As Sung By

Chapter 12: Tell Me Why

Disclaimer: I own none of Taylor Swift's song. They all belong to the beautiful singer herself.

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Author's Note: P.S. I am doing this story without a BETA, I've never had one and didn't know they existed till recently and don't know how to get one, so please forgive me for any mistakes. I tried to catch as many as I could, but I am terrible at proofreading my own work. (Sadface)

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I took a chance, I took a shot

And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not

You took a swing, I took it hard

And down here from the ground

I see who you are (Taylor Swift)

...

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Kurt found himself wandering the halls of McKinley High as he waited for the lunch bell to ring. Kurt reached back and pulled his iPhone out of the pocket of his Guess jeans and tapped the unlock button. A small sigh escaped his lips and his stomach sank a little. Lunch wouldn't be out for another ten minutes and then there would Glee practice. Mr. Shuester had managed to charm the teachers into giving the members the last two periods of the day off to add an extra practice to the schedule; Regionals was two months and Mr. Shuester was definitely doing everything he could to make sure that there was no way they would not be ready.

Kurt could understand Mr. Shue's ambition, but in all honesty he wanted today to be over. It was Tuesday and Noah was supposed to be coming over right after to school. He couldn't help but smile. The last few weeks had been nice. Kurt was not sure what surprised him more: the fact that Noah could actually be sweet and charming and charismatic. He hadn't begun to pressured Kurt into taking their sessions any further than Kurt was comfortable with, which for now only included making out and a naughty touch here and there. What was equally as surprising was the fact that Kurt found himself falling for Noah. The boy was everything Kurt had thought he wasn't. And in the last few days he found himself more than looking forward to their "dates" and even little things, like texts and notes Noah had placed in his locker. He thought back to the one he had found yesterday, "Your ass looks freaking awesome in those jeans." Nothing too sweet, but still Kurt found them flattering. Even the sight of Noah in the hallway and the little half smiles he would toss in Kurt's direction made his heart flutter in the same way it had for Finn. Kurt was grateful to have friend in Finn, but nowadays he saw him less and less as that boy--a title Noah was quickly claiming for his own.

This was something he would never admit to anyone, but of late whenever Kurt found himself in his room or in his car and the radio or his iTunes would begin to play Taylor Swift he would find himself eagerly singing along with the music--at times sounding better than the country starlet herself.

I've had time to think it o-over

All I can say is come closer

Take a deep breath and

Jump and fall into me

Kurt softly sang the words as he rounded one of the many corners of McKinley; however, his solo was cut short and he began to blush as he caught sight of a couple at the other end of the hall, too far down to have heard him coming. Before Kurt could turn to leave the couple to their lunchtime liaison he noticed the telltale Mohawk.

Kurt could not have prepared himself for the stabbing ache that swept through his chest, knocking the wind out of him. His mouth opened slightly releasing a soft whimper and his eyes grew heavy and began to water. His mouth went dry and his voice broke as he spoke, "No-ah?"

It was a soft pathetic sound, but it was still loud enough to reach Puck's ears. The boy pulled his lips off of Santana's, but left his arms around her waist and his body pressed into hers (which was firmly against the lockers). He turned his head to the left and down the hall to see Hummel standing there watching them. "Why you creepin' on us, fag? Piss off, fudge packer." Kurt visibly flinched and took a step back and pain etched its way onto his face. But still the small teen just stood there, he looked too shocked to move. "I say get lost, assclown. We're busy here." He thrust his hips forward into Santana's causing her to moan, emphasizing his point.

Kurt looked sad. He looked hurt. He looked played. He looked broken. Good.

This time Kurt did as he was told and disappeared back around the corner he had appeared from.

...

Glee practice was scheduled to start fifteen minutes ago, but there were still a few people straggling behind and Mr. Shuester sat reviewing the sheet music he had selected while he waited; his forehead muscles tightened and his brow scrunched up in annoyance and concentration. He had to get the kids motivated; it'd be easier if they showed up.

Across the room Santana sat reapplying her lip gloss while Brittany rambled on about the possibility of a duck-chicken baby, where she had gotten the idea Santana couldn't figure out, but then again she did not understand most of what Brittany said.

Quinn sat quietly by herself waiting for practice to begin, trying to dodge awkward glance from both Rachel and Finn. Things between the three teens had settled down, but every time they accidentally made eye contact Quinn could feel her skin grow hot and she would look away as quickly as possible. Rachel fidgeted in her place by the piano before diverting her attention and scrambling over to Mr. Shuester to offer her unsolicited advice of his choice of music. His brow tightened even more, but he listened to her anyway.

Mike and Matt stood off to the side practicing some moves they had seen the night before on ABDC. Not too far from them Tina and Artie watched while Mercedes texted Kurt for the seventh time. They knew he was still at school, because his Marc Jacobs bag sat atop the piano, they assumed he had dropped it off during lunch. While they awaited some kind of reply from Kurt Puck strode in, a satisfied smirk on his face--he threw a nod in Santana's direction.

"Alright, guys I think it's been long enough, we need to get started." Mr. Shue stood, practically running from beside Rachel to stand in the middle of the room.

The kids began to take their seats, with Tina rolling Artie over to the where the chairs were, while Mercedes began to protest, "But Kurt's not here yet."

"I'm sorry Mercedes, we need to get started. You can catch Kurt up on whatever he misses later on during practice after he shows up." Mr. Shue made quick work of passing out the sheet music, while Mercedes begrudgingly took her seat.

"Taylor Swift?" Finn questioned with a frowned while the girls beamed.

Mr. Shuester nodded, "I know it's a little different than what we are used to, but it will be great for the assembly next week.'You Belong with Me' is a real crowd pleaser and the song has a great energy. I know you all have a stronger vocal range than what is required for the song, but at Regionals it is going to be important that you connect with the judges and with the audience, you need to make them feel what you're going to be signing, and Taylor Swift has a great way of doing that with all of her songs." Finn nodded slowly, but still seemed a little skeptical. Mr. Shuester smiled as Mercedes went to speak, "I know Beyonce does, too, Mercedes. We'll see about adding some of her stuff into our rotation." The girl nodded in approval. "Now, everyone I think that we're going to do this one a little differently..." Mr. Shue trailed off ominously and smirked. The kids groaned, a few looked fearful, "I was planning to split the lead vocals on this one, "I want Rachel and Kurt to take charge of this one, but since Kurt is not here, for now," He turned to the pregnant-former cheerleader, "Quinn, do you think you could fill in for him until he-" Mr. Shue was interrupted by the sound of the door opening and a collective gasp from the glee club members--except Puck.

Kurt stood in the doorway, everything about him was perfect--hair, clothes--except for his face. His eyes were red and puffy and his nose was red. It was evident he had been crying.

Mercedes was the first one up and by his side, "Baby, what's wrong?" The empty glance he threw in her direction scared her.

Kurt didn't say anything as he made his way over to the piano and pulled his bag into his grasp; however, he did not sling it over his shoulder, instead he gripped it by the leather handle that rested on top of the flap. He made his way over to the group, who watched him, but said nothing. Kurt stepped up to the second row of seats, where Puck was seated on the end. "Quinn," he looked down at the blond, "could you stand up for a moment." His voice was monotone.

Puck and Quinn stared at him incredulously as did the rest of the club, "Umm...sure." The girl stood up and turned to look up at the teen.

"Thanks." Was all Kurt said before he swung his bag up and across, over the chair where Quinn had just been seated, and brought it up against Puck's face.

Puck groaned and his chair fell back and he toppled out of it. The entire club stood and jumped back, shocked at what had just taken place; Quinn put a protective hand over her stomach. Even Mr. Shuester was too stunned to react.

Kurt raised his arm to hit Puck again, but before he could swing, Puck stood and hit Kurt square in the jaw, causing him to drop the bag and fall back onto the floor. Kurt groaned hit the marble floor with a fierce smack. Puck hopped down and went to kick Kurt, but before he could Finn had tackled him. The two taller teens went falling back and all the girl's screamed.

By now Mr. Shuester was unfrozen and began to pry the two boys apart, "Hey, hey, hey! Break! It up! Now!" He shoved the two boys apart.

While Mr. Shue held Puck back, Finn turned to check on Kurt, but by now the small brunette was standing again and his eyes burned with the same anger that lurked in Puck's, but he still looked hurt, too.

"You hit me!" Kurt seemed surprised.

"After you hit me." Puck argued back. "Fag!"

Kurt let loose a bitter laugh, "You'd know!" The fear that swept across Puck's face seemed to satisfy Kurt somewhat.

"Hey!" Mr. Shuester looked between the two, "What the hell is going on with you two?!"

"Nothing." Kurt seethed. "There is nothing going on between me and Puck. He's an ass and I'm just a fag." Kurt turned his attention from Mr. Shuester and back to Puck, "Right?" For the tiniest second Puck seemed hurt, but Kurt gave it no second thought and gave the jock no time to respond as he picked up his bag and fled the room, tears brimming and hate burning in his eyes.

The entire glee club, including Puck stood shocked doing their best to absorb what had just happened. Kurt Hummel had attacked Puck? And as Kurt ran from the room Puck seemed sad, they all went to look at Puck, but before they could settle their confused, angry, and judgmental gazes on him, he had retreated out of the other door.

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Author's Note: Please Read and Review. I really need to know what you guys thought of this chapter. P.S. the next two chapters or so will be the aftermath of this incident and will transpire over the time period of an hour in Glee-land.