A/N: Hey guys! Bit of a longer break than we've had lately, but I'm back with another chapter. I have afew chapters, three I think, written out, plus around 3-4 more to write, so you guys are in good shape for the time being.
I'd like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of my reviewers, you guys helped me reach a new level of reviews! We, at the posting of this chapter are at 34 reviews. The most I've ever had on a story before this one was 32 on 'I'll Always Be There, Even When I'm Not' which was my very first story. (If you haven't yet, and you enjoy huge amounts of blangst, it may be for you. Just saying.) So, THANK YOU AGAIN!
But, if you haven't reviewed yet to tell me what you're thinking, please do! But it doesn't mean I appriciate you any less. I love even my silent readers out there. This story is doing exactly what I wanted it to do, and that's touch people's hearts. Change is coming guys. One person at a time.
My news: Well, I'm on break right now, so that's why this chapter is being posted earlier in the day, (well early in my time zone.) But my mother has once again taken the laptop back, so I may not have a chance to write those next few chapters for a few days. I will still try to upload another bit next Saturday. This is an incredibly long authors note, so I love you all! Hugs and kisses! :)
Disclaimer: Yeah, no.
Enjoy!
It had been a week. One long week since Blaine had been to the cemetery. In some ways things were clearer. He knew in his heart that he had figured out what needed to be done, he had just never anticipated that it would be this hard. Upon arriving home, Blaine had received a huge lecture from his parents, well, mainly the lecture from his mother, his father just did a lot of shouting. They had taken away his life outside of the house, and he was being turned into a boy version of Cinderella, piles of chores being piled onto him in an unreasonable manner. But that didn't stop him from continuing on with his plan.
Blaine had gone upstairs after the lecture and immediately pulled out his laptop, opening it up to Facebook. He bookmarked Kurt's profile and pulled out some of his pictures. Blaine entitled the page The Kurt Hummel Project. He spent the better part of the next two hours creating the message to greet people, uploading pictures, adding links to help raise awareness, and sending out requests to his friends to help him. After he felt like the page was as complete as it would be at the moment, Blaine closed his laptop, and leaning back onto his bed, drifted into the sleep he'd been needing for the past thirty six hours.
He slept until his alarm clock went off for school the next morning. After coming out of the fog, he remembered the website. Grabbing his computer, he checked the page. Only one member. Mercedes. None of his friends had even responded. Blaine sighed. Maybe this was going to be a little harder than he thought. But he got dressed and went on his way to school.
The greeting he received when he walked in was certainly less than he expected after being missing from school for a day. His friends walked right past him in the hallway without a word. It was like that movie he had seen in history class, about the Amish and The Shunning. Blaine grabbed the shoulder of his "best friend" Kaleb.
"Kaleb, what's going on? Why are you guys ignoring me like the plague?" Kaleb gave him a slightly pitying look, one that let Blaine know that he didn't really agree with what was going on.
"Because Blaine, we've all seen it."
"Seen what? The website? Well yeah, that's kinda what I intended when I sent the invites yesterday." Blaine didn't understand. Kaleb's eyes darted around, noticing that everyone was secretly listening to their conversation.
"Blaine, just do yourself a favor and take it down. That's the only way things will go back to normal. You know how the guys feel about, well, you know, about gays and all that."
"Kaleb, they were totally receptive of me when I came out. You all were. What changed?" Kaleb gave his friend a sad smile, and then shook his head.
"They were only because it was you. You're the exception Blaine. But not anymore. They're tired of the 'fairy dust' and crap. Seriously, just take it down." Blaine slowly shook his head.
"But this is what's right! Why am I getting shunned for standing up? I'm trying to show everyone what a big problem we have here! Kids are killing themselves for showing who they really are! Suicide and bullying rates are higher than ever before! What's this world missing?"
"What is it with you and this kid Blaine? Why are you so stuck on trying to figure him out?" Kaleb questioned.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because we're a lot alike really. Maybe it's me trying to figure myself out. I'm not sure." Kaleb shook his head at Blaine and sighed.
"I'm sorry Blaine. I can't fight them. And neither should you. I'm sorry." And with that, Kaleb turned and walked away. Blaine stood there, stunned at what had just taken place. The bell rang for class and everyone disappeared, but still Blaine stood there.
The rest of the week continued in that fashion. Shunning from students, slurs in the hallway, they became the usual. About the third day Blaine got his first taste- of slushy that was. He found himself covered in the freezing sugary mixture from head to toe before third period. Going to the bathroom to wash off the best he could was a struggle. He felt his way down the hallway, falling at one point, causing him to completely lose his sense of direction. He stood and cautiously opened his eyes, but even that let a stream of what he had found to be grape slush into his eyes. And boy did it burn. He yelped in pain as a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders. He tried to shake them off, but they held tight.
"Calm down, I'm just gonna help you get to the bathroom so you can clean up. Grape is awful to your eyes." Blaine didn't recognize the voice, and his first instinct said not to trust it, that it could be a prank, but he let himself be led anyways. He didn't have much of another choice. But when he smelt the smell that could only be known as boy's bathroom, he knew he was in good hands. He felt the water rinse over his eyes and clear the guck from his face. When it felt safe to open his eyes, he did and was met by an unfamiliar face.
"It's Eric. You know, I'm in your AP Bio class." Ah. So that's who it was. Blaine knew he recognized him from somewhere. Eric was known as a geek. As a Glee club loser who sang about his feelings with the other lame members of the club.
"Oh. Hi." Blaine didn't know what else to say. "Thanks for this." Eric shrugged and helped Blaine up from his awkward position bent over the sink.
"Yeah, well, I guess I should get to class. Shue doesn't like us to be too terribly late." Ah. Mr. Shuester, the Glee Club coach who for whatever reason thought he was equipped to teach Spanish. Blaine watched as Eric began to leave, and then turned around suddenly.
"By the way, I think it's pretty cool what you're trying to do. My older brother is gay. He killed himself two years ago. I know I'm one of the few, but I support you. I'm on board with what you're trying to do." And then Eric was gone. But now Blaine was filled with joy. Someone actually liked what he was trying to do! Someone was on board with his ideas! Not everyone hated him! Rather than go back to class, Blaine got in his car and went home.
Once locked away in the security of his bedroom, Blaine checked his phone. One new message, from Mercedes. Talking with her had become somewhat of a daily ritual for Blaine. He had found a kindred spirit with the girl and enjoyed her company. He opened the message, already knowing exactly what it said. She sent him the same thing every day.
Courage Blaine. Check the website.
Since the morning after, Blaine hadn't dared to check the site. He was too scared of what it might show. That maybe he could be all alone in his venture to make things right. Mercedes urged him every day to check it, but he hadn't gotten up the courage to. But after talking to Eric that morning, Blaine felt that he could handle whatever it said.
Pulling up the page, Blaine took a few deep breaths. He read the first post.
Hey Fag Lover, why don't you just kill yourself and add to the "growing number of deaths?"
Blaine swallowed back his tears, but began to read on. It seemed that now that he had started, he found himself unable to stop.
Go die in a hole.
Who do you think you're helping? Leave Kurt in his grave!
Yeah, what an awesome idea. Save the homos.
This is just wrong.
It went on and on. Blaine had reached the third page before he finally found what he was looking for.
Hi. We've never met. Tonight I was supposed to die. I had it all planned out. The pills were laid out and I had written the notes. I checked my Facebook one last time and this page popped up. I read Kurt's story and burst into tears. I realized that I couldn't do that to my mom. Because of you, I'm still alive. I threw the letters out, flushed the pills. Just, thank you. You saved my life.
Blaine sat still, unable to breathe. This post, this kid's story, this was why he had created the page. No matter what kind of hell he was going through at school, this is why it was worth it. Kurt's story was getting spread. Like wildfire it was spreading, farther than Blaine had ever been anticipating.
The next morning, Blaine received a phonecall.
Just a small cliffie. No big deal. You'll survive. But I want to know what you think. I really really want to hit 50 reviews soon! It would mean the world to me! So please, love it? hate it? Would rather I stop here and never write again? Tell me about it! And I'm still open to hearing your stories! I'd love to hear how this story impacts you! :)Until next time!
Always Remember to Smile!
Olivia
