It had been an annual tradition for Kurt Hummel since the seventh grade.

Every April, one day was chosen to be Day of Silence, an event that people all over participated in. Those choosing to participate wouldn't speak for a day to promote awareness for those whose voices weren't heard because of their sexuality. It was something Kurt felt very strongly about, since he himself had been on the receiving end of numerous taunts, pranks, and other types of abuse because he was gay.

But Day of Silence was going to be a bit of an issue this year. They had Glee practice that day and, somehow, he had landed a solo. Regionals was so close and Mr. Schue (and Rachel) were stressing the importance of practicing every chance they got, of making sure their voices were in top condition, of making every Glee practice count. How was he supposed to tell them that he couldn't talk or sing for one of their most important practices all year?

Well, tell Schue before Rachel, that was certain.

And probably tell him during Spanish class, not Glee practice. He would be less focused on what exactly a day of silence would mean in relation to Glee, right?

So two days before the actual Day of Silence, Kurt went up to Mr. Schue's desk after class, asking for a quick word.

"Sure Kurt," Mr Schue perched himself on the front of his desk, Kurt standing in front of him. "What's up?"

"Well, Mr. Schue, I don't know if you're aware, but two days from today is the annual Day of Silence," Kurt began his practiced speech, "and because this is a cause that I've always cared about, I participate every year. So I just wanted to give you the heads up." He ended there hopefully, rocking on the balls of his feet.

"Day of Silence," Mr. Schue repeated, a finger on his lips as he thought about it. "Yeah, I remember a couple kids doing that last year." He looked up, making eye contact with Kurt. The boy noticed Schue's eyes were concerned. "Didn't they end up getting crude sharpie drawings all over their faces?"

"I don't care to call to remembrance what was written and drawn all over my face," Kurt's expression darkened. "And I am not changing my mind because a bunch of immature gorillas can't accept the fact that I am happy being who I am."

"No, no," Mr. Schue was waving his hands. "I didn't mean to discourage you. In fact, I think it's great that you're so willing to do this. It takes a strong person to stand up in front of people and stick up for what they believe in, especially this issue here in Lima." Kurt's chest swelled at his teacher's praise.

"In fact, I'm going to get the whole club in on it."

Kurt did a double take.

"Excuse me?"

"I think this is something they'll care about," Mr. Schue's eyes were gleaming just like they did when he handed them new sheet music. This couldn't be good. "Some more than others, but it would be a great experience for them to learn about what some people have to go through. It'll be just like that time they were all in wheelchairs."

Great, so apparently being gay was the same as being in a wheelchair. But then again, this was Mr. Schue, and he wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the package.

"I'll tell them all about it in practice later today."

Kurt was suddenly dreading Glee practice. Puck was definitely going to throw him in the dumpster for this one. And Rachel was going to have a fit.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

Okay, admittedly Puck did look like he wanted to punch the shit out of him, but at least he didn't do anything. Rachel, it turned out, was so into it that she had pre-ordered fake tattoos from the NOH8 website with her dads weeks ago, specifically for the Day of Silence. The rest of the club had been reluctant at first, but when Mr. Schue explained things (horribly) and Kurt interrupted him, stood up, and gave the club a detailed description of what he had been dealing with since elementary school, they changed their minds. Even Puck refrained from saying something nasty, which was saying something.

It would be interesting to see which members actually stayed silent the entire day.