����������� Kurt does not reply. It makes sense, I wouldn’t know what to reply to that message either. So I decide to make better use of time and do my homework. I realize I have so much to do, not only do I have papers due this week, I have to submit a few added coursework for my absences. I finish half of what I need to and slump onto my mattress, holding my phone, still no reply. I head to my bathroom, open one of the orange bottles behind my mirror, walk back to bed and feel the pills take over my consciousness.

�

Come back here Anderson! What you’re scared? Are you afraid of me? You’re gonna run home to mommy?

�

He grabs my neck..Let go, Please let me go.

�

BAM!

�

����������� It always ends with my head hitting the lockers. That one anyway. I sit up on my bed, feel this painful throb �at the back of my head. It’s not real. I know I will not be able to sleep the rest of the night. It’s 3 am. I take a shower and check my phone as I dry my hair. A missed call from my mother, a text from Wes asking how I am, and one from Kurt. At the sight of his name, I feel excited, then worried. What if this message was him asking for help and I was too dozed off to read it? I open his message.

�

Thanks! Hope you had a good day despite my intrusion. Sorry for spying. :)

�

I feel relieved. I type my reply down and plan to send it at a more sensible hour.

�

Your intrusion is still abuzz with the boys. Been awhile since we were spied on.Hope you’re ready for Sectionals. As you witnessed..We sure are. :)

�

Smug. But I hope he finds it funny.

�

����������� I decide to take out my Chemistry book and study. The last thing I want to do is fail my subjects an get kicked out. I have to stop skipping classes, there’s only so much patience and extra coursework my professors could give before the other students think I get special treatment, or they already do, but let it slip.

�

I hear nothing from Kurt over the next few days. �He’s okay, I say to myself

�

����������� “No Mom, you don’t need to come all the way here to visit. I’m fine, I promise.” “Yes, I’m eating right, yes I sleep well and I told you I really did not mean to miss my classes, I got caught up rehearsing in my room and did not notice the time. Yes, I’ll get you tickets for sectionals.” “Okay, Love you too, Bye”

�

����������� “All right, which one of you did it?” Wes takes a full bite of a cinnamon roll and looks away. David pretends to be busy reading a magazine. Andrew speaks first. “Wasn’t me man, you know your mom scares me sometimes.” “ All moms scare you Andrew.” I say. The other two are snickering. I take Wes’ pastry stash. He’s serious and seems stern all the time but I know Wes is at his most vulnerable when he’s eating his favorite baked goodies. “I plan on eating them all if you don’t come clean.” I threaten him with a huge grin on my face, he knows I’m capable of doing it. “The patisserie is closed for the day, you won’t be able to eat one ‘til after lunch tomorrow, no midnight cheesecake for you Wes.” “Aright aright..nit wa me, gib em bak.” He answers, mouth still full. “ She worries too much, you know that. She hates that I’m far away, any news that things are not going smoothly for me here, she’s ready to leave home, get on a plane. I admit I was affected by Kurt showing up but �it’s not what you guys think.” The guys fall silent for a while.

�

����������� “Kurt seems cute, you haven’t been out much, have you seen that Jedadiah dude again?” Andrew asks. “It’s Jeremiah, and no I haven’t seen him. He doesn’t even know who I am.” I respond. “Then let yourself be known, and didn’t you hear me, I said Kurt’s cute.” “He’s also our competition.” I retort. “Never stopped anyone before.” David joins in. “He’s going through so much right now. You saw it.” I say. “Exactly why he’s perfect for you.” Wes carefully adds, clutching his pastries. I fall silent. “Oh ho ho..he’s thinking about it.” Andrew teases. The two join in. “Blaine and Kuuuurt..Blaine likes Kurt..Blaine likes Kuuurt..” They’re getting too loud, poking me, making me laugh. It’s fun, they’re always like this when we hangout, the mood is always light. “Alright, alright, we should stop now before everybody hears.” I say. David and Andrew continue to debate on something. Wes starts placing a cupcake, some more cinnamon rolls and some cheesecake into plastic containers and hides them in his bag. I take out my phone and type: COURAGE, and hope Kurt is not having a rough day.

�

On our way back to the our respective dorm rooms, my phone rings.

�

You make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream.

�

����������� “Jeez man,change your tone, bad enough we had to rehearse that for weeks. Katy Perry is just not for me.” Andrew complains. I hear Wes saying something about the council votes chose that song and something about it was a hit performance. I don’t stay to watch them bicker, I run to my room and answer Kurt’s call.

�