The next day, Blaine was nowhere to be found. Rumors were that he had been suspended for the rest of the week. Principal Sylvester had not been happy with what had happened at all. If only she would react the same way when it was Karofsky or one of her Cheerios or jocks doing the hitting.

Apparently, Karofsky had come out as the victim, because he was there the next day, sporting a brand new shiner, a few bruises on his face and a split lip. The girls were all over him, sympathetic and cooing over his injuries. Somehow Kurt couldn't bring himself to pity him. How Blaine handled the situation was nowhere near right, but that didn't mean Karofsky didn't deserve it.

Kurt was still a bit confused about that actually. Why the hell had Blaine beaten Karofsky up like that? It wasn't like Karofsky had been troubling him. And Kurt wasn't naive enough to think that Blaine cared about him so much that he had done that for Kurt. Unless of course he was very possessive and had marked Kurt as his, and no. Kurt did not want to think about that. Just the thought made him shudder.

That day, as Kurt was getting books for his History class, Karofsky confronted him. Kurt had been running a bit late so there wasn't anyone around. Karofsky pushed him into a locker and Kurt couldn't help but cower under him.

"Not so brave now that your boyfriend isn't around to save your ass, are you?" Karofsky slammed his fist against the locker, making Kurt jump. He didn't say anything. Karofsky looked around, suddenly looking nervous.

"You tell anyone else about how you... kissed me?" Karofsky looked a bit afraid now. Kurt wanted to tell him that yes, he had told everyone. That everyone knew that he liked dick too. But Kurt couldn't do that. As much as he hated Karofsky, he knew what it felt like to be forced out of the closet.

"You kissed me.  And no I didn't tell anyone. I don't believe in outing someone even if he bullies me every single day."

Karofsky looked at his lips as he was speaking and Kurt froze, terror creeping in. But Karofsky looked away quickly and instead glared at him and said, "Good. Because if you tell anyone, I will freaking kill you!" And with that he was gone, leaving Kurt an even more mess than he was before.

Kurt was very quiet that day and his friends noticed, but he must be giving very strong vibes because they didn't ask him what was wrong. Mercedes was there for him, and he was very grateful for that, but mostly he just wanted to go home and cry. He thought he could be strong, but he wasn't sure he could take all this anymore.

That day in French Mrs. Rosario gave them another assignment, this time having to subtitle any short French documentary which would later be shown in the class. It was a pair assignment as well. Kurt was glad that Blaine was suspended because he wouldn't have been able to handle being alone with him. Maybe he could do this assignment alone like he would have done before Blaine transferred there. But apparently, his French teacher had other ideas.

"Kurt," she called him up to her desk. "You are Mr. Anderson's partner correct?"

Kurt hesitated. "Actually since he has been suspended, I was hoping I could do the assignment on my own?"

Mrs. Rosario shook her head. "He still has to do all his school work. So you are going to have to do it with him." Kurt bit his lips nervously. So much for wanting to stay away from him. 

"I was hoping that since you are going to have to meet with him anyway, could you pass him today's school work? I'll have everything for you by the end of the school. Do you have his address?" Kurt shook his head. "Okay, I'll get that for you as well." This was getting worse and worse. He didn't want to go to Blaine's house. He didn't want to meet him. He didn't want to work with him. And he sure as hell didn't want to confront him about what he had done.

The rest of the day Kurt spent hoping that time would go slower so that he could prolong going to the Anderson house, or that Mrs. Rosario would decide that she didn't need him to give Blaine his school work after all. All his prayers were obviously fruitless when school ended and he went to see her and she handed him a pile of sheets as well as a thin slip containing Blaine Anderson's address.

"What's all that?" Mercedes asked, coming from behind him and looping her arm through his.

Kurt sighed. "It's Blaine's school work. He is my partner in AP French so Mrs. Rosario apparently thought it meant I should be the one hand delivering it to him."

"Blaine? The same Blaine who beat Karofsky up not less than 24 hours ago and got suspended because of it? The same Blaine who has been after your ass since the minute he saw it? The same Blaine whom you apparently hate so much? You are going to his house?"

"It's not like I have a choice!" Kurt snapped, immediately feeling bad at taking his anger out at his best friend. But Mercedes was grinning from ear to ear.

"Boy, you are so gonna get laid."

Kurt scowled, not caring about her feeling anymore. "You know I don't care about sex, Mercedes. And even if I did, I think I'd have at least enough self-respect to not lose my virginity to some asshole who didn't even care about me. I'm going to go there, pass him his work, and get out of there. I have no interest in sticking around."

Mercedes' eyes grew softer. "There is nothing wrong with having sex, Kurt. And that's coming from me-"

Kurt waved his hand in frustration. "I know there is nothing wrong with sex. I just don't have those urges."

"-And Blaine beat Karofsky up for you. I'd say he does care for you. Maybe more than you know. And you know, maybe it could be good for you. You have been jumpy and on edge for a few weeks now." Mercedes continued as if he hadn't spoken.

Kurt stopped and turned towards her sharply. "What makes you think he did that for me? You weren't even there," He asked, ignoring the last part. He did not want to have that conversation right now.

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I have eyes and ears everywhere."

Kurt just looked at her with a raised eyebrow, waiting. Mercedes sighed. "Okay fine. Tina saw him cozying up with you just before he went all ballistic on Karofsky. You know the number of people who think you are screwing around has sky rocketed since yesterday."

Kurt grumbled,"He wasn't cozying up to me. He was just playing with me. Just one of his games."

"You want to tell me what exactly happened there?" Kurt did. He already had too many secrets, and he wanted to share at least one thing with his best friend. So he did. He told her exactly what had happened. Maybe she could help him make sense of it. 

Mercedes' eyes widened as he recounted the details. "Had it really become that bad?" Her voice had gone really soft, and shit, Kurt hadn't wanted to make her feel guilty.

"It had. It is. But please don't worry. I'll survive."

"Kurt, we have to tell someone about this. You can't keep living like this!"

"Don't you think I've tried! Nobody cares. They are sympathetic and all, but well you are gay so you will be bullied. Nothing we can do about it. Just learn to live with it." Kurt knew that he was being unfair to Mercedes, but he was just so tired.

Mercedes didn't say anything. Kurt exhaled, feeling guilty. "Look I'm sorry. But it is what it is, and like I said, I'll live. I don't have any other choice."

Kurt couldn't handle seeing Mercedes look at him with such pity, so he looked away and started walking again, Mercedes reluctantly following. He knew she wanted to argue, to convince him that there were other options, but Kurt really didn't want to hear that right now. They said goodbye as they reached their cars. Kurt took a deep breath and entered Blaine's address in his GPS. Here we go.

Kurt pulled up into a driveway of a mansion. The Andersons must be really rich to have a house this big. Kurt should have already figured that out considering that Blaine used to go to Dalton, which he knew wasn't exactly a cheap school. No wonder Blaine said that he always got what he wanted. He was a fucking spoilt brat. This definitely explained his behavior. He never learned how to take no for an answer. Now, more than ever, Kurt dreaded going up there and pressing the door bell. If it being Blaine's house was not enough, it was huge and intimidating. Kurt would have been hesitant going up there even if he did not know who lived there. He just hoped Blaine wouldn't get any wrong ideas about why he was there.

Kurt parked his car, walked up to the door, and pressed the buzzer, biting his lips nervously. He had Blaine's work for the day in his hands. A few minutes passed, and just as he was about to press it again, the door opened, and the head of a middle aged lady stuck out from behind it. Kurt almost sighed in relief. He could just give all the work to the lady. He wouldn't even have to face Blaine.

"Hi, uh, Mrs. Anderson?"

She nodded with a polite smile. "Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?"

"I'm Kurt Hummel? Blaine and I share a couple of class together. Since he was... absent today, our French teacher told me to bring his school work for him."

"Oh, that's great. Thank you so much, Kurt! I don't know what I am going to do of that kid. He's always getting into trouble. Oh, where are my manners, please come in. I'm Pam, by the way." Now that Mrs. Anderson- Pam- realized that her son and Kurt knew each other, she had swung the door completely open and was looking brightly at him.

"Actually, I am in a hurry right now. I just came to hand this over to Blaine. Could you give it to him for me?" Kurt said politely and gave her his sweetest smile.

"Of course. I'm sorry you couldn't stay longer. But feel free to come back anytime you want. I'm sure Blaine would be absolutely delighted to have some company right now. He's grounded so he can't leave the house and he's been bored out of his mind." Pam didn't even blink when she said that Blaine had been grounded (huh so maybe everything was not handed to him on a silver platter), like it had happened before, and would probably happen again, and she had just given up any hope or pretense. Kurt thanked her and left, leaving everything with Pam Anderson.

Well, that was very anti-climatic.

Mrs. Anderson looked just like Blaine, or rather, Blaine looked just like his mother, except that she looked much neater and more presentable than her son. Despite the similarities between the two's appearances, their personality seemed so different that it was hard to imagine they were related. Blaine was all cocky and over-confident, while Pam seemed so down-to-the-earth and cheery. Blaine must take after his father, Kurt thought.

Mr. Schue was back and Ms. Holiday had left. After the Mercedes and tots fiasco, they all had agreed that she was better just as a substitute than a full-time teacher. Kurt wasn't too upset though, because sure, Mr. Schue didn't listen to their ideas most of the times and was too uptight, he was better for the long term.

Without Blaine around for a few days, and Karofsky distracted with other stuff, things were finally felt like they were getting back to normal. Despite that, Kurt found himself thinking about Blaine more and more. He didn't miss him. Of course not. He was just curious about him, that was all. Now that he had gotten a glimpse at what kind of life he lived, he wanted to know more. Most of the time Kurt just tuned everyone around him at school, but whenever he heard "Blaine Anderson", his ears would perk up. Apparently, he wasn't the only person curious about Blaine, because it seemed like all anyone could do was talk about him. By the end of the day, Kurt knew more gossip about people at this school than he cared.

The day was thankfully uneventful, and as Mercedes and he were on their way home after Glee, Mrs. Rosario caught him.

"Oh, Kurt, there you are. Here you go." Kurt eyed the bundle of work that she had just handed him with confusion.

"What is this?"

She frowned. "Blaine's work for today of course. Principal Sylvester has ordered all his teachers to give him extra homework as a punishment. Can't say I'm too sorry. Thanks once again for giving this to him until he comes back."

He looked Mercedes in panic as Mrs. Rosario rushed away. "I'm going to have to go there every day?!"

Mercedes gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Kurt. I could come with you if you want." Mercedes had become more understanding about the Blaine situation after Kurt had told her everything, and she was respecting his decision.

The offer was tempting, but he still had an assignment to do with Blaine which was due next week. It would probably be better if they got to it sooner rather than later. He didn't want a bad grade just because his partner was a dick.

"Thanks Cedes, but I have an assignment to do with him so we'll probably finish that today."

"If you are sure. But call me if you need anything." Kurt smiled. He was so grateful he had a friend like Mercedes and wasn't completely alone.

It was Blaine Anderson who opened the door this time. He grinned when he saw it was Kurt. He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms, wearing his patent smirk on his face. Blaine had a black eye from when Karofsky had managed to throw a punch at him, but otherwise, he looked the same as before. He also didn't have his usual leather jacket on, and Kurt could see his abs from under his thin t-shirt. His arms also seemed very well toned. Kurt looked away quickly.

"Well hello there. Come to see me?" His eyes were twinkling, knowing exactly where he was looking.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Oh please. I wouldn't even be here if I had a choice."

"My mother told me that you came by yesterday too. You should have stayed. I could have shown you my bedroom, if you know what I mean." He winked and Kurt couldn't help but roll his eyes again. His eye balls were going to roll off his head if this went on any longer.

"No thank you." He dumped all the sheets in Blaine's hands, and then hesitated, not knowing what to do next. Even though it was the last thing he wanted the do right now, he still had to do the French assignment.

"I thought you didn't want to be here. Or were you hoping I'd convince you to stay?"

Kurt scowled. "Spare me. We got another French assignment yesterday, and it is due the next Tuesday."

Blaine's grin grew and he stood up straighter, making way for Kurt. "Well come on in then."

Kurt tried not to show how nervous he really was followed Blaine inside. Blaine led him upstairs to where Kurt assumed was his room. He reached a door and held it open, and motioned for Kurt to go inside. Kurt looked at Blaine and hesitated. Blaine hadn't spoken a single word while they were walking, and he looked a bit serious. There must have been something in Blaine's eyes because Kurt stepped inside.

Blaine's room wasn't what he had expected. For one, it was really tidy. Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be and not a thing was out of place. There was a guitar propped up against the wall, and I didn't think he might be serious about music. There were books open on the study table. Was he studying? That was quite unexpected too. The room itself was very stylish and color-coordinated. Kurt had no doubt that it had been designed by some interior designer. There were two more doors, one which Kurt could see led to a balcony, and the other which was slightly open so he could see inside, was to a bathroom. Damn, he was lucky to have his own bathroom.

"Is he still troubling you?" Kurt was caught off guard by the sudden seriousness of Blaine's tone.

"Is who still troubling me?" Kurt asked without turning back, even if he knew exactly who Blaine was talking about.

"Karofsky," Blaine said with gritted teeth, finally closing the door and walking in front of Kurt.

"You should not have done that, you know," Kurt said softly, looking anywhere but at Blaine.

Blaine narrowed his eyes. "I don't like bullies. Don't change the subject."

Kurt looked straight at Blaine and saw with a start that he was standing really close to Kurt. Even after all the inappropriate flirting and touching at school, Kurt still wasn't used to having someone so close to his personal space, and he took a hesitant step back.

"Kurt," Blaine said, in a surprisingly soft voice.

"Y-yes," Kurt answered, looking away again. He didn't say that he had threatened to kill him, and that he scared Kurt so much that he couldn't even be in the same room as him. That he had caught him staring at his lips or his ass a few times and just the thought of what he might do if they were alone again terrified him. Blaine cursed under his breath. He sounded angry, and that irritated Kurt. What right did he have to be angry on Kurt's behalf? He was not a fucking damsel in distress. He didn't need his help. Hell, he didn't understand why Blaine would want to help him. "Look I can handle it. You didn't need to- you don't need to do anything." He said sharply.

"Yeah? Like you have been handling it so far? What exactly have you done huh, Hummel? Just take it like a little bitch? Is that the kind of guy you are? Does it turn you on-" Smack. Kurt slapped him hard across the face, and the shocked look on Blaine's face gave him immense pleasure, but not enough to let it go. Just this one time he didn't want to let it go.

"Don't you dare. You don't know anything about me," Kurt's voice was shaking with anger. After all the crap with the bullies at school, he had to come here and listen to this bullshit. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before the anger completely took over. "Just- just stay away from me and mind your own business." Then Kurt remembered the assignment and almost groaned. "I'll just finish the assignment on my own." He made to step away from Blaine and out the door, but Blaine grabbed his arm. He didn't look angry like Kurt would have expected, just a little dazed. He hadn't hit him that hard, had he? But even if he had, Blaine deserved it.

"No. Just- we'll do the damn assignment."

But Kurt snatched his arm from his grip and shook his head. He was calmer than a few moments ago, but with everything that Blaine had already done to piss him off going inside his head, he didn't want to look at Blaine a second longer. "I'm not in the mood today." He mentally calculated the number of days they had before the submission. "We still have 5 more days, and since I'm your delivery boy until your suspension is over, we can just do it tomorrow." The bitterness in Kurt's voice was not lost on Blaine, and he just nodded, further surprising Kurt. He hadn't expected Blaine to give in so quickly.

Kurt nodded back at him and left the room. Blaine didn't follow him. He met Pam Anderson downstairs, but before she could say anything, he said, "Hi Mrs. Anderson. Nice to meet you again. Sorry, I'm in a hurry today as well. Goodbye." And with that, he was out of the door and driving away from the house as fast as could.

Once behind the safety of the walls of his room, Kurt finally let the tears fall.