Tyler was one of the sweetest guys Blaine had ever met. It sort of took Blaine by surprise. When Blaine had finally shot him a text, informing him that he would accompany him to the dance, Tyler had spent the next week leading up to the dance showering Blaine with sweet texts: "Saw u talking w Jenna earlier. Is it ok if I say, you have the sweetest laugh like ever?" leaving him little notes in his locker in between classes: "Here is a drawing of us dancing at homecoming. Is it too forward if I assume there aint nothing wrong with a little bump'n'grindin?" and of course walking him to some of his classes. It was nice.

The night of the dance was far better than either boy had predicted. There hadn't been any "bump'n'grindin," though. Most of the night was spent sitting together at one of the tables joking about the horror that was hetero couples dancing "It looks more like they're trying to fuck each other through their clothes and Adam's shirt is drenched with sweat. I'm absolutely going to vomit." They talked about everything under the sun over the boom of he music; Blaine was smitten to say the least.

Blaine learned that Tyler was really into fashion, like Kurt, and thought that was something maybe he and Kurt could bond over if something was to ever come out of this. Tyler playfully teased him about the sheer amount of joy that danced in Blaine's eyes when, he complimented his bow tie. The rest of the night was filled with endless jokes, playful teasing, and blushing, lots of blushing.

The other students hadn't paid them much attention the past week, nor had they said or done anything about them arriving at the dance together. Both Blaine and Tyler agreed it would be best if they made sure to draw as little attention to themselves as possible. Sometimes they would forget and Tyler would brush the back of his hand across his cheek causing Blaine's face to heat up under his touch, or Blaine would grab Tyler's hand under the table.

When the four hours was up and the homecoming court was announced, at exactly 11PM the dance was over. Everyone in the gym began to clear out. The boys waited until all the students had left; leaving only the faculty members and some volunteer chaperones. They headed out to the parking lot hand in hand.

"That was a lot less traumatic then I thought it was going to be" Tyler joked huffing warm breath into the cold night air. He looked down at Blaine with shining eyes and a warm smile. Tyler was about two inches taller than Blaine. He had light brown eyes and short dirty blond locks that were swept to the side. He was actually really good looking now that Blaine had the opportunity to appreciate it. Tyler had thinner lips then his own, but they looked soft and Blaine couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from them.

"I'm really glad you decided to go to the dance with me Blaine." Tyler whispered, his gaze trained down at his toes, and he was blushing, like really blushing. It was a reaction Blaine had grown to appreciate; especially when Kurt blushed. Thinking about Kurt awakened his skin, chills spreading across the surface. A wave of guilt rushed through Blaine immediately as he realized he had started thinking about his best friend in that way when he was on a date. He felt like he needed to make up for the traitorous train of thought, even though Tyler didn't know it happened.

"I'm glad you invited me Ty." Blaine responded sweetly. He quickly searched around him to make sure there was no one around. The lot was fairly empty. There were only more than a few cars he assumed belonged to the teachers and chaperones. Blaine wanted to kiss Tyler. He had thought about his first kiss on many occasions. At one point he was sure it would be Kurt he would share it with, but here, now, he felt like his was ready and he definitely kind of wanted it to be with Tyler. His lips felt all tingly with anticipation as he fought to keep his breaths steady.

That feeling from the other night crept back into the pit of Blaine's stomach when his hazel eyes met warm brown ones. What if he was terrible? Should he apply more chapstick? His lips did have a tendency to get dry when he felt this nervous. Before he could make a decision to go through with it Tyler's phone blared Gwen Stefani's "Wind It Up." He made a mental note that they had to discuss that later. Tyler let out an embarrassed cough and turned around to answer his phone.

"Hello?...No we're waiting…Oh my god, why would you-...What are we supposed to do?"

Blaine couldn't really hear who was on the other line, but from what he could hear, he put together: 1) it was his father and 2) they no longer had a ride. Great.

"Yeah I'll ask…Whatever, I'm not even surprised" with that Tyler smashed the end button, hanging up, seemingly, before his father could get another word in.

"Soo, your dad's not going to be able to-"

"Nope, and it sure as hell wouldn't be the first time so…" Blaine watch as Tyler physically closed off, then realization hit and he quickly turned to Blaine. (He briefly reminded Blaine of a cartoon character, how quickly he turned.) He had guilty tears swimming in his eyes. Blaine hadn't expected to see him crying, but there was something in his eyes that Blaine recognized. Something any child, with parents who thought their jobs trumped their kids, could recognize.

"I'm so sorry Blaine, I didn't mean to take that out on you. It's just he does this all the time. He never comes through, I thought at least tonight since he said he was off, and he promised, I just-"

"Hey, no it's okay. I understand, believe me." Blaine soothed. Tyler looked like he was going to lose it, so Blaine wrapped one arm around his shoulders as best as he could, and pulled his phone out with the other.

"I'll text my brother Cooper kay?" Tyler nodded and mumbled thanks.

To Coop:

Could u pick us up? Tyler's dad can't anymore. pls?

11:23 PM

From Coop:

Oops I forgot to tell you I won't be in until

2morrow night. I have an audition 2morrow

morning so I pushed my flight back.

Sorry B. :-(

11:25 PM

Blaine sighed and let go of Tyler. This meant he would have the house to himself tonight (his parents had some function they had to attend, and they would be gone all weekend.) and they still didn't have a ride. Nice to know his "guardians" were every bit as unreliable as Tyler's. Cooper was supposed to come in around 9, but Blaine would have been at the dance already. He was actually looking forward to telling Coop about his night now that their relationship had improved exponentially. That certainly wasn't going to happen now—no surprise there.

To Coop:

S'okay. :-/

11:26 PM

From Coop:

Try Kurt. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Nd pls txt me

as soon as you make it into Kurt's car nd home.

I need to know you made it back safe.

11:26 PM

Blaine rolled his eyes. At least Cooper cared enough to suggest an equally brilliant and terrible idea. Brilliant, because Blaine knew Kurt would drop everything to be there for him, and he would do the same for Kurt. Terrible, because for some reason Blaine couldn't shake the feeling that it would be awkward to ride in the car with his best friend and his date. Seeing as he had no choice, he figured he might as well text Kurt or they'd be walking home. They didn't live close to each other so a majority of their walk would be alone.

"My brother isn't going to be able to pick us up, so I have to text my best friend Kurt if that's okay with you?" Blaine inquired looking up from his phone to Tyler who had been blowing out puffed "Os" of hot air into the cold night sky. Cute.

Blaine was suddenly all too aware of how cold it was and shivered. He hoped Kurt wasn't busy and could get there soon.

"I see you really do understand" Tyler answered, an empathetic smile creeping across his face.

"Yeah."

"I don't mind if you text Kurt. I think I remember seeing you with him all the time last year. I thought you guys were dating." Tyler tossed that last bit out with a forced laugh.

"Um, no we weren't. We uh, we're just like…friends. Best friends." Blaine was a little shaken with the little bit of disappointment that tugged at his insides. "Just, give me a sec."

To Kurty :) :

I'm really sorry if you're busy or anything. It seems Tyler's

dad is in the same club in which my father is currently

the sitting president. and Coop, well you know Coop.

Anyways, do you think you could pick Ty and I up from the

Dance. Pls? I owe you. A massage, perhaps, will make up for the

inconvenience that is our parents. (as in mine and Tyler's, your dad

And Carol get all the awards)

3 messages 388/456

"Um, Blaine?"

"Gimmie a second almost done." Blaine didn't take his eye off of his phone as he rapidly smashed his freezing fingers down on the buttons.

"No, Blaine please, just-" There was panic dripping on every syllable Tyler spoke. His voice hushed, and tone tense.

Blaine glanced up quickly and stilled. Tyler had paled a considerable amount (and that was saying something considering the chilly night). His eyes were the size of saucers and he was shaking, visibaly shaking. Blaine's skin felt tight like he was growing out of it, as fear jolted through is body. He frantically searched around the parking lot. Most of the cars had cleared out except two; he continued searching.

Blaine spun all the way around and finally saw them slowly making their way over. He felt like he was going to vomit. A million things rushed through his mind. He should run. He should grab Tyler and run. Why weren't his feet moving? Blaine could barely make out the faces of all four figures but he recognized one face right away. Ethan.

Ethan was very openly homophobic. He made that very clear every time he got the chance. Ethan was actually supposed to be in 9th grade this year but had failed. What hadn't failed was his growth spurt, Blaine noticed. As they made their way closer Blaine started to recognize his other tormentors. Wade to the left of Ethan, Bryce, and Gordon to his right.

They had been stupid. So, so stupid. Why would they think, even for a second, that this wouldn't happen? That they wouldn't make them pay for shoving their gay in others' faces and "mocking them with it." They were going to be jumped and there were no teachers, or chaperones, or fucking anyone that Blaine had assured Kurt would be there, because they all left.

They had been so wrapped up in their own little world that they had missed the sneers Ethan and his boys sent their way during the dance. They hadn't been careful, and now they were going to pay. Kurt was right. Oh god Kurt!

Blaine rushed to send the text so he could quickly type out an SOS, but his phone was knocked out of his hands and he was shoved backwards. Luckily a frozen Tyler was there to keep him from falling backwards and hitting his head. Not that that would matter. The four boys were carrying bats (wooden ones at least) and that could only mean one thing—he'd be hitting the ground in no time.

"Would you look at the filthy fags!" Ethan spat. The four boys chuckled as they surrounded Blaine and Tyler. Ethan stepped closer, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. His grey/blue eyes cold. Ethan was about an inch and a half taller than Tyler. He had short black hair that swept across his forehead. He was stocky, from playing sports; there was no doubt in Blaine's mind that they didn't' stand a chance with these four boys and their bats. "Did you think we were just going to sit back while you two idiots ruined our dance?" Ethan continued.

"You're lucky there were teachers around or we would have done this sooner!" Gordon interjected maniacally. He looked crazy, like he was on something. They all looked like they were on something. Blaine's blood ran cold. He grabbed Tyler's hand and tried to make a run for it, but it was too late. Wade shoved him back, and he fell to the ground. Tyler hadn't moved an inch.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Ethan yelled, shoving the bat to his chest. "If you're going to be a faggot, you're going to have to accept the consequences. You asked for this!" He concluded pragmatically. A small squeaked escaped Tyler's lips, but he was still frozen in shock. Blaine could see tears rolling down his cheeks.

"L-Leave us alone Ethan!" Blaine tried to school his voice into something that resembled confidence but it was no use—he was scared shitless and they were hopeless. His stutter, making a valiant reappearance, wasn't even the worst of their problems. Nothing was going to stop what was about to happen to them. There was no one there but the six of them and it wasn't like the faculty was keen on stepping in the save the queers. He was sure a number of them had passed by the two boys and didn't even stop to check and make sure they had a ride home.

"L-l-leave you a-a-aloone?" Ethan mocked. Bryce muttered "pathetic" and the other two laughed hysterically.

"You can't even fucking speak, and your boyfriend is about to shit himself. You little fairies are so pathetic; you'd be perfect for each other if it wasn't so fucking disgusting." Ethan sneered, "What really gets me though, is how generous I've been, yet you choose pull this. We all noticed you were a little fag when that queen of fairies was still around. You two were attached dick to ass. But as soon as that little bitch left you just couldn't help but stare and my junk in the locker rooms could you? So I had to tell everyone and now you bring another boy to the dance. I have better things to do than to teach you a lessons, Blaine, but when you ask for it, I am power less but to oblige."

Without even realizing what he was doing, Blaine found himself on his feet and shoving Ethan as hard as he could. He could make fun of Blaine but he was talking about Kurt now. Blaine was sure of it, and that wasn't, by any means, okay. A mixture of rage and fear—mostly fear—was coursing through him. This must be the fight or flight response he'd learned about. Too bad he was out numbered.

Suddenly there was a lot of commotion, like mad rush. Bryce was helping Ethan up while Wade and Gordon grabbed Blaine. Wade was about Blaine's height and Gordon only a half an inch taller. Wade, physically, wasn't that much stronger than Blaine and Gordon wasn't too far off either. Blaine knew he could have taken both of them individually, but between the two of them holding him Blaine couldn't shake them off.

He looked over at Tyler and the urge to vomit returned. Tyler finally made eye contact with Blaine. Blaine could see it in his eyes—an apology. He knew what was going to happen even before Tyler turned on his heels and took off running towards the exit of the school lot. He'd finally come back to himself and he ran as fast as he could leaving Blaine to fend for himself. That's when the panic set in.

Blaine began to thrash around violently screaming after Tyler to come back and help him, screaming for him not to leave him. He tugged his arms with all the force he could conjure up but was unsuccessful. Never had he felt so powerless than he did now. He faintly heard Ethan mutter "Hold him" as he picked up his bat.

The Panic escalated and his eyes bugged out of his head. "TYLER! OH GOD! P-PLEASE ST-STOP. TYLER PLEASE! HELP ME!" His throat hurt from screaming and there was a sharp pain in his left shoulder but he continued to thrash and kick and scream. Begging them to let him go, begging Tyler to come back, begging someone, anyone to pass by, and help him." Nobody came.

He was crying now, tears burning through his lids, and sliding down his red puffy face. He was sure there was some snot mixed in there somewhere as well. He was on the verge of hysterics, when a sharp blow connected with this abdomen. He hoarsely cried out again naturally trying to double over from the force of the blow and the pain, trying to clutch at his stomach, but he couldn't do either when Wade and Gordon were holding him up.

"Wow! Look at your bitch boy leave you hear all alone. Too bad you cocksukers didn't get a chance to buttfuck each other." The boys laughed. Wade and Gordon dropped Blaine, who immediately doubled over onto the ground. Between the pain in his shoulder and the pain flaring in his abdomen Blaine was sure he was going to pass out. He wished he would—wished he didn't have to be conscious for this. He wished he didn't have to look at the excitement in their face as they all picked up their bats and crept towards him. He wished he didn't have to hear the laughter and the hate slurs. He wished he didn't have to remember Tyler Watters—one of the sweetest boys he'd ever met—bailing on him when Blaine needed him most. He wished he was with Kurt like he should have been. Kurt.

Blaine lifted his head and searched for his phone. He spotted it a few feet away from him and reached to grab it. He couldn't let them do this. Kurt would never forgive himself. He would somehow find a way to blame himself for not pushing Blaine to not go. He would cry and it would break Blaine into a million pieces. Blaine was the one who had been stupid. Blaine couldn't let this happen to himself; He couldn't let Kurt be hurt by this.

Bryce launched a foot into Blaine's side, the momentum shoving him onto his back.

"Oh no you don't!" Ethan bellowed another blow to Blaine's stomach sending him back onto his side clutching himself. Then another blow to his arm, then his leg, then his face, then his back, then his side again. Blows after blows again and again.

The pain had become too much for Blaine to even register. It was like he had become detached to the whole situation. He had no idea how much time passed as blackness engulfed his peripherals.

He could faintly hear sirens, and the boys panicked yells. The blows suddenly stopped and his body began to shake violently. He could barely see, out of one eye, blurry figures retreating into their cars and disappearing. He was totally alone, left to bleed to death. The last thing he registered was his phone still a few feet away before the blackness around his eyes closed in and he began to slip away.

To Kurty :)

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