Kurt was waiting for Burt when he got home. "Dad?" He asked.
"Yeah?"
"I can't go back to school. Everything reminds me of her."
Burt nodded. "I figured that would happen. Do you want to transfer schools? I did some research and there's a nice one out in Westerville, far away from anywhere you'd have made memories with her."
"Sounds... better than it is now." Kurt couldn't say it sounded good, qnothing sounded 'good' anymore.
~-~
Since Burt had already filled out all the forms, predicting this would happen, Kurt's transfer came before he knew it. Although, time passed slowly when you didn't sleep.
The school had been informed about his PTSD- which they had a doctor diagnose, just to be sure- and he was allowed to wear the leather jacket, even though it was a uniform school. It was a type of coping mechanism for him, the doctor had assessed.
So Kurt showed up to his new school, wearing that same leather jacket. He felt a shadow of a feeling, as if his mind was telling him that he should be nervous. He couldn't- all he felt was cold, the cold that hadn't escaped him since it happened.
The headmaster spoke to him about his transfer, gave him is papers, and then he headed to his dorm. Apparently he had a roommate, whom he hoped he wouldn't keep up when he didn't sleep.
He got to his dorm, which was empty, and unpacked his things. His body longed to sleep, but his mind wouldn't let it.
Eventually a bell rang, and, remembering what the Headmaster had said about meals, Kurt headed to the door. Before he could open it, however, someone beat him to it.
"I'll meet you down there, just let me put my bag away." He said to someone out in the hall before seeing Kurt. He smiled, sticking out his hand. "Hi, I'm Jeff. You must be my roommate?"
Kurt nodded and shook his hand. "I'm Kurt Hummel."
Jeff set his bag down on his bed. "Well, let's get to lunch."
Kurt followed him to the dining hall. He only really ate to keep himself alive, everything tasted like ash.
After they got their food, Jeff led him to a table in the middle of the room. "Guys, this is Kurt, my new roommate; Kurt, this is Nick, Blaine, Thad, Wes, and David."
Kurt waved slightly, on instinct of not wanting to be rude.
"Do you sing?" One of them, Wes, asked.
"Is that always your opener?" David asked, exasperated.
"Yes."
"Um, no, I don't sing." Kurt answered quietly. Not anymore, at least.
Wes frowned. "Pity. We need more people for the show choir here."
David started rebuking Wes for only thinking about the Warblers and the others moved into a conversation.
Once everyone finished eating, they went to the common room. Kurt was mainly listening to the conversation and started shivering; it was extremely cold in the room.
"Kurt, you're shivering." Blaine, who was sitting next to him, pointed out.
"It's a bit cold in here." Kurt replied, rubbing his hands together.
Blaine chuckled, grabbing a blanket from nearby and draping it over him. "Next time wear something warmer than a leather jacket."
Kurt was going to respond but with the comforting warmth of Blaine beside him and the blanket draped over him coupled with his sleep deprivation, he almost immediately fell asleep.
Jeff laughed quietly. "Looks like he was tired."
"Why do you think he transferred? He kind of dodged the question earlier." Thad asked them.
Nick shrugged. "Maybe he was harassed at his old school? The light in his eyes in gone, like Blaine's was when he first transferred."
Kurt suddenly went unnaturally still, even for someone who was asleep. He then started shaking, and everyone looked at him worriedly.
"Elise... don't... no..." He started muttering fearfully. "Come back..."
Blaine, concerned, gently shook him awake. "Kurt? Kurt, wake up."
Kurt awoke with a start and a small yelp, his eyes darting around the room as if trying to figure out where he was. After a few seconds he relaxed, remembering what had happened. "Sorry, I fell asleep." He said quietly.
"Who's Elise? Where'd she go?" Jeff asked curiously.
Kurt looked down sadly. "She is- was my best friend." He half-whispered.
"Was? Did she leave?"
"No. She, uh..." Kurt swallowed, continuing with difficultly. "She died."
They were silent at this.
"I'm so sorry, Kurt." Blaine said softly.
"It wasn't, uh," Kurt shook his head. "You guys asked why I transferred. Everything at my old school reminds me of her, I couldn't stand being there."
Nobody said anything, and Kurt found himself talking again. "This leather jacket, it was hers. It's the only jacket she ever owned. She-" Kurt sniffed, cutting himself off as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Blaine put an arm around him in an attempt to comfort him, and Kurt laid his head on Blaine's shoulder. "I just miss her so much. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Not the her I've lived my whole life knowing, her with-" Kurt paused as more tears fell. "Her d-dead. The h-her w-with the g-gunshot wound." He was sobbing quietly at this point.
Blaine wrapped his arms around him a bit tighter and Kurt cried into his blazer, breaking down. He had all this built up emotion- when would he run out of tears?