It's not about me lying is it? I'm... not sure I want to talk about that anymore," he whispered out, disgusted with himself for playing into Karofsky's hands. Carole smiled weakly and shook her head as she reached out to pull Kurt closer to them, "no sweety, it's not that..."

"Kurt... I don't want you here if that kids around. I don't want to see you get hurt and I don't want to see you coming home every day looking like the worlds ending," his dad sighed, "I want to see you happy again and I don't think that's possible here with that punk around."

"I... I'm fine dad... really..." Kurt let out quietly, giving his father a weak smile, "It's only for another... year and a half or so... I'll be fine..." he said, trying to reassure them. Of course, another year and a half with Karofsky made him want to throw up. That was a long time to be at that perverts mercy.

"Kurt... We want you to go to Dalton Academy... Where your friend Blaine goes to school..." Carole said calmly as his dad nodded, "With our honeymoon money we should have enough to get you in for the rest of the year. It'll at least be half a year where we won't have to constantly worry about you..."

"D... Dalton? You want me to go to Dalton?" Kurt asked, eyes wide for a moment before it all registered, "N... No... No you can't use your honeymoon money on me. I'm fine, really... besides... I don't... I don't want to go. I don't want to leave the New Directions. They're my friends... they're like a second family..."

"Kurt... just... just hear us out, alright?" Carole said calmly as she reached out to put a hand on his shoulder. He tensed again but met her gaze and sighed softly, "Alright... I'll listen... but it doesn't mean I'll say yes... and please don't force me to go there if I don't want to..."

"We would never do that..." his father said with a nod.

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