Kurt sat poker straight staring straight ahead trying to pay attention to what Ms Hughes was saying at the front of the history class, he was desperately trying to contain the blush of colour which was threatening to overtake his entire face and he was willing himself ignore everyone around him . No-one had directly asked him about his black eye but that didn't mean that several boys weren't being outwardly curious, casting him surreptitious glances every now and again and with the curiosity came the whispering, although not malicious still evident enough to cause Kurt to become uncomfortable and self conscious.
Kurt had already endured two periods of similar behaviour from his fellow classmates unfortunately without back up as none of his closest friends shared his lessons this morning.
"Kurt" hissed Thad from next to him, quickly snapping him out the reverie he was currently trapped in.
Looking at him with confused eyes, Kurt saw him gesture to the front of the room where Ms Hughes was staring directly at him with her hands on her hips, foot tapping against the floor.
"Ah, sorry Ms Hughes" he stuttered out, glancing down at his text book willing the answer to leap out and find him.
"Mr Hummel please attempt to concentrate whilst in my classroom" she said curtly before turning back to the board and continuing to talk about something Kurt wasn't quite following.
Kurt's gaze dropped to his text book as he frantically tried to catch up to where everyone else appeared to be, he couldn't afford to lose track again.
"Hey, are you okay" asked Thad quietly from beside him.
"Uh, yeah" Kurt quietly replied.
"What happened to the eye...?" Thad questioned gesturing to his eye with his pen moving it in a circular motion.
"Um nothing" mumbled Kurt without looking up from his book.
"You know that's a really lame answer" Thad replied flatly.
Kurt turned and looked directly at him; Thad gave a small smile and turned his attention back to his own text book, the end of his pen finding its way in between his teeth as he tapped them repeatedly as he concentrated.
Kurt raised an eyebrow and looked back to his own book.
"So what happened" Thad whispered again, his eyes never leaving the front of the room.
"I told you, nothing" murmured Kurt he to continuing to face the front of the room.
"Lame" came the reply.
"Why are you so interested anyway" ground out Kurt through gritted teeth.
"Just curious."
"Yeah, well you and half the kids at this school" Kurt hissed.
"Ah well I'm the only one big enough to actually ask the question" Thad replied turning to appraise Kurt's face, "everyone else is desperate to know but is too polite to ask."
"Well there's alot to be said for manners" spat Kurt, still studiously looking at his text book, trying not to gain the attention of Ms Hughes who was still casting him appraising looks every now and again.
"Sooo" Thad tried again, leaning a little closer this time and poking Kurt in the arm with his pen.
"Do you mind" Kurt said batting the pen away, "that's been in your mouth."
"Come on Kurt, how'd you get it?"
A loud bell rang overhead and everyone around them began slamming their books into their bags, the sound of stools scraping against the wooden floor filled the room and Kurt sighed with relief as Thad began acting in kind.
Unfortunately, once he was packed he leant against the desk and studied his mobile as he waited for Kurt to begin packing his things.
"So Kurt" he began whilst texting furiously, "you gonna spill it or what."
"I can't see that it's really any of your business" spat Kurt whilst shoving his things into his bag in his haste knocking his pens from the desk sending them scattering over the floor.
Thad bent and snatched a couple up from next to his feet as Kurt groped around under his stool for the others.
"Here"
"Thanks" Kurt replied holding out a hand to take the pens and finally looking in Thads direction.
"No worries" he replied snapping his phone shut and dropping it into his pocket.
"Look I appreciate that you're interested and all but I really don't want to talk about it" mumbled Kurt continuing to shove his belongings into his bag.
"Kurt look" said Thad pushing himself away from the desk, "I just wondered if you were okay, I didn't mean to pry, you just kind of look a little out of it."
"Oh right."
"So, are you okay" he asked again.
"I'm fine" Kurt replied with a small but grateful smile, "It's just been a rough weekend."
"Well okay then, glad to hear it" smiled Thad as he walked backwards towards the door, "see you later Kurt, let me know if you need any notes" he said with a mock salute as he turned and disappeared into the mass of bodies already populating the corridor.
"Great, just great" Kurt mumbled as he turned back to his bag, pulling the zipper shut with an aggravated tug and slinging the bag over his shoulder he pushed his stool under the desk with a loud scrape and head down, shoulders hunched he drifted out into the corridor.
Studying the floor as he made his way down the corridor Kurt tried not to draw any attention to himself, he stayed close to the walls and kept his head down; he really wasn't in the mood for anyone else to ask him about his black eye and had been surprised when Thad had been so persistent. They weren't exactly close friends but they had been sitting next to each other in Ms Hughes class for the past few months so Kurt did count him as a friend of sorts.
Kurt was distracted by his phone vibrating from somewhere inside his bag, cursing he made his way over to the nearest window ledge and balancing his bag on the ledge preceded unzip it again and rummage through it in an effort to locate his mobile. His ring tone, which should have been on silent, rang loudly through the crowded corridor earning him a number of glances from passing students, Kurt grumbled audibly as he continued to search for his phone.; finally wrapping his hand around it he pulled it from the bag in time to see his Dad's picture disappear from view as the call cut off.
"Damn it" he mumbled, pressing the contact information and putting the phone to his ear as he flung his bag back on his shoulder and continued down the corridor.
"Kurt" Burt answered.
"Hey dad"
"How you doing kid?"
"Fine dad, how are you guys"
"Yeah, good, good, listen I just wanted to make sure that you're coming home this weekend Kurt."
"Um yeah Dad of course, sorry about last weekend it was kind of a last minute assignment" he mumbled guiltily, sidestepping students as he walked through the crowds.
"You're telling me" laughed Burt; we were eating leftovers all weekend coz Carol had already got the food in. Finn's been in his element hovering up everything that didn't get eaten when you didn't come home."
"Sorry" Kurt mumbled again stopping and leaning against the wall his head tilted back and his eyes closed.
"It's okay buddy" laughed Burt, "schools school, priorities right?"
"Yeah priorities" agreed Kurt quietly.
"Anyway, Carol just wanted to know about food and stuff, so we'll see you Friday?"
"Yeah, Dad, I'll see you Friday"
"Great, well take care of yourself bud, see you Friday."
"Yeah, bye Dad" Kurt sighed ending the call and letting his hand drop heavily by his side the phone still clutched in his hand.
"Mate, you okay?" came voice from his side.
Cracking open an eye and tilting his head to the side Kurt stared into the concerned face of David.
"Hey David" Kurt replied putting his phone in his blazer pocket as he pushed himself away from the wall and began walking again.
"You alright?" David asked again dropping into step beside him.
"Yeah, just my dad"
"Oh right, everything okay at home?" he asked.
"Fine he just wanted to know if I was heading home this weekend seeing as last weekend was a wash out."
"Oh right"
"Hopefully this'll be gone by then" he said gesturing to his bruised eye as they continued walking.
"You know what, it's looking better today already" David said with a positive nod.
Kurt looked over at him and smiled, "thanks" he replied.
"Anyway are you ready for the wonderful world of English literature?" asked David stepping to the side and ushering Kurt through the nearest classroom door.
"Bring it on" sighed Kurt making his way over to their desk at the back of the room and dropping his bag heavily onto the desk.
Blaine was concerned. He hadn't shared any classes with Kurt this morning and he couldn't help worrying about him. They had parted after breakfast and Kurt hadn't seemed like himself; no-one in the dorms had questioned his bruised eye but Kurt had kept his head firmly down cast and had avoided conversation with most of his fellow students before slipping out of the kitchen and back to his room after breakfast.
Kurt had walked with the guys to the main building but they had gone their separate ways as classes started. Blaine had watched him until he was out of sight before turning and hurrying to his own class, Kurt hadn't stalked the corridor like he usually would, he had shuffled hurriedly, head down, trying to make himself as small as possible. Blaine had frowned as he watched him go; frustrated that he couldn't be with him.
It was an hour until lunch and Blaine was tapping his foot impatiently against his stool as he watched the clock slowly tick around to when he would be free to track down his boyfriend and check on him.
"Blaine, cut it out" whispered Wes.
"What?" Blaine asked confusedly.
"The tapping, Blaine, cut it out" he hissed.
"Oh right, sorry" Blaine mumbled, "do you think he's okay" he shot back at Wes.
"He's fine Blaine" Wes mumbled, "now shut up and concentrate would you?"
Blaine managed to apply himself for a few minutes before he began drumming his fingers on the desk as he absentmindedly looked around the room.
"Blaine" hissed Wes.
"Crap, sorry" mumbled Blaine.
Wes rolled his eyes and returned to his work shaking his head slightly, a small smile on his lips despite his earlier irritation.
The shrill ringing of the bell found Kurt once again in the corridor caught in the drag with dozens of students all heading in the direction of the cafeteria.
"Sorry" David apologized as he bumped into Kurt's shoulder as they were jostled against each other as students pushed passed in the opposite direction.
"Kurt, hey Kurt" shouted Jeff over the crowd, standing on his toes and waving as he made his way through the sea of blazers.
"Hey Jeff" Kurt and David shouted together.
"So lunch?" Jeff said excitedly falling into step next to them whilst pulling his bag back onto his shoulder from where it had slipped off during his struggle through the crowd.
"Lunch" agreed Kurt with a small smile.
"Excellent" beamed Jeff as he clapped his hand around Kurt's shoulders and lead them down the corridor and into the cafeteria.
"What exactly is that Jeff" Nick asked with a screwed up nose as he considered Jeff's lunch choices.
"What do you mean" Jeff answered puzzled, "it's obviously all the major food groups but I happen to have mixed them up a bit" he laughed, "no-one said you have to have your desert at the end of the meal."
"No-one said you had to spread it on your main course either" added David.
"Touché" grinned Jeff.
"You know you really should add some protein to that Kurt" said Jeff as he watched Kurt poke reluctantly at a green salad.
Kurt responded by poking his tongue out in Jeff's direction before dropping is fork and picking up his water bottle.
"How is it you don't faint from lack of food" added David through a mouthful of pasta, "I mean seriously man, you eat like a rabbit."
"Well if I ate like you" Kurt gestured with is bottle, "there is absolutely no way I would get into my skinny jeans and that is totally unacceptable."
"Oh but I'd love you anyway" smiled Blaine coming up behind him and placing his hands on his shoulders giving them a gentle squeeze.
Kurt, who hadn't heard him approach jerked at the initial contact but quickly relaxed into the touch.
"You want anything babe" Blaine asked looking down at his boyfriend.
"I'm good thanks" smiled Kurt.
"Okay, I'll be back" Blaine smiled as he turned and headed for the food line.
"Blaine I'd like a muffin" shouted David, "Blaine, Blaine get me a soda" added Jeff.
"Get your own" shouted Blaine from the line.
"That's discrimination Blaine" shouted David, "where's your loyalty huh?"
"My loyalty is to my boyfriend" replied Blaine smiling in Kurt's direction making his cheeks flush furiously but he smiled as he picked up his fork and renewed his efforts to eat his salad.
"So how's it been?" asked Blaine quietly as he sat down with his lunch tray.
"Fine" Kurt replied vaguely, "my dad called, wanted to make sure I was going home on Friday."
"Oh right" Blaine swallowed glancing up to his friends faces. Jeff had made some calls and as soon as Blaine could get his hands on Kurt's car key they were going to have it collected so that the damage could be fixed. It was unlikely that this would be done in time for Kurt to return home on Friday though.
"Do you want me to drive you?" he offered.
"You don't need to do that" Kurt replied taking a bite out of a shiny green apple.
"It'd really no trouble" Blaine continued to press, "actually it would be nice to catch up with Finn."
"Hey, I'll ride with you guys if you like" smiled Nick, "this one's off home this weekend" he added poking Jeff in the shoulder, "so I'm at a loose end, we could share the driving if you like Blaine."
"Sure" Blaine smiled.
"Okay, if you're sure" Kurt smiled looking somewhat confused between them.
"Great" beamed Nick.
"Great" smiled Blaine.
Blaine rummaged around in his blazer pocket and pulled out his phone, opening a text which had just alerted.
When are you getting the damn key Blaine? Jeff.
Glancing up at Jeff, Blaine tapped out a quick reply before dropping his phone back into his pocket, catching Nick's smirk as he did so who was reading Jeff's texts over his shoulder.
Today Jeff okay, you'll have it by the end of the day. B.
Jeff grinned and placed his phone back into his blazer.
"Where's Wes?" asked David.
"Stayed behind in class" said Blaine, "something about getting an additional reading list, you know how he is, why be perfect when you can over achieve."
"Seriously, he wants additional reading" asked Kurt with a shocked expression, "I haven't got time to read what I need to let alone read anything additional, doesn't he sleep?"
"Were pretty sure he runs on sugar and coffee" grinned David taking a spoonful of his pudding and twirling it around before pushing it into his mouth and pulling the spoon out.
"So what do you have next" Nick asked Jeff, "sports" he smiled.
Being on the track team Jeff found sports easy and he loved being outdoors so this was one of his favourite parts of the curriculum, "What are we doing today David" he asked across the table.
"Um, badminton I think" David replied taking a large swig of his soda.
"Cool" smiled Jeff, "how about you babe?"
"Art with Kurt" said Nick holding his hand out for Kurt to high five.
"Really Nick, really? Do we have to do that every time?" he asked with a dramatic roll of his eyes.
"Yes Kurt, yes we do. It's our thing man" said Nick with a pout.
"Fine" moaned Kurt with a reluctant raise of his hand so that Nick could slap it with his own.
"See. It's awesome" smiled Nick as Kurt rolled his eyes and Blaine chuckled next to him.
"Well I'll see you guys later then" Blaine said standing and picking up his lunch tray, "I need to go and find Wes before he disappears under a stack of literature and then I need to get him to Biology."
"You'll be okay?" he asked softly turning to Kurt and casting a questioning look over his features before settling on his clear blue eyes.
"He'll be fine Blaine" piped in Nick before Kurt could even answer, "now run along and find Wesley."
Kurt smiled up at Blaine but nodded to confirm that he was okay.
"I'll see you later" Blaine said gently before giving Kurt's shoulder a soft squeeze and turning to deposit his tray and leave the room.
Kurt watched him go with some reluctance and turned to find Nick and Jeff watching him.
"Ready" smiled Nick.
"Yeah, let's go" Kurt replied, grabbing his bag off the floor with one hand and his tray in the other.
"See you guys later" Nick said waving at Jeff who was busy trying to get David's attention so that they could leave for sports.
"Bye baby, see you later Kurt" Jeff called as Nick and Kurt walked towards the exit.
Turning Nick grinned as he saw Jeff pulling David up from his chair tugging him by the collar from where he was sat at the table refusing to move.
David's protests could be clearly heard from where Nick and Kurt were now at the doorway along with Jeff's mutterings of frustration.
"You know he doesn't want to upset Jeff" Nick said to Kurt who was watching the scene with some interest, "He can get pretty ticked off."
"Really" asked Kurt with obvious shock.
"Really" laughed Nick, "I upset him once and he put eggs in my shoes, I didn't know until I stuffed my foot in there."
Kurt's mouth hung open in awe.
"That is genius" he whispered, looking at Jeff with renewed respect.
"I know right" laughed Nick, "anyway if David makes him late for class he'll be sorry, Jeff'll find a way to pay him back and it won't be pretty" he chuckled with amused eyes.
"Genius" Kurt said again as they turned and headed out to the cafeteria for class.