Part 25
Rachel, Santana, Brittany and Tina were walking together from the choir room towards the parking lot. It was Friday and they had just left the auditorium where they sang with Sam's little siblings. They were all feeling kind of sorry for him and wondered what they could do. Tina had informed the ND, when Sam wasn't there, that the Warblers was working on finding jobs for Mr. Evans. Many of their parents had big companies in Ohio after all. The girls were talking about prom right now, who'd they go with and so on. Brittany had just split from Artie so they didn't linger on the subject for long. They talked about other stuff… mainly who they could get to join the group when Mike was gone. They were one man short literary.
"Maybe I can get Dave to join", Santana mused. "He's changed for some reason… gentler."
"He hasn't been mean in a long time", Brittany said. "Do you think he likes us now?"
"Well he likes Santana", Tina said and gave Santana a look that the other girl ignored.
"Did any of you girls drive today", Rachel asked carefully. "I'd like to ask for a ride."
"I didn't", Santana said.
"Me neither", Tina said. Brittany wasn't allowed into a driver's seat.
"Damn and it looks as if it's about to rain", Santana said and looked at the sky.
"Does these charming young ladies need a ride", a voice asked from behind them and they turned to see four boys in navy blue blazers with red piping, white shirts, red and blue ties, grey slacks and black shoes. They were sitting or leaning on a minivan.
"Mike!" Tina cheered and ran to her boyfriend and flew into his arms kissing him on the cheeks over and over again. Mike just held her tight and let her do it. Chris jumped off the car roof and Rachel hurried up to him and they hugged and kissed. Kurt smiled at Brittany and she ran over and hugged him. Wes on the other hand walked up t Santana and she crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. Wes just smiled and scooped her up bridal style and spun her around. She laughed happily and put her arms around his neck for safety's sake and threw her head back, just enjoying it… laughing.
When the boys had greeted their girlfriends and girl-friends they greeted the other girls with hugs. Brittany jumped into Mike's arms happily, she missed her dancing partner a lot. Kurt was surprised to get a hug from Santana but hugged her back happily. After a bit Chris opened the car door.
"Your carriage awaits ladies", he said and bowed. "Your servants for the day will be Mike, Kurt and myself and Wes here will be your driver."
The girls laughed and the boys helped them into the car before getting in themselves.
"What's up with the minivan", Tina asked as Wes pulled out of the parking lot. "One car would fit all of you."
"Well", Mike said and took her hand in his. He was sitting beside her. "We were going to pick you and Rachel up because mom wants to have a dinner with all her sons and their partners. Wes pointed out that we could offer to drive his and Kurt's girl-friends home before we did."
"Because I know that Sanna wanted me to pick her up today", Wes said and looked to his left where Santana was sitting. Rachel, Kurt and Brittany sat in the back and Chris sat beside Mike and Tina. The four were talking about everything and Brittany was claiming Kurt's soft hands for the ride. She said as much. Santana smiled at him and took his hand.
"You know what today is", she said. "Don't you?"
"Honey I always have to remember you", Wes said and smiled at her. "How can you think that I'd forget it?"
Santana blushed a bit.
"What is today", Tina asked curiously.
"Today marks the 8 years past since Sanna and I met for the first time."
"We met at a meeting for 'trouble kids'", Santana explained to her friends from the ND, former and present members, she didn't know how much Kurt or Mike, she also didn't know how much Chris knew. "According to our parents we were both really troubled but they didn't read the damn brochure… the kids there were all suicidal, my problem was, according to my parents, my bitchy attitude… even at the age of 8. Wes didn't trust people."
"Grownups Bitch", Wes corrected. "I didn't trust in grownups outside my family."
"That's the same thing."
Wes just rolled his eyes but let Santana continue her little speech. She said:
"We hit it off right away and only went to the meetings to hang out, otherwise the place was just really boring… boring as hell. I used to say it was as funny as watching paint dry… or watching Finn and Rachel belt out another damn duet."
"Watching the growing grass was much more fun than that place", Wes said and smiled. "Look in the glove compartment Sanna." He nodded at it and she smiled and opened it. Inside was a small package and she tore the paper off eagerly and squealed.
"If you weren't driving I'd hug you so hard right now Homo", she said and looked at the beautiful necklace with matching earrings she'd just got. She'd been eyeing them for months in a shopping mall in Westerville. She had enough money to buy them herself but she didn't want to… she didn't dare too. You know the feeling right?
You really want something and you can buy it but you know you need to save your money for something else. That was how Santana felt about the jewelry. She should have known that her Homo wouldn't miss her ogling the things. Like she didn't miss him looking at something in the same window. She smiled and started to dig through her bag.
"It's here somewhere", she said. "Aha!" She found a little black package and handed it to him.
"Sanna I'm driving", he said smiling. "Wait until I pull up at your house, okay?"
She nodded.
They got there soon and as soon as Wes had parked he had Santana's arms around his neck and her lips on his cheek.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you", she said smiling bigger and more genuine than anyone had seen before, anyone but Wes. "I love you!"
"I love you too sister of mine", Wes said and hugged her back.
"Here's your gift!" She handed the black package to him and he opened it and gasped.
"What is it", Kurt asked curiously from the back. Wes held up his gift. It was a silver chain with a pendant hanging from it, a pendant formed as a silver ring with words written on it, really tiny. But it was written: "You and I sister of mine".
"Don't you ever think that I don't know my Homo" Santana said and smirked. "You've been eying that thing forever!"
"Thank you Bitch", Wes said and hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Now shall I escort you and Brittany to your door?"
"Yes you shall", Santana said and got out of the car. "Bye guys! See you Monday!"
"Bye Satan", he friends, save Brittany called. Wes got out of the car too, along with Brittany and he started to walk them to the house. Kurt saw that Brittany was sad and Wes seemed to notice too. He put a hand on her shoulder and asked her something. But what it was the kids in the car couldn't hear. She only nodded in reply and he smiled softly saying something more. She flew into his arms. Wes and Santana both looked shocked but Wes hugged her back before walking her and Santana to the door. Kurt got out of the car and into the front passenger seat so that he could sit with his boyfriend and Chris moved back to Rachel. Wes soon came back.
"What was that all about", Mike asked as his brother started the car.
"She broke up with her boyfriend after he called her stupid", Wes explained calmly. "I said she can't be stupid if she has so many people that cares about her and she hugged me."
"You are amazing", Kurt told him as they drove towards the Chang-house. "Five minutes with her and you already know how to talk and act around her."
"It's not hard", Wes said. "She is like Chris, version 5.0."
"What do you mean", Chris asked.
"She is a bubbly and happy girl, but she isn't viewing the world the way we do. She still look at it as a child", Wes smiled fondly. "She is not yet burdened by the coldness of the grownup world. She still belongs to the cryptic people."
"The what", Tina asked.
"Mike", Wes said calmly. "If you please."
"Not at all", Mike said and cleared his throat before he sang:
Kids are a people and they live in a foreign land
this land is a rain and a pond
Across that pond the boys' boats sail sometimes
and they sail so nice without keel
There walks a girl that collects on rocks she has a million of them
The king of trees sits still among branches in the tree-king's throne
There walks a boy that laughs at the snow
There walks a girl that made an island of fifteen pillows
There walks a boy and everything turns into ice-cream when he touches it
All are they kids and they belong to the cryptic people
Kids are a people and they live in a foreign land
this land is a meadow and a wind
There a boy might find a new Samarkand
and then travels away on a swaying gate
There walks a girl and sings about pine cones she owns two herself
There by a plank stands a boy and draws that the world is blue
There walks a boy that turned into an Indian
There, there walks the king of shadows around town and tail crooks
There a girl finds a funny face that she's trying
All are they kids and they belong to the cryptic people
Kids are a people and they live in a foreign land
this land is a yard and a shed
There the dangerous train-robbery happens at times
wonderful nights when the moon is yellow
There walks a boy who's guessing on cars, he himself always wins
The birds' songs in different styles are magical jokes
There a useless thing is a treasure
There, there beds turn to ships at night and sail to the moon
There are realms that none of us can take from them
All are they kids and they belong to the cryptic people
"I get it", Tina said smiling. "When you are a kid your imagination can create anything and you can play with anything. A stick on the ground is a sword or a horse. But when you get older you lose that ability."
"You don't really lose it", Chris said. "You get it back when you play with your own kids. You just lock it away for the moment."
"So what you mean Wes", Rachel said and looked at him. "Is that Brittany still belongs to the cryptic people? Because her fantasies hasn't gone to rest yet? She still imagines a useless thing as a treasure? She is still a child?"
"We're all still children", Wes said. "You can never grow up until you realize a few things."
"What", Kurt asked.
"To ask for help when things gets hard", Wes said calmly. "To dare to act as a child at times. To help others before you help yourself. To see what's best for others before you see what's best for you… to care for others needs more than your own… I can go on forever."
"Please don't", Mike teased. "You get me more and more depressed."
"Judge by the things you just said no one ever truly grows up", Tina said.
"I don't think anyone does", Wes said and smiled. "There are always things that can make you act childish… am I right?"
They all agreed to that. Maybe they shouldn't try so hard to grow up… because like Wes said, no one truly ever grows up.
"Mom we're home", Chris called as they got inside the house. Wes and Mike took the girl's coats and hung them up. Tina and Rachel took off their shoes, Rachel did when she saw all the Asians doing it. They heard sounds from the kitchen and Lola appeared, very much like the first time Kurt met her.
"Chris", she said and hugged the youngest boy close.
"Hi mom!" Chris said cheerfully. She kissed him on the cheek and then turned to Wes.
"Wes honey", she said and smiled.
"Hi mom", Wes said and they hugged gently. "I see the little one is getting bigger."
"He sure is", Lola said happily and then hugged Mike close too. "Three of my boys in matching uniforms… I never thought I'd see the day."
Chris patted his mom on the shoulder and she let go of Mike.
"Mom", Chris said happily. "This is Rachel."
"Hello Rachel", Lola said and shook her hand. "It's good to finally meet you. Chris talks a lot about you and Mike speaks so highly of you when he talks about Glee."
"He does", Rachel asked and Mike blushed as did Chris.
"Well you know", Mike said and scratched his neck. "You are a really good singer. You both are." Both? What did he mean? Oh right Tina!
"Oh Tina darling", Lola said and hugged the girl really close. "It's so lovely to see you again dear. How are your parents?"
"Just fine Lola", Tina said.
"Oh and I don't get a hug", Kurt said and mock pouted.
"Of course you do baby", Lola said and hugged him tight too. "My, my so many kids in here. Go into the music room now… shoo."
"Yes mom", her sons and took their respective partner's hand in theirs and hurriedly left to the music room, stopping to greet Michael on the way. The man smiled fondly at Kurt, Rachel and Tina and gave them a little wink as he teased his three teenage boys.
In the music room they all gathered around to just talk about stuff that had happened that week.
"I think it is so funny that we date competition", Tina said happily. "And that we got two traitors in our midst."
"Hey!" Kurt and Mike objected but the others only laughed. Tina was sitting on Mike's lap leaning her head on his and they were holding hands. Chris was sitting on the floor and had Rachel sitting with her back to his chest as he held his hands around her waist and resting his chin on top of her head. She was gently rubbing his arm. Wes sat on the sofa with his arm around Kurt as the younger boy cuddled close to him, with his legs pulled up.
"But I can't be happier about it", Tina said. "We are all happy."
"That we are", Kurt said. "I never thought I'd meet boys that would want to touch me without feeling awkward about it and now… now I got my best male friends in this room and I got the Warblers and none of them are 'afraid' of touching me."
"I never thought I wouldn't be without Finn or stop loving him but I am and I have", Rachel said. "I got something much better than that."
"Hear, hear", Mike said smiling. "But hurt Chris and I'll end you."
"No you won't", Wes said calmly. "We do not believe in killing."
"Aw but-"
"We'd destroy her vocal chords so that she can never sing or use her voice again", Wes said and winked at Rachel who mock-shuddered.
"You are scary did you know that", she asked with a smile.
"He tries", Kurt, Mike and Chris said.
"And he's good at intimidating people", Tina said and smiled at Wes. "He has it down to an art. I'll never forget when he scared off a bully at Asian camp when we were little."
"What did he do this time", Kurt asked fondly.
"Looked up at him, glaring and talking in that cold, collected and smooth voice he gets when he is really angry."
All who had seen Wes that angry shuddered.
"Hey I'm not that bad", Wes said.
"Oh please remember Karofsky and Azimio", Kurt said. "They froze when they saw you and ran the other way… away from you."
"That's not my fault", Wes said and crossed his arms, mock-pouting. "I can't help they are easilly scared."
"You kicked Karofsky to the ground honey", Kurt said and leaned on him, playing with his tie.
"He deserved it!"
"And that's why they got scared of you."
"I think it's good you can scare off bad guys", Chris said happily. "Eli and our baby brother won't have to worry in the future."
"The Warblers have to tough", Mike pointed out. "Who'll take your place when you graduate?"
"Well we have my baby here who can be really scary when angry" Wes said and smiled at Kurt. "Then Chris has proofed himself to be taken after me quite nicely."
"If you are referring to what happened before regionals I don't think I can master it again", Chris said.
"Of course you can, you can do anything you put your mind to", Mike told him. "Like walking again."
"Walking again", Rachel asked confused and Mike paled, Wes face-palmed and Chris stiffened. Tina and Kurt looked at each other worriedly. Rachel felt really awkward.
"Um", she said. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No", Chris said with a sigh and buried his face in her neck. "I'd just hoped to tell you a bit later…"
"Tell me what?"
"Wes", Chris begged and looked at his oldest brother with pleading eyes. "Please."
"Of course baby", Wes said calmly and told Rachel the story about what happened to Chris when he was little. Rachel gasped a few times but then moved so that she could hold a tight grip on her boyfriend, giving him comfort and support. When Wes was done she started ranting about what she would do to those guys if she ever saw them and she got up and started pacing the floor. Her threats and killing ideas got more and more ridiculous and everyone laughed and started to chip in ideas. She laughed too and soon they got called up for dinner.
A few days later Rachel walked into the auditorium. Schue had announced that they were to perform at their own prom and she had a song she wanted to try out. She wanted to impress Chris, who was taken her. She had asked him and he said yes. Tina would go with Mike and Brittany had managed to get Wes and Kurt to go with her. Santana had glared at her a bit, as had Mercedes who'd hoped for Kurt to go with her as a friend. But Sam had asked her if she wanted to go as friends and she had said yes. They would go on a date with a budget.
Rachel's dads were going to spoil her and she knew that Chris would get her a nice corsage, but she begged him to not make it an expensive one. She walked onto the stage and saw that the Audiovisual Club were preparing props for prom.
"Oh", she said. "Uh, members of the Audiovisual Club I may possibly sing this song at prom and when I'm done rehearsing I'd like your feedback. Tell me if I was brilliant or simply outstanding." She turned around and sat down by the piano and started to sing:
There's a fire startin' in my heart
Reachin' a fever pitch and it's bringin' me out the dark
Finally, I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare
She twirled around at the familiar voice and saw no other than Jesse St. James stand in the door to the auditorium. (Jesse, both, Rachel)
See how I'll leave with every piece of you
Don't underestimate the things that I will do
There's a fire starting in my heart
Reachin' a fever pitch and it's bringin' me out the dark
The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinkin' that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feelin'...
We could have had it all (You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hand (You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Yeah, we could have had it all (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all (You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Yeah, it all, it all, it all(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Hey you could have had it all (You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played and you played and you played
And you played it to the beat
They stopped singing and Rachel looked at Jesse, not really knowing how to feel. The Audiovisual Club left them and Jesse sighed before saying:
"It's good to see you again Rachel."
"Jesse", Rachel said in a broken voice. "What are you doing here?"
"I um got kicked out of college", he said and rubbed his neck.
"What", she asked dryly and then groaned and walked off but he caught up to her.
"Rachel wait I just want to talk", he said.
"Fine", she said and sat down in one of the seats and he stood before her. "So why was you kicked off?"
"My grades were too bad. How was I supposed to know that I was actually supposed to show up to those other classes at school? I was majoring in show choir. I just assumed that it would be like at Carmel and the school would get some Asian kid to take math and English and scientific for me."
"That's awful", Rachel said, but not really feeling as if it was awful. He deserved it she decided. Besides she was over him, she had Chris. But then he just had to say:
"I came back to see you Rachel." Did that mean he really had feelings for her? She just shook her head at him.
"What I did to you", he said. "That's my one great regret."
"Yeah", she scoffed. "It was kind of weird. One day you were telling me that you loved me and then you were inexplicably throwing eggs at my head the next."
"I know", Jesse said and looked at his feet. Looking a bit ashamed too. "I know. I traded love for a fourth-consecutive national championship. It was a bum deal."
"Well you should have thought about that earlier then", she snapped at him.
"Rachel, I've come to make amends", he said and turned to her fully. "So what are you doing for prom?" She looked at him.
"I am going with my boyfriend", she said.
"Who, Gigantor?"
"No", Rachel scoffed and got up. "This boy is a far better person and boyfriend to me than you and Finn ever were. He is kind and nice and when he says that I am beautiful I really believe him. He loves me."
"What's his name?"
"That is really none of your business", Rachel said and stormed out angrily. She didn't notice that she had been watched from the stage… by Quinn. The blonde girl smirked and left.
Rachel had spent all evening complaining to Chris about Jesse, she didn't mention his name at first and when she had said:
"And then he thinks the only guy I could possibly date is Finn of all people!"
"Wait", Chris had said through their Skype. He had been in Wes and Kurt's room because Rachel had called up Kurt to rant at him but then Mike and Chris had appeared and Kurt had dumped Rachel onto her boyfriend.
"What is it Christopher", she had said.
"I thought you were talking about Finn."
"I wasn't, I was talking about Jesse."
"Jesse", Kurt's head had snapped up from his history book at that moment and Mike and Wes had looked at him. "As in Jesse St. James?"
"Yes", Rachel had spat and crossed her arms while pouting. "I hate him."
"That makes us two then", Wes had remarked dully.
"What", Rachel had asked in confusion. "What did he do to you?"
Wes had then told her the story of Jesse's try to destroy the Warblers' performance and Rachel had smiled when she had heard how Wes had dealt with him back then. She was still a bit riled up as she walked through the hallways of McKinley High and it didn't get better when Finn ran up to her from behind and said:
"So, I heard a nasty rumor that Jesse St. James is back in town and I also heard that he was going to be your date."
"No he's not", Rachel said sharply. "Didn't you learn anything from last week about rumors? I am going with my boyfriend to prom."
"What that Warbler?"
"That Warbler", Rachel said sharply. "Is the sweetest, kindest and nicest boy I've ever met." She turned to him. "And twice the man you'll ever be."
"He's freaking freshman Rachel! Everyone will laugh at you! Especially the girls."
"Finn", Rachel said and cocked her head to the side. "You know nothing about the female mind."
"Why should I", Finn asked confused. "I'm a guy."
"Yes you are but the female mind is a lot different than those of males. A girl always wants something…" she tried to find the right words. "Exotic or hard to get. That's why the girls that go with jocks get the highest status but..." She trailed off to turn to her locker, put her stuff in and then turn back. "The girl who get the highest status of all is the one that can get a cute, charming and dashing private school boy to come to a communal school."
"What?"
"Private school boys, according to the female mind, is hard to get because they have class, money, the looks, behave like gentlemen and hard to approach. If you can snatch one of those, no matter what grade they're in… you will be the queen of the prom." She patted him on the cheek and hurried off to catch up to Santana and Tina who'd been watching a few feet away. Finn stood there feeling more confused and before. What was that about private school boys making girls queens? Maybe it was because they could buy the election with all their money.
"Oh then that means that Tina, Rachel or most likely Brittany will win", he said. "Rachel has Chris, Tina has Mike and Chris and Mike's parents are rich but they're younger than their brother Wes and he's going with Brittany… and if Rachel means that the girls with the private school boy get most votes Brittany will win because she has two of them… Yeah I think I got it now." He smiled and walked off. "Or did I?" He stopped walking.
TBC There first part of the prom episode ;) And guess who'll join the New Directions!
Answer to guests and non-members or non signed in members:
josh d - Thank you I am happy you really love this story :) And I agree with you, more Wert for the people!
Anon - I'm back now, no need to panic and start yelling at me ;)
Sarah - Yes it is still going I've just had problems getting ideas for what is to happen Wes' second year at Dalton but the ideas are starting to come so don't worry )
LadyPhoenix731 - Thank you :) I had a lot of fun in Rome :D