Chapter Text
There were rules at McKinley High School, rules that defined your place on a social pyramid.
Football players and Cheerios were at the top of the social hierarchy. They were the prom kings and queens, the people who you wouldn’t dare look in the eye, who get away with anything.
The other sports teams were next. They were popular enough to not get shitted on by others, but not important. At least, not important enough to be noticed or…wanted.
And now we come to the bottom of our pyramid:
The Glee Club.
Everyone knew they were freaks and outcasts. “Gay”. Just walking down the hall was a suicide mission for a glee club member. They had it bad, but you want to know who had it the worst? Kurt Hummel.
He was the only openly gay kid in the entire school. Everyday, he was getting shoved into lockers, getting an ice cold slushy thrown in his face, and maybe even worse. 90% of his harassment was by David Karofsky.
“Get out of my way, lady-face.” Karofsky shoved Kurt into the nearest locker and began to walk away — which is the smallest of harassment Kurt could face from the burlier man.
“God, what is your problem?!” Kurt shouted in retaliation. He never, ever really stood up to his bullies like this. The moment he spoke his words, part of him regretted it immediately. The other part of him stood tall, scared out of his mind, but he wanted to feel brave. Brave enough to maybe give courage to someone watching.
”What did you say to me.” Karofsky turned around immediately and slowly walked back to him, clenching his fists.
”I said what’s your problem. Do you get some high out of pushing me around, hell, harassing me?!” The rise and fall of Kurt’s chest was heavy. He was scared. He knew what Karofsky could do.
”Do not push me, Hummel. I can do a lot more than just push you around.” He barked. Karofsky slammed the side of his fist into the locker. A few people around them began staring and whispering. A small crowd beginning to form.
“Oh- what? You gonna hit me, Karofsky? Well, go ahead cause you may not like who I am, but there is nothing, nothing you could do will ever change who I am. You can’t punch the gay out of me any more than I could punch the ignoramus out of you!” Kurt shouted, pointing his finger right in Karofskys face.
Karofsky grabbed Kurt by the collar. “You- you f@g!” He shouted and shoved Kurt into the locker way harder.
Kurt froze. That word.
F@g.
Kids didn’t use slurs when referring to him, just called him derogatory terms like “Lady”, “Lady Lips”, or “Fancy”. They didn’t use slurs, not usually.
Kurt felt the hard, cold impact of the lockers on his back and head. It stung, and then began to ache. Part of him wanted to hit back, but he knew better. He knew Karofsky was a bigger guy— a football player. Kurt opened his mouth to speak, but a voice from down the hall called out.
”HEY! What the hell is going on down there?!” Coach Beiste’s voice was strident and rang through the halls. Both Karofsky and Kurt looked his way. Karofsky immediately put his hands up and back away from Kurt. If it weren’t for Coach Beiste, Kurt would’ve faced more than just a hard shove.
”David Karofsky. Principal Sylvesters office, now.” Beiste demanded.
Karofsky wasn’t the smartest man, but he sure knew that if he talked back to his Coach, he’d be off the team in a heartbeat. “Fine. I’m not done with you, Lady.” He warned.
Coach Beiste turned to Kurt and took a slow step towards him. “Hey, Kurt, you alright?” He knew Kurt wasn’t okay, but felt compelled to ask.
Kurt couldn’t form any words. He was afraid. All he could do was nod “no” as tears formed in his eyes.
“Okay, let’s go to the office. Or, you want to get Mr. Schue?” Coach Beiste offered with a gentle hand on Kurt’s shoulder. He nodded quickly.
Sylvesters office…
“Porcelain, you go first. What happened?” Sue asked, monotone.
”He just…” Kurt paused and looked at Karofsky who was staring at his hands. “He shoved me into the locker, I stood up to him, and he shoved me harder. That’s all.” Kurt spoke softly, his voice cracking slightly. He’d rather die than say what he was called.
”No, no. That ain’t all.” Beiste interjected. “He called you a f- the f slur. I heard it.” He admitted.
Sue looked at Karofsky, then Kurt. “Karofsky, you are hereby suspended for the harassment of other students.” She stated simply.
”Woah, what? I don’t even get a chance to defend myself?!” Karofksy immediately perked up to object.
”If I may, Sue,” Will spoke. “Karofsky, you have been harassing Kurt for weeks now. I don’t think it’s fair for you to get a say in this.”
“What?! Come on! That’s not true at all! Okay, well maybe it’s a little true but Principal Sylvester, I won’t do it again! Hear me out here!” Karofsky pleaded.
”No. You are suspended for 2 weeks. When you come back, I’ll let Beiste decide whether you stay on the team or not. Now get the hell out of my office.” Sue was serious. She didn’t bluff ever. Karofsky scoffed and stormed out of her office. Her eyes flickered back at Kurt.
”Thank you, Coach.” Kurt said thankfully, wiping a tear from his face.
”It’s no problem, Porcelain. I may hate the glee club and do everything in my power to take it down, but I am truly sorry for you.” Sue spoke sincerely. “Now get out of my office. All of you.”
As the three walked out of Sylvester’s office, they parted ways with Coach Beiste. Will put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder and stopped him halfway down the hall.
“Hey, Kurt, I am really sorry about everything. Today, in glee club, our new club member will be joining us and i’ve already decided…There’s gonna be a duet competition.” He smiled at Kurt, who didn’t reciprocate.
“Sorry…thought it would maybe have cheered you up.” Schue took his hand away and put it in his pocket as they continued to walk.
”No, it’s okay. Just a little riled up from all that. I’ll see you at glee club later.” Kurt waved and walked away as Will stopped at his office entryway.
Kurt couldn’t help but wonder what this new kid would be like. His mind drifted off to all sorts of possibilities and it slowly became a nice distraction from Karofsky torment.
Glee club…
Kurt and his beloved friend, Mercedes Jones, walked into the choir room together per usual. She and the rest of the club had heard about what happened with Karofsky and were full of worry.
”You sure you okay? I’m really sorry that happened, Kurt.” She frowned.
”It’s alright. Just hope it’s not any worse when he comes back.” Kurt assured. He didn’t say it, but deep down he was afraid that after this, he’d face much worse torment from other football players. He didn’t even want to think about how Karofsky would treat him when he returned from suspension.
Rachel spotted the two immediately and practically ran to them from her seat next to Finn. “Hey, Kurt, how are you doing?” She and Kurt were friends…sort of.
“I’m doing alright, Rach, thank you.” He smiled at her, then glanced at the rest of the club. “Does…everyone know?”
”Yes. We were all tragically informed and if you need anything from anyone, we are here for you.” She smiled at him and then walked back to her seat, her back tall and confident.
As everyone else filed into their seats, Mr. Schue came to the front of the choir room soon after. “Alright everyone! Today we welcome our newest member: Sam Evans!”
In jogged a tall, blond boy with green eyes. He had larger than normal mouth which stood out. He was dorky looking. Sam struck Kurt immediately. Kurt thought he was cute. Not even cute, but pretty. He immediately fixed his posture(though there wasn’t much to be fixed…)
Wow.
Kurt thought. He felt starstruck at the mere sight of this boy.
“Hi everybody, I’m Sam! Sam I am, and I don’t like green eggs and ham.” He joked with a small, soft chuckle to himself.
”Oh, wow, he has no game.” Santana commented. Sam ended up ignoring her comment and walked to sit down in a random seat.
Kurt studied the back of sam’s head… His hair mostly. Then, nudged Mercedes, gaze on the back of Sam’s hair, and whispered “Psst. He’s on team gay. No straight boy dyes his hair to look like Linda Evangelista circa 1993.”
Mercedes tilted her head in consideration as she looked at the back of Sam’s head. “You’re crazy, circa 2010.” She said simply.
Mr. Schue had been instructing that the lesson for the week was duets. “So, this week, I want you to pair up and sing a duet. And since all you guys seemed to love our little Defying Gravity diva-off, I’m making this a competition.”
”What does the winner get?” Mike Chang asked.
”Dinner for two, on me, at Breadstix.”
Everyone collectively cheered at his genius idea like he had just gave them the chance to be given God himself. Kurt was too focused on thinking about how he could win over Sam Evans to sing with him. After everyone settled down, the rest of the club went as normal. When rehearsal ended, however, Sam walked to his locker to exchange items for his next class. Kurt found him soon after.
”Hi. I’m Kurt Hummel.” He said with a wide grin and extended his hand boldly. Sam shook it without a word and turned back to his locker.
“I just wanted to personally welcome you to the glee club.” Kurt smiled awkwardly for a second whilst nodding his head. He kept glancing from his clearly bleach-blond hair and his face. “Just tell me.” He paused upon seeing Sam’s confused expression and took a step closer.
Kurt squinted his eyes, trying to read him. Alas, he failed. “Look, maybe at your old school, you could get away with the whole “I just stayed in the sun all summer” excuse, but I have three gifts: my voice, my ability to spot trends in men’s fashion, and the ability to know when it comes from a bottle.” He was surely set on the fact that Sam Evans dyed his hair.
“I don’t dye my hair dude.”
“Yes you do. But it’s just between friends. That’s not natural.”
”I’m gonna go…cause you’re kinda freaking me out…” Sam said shyly as he creeped away.
”Wait, maybe my instincts were a little off. Let me make it up to you! Team up with me for the competition.” Kurt offered enthusiastically. “Listen unless you team up with Rachel, I am your best bet at winning.”
”Aren't duets supposed to be between, like, a girl and a guy?” Sam asked curiously. Somewhere in his mind, he was really considering Kurt’s offer.
“Gene Kelly and Donald O’Konnor would protest.” He joked with a smile however Sam just shook his head with a soft “sorry.” “Make em laugh? Singin in the Rain, 1952? Nothing. Maybe you are straight…”
”What?” Sam only actually caught the last part before stopping and turning to him.
”Nothing. Rent it and then look up the menu for Breadstix online and call me because we are gonna win this.” Kurt swore as he walked away from Sam who was seemingly on board with his idea.
Kurt was too engulfed in his thoughts to notice how Finn caught a glimpse of their conversation. He stopped walking, taking in what he saw.
In Finn’s mind, he could only see what was best for Sam…or so he thought. Okay, maybe, he was doing it for the team.
“No way. I- I can’t let that happen. What about the team?” Finn said to himself. He hurried to catch up with Sam instead of Kurt. “That’s like asking to be killed…”
“Hey, dude! What was- What were you two talking about?” Finn asked him, trying his very best to not sound…weirded out.
“With Kurt? He had asked me about the duet competition…Why do you care?” Sam stopped walking to face Finn.
“Do you have a problem with me singing my duet with Kurt?” Sam got defensive quite fast for a boy so calm.
Finn’s face flushed a faint red from flusteredness and slight humiliation. “No! Why- why would you think that? Just wondering is all! Jesus, I’m not like one of those people who shit on dudes who, like, sing with other dudes, or whatever, I don’t know!” He lost his composure somewhere in his rambling.
“So, why do you care? I mean, if you wanted to sing a duet with him, you should’ve just asked him.” Sam paused.
“Plus, I haven’t agreed yet.”
Finn’s breath caught before letting out a major sigh of relief. He only wanted what was best for the team.
And Sam too.
***
The lunch bell eventually rang and kids poured out of their classes to make their way to the cafeteria. Kurt strutted to the lunch line…however Finn came up behind him.
“You can’t do this to him.” Finn stated simply, following behind Kurt.
“You’re overreacting.”
“If he sings with you, you’re painting a bullseye on his back!”
“Once again, your closeted homophobia seeps to the surface like the contents of a cracked cesspool.” Kurt didn’t look Finn in the eye.
He couldn’t bring himself to do so. I mean, what if Finn is right?
“Don’t give me that, ” Finn said it like Kurt was overreacting. “Look, I know I shouldn’t have used that word in your basement, but it’s not like you were innocent.” His voice got softer as they went down the lunch line.
Part of Finn hated to say this because he really did like being around Kurt and cherished their friendship.
“I really like you, Kurt. But the fact of the matter is, the way you were all over me last year— If I did that to a girl, she’d take out a restraining order.” His voice was 10 times softer than it had been.
“You have issues with me being gay. I get it.” Kurt accused gently. Maybe, he was deflecting a little.
“No, actually, I don’t. I have issues with the fact that no means no.”
They exchanged a look. Finn studied his face for anything, but he didn’t know what to search for. Kurt backed up and away from the look to get out of line faster.
“I just want to sing with him. And seeing as you and Puck nearly made out a few months ago-” Kurt admitted.
“Dude! We were drunk! Don’t talk about that. Anyway…You don’t give a dam about any of us if you wanted to sing with him! If he sings with you, I guarantee, within a week, he’ll take so much crap, he’ll have to quit Glee Club. Your call, dude.” Finn tried to let him down gently, but there was no easy way to do so.
Finn walked away, leaving Kurt with his own choices to make. He obviously wanted to sing with Sam and get closer to him, but is it worth it to sacrifice Sam’s popularity over, which at a place like William Mckinley High School…
Social status was everything.
Not how you feel. Not how they feel.
But rather where you fall on a social pyramid.
And glee club members were already at the bottom along with new “weirdos.”
Why make it any worse?
Don’t be an idiot, Kurt.
He wouldn’t jeopardize the one thing that matters most just for something special.
Sam knows better.
He’s intelligent enough to understand that Gleeks are at the bottom of the food chain.
Sam would never sing with a boy like Kurt. Why would he?
Get out of your head, Hummel.
It’s reality, not some dumb unrealistic fantasy.
Sam would never sing with a gay freak like you, Kurt.
“…Hey! Dude?” The gentle tap of Sam’s finger on Kurt’s shoulder was just enough to snap him out of his train of thought.
“Huh?! Oh- Sam. Sorry.” Kurt avoided his gaze and took his tray to his lunch table. Sam followed right behind.
“You alright? You were sorta…zoned out.”
“I’m fine, Sam.”
“Okay…anyway, I just wanted to let you know that, I don’t have an issue singing with you. Though, I haven’t rented that movie you insisted on watching. Just figured you should know!” He flashed a smile and hurried off. This wasn’t his lunch, but he felt like this was too important.
Kurt stiffened immediately. He couldn’t sing with Sam, not after that conversation.
Kurt was stuck at a crossroad. He could either sing with Sam. If he did, Sam would live it down. Hell, he’d probably have to transfer.
Option two, he turns down singing with Sam so he stays in the club. Was giving up something that could blossom into God knows what worth it, just so he won’t leave?
The rest of the day went by, but Kurt could only think and hope that Sam would change his mind so he wouldn’t have to force Sam out of it.