Kurt [5:22] Hi, how did your dance assessment go?
It's the first time he's spoken to Blaine in a while (apart from a few sparse texts here and there), due to how busy they have both been; Blaine with NYADA and Kurt with rehearsals, school, and getting ready for the student president elections. He had gone over to Brittany's house on Monday afternoon and he decided that it wasn't best that they work together; her ideas for his campaign were a little too... out there.
Blaine [5:25] I passed! I am exhausted though.
Kurt [5:26] Aw, but well done Blaine!
Blaine [5:27] Thank you :) how are rehearsals going?
Kurt [5:29] They're going well, they've adjusted the costumes and tomorrow will be our first dress rehearsal - everyone is doing so well, I think we're almost ready.
Blaine [5:31] That sounds amazing, did you find out the opening date yet?
Kurt [5:32] Exactly a month from now, and it has a six week run, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night!
Blaine [5:34] ...I really wish I could come see it.
Kurt [5:36] Me too.
Blaine [5:37] Well good luck anyway, I'm sure you'll be amazing.
Kurt [5:38] Thank you, Blaine.
Blaine [5:31] And how is school going?
Kurt [5:33] ...same as always.
Blaine [5:34] Stand up to the bullies. I really wish that there was something I could do.
Kurt [5:35] Easier said than done, but you help enough.
"Kurt! Dinner!"
Kurt [5:35] Blaine, I gotta go eat, sorry. Talk later.
Blaine [5:36] :( bye Kurt xxx
Kurt sits in shock as he watches everyone cheer for Brittany; he knew she was popular but this was the majority of the student body and it seemed like she had their vote.
Instead of going to the cafeteria for food at lunch, he sits in an empty classroom reading his speech over and over. It's very idealistic, but maybe idealistic is exactly what he needs.
Stand up to the bullies he remembers Blaine saying.
I refuse to be bullied. I refuse to let anyone be bullied. he adds to his speech.
He knows he's tempted fate as soon as the classroom door opens. Just as he places his pen down, Jack walks into the room.
"Well, well, well," the jock drawls when he notices Kurt alone, a smirk creeping onto his face. "If it isn't Lady Hummel."
Bully, he identifies Jack as. It is something he's always known, and with a sudden burst of confidence Kurt pushes himself to his feet and looks Jack in the eye.
"What have I ever done to you?"
"Excuse me?" Jack replies, smirk faltering. It's obvious that he didn't expect the question. Usually Kurt bites back with a sarcastic comment or ignores him completely, but not this time - he's standing up to his bullies.
"You heard me. What have I ever done to you?" he repeats again, dragging the syllables out slowly, almost patronizingly. He corrects his tone and tries to keep his anger in check, wanting an honest answer. "Why is it okay for you to say things like that to me? Just because my voice is a little higher than most and I actually understand what fashion is? Or is it mainly because I like men? Something that I cannot control but automatically makes me inferior to you?"
His fists are clenched tightly together by the time he's finished speaking. He keeps eye contact with Jack, trying to will him to understand everything he's saying, for him to listen to how unfair this all really is. "I just don't understand," he finishes. Quieter, deflated.
The jock doesn't say anything for a long time, but he doesn't look away either. Kurt can feel his palms sweating as he waits, finally Jack speaks, "This is high school, man."
Kurt laughs bitterly at the lame, cowardly reply. "That's your reason for making my life hell? Because 'its high school, man'?" he mocks. The anger is back and stronger than before. "That's why I always have to have a spare pair of clothes in my locker, why I pick myself out of dumpsters and clear left over food out of my hair - because this is high school?"
He's almost shouting towards the end and Jack looks slightly taken back. Kurt isn't sure what kind of reaction he expected, and with an annoyed huff he clears his things into his bag and walks past the jock and out of the room.
to Blaine:
I'm shaking. I just shouted at a jock, like really shouted at him. What if I just made everything worse? Oh god Blaine!
The reply comes seconds later, which Kurt is entirely thankful for.
from Blaine:
Calm down, what happened?
He fumbles with a reply, typing out words even autocorrect can't grasp the meaning of, and suddenly Blaine's name is flashing up on his phone.
"H-hello?" he says, his breath is coming in short gasps, the reality of the situation finally hitting him.
"Kurt? Kurt, are you okay?" Blaine sounds frantic and Kurt's head swims.
"I - I stood up to them, Blaine."
"Kurt, that's great but you've got to breathe for me," Blaine says in a soothing voice.
Kurt closes his eyes and rests his head against the brick wall of the school. He takes a deep breath to clear his head, not understanding why he's so worked up to begin with.
"Sorry, hi," he says meekly once he's composed himself.
"Don't apologize. Can you tell me what happened?"
"A guy that bullies me - Jack, he came into the room I was in and I thought about what you said, you know, to stand up to them? And I asked him what his problem was and shouted a little."
"That - wow, I'm really proud of you, Kurt." Kurt can hear the smile in Blaine's voice which make his own lips tug up at the corners. He's pretty proud of himself too. "What'd he say?"
"Some stupid dumb comment about how this is high school or something. He didn't hit me though."
"I'm sure you could take him if he did."
A laugh bubbles up from Kurt's chest and he feels like a weight has lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you, Blaine... I'm sorry I worried you."
"As long as you're okay."
The bell rings signaling the end of lunch; Kurt says goodbye to Blaine and walks back into McKinley, heading to his next class.
He doesn't see Jack or any of his other jock friends until the end of the day, and to Kurt's relief, they all seem to ignore him.
"It's not worth it, let it be," he's sure he hears Jack say. Kurt pauses his walking for a second before smiling, maybe he had gotten through to the bully more than he originally thought.
A/N: Thank you everyone, and my lovely beta, lovrgrl5.