So I'll hopefully be able to update more quickly now because my laptop is FINALLY back in working order...but remember guys...reviews DO help me continue the story quicker! ;)
Kurt didn't know how long he lay under the frozen, brittle bushes, watching as clouds began to coat the dark sky in gray, feeling the cold mist beginning to cover his bare skin as the clouds opened, praying that the rain would wash away the memory of Karofsky's body on his.
He could hear cars passing by on the other side of the hedge, headlights illuminating the interlocked branches that trapped him where he was, separated from the world. Above him, the sky lightened, the clouds beginning to disperse, fingers of sunlight infusing the sky with a rosy pale color. It was only a matter of time before school started, before his family woke up to find him not there.
He closed his eyes. They couldn't find out about this. It never happened. Mercedes couldn't. Finn couldn't. Carol couldn't. It never happened. His dad couldn't. Just a dream, a crazy nightmare.
He opened his eyes and, wincing, pushed himself up into a sitting position. The pain isn't real…it never happened. He cursed his shaking hands as they struggled to zip his skinny jeans, banishing the memory of Karofsky. He pulled his jacket over his bare shoulders and chest, frowning slightly when he felt the torn-up back section of it from where it had caught over rocks.
Barely anybody passed him by as he walked home, something he was incredibly thankful for. Nobody was yet awake in his house yet, so he snuck quietly down into the basement, changed into his silk pajamas, and slid under the covers, and lay with one eye open, waiting for the alarm to go off in two minutes. He could swear he'd been home all night. It never happened.
The alarm buzzed suddenly, startling Kurt. He struggled to regain control of his breathing as Finn yawned and sat up, blinking.
"Hey." Kurt pretended to be jolted awake by Finn's exclamation. "When did you get home?"
"Last night…"
"Dude, I was up until MIDNIGHT!"
"I found myself with an urge to stay out and buy Christmas presents."
"…Christmas presents? At midnight?"
Kurt sat up, threw back the covers, and shrugged delicately. "While I'm not religious, I do enjoy the holiday…at least, when decorations have some class beyond light-up plastic snowmen. And yes, I can obsessive about finding the perfect present."
"Okay…" Kurt bit his lip as Finn screwed up his face, obviously deciding upon Kurt's alibi. Nothing happened. I went out looking for Christmas presents. I didn't see anybody else when I was out. I didn't see Karofsky. Karofsky didn't…NO! It never happened. "Dude! Is my Christmas present awesome?"
Kurt felt himself relax, as the secret of the night became buried deeper and deeper under layer of layer of believable lies. Truths. "Yes, Finn…now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready for school."
"Just a warning, dude, but mom and Burt are probably going to be waiting upstairs to interrogate you."
"Thanks for the warning, Finn," Kurt sighed, and began to trudge up the stairs to face the inquisition.
Kurt had been able of the day, he felt a sense of relief as he realized all he had to make it through now was Glee. As he lifted a hand to put away his French textbook, a shadow fell over him. He swirled around, heart pumping madly, to face Karofsky. It never happened.
"Did you tell anyone?" The jock growled.
Mutely, Kurt shook his head. It never happened.
"Good…because if you do…" A hand was placed on his chest, slowly trailing down his chest, growing heavier as more pressure was applied, stopping just below his navel. "Do I make myself clear, Hummel?"
Kurt nodded furiously, forcing himself to open his eyes again, which had closed during a moment of pure fear. He watched as the jock smirked and turned around, lumbering away down the hall. His hands were shaking, and his breathing was fast and furious. Barely-restrained sobs caught in his throat as he slid down the lockers, until he was folded up on the tile floor, his body trembling. It did happen. The truth hit him like a punch to the gut, and he could feel himself break to pieces, like a glass window that has had a slowly-spreading spider web crack before it shatters into a thousand crystalline pieces.
All around him people walked by, the noise of the conversations in the hall just a low buzz to his ears. He saw the feet go around him, but not one person looked down. Not one person saw him. He wanted to say something, to catch someone's attention, but his breath caught in his throat. He pushed himself back up on shaky legs, swiping a hand across his tearing eyes.
"Kurt?"
He turned around to see two people gazing at him…the recognizable forms of the blonde cheerleader and tiny brunette. "Quinn. Rachel." He greeted, praying his voice didn't quiver.