I don't own anything. Just the storyline.
Blaine's Flashback
First day as a freshman. I woke up optimistic. Middle School had been a breeze, I was popular, and everyone loved me especially the ladies. I never got into trouble and I was most teachers' favorite pupil. Of course it was a pipe dream to think that High School would be the same. In 8th Grade people worked out their sexual preference, if you are straight, great, if you are bi, okay, if you're gay, good luck. As you can see no matter what you're sexual preference you said you were straight because admitting you are gay, is like signing a death warrant. I was one of those unlucky ones that knew they were gay but never admitted it. Not to my parents, my brother, my friends, anybody.
As soon as you got to school you were put into different categories. The Cheerleaders at the top of the social pyramid, followed by the jocks, then the nerds, the theatre geeks, the musical performers, the lesbians, then right at the bottom the gays or as they are commonly known, the fags.
For some unknown reason I was put into the jocks category, I would have suited the theatre geeks, or the musical performers better, but from the very first day I saw what they were put through so I kept my mouth shut.
As was expected of me I joined the football team within the first week, where I met my new best friend David Karofsky. David was the typical jock head; he was the quarterback so he walked around the school like he owned it, and caused terror for anyone he deemed to be below him. Which in his case was everyone. For some unknown reason he treated the gay kids the worst. So I kept my secret.
Half way through the year Karofsky cornered me in the locker room.
'Hey Anderson, why do you never join in when we are terrorizing the fags? You join in when we terrorize the nerds and the other freaks, but never the fags, your not a fag are you?' he said menacingly. Shit. If he finds out I'm screwed. Play it cool deny everything, and hopefully he will back off.
'Of course I'm not a…fag Karofsky. I'm your best friend, you know me.'
'Well yeah, its just some of the guys have been talking. Why don't you join in then?' He asks calmly.
'Well, urmm…. I thought that was your gig. I mean…you always take lead, and they seem to be your favorite people to terrorize so I leave them to you. Was that not right?' I ask confused, well at least that was what I was going for.
'Yeah, I just like teaching those fags a lesson, prancing round my school spreading their faginess everywhere, its sick. But the guys also said how you haven't had a girlfriend, many girls have been going after you, so why do you brush them off?'
'You don't have a girlfriend Karofsky. Are you gay?' he just gives me a glare so I continue. 'I have a girlfriend, she goes to another school, so no, I'm not gay.' I say lying through the skin of my teeth.
'Well, urmm, I have a girlfriend too.' He says, weirdly edgy.
'Well then, what's the problem?'
'There isn't one.'
'Good, now leave me to get dressed in peace.'
'O-okay' I don't know where my bravery came from but I'm glad for it because if he had found out the truth, all hell would have broke loose.
Over the next 2 weeks nothing more is said. That is until David corners a gay kid in the school bathroom after school on a Friday. As usual I stay back behind David and the other guys. On the inside I'm screaming at them to stop, and helping the poor kid who doesn't deserve to be tormented out. But on the outside I stand silent, looking everywhere except that one corner, blocking out the screams, and cries for someone, anyone to help. Well that's what I expected to happen, that is until I register that Dave is talking to me.
'-That is unless you're gay.'
'Urmm'
'Oh, the Blaine Anderson is gay!'
'What?! No I'm not I just didn't hear what you said.'
'I said, it's your turn to prove yourself, that is unless you're a fag yourself.'
'Of course I'm not.'
'Well then, he's all yours. That is of course if you can handle this little fairy.'
The guys part and I look at the boy I'm supposed to break. It's clear that he is gay; he's wearing tight black trousers that show off his ankles, a tight white shirt and a red tie. His hair is bright red and messy, but that last part probably has something to do with the way he had been thrown around by the others.
As I walk towards him he covers his face and trembles in fear. The next 10 minutes are a blur as tears stream down my face and I will my self to stop and help this boy out. The boy's vibrant blue eyes plead with me to stop, but I don't stop; I don't stop until David pats my shoulder.
'Come along Anderson, let's celebrate.'
That night I drink enough to block out everything I'd done, but it wasn't enough to stop the dreams when I finally passed out.
The following Monday I get a lot of pats on the back for what I had done, as that boy had transferred schools so they didn't have to see him anymore. I'm glad that he has transferred because looking into his eyes would kill me. As it was I didn't sleep all weekend because when I closed my eyes all I could see was his face, his blue eyes pleading with me to stop.
The day passes in a blur, of congratulations, and guilt. I fight with myself internally all day, why didn't I just walk away? Why didn't I stand up to Karofsky? Why didn't I help that boy out? I'm a coward. More interested in protecting myself than protecting others.
'Hey! You!' I hear someone shout behind me as I walk home after a late football practice that night. 'Hey! I'm talking to you!' I turn around and see a guy holding a baseball bat coming towards me. I notice as he gets closer to me that he towers over me, his arms that are uncovered as he wears a tank top are huge, he is in his early 20s and most noticeably is his hair and eyes. 'Do you think its funny to beat up the gay kid? Well do you?'
'N-no' I stutter.
'Not so big now, are you. My brother had to transfer schools! He has to go to physiotherapy because you beat him so bad. And me, well I'm just returning the favor.' He states vehemently before hitting me around the head with the bat. Everything goes black.
When I open my eyes I'm aware that its not my bed that I'm laying in. The dull color scheme, the flowers and the bed with railings is a hint as to where I am, that and the strong sterile scent.
'Oh, Blaine.' My mother coos.
'W-what happened?' I ask, my voice raspy.
'Here, drink this.' She says as she hands me a glass of water. When I give it back she begins to talk again. 'You were attacked on your way home from school, you were in an induced coma for 4 days because your injures where so bad. The good news is, they caught who did it, but he must be insane, because he claims that you beat up his brother, which is absolutely abs-'
'Its true' I cut her off.
'You don't have to protect him Blaine.'
'I'm not protecting him, I beat up his brother because he is gay.'
'He hit your head pretty hard, Blaine, maybe you should go back to sleep.' She says stroking my hair.
'I don't want to go to sleep mother!' I shout.
'Blaine, don't speak to your mother like that! Now what's going on?' My dad says as he walks into the room, followed by the doctor, who he must have gone to get when I woke up.
'He seems to think he did do what that evil man said.'
'Hello Blaine, I'm Dr. Wheeler. How are you feeling?' He asks as he checks my notes.
'Oh, on top of the world.'
'Oh I'm sure you do, with the meds you're on you shouldn't be able to feel a thing. Has your mother told you what injures you have exactly?'
'No, just that I was in an induced coma for 4 days.'
'Well, yes. You have 3 fractured ribs, one of which punctured a lung, a broken leg, a dislocated shoulder, and due to the blows to your head we were worried that there would be brain damage. So we put you under to give your head time to heal. But we will have to do some tests to make sure there has been no lasting affects.'
'Okay, Doc.'
The next morning I wake up and the doctor is standing at the end of the bed.
'Welcome back Blaine, you passed out once we finished the tests, but the good news is the tests are all clear. So all going well you should be out of hear in the next 5 days.'
'Okay, thanks, Doc.' after the doctor leaves the room, my mum starts speaking.
'Blaine, baby, the Police want to talk to you about the incident, if you are feeling up to it.'
'Yeah, send them in.' my dad leaves to get them from outside the room.
'Hello Blaine, I'm PC Mills, and this is PC Saunders.' PC Mills is a man in his mid fortes, he is bald, and wearing his uniform, he doesn't look very nice. PC Saunders however is a woman in her early forties with her brown hair pulled back into a tight bun, she does look nice.
'Okay, Blaine we would like to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?' She asks.
'Yeah, go ahead.'
'What do you remember from that night?' he asks.
'Urmm…I remember bits. I remember walking home after late football practice and hearing someone shouting after me with a baseball bat in his hand. He shouted at me for hurting his brother then everything went black after that.'
'Okay is this the man who attacked you?' She asks as she holds a picture of the attacker up.
'Yes, that's him.'
'Okay, as you may well know he has brought up some allegations that you attacked his brother a few days prier. Are these allegations true?' He asks.
'Yes, they are.'
'Blaine, don't lie to them. Please don't listen to him officers, he hit his head pretty hard.' My mother states.
'Are you sure you attacked him Blaine?' He asks again, bored.
'Yes, I am sure. I cornered him in the school bathroom on Friday after school, and beat him up because he is gay.'
'Okay, these are serious things you are admitting to Blaine.'
'I know. He had every right to come after me for what I did.'
'Well looking at my notes, it seems that the brother said it was a group of people, could you tell me who they are?' she asks.
'Not unless I want to get killed.' I state.
'What do you mean by that?' my dad asks.
'I mean, if they found out it was me who grassed them up they would come after me. If they don't think it was me they would find the other boy, and he has been through enough, don't you think?'
'Are the other boys known for this?' PC Mills asks.
'Yes, they are very well known for it.'
'Okay they are all the questions we have now, see you later Blaine.' PC Saunders says before they leave.
'Why did you do it Blaine? You're such a good boy, its not like you.' My mother says upset.
'To protect myself.' I state.
'You were scared of a fag?' My dad asks incredulously.
'No. I was scared of everyone finding out I am a fag, father.' I spit out at him.
'Don't be silly Blaine. You hit your he-' my mum starts but I cut her off.
'My head is fine mother. I've known I am gay for a very long time, but I kept it to myself to protect myself. And it's a good thing I did because otherwise what happened to that boy would have happened to me and I would have been even worse off than I am now. I knew both of your views on homosexuality, I'm fully aware that you both think it's a sin, its disgusting to think that I had to beat up a person because they were not afraid to do what I was too much of a coward to do.' They don't say anything; they just stand there speechless. 'Oh, mummy, are you not proud of your baby boy anymore?' I say sarcastically.
'Your not my son, I don't know who you are but you are definitely not my son.' And with that she left, with my dad in tow after he sent a disgusted look my way.
Over the next three days they visit twice, the first was because the police wanted to question me again and the second, because they had to take me home. Both times they don't look at me or even acknowledge me. When I get home I go up to my room and don't see them again until 3 days later, as every time I come downstairs to get food, or drink they shut themselves in my dads study. Walking up and down those stairs is not the easiest job with a leg in a cast from toe to crutch I can tell you, but it doesn't stop them from calling me downstairs on the third day.
'Pack your bags.' My dad says bluntly.
'Why?'
'Because you are boarding at Dalton Academy from now on to avoid…trouble.' I'm sure he wanted to say 'to avoid us having to look at you'.
'When do I leave?'
'Tomorrow morning.' He states without looking at me. So I walk back to my room and pack everything that means anything to me.
2 weeks later the Police come to see me to tell me that I'm not getting charged because 'Adam' the boy I attacked said that it wasn't me, and I was only in the room. No matter how many times I told them otherwise they ignored me and left without another word. I never did find out what happened to Karofsky…
