Blaine turned Kurt's phone over in his hands. He'd actually surprised himself by coming into school, despite arriving home at stupid o'clock in the morning to a dark and silent house. So no-one had stayed up waiting for him. Having got barely any sleep, Blaine had risen at his usual time and left for school as normal.

Unsurprisingly, Kurt wasn't in school, but, as Blaine had his phone, they could hardly text. He'd seen it the night before on the ground and pocketed it, forgetting all about it until he arrived back home.

Dalton felt somewhat empty without Kurt. It always did when he was away. Of course, Blaine had other friends, but Wes and David had urgent Warbler council business and Trent... well, Trent was too jolly to fit Blaine's sombre mood. He was exhausted, yes, but buzzing with anger and the desire to beat Dave Karofsky to a pulp. There was no guarantee of this happening even if he tried, but he'd give it his damn best shot.

The cold winter air was doing well at reminding him to be angry – that, and the notion that if Kurt were here, he'd be sitting on their bench in the memorial garden with Blaine.

At that moment, however, Blaine was distracted from his seething by the buzzing of Kurt's phone: he'd got a text message from Finn.

Blaine frowned. Surely, of all people, Finn would know that Kurt didn't have his phone with him. Thankfully, Blaine knew Kurt's passcode and opened the message properly.

Kurt said he lost his phone. Is that you Blaine?

Blaine smiled. He didn't really know Finn, but evidently Finn already knew him more than well enough. To be fair, though, Finn did seem an excellent judge of character. Hoping Kurt wouldn't mind him using his texts, Blaine started typing back.

Yes it is. Hi Finn. I thought I'd look after Kurt's phone for him but I forgot I had it on me.

Finn's reply came through a moment later:

That's ok. I wanted to ask you what happened to him. He won't tell me or his dad.

Obviously he won't, thought Blaine. He doesn't want to kick up a stink about Karofsky after everything that's happened already – especially after the transfer to Dalton. Blaine mentally apologised to Kurt before sending his next message.

It was Karofsky. That's all I know.

Blaine waited for a reply that didn't come. He wondered what Finn was doing, and hoped it wasn't anything stupid. He was surprised, however, when another text came through, several minutes later:

Is this Blaine?

It was from someone called Puck; Blaine recognised the name but didn't believe they'd ever met. Was this the guy with the mohawk he'd seen for a second at the Christmas fête?

Yes, it is. I don't believe we've had the pleasure, Puck.

Calm down, Hair Gel. Finn says Karofsky put Kurt in hospital? Says you told him.

Hair Gel? Blaine thought blankly for a moment. Really? He self-consciously ran a hand over his hair before replying.

That's what Kurt told me.

A minute later, Blaine was met with a barrage of messages from people whose names he recognised and whose names he didn't, all asking about Kurt and Karofsky and how exactly Blaine had come across Kurt's phone. He took his time reading through all of them.

Sam Evans: Just to say that if you want to join in on us kicking the crap out of Karofsky, McKinley car park after school today.

Brittany Pierce: So, you're Blaine, but my phone says you're Kurt. Have you swapped bodies?

Mercedes Jones: Thanks for looking after Kurt, white boy. I owe you one x

Mike Chang: Is Kurt okay? Did Karofsky really attack him?

Quinn Fabray: Give my best to Kurt when you see him, Blaine.

Santana Lopez: Good thing Snix is on your side, Blaine Warbler. I plan on dealing with Karofsky personally.

Artie Abrams: Is this really Blaine? I heard you saved Kurt's life. is he doing okay?

Tina Cohen-Chang: Thanks for looking out for Kurt. It means a lot to all of us.

Rachel Berry's message, however, topped them all:

1. Why is Kurt in HOSPITAL?

2. What are you doing with his phone?

3. Is Kurt going to be okay?

4. Thank you for helping him.

5. If you're free after school, I believe that there's a plan to kill Dave Karofsky.

6. Would that have something to do with it?

Blaine considered going through and replying to each one, but had his choice made for him by the school bell. One thing was sure, though: he'd be heading straight for McKinley straight after school.