Blaine didn't run into the jocks again until Wednesday. When he saw the tell-tale red jackets waiting for him as exited the school for his car, he temporarily considered going back and sitting in the choir room until they left- tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and more importantly, Sectionals. Plus, if he avoided them today, he would be fine until next Monday because of break.

He reconsidered though- he was trying to show that the bullies weren't in control after all. So he continued towards his car.

"Hello Mr. President," the first taunted. Blaine turned to face them, raising an eyebrow in a silent demand that they spit whatever it is out. He noted that there were only three this time- and only one had come with Samson last week (his hand had bandages from its collision with the lockers). They also didn't move towards him, seeming pretty content to stay leaning on their car a row away from him.

"We've been trying to talk to you without your girlfriend around," this was the second guy. It was the blond guy who usually trailed Kitty around- Blaine was pretty sure his last name was Surette. Blaine rolled his eyes.

"I don't have a girlfriend."

"We're onto you. You're trying to make your looser club popular so you started dating a Cheerio." Blaine almost laughed at Surette's deduction.

"This may be going over your head but when you say I'm gay, it's not a clever insult. It means I like guys thus I date guys not girls." The first guy came back with the retort.

"We're not so convinced Anderson," he observed. "You don't act like it. Sure you dated Hummel but he was pretty much a girl anyway." Blaine tensed.

"Looks like we hit a nerve," Surette cooed. "Are you feeling guilty for dumping his sorry ass? Because we think that's the best decision you ever made." Blaine saw red and clenched his hands.

"What's the matter Anderson?" the first guy taunted. Blaine noted that they actually looked a little apprehensive, and this managed to snap him back to conscious thought. He took a deep breath.

"While I'm impressed you have enough collective brainpower to think of this plan," he snarled. "I'm going to go enjoy Thanksgiving. You all go fuck yourselves." The jocks seemed shocked and Blaine used this to make his exit.

*GLEE*

"BLAINE!" Blaine had only just gotten back home when his doorbell rang. As soon as he opened the door, he was nearly knocked over by a short brunette.

"Rachel?" Rachel Berry released Blaine's neck to smile widely at him.

"Surprise!" Blaine stared at her for a second. "I'm back for Thanksgiving!"

"So… you're here to yell at me?" Now Rachel looked surprised.

"Why am I- oh Blaine, is this about Kurt?" Blaine wasn't quite sure how to react because of course it was about Kurt; Rachel was Kurt's best friend. Rachel seemed to pick up on what he was thinking and she put her hand on his arm and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I'm not going to yell at you, Blaine. Can I come in?" Blaine was a little shocked to realize they were still standing in the doorway- the jocks had gotten to him much more than he'd thought if his manners weren't even functioning correctly. He quickly ushered Rachel in, hung up her coat in the closet, and the pair settled onto the couch in Blaine's living room.

"I didn't think you were coming back for Thanksgiving." Blaine figured this was a safe enough topic.

"My dad's insisted," Rachel explained. Blaine nodded as he fought his instant urge to ask if Kurt had come back as well. "But they wanted me to go hang out with my friends today, so-"

"Aren't the graduates going out to dinner tonight?"

"You're my friend too!" Blaine managed a smile, which seemed to be enough encouragement for Rachel. "And I've talked to all of them more recently than the last time I talked to you- I guess I technically saw you more recently but-" Rachel broke off, staring at Blaine. "Blaine, what happened?"

"Huh?"

"Blaine, you're really out of it," she informed him. Blaine shrugged.

"I just ran into some jocks so-"

"Oh no, Blaine, are you being bullied?" Rachel demanded as she moved closer to Blaine, grabbing his arm as though she could feel the bruises. "Did they attack you? Are-"

"I'm fine," Blaine protested. "They didn't attack me; they were trying to get me to attack them." Rachel was no longer concerned- she looked more shocked.

"Why would they-?"

"Probably because I'm making it much harder for them to harass everyone," he observed. "They tried attacking me over it last week but it didn't work so I guess they realized they were going to have to get me in trouble somehow."

"You've been getting rid of bullying?"

"Trying. I'm senior class president; I figured I should do something. And it's helping me be less self destructive." Rachel frowned the second he said self destructive.

"Blaine?" He shrugged.

"I might have been letting myself be bullied for a while," he explained. Rachel stared at him. "Don't worry; I figured out that that was a bad idea."

"Oh, Blaine." She pulled him into a hug. "I'm so sorry." Blaine shook his head.

"It's really my own fault," he pointed out. "I'll be okay." Rachel nodded. Blaine hesitated before continuing. "Is… is he okay?"

"He's been better," Rachel pointed out. Blaine nodded, not sure whether Kurt being fine or being upset would have hurt more. Right now he just wanted to smash his head into a wall. "He'd be better if you two would just talk it out." Blaine laughed hollowly.

"He doesn't want to talk to me," Blaine pointed out. Rachel looked like she wanted to object but Blaine shook his head. "Rachel, I'm only starting to tolerate myself again. If he never wants to talk to me, that's okay, I really understand." Rachel didn't seem to know what to say. Blaine shot her a smile.

"Anyway, not that I don't appreciate your coming over and saying hi, you're welcome to go hang out with everybody. I'm not much fun right now."

"Well, I'd like to but…"

"Finn?" Blaine guessed. Rachel nodded.

"It's so awkward! I was hoping he's go to New York with Burt and Carol but now he's leading the new Directions so…"

"It can't be that bad," Blaine protested.

"Oh, it is," Rachel countered. Blaine stood up.

"Alright. Then it's time for hot chocolate and silly songs." Rachel smiled a bit.

"It has been a while since we did a duet."