Oneshot Advent Calendar

December 16- Liar Liar

"So, we're taking a week off classes-" there were excited murmurs- "to learn about suicide prevention."

The class fell silent as their teacher finished. It wasn't going to be fun week off classes; it was going to be a paranoid, depressing one.

"Does anyone here have a story with depression or suicide or has lost someone to suicide that they're comfortable mentioning? You don't have to name names if you don't want to."

At first nobody responded, looking around the classroom. Then, slowly but surely, hands were raised in the air.

Kurt Hummel's hand went up without hesitation, shocking them. He was the popular kid, Blaine Anderson's boyfriend- he had a perfect life.

Apparently not.

Thad's hand went up, and they all knew what that was about; he wore the scars on his arms with confidence, and it helped other people to see him doing it. He'd made it socially acceptable in their school, "Because if someone has cuts, you ask if they're okay, but if someone has scars, you know they're okay," as he put it.

She asked a few people if they'd like to share their stories, and most of them did. "Oh, Jeff, would you like to tell us what happened?" she asked, knowing he would.

Nobody had noticed that his hand was up, as he usually raised it to the ceiling. This time, his elbow was still on his desk.

For the first time ever when called on, he hesitated.

"I... I tried to kill myself in eighth grade," he said quietly.

"Jeffrey," she said sternly.

"What? I- I did."

"Mr. Sterling, this is serious." She was irritated.

He looked stunned. "I am being serious. Eighth grade year, I atte-"

"That is it. Dean's office, now," she said furiously.

"Why are you mad at me?" he asked, distressed.

"Because this is a serious matter!"

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The class fell silent, all staring at Nick, who'd had the guts to stand up and yell at the strictest teacher in Dalton.

"Excuse me?" she asked, dangerously calm.

Nick looked her dead in the eye. "You're right. Suicide is a serious subject. Which is why he's not lying, or joking, or whatever you think he is. The Dean you're sending him to has his medical records and has been informed of it." He picked up his bag, walking over to Jeff. "Actually, you know what? Jeff, let's go to the Dean's office. I'm sure he'd love to hear about this lesson."

Without another word, they both left. Anyone who looked close enough could see that Jeff was trembling and Nick wasn't wrapping an arm around him, he was helping him walk.

-

"Nick, I thought we were going to the Dean?" Jeff asked, disoriented as they arrived at his dorm.

"Not after that panic attack. Look at you, you're still shaking. You're going to rest and I'm going to report her to the Dean," Nick said, taking Jeff's tie off for him.

"That's a good idea." As if on cue, Jeff yawned. "Can you pass me my water?"

Nick took the water glass from Jeff's bedside table, handing it to him. Then he went to the dresser to get him comfortable clothes- he wasn't going to let his boyfriend sleep in a button-up and jeans.

"You're the best," Jeff said, Nick setting his water back on the table.

He smiled, kissing Jeff on the forehead. "Well, you deserve the best."

-

The teacher looked after them as they walked out. "Who do they think they're kidding?"

"Miss, just because Jeff's a ray of sunshine now doesn't mean he always was," Thad spoke up. "People didn't always like him for being so boldly different. Why do you think he does everything he can to help other people? Because he's been there."