Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of the characters/actors therein.
Kurt understood what Wes had been trying to say. The boy was so used to the status quo that he just couldn't fathom why anyone would want to rock the boat. He was old school. Dalton was old school.
What Kurt didn't understand was why none of the kids at Dalton realized that change didn't have to bad. Change was good. Change promoted creativity and invention. Rules, as a general canon, are needed to keep society from total anarchy, but rules should also evolve with the times. It was time for Kurt to make Dalton change.
He was searching his iPod for the perfect song when Blaine showed up for a coffee run. They still went to the Lima Bean, even though they passed about three other coffee houses on the way. Why? Nostalgia? This was exactly why he had thought they were dating. Blaine was the King of Mixed Messages. Holding hands, paying for each other's coffee, and flirty text messages were clouding his judgment.
Kurt really liked Blaine, but maybe it was time to give up on a lost cause. When Blaine was away from Dalton, he loved Vogue and Broadway, but once he put on the Dalton blazer he became a drone, just like the rest of the Warblers. Blaine projected an image he thought everyone else wanted to see.
"Kurt?"
He shook himself out of the depressing thoughts. "Yes?"
"Wow, those are some deep thoughts. I asked if you wanted to go get some
coffee."
Knowing it was now or never, Kurt brought up the dreaded conversation. "Blaine, what are we?"
"Huh?"
"What are we? Are we acquaintances, friends, dating?" The last word came out almost a squeak.
"Kurt, I thought we talked about this."
"You talked about it, Blaine. You're sending me mixed messages and I want to be clear. Either we're friends or we're more than friends."
"Kurt." Kurt never realized his name could sound so annoying. "You're my best friend. I don't want to mess this up."
"What is this?" he pressed.
"It's called a friendship."
"Is that it?"
"A really close friendship?"
"Was that really a question? Blaine, I told you on Valentine's Day that I liked you as more than a friend. I totally get and respect that you don't feel the same, but I think I'm going to need a little time. A little space."
"What do you mean?"
"I think we should take a break..."
"Like Ross and Rachel?"
Kurt let out a sharp, frustrated groan. "See ,that is exactly what I'm talking about! Ross and Rachel were a couple, Blaine. They weren't platonic friends. Friends don't share an Orange Julius at the mall, although they are admittedly delicious. Friends don't hold hands. And friends don't put XOXO at the end of their text messages!"
"Kurt, I'm sorry. It was never my intention to lead you on or hurt you in any way. I just…"
"You just what?" Kurt asked with no small amount of exasperation.
"I just never had a friend like you. You're so…"
"So what?"
"Fearless."
Kurt's irritation melted away at the dejected look on Blaine's face. He was like a puppy. Kurt couldn't help but forgive him. Blaine really was bad with relationships. "Blaine, you, more than anyone, know that I am not fearless. You saw me at my worst. I think you saw me cry just about every time we met for almost two weeks. I'm not fearless, but I'm also not going to let fear stop me from going after what I want."
"I don't want to lose our friendship. Maybe we can try dating for real?"
"No."
"But you just-"
"You just told me you weren't interested in dating me. I'm not going to hold our friendship hostage so you'll go out with me. That would make me no better than Karofsky. You're not going to lose my friendship, I just need a little bit of time. I'm not saying we can't still do stuff together. We just can't do it alone."
"I need a chaperone to take you out?"
Kurt let out a watery laugh. "I guess you could look at it that way. This is for the best. I got over my Finn crush and now we're almost as close as brothers…real brothers."
Blaine was silent for a long time before he responded with a weak smile, "Does this mean you're not going to show me the newest Judy picture?"
Kurt was surprised to find Thad on the other side of the door when he answered the knock. "Thad, what are you doing here? How did you know where I
live?"
"You're a Warbler, Kurt. It's my job to know."
"That sounded ominously creepy."
"It wasn't meant to."
"What can I help one of the esteemed council with today?"
"Kurt, I came here out of courtesy. The council has let this little power play go on long enough. You are way out of line and I think you know it."
"Excuse me?"
"I will not. You are a new member to the Warblers and if you want to remain with us you will learn to fall into line."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Of course not…Well, not physically, anyway. We don't work that way."
"We?"
"I mean Dalton. At Dalton we work within a certain code of conduct. You are not following that code. You, Kurt, have a bad reputation. If you don't start to fall into line, you'll be labeled a troublemaker."
"Okay."
"There are repercussions."
"What kind of repercussions?"
"You will no longer be welcome to the Warblers."
"I see."
"So now do you understand?"
"I do. I understand perfectly."
"Can we expect a change come Monday?"
"Of course, Thad. You'll see a change."
"Glad to hear it. Don't worry, Kurt. You'll eventually fit in. You just have to try a little harder."
Kurt was livid following Thad's visit. How dare they try to change him. He left McKinley so he could be himself without fear and the Warblers had the nerve to try to "tone him down." Kurt refused to become another Dalton
drone.
As soon as all the Warblers were seated, Kurt stood up to address them. He could tell that some of the more enlightened members were eagerly waiting for what he would do next, while Thad and most of the others looked sour or annoyed. "First off, I'd like to thank Thad for coming to my house this weekend for a pep talk on how to be a Warbler." Kurt was surprised by the shocked look on Wes's face. "Second, I thought it only appropriate that I be allowed to respond." He cued up the correct track on his player.
I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation You're living in the past it's a new generation A girl can do what she wants to do and that's What I'm gonna do An' I don't give a damn ' bout my bad reputation
The new guard Warblers backed him up on the chorus.
Oh no not me No no no no no Not me me me me me
Kurt couldn't help but direct the next few lines to Thad and Wes.
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation Never said I wanted to improve my station An' I'm only doin' good When I'm havin' fun An' I don't have to please no one An' I don't give a damn 'Bout my bad reputation
Kurt could tell that Blaine badly wanted to join but the other boy hadn't quite built up the courage to go against the crowd. Not yet.
Oh no, not me Oh no, not me
I don't give a damn 'Bout my bad reputation I've never been afraid of any deviation An' I don't really care If ya think I'm strange I ain't gonna change An' I'm never gonna care 'Bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me Oh no, not me
Pedal boys!
An' I don't give a damn 'Bout my bad reputation The world's in trouble There's no communication An' everyone can say What they want to say It never gets better anyway So why should I care 'Bout a bad reputation anyway Oh no, not me No no, not me
I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation You're living in the past It's a new generation An' I only feel good When I got no pain An' that's how I'm gonna stay An' I don't give a damn 'Bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me Oh no, not Not me, not me
Kurt dropped his Warbler pin on the table in front of Thad and left behind a room full of silence.
A/N: It's hard for me to write bad things about Karofsky after what happened but remember that this story takes place in Season 2 where he's still a prick. I foresee 2 more chapters. I'll compile a song list at the end. Many thanks to xBleedingBlackRosex for the fantastic beta job!