Broken

XXXI

POV: Sebastian

I'm a bit lost when I hear footsteps behind me.

"Sebastian, wait, please," I hear Kurt call, sounding out of breath from chasing me.

I don't even turn around. "I don't want to hear what you have to say! Unless you know why I did this, just leave me alone!"

"I do."

I stop in my tracks. He knows? I turn to face him slowly. "If you're lying-"

"I'm not. I actually know. But, I'm going to warn you, the truth hurts. And it will take a lot of explaining." He looks torn, like he doesn't want to tell me but knows he needs to.

"Please, you don't get it. I need to know," I plead, desperate for sone explanation.

He takes a deep breath, sitting down against the wall. "You were born in France. You had a family. I don't know what happened to your mother, but she's dead. Your father-" Kurt shuddered, closing his eyes briefly.

A flash of memories overwhelmed me. A man, yelling something about being a proper Smythe, a girl, crying, and me, in pain.

"It was him," I said, mostly to myself. "The letters."

Kurt nodded. "You and your sister escaped, and flash forward a few years, you finally thought you were safe here. Then your father visited- twice in one day. He carved words in your back. The most important, the one that affected you the most, is the one saying you were disowned. You and your sister, Macy, were finally safe. And you... you knew she was safe. Apparently you had had this, this plan, for when she was safe. You only cared about her future. Because you were determined to make it so you didn't have a future. So... as soon as she was safe..." He trails off.

"I- I don't..." I shake my head. "That's so messed up."

Kurt chuckles dryly. "That's how you and I became so close, our backstories are both... not the greatest."

"What happened to you?" This seems to be the wrong question, based on his reaction. I sit down next to him. "Hey, you don't have to tell me. I understand if you aren't comfortable with it."

"No, it's not that, it's just..." He closes his eyes, taking in a steadying breath.

Out of instinct, of some memory of friendship, perhaps, I wrap my arm around his shoulders. "Hey, you c-"

"Let go of me." He cuts me off, and I realize he's shaking violently. I quickly retract my arm.

"Are you okay?" I ask, worried.

He stands up, shaking his head. "I can't do this. I'm sorry, if you need something explained, go to your sister. Go to Nick, or Jeff, or Thad, just go to anyone but me. I can't tell anyone again, even if it's you. Dealing with Blaine is hard enough."

He leaves down the hallway, and I can hear him beginning to cry.

What did I do? I just- I put an arm around him and he freaked out.

What has to happen to someone for them to react like that?