"What were you thinking?" Wes asked angrily, folding his arms across his chest. He watched the blond fidget nervously with the hem of his shirt in response.

The remaining students were still staring toward the entryway with wide eyes. The heavy silence made Jeff shift from foot to foot slowly as he tried to think of what to say.

"I…I just wanted to hug him, I swear!" he said finally, flailing his arms as he looked at Wes with startled brown eyes. "I never meant to scare him…" he lamented, his blond head dipping down.

Nick walked over to Jeff and took the other's hand in his, squeezing it tightly. "We know you didn't mean it, Jeff, but did you really think that was the best thing to do?" he asked softly, searching the blond's face before sighing softly. "You weren't even thinking about it, were you?"

Jeff shook his head in response before he suddenly looked up. "Oh god, do you think he has some kind of weird hugging phobia?" he asked, the grip he had on Nick's hand tightening as he continued to speak. "I mean, what if he like, has a weird condition like that and I caused him to relapse and now he's going to die because he can't handle it and it's goin-"

"Jeff, I don't think you killed him." David interjected quickly, knowing when to stop a hysterical rant when he heard one.

"He still shouldn't have done it though." Wes continued, unfolding his arms as he sighed. He couldn't stay angry with the blond since he knew he hadn't meant any real harm.

Nick tugged on Jeff's hand gently to get his attention. "Remember, Jeff, all of the students here don't come from wealth and perfect social standings." he whispered, smiling sadly when the blond looked into his eyes.

"I really didn't mean it, Nick." Jeff said desperately, closing his eyes as his brow furrowed. How could he have forgotten some people were awkward about physical contact? He had learned that lesson three years ago when Nick had come into his life.

Nick saw the conflicting emotions play out on the blond's face. "I know, Jeff." he whispered gently, rolling on to his toes to kiss his cheek.

Jeff felt the soft lips press against his skin and smiled a bit despite the situation. He had no idea how Nick was always the one to comfort and to accept when he had been the one hurt and treated like a dog for so many years.

The small amount of peace ended when Blaine stomped back into the room. Jeff drug his eyes from Nick's calm face to look at the angry warbler.

"What the hell were you thinking, Jeff?" Blaine snapped, shrugging off the hand David placed on his shoulder.

Wes sighed and began to shoo the onlookers from the room, having to state it was in their best interest not to disobey his word as a prefect to a few of the more stubborn ones.

"Thad, would you please leave?" Wes asked when he noticed the boy had stayed seated and was now looking between Blaine and Jeff as if he were waiting for a fight to break out.

Thad opened his mouth to state that it wasn't fair that Nick got to stay instead, but quickly shut it and grabbed his book to leave when both Wes and David sent him the look. It was alright anyway, it wasn't as if he was interested in the squabble about the new kid. Sheesh, did he have to be such an attention whore?

Jeff waited until Thad had walked completely out of earshot before he began. "Blaine, I swear, I never meant to cause…that." he implored, pointing to the still flipped over chair.

"Well, you did, and it happened because you couldn't control yourself, again." Blaine rebuked.

Nick narrowed his eyes at Blaine before stepping up to him and puffing his chest out slightly. "Blaine, would you just stop and think for a moment before you start yelling at Jeff?" he retorted, boldly standing up to the senior.

Blaine looked at Nick, a little surprised that he was being so forward. "Nick, I don't have to think. Jef-"

"Was that reaction really normal, even if Jeff caused it?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow, a bit frustrated when Blaine gave him a blank look.

"I think he's right, Blaine." Wes put in, nodding to Nick as he spoke. David nodded as well a few moments later, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Are you all serious?" Blaine asked with a slightly raised voice. "There is nothing wrong with Kurt, Jeff just scared the shit out of him!"

Nick glared right at Blaine. "Really, Blaine? If you didn't notice something strange about that reaction then you are either stupid, or painfully oblivious." he blurted heatedly, just daring Blaine to argue.

Blaine narrowed his hazel eyes. "How would you-"

"How would I know, Blaine?" Nick snapped, stamping his foot on the ground. "How would I know what it feels like to not trust a single person around me? Or to be constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for my drunken excuse of a father to walk into the room at any second and start beating me senseless just because he feels like it?"

Nick's voice trembled in rage. His hands were curled into fists as he tried to rein in his anger. It might have been easier to handle it now, rather than two years ago when he had first been placed with his new foster family, but when people were being complete idiots he had a harder time keeping himself in check.

Jeff wrapped his arm around Nick's waist and pulled him to his side, propping his chin on the dark haired head as he rubbed his thumb against his hip, trying to calm him.

Blaine looked away with the expression of a kicked puppy, and backed up to sit on a couch a few feet away. "I'm… I'm sorry Nick, you've just come a long way from then and I forget sometimes." he admitted, looking up to Nick's face, his warm hazel eyes filled with guilt.

Nick took a deep breath and calmed as he felt Jeff's soothing thumb rub circles across his skin. "It's alright, Blaine, just don't yell at Jeff anymore." he mumbled tiredly, leaning his weight against the blond, who just held him closer.

"You think his parents abuse him?" David asked with a raised brow. "I don't see how, they looked normal and nice enough to me." he said, thinking back on the kind woman who was looking at Kurt with nothing but concern in her bright green eyes earlier that day.

Nick actually laughed a bit, making all the others look at him as if he had grown another head. Nick just shook his head at the little group before looking David in the face.

"People who abuse their children don't exactly parade it around to show the evidence." he stated simply, letting Jeff tug him to an arm chair and pull him to sit on his lap as he sat down. He leaned his head on the blond's shoulder, thinking back on how Kurt was acting.

He was skittish, pale and quiet, all signs of abuse if he looked at it from his own point of view. He kept from looking anyone in the eye and his hands seemed to shake during conversation. He closed his eyes as he tried to think of any other things the boy had done.

"Well, if his parents abuse him shouldn't we tell someone to get him out of the situation?" Blaine asked worriedly, looking up at Wes and David where they still stood in the middle of the room.

"I agree. If he's getting hurt enough to warrant a reaction like that, then we should seek out the headmaster immediately." David insisted quickly.

"We can't just go running up to Albaxter without some kind of proof. If I remember correctly, Kurt wasn't exactly sporting any large bruises to show off." Wes stated before sitting on the couch next to an anxious Blaine.

"But we can't just leave him like that!" Blaine argued back, sitting up a bit straighter as he looked at Wes.

"I hate to agree with Wesley, but I have to." David began, putting up a hand when Blaine opened his mouth to argue. "He isn't with his parents here, Blaine. If he is, or was, being abused by them, he's safe now." he stated, ignoring the venomous look he was receiving from Wes.

Nick fidgeted uncomfortably in Jeff's lap as he thought, causing the blond to reach up and card his fingers through his dark hair. "I don't know. Something else just seems…off about him." he said, looking over to Blaine when he heard the prefect suck in a bit of air.

"His situation, Albaxter said it was like mine." Blaine groaned as he remembered their earlier conversation. He continued when everyone stared at him for more of an explanation, feeling a bit bad since he was giving Kurt's secret out behind his back.

"He had warned me he was skittish, I just didn't listen." he admitted, rubbing his forehead. "I can't believe I didn't pay more attention, I should of told Jeff earlier today," he mumbled. He glanced at Jeff apologetically, his shoulders slumping from their tense state when the blond nodded back in understanding.

"So, he screamed and ran from the room like a mental patient because of some bullies that pushed him around a bit?" Nick asked in a skeptical tone, causing Jeff to tense behind him.

"Bullies can be ruthless, Nick." Blaine replied, giving Nick a look. "I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to them." He leaned back against the cushions on the couch.

Wes nodded and stood up. "Well, we'll just watch. We'll help him out the best we can, the way we did with Blaine since it seems to be a bully situation." he said, patting Blaine's shoulder gently before heading for the entryway.

David nodded and looked to Blaine for a moment. "You should try to get closer to him to help him out if you are so worried about him." David grinned as Blaine's head snapped in his direction with a flustered look.

"I don't even know if he's gay, David." Blaine grumbled, knowing what the heavy tone of voice implied. He looked over at Jeff as he laughed.

"Can't you tell?" Jeff asked, trying to hold in another round of chuckles.

"I can't just go assuming he is!" Blaine defended, standing when David did. "Albaxter said his situation was a little like mine, which means that he could have been being bullied over something totally different," he insisted quickly, "but I will help him. I can't just let him think everyone is a bully."

"Good, because you're the only one he can really look up to." Wes agreed, nodding at them. "Well I'm heading upstairs to finish that essay Travis assigned, see you tomorrow." he called after him, walking out of the room. David voiced the same thing and quickly followed the Asian out.

Blaine rubbed his cheek in frustration before turning to the other two. "I need to go too. I'm sorry again, Jeff."

"It's all good, Blaine, though if you want to volunteer being a willing moving target for me to practice on to repent, I wouldn't mind." Blaine just rolled his eyes in return and left the room.

Jeff snickered before pressing a kiss to the top of Nick's head. "You sure are being quiet." he stated, tugging a lock of soft dark hair.

"It doesn't feel like it's just a case of bullying like they're brushing it off to be, Jeff." Nick whispered, hands clenching in the blonds shirt.

"Do you really think his parents are abusive, baby?" Jeff questioned sadly, knowing this must be a sore subject to bring up again.

"I don't know, Jeff, but I know it's more than what the other three are thinking it is." Nick pulled back, looking into Jeff's bright blue eyes.

Jeff smiled and pressed his lips to Nick's forehead. "Then what do we do?" he asked, rubbing small circles into his back.

Nick took a breath before he answered. "We have to watch him and try to get him to trust us." Nick knew that was easier said then done. It had taken months for Nick himself to open up to Jeff, then a few more after that, before he could tell the other three who had become his best friends.

Jeff nodded. "We can start tomorrow, then." he said, grinning at Nick's questioning look. "Well, I have to make it up to him somehow, don't I?"

Blaine sighed tiredly as he trudged up the stairs. He walked down the hallway, stopping in front of Kurt's door. Should he knock to see if he was alright? He pulled his wrist up and shoved back his sleeve to look at his Rolex. It was already ten, so Kurt might be asleep. He looked at the door longingly for a few moments before Wes' voice sounded through his head.

'You're the only one he can really look up to.'

Blaine hung his head and turned from the door to walk down the hallway a few more feet to his own door where he swiped his card to enter. Kurt didn't need a love interest, he needed someone to catch him when he fell and show him support. He needed a mentor, a friend.

He walked toward his bed, unbuttoning his blazer and throwing it to the floor where it fell into a crumpled heap. His tie, white button up shirt, and slacks joined the pile after he kicked his shoes off. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his socks, throwing them to the floor before laying back.

Something about Kurt just drew him in. How could he be the person he needed to be to the countertenor if he had these feelings? Would he be able to pursue them after he made sure Kurt was alright?

Well, he knew he was at least going to try. He wanted something more than a quick fix with Kurt. No, he needed it. He was getting so tired of quick fixes and relationships he was in just for the other participant to get sex and leave.

Would Kurt even want something like that, though? Had he ever had a boyfriend? He wasn't worried about Kurt not actually being gay…it was just obvious. He smiled tiredly and sighed, thinking of what to do about the situation tomorrow.

Kurt cried out as he was shoved against the shelves in the janitor's closet. His back throbbed painfully and he held back a whimper as Karofsky shut the door behind him when he entered. He bit his lip as the large boy shuffled over to him, placing a hand on a shelf beside his head.

"Did you miss me?" Karofsky asked huskily, running the fingers on his free hand down Kurt's cheek . He grinned as he felt Kurt's Adam's apple roll beneath his digits as he traced a path down to the base of his throat.

"I think you did." he whispered, leaning in and burying his nose in Kurt's soft chestnut colored hair. He inhaled deeply and groaned as the familiar scent of strawberries filled his nose.

Kurt closed his eyes, his heart beating rapidly as a hand moved down his chest, pushing him against the shelves even more where a dark bruise was already forming against his pale skin.

"What will I do to you if you tell anyone about this?" Karofsky grumbled, his other hand leaving the shelf to slip under Kurt's shirt, the sweaty palm sliding against the smooth pale skin underneath.

Kurt's bottom lip trembled as he heard Karofsky start the normal mantra. He tried to ignore the large hand on his skin but couldn't hold back a whine when rough fingers pinched one of his nipples.

"You'll tell my dad…" He began, sucking in a breath when another hand palmed the front of his jeans. He heard the other boy laugh darkly before the hand slid over his thigh to the back of his butt, squeezing.

"Tell him what?" Karofsky urged, prying his way between Kurt's legs with his knee to press against his groin.

"That I'm a dirty whore who will bend over for anyone who asks." Kurt whispered sadly. He knew this wasn't true, but if he didn't say it the jock would do something worse than he already was.

"And?" Karofsky prompted, pulling away from the top of his head to lean down, taking the smaller boy's ear lobe between his teeth.

Tears finally fell down Kurt's flushed cheeks as he felt the hot tongue run up the shell of his ear.

"You'll kill me." He whispered, barely audible over his hammering heartbeat. A familiar piece of music drifted in the background suddenly. He tried to concentrate on it since it was something other than what was happening now…was that…Bad Romance?

"Good boy." Karofsky whispered into his ear, grinning when the boy shivered beneath him.

The doorknob began to jiggle violently and suddenly the door slammed open, revealing none other than Lady Gaga herself. Kurt gasped as she stared at them with an accusing expression. Karofsky didn't even budge, didn't he see her?

Kurt quickly began to push against Karofsky, trying to get him to notice the audience they had gained. Who knew what would happen if Gaga found out? Karofsky would make his death slow and painful if the woman somehow told someone!

The pop star narrowed her eyes at the two before holding up her hand and pointing a finger at them. She opened her mouth but didn't say anything, making Kurt send her a questioning look before-

"Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-Roma-ma-ah! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la-"

Kurt sat up quickly throwing his arms above his head as his blanket and pillows fell to the floor.

"I swear it isn't what it looks like!" he cried out to his empty room, his heart pounding against his ribcage. He blinked blearily, his vision fuzzy for a moment as he looked around.

~…I want your ugly, I want your disease…~

Kurt glanced to his night stand where his cell phone was still vibrating and playing the song that had saved him from his nightmare. He rubbed the left side of his face, pretending not to notice how wet it seemed as he reached out with his other hand to pick up his iphone.

"Hello?" he asked softly, not even bothering to check the screen since he knew exactly who it was.

"Hey, Kiddo! I was starting to get worried since you let it ring so long." his father said, a hint of worry lacing his voice which Kurt caught all too well.

"Sorry, I was sleeping…" If you could call it sleep. He doubted having a memory resurface just to haunt him would make him feel refreshed when he finally climbed out of his half-asleep state. At least it hadn't gone as far as it really had that day.

"So late? You usually get up before now." Burt said, which caused Kurt to look over at the night stand again. The red numbers on the little black box proved his statement since it was already nine in the morning. Huh…yesterday must of worn him out more than he thought it would. His fathers voice brought him out of his musings.

"Are you alright, Kurt? Do you feel bad? Do I need to come up there and bring you home for a few more weeks, it wouldn't hu-"

"Dad, really, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired from everything yesterday." Kurt assured him quietly, not even hinting at the blond menace that had attacked him.

"Well, if you're sure…" Burt started, but Kurt could tell he was still worried. He decided he needed to change the subject quickly before they treaded into dangerous waters.

"What did you eat for breakfast this morning?" he asked quietly, leaning against his head board and licking his dry lips.

"Those damn Cheerios you stocked the cabinets with before you left." Burt said gruffly. "I can't believe Carole made me eat those instead of the bacon and eggs she cooked Finn…" he grumbled, the corners of Kurt's mouth twitching up.

"Dad, you know you can't have bacon, its bad for your he-"

"For my heart, I know Kurt, geeze." Burt cut in playfully. "Don't worry about me. Carole is doing a good job of making sure I eat nothing fun while you're not here." he said through a laugh. "Speaking of eating, you did eat last night right?"

Kurt stiffened. "Yeah, the prefect showed me where the dining hall was yesterday on the tour." he lied easily, looking over as a few rays of sunshine filtered through the window.

"Good, so are you getting along with the other kids?"

"Yes, they were all really nice yesterday." Kurt lied again, biting his bottom lip. He hated to lie to him, he really did. He had promised not to when everything had been found out. He couldn't let him worry though, his heart couldn't take it. He never wanted to see his father in a hospital bed again, and if lying a few times kept him less stressed and away from another heart attack, he would sacrifice the new trust they had built with each other recently.

"That's great, Kurt! See, Dalton will be good for you." Burt said, sounding genuinely happy which made Kurt smile.

"Well, I'll let you go now since you seem settled enough. Can't keep you from your breakfast because heaven knows you need it." Burt joked, laughing.

"I love you, Kurt." Burt said, his words making Kurt feel warmth wash through him.

"I love you too, Dad." Kurt replied softly before hanging up and throwing his phone to the other side of his bed. He slipped off the mattress and padded across the floor to the bathroom to turn on the shower.

He stepped in after stripping and throwing his clothes in the hamper next to the sink. Relishing in the hot spray of water that poured down on him, he began to scrub the feeling of Karofsky's hands from his skin.

Carrying a plate full pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast around had not been on the agenda for the day when Nick had last looked. He really hoped Jeff's attempt at an apology went over well with Kurt. He hadn't seen the blond this upset in a while and it made his heart ache. Jeff hadn't meant to scare Kurt, after all, he had only wanted a hug. Though his hugs could sometimes be a bit lethal, it didn't mean they weren't full of love.

He glanced over to look at the blond after they had walked up the stairs. Jeff's face was void of emotion, which was rare. Normally you could read him like an open book, but right now he couldn't tell what the blond was thinking.

"It'll be okay, Jeff." Nick assured him softly, trying to comfort him anyway he could. He was rewarded with a small smile.

"I hope so." Jeff mumbled, swirling the orange juice around the glass he was carrying. They finally reached Kurt's door, stopping and staring at it like it was a passage to another dimension, which was scarily a good way to describe it, at least in Jeff's head. Nick just wanted to see if the new student was alright after the night before.

"If he doesn't eat it, we can always put laxatives in the orange juice and give it to Thad." Jeff proposed with a shrug of his shoulders.

Nick only sighed in return, waiting for Jeff to knock on the door since his own hands were preoccupied with the breakfast tray. The blond finally lifted his fist to knock on the door and both Warblers held their breath as they waited for the door to open.

Kurt had just changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a light blue t-shirt when he heard the knocking. He frowned, knowing if he ignored it the person on the other side probably wouldn't go away. He quickly rubbed his hair a bit more, wishing he had time to fix it before dropping the towel in the bathroom hamper on his way to the door.

He slowly reached forward, gripping the handle tightly and taking a deep breath before he opened the door. His eyes widened as he came face to face with a person he hadn't expected and quickly went to slam the door shut when a foot managed to stick its self in the path, causing the door to slam against it instead of the door frame.

Jeff sucked in a pained breath as his foot caught the door and bit his lip for a moment to keep from moaning. "Wait!" he called desperately, using the hand that wasn't holding the orange juice to grab on to the side of the door and pull it back easily, even though Kurt was trying to pull it shut again. Did the boy weigh sixty pounds or something? He pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

Kurt began to panic. Why didn't the stupid doors have peepholes? He looked from one face to another, not knowing how to get away from whatever they were going to dish out. There was no way he was going to let them come in and ruin his stuff if he could help it, so running and locking himself in the bathroom wasn't an option.

"Please, just hear me out." Jeff began calmly. "I know I freaked you out last night or something but I swear all I wanted to do was hug you." he emitted, watching Kurt's face, though he noticed that most of his emotions played out in the strange blue-grey eyes he had.

Kurt blinked. Hug? He called running across half the room like a bull a hug? Well it was an old school, maybe it was a Dalton tradition? But surely not…hugs weren't supposed to be so violent. He then noticed that the shorter boy was carrying a breakfast tray and the blond was carrying a glass of orange juice . What the heck…? He was snapped out of his thoughts as the shorter boy spoke up.

"I think what Jeff is trying to say is that his version of a hug is a bit more…enthusiastic than others." he smiled at Kurt as the teen tilted his head to the side as if he were thinking it through.

"Yeah, what Nick said!" Jeff said excitedly, causing Kurt to jump slightly.

"Anyway, to apologize for the big misunderstanding, Jeff made you breakfast." Nick explained for the blond. "You should count yourself lucky, he hardly ever cooks, but it tastes really good." He handed the breakfast tray to Kurt and Jeff placed the glass of orange juice next to the dome covered plate.

Kurt looked down, surprised when the tray was pushed into his hands. This was for him? A real apology? He looked up to who he now knew as Jeff to see if he could find anything in the expression that would set off the warning bells in his head, but all he saw were big, blue, apologetic eyes that seemed to beg silently for Kurt to say something.

Kurt bit his bottom lip for a moment and looked over to Nick as he thought. They both seemed to be telling the truth. The blond even looked to be on the verge of tears and he felt his chest tighten at the thought of seeing that.

"You…you won't do it again, will you?" Kurt asked softly, staring at Jeff with a guarded expression.

Jeff almost bounced through the roof when Kurt finally spoke. "Never! Scout's Honor, an eternal oath, and all that other junk!" he sang out quickly, giving Kurt a lopsided grin. Nick had to hold back a giggle as the blond began to bounce on his feet slightly.

Kurt smiled a little before nodding. "Thank you," he whispered, lifting the tray a little as he spoke, "for the breakfast." He had to hold back a laugh when Jeff sent him another grin.

"Hey, Kurt." Nick began as Jeff began to do a little victory dance in the hallway. "Would you like to eat with us at dinner?" he asked, rocking back and forth on his feet. "The only other people that sit at our table are the three prefects from our dorm." he explained, watching the boys face carefully.

Kurt was surprised by the invitation. Someone was asking him to join them for lunch? Kurt glanced at the blond who was still bouncing around the hallway. It would be nice to be around David again, and even Wes seemed okay. Sitting next to Blaine seemed a bit awkward since what had happened last night, but he wanted to know why he had followed after him in the first place. Maybe he would get the answer if he agreed to join them.

"I don't know where the dining hall is." Kurt admitted, as he remembered Blaine hadn't shown him the day before.

"We'll pick you up!" Jeff said, coming to a stop in his dance next to Nick who was a little surprised the boy had agreed so easily. Maybe Jeff had Kurt-nip on him somewhere?

"One of us will come get you around six. That's when they start serving dinner on the weekends." Nick explained with a smile.

Kurt nodded before looking back up to the blond. "No one else…hugs like you do, do they?" he asked hesitantly.

Jeff laughed before shaking his head. "Not that I know of. I think I'm the only one with enough talent to pull it off anyway." he said wiggling his brow which caused Kurt to laugh a little.

Nick smiled before interlacing his fingers with Jeff's. "We'll see you tonight, Kurt." he reminded him, nodding his head to him before pulling Jeff down the hallway while the blond waved to Kurt over his shoulder.

Kurt watched them until they turned the corner of the hall and walked back in his room, using his foot to close the door behind him. Well, the morning had taken a turn for weird, but at least it was a good weird. He couldn't believe he had agreed to eat dinner with all of them, though it sounded nice and he was sure Jeff would make it interesting enough on his own.

He walked to the desk that was pushed against the wall and sat the tray on top of it before sitting down in the computer chair. He pulled the domed lid off, smiling when he noticed a ketchup heart drawn in the middle of his eggs.

His stomach growled loudly and his mouth started to water. He didn't want to mess it up, since it was the first thing he had ever really gotten from someone that wasn't family. He smiled when he thought of his phone and got up to grab it from the bed. He walked back over and quickly took a photo of the plate of food.

Others might of found it strange or a little abnormal that tears rolled down Kurt's cheeks as he ate the delicious food Jeff had made him, but it wasn't to Kurt. It was the first act of kindness he had been given that wasn't from his father in a long time, even if it was an apology for almost knocking him to the floor. Every bite he took, a little bit of hope filled his heart.

Maybe, just maybe, Dalton would be different after all.