At Glee club the next day, everyone was supposed to be working on the number they would perform at graduation.However that wasn't the case: Blaine wasn't present and Kurt just couldn't bring himself to care. Instead he just stared at the gum wrapper promise ring, which he'd slid onto his ring finger that morning.

"Kurt?" Tina's voice, soft and hesitant, broke his train if thought.

He flinched and looked at the junior.

"Sorry Tina." he said, folding his arms over his chest. "What?"

Rachel sighed exasperatedly.

"You're supposed to be helping with choreography." she snapped.

"Sorry, Rach but I'm not really in a mood." he shot back, tone icy, "and it's graduation, what do you expect Mike or Britt to come up with, something with many a somersalt or some backflips? I think I'd rather sit with the rest of the seniors and not be a part of it."

"Kurt, it's -- it's our last performance," protested Finn. "Blaine wouldn't --"

Kurt was on his feet so fast you'd have thought he'd spotted a bargain sale on scarves.

"Don't you dare tell me what Blaine would want me to do! You just want it to be perfect so you don't end up looking like an ass and Rachel doesn't kill you!" he didn't even care that he was shouting. "They can't even make it official until he's been missing twenty-four hours!"

"I don't --!"

Puck froze midway through twirling Quinn.

"Missing? Man I thought he was just out sick or something. What the hell do you mean, he's missing?"

Kurt said nothing. Mr. Schue took a step forward.

"Kurt? Is there something you want to tell us?"

Kurt shook his head.

"You all heard me." he spit out as he grabbed his messenger bag. "I'm leaving."

No one tried to stop him when he walked quickly from the room.

---

Blaine was alone again.

Instead of his mother's idea of 'shopping', the previous night had consisted of her going out and buying just one pair of jeans and an Ohio State hoodie. As for a meal, she'd brought him back a cold burrito and a bag of potato chips.

He ate them anyway.

The next morning his mother had left again, stating she needed to get things ready for their trip back to California.

She'd been gone for three hours.

He curled up on a blanket she'd thrown on him (literally) last night and reached into his pocket, fingers trembling slightly as they closed around his cell phone.

How did I forget I had this on me?

He tried turning it on, but no luck. The battery was dead.

Damn it! A loose sob left his throat as he slammed his phone down on the floor. I can't let her take me to California. I'll die.

Blaine twisted around and glanced at the hotel phone on the bedside table. He had no idea when Jenna would be back -- or if she would hurt him if she found him trying to contact his older brother (his guess was probably, but he was willing to risk it).He got to his feet slowly and walked over to the table before picking up the reciever and dialling Cooper's cell.

---

Cooper was watching TV (at his grandparents' insistance) when his cell phone rang. He almost didn't answer -- until he saw that it was a number he didn't recognize.

What if it's him? Pick up...you'll drive yourself crazy if you don't...

He picked up his phone and pressed send before putting it to his ear.

Coo?

Tears welled in the brunette's eyes.

"Blainey?" he whispered.

Silence...then:

Y-Yeah.

He wasn't sure he could stop shaking. He gripped the phone hard. With his other hand he hit the power on the remote, shutting off the television.

"Are you okay? I -- Buddy where are you? I'll come get you, I'll --"

I'm -- I'm sore -- my head and my neck hurt, but I'm okay. I don't know -- Oh God.

"What?! Blaine -- baby brother talk to me --"

There was a loud outcry of pain on the other end of the line that stole Cooper's breath, nearly stopped his heart.

A new voice came on the line.

Hey Cooper.

He nearly dropped the phone at the sound of her voice.

"Mom."