Chapter 12
We tumble down the stairs with some clothes we dragged on and both amble into the kitchen to see what food there is to eat.
"Finn! What on earth are you wearing?" He is sitting at the kitchen table wearing an old t-shirt that has a slight pink tinge to it and around his neck he has Carol's pink bandana. I know it's Carol's because I bought it for her.
"I'm wearing that old t-shirt that used to be white, you know when I had mistakenly washed it in hot water with your cherry red Hugo Boss shirt. Remember? You were mad at me for days" Oh I remembered. I was furious with him then and reminding me was making me angry with him all over again. My shirt had shrunk two sizes and was totally ruined. Finn continued oblivious. "I borrowed Mom's bandana because I didn't think the shirt was pink enough."
Finn seems to be speaking English but he's not making much sense. "just explain to me why are you wearing pink?" I ask tersely.
"While you two were doing whatever you were doing last night, Finn got BUSY," my dad answers instead. Obviously he is still in a snark about the sleeping arrangements.
"We were just as BUSY." I snarked back.
"Finn was busy mustering the troops!" Carol cuts in draping her arm along Finn's shoulder beaming proudly.
"What troops?" Dave asks puzzled.
"All our Glee friends and anyone one else who hates haters." Finn replies, very pleased with himself.
"Well don't just sit there all smug, spill it!" I press sitting at the table opposite him.
"Last night I got to thinking that we needed help to face Az and his friends for the inevitable show down at school tomorrow, so I called up the guys in Glee and they were all eager to help. We were making up rotas so someone was always with you guys to and from classes in case they try anything. Well someone told the girls what we were planning and they wanted to help too.
"We were all brainstorming about what to do when I suddenly remembered this news item I heard. It was about this pink shirt day they have in Canada where some little boy got teased for wearing a pink shirt so this other student and his friends wore pink shirts the next day in solidarity. It was so popular that Canadian students do it on one day every year. I told them this might work for us since this was kinda larger than Dave being gay and being bullied. It should be for anyone and everyone who gets bullied for being different. Everybody loved the idea. Artie mentioned that a lot of the AV guys got picked on and he was sure he could bring them on board too. Tina knew a few people and so did Sam. It kind of just got bigger and bigger because everybody knows somebody that gets bullied. So that's what we're doing, having an impromptu pink shirt day today to show our support for tolerance and anti bullying."
"That's wonderful Finn, you are something else when you get motivated." I shout happily.
"I really appreciate the support Finn, but I can't see that a few guys in pink shirts are going to make a difference," Dave says a bit disheartened.
"You don't understand, this idea has gone viral already, at least at McKinley. Loads of other students who have felt bullied and teased have said they're going to wear a pink shirt, even most of the teachers on board as well. Miss Pillsbury, Mr. Schue, Coach Bieste -"
"Mr. Figgins won't allow it for sure. I don't want you guys to get in trouble." Dave cuts in.
"Oh he won't be any trouble, Sue is handling him. I don't what she has over him but he usually jumps when she tells him to."
"So it's definitely on!" I exclaim excitedly. "Oh! This is the perfect time to wear my new pink fatigue pants!"
"Dave I have a pink polo shirt that should fit you, Kurt bought it for me last Christmas." my dad says.
"Oh I forgot about that shirt. Hey! No wonder I forgot about it. I've never seen you in it!" I respond.
"I was just waiting for a special occasion!" Dad explains hurriedly. "Look, shouldn't you guys get eating? You have to get dressed as well and get to school." I was on to his clever deflection but I let it ride.
I finally glide down the stairs in all my pink glory to my waiting family (Dave is most lovingly included in the definition) running a little late because it was not easy wip up a impromptu ensemble with little notice. Everyone's jaw drops in shock, which is the exact reaction I was expecting.
"You look exactly like what a general in charge of a huge gay army would look like." Finn exclaims in wonder.
"Why thank you Finn, that was the precise look I was going for." I say proudly. I am wearing my afore mentioned pink camouflage fatigue pants, a fuchsia t-shirt under a purple hunter's vest, bookended by red Doc Martins and a red beret, and last but not least, rainbow dog tags. "Are the troops ready for combat?"
"Sir! Yes Sir!" Finn happily shouts saluting and coming to attention, really getting into the spirit of things.
My dad just rolls his eyes and Dave just shifts his feet uncomfortably.
"Well let's go! We'll be late!" I say with as much bravado as I can muster and I stride through the front door.
Finn and I try to carry on the enthusiasm during our ride to school with jokes and quips but I can see that it is not affecting Dave. He's quiet and obviously fretting about his arrival at school. I decide it's time to pinpoint his fears in the hopes that we can address them.
"Hey Dave, what are your worst fears today? What are you dreading that will happen?"
"Getting the crap beaten out of me. "Dave says morosely.
"That's not going to happen. We've got it covered. Both you and Kurt will be accompanied by someone when you change classes. The teachers will be on the look out for any funny business so you'll be safe." Finn affirms.
Dave didn't look any happier.
"What else worries you?" I ask.
"Meeting Az. I'm worried about what he'll say. I know I have lost him as a friend and it really hurts. His opinion of me still matters to me."
"What's he going to say to you?"
"He'll call me a fag."
"You are a fag Dave."
"I know."
"So say it! Say I'm a fag! A total faggot."
Dave just sighs.
"Dave, take it from me who has endured all kinds of insults over the years. Calling yourself a fag and owning the word, making it badass, takes the sting away. You're a fag! Be out and proud!"
"I'm - I'm a fag." Dave finally says just above a whisper.
"Are you a timid little girl? Shout it out like you mean it." I demand.
"Dave's a great big fag!" Finn shouts out enthusiastically and incredibly loud in the small confines of our vehicle, pounding the roof with his fist for good measure.
"Finn, while I appreciate the sentiment behind that outburst, it's not helping."
"I'm just trying to show Dave it's like before the last down in football, especially when we're trailing in the game. The coach gets us revved up and we shout 'Titans rule!' or 'we're the best!' Today we're shouting 'Dave's a fag! The best goddamned fag that ever lived." Finn explains.
I roll my eyes; trust Finn to link everything to football. The funny thing is, I can see it resonating with Dave. He has little smile on his lips and is obviously mulling over what Finn has said. I know just what to say to push him along. "That's ridiculous! Everyone knows that I'm the best fag that ever lived." I state proudly.
"Who died and made you queen of the queers, Hummel?" Dave challenges, smiling. "I'm the biggest and best fag of them all! Whoa! Whoa!"
Of course, Finn joins him with his own whoops and hollers and I am left shaking my head at these jock types and their weird rituals. But I have to allow that Finn has indeed worked his magic and Dave is smiling and looking more confident, shouting 'I'm a fag!' at the top of his lungs.
We finally arrive at the school. As we disembark from our vehicle I am gripped by fear for Dave and myself. There are a group of menacing looking football players milling around waiting for us and there is not a friend or pink t-shirt in sight. Dave's worst fears might be realised about getting the crap beaten out of him after all.
"Finn where's your flash mob of pink shirts and protection?" I ask testily.
"I don't know! They're supposed to be waiting for us." says Finn looking puzzled.
"Well we'll just have to face them ourselves." Dave announces, his bravado competing with his pale clammy face.
"Alright then, let's go." I say more bravely than I feel. I'm surprised as Dave's hand slips into mine.
We walk along the path to school slowly, gradually approaching the line of footballers blocking our way.
"Of isn't that the sweetest thing!" one of the boys crows. "Karofsky's holding hands with his boyfriend." He juts out his hip and flops his hand in a very stereotypical effeminate fashion. The rest of the guys laugh harshly, all except Azimio.
"It's disgusting if you ask me!" Dave's ex-best friend growls.
"Well don't look!" Dave shouts back as we approach.
The three of us stop in front of the line, with Dave facing off with Azimio. The others quickly surround us. This is not looking good.
"Come on you guys, we're all on the same team. Just let us pass. Why does there have to be any trouble?" Finn asks, trying to reason with them.
"We're not on the same team. These faggots are on team Homo." Az manages to grind out. "I'd get out while the getting's good Hudson, or you might find yourself in serious trouble."
"I'm staying." Finns says in a determined voice readying himself for trouble.
The boys crowd in closer and I steel myself to fight back. I decide I am going to give a few nasty kicks to sensitive places before I go down.
"Well it looks like we're just in time!" A cold voice rings out, cutting across everything.
"Isn't it sweet that my football team is welcoming the new love birds." comes another menacing voice right after the first one.
All of us stop and turn towards the two very powerful women. Sue Sylvester is standing tall, feet apart and arms crossed in a neon pink athletic jump suit, looking murderous. Coach Shannon Beiste is right beside her, looking equally angry in a hot pink polo shirt, purple shorts and pink socks and running shoes.
Behind them came a ragtag stream of students and teachers all gathering behind them, all with different pink articles of clothing.
Shannon quickly walks into the middle of the boys. "I'm glad to see you boys are getting along so well. I would hate to cut anybody off the team for bullying and misconduct." The boys glare and sulk but they grudgingly break up and move off muttering.
Az snares one last time at Dave and spits, "You and me are done."
"I don't know if I care Az, if you notice, I've got plenty of friends." Dave fires back. I know it hurt him to hear Az say that; I can tell by his pained face.
Puck comes striding over to Finn. He's wearing a baby pink muscle shirt which makes him look surprisingly masculine. "What the hell Finn, you were supposed to meet us at the parking lot on the west side. That's where we were all assembled."
"You mean this isn't the west side?" Finn asks perplexed.
"No, you idiot!" Puck replies,"We really had to scramble to get here when we realised you goofed up!"
I roll my eyes,"You're both idiots! The school's parking lots are on the north and south sides."
Puck shrugs"Whoops, my bad."
"Idiots or not, you guys are the greatest! I can't believe this turn out." Dave says in a emotional voice as he looks around at all the students gathered."I really appreciate the effort on my behalf and I sincerely apolgise to you all for being a horrible bully to a lot of you. You guys are so much better friends than I deserve. But I'm telling you now, I am going to earn your trust by being the best person I can be." Dave suddenly thrusts his fist in the air and shouts, "Mckenley High is the best school ever!" Everyone cheers and hollers. Rachael followed by the rest of the Glee girls quickly surround Dave and start to hug him.
Dave in tears looks over to me, I am also crying and surrounded by students clapping me on the back, fist bumping me and wishing me well. We smile at each other, knowing that everything is going to be alright.
After one of the absolute best days I have at McKenley, Finn drives us to Dave's house to drop him off. We are all in high spirits, talking animatedly about the days events.
"I still can't believe the support I got today. Almost everybody talked to me today was kind, asking me if I was okay or telling me how brave I was. I still got some heckles and homophobic insults from some of the guys, but if it made me feel bad I'd just have to look around and I would see at least three people wearing pink at any time, anywhere. They'd smile and wave at me and I'd be uplifted again." Dave remarked, clearly still in awe how everthing unfolded.
"Finn, I can't thank you enough about that pink shirt campaign you arranged. It truly was remarkable." I add.
"It was everyone's doing. I may have suggested the idea but it was the rest of Glee that made it happen." Finn says bashfully.
"Don't forget the teachers! Without their help it might not have worked. I was sure glad to see Sue and Coach Bieste this morning. They came just in the knick of time. And later, Mr. Sheuster intercepted one of the hockey guys when he tried to slushie me. So now the dude has to write a letter of apology to me or face detention for a week." Dave says.
"Poor boy!" I laugh. " I guess he'll have to endure a week's detention. It's not like any of those guys can actually write."
"Hey Hummel, less of the hockey-phobic remarks! I started out as a hockey player until football lured me to the dark side." Dave jokes back.
"I suppose you're right. I'm presuming something based on jock stereotypes. I still have more to learn about bullying." I say, somewhat seriously.
"Don't worry I'll keep you." Dave replies, looking very lovingly at me. "Hey, you are staying with me when Finn drops us off right?"
"I hadn't been planning too. Don't you want to spend some time with your dad?" I ask.
"Can't I spend time with Dad AND you? My dad has already yes. I asked when he phoned me this afternoon. Besides, I don't think I ever want to sleep in a bed without you now that I've spent a night with you."
"I spent a couple of nights with you. How come I haven't received an invitation like that?" jokes Finn.
"You snore! " Dave and I shout out together and then laugh.
"Well? Please say you'll stay the night with me." Dave persists.
"I'd love to. But what about my dad. He was kinda funny about it this morning." I can't help but gasp as Dave runs his fingers along the back of my neck lightly. The passionate shock goes straight to my crotch.
"Well okay, if you're not interested..." Dave whispers in my ear and pauses, knowing full well what he's doing to me.
"I'm phoning!" I gasp again scrambling to get my cell. "Dad! Hi it's me. I'm staying over at Dave's tonight and I don't care what... Oh really? Oh, okay. Thank Carol for me. I guess I'll see you when I see you then. Thanks -I guess?" I put the phone back in my pocket.
"Apparently, your dad has already phoned my dad and asked if I can stay over. Carol went into my closet and picked up three of my ensembles and drove them over to your place." I announce surprised.
"Ensembles?" Dave asks.
"Kurt always has several sets of clothes all prepared for school in case he's running late." Finn kindly fills in for me. I'm still ruminating on this development.
"What is going on with my dad? He even said that I can stay a couple of days. It's like he wants to be rid of me or something."
'No he doesn't Kurt. I think he trusts that you have good instincts. He showing us that he is okay with our relationship. I'm thrilled that you staying with me for awhile."
"Here we are!" Finn announces as we pull into Dave's driveway. We all get out and Finn gives us both a bro hug before getting back in the car and driving away.
"Hey Dad! We're home! Dave shouts as he opens the door to his home."
His dad gets up from the couch and greets us with a big smile. "It's great to have you home," he says and pulls both of us into a bone-crushing group hug.
"I'm sorry about Mom, Dad." David says in a sad voice.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. She doesn't matter anymore. I have all I need with my family right here." Paul says looking at both of us happily. He hugs us again.
"Don't forget my dad and Carol, they're your family as well." Dave adds happily.
"And Finn?" I ask Dave knowingly.
"Especially Finn!" Dave says and laughs at his own running joke. I stare lovingly at him and he looks really happy and relaxed. He has a big sweet smile with sparkling eyes and he returns my stare with equal warmth.
I now believe without doubt that I have finally done it. I have saved Dave! I know it deep in my bones. I may no longer know the future and the details of what happens next, but I know that Dave will survive his demons. In saving Dave, I have saved myself and have created a new future where Dave, my true love, and I can live together. This is how it was meant to be. I finally feel that all is right with the universe.
"Kurt are you okay? Why are you crying?" Dave asks concerned.
"I'm crying?" I lightly stroke my cheeks with my fingers and they come away wet. "Don't worry Dave, they are just tears of pure joy."
The End
Epilogue to come!
A/N The original pink shirt event was organized by David Shepherd, and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada who in 2007 bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a male ninth grade student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school.
The original event was organized by David Shepherd, and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia, who in 2007 bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a male ninth grade student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school.