“Kurt, you busy tonight? I thought we could hang out?”

“Hummel, party at my place, Saturday! You better be there!”

“Kurt, I really need your help with this test tomorrow!”

Kurt sighed quietly, continuing his long strides down the halls of McKinley High School. This for Kurt was just a typical Tuesday morning. Everyone following him, demanding his attention. If this were to happen 3 years ago, Kurt would have thought the entire school would have been sneakily plotting against him. But now as a senior, Kurt was hounded practically everyday, but not so he could be tormented by jocks or teased by cheerleaders. Pausing to open his locker, he turned to the 3 students gazing at him in anticipation. He eyed the three for a moment, approving his best friends outfit, rolling his eyes half-heartedly at the big guy in a letterman jacket, and smiled at the small cheerleader with desperate eyes.

“Sure, Mercedes, I can hang out tonight. Jack, I’ll see you there. Katie, I’ll meet you in the library after-school. And bring lots of pencils. I know how frustrated you get.”

“Thanks Kurt!” Katie squeaked before skipping down the hall, with her Cheerio’s skirt flapping behind her. Kurt high-fived the large boy, who smirked at Kurt’s acceptance and continued down the hall, whilst Mercedes waited by his locker, very eager to gossip with her BFF.

“So?” she questioned.

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear?”

Kurt let out a frustrated sigh. It was usually his job to find out the latest gossip, and then tell Mercedes, not the opposite. Still, it was always exciting to find out news about fellow students that may, or may not, lighten up his morning.

“Hear what?” he asked.

“Anderson’s single again. Apparently he broke up with his badass boyfriend last night. Said he can’t deal with a long-distance relationship.”

This news definitely did not lighten up his morning.

“And I care because?”

Mercedes gaped at her best friend, ready to let Kurt know exactly why he should care.

“Because he’s the only other gay guy at this school and is seriously fine! Plus, he’s so perfect for you.”

“Really, Mercedes, I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not going to ask Blaine Anderson out on a date just because he’s the only other gay guy at McKinley. Plus, the fact I’m not interested in him at all kind of contributes too.”

Mercedes stared at Kurt with a strict fierceness in her eyes. She and Kurt had been best friends since freshman year; she could totally tell when Kurt liked a guy. But more than that, she could totally tell when Kurt liked a guy, but didn’t want to show it. Still, she knows Kurt, and if she nagged him over it, he would get defensive and they would argue etc etc. It wasn’t worth her time, and plus, she really couldn’t be bothered to nag today. It was only Tuesday after all.

“Ok. Whatever you say, Kurt. But, at least try to be nice to him this morning. He’s struggling.”

Kurt’s instinct was to make a sarcastic comment about how he had to be nice to the perfect Blaine Anderson who was apparently struggling like any normal person, but to avoid an argument, he kept his mouth shut and shrugged to Mercedes, who headed off to her first class of the day. Why should Kurt be nice to Blaine today? Just because he had a rough night doesn’t mean he needs any special treatment from Kurt, of all people. If Kurt had a rough night, well, people would probably be sympathetic and kind, but still, anyone who didn’t know he had a rough night wouldn’t treat him any differently. So, it was decided. He would treat Blaine Anderson exactly the same as he always does. One word answers and no eye contact.

Kurt’s thoughts were interrupted by the return of the bubbly cheerleader he greeted this morning running to a halt in front of him.

“Katie, are you ok?”

“Yeah, I just came to tell you that I don’t need your help after all. I just bumped into Blaine, and he offered to tutor me all night, and I know you have plans with Mercedes tonight, so Blaine could tutor me longer, if you get me?”

Kurt nodded, clutching his fists at his sides.

“He said he’s free all night now he’s single again, so he’s going to help me study until the library closes tonight. Isn’t that sweet of him?”

“Yeah…sweet” Kurt mumbled through his gritted teeth.

“Thanks anyway, Kurt! Have fun with Mercedes tonight! I’ll see you later!” she yelled, running into the nearest classroom. Kurt hadn’t realised that the bell had rung a few minutes prior his conversation with Katie, as the hallways were deserted and all that was heard around was the ticking of his watch. He clutched at his English text book and began to run towards his first class.

Once again, Blaine stole something from Kurt, without even realising. And now, Kurt was going to have to endure a whole hour sitting next to Mr. Perfect in English class. Great…he thought.

Kurt stumbled into the small classroom, muttering apologies to the elderly woman behind the desk at the front of the classroom. She gestured towards the only empty seat in the room, in which Kurt despised. Damn alphabetical seating. AP English was the only class with a stupid seating plan, in every other class, Kurt could sit wherever he liked. But no, not here. Placing his bag underneath the desk, he glanced at his neighbour, who looked up at him with his big, dazzling honey eyes and bright smile.

Blaine’s hair was less-so gelled this morning, with a few natural curls springing out on his forehead. His eyes were still shining, yet surrounded by dark circles with tints of red, showing traces of a few tears here and there. He wore a simple pair of jeans, with a red cardigan and a shirt, with no bowtie, which was odd considering Kurt had never seen Blaine without a quirky bowtie around his neck. It was different, but nevertheless hot.

With one final thought, Kurt opened his notebook and began jotting down pointless notes, with a curious Blaine still smiling slightly beside him.

God, I hate him so much.