Author's Note: Wow! Do you have any idea how many people alerted this story? Like thirty… Thank you all so much! Especially those of you who reviewed! I'd also like to say before I start that I'm really worried about this chapter. I want it to seem realistic, but not cheesy or drawn out. So make sure to tell me what you think of it in a review! Because I need reviews to make this story good! And for those looking for more characters they will start appearing in chapter three.

You Are What You Is

Chapter 2: At Least You Have Your Pride-oh wait…

One of the many things Kurt took great pride in, besides his witty banter, his fabulous wardrobe and his incredibly keen taste in music and movies, was how well he took care of his body, and his skin. In fact, he was sure he was the only boy at McKinley High that was completely blemish free. But alas, no matter how good of care you take of your skin, the occasional stray pimple manages to force its way to the surface. (Ugh, puberty) This is why Kurt kept concealer in his locker at all times.

This came in handy when after English class, he caught sight of himself in his locker's mirror. The black eye, Kurt saw, really wasn't all that bad. It hurt like hell sure, but unless someone was looking unusually close, they wouldn't notice it at all. Still though… he carefully dabbed the thin powder over the tender area causing the mark to disappear entirely.

He wasn't sure why he did this. Wouldn't it be easier to just go to Principal Figgins and explain what had happened? He was sure he could get Karofsky at least suspended. That would make a tremendous difference on the quality of his life. So what was he so afraid of?

But no…This wasn't fear-

"Yo, Pride Parade." The voice of Noah Puckerman sounded from behind him, disturbing him from his thoughts.

He rolled his eyes, continuing the automatic task of evening his complexion, and decided to simply pretend he hadn't heard him.

"I was thinking we could help each other out." Puck said confidently leaning against the row of lockers, unfazed by Kurt's lack of response.

Kurt put away his concealer, and loudly shut his locker. "I thought I told you to leave me alone." He mumbled brushing past the boy.

Puck easily kept up with Kurt's strides "You know, I got out of juvie cause I agreed to do community service."

"That's fascinating," Kurt replied dryly. "Really."

Puck continued over Kurt. "I told my probation officer that I knew a cripple who needed some help getting around, but then I realized helping the queer kid would totally look more… sympathetic or whatever."

Kurt stopped walking, turning quickly to him. "You want to make me your community service?" Kurt spat disgusted at the very thought.

Puck shrugged. "Well… yeah." He suddenly felt awkward, but he pushed it aside. "You could use like, a body guard right? Not only do I get to pummel idiots into the ground, but I don't have to pick up trash on the highway. It's a win-win."

Kurt blinked several times, "I think the steroids are clouding your judgment."

Puck shook his head. "No, they're not. Well, at least not right now."

"Am I being punk'd?" Kurt looked around at the passing students, none of whom were paying the two boys any mind. "You told me earlier today that you didn't give a damn. Now suddenly you're a Good Samaritan?"

"I'm not saying that I do give a damn. And I'm not saying that I'm going to be nice to you or anything either." He said the word 'nice' like it caused him pain. "I'm just trying to help a boy out, and get off of probation at the same time." He shrugged. "It's pretty simple."

"Isn't everything in that head of yours simple?" Puck looked confused but before he could respond Kurt was already talking."I don't want your help, nor do I need it. It's a pity though...florescent orange really doesn't compliment your skin tone." Kurt started to walk away again; he was about three feet from freedom when Puck called after him.

"Your makeup can't make Karofsky disappear too."

For the second time in one conversation, Noah Puckerman caused Kurt to stop dead in his tracks. He whipped around and grabbed him by the arm pulling him aside, because now they were starting to attract attention.

"Are you trying to get me killed?" Kurt whispered fiercely.

"I was going to the locker room to get my cigarettes and he nearly ran into me when I turned the corner." He said quickly by way of explanation. "His lip was bleeding pretty bad, I figured someone finally got fed up with his fat face and punched it in…Then I found you." He shrugged once more. "I figured it out while I was napping in the Nurse's office, and I came up with the community service idea."

Kurt swallowed hard, looking away. "You talk a lot, you know that?"

"I'm a stud." Puck said and Kurt had to roll his eyes at the catch phrase. "Hang out with me for two weeks and no one will mess with you."

Kurt for the first time in the conversation paused. "…Two weeks?"

Puck smiled. "Two weeks."

The truth was Kurt's pride had been hurt, perhaps beyond repair. He was not only attacked in the most humiliating way, but he was seen defeated and sobbing by the biggest dull-witted ass to ever roam the halls of McKinley -Noah Puckerman. But Puck didn't know what had really happened between him and Karofsky, and he would never have to. He could use Puck as a way to feel safe for two weeks.

For two weeks.

The words echoed in his head, and they succeeded in making him incredibly pissed off. Two weeks and then what? Twice today he had already seen Karofsky in the halls and each time it sent him running for the bathroom. The first time he threw up, the second time he just felt the walls close in on him.

And he realized that this horrible irrational emotion that was creeping through him wasn't because he was pissed off. It was because he was embarrassed. Embarrassed about what he had allowed to happen to him, and what Puck was now offering him. He had never needed anyone before, and he certainly didn't need anyone now.

Kurt looked at Puck straight on, so there would be no mistaking his next words. "I hate you. You've thrown me in dumpsters since grade school. You threw pee balloons at me. And in a fit of creativity you nailed all my lawn furniture to my roof."

"That wasn't actually my idea-"

"I don't care!" Kurt nearly screamed, before collecting himself again. "You want to be my body guard, make me feel safe here? That's absurd because you've done nothing but hurt me."

"You know Hummel, I don't think you get this." Puck grabbed Kurt by the collar of his Burberry Jacket as he tried to walk away for the third time. "It's not my problem if you don't want my help, because that's exactly what you're getting. I am not picking up trash like I'm from the ghetto, and I am not going back to juvie."

"Please let go of me." Kurt said quietly-and he hated how pathetic his voice sounded.

Puck did, after a moment. He would admit that maybe he was a little too use to getting his way by force.

Kurt made a show of dusting himself off. "Do what you like Puck, but no matter what, I'm always going to hate you."

"That's fine with me Princess." Puck said holding up his hands in a kind of surrender, but Kurt was already walking away.

In the silence before the bell rung, Puck marveled in his victory.

Juvie had been awful, and there was a certain type of paralyzing fear that gripped him when faced with the possibility of going back there. But in two short weeks he would never half to worry about that place again. And if somehow his brilliant, flawless plan didn't work?

He would take the first bus out of Lima Ohio.