A week passes while Blaine ignores Kurt and it is like what happened between them wasn’t more than a weird dream. The comments, the kiss in the auditorium, the way Kurt had stood up for him after the Karofsky incident or the fact that Blaine had showed up on his doorstep - nothing. Sectionals is only weeks away so, on top of an unexpected load of homework, the Glee Club has a busy schedule. But even though Kurt tells himself Blaine and everything that happened between them should be forgotten, that it almost is as forgotten, there is a small part at the back of his head that constantly itches and reminds him. Sometimes he can feel the heat of Blaine’s breathe against his neck or the other boy’s hands at his waist. But it is always an illusion, even though they are often so real that he jumps in surprise. Blaine flushed against him, his touch and that smell, is so, so real and Kurt tries so hard to forget everything about the boy in the leather jacket, but somehow he can’t seem to shake off the feeling of disappointment. A boy had kissed him, him, right there at McKinley High in Lima, Ohio.

As Sectionals is closing in the Glee Club is as prepared as they usually are; meaning not at all. From where Kurt sits he can see every single one of his friends and with a sigh he registers Rachel as the only one that still seems the least interested in the competition. Mr Shue makes a half-hearted attempt to cover up his tiredness, but the others are either spending their time sucking each other’s faces (read Mike and Tina), staring longingly at their girlfriends boobs (Puck and Finn), discussing things Kurt couldn’t be less interested in (Sam, Artie and a frantically nodding Brittany) or sleeping loudly at his side (Mercedes).

“This is going to take us nowhere.”, Kurt mumbles to himself, and his best friend stirs.

“Huh?”, she asks sleepily.

“This isn’t leading anywhere.”, Kurt repeats, much louder this time so the others can hear him through the noisy room. He guesses he sounds a bit angrier than he meant to, but he is tired and a headache is slowly creeping up at his left temple. The room falls silent and everybody turn their heads to look at him. Even a wet pop is heard when Mike and Tina break apart. He continues as he has their attention:

“I suggest we leave early today. Nothing’s going to come out of this anyway. Instead of sitting here for another quarter we can all promise to come up with at least one suggestion for a number we can do at Sectionals. Everyone should have it ready by next time we meet. Okay?”

The rest of the group nods in agreement, Mr Shue even looks a bit relieved.

“Okay guys, that’s a good idea.”, their teacher says. “A great idea actually. Pack up your things, we’re leaving early today. But remember everybody must have a suggestion ready for next time! Every single one of you!”

But almost everyone has stormed out before their teacher has finished the sentence, and his attempt with an organized ending of the hour is lost. And when Kurt and Mercedes walks out of the room after the others Mercedes continues the subject she started earlier during lunch, a subject Kurt much rather would have avoided.

“There are so many people saying he’s killed someone!” Her drowsiness seems to have vanished as soon as they leave the stuffy choir room. “Even Puck, and he knows him since his time at Dalton.”

“I don’t think you can say Puck knows Blaine Anderson.”, Kurt says with a sigh. “I got the impression he’s never even spoken to him.”

“But I heard him talk to Lauren about it yesterday, remember? I told you.”

“Yes, you mentioned it.” Twice. Kurt has to force himself not to roll his eyes.

“I can’t understand why you’re not interested in the story behind this guy! It’s exciting!”

“Exciting?”, Kurt repeats. If Mercedes only knew what had happened, how he desperately is trying to forget all about Blaine Anderson, even though the dreams that haunts him at night won’t leave him alone. But he acts uninterested. “A kid who probably hasn’t done anything more than shoplift a few things at a supermarket? Who hasn’t made a noise since he arrived here? What a badboy. Very exciting, Mercedes.”

“He rides a motorbike.”, Mercedes says with a stubborn expression, and Kurt can’t help but sigh again.

“Really, Mercedes? Since when has that been illegal?”

“But he’s killed someone! Come on, Kurt, you’re usually so nosy!”

Kurt huffs in protest, pretending to be offended even though he knows it is true. Because he is nosy, he is curious and damnit, he was curious about this too before everything - all that stuff that he reminds himself should be forgotten - happened.

“People say he’s killed someone, it’s a difference there. Rumor and reality, you can tell them apart, right Mercedes?”

“No smoke without a fire.”, is all she says in response. And Kurt knows, because that is kind of his motto when it comes to gossip and drama. But not this time. Because it is something unnerving about Blaine Anderson, something which disrupts his balance and makes his hairs stand on end. And Kurt doesn’t like that.