Blaine entered the school building after what had felt like the longest weekend of his life. He'd spent almost the entire time at the hospital with Jermaine and Grace. He'd tried to forget the heartache Kurt had put him through - Kurt was right though, Blaine needed space and time, but that didn't make it hurt any less. Part of him wanted to hate Kurt for it, but he could never hate Kurt ... never.

Everyone stared at him; his hair was ungelled and bed tousled, he was thin and pale, except for the few bruises still left from Jermaine’s assault. He'd obviously barely slept or ate. He altered his usual route to his locker, which took him past Kurt’s locker, to avoid Kurt and the Cheerios. He couldn't look or think about Kurt without wanting to cry. In home-room he kept his eyes cast downward as his tutor called names from the register, glancing up only to answer ‘Yes, miss’ when she said his. He avoided Kurt all day, skipping lunch out fear of seeing him in the canteen - Kurt was one of the few Cheerios that actually ate, after all. Instead he hung out in the auditorium ... he sat at the piano and began to play 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers - the first song he’d ever heard Kurt sing.

His mind flashed back to that day he sat silently watching him sing. He remembered walking down the corridor, discussing their favourite Killers songs. He recalled the pain of each of the blows that he took from Jermaine, the heartbreak he suffered, the talk he'd had with Kurt, the fear when he called Jermaine out, the joy in those kisses, the relief when he’d broken up with Jermaine … most of all, the guilt over Jermaine’s accident. Tears rolled down Blaine’s cheeks as he sang - that day was one of the best and worst of his life.

The rest of the day was long and tedious. Blaine's mind wandered ... no matter how hard he tried to concentrate it kept flicking between Kurt and wondering how Jermaine was. By fifth period he’d given up trying - hopefully glee club would distract him.

“Blaine?” Quinn asked in glee rehearsal later on. “Are you okay? Its like you’ve been somewhere else all day.”

“Yeah ... yeah, I’m fine.” Blaine lied.

“Blaine!” said Santana firmly “You’ve lost weight, just over the weekend, and you look like crap.”

“So?” He shrugged. He felt bad for shutting them out like this ... they were his friends after all, but he just wanted to be left alone.

“So, you’re not okay are you?”

“Would you guys be?”

“Would we be what?” Quinn asked.

“Would you be okay? Would you be okay if your best friend had crashed his car after you had a huge fight ... if it was your dumping him that caused him to crash because you broke his heart because you loved someone else? Would you be okay if the very person who you left him for broke your heart, the same person you’ve been pining after since you got here?”

“Wait - you asked Kurt out?” Brittany interruped.

“Yeah. On Friday”

“Blainey,” said Santana, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “You’ve just broken up with Jermaine. You need time to get over him ... you need space. It's not time for you to be in another relationship while you’re still mourning the last one.”

“That’s pretty much what he said.” Blaine admitted with a sad little nod. “He did tell me he’d say yes if I ask again when I’m over Jermaine and I-”

“That’s great, Blaine.” Brittany beamed.

“I know, but I miss him … I can’t look at him without wanting to cry. I know he’s right, but it just hurts so much and I don’t know what to do.”

“You could sing about it?” Quinn urged gently.

“I don’t really feel like singing.” He shook his head.

“Come on, Blaine ... it might make you feel better.”

“Doubt it.”

“Just try, Blaine ... please? We hate seeing you like this.” said Brittany.

“Fine, okay - whatever ... I’ll sing” Blaine shrugged. Frankly he’d do anything if it meant they’d leave him alone.

Someone told me that you've got to be the change you want to see
They made it sound so easy.
Some situations, they can seem too hard to face
We need extremists of love and grace

Blaine sang, his heart feeling light for the first time in days. His friends had been right - he was feeling a little better. He was so into the song that he didn’t see the tall, slender cheerleader who had stopped by the door on his way to practice, watching him with longing and sadness in his eyes but smiling all the same.

Someone told me that you've got to be the change you want to see
They made it sound so easy.
But the one who gives us life helps us run the race,
We'll be extremists of love and grace.

As the song came to a close, Blaine let out a huge sigh. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest. He loved singing, and it did always make him feel a little brighter.

“Better?” Quinn smiled.

“Much - thanks guys.” Blaine nodded. “I've got to go.”

“Okay - see ya, Blaine.”

Blaine went home that night, needing to sleep in his own bed, as the couch at the hospital wasn’t very comfy. He’d visit Jermaine again tomorrow. As soon as his head hit the pillow he fell asleep.