Chapter 17

Kurt had spent the last fifteen minutes scrutinizing the nameplate on Principal Figgins’ desk. Not once had he lifted his gaze at the principal himself or Mr Schue, who was standing behind him, a little to his left. He wished Blaine could have come with him; simply having his friend by his side would make everything better. A part of Kurt was embarrassed he had to recount the events. Again. Another part of him was just annoyed that this ordeal didn’t finish there and then, that something still kept him from moving on.

And then, there was a tiny fraction of him that was grateful to Mr Schue that he had arranged this and introduced Figgins to some of the most important facts.

Still, the knowledge of Karofsky’s presence right behind the glass wall was upsetting. Obviously, he wasn’t a threat to anyone now, not with all these people around, especially with his father by his side. Mr Karofsky’s face was caught in between anger, disappointment and worry, as he glanced sideways at his son every other minute.

Thankfully, Azimio wasn’t there; he’d already paid a visit to the principal’s office before Kurt showed up, and was asked to tell exactly what he’d seen in the locker room. His description was vague and frequently interrupted whenever he stopped to make a disgusted face. But what Figgins later heard from Kurt matched what Azimio had said, and the principal was even beginning to consider suspending the football player as the suggestion was made he stood behind not only Dave’s, but also the whole Glee club’s bullying. (Kurt barely resisted snorting in Figgins’ face; how could they all be so blind as not to see the constant humiliation and pain they were served?)

‘Mr Hummel, you should have gone to a teacher to report this earlier!,’ Figgins was saying; Kurt was hardly paying any attention at all. Nothing the principal would tell him now would really matter. It was too late to stop things from happening to him or people he cared about, and too early for a decision to be made. ‘Now I’m going to talk to David, so William…’ Figgins motioned to Mr Schue to escort Kurt out of the room.

Heading out, Kurt stole one short glance at his bully. Karofsky had probably never looked worse; and it wasn’t even the huge purple bags under his eyes or the visibly ruffled clothes. Kurt had never seen him so vulnerable, so defeated.

But then, when Dave raised his eyes, feeling Kurt’s scrutiny on himself, his eyes were set ablaze by a rage that was set boiling anew. His hands balled into fists, his lips pursed, barely enabling him to stop the threat that was forcing itself out of his mouth.

Kurt averted his gaze and quickened his pace, holding his gaze, until he was back in the hallway and Blaine’s warm arms were around him.

***

The time seemed to be standing still. Every second of silence rang in Kurt’s ears, nauseating. Blaine didn’t speak at all since Kurt emerged out of the principal’s office; there was nothing he could say right now. They could only sit on the cold stairs in front of the office and watch the silhouettes of the people inside. It was difficult to tell what exactly was going on from gestures and facial expressions alone, so they both soon gave up the watching. Kurt propped his head on Blaine’s shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to push all the worries out of his mind.

Almost an hour had passed, when finally the glass door opened and Mr Schue hurried to the boys. Kurt snapped out of his attempts at clearing his head and jumped to his feet, Blaine following suit.

‘And? What’s the decision?,’ Blaine asked hurriedly.

‘After hearing Azimio and Kurt out, and talking to Dave, Principal Figgins has decided Dave should be suspended for six weeks and there will be a note in his permanent record,’ Will replied, carefully choosing his words.

‘That’s it?’

Kurt wished he could be the one to ask questions, but his voice chose this moment to fail him, so he was glad he had Blaine to do it for him.

‘Blaine, I know it seems little, but there is really nothing else we could do. And having this in his files might diminish his chances when he applies to colleges, so it is a real consequence. And he’ll probably have to make up for the time he’ll be suspended in summer school.’

The only response Kurt could muster was to nod slowly a few times. It didn’t really matter. Karofsky got a smack on the wrist, Mr Schue could feel good about himself again, and Azimio would soon be back to tormenting them again. At least Burt didn’t know any of this; that was a relief. And now Kurt could just put this behind him.

The bullying would probably never end, just like he’d never stop cringing at the memory of that locker room, but at least his bruises might finally get a chance to heal.