Blaine’s tie hung loosely around his neck as he and his best friend Tyler walked through the school parking lot, fingers linked. It was an amiable silence, and Blaine was so happy that they’d gotten through this together, despite the stares when they were dancing together. That was until Tyler stopped abruptly, facing Blaine, his eyes shining.

“Kiss me.”

Blaine looked up to Tyler, a bright red blush spreading up to his ears, “W-What?” he stuttered.

Tyler placed a hand lightly on Blaine’s cheek using his thumb to brush one the stray curls out of his face.

“I said, kiss me.”

He nodded slightly before moving in closer to kiss him, only closing his eyes when their lips first touched.

“HEY FAGGOTS!”

They both jumped apart as if they had been burned, squinting into the distance of the car park. The captain of the football team was walking over to them, flanked by two other jocks.

“Leave us alone,” Tyler stammered. He wanted to be brave. He didn’t want them to know he was scared. But he couldn’t keep the tremors from his voice.

“Shut up, homo!” The bigger one yelled, “You think it’s okay to spread your fag bullshit all over the place; it’s fucking disgusting,” He said before giving

Tyler a shove. Tyler retaliated by doing the same, even though he knew he couldn’t compete with him physically.

One of the others grabbed his arm and tried to hold him back, but Tyler swung with his foot, hitting the boy in the groin causing him to yelp in pain and release him. Tyler was grabbed loosely again by the back of his blazer but managed to pull himself free and run away from them, escaping onto the main road.

Blaine stood in the shadows trembling, unable to move, knowing he should have run for it before, but it was too late. He closed his eyes waiting for the impact.

One.

Two.

Three.

A fist collided with his cheek. Pain searing through his face as he was knocked to the ground hitting his head on the concrete. He blinked slowly as the grainy pattern of the ground blurred beneath him; he felt pressure being put on his throat, constricting his breathing, along with a knee being pressed into his stomach. He turned his head to see the bigger boy hovering over him with a glint in his eyes saying, ‘move or scream and you will regret it.’

A small whimper escaped his throat as the boy put more pressure against his windpipe, “P-Please stop. Please let go,” He sobbed, as the tears started flowing, stinging his eyes.

“What did I say about shutting up? if you want to get away from this looking the same, I suggest keeping your mouth shut,” He spat at him, “and I don’t think your little boyfriend will come back to save you.”

The leader pushed his forearm hard against his neck, “Now what should we do with you?” He said wickedly stroking his cheek with his hand, “Should I break your arm?”

Blaine sobbed shaking his head frantically, “P-Please stop, please n-no. Don’t hurt me. Please.”

“I said, SHUT UP!” He yelled angrily before punching him in the face, breaking his nose. Blaine screamed out in utter agony, as blood began to gush from his nostrils.

He felt the large hand cover his mouth to muffle his cries, and a different deep voice coming from the background, “Hey Mick, Can I get him in the ribs.”

Seconds later he heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming closer. A foot collided with his side, breaking a rib. A muffled shriek of pain followed the cracking of bone, echoing through the empty night air.

Pain bloomed under Blaine’s skin, frying his nerve endings and he couldn’t see through his tears. He was vaguely aware of a voice echoing off the blacktop, the humming of cars driving by without a second glance.

“BLAINE! BLAINE!” Tyler shrieked and Blaine sobbed, curling in on himself, as the assault of feet and fists was unrelenting. “LET HIM GO, STOP, YOU’RE HURTING HIM!” Tyler screamed, but it was muffled by a whimper of pain, the awful, cringing sound of fist against flesh.

Suddenly the pressure was removed; he thought he was free. He opened his eyes to see the leader, Mick, hovering over him, “You know what you are?” He asked. Blaine sobbed and shook his head.

“You’re a worthless piece of shit. No wonder no one tried to help you or your little butt buddy over there,” he said, punctuating the last word by spitting in his face. “Say it. Say you’re a worthless piece of shit.”

Blaine was helpless; he couldn’t even muster up the energy to form a word. So he just laid there, waiting for the inevitable to come.

I said, SAY IT!” Mick screamed, before giving him a kick to the side of the head.

It was like everything slowed down; he could hear everything, feel everything. His heartbeat rang through his ears slowly, slower. Everything faded to darkness.