Part 3
Everyone was waiting in anticipation in the dining hall. This room was only used for big dinners where all pupils and the staff attended. Otherwise there was a cafeteria and the dorms had their own kitchens. But right now was a big event so everyone was in the dining hall and everyone was waiting for the new principal to arrive.
"I wonder what he's like", Kurt whispered to Blaine. Everyone stood divided by their dorms and Kurt couldn't get over the feeling of Harry Potter that he had. The big dining hall of Dalton was even decorated similar to it. There were four long tables for all students and at the top of them ran the teacher table. The students sat divided freshman up to senior during events like these so Kurt felt a bit bad for Wes, the only Warbler that actually was a senior. He couldn't sit with any of the Warblers, but he had friends among the seniors so that wasn't a problem.
The door opened to the dining hall and the school board and the new principal entered. Everyone rose from their seats. The new principal was a tall man with black warm eyes. His hair was black and his skin pale. He wore a suit and Kurt could see that it was Armani just by looking at it. The man also wore black shiny shoes and a cane with a silver snake-head at the top.
"Whoa", David said. "He looks… alright?"
"But strict", Thad whispered.
When he reached the teacher table the man suddenly turned around.
"Wesley Montgomery, where are you", he shouted and everyone turned to look at the senior.
"Here I am sir", Wes said stepping into the aisle. The man pointed at him with his cane.
"Come here son", he said and Wes walked towards him and stopped in front of him. Wes was much shorter than the principal. The principal gave Wes the once-over and then smiled and held out his hand.
"Principal Watermaine", he said and Wes grinned.
"Wes Montgomery", he took the principal's hand and shook it. "Welcome to Dalton Academy sir."
The room erupted in cheers and applauds and the principal laughed and raised his hand, the one with the cane and put his other arm around Wes' shoulders. He said something no one but Wes could hear and the Asian boy laughed. The principal waited for the cheers to quiet down before he spoke.
"I am honored to become the principal of such a school as Dalton Academy", he said pulling Wes a little closer, Wes just smiled. "I hope our time together will be a great one. So let the feast begin!" Everyone sat down to eat and Wes moved forward to get back to his seat. But Watermaine pulled him back by using the snake head on his cane, he'd hooked it to Wes' collar and pulled him back.
"No", he said. "Montgomery, sit by my side tonight."
"But sir", a teacher objected. "Montgomery is a student!"
"A senior that is president of the student council, chairman of the Warblers, soon to be Valedictorian and is Head boy and dorm prefect", the principal cut him off. "That is a student I would love to have by my side to discuss this school's future with."
"But sir", Wes objected. "It isn't really suitable for a student to sit by the principal."
"Nonsense!" Watermaine said. "See it as you being my right-hand man Montgomery. Come, let's eat."
"As you wish sir", Wes said giving in. It was really, really, really awkward for him to sit by the teachers. He felt kinda exposed and he felt a lot of students look at him. Wes was used to being looked at... but it was still embarrassing.
"Hey", Thad said nudging David. "Looks like our new principal is picking favorites already."
David looked up and saw that his other best friend was… really flustered as he talked about something with the principal. One of the teachers objected, judged by the look on his face, but the principal seemed to get his will through and Wes sat down by his side at the teacher table.
"Why would the principal want Wes to sit by him", Blaine asked confused leaning towards David.
"Wes is president of the student council, captain of our martial arts team, chairman of the Warblers, will be Valedictorian, is dorm prefect and Head boy", Kurt explained happily. "No one knows more about what's going on at this school than Wes. If Watermaine wants to know what's going on around here; Wes is the perfect person to ask."
"True", Thad said and grinned. "But he doesn't seem to like it that much."
It was true; Wes was not enjoying this in the slightest. He couldn't help but notice the somewhat disgruntled looks most of the teachers shot him. The principal chatted happily with him.
"So tell me Montgomery", he said. "What are these Warblers that you are the chairman off?"
"The Warblers are Dalton Academy's glee club sir", a teacher cut in. "They are really popular here and has managed to get their way to regionals."
"I see", the principal said in a sour tone. Wes guessed it was because the teacher answered.
"We are a tight group sir", Wes said to ease the mood, what teacher/principal didn't like its students being close? "We do not only meet to sing or dance. We meet to study and talk about problems in our personal lives. It builds up a good mood at the school if the younger students know they can always turn to some of their elders for help when they don't feel like talking to a teacher."
"And I take it you listen to most of these problems Montgomery", Watermaine asked and looked at Wes.
"Yes sir, if I may say so I take great pride in knowing students both in and outside of the Warblers comes to me when they need someone to talk to. It even includes other seniors. I do not wish to do the job of the counselors but sometimes boys just need someone their own age to talk to."
"Wes is a great asset to this school", one of the counselors said. "There is many a troubled soul at Dalton and Wes has a knack for finding them and stopping them from doing something stupid."
"Such as", the principal asked.
"Getting into depression, cutting, suicide attempts and hostile behavior", the counselor explained. "We can't see all students all the time but Wes and the Warblers help us. How the school will survive without him next year I don't know."
"Thank you sir", Wes said blushing slightly. "Dalton is paradise for so many people, me included. That you can be exactly who you are and not be ashamed of it is better than anyone can ask for. The mood is always good here and the various art classes and sports are part of the reason. The school spirit is really high and our school teams are successful."
"I see", the principal said. "What arts classes did you talk about Montgomery?"
"Well the Warblers, art, drama, orchestra and we do have a dancing club as well sir."
"Music… and arts", the principal grumbled. "Oh you mentioned the sports team being successful?"
"Yes sir and very much so. The soccer team has won nationals two years in a row. The basketball and volleyball teams are climbing the lists rather quickly. The football team is undefeated so far, the swim team takes home prizes after prizes and all other sports clubs wins from time to time as well."
"Are you into any sports Montgomery?"
"Martial arts sir."
"Are all boys as polite as you Montgomery?"
Wes laughed. "I'd wished so sir. Everyone is polite to the teachers and other staff members but do not act like gentlemen amongst themselves I dare say."
"Are you included in that group?"
"Yes sir. But I act on the rule book of Dalton and always try to act like a gentleman. Not to say I can, as they say 'let loose' at times when I feel need to."
"I see…"
Wes looked up and saw the students starting to fill out to get to their various after school activities and Wes as well would have to leave. The Warblers had practice today after all. He noticed David and Thad look at him pointedly.
"Excuse me sir but may I be excused", he said and turned to the principal. "We are having a meeting for the Warblers and I must go and prepare for it."
"Of course Montgomery", the principal said. Wes got up and turned to leave, but that snake head of the cane landed on his arm and he stopped and turned back to Watermain.
"But I wish for you to join us at the staff meeting tomorrow", the principal said calmly. "I want to know what the student council would think of some of my new plans for the school."
"Of course sir", Wes said and smiled politely. "Have a nice day sirs, ladies." He walked away in a steady pace and soon joined Thad and David. Both younger boys looked at him.
"Please gentlemen save me", he said.
"Pardon", David asked.
"My friend I have gotten stuck in an overly polite mode and I am going on autopilot. Please take me somewhere to rewire me so that I can be more normal again."
Thad grinned and they pulled Wes towards the choir room. There would surely be something happening there that would get Wes out of his overly polite and dapper way.
The Warblers all wanted to know what the new principal was like and Wes told them the image he'd gotten of the man speaking a bit with him. Wes told them he thought Watermaine actually was really interested in the welfare of the students and to have a good relationship with them. He seemed really interested in sports and academics but not really arts and music. It wasn't something new, a few people at Dalton were like that.
"Do you think he'll be good for the school", Blaine asked.
"I believe he will", Wes said and smiled. "He can't be worse than Thompson." Wes was standing by the windows and all of the boys looked at his back. Wes thought back onto what had happened at that staff meeting where he'd been informed of what would happen to Thompson.
Wes and his Karate instructor walked into the big conference room where the school board was gathered, as well as all teachers and other staff at Dalton. Wes looked confused, he'd been to these kind of meetings before but then it had not included every grownup at Dalton.
"Neil I see you got a hold of Wes", the chairman of the board said and smiled at Wes.
"I did sir", Neil said and patted Wes' shoulder. "We were just getting back after training."
"How is the training going for the martial arts team Wesley", the chairman asked kindly.
"Just fine thank you sir", Wes said politely. "We are all fit for fight so to speak."
"I heard you haven't been attending all of the training sessions my boy."
"No sir, I managed to pull a muscle in my back when I fell in some stairs", Wes lied smoothly. It was the same lie he'd thrown everyone outside of the Warblers. "I could barely move sir."
"But you are fine now?" the chairman asked.
"Yes sir."
"Seems like Wesley isn't the only one getting injured lately", the school nurse, Mr. Jefferson said smiling. "Oliver Conan, Roger Marks and Anthony Fuego-Rodriguez have all been injured in their backs."
"What happened", the French teacher asked a bit worriedly. "And why isn't Mr. Thompson here?"
That's when Wes realized that the principal was nowhere to be seen. He had a somewhat strange feeling in his stomach. He was both worried and relieved that the principal wasn't there. He would not have been able to lie if the man that hurt him was in the same room that he was.
"That is what we are here to discuss", the chairman said and looked at everyone sternly. "Thompson has been arrested for child abuse."
"Surely not", a teacher said shocked.
"He has", the nurse said, Nurse Jackie as he was called because he was named Jacob Jefferson. Some boys loved the TV-show Nurse Jackie so they dubbed their school nurse that. Wes bit his lip.
"Are we sure", he asked.
"Yes", Nurse Jackie said calmly. "He hit Oliver with a rod, he hit him so badly he was bleeding through his clothes and his roommate saw the blood. He got me and I got Oliver to tell me what happened and since he wasn't the only boy to get an injured back recently I asked Anthony and Roger about it and they too confessed getting beaten as punishment for being late or missing assignments or just for playing pranks. Oliver got it worse because he talked back. He got hit 30 times."
"30", Wes asked and suddenly felt all eyes on him. "What?"
"Is Thompson the reason you were hurting as well Wesley", the chairman said. "Answer honestly."
"I-"
"That Wes should get beaten for something like Roger, Oliver and Anthony were beaten for is outrageous", said the math teacher Mr. Nolan. "Wes never disbehave!"
"I-"
"Wes has not been in the office since… the start of the year", Principal Thompson's secretary Mr. Moore said.
"Yes I was", Wes objected. "I got called in after the Warblers' performance at the GAP."
"Oh I saw that", said a woman on the board. "It was marvelous darling."
"Thank you ma'am."
"Who's idea was it?"
"Mine ma'am."
"Very good my boy, funny and romantic and the audience seemed to love it. I guess you got called in for praise?"
"Not exactly", Wes said. "Principal Thompson was not happy with it. He wanted to discuss it."
"Only you", the music teacher asked shocked. He knew the Warbler council did everything together.
"Yes sir…"
"Wes", the chairman said and Wes looked at the man.
"Yes sir…"
"Did he hurt you?"
"I…"
Everyone was looking at him and Wes could feel Moore's burning gaze on him. It was accusing and angry, but…
"Yes", he said. "He took out a wooden rod and told me that he would not suspend, expel or give me detention because that would be shown in my perfect record. So he took out the rod and hit me 50 times as a warning and as if to tell me it was the prize for the Warblers singing outside of Dalton."
"Oliver, Anthony and Roger came with similar reasons", Nurse Jackie said.
"Then the boys must be lying!" Moore said. "These four boys have obviously been making the story up together!"
"No!" Wes said horrified. He feared they wouldn't believe him. "I would never lie about something like this."
"Wes", the chairman said. "I believe you. All I want to know is… why didn't you tell anyone?"
"I…" Wes trailed off. "I was… I don't know sir. I guess I was fearing not to be believed."
"Wes we will always believe what you say", the French teacher said fondly. "Now what will happen to Thompson?"
"He'll be put in jail", the chairman said. "And his replacement will be…"
Wes could feel his friends' eyes on his back and rolled his eyes.
"Stop it", he said and everyone blushed and looked away.
"How are you feeling", Kurt asked carefully.
"It was four weeks ago", Wes said calmly. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Have I snapped or groaned at all today", Wes asked and turned to Kurt with a smile.
"You're an excellent actor", Kurt pointed out. Wes chuckled.
"Naw you're so sweet", he teased.
"Shut up… I just care about all of you."
"We know", the Warblers all answered and Kurt blushed.
"We care about you too Kurt", Wes said calmly and rolled his shoulders. "I'll show you there's nothing wrong with me."
He walked over to the piano and the Warblers looked really eager. Kurt didn't know why. Wes took off his blazer and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. The he cracked his knuckles and started to play the piano. He first played Moonlight Sonata and then it turned into Für Elise and then the Flight of the Bumblebee and then the Minute Waltz and then into the Pirates of the Caribbean theme and lastly the theme from Harry Potter. The Warblers were laughing or cheering, but the freshmen and Kurt looked mesmerized because they didn't know Wes could do that! Blaine was grinning, he was a huge fan of both Harry Potter and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Wes turned to Kurt.
"Still believe I'm not back to 100%", he asked and Kurt only shook his head mutely. One of the freshmen, Luke, ran up to Wes.
"Show me how to do that!" he shouted and everyone laughed and watched Wes trying to teach Luke all the songs he'd been playing.
TBC
