Chapter 6: Around My Head

I don't think it's very polite
To walk around my head all night
You've got me tangled like a bread-tie, twisted
No, I don't think it's fair
-Around My Head by Cage the Elephant

When Blaine arrived at school the next morning, it was obvious from his disheveled appearance and his bloodshot hazel eyes that he hadn't slept well. In fact, Blaine didn't sleep at all, simply tossed and turned in his bed all night until he finally began to hear birds chirping faintly outside his window. He had thrown some clothes on and crept outside then, sitting on his back porch to watch the sunrise over the trees, hoping it might calm his brain some. But it was still frantic with thoughts and images and questions of his day yesterday.

Had it really been only a day?

It felt like months, maybe years. He felt like he had aged. He ran his hand over the stubble on his jaw. He hadn't even attempted to tame his thick curls with any kind of hair gel this morning. Of course, his skateboard was still at Kurt's house, so he had left for school early, walking the sidewalks slowly, methodically, lost deep in thought. He had considered begging off school for the day, but knew that in the end, it would only make him more restless. He had to go there, to see Kurt, to maybe try and deal with these ridiculous questions plaguing his mind. Today, he would get everything straightened out and life would return back to normal.

When he got to school the first person he saw was Quinn but for once, her presence pleased him.

"Hey Baby," he said to her, forming a tired smile.

She leaned in to give him a quick kiss, obviously presently surprised by his attentiveness, before leaning back and getting a good look at him.

"God, what happened to you Blaine?"

"Couldn't sleep. Up all night thinking about you I guess," He winked at her. Quinn blushed prettily and smacked his arm in a playful manner.

"Shut up," she said before leaning in again to give him another kiss, this one not chaste like the last, but lingering, and open-mouthed. Blaine resisted the urge he had to open his eyes or pull away, and instead tried to immerse himself in her presence, tried to enjoy himself. Why was it he always found himself thinking about other things when she was kissing him? Why could he never just get lost in her body the way he knew he was supposed to?

These were the thoughts dancing around his head as Quinn deepened the kiss, standing on her tiptoes to push him into the lockers and entwine her fingers in his hair.

"I kind of don't mind your hair like this once in a while," she whispered to him breathily.

Blaine only smiled in reply and let her continue to kiss him.

They were interrupted by the clearing of a throat loudly nearby. "Perhaps you two would like to spare us the sight of your nasty pre-love-making ritual and save the foreplay for the bedroom," a voice said coldly.That voice.Blaine groaned inwardly, as everything came flooding back to him. His head pounded and he felt slightly nauseous. He gently pushed Quinn off of him with a sigh.

"What do you want Hummel?"

Kurt was standing a few feet away from him, motorcycle helmet dangling from one hand, and Blaine's skateboard hanging from the other. "I thought you might want this back."

Blaine visibly blanched at the sight of his personal property in Kurt Hummel's hands. What would Quinn think? He noticed then that Kurt looked, if it was even possible, even more attractive than yesterday. His brown-almost-auburn hair was styled perfectly, which was a conundrum in itself, since he had to wear that motorcycle helmet as he rode to school every morning. Today he wore a tight, cobalt blue button up made out of some sort of shiny material that was rolled up at the elbows to reveal surprisingly masculine forearms. He had stopped buttoning it just above the halfway mark so that a large V of his smooth skin was once again tantalizingly revealed. His usual necklaces were in place and for the first time, Blaine noticed the diamond earrings that studded his earlobes. But the thing that drew most of Blaine's attention was the literally skin tight black leather pants that Kurt had somehow squeezed his sculpted legs and ass into. Blaine felt his mouth going dry.

Quinn was looking at him in confusion. "Why does that gay kid have your stuff?" Blaine flinched a little at her nonchalant label, wondering if anyone had told her about the fight in the lunchroom yesterday. She must've heard about it; almost all of their friends had witnessed it first hand. Fortunately, an hour in the nurse's room with an ice pack had more or less brought all the swelling down around his eye. It was still a little sore to the touch and the beginnings of a bruise were there, but the nurse had proclaimed him lucky, because Kurt had caught more face than eye, and all in all, it didn't really look that bad. His mother had been too distraught and buzzed on wine yesterday to even notice it. Kurt, he noticed regretfully, had a scab forming on the corner of his flawless mouth, but other than that, he was unmarked by the fight.

Blaine didn't know how to answer his girlfriend.Because I was at his house yesterday working on our community service projectwould have been a totally legitimate answer and yet he couldn't seem to get the words out.

"I swiped it from him," Kurt stepped in and Blaine looked at him in shock. "I was pissed after the fight yesterday. One more way to get back at him. But I figure he might as well have it back now. Frankly, I'm bored of this whole situation." He sniffed his nose slightly as he said it, holding out the skateboard as though it were a dead thing. Blaine took it gingerly, trying to meet Kurt's eyes, but Kurt refused. There was something about the way he had said he was bored that felt- real- like a real dismissal. But of what? Their friendship? Could they even call it that? Blaine felt stupid for thinking Kurt might have actually liked him somewhat, and even stupider for being so wounded about it. He knew he should be grateful for Kurt having stepped in to offer an explanation but instead, he was offended. What the fuck was going on with him?

Quinn was looking at him expectantly, waiting for confirmation of Kurt's story.

"It's true," Blaine said, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"Well as delightful as it is to watch the two of you primates interact, I have "Animal Kingdom" recorded on my TV at home, so I think I'll use that instead if I need a reference point. I'm going to class." With that, Kurt turned on his heel. Blaine closed his eyes at the disinterest that had been in his voice. Had he imagined everything yesterday? The connection they'd had in Kurt's bedroom? Wasn't this what he wanted though- for things to go back to normal? Why did it feel so bad?

"Baby. Baby," Quinn tugged on his sleeve. "Why did you let that little faggot just walk off afterstealingyour skateboard? Have you gone soft?"

Blaine ignored the rage that boiled in the pit of his stomach at her ignorant words and simply said, "I'm too tired to give a fuck about him today. Let's just go to class."

"Okay," Quinn agreed after a few moments. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. My dad's leaving for a business trip this weekend, and my mom's going with him. They wanted to make it some romantic getaway. They're leaving early." She stood on tiptoe to whisper into his ear. "Tomorrow night," she breathed. He felt chills go down his spine. It was obvious what she wanted, and this hadn't been the first time she had given him the go-ahead. For some reason though, he had always avoided it.

"Blaine? Do you want to come over?" Quinn prodded. "Spend the night? I can get into Daddy's liquor cabinet."

"I'll think about it," Blaine offered. Quinn's face fell and she began to pout unattractively. "It's not that I don't want to Babe. You just know how my parents are. I'll have to see if I can convince them to let me spend the night at one of the guys' houses. I'll let you know, okay?" He kissed her soundly then, feeling her melt in his arms, her anger fading at the gesture.

"Okay," she said, winded from their kiss. She linked her fingers with his and they walked to class.

x-x-x-x-x-x

Blaine spent most of his day dreading running into Kurt, yet searching for him at the same time. The day ticked by in a terribly slow manner. Blaine had to pinch himself every couple of minutes to keep from falling asleep in class and heknewhe'd be a wreck at football practice later.

He was shocked when, in last period English class, someone walked in a few minutes after the bell rang. Blaine could tell it was Kurt without even turning around because of the sound of his combat boots on the floor. His stomach tensed up instantly as he heard the chair at the other end of his table scrape out and saw the long body flop into it. Of course, the only empty seat in the room today had to be next to him. The guy that usually sat there was out.

"Mr. Hummel," The English teacher said to acknowledge Kurt's presence. "Glad to have you joining us for AP English. My notes say you were supposed to arrive on Monday..."

"Yes well, I got a bit lost trying to find the new classroom," Kurt said jauntily but Mrs. Talbot just smiled in her slightly senile manner.

"That's fine. You're here now. Mr. Rawlins told me you were finding the Honors level English class too simple for you?"

"That's right Ma'am," Kurt drawled enchantingly. "I've already studied all the material."

"Well I hope you'll find this class a little more challenging," Mrs. Talbot told him with another friendly smile. Kurt had the woman totally wrapped around his finger. Blaine shook his head in disgust.

"Well I think you'll all be happy to hear that today we'll be watching a movie adaptation of the play we've been reading recently. That's Tennessee Williams'A Streetcar Named Desire. It's one of those works that I think you really can't appreciate until you've seen it acted out."

Blaine had never been so grateful to hear they were watching a movie in his life. Now he wouldn't have to worry about talking to Kurt. And maybe he could even catch a quick nap without Mrs. Talbot noticing.

Mrs. Talbot dimmed the lights and Blaine relaxed in his seat, propping his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands. He couldn't help but notice the way that Kurt's body was stretched languidly under the table. His legs were so long and surprisingly well-muscled. There was the bulge near his crotch again, even more obvious today in those ridiculous pants. Blaine refused to turn and look at Kurt but he couldn't get the boy out of his peripheral vision and he was finding it very distracting.

About five minutes into the movie, Kurt stretched, lifting both arms above his head so that his shirt was pulled taut against his chest, licking his lips lazily. Blaine nearly choked on his own tongue. What was Kurt's game with this? He adjusted in his seat, disturbed at the heat that was pooling in his stomach and trying to diffuse it somehow by shuffling around. He ran a hand through his wild curls and placed his head in his hands for a moment to try and get a hold of himself. He sat back up then and realized immediately it had been a bad idea.

Kurt was now running his long fingers languorously across his own collarbone, tracing patterns into the perfect skin. He distractedly grazed his fingers down the V of his shirt, reaching the middle button and pulling the shirt open almost completely before running back up his chest again and repeating the same routine. Kurt's eyes were trained on the screen ahead of him and he looked completely engrossed in the movie. But Blaine couldn't believe that.

For a moment, Kurt closed his eyes, seemingly almost with pleasure, as he continued his slow movements with his hand, and it drove Blaine nearly mad. He could feel himself, stiffening, ever-so-slightly, and his cheeks turned completely red at the thought. It was not possible right now thatKurt Hummelwas turning him on. There was absolutely no way this was happening. It must have been due to his being so tired. His own body was confused. He raised his hand and hurriedly excused himself to the bathroom, which was empty to his relief. He splashed cold water on his cheeks several times before leaning back against the wall, trying to slow his breathing.

"Fancy meeting you here."

Blaine started violently.

"God! What's a guy have to do to get a little privacy around here?" Blaine asked Kurt in exasperation.

Kurt smirked. "Looking forprivacyare we, Anderson? I thought your girlfriend took care of you this morning. Or did she leave you high and dry?"

Blaine shook his head. "Shut the fuck up Man."

"Youaretouchy today. Christ what's wrong with you? You look like hell." Kurt approached him carefully, his fingers reaching out, tentatively. He finally let the tips of them rest upon the slightly purpled skin under Blaine's eye. Blaine struggled not to flinch.

"Does it hurt?" Kurt asked quietly, and Blaine knew this was his way of apologizing, even if he'd never say it outright.

"Barely," Blaine muttered uncomfortably.

"You know you never did tell me why you wanted to get away from home so badly yesterday." Kurt's voice had gone completely soft now, all of that affected toughness melted right out of it. Blaine couldn't resist this side of Kurt.

"Sometimes," he closed his eyes as Kurt gently traced down his cheek with his finger. He struggled for words, trying to ignore the sensations that this slight touch was sending coursing through his body. It certainly wasn't helping thesituationin his pants that he'd come here to escape in the first place. "Sometimes, home isn't a very happy place to be." He had to bite his lip from letting a small moan escape as Kurt's finger trailed across his jaw. Suddenly, the realization of what was happening dawned on him and he jerked away.

"What are you doing Hummel?" He asked, his voice weaker than it should've been. He thought he saw a trace of hurt flash through Kurt's eyes, but he was certain he'd imagined it. The boy standing before him looked as smug and aloof as ever.

"Examining your shiner Anderson. You straight boys get so jumpy." He waved a hand dismissively at Blaine. "Trust me Curly-Q. If I wanted you, you'd know."

The words stung for some reason Blaine couldn't explain and it made him angry.

"And you just assume I'd want you back?" He spat.

Kurt looked at him with a mixture of amusement and surprise. "I've never been turned down before."

"Yeah and from the looks of things you don't turn anyone down either."

"What isthatsupposed to mean?"

"Just that, it doesn't seem like you say no to many guys. Which, whatever, your prerogative. But you might want to be careful. HIV is a pretty big risk among the gay community. Especially amongst the slutty gays."

Kurt was mad now; Blaine could see it in the involuntarily clenching of his jaw, the flexing of his biceps as he curled his hands into fists. Blaine knew he'd been out of line with what he said, but he was pleased to see it had had the desired affect.

"What the fuck do you think you're talking about?"

"Oh I don't know Kurt. How about that booty call that showed up at your house yesterday afternoon, for starters?"

Blaine was shocked to hear laughter. Kurt was actually laughing at him. He was laughing atBlaine.

"Oh my God," Kurt said when he caught his breath. "Are youjealousAnderson?"

"No I'm not fucking jealous," Blaine snapped immediately.

"Alright, alright." Kurt held up his hands in surrender. "Fine. You're not jealous. Then why do you care who showed up at my house yesterday?"

"I don't care. I just think you should be careful. If you keep whoring around like that, you're gonna get some sort of disease..."

"For your information Blaine, I do notwhorearound. If I choose to be intimate with somebody, it's because I'm interested in them. Do I get guys? Sure, I do. But I'm just like any other average horny high school guy. The only difference is, I'm not hooking up with girls. That doesn't mean I'm awhore, nor does it mean that I don't use protection." Kurt shook his head at Blaine's lack of information.

"So that guywasa booty call?"

"That guy was a friend," Kurt answered non-committally.

"I thought that's what we were. After yesterday. You told that guy I was your friend..."

Kurt's eyes sparkled with interest. "Were you eavesdropping Curly-Q? Is that why you ran out so fast you forgot your precious skateboard?"

"I heard what I heard," Blaine replied unapologetically. "And I have the decency to know when it's time for me to leave."

Kurt just shook his head. "You really are something else." He moved to the urinal and Blaine closed his eyes.

"Come on Man. Can't you wait till I leave?"

"Are you kidding me right now Blaine? I can't even pee with you in here? I'm notdiseasedfor Christ's sakes!"

I know that. I just don't think I can handle the idea of being in the same room as you while your dick is out.Blaine just swallowed.

"Seriously. Let's just...keep it kosher."

"Alright," Kurt said slowly, not sure exactly how to take Blaine's words. "Since apparently your fag-fear has returned, I'll go use the bathroom elsewhere."

"I'm not afraid!" Blaine insisted.

"Whatever. It's your problem, not mine. But wedohave to get together today and actually talk about this stupid project."

"I have football practice today."

"Come over afterwards."

"Fine. But I can't stay long."

"That's quite alright. Gives me all the more time to go and get my fuck on with some random guys I met at the bar last weekend." Kurt quirked an eyebrow, watching Blaine's face carefully.

"Seriously Anderson. Learn to take a joke." He turned to leave the bathroom but stopped for a moment. "I'll see you after your football practice."

"Aren't you coming back to English?"

"Nah, I think I'm done with this place for the day," Kurt said. "And by the way," he added, turning slightly, a frown on his face. "Before you go around calling me out for my after-school activities, you might want to rethink all the PDA you engage in with your 'hot-piece-of-ass girlfriend' in the hallways in between class. It's disgusting, and I'm pretty sure the entire school could catch your STDs just from being within a five-foot radius." He shrugged innocently and walked out.

Blaine slumped back against the wall, unable to stop the thought that was happily swimming in his head.From the sounds of it, Kurt was kind of jealous too.