Chapter 8


The Warblers were having one last reunion before Wes left for college. I was invited. But sadly I had to finish the last of my transfer papers for Dalton. So I opted not to go. It was time for old friends to say goodbye.

Hence why I was surprised to find Wes on my front step, with…

"Is that a cage?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. "You got be a pet?"

"Yep!" he said handing me the cage. I peaked inside and found birds. Not just one bird.

"Love birds?" I asked. "Aww Wes I didn't think you cared that much."

He just slapped me behind the head and I couldn't help but chuckle. "Just accept the gift, Bas."

"Thanks" I said honestly. "This is great. I'm serious though. What's with the odd breed choice of flying pets?"

"It's symbolism, Bas." Wes explained. "It's sort of an inside tradition. There's this strange magic with lovebirds. One cannot live without the other. It's like living with a partner or being inside a group. You need each other to live peacefully. I got a pair myself a long time ago. The thing with love birds, they live for about ten years if taken cared of properly they can live even longer."

"What happened to yours?"

"They're right here." Wes motioned to the cage. "These guys are like my little Warblers. I'm leaving for college. And I need someone to take care of them for me. And I thought you'd be perfect for the job."

I was left practically speechless. "W-Wow Wes. I promise to take care of them."

"Thanks Bas." Wes said wrapping his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around my new friend. In the month or so that I was here, Wes was like the big brother that I wished I had. According to Thad, he was like the big brother of all the Warblers. Trent even called him Big Brother Warbler Wes.

"I have to go. I have an early flight tomorrow." Wes explained patting my shoulder. "Good Luck, Barry."

"Thanks Wes."


~()~


"What is that?" Stacy asked as soon as he and Dad got home. It was 'bring your daughter to work day' or at least Stacy claims it is. So she spent the day in the Law firm with Dad. I question what she would be able to do from eight to six in an office building.

"Those are love birds, Stacy." I said to my sister who was staring at the birds with wide eyes. "They belong to my friend Wes. But he's going away to study and he doesn't have time to take care of them so he passed them down to me."

Dad looked at the birds then at me with a big smile. He patted me at the back. "Congratulations, Seb."

"For what?"

Dad looked at me in confusion then just shrugged it off.

"You'll figure it out." He said smiling.

"Can I please touch them, Bazzy?" Stacy asked with pleading eyes. "Pretty please?"

"Alright." I said. "Just be careful, okay?"

"Okay" she said practically chirping. I opened the cage and offered my finger to the birds. Both creatures perched themselves on my finger and I slowly took them out of the cage.

Stacy offered me her little finger and I placed my finger an inch away and let the birds climb on her little finger. She looked at both of them in awe as one was perched on the finger and the other was perched on her wrist.

She used her other hand to pet the little creatures on the head with gentleness that is rarely seen on a six year old.

I opened the cage again Stacy put them back.

"Thank you for letting me pet them Bazzy." She wrapped her arms around my hip.

"You're Welcome Stace."

"I'm going to miss you when you go to school." she muttered. I knelt down beside her and hugged my adoptive sister.

"Don't worry, you won't miss me that much." I said. "I'm going to be home whenever I can and we are going to have fun with Jamie and Jasmine like we did this summer. Okay?"

"Okay Bazzy." She said her head resting on the crook of my neck.


~()~


One night I found myself in a three way call with Darci and Marcus.

"So are you ready for school?" Darci asked.

"Not really." I admitted.

"Why not?" Marcus asked. "You're far away from those Neanderthals."

"Also from Iris." I muttered.

"You really love that girl, don't you." Darci said.

"Yeah."

"You're going to an all boy's school anyway." Darci said. "It's not like there are any girls to try to seduce you or something."

"If some girl does hit on you, you could always tell them you're gay." Marcus said "That always scares them away."

"Marcus, I don't look the least bit gay, do I?"

"Sorry, you kind of do Baby face." Marcus said. "You look so innocent, it's adorable."

"But they don't know that you two have already corrupted me." I joked. "And I don't like putting all that gel in my hair.

"Which I suggest you do." Darci said. "If it weren't for the fact that I don't do relationships, I would jump on you. You are hot with your hair all fixed up. If it bothers you that much, then find yourself a beard."

"How is facial hair going to help." I asked.

"Not a real beard, Bas." Marcus corrected. "A gay beard."

"And what is that?"

"Some closeted gays find some girl and pretend to be straight." Darci explained. "And the girl is what you'd call a beard. Works both ways."

"And how is that going to help me."

"Well, since you want to look the part." Marcus said. "Find some guy either make out with him."

"Eww."

"Or." Darci interjected. "Hit on him. Preferably a guy who has a boyfriend. It helps you look the part. And you don't actually have to get into a relationship."

"And it's pretty entertaining to watch."

"Noted." I said. "So what's happening there In Paris…


~()~


My dad drove me to Dalton two days before school was going to start. The students were allowed to go to school since yesterday but the bulk of students were arriving yesterday. Most excited to meet their classmates after the break. So the school was crowded.

Today however, since most students were already settled in, it was easier for me to try to find my way around.

"This is it." Dad said facing me. "Are you ready, Barry?"

"No." I admitted. "But let's do this."

He chuckled at me. "You'll do great, Bas. You have Thad and the others. And you know we are just a few miles and a phone call away. And you can always call Iris and Joe."

"I know." I said smiling. "Thanks again, Uncle Alan."

"Of course." He said. "Anything for family right?"

"Anything for family" I said with a smile.

"Now, go." He encouraged. "Have a great term."

The Dormitory is in the top three floors of the school itself. It didn't take me long to find my assigned room. I parked my luggage and put down the birdcage.

I opened the door and met a familiar face.

"Thad!"

"Hey Roomie!" he said smiling. "About time you got here."

"You knew?"

"No." Thad admitted. "but when the office told me that my roommate was a new transfer, I had a suspicion. Come on in, I don't bite."

"Much." I continued. "How else are you going to eat?"

"Haha, Very funny." he said helping me bring the luggage in. He eyed the bird cage but didn't say anything. "So how long did it take you to find the dorm?"

"Wasn't long." I admitted. "Just follow the crowd. Most of them are bound to go to the dorms."

"You get the bed on the right." Thad said "And you can hang your uniforms here." he motioned to the dresser by the right.

"Thanks."

Thad placed the bird cage on the extra bedside table that separates the two beds.

I started to unpack hanging the uniforms in the closet and my toiletries in the bathroom. The last were two framed photographs. One was of my family, way back when I was eleven. We had a family reunion. In the photo was my parents, my aunt and uncle and Stacy. Stacy was just two years old then but I had her in my arms laughing in the photo. The second one was of me and Iris. I felt guilty leaving her like that. It doesn't matter how many new friends I would meet. She'll always be my best friend.


~()~


I was looking at myself at the mirror. I was just wearing the white button up shirt and my coat and tie were still hanged at the back of the door.

"Bas." Thad called from the other side of the door. "We should head down to breakfast."

"I'll catch up with you in a minute." I said. "You can go ahead."

"See you downstairs Bas."

And I heard the door close.

I stared at the mirror again. My hair was fixed the way Marcus taught me back in Paris. I looked proper and neat. But I didn't look like me. I couldn't help think of all those bullies had practically drilled into my brain.

You can't run, Barry.

You're too slow.

Fight back, weakling. You can't run from us forever.

"I'm tired of running."

I slowly tied the tie around my collar and put on the blazer. Here I am not Barry Allen. Here I am Sebastian Smythe.


YAAAAY OMG THANKS SOO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS YOU GUYS ARE SO SWEET :D

Now we know how Barry became 'gay' or at least how he seems that way :P I thought it would be sweet for him to pretend to be gay because he didn't like to forget about his first love. :P well that was the idea im not sure how the chapter showed it as.

Well this I might not be able to post a new chapter tomorrow. I am behind in my homework I have like a three to four day weekend this week and I am only cramming all of my work on the last day…woopsie hehehe

Anyways PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK :DD