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Chapter 16: The party

After much talking and arranging with the Hummel-Hudson family, Burt agreed for a small backyard party at their place to congratulate Kurt for being able to speak again. Santana, Brittany and Blaine had been offered to stay the night which the accepted. The Warbler's were thrilled that they were getting their party and were excited to see where Kurt lived. They didn't know much about his home life and they wanted to learn more about him.

Burt had been hesitant about New Directions coming but Kurt assured him that he would be OK and that he really did need to reach out to his friends. Perhaps with him being able to talk again it would make things easier and much more could be said. Finn had gone to Glee club and invited them all over on Saturday for lunch. The group was excited and said that they would all be there. Mercedes was the most excited. Things had been getting slightly better between her and Kurt.

After his second session of therapy, Mercedes and Kurt had been messaging each other more often. There was still tension there, for Mercedes could never really understand what had happened, but they were working it out slowly. Santana had cast a cold glare on the group at the invitation but she didn't say anything. If that's what Kurt wanted then so be it, but Santana wasn't about to forgive the group for what had happened.

Hell, she barley forgave herself for what happened, a least she had the balls to man up and do something about it, rather than abandoning their friend when he needed help the most. Brittany was clueless as ever and was just happy that she got to see her two dolphins this weekend.
Saturday approached quickly and Kurt was slightly nervous about having the two groups mixed together.

Blaine arrived first, earlier than what he was meant to but Kurt didn't mind. Blaine was able to sooth his nerves, kissing them away. Santana and Brittany were next to rock up and helped set up. Both had grinned brightly when Kurt greeted them with words and hugged him tightly. Brittany had given him a quick kiss on the lips (much to Blaine's shock) and Santana hugged him again, whispering in his ear that she was proud of him.

Kurt had been shocked but smiled at her. He knew that Santana would deny it later if he ever told anyone so he kept it to himself. The Warbler's arrived in one big group, greeting Burt and Carol politely and charmingly.
"Do they teach charm at that school?" Burt grunted to Kurt who snorted.
"They're thinking of adding it as a compulsory subject sir," Thad grinned as he heard Burt, causing them all to burst out laughing.

Kurt was nervous when New Directions started turning up. Kurt greeted them all with words and they all hugged him tightly. Puck had given him an extra tight hug and clapped him on the back.
"Congrats Porcelain," Puck said gruffly and Kurt smiled at him. The girls gushed over him, Mercedes telling him how proud she was him and that she was sorry.
"I know what I did was wrong white boy," Mercedes said quietly. "And I'm sorry."

Kurt hugged her.
"I know," he murmured in her ear.
Rachel had come storming in dramatically. The Warbler's stared at her as she talked loudly.
"Is she for real?" Nick asked Kurt as Rachel started going on about the Warbler's not still their set list.
"I'm afraid so," Kurt said dryly.

Blaine took his hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Let get the barbeque started," Burt said gruffly, carrying the meat outside. The boys all followed out quickly, the girls coming out a much slower pace. Kurt was surprised at how the Warbler's and New Directions got on. The boys had started a football game and were laughing and joking. Some of the girls had joined in as well.

Brittany sat with Kurt, Mercedes, Tina and Quinn as they gossiped, Kurt braiding Brittany's hair for her.
The girls asked how Dalton was and how was Blaine. They looked over to see them playing football and admiring the boys forms. Blaine looked especially good, his arm muscles bulging as he reached for the ball that was coming his way.

"Damn white boy, they are all fine," Mercedes said and Kurt chuckled.
"Nick and Jeff are together and Wes has a girlfriend but the rest are free," Kurt told them and they laughed.
Lunch was served up and Kurt watched with horror as the boys scoffed down their food as if it was the last meal they were ever going to get. Blaine was slower, but not my much. Kurt didn't understand where he put it all. Why was he not looking for extra large pants? The boy could eat.

"Are you not hungry?" Blaine asked, noticing that Kurt was eating.
"I'm shocked," Kurt said, eyes wide.
"About what?" Blaine asked, confused.
"About how fast you are all eating. It's not going to disappear you know," Kurt said. Blaine chuckled and put an arm around his boyfriends waist.
"You don't know that Kurt," Blaine chuckled and Kurt rolled his eyes, eating slowly.

Kurt thought he should have known that nothing could ever go smoothly in his life. Nothing had so far, so why should today be any different. The boys had started another football game and they were milling around, soaking up the good day.
"Are you looking forward to be able to sing again?" Quinn asked quietly, picking at some grass as they watched the boys.
"I am. I've missed it," Kurt said quietly, his voice starting to strain from all the use.

Quinn nodded along with the other girls.
"Do you think you'll join the Warblers?" Mercedes asked.
"You totally should," Santana said. "With you they'd be unstoppable."
Kurt smiled at her in thanks.
"Kurt won't be joining the Warblers," Rachel snorted loudly. "When he can sing again, he'll be back at McKinley with New Directions."

All of them turned to Rachel and stared.
"What? You know it's true. Kurt belongs with New Directions. He's only at Dalton until he got his voice back and recover from the attack," Rachel said knowingly.
Kurt stared at her in shock.
"The only time," Santana growled. "Kurt would ever go back to McKinley is when all the homophobic jackasses leave the school."

"Kurt can join the Warbler's if he wants," Mercedes growled, taking Kurt's hand. "We'll support him with his choice."
"My boy can do what he want," Puck said and Kurt looked up sharply to see that they had stopped playing football and were all staring at Rachel as if she was mentally challenged.

Rachel looked at Puck coldly before turning back to Kurt.
"Really Kurt, I know you've going through a tough time but you belong to New Directions," Rachel went on and Kurt couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Would you listen to yourself?" Quinn snapped. "How dare you suggest that Kurt go back to such an unsafe environment. Do you care about him at all?"

"Of course I do," Rachel sniffed. "Kurt can't just abandon New Directions. He was one of the first people in it. So naturally Kurt will come back to us."
Rachel glared at Kurt slightly, as if daring him to disagree. Kurt couldn't believe it, Rachel had finally come unhinged.

"Enough Rachel," Finn snapped suddenly and Rachel's mouth fell open with shock. She never thought that Finn would raise his voice at her.
"What? I merely pointing out that Kurt and his voice will always be with-" Rachel started but was cut off again.
"What Kurt does with his voice is his decision. If he wants to sing with the Warbler's then that is the decision we respect and support," Finn said.

Kurt looked up to Finn with a proud look in his eyes. Finn nodded once to Kurt and glared at Rachel. Kurt knew how much Finn must be hurting to do this. He had always had a soft spot for Rachel but Finn was doing what he promised to do. He was stepping up as a step-brother.
Rachel looked shocked.
"I think," Kurt said quietly and a little coldly. "That you should leave."

"Kurt!" Rachel squealed.
"He asked you, to leave," Puck growled. Rachel stood and smoothed her clothes out, nose in the air.
"Fine," she huffed and turned to Kurt. "Although I'm glad you have your voice back, I hope you will come to your senses soon and join us again."
With that she stormed off into the house and was gone.

Blaine was suddenly by his side, rubbing his back as Kurt just sat there, looking at the house.
"Is that girl on something?" David asked, looking confused. "Did that really just happen?"
"Oh it happened?" Santana said darkly.
"Are you OK?" Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear. Kurt gave the tinniest of shrugs, unable to tear his gaze away from the house.

Blaine shared a worried glance with the girls and the boys and continued to rub Kurt's back.
Burt and Carol were looking at Kurt worriedly and were glad to see the back of Rachel. Kurt took a deep breath and managed to tear his gaze away.
"I'm OK," Kurt said quietly, shaking his head. "I'm just going to get a drink."

Kurt stood quickly and hurried into the house, leaving everyone worried.
Blaine made to stand up but Burt shook his head.
"Just let him collect himself," Burt said and he patted Finn on the shoulder. "You did good Finn."

Kurt hurried into the house and into the kitchen. He leant heavily over the sink and took a few deep trembling breaths.
He took a glass with shaking hands and got himself some water, sipping it carefully. He shouldn't have invited Rachel. Hadn't she proved time and time again that she only cared about herself?

Even Finn knew that when she had done that stupid video that featured Puck, Jesse and Finn all fighting over her. Kurt had been stupid to think that Rachel would be concerned for his well fare. Kurt shook his head. He was done with Rachel and all her selfishness. He would never step foot back in McKinley, never back into that death trap.

The phone rang and was glad for the distraction. He hurried to it and picked it up.
"Hello?" Kurt answered.
"Hello, this is Jason Phillip from Ohio's Juvenile Detention Centre, is Kurt Hummel there?"
"Speaking," Kurt stammered, dread filling him. He clutched at the kitchen counter for support, dreading what this man wanted.
"Kurt Hummel, I'm here on behalf of Dave Karofsky," Jason said and Kurt started to shake. "He would like to arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible."

Kurt grip on the counter went slack and he swayed dangerously.
"Mr Hummel?" Jason said, his voice distant.
Kurt eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground with a thump, the phone tumbling out of his hand.

Mwhahahaha cliff hanger! I'm so mean! Please review!