Chapter 36: We Are One
Kurt entered the school the next morning, and walked with his head down as he made his way to his locker. He opened the door and froze. He found a container inside, and when he opened it, he found homemade cupcakes with red frosted hearts on them. He closed the lid and looked around. He saw Sam down the hall talking to Artie, Quinn, Mike and Tina. Sam saw Kurt looking and gave a small smile.
Sam turned back to the group and continued talking to them.
Kurt put the cupcakes back in his locker and got out his school books. He checked to make sure the concealer he put on the bruises didn't need touched up before looking back at Sam as he closed his locker. Sam glanced back and his eyes connected to Kurt's. Kurt broke the eye contact and went off in the opposite direction.
Sam watched as Kurt left. He promised to give Kurt space, and he'd stand by his word. But it was killing him to do so.
Sam walked into the Auditorium for Glee and saw Kurt sitting by himself. As bad as he wanted to join Kurt, he walked past and joined Puck and Finn instead.
Mr. Schue started the class, calling Artie to the stage.
"What song do you have for us, Artie?" Mr. Schue asked.
"My song is from The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. I chose 'We Are One', which is sung by both Cam Clarke and Charity Sanoy."
"Alright. You can start whenever you're ready." Mr. Schue said.
"Before I do, I have a request." Artie said. "I never told Santana the song I chose until now, but the song means a lot to both of us. We both started singing it when we watched it at my house, and though I know you said it has to be sung as a solo with only back up singers, I'd like Santana to sing the female's verse instead with me."
"Santana? Do you want to join Artie?" Mr. Schue said, turning to Artie's partner. Santana smiled and stood up, walking to join Artie on the stage. She leaned down and gave Artie a hug before Artie gave the cue for Brad to start playing the piano.
As you go through life you'll see
There is so much that we
Don't understand
And the only thing we know
Is things don't always go
The way we planned
But you'll see everyday
That we'll never turn away
When it seems all your dreams come undone
We will stand by your side
Filled with hope and filled with pride
We are more than we are
We are one
Santana smiled at Artie and sung.
If there's so much I must be
Can't I still just be me
The way I am?
Can I trust in my own heart
Or am I
just one part
Of some big plan?
Artie resumes singing and Sam snuck a peek up at Kurt. He saw Kurt looking at him, and Kurt quickly averted his eyes. Sam sighed to himself and turned back around.
Even those who are gone
Are with us as we go on
Your journey has only begun
Tears of pain, tears of joy
One thing nothing can destroy
Is our pride deep inside
We are one
We are one you and I
We are like the earth and sky
One family under the sun
All the wisdom to lead
All the courage that you need
You will find when you see
We are one
Family, family (we are one)
Family, family (we are one)
Family, family (we are one)
Family, family (we are one)
Family, family (we are one)
Artie ended his song, and everyone applaused.
"Thank you, Artie. I think we all know what you were trying to convey through that song." Mr. Schue said, looking up at Artie and Santana. Santana smiled before turning and helping Artie wheel his chair down from the stage.
"Well, that concludes this week's songs. Rachel, Mercedes, Santana, and Artie, I hope you got to know your partner better this week." Mr. Schue said as he stood up and turned to the class. "Next week we'll continue with the performances."
"Who's performing next week, Mr. Schue?" Rachel asked.
"Starting off on Monday is Puck, followed by Tina on Tuesday." Mr. Schue said, looking at his notes. "On Thursday, we have Quinn and Friday Mike performs. Which leaves, Brittany, Finn, Kurt and Sam the following week."
Sam looked back at Kurt again and watched him until Kurt drifted his eyes over to him. Sam looked away and gathered his bag as the bell rang. Sam looked up to see Kurt already halfway to the door, on his phone.
'He must be texting Blaine.' Sam thought, walking up the stairs.
BZZZZZ
Sam stopped and pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and opened his messages.
Kurt:True To Your Heart.
Sam stood still.
'He messaged me.' Sam thought.
K: Am I right or wrong.
Sam messaged back.
S: Wrong. But you don't need to tell me the dream. I don't mind.
K: A deal's a deal. See you tomorrow at my place. Two o'clock.
Sam looked at his phone in surprise.
'He still wants me to come by?' Sam thought. 'I doubt he'll want to do what he suggested. But I want to be there for him anyways.'
Sam typed in 'I love you', and hit send. He was putting his phone away when he got a reply.
K: I love you, too.
Sam smiled softly as he walked, the love in his heart soaring.
'Kurt may not want me to be around him until tomorrow and he may not want me to touch him, but he still loves me. And I will always love him.'
Kurt met Blaine in the courtyard, and they started up the steps into the school.
"Thanks again for coming." Kurt said, as they walked.
"Don't worry about it. Just let me do the talking." Blaine said, side turning to face Kurt.
Kurt spotted Karofsky heading down the stairs towards them.
"There he is." Kurt said, making sure Blaine knew who he was talking about.
"I got your back." Said Blaine.
The two paused in front of Karofsky, making the burly teen stop.
"Excuse me?" Blaine said to the bigger boy.
"Hey, Lady Boys." Karofsky said, looking from Blaine to Kurt.
"This your boyfriend, Kurt?" Karofsky scoffs snidely.
"You know it's not." Kurt said quietly, and Blaine put his hand on Kurt's arm.
"Kurt and I would like to talk to you about something." Blaine said, looking up at Karofsky.
"I gotta go to class." Karofsky said, shoving Kurt aside with one arm as he passed the two.
"Kurt told me what you did." Blaine said, turning where he stood and raising his eyebrows.
"Oh yeah?" Karofsky said, turning back. "What's that?"
"You kissed me." Kurt said.
Karofsky looks around to make sure no one heard what Kurt said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He lied nervously.
"It seems like you might be a little confused," Blaine said. "And that's totally normal."
"This is a very hard thing to come to terms with," Blaine continued, as Karofsky turned and started to walk away. "And you should just know that you are not alone."
Karofsky turns around and bolts back up the stairs, grabbing Blaine and pushing him backwards, growling as he said:
"Don't mess with me!"
Blaine put his hands up, as if surrendering, and Kurt intervened on his behalf.
"You have to stop this!" He yelled, shoving Karofsky away from Blaine.
Karofsky stood there for a minute, looking at the ground, at Kurt, at Blaine, before he turned and hurried away down the stairs, breathing hard.
Kurt sighed and Blaine lifted his eyebrows and said:
"Well, he's not coming out anytime soon."
Kurt sighed again and dropped his bag from his shoulder, sitting down on the stairs. Blaine looked at Kurt as he adjusted his Dalton blazer, watching Kurt's face fill with different emotions.
"What's going on?" He asked, sitting down beside the pale boy. "Why are you so upset?"
Kurt exhales before talking.
"Because up until yesterday, I had only been kissed by one person. The only person who matters to me. And Karofsky ruined that for me, by kissing me." Kurt said, looking straight ahead.
Blaine bit his lips, deciding he had to tell Kurt that he had told Sam what had happened the day before.
He looked at Kurt and let out a breath.
"Come on." He said, giving Kurt a pat on the back. "I'll buy you lunch."
Blaine stood up, and Kurt gave him a faint smile before joining him.
Blaine led the way down the stairs, and Kurt followed along behind him, giving Blaine a sideways look.
'Blaine's sweet for doing this for me. If I wasn't completely and irrevocably in love with Sam, I might want to see if things could go further. But I don't. I love Sam. Only Sam.'