Rachel walked into school the next day, immediately being pounced on by the members of the Glee Club. Santana, Mercedes, and Puck struck, all walking up beside her.
"So what's up with Frankenteen?"
"Yeah, why's he acting so weird?"
"What's up with my boy, Finn?" They asked one after another, not giving her the chance to answer.
"Nothing. Finn is absolutely fine." Rachel smiled to herself, and then strode off to her English class, leaving behind three bewildered faces.
Finn stopped in the choir room, looking up, confused, at the accusing glares he was receiving from everyone.
"Uh..hey, guys..." They still stared. "Is..something the matter?" Mercedes strode forward with Puck, not missing a beat. She pointed in his face.
"Yes, there is something the matter, white boy. You've been acting weird all week and we want to know why."
"Yeah, dude. You didn't even stop to watch Karofsky slushie Artie." Finn was about to answer Mercedes when he took in what Puck had just said.
"What the hell, dude? We're all in Glee Club now. That means standing up for each other-" Puck rolled his eyes
"And anyway, I haven't been acting weird."
"Um, yeah you have, dude. You've been spacing out -more than usual- and yesterday you turned down my offer for a COD night. What the hell was that about? You don't just do that. What up, bro?" Finn looked at Rachel. Rachel shook her head.
"Look, guys. You really wanna know what's up? Fine. I've just been really worried about my grades lately. They're dropping and if they get too low, Coach Beiste will kick me off the team!" He yelled, faking it spendidly. Puck looked concerned.
"That's it?" Finn looked at Puck, countering his intense look.
"That's it."
"Cool." said Puck, shrugging it off and turning back to Glee Club. Mr. Schuester walked in.
"Okay, guys. Take your places! I've decided to appeal to some of your requests-" he stared pointedy at Rachel, who beamed. "and we will be doing some Wicked songs." Rachel smile grew even wider. She stood up and clapped, looking at the others to do the same, who obviously did not share her enthusiasm.
Finn smiled at her. Santana assumed it was just so he could score points with her, and rolled her eyes, but the truth was, Wicked was Kurt's favourite music. He loved it, and the way his glasz eyes lit up when he spoke about Idina Menzel as Elphaba made Finn so happy. He suddenly had an idea.
"Mr. Schu?"
"Yes, Finn?"
"I know someone who really loves Wicked. Would you mind if I brought them to Glee Club so they could watch?" Several members shot Finn curious glances before snapping their heads back to Mr. Schuester.
"Normally, I would protest, but..Sure! It sounds like a great idea, Finn." Murmurs sprang throughout the members, theorizing about who this person who loved Wicked so much was.
"I'll bet it's his mom." said Tina, excited for a new topic of gossip.
"It's probably his much sexier imaginary friend." said Santana, causing several girls to laugh.
"I hope it's his mom. I love older women." Puck drooled, promptly receiving a slap on the arm from Quinn, who glared in his direction.
"Guys..Guys, quiet!" Instant silence.
"Now, who wants to audition for 'Defying Gravity'?" Rachel's hand shot up instantly. Santana rolled her eyes.
"Good, Rachel..and..'For Good'?" Rachel's hand shot up, again.
"Look, Rachel. We all know of your vocal prowess, but you have to give the other students a chance." Rachel sank in her seat, mumbling. Tina hesitantly raised her hand, half-way, for it to pulled up to full height by Mercedes.
"Good, Tina. We haven't heard much from you. It will be interesting to hear what you're capable of."
But Finn didn't pay attention to any of this, only excited about bringing Kurt to his Glee Club meeting tomorrow..That was, if his mother let him take Kurt out of the house. Finn was a sophomore, after all. And Kurt would be allowed to attend classes as a freshman. He would discuss it later, as long as he made sure to buy some chocolate and flowers to soften her up and-
"Finn! Pay attention! God, maybe if you weren't so freakishly tall after your childhood near a nuclear plant our voices could actually reach your ears!" Santana yelled from behind him. Finn looked alarmed.
"Santana, thank you for getting Finn's attention..but maybe, next time...use a little less shouting?" Santana didn't bat an eye.
The rest of Glee went by in a blur, people discussing songs and Rachel droned on about Wicked and Misses Chenoweth and Menzel. Finn just smiled. He was dreading the convincing part of his plan, but Kurt's smile would be worth it.
"Mom, come on!" Finn and his mom had been going at it for twenty minutes now. Kurt had somehow managed to fall asleep.
"No, Finn! He's not strong enough to walk around all day!" Carole said exasperated.
"But this would give him a chance to strengthen his leg muscles!" Finn argued, and Carole had to admit he had a point.
"Finn, I don't want him to get hurt!"
"He won't! I'll watch him like a hawk!"
"Finn..he's so tiny, though..All the boys are bigger than him..and you know that this a small town..People aren't open-minded." Carole had read the news. Hate crimes happened all the time. People weren't very open to the idea of boys kissing other boys.
"I'll keep him safe. I swear." and Carole had never heard Finn's voice so sincere as it did at this moment.
"Are you sure he'll be okay attending classes in a high school?" said Carole, leaning her head on her son's chest.
"Completely sure." Carole sighed.
"I'll call the school and set it up." Finn beamed and kissed his mother's cheek.
"You're the best, Mom."
"Thanks, sweetie. Now, go wake up Kurt and tell him. He'll be in for a surprise tomorrow morning."
Finn, needing no more prompting, walked straight to Kurt's room with the goofiest smile. He gently shook the younger boy's shoulder.
"Kurt.." he said softly. "Kurt." He said more forcefully. The younger boy stirred, eyes fluttering open at the sound of his older brother's voice.
"'S it, Finny?" His brother said sleepily.
"You're going to school with me tomorrow." at this his younger brother's eyes became wide. Finn was worried that was a bad thing, but then Kurt smiled.
"You mean it, Finny? Are you serious?" Finn nodded.
"Oh, this is great, Finny! I'm excited! I've been so bored here in my room." He hugged his older brother. His brother held him tight, but then realised something. His brother was so, so small. Smaller than before, it had seemed. Smaller than was healthy. Finn's arms could've nearly wrapped around his waist twice. He could feel his brother's ribs. He squeezed Kurt's hand. His skin was cold. FInn furrowed his eyebrows.
"Kurt?" he asked, pulling away from the embrace. "How much did you weigh last week?"
"Hmm. one hundred and two pounds?" He guessed.
"And..how much do you weigh now?" Finn asked suspiciously.
"I don't know." Finn walked out of his room and returned with a scale, placing it on the floor.
"Stand on it." Finn commanded. Kurt did so, stepping on the floor, legs wobbling, making their way, slowly but surely, to the scale. He stood on it. The number on the scale was dangerous. Finn didn't like it.
Ninety-two pounds.
Dangerland.
Finn wanted to sob. Kurt's eyebrows raised.
"What? But that's-"
"Ten pounds less than last week." They looked up at each other.
"Is this because of the-" Finn held up his hand to stop him. He hated the word, hated saying it, hearing it. Especially when Kurt said it.
"Yes." And his voice was all but a whisper. He motioned for Kurt to step off of the scale and he placed it in the bathroom again, before coming back. He changed the subject.
"I have a surprise for you tomorrow after school."
"Really? Oh, Finn you really didn't-"
"No. I wanted to." Kurt blushed.
"Thank you, Finny."
"No problem, Kurty."
"When do I have to wake up tomorrow, Finn?"
"Seven AM."
"Then may I go to bed now?" Kurt giggled. Finn laughed, too. They hugged again before Finn left, trying not to focus on the haunting lack of fat and the abundance in bone he was feeling through the skin.
Before heading to his room he heard his mother muttering.
"Yes, yes. Kurt Hummel, fifteen. Oh no, not at all. Five foot, five inches. He weighs..Hold on," She put her hand over the phone. "Finn! How much does Kurt weigh?" "Ninety-two pounds!" Carole's eyes widened.
"N-ninety-two pounds, sir. Is that all that's required of the physical form for the nurse? Oh? Oh, his birthday? Well, that's-" and on that note, Finn walked out of the room and into his own.