Without a second thought, Kurt got up and walked over, stopping at the desk against the wall and looking at the photos. Kurt recognized some of the faces, like Blaine’s and Rachel’s, and he faintly remembered the group of boys in blue and red blazers. Kurt couldn’t fight the small smile that was appearing on his face.

All the pictures said so much about Blaine, about his personality. They were all pictures where he was either smiling widely with family or goofing off with friends. Kurt especially liked the one of a young Blaine feeding a goat in a petting zoo; he was beaming up at the camera, and his nose was scrunched up as the goat was eating pellets from his pudgy little hand. Kurt let out a soft laugh and put his hand over his lips to stifle it.

He moved around the room, glancing at Blaine’s objects. Blaine seemed quite organized, but it was interesting to see the things he kept out. The things he used frequently. Kurt smiled as he saw a note he had passed to Blaine earlier that day in English. He picked it up and reread the paper.

27.
What?
That’s how many times he’s said “Um” so far.
Make that 28
Seriously, how hard is it to give a 4 minute opinion about oppression and how we’re subjected to it in our everyday lives?
Says Mr. I Got An A++++ Yesterday One My Presentation
You went yesterday too! And you just got here. And you were fantastic. And never said “um”
:) Thank you. I worked hard to oppress those “Ums”. See what I did there?
Yes, Blaine. You’re hilarious.

Kurt heard the water shut off from inside Blaine’s bathroom and he quickly ran over to Blaine’s bed and pulled the blankets over his body. Kurt pretended to be asleep, but then he stopped himself. What the hell are you doing? Why are you being so weird? So, you and Blaine kissed last night. Okay, that was an understatement. But still, it was Blaine’s idea to go to his bedroom. Blaine’s ‘No Clothes’ rule. Blaine had pretty much taken control of everything last night. Blaine obviously likes you, so stop freaking out.

Kurt ran his fingers through his hair and sat up as he heard the door to the bathroom open. Blaine walked in with a towel low on his hips, showing off his muscles and the sharp V that extended past Kurt’s line of vision. Blaine’s body was glistening, still wet from the shower, and Kurt had trouble looking away- so he didn’t.

Blaine walked over to his dresser and pulled out some clothes. Kurt opened his mouth to say something, but when Blaine turned around, he completely avoided Kurt’s gaze like the plague. Kurt closed his mouth again and flinched a little as the bathroom door clicked shut. Maybe it’s not so obvious.

Kurt stared at Blaine’s window for a moment, before sliding off the bed and rushing to put on his clothes. God, this is so embarrassing. I’m such an idiot. Kurt grabbed his phone off of Blaine’s desk and saw his phone illuminate as he got a txt. He glanced at the screen before pocketing it and cursing to himself. I’ll deal with that later, he decided and rushed out of Blaine’s bedroom before Blaine could come back out. Or maybe he planned on staying in there until Kurt left? Oh, God, this is horrifying.

Kurt ran down the stairs in a flash and took his coat off the rack beside the front door and took his car keys out of the inside pocket before opening the front door. “Kurt?” a groggy voice called and Kurt didn’t have to turn around to know it was Rachel’s. Kurt didn’t say anything, couldn’t say anything. He could feel his eyes stinging from oncoming tears and he worried that if he spoke, his voice would give him away. He rushed out of the house and ran to his car before jumping in and jamming the key into the ignition.

Kurt didn’t know where he was driving to- he passed the road to his house- until he pulled up to the parking lot of the Lima Bean. He pulled down his visor and dabbed at his eyes in the mirror before getting out and walking into the coffee shop.

It was fairly busy inside for an early Saturday morning. Kurt walked up to the barista and ordered his coffee and stepped aside to wait for his order when he heard his name being called. Kurt hesitantly turned around and saw a blond haired boy waving tentatively at him from a table in the back. Kurt sighed and waved slightly at him. He hadn’t talked to Liam since the other night when Liam had gotten drunk and called Kurt.

He grabbed his drink and walked over to the boy, who stood up awkwardly. Kurt stood in front of him, wondering if he should hug Liam, but then he felt the taller boy wrap his arms around Kurt. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. It was stiff, forced, and Kurt just stood there. Liam’s hand lingered on Kurt’s arm, and Kurt shied away. He sat down and took a sip of his coffee before staring the table, unable to meet Liam’s eyes.

His mind traveled back to the previous night- to Blaine’s strong arms around his body, the feel their lips pressed together, the sound of Blaine’s laugh and the way he seemed to form to Kurt’s body perfectly. Kurt closed his eyes, trying to force the images from his mind before facing the task at hand.

“Thanks for meeting me,” Liam said, his deep voice sounding sincere. He reached forward to take Kurt’s hand in his, but stopped short. Kurt was confused, until he remembered the txt he’d gotten from Liam about a half hour ago.

“Liam,” Kurt began, but Liam grabbed his hand and held it tight.

“Kurt, I’m sorry. I know that wasn’t cool of me to call you like that.” Kurt felt guilty, not only because of the fact he had cheated on Liam the previous night, but also because even though he was with his boy friend, he couldn’t keep Blaine off his mind. “Can you please- can we just pretend that never happened?” Kurt thought about it. Thought about just saying yes. Saying that they could put it all behind them and move on like nothing was wrong. But he couldn’t. Kurt took a deep breath.

“I kissed someone else last night,” Kurt said bluntly, and he felt Liam’s hand on his go limp. He looked frozen. He stared at Kurt for a moment and Kurt felt his heart ache. He watched Liam’s Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard.

“What?” he asked almost robotically. It was like everything else had frozen as well, all the hustle and bustle around them faded away. “What- what do you mean?”

“I-”

“Who?” Liam asked, and Kurt was hesitant to say. “Who?” he asked again, this time more forceful.

“Blaine,” Kurt said, his voice wavering. Liam’s face contorted with realization.

“So when you said that you two were just studying-” he broke off and his hand snaked away from Kurt’s. “How long has this been going on?” Kurt shook his head softly. “How long have you two been fucking each other?” Liam spat.

“Liam, please,” Kurt reached forward in an attempt to grab the boy’s hand but Liam stood up, causing his chair to scoot back and wobble before stopped a foot behind him.

“No,” he warned, “don’t, Kurt. Don’t tell me to calm down, or whatever the fuck you’re going to say.” Kurt sat there, frozen, unable to look the other boy in the eye. “I have a reason to be upset. I’m allowed to be pissed.” Kurt felt like a child being chastised, only this was harder to bear than any talk he’d gotten from his father.

“Liam, please sit down,” Kurt said softly. Liam let out a deep, ragged breath before sitting back down. His eyes bore into Kurt’s and Kurt found himself unable to look away. He didn’t want to, though. He needed to get everything out and needed to have everything said and settled. “Liam,” he began again, but Liam silenced him.

“Do you promise me it was just a kiss?” Kurt pictured Blaine and himself in a tangle of limbs and sighed. Just a kiss sounded a little too innocent, but they hadn’t done much more than that, since Blaine passed out on top of Kurt after about a half hour of heavy making out. Kurt nodded his head and Liam looked away for a moment. “Well that’s…something.” He reached forward and took a big gulp of his coffee before looking back at Kurt. “I think it’s kind of obvious what has to happen, don’t you?”

Kurt’s tongue flicked out and he wet his lips, a habit, and watched Liam. He looked tired. Kurt felt a pang of sadness for the boy. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve any of this. Kurt nodded his head once more and Liam reached forward. He squeezed Kurt’s hand for a brief moment before grabbing his cup and standing, this time much more calmly. “Goodbye, Kurt,” he said curtly before walking away and out of the coffee shop.

Kurt sat back in his chair and took a few deep breaths. He felt like he was going to break, like a thin layer of glass about to be smashed into fine shards. Kurt’s breathing hitched, and he quickly reached forward and grabbed his phone.

7:49 AM
Rachel, I need you.

7:51 AM
I just told everyone to leave. Where are you?

7:52 AM
Just stay there, I’m on my way.

Kurt got up and walked out the door before he could break down in front of everyone and climbed into his car. He put the keys in the ignition before he remembered that Rachel and Blaine live together.

7:53 AM
Wait, maybe we should meet somewhere else

7:54 AM
Sweetie, I’m home alone. But we can meet wherever you want, okay? Just tell me where to go.

7:55 AM
No, it’s fine, forget I said anything. On my way

Kurt peeled out of the parking lot and sped to the Anderson’s, hoping that Rachel really was home alone.