Glee Fic - Courage to Take Control: Part 7 of 10
Media: Fic
Type: Multi-Part
Title: Courage to Take Control: 7 of 10
Rating: R
Word Count: 2,816 (this part)
Genre: General, Drama, Romantic bits
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine established and the focus; but most characters turn up
Spoilers: Nope - although obviously we’re in between s2 and s3. Suspect this might be AUish once s3 starts.
Warning: Nah I don’t reckon.
Disclaimer: I’m borrowing all the characters and universe of Glee. They’re not mine, but I’m grateful to have a little play-time with them J
Summary: Blaine wants to transfer to McKinley for senior year. He just has to convince those people closest to him that it’s a good idea. This chapter, Kurt and Blaine put their plan into action - but will it backfire in a really bad way?
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[Chapter 1] | [Chapter 2] | [Chapter 3] | [Chapter 4] | [Chapter 5] | [Chapter 6]
Chapter 7
Kurt was tense, his heartrate was up, his palms sweaty, and his breathing shallow. It was a scorcher of a day - summer really was seeming endless - and the high windows in the corridors of McKinley high seemed to make a greenhouse effect inside. They walked down the hall at a clipped pace and made their way to the courtyard - the same one where the Warblers had said goodbye to Kurt the day of his transfer back to McKinley.
Entering the courtyard, the sun was bright, but only Blaine squinted, Kurt having sensibly brought sunglasses. The concrete was baking. They were assaulted with the heat emanating from above, below and all around. It wasn’t helping Kurt’s nerves.
“Are you sure about this?” Blaine led Kurt over to a table and they sat down, both straddling the same bench facing each other. “Maybe we can just convince them…?”
“No,” Kurt shook his head. “They know about the violence in this school - they knew about the terror that I suffered thanks to David - and they never did anything anywhere near enough to address it. It always came back down to them not having proof,” Kurt spat out the last word. “So we’ll give them proof, and we’ll make them commit to doing something about it.”
“But what if…?” Blaine looked afraid now, his lip starting to quiver in a nervous tic, his quickening pulse visible via the artery bobbing up and down on his neck. “I mean…”
“I know. I’m scared too,” Kurt said quietly, his mouth dry. “We’re essentially going to bait a group of low-achieving Neanderthals, who will already be cranky due to being here in summer school, into bullying us.” He took a long shaky breath and grabbed both Blaine’s hands, squeezing hard. “But David won’t let them get physical. I know it.”
“I can’t believe we’re relying on the sensibilities of the guy who threatened to kill you last year.” Blaine glanced at the door where they expected the group to emerge in a matter of minutes. “Kurt maybe we’re crazy. Dealing with the real world is one thing, looking for trouble… this doesn’t seem like a smart or mature plan…”
“Blaine,” Kurt said firmly. “Do you want to transfer to McKinley?”
Blaine nodded.
“This is the best way to make it happen. And we’ll be safe because David won’t let them do anything too bad; and even if it gets out of hand, Mr Schue and Ms Pillsbury will have to traverse the courtyard to get to Principal Figgins’ office so they’ll be able to break it up, right?”
“Ok,” Blaine straightened his back, correcting his posture. “We’re either really brave or out of our minds, but if this works it will have been worth it.”
“Exactly,” Kurt murmured, moving in slightly, “now c’mere.”
Their lips met hesitantly, the heightened nerves making the kiss awkward like none of their previous kisses have ever been. They wanted to enjoy it, enjoy the smell, taste, touch of their bodies together - but when you have to have one eye on the look-out for trouble (even if this time it’s to attract it, not to avoid it), then you can never really let go. Still, they found comfort and strength in each other, their hands clutching at each other’s waist, stroking soothingly, kneading at the clothes that were hanging limply, slightly damp with the humidity of the day.
After only a couple of minutes they heard the door to the building open. Kurt directed one eye to the door to check it was the summer school guys. He had calculated they would need to continue kissing for a couple of seconds, just to make sure that everyone had seem them. They would then snap back from each other, slide apart and re-arrange themselves to make it seem like they were trying to pretend nothing had been happening.
It only took five seconds for Azimo to see them kissing and let out a jeering snort to attract the others’ attention. Kurt took that as the cue and sprang back from Blaine, swivelling on the bench to face the table where he pulled a book from his satchel and pretended to read. Blaine had also snapped back, and had slid to the other end of the bench where he was now pretending to be texting on his phone.
“Oy, Faggots!” Azimo shouted, leading a group of six boys across the courtyard, Karofsky straggling a bit behind. “What makes you think you’re allowed to do that on school grounds? Hell, it should be fucking illegal everywhere, but we definitely don’t want your gay infecting the school as well - there’s already one too many gay kids here.” Azimo was now standing right in front of Kurt, and lashed out an arm, swiping Kurt’s sunglasses off his head, throwing them to the ground and stomping them.”
“You’re going to pay for those - and they weren’t cheap,” Kurt said evenly, his voice stronger than he felt.
“Oh yeah?” Azimo laughed and some of the guys with him did as well. “Hear that boys? Ladyboy here thinks I’m gonna pay for his gay sunglasses.” He leant forward, acrid breath making Kurt’s nose curl, “I’m not gonna pay for anything,” he breathed. “I’m gonna make you pay for being in my face.” Azimo pulled Kurt up by the lapels of his shirt, and one of the others grabbed Blaine, doing the same thing.
They threw both boys to the ground roughly and held them there. Blaine cried out more in fear than in pain while Kurt thrashed his legs, trying to kick Azimo where he knew it would hurt.
“I’m gonna make that pretty girly face look like it should, Hummel,” Azimo said clearly, “then maybe you’ll stop being such a little bitch.” He raised his fist, the hate and anger in his eyes petrifying Kurt so that he cried out.
Suddenly, Karofsky yelled out: “Guys, wait,” his voice yelped. The others all turned to look at him. “Do you want detention before the school year’s even started?” Karofsky said, veins popping out of his neck, “Do we want to lose the rest of what little summer we’ve been able to have in between summer classes? I sure don’t - as much as I would like to teach these fags a lesson,” he added. “Let them go - not here at school; not when Mr Schofield will be wandering outside with his lunch and pipe at any moment. It’s not worth it.”
Azimo growled angrily, but stood up, leaning his weight on Kurt heavily as he did so, sure to leave a large bruise on his torso. The other boy did the same to Blaine as he got up and joined the others as they started to walk away.
“Fuck of faggots,” Azimo said over his shoulder as they walked up onto the concrete steps. “Before I change my mind.”
Kurt and Blaine scrambled to their feet, gathered their belongings, and moved across the courtyard into the administrative building.
Once inside, the relative quiet without the sounds of nature and the nearby freeway washed over them. They both leant against the door they’d just closed behind them and sank down into the floor and each other.
“Fuck.” Blaine said, after a moment.
“Are you ok?” Kurt whispered, his voice shaky as he was close to tears.
Blaine didn’t say anything, but reached for his phone out of his pocket, and pressed ‘play’ in the voice memo app. He listened, grimacing several times as the scene was played back to them with stark clarity. When the recording stopped, he let out a long breath and looked at Kurt. “Yes. Because we’ve got what we need. They won’t be able to hurt either of us again.”
Kurt turned and held Blaine tightly, his head buried in Blaine’s neck and Blaine’s in his, both their eyes squeezed shut. When both their breathing had returned to normal, they stood up and walked down the hall, hands close but not intertwined.
“How are we going for time?” Blaine asked, focussing on the plan.
“It’s nearly 1pm - we’re right on time,” Kurt glanced at his watch and then at Blaine. “Do you think your parents will be on time?”
“Yes,” Blaine said. “My dad always blocks out from 1-2pm for racquetball so he had the time spare and will be here by 1.30, just like we told them.”
“Giving us enough time first to get the ball rolling,” Kurt completed Blaine’s thought as they rounded the final corner and approached the Principal’s office.
Kurt saw with surprise that Mr Schuester and Ms Pillsbury were already there - he gulped slightly as he realised how lucky he and Blaine had been in the courtyard that Karofsky had called off the others before they really got hurt. He also saw that Ms Sylvester was in the office - in fact, even through the glass windows he could hear her.
“Of course I have to be here Will,” she was saying, “when the three of you get together stupid ideas become a painful and embarrassing reality for this school. I’m just making sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Sue,” Principal Figgins objected, “what could possibly come of a meeting with a potential transfer student’s parents - other than that student’s transfer?”
“Oh I don’t know, a decree on perms and hair product I’m sure, given the kid clearly uses the same hairdresser as Will,” Sue looked through the windows to where Kurt and Blaine were standing, the two of them suddenly looking as if they’ve been caught out.
Kurt shook off the shock and pushed through the doors into the office, Blaine following behind him.
“Kurt? Blaine?” Will asked, confused. “What are you both doing here? And where are your parents, Blaine? The meeting is meant to be with you and your parents only.”
“Principal Figgins,” Blaine ignored Will for the moment and stepped forward to the Principal’s desk, extending his hand to shake it. Principal Figgins looked surprised and confused at such a civilised gesture from a student, but took Blaine’s hand. “My parents will be here in just under half an hour - I apologise for the delay.” Blaine stepped back from the desk again and looked to all those present in the room. “There is something that you need to hear first anyway.”
As Blaine played the voice memo, Emma’s hand flew to her mouth and she squeaked one or two times as they could hear the roughness of the jocks’ actions and threats towards the boys. Will looked grim, closed his eyes and sighed heavily, hanging his head slightly. Sue’s face was stony, as was Principal Figgins’.
“What does this mean?” Principal Figgins was the first to speak, following a long silence.
“I means,” Kurt hissed, “that you have a serious problem at this school.” He glanced at Sue. “You said you needed evidence to act? Here’s your evidence. These guys are dangerous, and a hair’s breadth away from assaulting or killing a student - and it’s not just me. They torment and attack gay and straight people indiscriminately - everyone’s just too afraid to report it. I don’t want you to take them to task for what just happened there - all that would do would be to make them hate us even more. But you’re going to make changes - you’re going to stop this kind of thing from happening. At. All.”
“It’s not that simple, Hummel,” Principal Figgins explained. “I sympathise with your situation but every school has bullies - and no school is capable of eliminating them totally.”
“Uh actually, sir,” Blaine raised his eyebrows. “Dalton Academy has a zero-tolerance no-bullying policy that works quite well. Any student caught bullying another is instantly suspended for a month; and if they ever do it again, instantly expelled.”
Sue, who had been looking at Kurt and Blaine with a calculating look in her eye, seemed to come to a decision of sorts. “A law and order platform,” she said, nodding. “You’re a smart one, Curly.”
“You approve of this Sue?” Principal Figgins asked, not surprised, so much, but perplexed.
“I said when I was principal that I would not allow one student to threaten the life of another.” Sue turned to Principal Figgins, her tone raw and clear. “I expelled that Karofsky kid for threatening Porcelain’s life - but I was overruled. This school needs a zero-tolerance no-bullying policy to keep the students from turning to savages.”
“You do realise you’d need to lead an example, Sue,” Emma spoke for the first time. “A no-bullying policy means no bullying.”
“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Smurfette,” Sue growled, “but if it makes you feel better I promise to stop spitting in your little perfect packed lunches every morning.”
Emma looked like she was about the throw up, but just meeped and stayed quiet.
“Well, Principal Figgins?” Kurt brought everyone’s attention back to the issue at hand, standing with his hand on his hip, eyes boring into the principal.
“Ok, we’ll have a new policy.” Principal Figgins acquiesced.
Blaine smiled at Kurt, but Kurt didn’t smile back.
“Not good enough - it needs to be endorsed, recognised, and then actively promoted the first week back at school.” Kurt said. “Otherwise the school board or superintendent could overturn any future decisions.” He and Blaine had done their homework well in preparation for the meeting. “A PTA meeting should do,” he pulled a bunch of papers out of his satchel and placed them on the desk, “and this is the document they need to endorse. It’s a modified version of the Dalton Academy policy.”
Principal Figgins just nodded, but it was enough to satisfy Kurt for the moment. He glanced at his watch. It was nearly 1.30. He needed to leave before Blaine’s parents arrived, and Blaine needed to meet his parents out front.
“I expect to hear from my Dad that the PTA meeting has been called by the end of this week,” Kurt said briskly. “Otherwise the police and media will be hearing about how I’ve reported this kind of abuse from guys like Azimo for almost a year, but you have failed to do anything.”
With that, he turned and headed to the door, head held high and a grin forming on his face.
“Sir,” Blaine shook Principal Figgins’ hand again. “My parents should be arriving soon - I’ll return with them. Their main interests when it comes to my transfer are its academic credentials and safety record. I transferred out of the public system due to bullying, and they will be very impressed to hear about the zero-tolerance no bullying policy that you intend to put in place in the Fall. And I’m sure, with my return to the public system, that my father would be pleased to return to spending his money on donations to the school I’m attending for the benefit of all students; and not on my individual tuition fees.”
He nodded politely to Will, Emma and Sue and then followed Kurt out into the hall.
“Hey guys - wait,” Will came rushing out of the Principal’s office after them.
“Yes Mr Schue?” Kurt asked innocently.
“That was a very dangerous thing you did,” he whispered loudly at them, grabbing Kurt’s arm. “I know you want Blaine to transfer but what you did was close to entrapment and could have got you both seriously injured.”
“So what, now you care about my safety?” Kurt’s nostrils flared and he spat a little as he snapped at Mr Schue. “It didn’t stop when I came back, you know,” he said angrily, “the feeling of being constantly threatened, in danger. It’s never going to stop unless people are made accountable for their actions.”
“I always cared Kurt,” Will said, “I just…”
“You just didn’t care enough to make it right,” Kurt said, brushing Will’s hand off his arm. “So now we’re making it right - doing what you should have done. And I expect your full support, and for you to promise to Blaine’s parents that you will personally see to it that this school is safe for him.
Kurt linked his arm with Blaine’s and turned them both around so they could walk away from Will. As they walked out to the parking lot, they saw Blaine’s parents arriving. Kurt smiled at Blaine, squeezing his hand, and headed to his car to let the Andersons go into the meeting as a family. Just before they went inside the building, Blaine glanced over to Kurt, who was now in his car, and smiled hopefully. Kurt smiled back, confident and assured that their plan would work.
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[Chapter 8]
Author’s note: Yes it was a bloody stupid idea to bait a pack of bullies, but they’re teenage boys and their hearts were in the right place. Next time, we see some others’ reactions to Kurt and Blaine’s plan.
Type: Multi-Part
Title: Courage to Take Control: 7 of 10
Rating: R
Word Count: 2,816 (this part)
Genre: General, Drama, Romantic bits
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine established and the focus; but most characters turn up
Spoilers: Nope - although obviously we’re in between s2 and s3. Suspect this might be AUish once s3 starts.
Warning: Nah I don’t reckon.
Disclaimer: I’m borrowing all the characters and universe of Glee. They’re not mine, but I’m grateful to have a little play-time with them J
Summary: Blaine wants to transfer to McKinley for senior year. He just has to convince those people closest to him that it’s a good idea. This chapter, Kurt and Blaine put their plan into action - but will it backfire in a really bad way?
-------------------
[Chapter 1] | [Chapter 2] | [Chapter 3] | [Chapter 4] | [Chapter 5] | [Chapter 6]
Chapter 7
Kurt was tense, his heartrate was up, his palms sweaty, and his breathing shallow. It was a scorcher of a day - summer really was seeming endless - and the high windows in the corridors of McKinley high seemed to make a greenhouse effect inside. They walked down the hall at a clipped pace and made their way to the courtyard - the same one where the Warblers had said goodbye to Kurt the day of his transfer back to McKinley.
Entering the courtyard, the sun was bright, but only Blaine squinted, Kurt having sensibly brought sunglasses. The concrete was baking. They were assaulted with the heat emanating from above, below and all around. It wasn’t helping Kurt’s nerves.
“Are you sure about this?” Blaine led Kurt over to a table and they sat down, both straddling the same bench facing each other. “Maybe we can just convince them…?”
“No,” Kurt shook his head. “They know about the violence in this school - they knew about the terror that I suffered thanks to David - and they never did anything anywhere near enough to address it. It always came back down to them not having proof,” Kurt spat out the last word. “So we’ll give them proof, and we’ll make them commit to doing something about it.”
“But what if…?” Blaine looked afraid now, his lip starting to quiver in a nervous tic, his quickening pulse visible via the artery bobbing up and down on his neck. “I mean…”
“I know. I’m scared too,” Kurt said quietly, his mouth dry. “We’re essentially going to bait a group of low-achieving Neanderthals, who will already be cranky due to being here in summer school, into bullying us.” He took a long shaky breath and grabbed both Blaine’s hands, squeezing hard. “But David won’t let them get physical. I know it.”
“I can’t believe we’re relying on the sensibilities of the guy who threatened to kill you last year.” Blaine glanced at the door where they expected the group to emerge in a matter of minutes. “Kurt maybe we’re crazy. Dealing with the real world is one thing, looking for trouble… this doesn’t seem like a smart or mature plan…”
“Blaine,” Kurt said firmly. “Do you want to transfer to McKinley?”
Blaine nodded.
“This is the best way to make it happen. And we’ll be safe because David won’t let them do anything too bad; and even if it gets out of hand, Mr Schue and Ms Pillsbury will have to traverse the courtyard to get to Principal Figgins’ office so they’ll be able to break it up, right?”
“Ok,” Blaine straightened his back, correcting his posture. “We’re either really brave or out of our minds, but if this works it will have been worth it.”
“Exactly,” Kurt murmured, moving in slightly, “now c’mere.”
Their lips met hesitantly, the heightened nerves making the kiss awkward like none of their previous kisses have ever been. They wanted to enjoy it, enjoy the smell, taste, touch of their bodies together - but when you have to have one eye on the look-out for trouble (even if this time it’s to attract it, not to avoid it), then you can never really let go. Still, they found comfort and strength in each other, their hands clutching at each other’s waist, stroking soothingly, kneading at the clothes that were hanging limply, slightly damp with the humidity of the day.
After only a couple of minutes they heard the door to the building open. Kurt directed one eye to the door to check it was the summer school guys. He had calculated they would need to continue kissing for a couple of seconds, just to make sure that everyone had seem them. They would then snap back from each other, slide apart and re-arrange themselves to make it seem like they were trying to pretend nothing had been happening.
It only took five seconds for Azimo to see them kissing and let out a jeering snort to attract the others’ attention. Kurt took that as the cue and sprang back from Blaine, swivelling on the bench to face the table where he pulled a book from his satchel and pretended to read. Blaine had also snapped back, and had slid to the other end of the bench where he was now pretending to be texting on his phone.
“Oy, Faggots!” Azimo shouted, leading a group of six boys across the courtyard, Karofsky straggling a bit behind. “What makes you think you’re allowed to do that on school grounds? Hell, it should be fucking illegal everywhere, but we definitely don’t want your gay infecting the school as well - there’s already one too many gay kids here.” Azimo was now standing right in front of Kurt, and lashed out an arm, swiping Kurt’s sunglasses off his head, throwing them to the ground and stomping them.”
“You’re going to pay for those - and they weren’t cheap,” Kurt said evenly, his voice stronger than he felt.
“Oh yeah?” Azimo laughed and some of the guys with him did as well. “Hear that boys? Ladyboy here thinks I’m gonna pay for his gay sunglasses.” He leant forward, acrid breath making Kurt’s nose curl, “I’m not gonna pay for anything,” he breathed. “I’m gonna make you pay for being in my face.” Azimo pulled Kurt up by the lapels of his shirt, and one of the others grabbed Blaine, doing the same thing.
They threw both boys to the ground roughly and held them there. Blaine cried out more in fear than in pain while Kurt thrashed his legs, trying to kick Azimo where he knew it would hurt.
“I’m gonna make that pretty girly face look like it should, Hummel,” Azimo said clearly, “then maybe you’ll stop being such a little bitch.” He raised his fist, the hate and anger in his eyes petrifying Kurt so that he cried out.
Suddenly, Karofsky yelled out: “Guys, wait,” his voice yelped. The others all turned to look at him. “Do you want detention before the school year’s even started?” Karofsky said, veins popping out of his neck, “Do we want to lose the rest of what little summer we’ve been able to have in between summer classes? I sure don’t - as much as I would like to teach these fags a lesson,” he added. “Let them go - not here at school; not when Mr Schofield will be wandering outside with his lunch and pipe at any moment. It’s not worth it.”
Azimo growled angrily, but stood up, leaning his weight on Kurt heavily as he did so, sure to leave a large bruise on his torso. The other boy did the same to Blaine as he got up and joined the others as they started to walk away.
“Fuck of faggots,” Azimo said over his shoulder as they walked up onto the concrete steps. “Before I change my mind.”
Kurt and Blaine scrambled to their feet, gathered their belongings, and moved across the courtyard into the administrative building.
Once inside, the relative quiet without the sounds of nature and the nearby freeway washed over them. They both leant against the door they’d just closed behind them and sank down into the floor and each other.
“Fuck.” Blaine said, after a moment.
“Are you ok?” Kurt whispered, his voice shaky as he was close to tears.
Blaine didn’t say anything, but reached for his phone out of his pocket, and pressed ‘play’ in the voice memo app. He listened, grimacing several times as the scene was played back to them with stark clarity. When the recording stopped, he let out a long breath and looked at Kurt. “Yes. Because we’ve got what we need. They won’t be able to hurt either of us again.”
Kurt turned and held Blaine tightly, his head buried in Blaine’s neck and Blaine’s in his, both their eyes squeezed shut. When both their breathing had returned to normal, they stood up and walked down the hall, hands close but not intertwined.
“How are we going for time?” Blaine asked, focussing on the plan.
“It’s nearly 1pm - we’re right on time,” Kurt glanced at his watch and then at Blaine. “Do you think your parents will be on time?”
“Yes,” Blaine said. “My dad always blocks out from 1-2pm for racquetball so he had the time spare and will be here by 1.30, just like we told them.”
“Giving us enough time first to get the ball rolling,” Kurt completed Blaine’s thought as they rounded the final corner and approached the Principal’s office.
Kurt saw with surprise that Mr Schuester and Ms Pillsbury were already there - he gulped slightly as he realised how lucky he and Blaine had been in the courtyard that Karofsky had called off the others before they really got hurt. He also saw that Ms Sylvester was in the office - in fact, even through the glass windows he could hear her.
“Of course I have to be here Will,” she was saying, “when the three of you get together stupid ideas become a painful and embarrassing reality for this school. I’m just making sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Sue,” Principal Figgins objected, “what could possibly come of a meeting with a potential transfer student’s parents - other than that student’s transfer?”
“Oh I don’t know, a decree on perms and hair product I’m sure, given the kid clearly uses the same hairdresser as Will,” Sue looked through the windows to where Kurt and Blaine were standing, the two of them suddenly looking as if they’ve been caught out.
Kurt shook off the shock and pushed through the doors into the office, Blaine following behind him.
“Kurt? Blaine?” Will asked, confused. “What are you both doing here? And where are your parents, Blaine? The meeting is meant to be with you and your parents only.”
“Principal Figgins,” Blaine ignored Will for the moment and stepped forward to the Principal’s desk, extending his hand to shake it. Principal Figgins looked surprised and confused at such a civilised gesture from a student, but took Blaine’s hand. “My parents will be here in just under half an hour - I apologise for the delay.” Blaine stepped back from the desk again and looked to all those present in the room. “There is something that you need to hear first anyway.”
As Blaine played the voice memo, Emma’s hand flew to her mouth and she squeaked one or two times as they could hear the roughness of the jocks’ actions and threats towards the boys. Will looked grim, closed his eyes and sighed heavily, hanging his head slightly. Sue’s face was stony, as was Principal Figgins’.
“What does this mean?” Principal Figgins was the first to speak, following a long silence.
“I means,” Kurt hissed, “that you have a serious problem at this school.” He glanced at Sue. “You said you needed evidence to act? Here’s your evidence. These guys are dangerous, and a hair’s breadth away from assaulting or killing a student - and it’s not just me. They torment and attack gay and straight people indiscriminately - everyone’s just too afraid to report it. I don’t want you to take them to task for what just happened there - all that would do would be to make them hate us even more. But you’re going to make changes - you’re going to stop this kind of thing from happening. At. All.”
“It’s not that simple, Hummel,” Principal Figgins explained. “I sympathise with your situation but every school has bullies - and no school is capable of eliminating them totally.”
“Uh actually, sir,” Blaine raised his eyebrows. “Dalton Academy has a zero-tolerance no-bullying policy that works quite well. Any student caught bullying another is instantly suspended for a month; and if they ever do it again, instantly expelled.”
Sue, who had been looking at Kurt and Blaine with a calculating look in her eye, seemed to come to a decision of sorts. “A law and order platform,” she said, nodding. “You’re a smart one, Curly.”
“You approve of this Sue?” Principal Figgins asked, not surprised, so much, but perplexed.
“I said when I was principal that I would not allow one student to threaten the life of another.” Sue turned to Principal Figgins, her tone raw and clear. “I expelled that Karofsky kid for threatening Porcelain’s life - but I was overruled. This school needs a zero-tolerance no-bullying policy to keep the students from turning to savages.”
“You do realise you’d need to lead an example, Sue,” Emma spoke for the first time. “A no-bullying policy means no bullying.”
“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Smurfette,” Sue growled, “but if it makes you feel better I promise to stop spitting in your little perfect packed lunches every morning.”
Emma looked like she was about the throw up, but just meeped and stayed quiet.
“Well, Principal Figgins?” Kurt brought everyone’s attention back to the issue at hand, standing with his hand on his hip, eyes boring into the principal.
“Ok, we’ll have a new policy.” Principal Figgins acquiesced.
Blaine smiled at Kurt, but Kurt didn’t smile back.
“Not good enough - it needs to be endorsed, recognised, and then actively promoted the first week back at school.” Kurt said. “Otherwise the school board or superintendent could overturn any future decisions.” He and Blaine had done their homework well in preparation for the meeting. “A PTA meeting should do,” he pulled a bunch of papers out of his satchel and placed them on the desk, “and this is the document they need to endorse. It’s a modified version of the Dalton Academy policy.”
Principal Figgins just nodded, but it was enough to satisfy Kurt for the moment. He glanced at his watch. It was nearly 1.30. He needed to leave before Blaine’s parents arrived, and Blaine needed to meet his parents out front.
“I expect to hear from my Dad that the PTA meeting has been called by the end of this week,” Kurt said briskly. “Otherwise the police and media will be hearing about how I’ve reported this kind of abuse from guys like Azimo for almost a year, but you have failed to do anything.”
With that, he turned and headed to the door, head held high and a grin forming on his face.
“Sir,” Blaine shook Principal Figgins’ hand again. “My parents should be arriving soon - I’ll return with them. Their main interests when it comes to my transfer are its academic credentials and safety record. I transferred out of the public system due to bullying, and they will be very impressed to hear about the zero-tolerance no bullying policy that you intend to put in place in the Fall. And I’m sure, with my return to the public system, that my father would be pleased to return to spending his money on donations to the school I’m attending for the benefit of all students; and not on my individual tuition fees.”
He nodded politely to Will, Emma and Sue and then followed Kurt out into the hall.
“Hey guys - wait,” Will came rushing out of the Principal’s office after them.
“Yes Mr Schue?” Kurt asked innocently.
“That was a very dangerous thing you did,” he whispered loudly at them, grabbing Kurt’s arm. “I know you want Blaine to transfer but what you did was close to entrapment and could have got you both seriously injured.”
“So what, now you care about my safety?” Kurt’s nostrils flared and he spat a little as he snapped at Mr Schue. “It didn’t stop when I came back, you know,” he said angrily, “the feeling of being constantly threatened, in danger. It’s never going to stop unless people are made accountable for their actions.”
“I always cared Kurt,” Will said, “I just…”
“You just didn’t care enough to make it right,” Kurt said, brushing Will’s hand off his arm. “So now we’re making it right - doing what you should have done. And I expect your full support, and for you to promise to Blaine’s parents that you will personally see to it that this school is safe for him.
Kurt linked his arm with Blaine’s and turned them both around so they could walk away from Will. As they walked out to the parking lot, they saw Blaine’s parents arriving. Kurt smiled at Blaine, squeezing his hand, and headed to his car to let the Andersons go into the meeting as a family. Just before they went inside the building, Blaine glanced over to Kurt, who was now in his car, and smiled hopefully. Kurt smiled back, confident and assured that their plan would work.
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[Chapter 8]
Author’s note: Yes it was a bloody stupid idea to bait a pack of bullies, but they’re teenage boys and their hearts were in the right place. Next time, we see some others’ reactions to Kurt and Blaine’s plan.