“You know our conversation a couple of weeks ago? After … yeah.” Blaine nodded “I think I should stand up to Karofsky.” Kurt said suddenly during one of their weekly coffee ‘dates’ (neither was admitting to the other that they thought them like that). The past few weeks after the incident had been a blur, due to the upcoming sectionals, but Karofsky was constantly on his mind. He flinched every time a locker slammed, he was scared to turn corners, he had begun to take 3 spare outfits to school; it seemed that slushying Kurt once a day was not enough for them anymore. He was completely fed up of it.
Blaine put his drink down and looked at Kurt. He admired how strong Kurt was, being able to even think about confronting his bullies, after they have treated him like a third-class citizen.
“I… good for you Kurt.” He smiled “You’re stronger than I ever hoped to be. Just one thing?”
Kurt looked unsure, but nodded nonetheless.
“Don’t get hurt. I know it sounds stupid, as he throws you into lockers every day.” Both boys flinched at the thought. “But we-you don’t know what he could do. I’d hate myself for giving you the idea.”
“Don’t you dare take it that way Blaine Warbler. I’ve always wanted to confront him, but you just gave me the courage. I have to do it, and I won’t get hurt. I’ll be fine, trust me.”
They drank the rest of their coffee with normal conversation, then they both head home.

Thursdays were Kurt’s worst days. Most of his lessons were near Karofsky’s, so he got pushed into the lockers more. It was also the day when both Glee club and football practice were on, so even after school there was a chance he’d get injured.
Kurt got up that morning, carried out his morning routine and hopped in his car to head to school. His phone beeped on the way to meet Mercedes at his locker.
Courage – Blaine
He didn’t realise how much one word could make his day, until now.
The rest of the day dragged on, and Kurt was glad when it was time for Glee. He was expecting the meeting to go as normal, Rachel hogging the spotlight, and getting all the solos; so when Rachel stood up he rolled his eyes.
“Now, everyone in here knows that I am the best singer, and that’s clear due to the fact that I’ve had the solos in all our competitions. But today, I’m in a giving mood, so I’m going to give someone else this year’s solo.” Everyone was visibly shocked.
“Rachel, are you feeling okay?” Mr. Schue asked from the back row.
“I’m feeling perfectly fine thanks.” Rachel replied, sounding slightly annoyed. “But I’m not going to give it to anyone. I’m going to give it to Kurt.” Kurt looked at Rachel, wide-eyed. “He’s the second-best singer in the group, and he needs it. I’m not going to NYADA on my own.”
“Thanks Rach, b…but everyone else is so good!” Kurt stood up.
“Kurt, I’m GIVING you the solo. You have to take it. Everyone agrees with me.”
For once, she was right, everyone was nodding in agreement.
“Looks like you’ve got the solo Kurt! Congrats!” Mr. Schue said, patting him on the back. “Now that’s done, we need to re-arrange our setlist.” Kurt sat down in awe. He’d finally got a solo.
The rest of Glee flew by, and Kurt walked to his locker to get his books. He took out his phone to text Blaine about his solo, but Karofsky stormed by, knocking Kurt and his phone to the ground. He looked at his phone, and remembered Blaine’s last text.
Courage

“What is your problem?!” Kurt yelled, storming after Karofsky in the empty hallway.
“Excuse me?” Karofsky replied, and somehow Kurt had followed him into the locker room.
“What are you so scared of?”
“Besides you sneaking in here to peek at my junk?”
“Oh yeah, every straight guys nightmare. That all us gays are secretly out to molest and convert you. But guess what ham hock? You’re not my type.”
“That right?”
“Yeah. I don’t dig on chubby boys who sweat too much and will be bald by the time they’re thirty!”
“Do not push me Hummel!” Dave raised his fist, and Kurt glanced at it. He could say that he wasn’t scared, but he couldn’t run away.
“Are you gonna hit me? Do it.”
“Don’t push me.” Dave yelled, slamming his locker shut.
“Hit me because it’s not going to change who I am. You can’t punch the gay out of me more than I can punch the ignoramus out of you!”
“Get out of my face!
You are nothing more than a scared little boy who can’t handle how extraordinarily ordinary you are!”
Karofsky surged forward and forced a kiss on Kurt’s lips. Kurt froze, and Karofsky finally pulled back. He leant in again, but Kurt pushed him back, trying not to cry. Kurt just stood there in shock, whilst Karofsky stormed out of the locker room.
Kurt didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t tell Finn, or Mercedes, or Rachel. He couldn’t even tell Blaine, because then he’d have to admit to that being his first kiss. So he just got in his navigator, drove home, told his Dad he had masses of homework, then went straight up to his room and laid on his bed. At some point, he must have fallen asleep as he woke up with the morning sun shining through his curtains at dawn. He looked at his clock and realised he had a couple of hours before school started.
Kurt checked his phone, and saw that he had 5 missed calls and 20 texts, mostly from Blaine, a couple from Mercedes, and one from Rachel. Kurt read Blaine’s most recent.

-Can you tell me what I’ve done?
-Sorry if I’m annoying you.
-I just text Mercedes, she said you’re not replying to her either. Are you okay?
-Kurt, you’re worrying me now. Please reply.
-I’m going to sleep, Dalton’s finishing early tomorrow, I’ll meet you in McKinley’s parking lot after school.

He couldn’t be bothered texting him back, he knew Blaine would go whatever he said. He got out of bed and got in a long shower, he needed it. He got on with his morning routine, singing along to his Broadway playlist, trying to keep his mind off the day ahead and the undeniable fact that he’d have to put up with Karofsky.