For some reason, after the day he sang to Kurt in Glee, Blaine is suspiciously not there, despite the steady thump of Kurt's heart and the memory of Blaine's promise. They don't see each other outside of school for weeks. Even in school, Blaine doesn't act like himself. He's too quiet and too reserved and he doesn't linger in the hallway with Rachel or his friends like he usually does. He skips Glee enough times to warrant a dressing down from Mr. Schue before rehearsal in the privacy of their teacher's office, and when Kurt texts him to ask what happened, Blaine doesn't respond at all.
Kurt stares at Blaine from across the classroom most days. He wonders what's going on in the other boy's head, wonders what had transpired to make him act so strangely. At first, Kurt thinks that Rachel is monopolizing most of Blaine's time and tiring him to a ridiculous degree, but as it turns out, that isn't the case.
"-and we haven't gone on a date in weeks," he overhears Rachel saying to Blaine in the hallway during passing period. "You didn't even eat lunch with us yesterday."
Yeah, that had been something Kurt had noticed as well.
"I just needed some peace and quiet," Blaine says with a sigh. "But Brittany came over and asked if I would help her with some history homework."
"You're avoiding me," Rachel states. "You're avoiding everyone."
"I'm just - I'm just tired, okay? I'm not avoiding anyone."
Except maybe he is, Kurt thinks from his spot at his own locker. He doesn't have much time to ponder Blaine's strange behavior in that second because, a large hand shoves him harshly against the row of metal doors. Kurt's entire body collides with the lockers and he loses his balance, tumbling to the ground. He hears laughter and the sound of hands meeting in a high five. For a few seconds, he's slightly disoriented but when he shakes his head, Blaine is suddenly there.
And he looks livid.
"Kurt," Blaine says, his eyes inspecting Kurt's face for injury, "are you okay?"
"What?" Kurt asks in reply, too stunned about the fact that Blaine's hand is on Kurt's shoulder, in front of everyone, to focus on his words.
"Karofsky!" Blaine shouts to the sea of letterman jackets sauntering down the hall.
Karofsky, along with a fair amount of other football players, turns around to see who had called after him. He smiles.
"What's up, Anderson?"
"Apologize," Blaine demands, looking taller and more authoritative than Kurt has ever seen him.
"What?" Karofsky asks, just as baffled as everyone else.
"I said apologize."
"For what?" Karofsky asks with a sadistic grin.
"For shoving Kurt," Blaine says. "But mostly just for being a dick."
The students still in the hall fall silent at Blaine's words. Even Kurt is struck mute at the command. He stares up at Blaine in shock from his place on the ground and out of the corner of his eye, he sees Rachel cover her mouth with her hand.
"What's your problem, dude?" Karofsky asks.
"My problem has to do with you and your fucking attitude, dude," Blaine snaps.
