A/N: I didn't expect to write a new chapter this fast! I know at the end of this chapter you might feel the end coming on, but we're not there yet, so please hang on. I hope that you like this chapter. Please review, if you can!

Hayan, thank you very much for your review.

WARNING: This chapter is darker than many of the other chapters. There is a lot of discussion of self- harm, what went on in the hospital, and intense bullying.

Disclaimer: The same as usual.

Chapter 10: Lima, Ohio

Due to the fact that there was chaos surrounding Jason McConally's disappearance, Blaine was not allowed to stay any longer. The two boys were both disappointed, but found comfort in the promise for coffee next Saturday.

On Monday morning, Kurt met with Dr. Jackie again.

Dr. Jackie sat behind her desk, leaning back in her chair, while Kurt sunk into the large, squishy chair with one leg crossed over the other.

"I know that visiting Green Meadows is hard on Blaine. He isn't used to this kind of place. It took me a long time to accept that I would not get out of here without complement of the program, but this place was better than Lima General Hospital. That was pretty terrifying." Kurt admitted to the woman.

"What happened that terrified you?" Dr. Jackie asked.

"After three days in the intensive care unit for my wrist injuries, they sent me up to the psych ward, 'Woodworth North'. I arrived in the afternoon, but I woke up at four the following morning to moans and screams from other rooms and the hallways. Then, this woman started following me around. One day, she stopped by and declared her 'love' and desire to 'fuck' me. Not to mention, the food was inedible. On top of it all, there was this huge unknown about what was going to happen to me. Honestly, at that point, I was looking for ways to finish killing myself."

"Like you tried to do in December?" The doctor asked, referring to the incident four months ago.

"Yes."

"So all in all, do you think that Blaine has handled this well?" Dr. Jackie questioned.

"Yes. I think that he's handling it better than Burt, Carol, and anyone else back home had they known. I don't think that any of them would have handled it well."

"Why do you think that?"

"I think that many of the kids in Glee Club will accept it after a few shallow responses, but I don't think that they would care that much. Everyone else at McKinley would probably just call me that 'gay kid that went crazy'- and they would probably know about my breakdown- or they wouldn't know but the rumors would be worse- and they'd have more reasons to toss me in the dumpster and beat me up. I used to be able to handle it, but I don't think that I can anymore. I don't want to test my ability to handle it, either."

"How do you think that you will handle it?" the doctor asked.

"I'm not going back there. I'll take classes online or I'll run away, but I'm not going back. You can't make me. Burt can't make me. No one can, so don't even try." Kurt looked away.

Dr. Jackie knew that Kurt had shut himself off- they frequently had this discussion with similar results- and that she would not get another answer from Kurt, so she dismissed him for the day.

The week passed slowly, as it usually did, but Kurt found himself excited for the coming Saturday. On Wednesday, he spent time on the phone and became even more excited for the pending weekend. He was not excited about going back to Lima, no matter how short the time was, but he was excited to see and talk with Blaine again.

Saturday, Kurt made his way to the lobby, where he was given his wallet and disposable cellphone, and then waited in the chairs for Blaine.

Kurt remembered how a week ago, another boy sat next to him, anxious for his visitor. Kurt wondered if Jason's brother had taken him away; if he had escaped; or, if he went with his brother and then ran away. Kurt briefly wondered if there was anything that he could have done, but then he remembered that even people who had the best support system and the best of circumstances could break free. Kurt could still not convinced himself that there was nothing anyone could have done.

The chestnut- haired boy sighed, but his face lit up as a raven- haired boy walked into the lobby.

"Kurt!" The boy called.

"Blaine!" Kurt called back with a grin.

"Are you ready to go?" Blaine asked, making a beeline to the desk, where a nurse handed him paperwork to sign. Blaine signed the papers and then handed them back.

"Yes." Kurt nodded and followed Blaine to the elevator, which they stepped in to and Blaine pressed the down button.

"Remind me that I burnt you a copy of the web series Lies."

"Thank you for doing that, by the way."

"No problem. Just sharing the awesomeness." Blaine grinned, as they arrived in the main lobby and Blaine signed out.

The two boys walked shoulder-to-shoulder to the car, their fingers brushing as their arms swung.

Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand as their fingers met.

Kurt looked at Blaine's face for a cue of some sort. Blaine looked back at Kurt and their eyes caught. Blaine smiled back.

"What was that for?"

Kurt's heart and stomach leapt in nervousness. "I don't know- you just seem kind of awkward here. Especially after last week."

"I am- but I don't want to be- I don't want to sound rude- I'm sorry!"

"Don't be. I just remembered how uncomfortable I was here when I first came and I didn't want to weird you out too much."

"We're past that, Kurt. It can be difficult, but that's because Green Meadows is a really hard place to be. But I know that people are struggling and healing here and that makes it a good place to be."

Kurt nodded, as Blaine unlocked Mini Cooper and the two boys hopped in.

"Lima Bean?" Blaine asked as he turned on the engine.

Kurt nodded, his heart still pounding from the question that he asked. Blaine reached over the clutch with the hand that he wasn't driving with and took Kurt's hand in his own. He really liked it there. He thought that Kurt's hands we softer than his little sister, Bonnie's.

Kurt liked how sturdy, callused (from guitar playing), and warm Blaine's hands felt in his own.

It wasn't long until Blaine pulled into the Lima Bean parking lot.

Blaine slid out of his seat and Kurt did too, but more gracefully.

Blaine dashed to the door and held it open for Kurt, who entered with a blush.

"Thank you," Kurt smiled, making his way to the back of the line, which was significantly longer than the previous week, due to it being closer to lunch time this week.

Blaine met Kurt at the back of the line as Kurt turned towards Blaine and asked, "So how was your week?"

"It was okay. AP Exams are coming up next month, so we have review sheets on top of regular homework and it sucks. I've had at least two all-nighters this week alone and I'm so sick of black coffee, I'm splurging on a venti Frappuccino."

"All-nighters suck." Kurt sympathized, as a loud squeal interrupted his thoughts.

"KURTTTTT!" A high-pitched voice squealed as a tiny brunet ran at the chestnut- haired boy and flung her arms around him. She squeezed him tight and did not let go.

"Rachel-I-can't-breath-" Kurt squeaked.

"Oh. Sorry!" Rachel blushed. "You're alive! I knew that you were! I didn't know anything! It was awful! Do you know what people say? The rumors are terrible, Kurt. One time, someone dared to ask your dad and do you know what he did? He punched them. They had to call the cops and everything. Ohmigosh." Rachel squished Kurt again. With the second squish, Kurt put his arms around Rachel.

"I'm here, Rachel."

"I know, but-" A frustrated expression appeared on Rachel's face. Kurt always liked Rachel's determination. In fact, it had been a trait that he has shared for a long time.

"The bullying and depression finally got to me. I have been at hospital for the past five months recovering." Kurt replied, his voice even. "I told you this because I know that you are not a gossip. I appreciate the anonymity and I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

Rachel's mouth fell open, still in slight disbelief that she was seeing Kurt and that he had just told her something that was obviously very private.

"I won't tell anyone." Rachel confirmed with a nod, as she looked at Blaine who was looking on.

Rachel leaned over and embraced Kurt in another hug, before resting her head on his shoulder and whispering in the boy's ear. "That guy behind us is starring at us- mostly at you."

Kurt turned his head around. "I know." Kurt whispered back into Rachel's ear. "That's my friend, Blaine."

Blaine waved his hand at Rachel as Kurt and Rachel separate. "Hi, I'm Blaine!"

"Blaine goes to the Dalton Academy in Westerville," Kurt signaled to Blaine's blue Dalton sweatshirt with a tiger on it, "The Warblers came to visit the hospital that I'm at and Blaine and I met and became friends." Kurt explained.

Rachel nodded, her mouth still making an 'O' shape, then glanced at the giant clock on the far wall and frowned. "I have to get to a voice lesson, which I would skip, but Daddy would get really mad, so I have to go now. But I really want to hear from you soon. I miss your spirit in Glee Club, Kurt, and I think that Merce does, too."

"Is your phone number still the same?" Kurt asked.

Rachel nodded and looked up at him with her big brown eyes and nodded.

"I'll call you this week."

Rachel crushed Kurt with another enormous hug and Kurt crushed her back, remembering how strong his tiny friend was. Eventually, Rachel released Kurt and dashed out of the café with a quick, "Good bye, Kurt, Bye, Blaine!"

Blaine chuckled at Rachel as she dashed out and turned his attention to Kurt, as they scooted up in the order line.

"That was Rachel." Kurt told Blaine, who nodded in recognition.

"Based on your descriptions of the New Directions, I think that all of her energy and excitement pretty much gave her away."

"That's Rachel," Kurt said, as he stepped up to order his drink, then added, "and whatever he wants."

Blaine began to protest, but Kurt shot the raven- haired boy a look that he didn't dare protest against and place his order.

The two boys went to the pickup counter and then found a table, which was hard, considering the crowd.

"So, tell me about Dalton." Kurt said.

"If you tell me about Green Meadows and the hospital that you were at before." Blaine said.

Kurt considered protesting, but he found himself agreeing. Education defeated ignorance, so if educating Blaine on the hospitals might remove any of his discomfort, then Kurt was all for it.

"It was founded in 1911 by Herman Dalton. The goal has been to educate boys for them to go off to colleges and universities around the country. The bullying policy has been in place since the beginning, because it often provided a safe haven for people from the chaos of their home lives, which was something that Herman Dalton, wanted. Nowadays, many boys go off to top higher educational institutes. There are about 500 students, about 150 in the freshman and sophomore grades and about 100 in the junior and senior grades."

"Okay, that's the official story," Kurt replied, "Now tell me the unofficial one."

"Most guys are accepting of whoever you are. Sometimes, people feel uncomfortable and sometimes people are rude, but they are usually silenced by how laid back most people are about everything. There are no formal clicks, but usually people with the same interests hang out together. Dalton prides itself in having excellent athletes, many of whom have gone on to be professionals. Academics are grueling. They expect nothing but excellence and you better not attend unless you have it. Many Dalton students are extremely wealthy, however most, like myself, come from upper-middle class families. There are many middle-class students though and many students on scholarships."

"That sounds amazing. Social acceptance and challenging academics."

Blaine laughed, "If academics are your cup of tea."

"They are." Kurt replied slightly cockily. "I strive for excellence in all areas of life."

Blaine laughed good- heartedly.

"I think that you'll get along well with Wes and David."

Kurt laughed nervously. "I'd like to re-meet them. Assuming they won't think this whole situation is too weird."

Blaine flopped his hand. "It's unconventional, yes, but they'll love you."

Kurt blushed again.

A comfortable silence fell over the table as the two boys sipped their drinks.

The chestnut- haired boy sighed. "I guess it's my turn to talk, isn't it?"

"Only if you want to. I don't want to make you too uncomfortable. If this is too much of a public place or whatever, I totally understand." Blaine reached across the table and put his hand on Kurt's.

Kurt shrugged. "I always fear telling people, but I'm getting used to it. It's become engrained in who I am. If they can't accept it, then it's not my problem, it's theirs- because this is who I am."

Blaine smiled at Kurt's confidence.

"I would, however, enjoy a walk, seeing as this spring day is so gorgeous." Kurt stood up and Blaine followed him to the door.

The two boys walked out of the parking lot in silence and to the park next door. Their shoulders brushed and their arms swung into each other in a manor that had become familiar to the pair.

"It was November. The first lasting snowfall of the season had fallen the week before. School was worse than ever. I spent every day longing to be in my room, cutting myself again. It was the only thing that I could seriously think about. I began bringing razors to school to keep myself off edge. One day, Tina approached me asking about the cutting, but I yelled at her and she shut up." Kurt looked down at his wrists, the binding white bandages peeking out from his jacket sleeve cuffs, feeling slightly guilty for bringing Tina down because he felt down.

One day, I was cornered in the bathroom and told to remove all my clothes or they would kill me. I was in my underwear when they ran and took my clothes. This was after being tossed in the dumpster in the morning, slammed into a locker twice at passing period, and slushied at lunchtime, mind you. I went home from school and slammed the bathroom door, forgetting to lock it like I usually did. I went to cut myself, but I cut deeper than I had before. In that moment, I wanted to die. But then, I realized what I had done. It was partially an accident, but not entirely. I don't know how long it was until Finn came home early and found me. He called 911 and I was raced to the emergency room, where I spent three days unconscious and healing. Then, one night while I was sleeping, they sent me up to the children's psychiatric ward. I awoke to screaming and moaning in nearby rooms. I spent the next four days painting and drawing and revealing my innermost thoughts to total strangers. I worked for rewards such as hot showers. The food was almost inedible, and I ate only enough to get the rewards points. Never in my life have I felt so innocent in comparison to people or like such a child. On the fourth day, a man and a woman came and took me to Green Meadows." Kurt paused. "Is that what you wanted to know?" the chestnut- haired boy turned towards his friend.

"Yes." Blaine was shocked. "Thank you for sharing."

Kurt nodded and turned his head to watch the children climbing the jungle gym, playing in the sand, and swinging on the swing.

Kurt signaled to a little girl playing imaginary tea party with her father. "I wish that life were still that simple," The chestnut haired boy said, remembering when he and his father used to have tea parties, when he was young enough not to be judged for being a boy and doing so.

The raven-haired boy turned towards the father and daughter and nodded, "I know," he agreed.

And with that, the two boys walked back to the car and drove back to Green Meadows.