12

"Now, I need to hear the entire story," Figgins said sternly, looking at Kurt. "Mr. Hummel, if you would tell us what happened from your point of view?"

There is no point of view! Kurt thought furiously. What happened, happened.

But he looked at his dad, who nodded encouragingly. Carole squeezed his hand, which he hadn't even noticed her taking, and this gave him the strength to tell the story as he'd told it to Mr. Schue, Finn, and Mercedes not long ago. He didn't look at Karofsky once, but he could feel the jock's eyes burning holes into the side of his head.

As he reached the end of the tale, he exhaled a silent sigh of relief, even though he was also feeling slightly sick again and terribly exposed to all the other people in the room. The way he could feel his father's anger growing didn't help calm his nerves.

"Schue, you can confirm these details?"

Mr. Schue had been watching Kurt in concern. He turned to the principal.

"I can confirm that this is exactly what Kurt told me an hour ago when I found him in the boy's locker room, with those marks on his face and neck."

Figgins nodded and addressed Kurt again. "Mr. Hummel, you did not mention David Karofsky's first assault to Principal Sylvester before Mr. Karofsky's expulsion. Why not?"

Kurt swallowed. "Because he threatened to kill me."

"Did anyone know about what happened?"

"Only Blaine Anderson. He goes to Dalton Academy."

"Which you attended for three months."

"Is this a trial?" Burt asked suddenly, half-rising from his seat.

"Mr. Hummel—"

"Because it's pretty clear to me what happened to my son and I don't appreciate these irrelevant questions being asked."

"Dad…" Kurt pleaded, tugging at his sleeve. "Please. It's okay."

"I am just trying to get the facts," Figgins said unapologetically.

"Why don't we hear David's side of the story," Emma suggested diplomatically, although it was clear from the slight curl to her lip that she didn't think much about what Karofsky might have to say.

Burt dropped back onto the couch and glared at Karofsky.

"Mr. Karofsky?" Figgins asked, turning to the sullen figure.

Karofsky looked at Kurt for the first time. Their eyes locked briefly, and Kurt shivered and looked away. The look in those eyes was dark and frightening.

"He's lying," Karofsky said simply.

"Would you care to elaborate on this statement?"

"He kissed me!"

Kurt jumped up. "That isn't true!"

"Oh, yeah?" Karofsky sneered. "After the way you kept trying to mack on Hudson last year, it isn't surprising you'd try to get your hands on every guy in school!"

"I am not a pervert, unlike some people!" Kurt screeched, his voice lifted to an impossible pitch.

"Kurt!"

Burt tried to calm his son down while Mr. Schue stepped between the two boys, frowning at Karofsky.

"If that's true, Dave, then how do you explain the marks on Kurt's neck? He didn't give those to himself."

"Self-defense," Karofsky grunted, but weakly. He had no real response.

"You wanna try that again?"

"Schue," Figgins warned, wiping wearily at his forehead.

"Well, this is ridiculous!" Will exclaimed. "It's more than obvious what's happened here and to be frank, I don't think you're handling this situation well at all!"

"Those jocks have always pushed Kurt around," Burt agreed fiercely, rising again to his feet. "And this school has done next to nothing to stop it!"

Karofsky snorted. "Maybe if he didn't dress like a fairy all the time…"

The office momentarily descended into chaos as Burt lunged, Carole and Kurt both jumped to their feet, Will rushed forward to pull Burt back, and Emma and Figgins tried to call for peace.

"All right, break it up!" Megaphone in hand, Sue pushed her way to the center of the knot. "That's enough!"

"Sue, you can't be in here," Figgins said wearily.

"I beg to differ. It's in my contract. Oh, William, there you are, I mistook you for a bald guy with a hedgehog clinging to his cranium."

Will rolled his eyes but otherwise ignored the woman, insuring Burt was settled down before turning to look at Emma.

"Are you okay?"

She looked a little shocked, but nodded and straightened her brooch.

"Fine, Will."

Mr. Karofsky turned to his son. "David, tell me the truth. Did you do that to Kurt? Is there something you've been hiding from your mother and I?"

Karofsky was still glaring at Kurt. "I'm not a homo," he repeated his denial from earlier.

"This is ridiculous!" Burt thundered.

Kurt couldn't take it anymore. He clenched his fists and screwed his eyes shut, willing the whole situation to be some kind of nightmare.

He felt himself being pulled to his feet.

"Come on, Porcelain."

He opened his eyes to see Coach Sylvester guiding him into the outer office.

"What—"

"You don't need to be near that creep anymore. I'll make sure justice is done. Hey, Frankenteen!" Finn looked up, surprised, from where he'd taken a seat by the secretary's desk. He stood when he saw his stepbrother.

"Kurt—"

"Take custody of this one," Sue spoke over him, giving Kurt a little push. "I'm returning to the fray." She turned and marched back inside.

Kurt dropped into the chair next to Finn's, and the taller teenager slowly sat back down.

"What's happening?" he asked.

Kurt shook his head wordlessly and without warning his face crumpled and tears spilled down his cheeks. He buried his face in his hands.

Finn was startled. Carefully, he hooked an arm around his brother's shoulders. When Kurt leaned into his side, he bit his lip and tried to remember what he did when Rachel cried.

But Kurt wasn't Rachel, and Rachel had never had this happen to her.

He swallowed. "It's okay," he whispered. "It's gonna be okay…"