The rest of the week continued in a similarly to his first day. He would sit alternate sitting at the base of the tree and climbing half way just for the sake of doing something. No wild animals came around and Kurt was undeniably bored. He half wished he could bring along his journal but didn't want to chance his secrets ever again. Instead, he found little entertainment in sharpening his arrows and counting the ants on a tree limb. Most of his time, however, was spent stealing glances at his fellow coworker.
He sat under his tree in silence trying to avoid the urge to take a peek at Blaine's sweating body. He knew it was wrong to even have these thoughts about a coworker but ever since Blaine had defended him Kurt couldn't help but like him…like him a lot.
During lunch Blaine would always sit next to him and start conversation. Kurt was so shocked the first time it happened that he spilt his water canister all over his chest. Blaine just laughed and offered him his own. They never spoke about anything important, usually about the weather or their hobbies, but it was nice to talk even if it was just for a little while. That particular afternoon they spoke about their families.
"So, I hear your Father is head of the mill on Main Street, is that right?" Blaine asked taking a bite into his turkey sandwich.
"Yeah, he's been head for 8 years now," Kurt replied. He always tried to avoid Blaine's bright hazel eyes because he knew if he looked he wouldn't be able to look away.
"Oh…cool" Blaine seemed unsure of what to say after that. Their conversations never lasted long because they never had much to say.
"What does your Mother do?" Blaine said, trying desperately to continue their conversation.
"Oh…um…My mom's dead," Kurt said looking down into his hands. It had been years since his mother had passed away but the mention of her always brought back those hurt feelings of when he was a kid waiting by the door hoping his mother would return.
"Kurt… I shouldn't have…Sorry," Blaine stammered. He clearly wasn't expecting that answer. He looked away from Kurt, unsure of what to say or do. They sat there in silence for what seemed like hours.
"Don't be," Kurt said ending the awkward silence between them. "It happened years ago, I've come to accept it," he said with a shy smile. That's when he turned his head and looked at Blaine.
There was a flash in Blaine's eyes as they locked their gazes with each other. Kurt could feel the same flash in his own eyes. He stared openly at Blaine then, he didn't want to look away. It only lasted a few seconds before Blaine broke the contact, looking at the grass in embarrassment.
Kurt laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck and staring down at the forest floor. Did he just imagine what had happened? He couldn't have because he clearly saw that change of energy in Blaine's eyes…
No. Kurt, no. He is straight! Stop making things out of nothing. He is just being friendly, nothing else. Drop the thought right now.
Kurt looked around at the other members of the group, who weren't paying attention to the two boys sitting on a log very close to each other. Kurt had only noticed their closeness then, and discretely widened the distance between them, making it seem like he was just getting comfortable. Kurt pushed back his light brown hair back from his forehead thinking of a way to forget about what just happened.
"So… What about your family?" Kurt said, definitely avoiding Blaine's eyes this time around.
"What about them?" Blaine said, taking another bite of his lunch and staring off into the distance.
"Well, what do your parents do? Just wondering…"
"My father is a carpenter; he makes a lot of the furniture that's sent up to the capital. My Mother is a guard, just like you, but she's up in section 53," Blaine said, loosening up again as he stretched his legs out.
"Any siblings?"
Blaine tensed up. Kurt could clearly see it because Blaine's shirt was still off, and the sudden tension in his muscles was undeniable.
"I have one. Her name is Camille. She's fifteen and works at the mill out near my Mother in 53."
Kurt recognized the name immediately- Camille Anderson. He hadn't made the connection until that very moment. She was the town cripple. She was born with a disability that made it hard for her to move her limbs. Citizens of District 7 were constantly complaining about the way she would slow production, or when she would break another piece of machinery. Kurt's dad has had to deal with her a couple times to help her get used to the difficult equipment.
Kurt suddenly understood Blaine's earlier reaction. Like they were rude to Kurt, people were also rude to Camille. They often called her cruel names and would bill her for the damages she caused, even though Kurt thought she shouldn't be blamed for them.
"Oh, I know her," Kurt said, trying to continue the conversation because he loved talking to Blaine, no matter what the subject.
"Everyone does," Blaine said coldly. He obviously didn't like the way everyone treated his younger sister.
"She's very nice," Kurt offered, trying to brighten Blaine's mood.
He had met Camille only for a brief moment and he wasn't lying. She was one of the sweetest girls Kurt had met in District 7. She cared about others first, not herself. She had such innocence about her, that he would actually defend her if anything was said, because he knew her oddities weren't her fault.
"You've met her?" Blaine said suddenly interested.
"Yes, I have, she came to my house one day for my Dad to teach her about the new equipment. She's really a sweet girl."
"Yeah I know. She's the best sister anyone could ask for," Blaine said smiling brightly. It was clear that he loved his sister with all his heart and would do anything for her.
"Hey Blaine! Can you come over here for a second?" One of the group members called from across their work area.
"Yeah, sure. I'll be right back Kurt," Blaine said as he got up from his spot on the log. He strode over to the other boy, but took a moment to look back at Kurt and smile.
The boy took Blaine out of sight to talk about something unknown to Kurt, and suddenly one of the workers named Reed made his way to Kurt. He was the one who noticed Kurt looking at Blaine the first day. He strode up, disgust shown clearly in his expression, and leaned in very close to Kurt, poking him harshly in his sternum.
"Listen kid, I don't think you know, but Blaine is straight."
Kurt was taken aback by the hostility in Reed's voice and his close proximity. Kurt gulped shifting himself away from Reed whose expression hadn't changed at all.
"I know that," Kurt answered nervously.
"Then you have to stop making goo-goo eyes at him. Just because he's too nice to say anything doesn't mean that he's not creeped out by your infatuation with him. And since he's too nice, I'm just going to say it in his place. Leave him alone, got it faggot? He already has enough to deal with. Do you think he wants to deal with some fag having a boy crush on him? I'm his best friend, and I know that he's just being nice. Best stop this little crush of yours, or I'll stop it for you." Reed shoved him and walked back to his work area where he began to swing violently at the tree with his ax.
Blaine emerged then from the darkness of the forest and approached Kurt.
"Hey, sorry, Will wanted to map out a new section but he needed my help." He sat down next to Kurt who was unresponsive.
Kurt wasn't sure what to do; he could see Reed and Will staring at them from across the area. They were glaring at him, almost daring him to try something on their friend. He avoided Blaine's look and kept his head turned away.
"Hey anything wrong?" Blaine asked, placing a hand on Kurt's shoulder.
This was the first time that Blaine had touched him. It sent a jolt of energy through him that left a tingling sensation in his spine. He froze for only a split second until he noticed Blaine's hand still rested on his shoulder.
"Yeah…yeah I'm okay," Kurt said quickly, shrugging Blaine's hand off of his shoulder and jumping to his feet. "I- I have to get back to work." He walked towards his workstation and didn't look back to see the look of confusion on Blaine's face.
That night, Kurt was preparing dinner for his father and him. He replayed lunch in his head. He couldn't shake the thought of Blaine just being too nice to say anything to Kurt. Half of the time, Blaine was the first one to sit next to him, to start the conversation, and to smile at him. If he was so creeped out by him, then why did Blaine do all that instead of just ignoring him? He didn't want to believe Reed but it was hard to think of anyone with a heart living in his district half of the time. Who's to say that Blaine's not just like everyone else?
While Kurt stirred the carrot soup, his father walked through the door looking exhausted as ever. Kurt knew that Burt had a lot more work now that the Hunger Games were near. The capital always demanded some ridiculous amount of wood products during the Hunger Games, although Kurt wasn't really sure what they were used for.
"How was work today Dad?" Kurt asked, already knowing the answer.
"The usual," Burt replied, stripping off his boots and placing his cap on the wooden hook near the front door.
"How about your day?" he asked taking a seat at the table as he watched his son reach into the cabinets for their old bowls.
"Oh you know…" he started as he poured the soup into two bowls. "Boring all the same… but I think I'm making a new friend though." Kurt placed the bowls on the table. He chose not to mention Reed to his father, because he knew Burt would be furious.
"That's great, Kurt!" Burt said taking a sip of his carrot soup. "What's his name?"
"Blaine…Blaine Anderson" Kurt answered with little enthusiasm, unsure of what his father's reaction to the name would be.
Burt coughed on his mouthful of soup. "Anderson? As in James' Anderson's son? The biggest homophobe in the district?" Burt asked, his eye narrowing. "You sure this kid is safe? I mean, his father is one of the rudest men I have ever met. I went over to his house to help his daughter out and he kicked me out, telling me he didn't want a 'homo raiser' in his house!"
"Dad, he's not like his dad. He's…"
"He's nice to you and everything? He hasn't done anything to you has he?" Burt interrupted.
"Dad! He hasn't done anything. He's really nice, and he's been defending me." Kurt said. "He's not like everyone else, I swear."
"Really? Defending you how?"
"Well, in lots of ways. Like, the first day, one of the members of our group was asking if I was the gay one, and Blaine stood up and said it shouldn't matter if I was gay or not," Kurt said smiling back at the memory of his first time seeing Blaine. "And we eat lunch together every day. He's no bully, dad."
"Well I'm glad that there's someone out there that gets it," Burt said and returned to his soup, slurping greedily.
It was at that moment when the television suddenly turned on, casting an eerie glow across the room as the seal of Panem flashed on the screen.
"I didn't know that there was a mandatory show for us to watch scheduled for today," Kurt said as he strode over to their couch to watch the screen.
"…There wasn't," Burt said taking his spot next to Kurt, suddenly nervous.
The seal of Panem stayed on the screen for another minute or so until Caesar Flickerman, the young television host, appeared smiling at the camera that could be seen in the reflection of his brightly colored eyes. He smiled more as the applause from the audience slowly faded.
"Hello, Panem! I know that this viewing comes as a bit of a surprise to all of you, it does to us too!" The audience laughed at this. Caesar Flickerman, was one of the most positive and well-liked people in the Capital. He was the host of the Pre and Post Games interviews with the tributes and their families during the games. Every year he colors his hair, eyelids, and lips. This year for the first Quarter Quell he colored his features a dark purple.
"I know you are all looking forward to the Quarter Quell next Monday! Let me tell you now it will be filled with many surprises! The first surprise will be revealed today in this unscheduled show." He made his way to the seat that was positioned in the middle of the stage next to a larger chair about the size of a love seat.
"Tonight, I have two of the Game Makers here, and they have something to announce to the districts of Panem regarding the Quarter Quell."
With that one of the Game Makers stood up to make his announcement. He was large and beefy with a no-nonsense blank stare. Kurt couldn't help the feeling in his stomach as he suspected something terrible was about to happen.
"For the first Quarter Quell to remember the 25th anniversary of the destruction of District 13 we have created a special process in which the children will be chosen to compete in the games." Everyone in the audience made noises of excitement.
"The Game Makers have decided," he continued, "to not let the selection be left to chance, but to put it in the hands of the adults." Everyone in the audience was slightly confused by this announcement.
"The adults of each district will have one week to decide which girl and boy they will send into the Hunger Games. The decision, of course, does not have to be unanimous, but the children with the majority of votes will be sent to fight against the other tributes in the arena." The Game Maker sat down. There was silence among the crowd until someone yelled.
"What an amazing idea!"
Others began to join.
"This is going to be the best Hunger Games ever!"
The cheers continued as Caesar looked at the camera and said,
"Well there you have it, districts! You have until next Monday to decide which one of your children will have the honor to fight in the Hunger Games! Good luck and I'll see you soon!" He winked at the camera and the television went black.
The two Hummel men sat there in silence, just staring at the blank television screen.
Burt swore loudly and jumped to his feet. He grabbed ahold of one of the kitchen chairs and smashed it against the wall, cursing more and more. Kurt remained frozen in his seat. His mouth was half open in shock as his eyes stayed glued to the television. He felt warm arms wrap around his shoulders. His dad hugged him tightly to his chest and, for the first time in years, Kurt heard his father cry. Kurt cried with him.
The same idea was running through both of their minds. There were absolutely no alternatives, no ifs or buts.
Kurt was going to be sent into the Hunger Games.