I crush myself against the far wall of the classroom as I wait for the impending danger to saunter through the door, poised to inflict pain. I'm desperately thinking up ways that I could possibly fight or talk my way out of this. Maybe Coach Sylvester happens to walk by and see everything first hand and save me? Maybe I fight back physically. No, that would never work. Well, I guess I'll just have to take it and see what the damage is. There's nowhere to run or hide from now. It wasn't the smartest move, boxing myself into the corner and waiting for Karofsky to find me. But oh well. A mistake is a mistake. Like my judgement of Sam was a mistake. Well, maybe, he's still undetermined.
No, I can't worry about that right now. I see Karofsky turn the corner and his eyes fixate on me. It makes me feel dirty, like I'm his plaything or something.
"Hummel." He regards, saying my name like it was venomous to him. The hatred in his tone is vividly expressed and it sends a brutal shiver ripping down my spine, though I don't show it.
No. Weakness.
That's the first rule I implemented. Go down swinging. Well, maybe not literally because I don't want a broken wrist, but verbally and figuratively, yes.
"Karofsky," I reply, swallowing down the fear that shot up my body like a bullet. "What do you want?" Even though I know, I want him to tell me.
"You were defiant today, Fancy. You disobeyed us and talked back like a little bitch. So I'm going to treat you like one. I'll make sure the Fury leave its mark on your face. Good luck explaining the bruises to Daddy, fag." Karofsky walks slowly towards me, his speech getting quieter but more ferocious as he comes.
"Why do you hide behind your fists, Dave?" I try, attempting to use what little knowledge I have of Psychology to try and psych him out.
"Shut the fuck up, Hummel. Did I say you were allowed to speak? Now stay quiet or I'll make it twice as painful for you." He begins to whisper in my ear now. "Don't. Scream."
I close my eyes and anticipate the fierce blow.
"That's enough." A familiar voice echoes from behind tormentor.
"Evans," Karofsky hisses. "Why the fuck are you defending this fag? Are you one too?"
"So what if I am? It shouldn't bother you, Karofsky. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, wants to look at you while you're changing. So back the hell off and leave Kurt alone before I have to make you." Sam warns. Oh, my hero. So wait. He is gay?
Karofsky makes a strangled groaning sound. "Ugh, you're both just a bunch of fairies." He storms out, leaving me safe for another day. Sam comes to my side immediately.
"Kurt! Oh god, are you okay?" I nod weakly.
"Just a little shaken up, I guess." Sam cradles my face.
"Did he touch you?" Anger laces his tone, surprising me. He seems defensive, or simply protective. I like to think that it is the latter, of course.
"No, he only threatened to. He was about to until you stopped him. Thank you, Sam. You might have just saved me. No, there's no 'might' about it, you definitely just saved me."
"It's lucky I was walking past. I was actually trying to find you again. I wanted to apologise for the way I reacted about the whole date thing. I didn't want you to think that I was embarrassed by your company or anything. I just…" It seems hard for him to elucidate.
"Sam, it's fine. Honestly. No explanation needed. We just got our wires crossed, I think."
"Okay, good. So we're still on for tonight?" I nod.
"Yeah, of course. We can just go to my place or something and figure out some song suggestions."
"Thank you. I just really can't be at my house." At my curious look, he waves me away. "Forget I said that. It's n-not important." I have a strange pang of suspicion in my gut which tells me that it's really important and he's hiding it away.
"Sure. But Sam, I know we just met today, but if you need to talk about anything, you can come to me. About anything at all. I'll add you on Facebook or something?" I don't want to ask for his number in case it's a step too far, so I settle for the communal social network.
"That sounds good. But I'm okay, Kurt. Really, I am. I appreciate the offer, though."
"Anytime." I smile, happy to help even partially. I take another moment to really appraise Sam and it turns out that he just gets more beautiful by the minute.
"Also, could we order a pizza tonight? It's my only night off from my diet and I feel like I need to splurge. I was so nervous about that audition that I missed a few meals and worked out more." He looks hopefully at me. I'm not usually one for pizza, but maybe a low-calorie option will suffice.
"Definitely, that sounds really great. Domino's isn't too far from my house." I'm not sure why I just said that, since they deliver anyway, but Sam seems to have glazed over it.
"Are we still meeting in the choir room after school?" I nod my affirmation. "Okay, cool. See you later. I'll be on the lookout for any more jocks that look like they're out to get you." He chuckles slightly.
"I feel like Lois Lane."
"The fact that you just made a Superman reference makes you the coolest person at this school."
"Glad to hear it, although you're alone with your opinion." I smile, glad we're sharing some banter together. Well, we are friends after all.
"Then everybody else sucks." He says simply and waves another goodbye. I wave back, although I know he can't see me.
"Bye, Sam." I whisper under my breath. Seeing students walk past the room, I remember where I was headed before Karofsky side-tracked me. The library. I need to check my email and catch up on some Geography work before my next class tomorrow and I don't think I'll be getting any homework done tonight. Okay, that sounds like Sam and I are doing the nasty, but it wasn't meant like that. I'm so glad this is all being said in my head rather than aloud.
In my head I can express my potent feelings for Sam without anybody knowing and judging me for the little time I've known him. I can't explain it, but there's all kinds of emotions swirling around in my head, compartmentalised into a little box labelled 'Sam'. There's a purplish-blue orb of feelings just pulsating right next to a shimmering gold particle that is zipping around the place like it owns it. Well, that's how I picture it. There's the subdued, more rational feeling for the boy and there's the erratic, restless part of my brain that scares me thinking about Sam every single second in my subconscious thought. Chances are I'll dream about him tonight. And you know something? I wouldn't have it any other way.