Chapter 5: As the Years Go By…Part III
Sebastian went to visit his brother in the middle of the year. Dalton had been released two weeks earlier due to starting earlier than most of the schools.
He walked around the halls of ECAS with a visitor's pass. He met with Barry in the middle of the hallway. This is the first time he saw Barry in his uniform in person. Barry's uniform was not as different as his. He wore a white dress shirt underneath a green sweater with the school logo on the left breast side. Along with black slacks and a messenger bag.
"Seb!" he exclaimed hugging me. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought spending a part of my break in Central City would be better than hanging out in a dorm and of course mama and papa didn't mind. Since they weren't getting back to Ohio until the week of Christmas." Sebastian explained. "So you're stuck with me for two weeks."
"But I have class until then."
"I thought you only had one week left?"
Barry held on his messenger bag sheepishly. "I'm part of a little musical competition."
"What?" Sebastian asked flabbergasted. "How did?"
"Our English teacher was a Dalton Alumni." He explained. "And someone forgot to mention that they became the head Warbler."
Sebastian shrugged. "I don't understand how that happened either."
"Anyways, so he assumed I was as good as performer as you are."
"And you forgot to mention that you have two left feet?"
"I tried." Barry said. "He was confident that we could perform. The performance is in less than two weeks, and most of the guys are like me. So we are extremely behind."
"Do you have rehearsal?" Sebastian asked. "If this is some big performance, there should be a lot of rehearsals."
"Yeah." Barry said. "I am actually headed there now."
"Then show me the way brother." Sebastian said. Barry lead him to the auditorium. There were about five other boys in the auditorium the rest were girls. The boys were all on the seats looking like they'd rather be elsewhere. While there was a teacher on the stage with the girls. He looked like he was chatting with one of the girls.
"What time is the rehearsal?"
Barry looked at his watch. "About ten minutes ago."
Sebastian slapped him at the back of the head. "You're late, seriously?"
Barry shrugged. "He doesn't actually mind."
"At Dalton, four late there's a deduction or a punishment. Even in Warblers."
"Did you add that last part."
"No, the council can be a bit harsh." Sebastian said. "We're serious about this stuff. But it looks like you guys are not so much."
Barry shrugged. "We're a science school. We don't study arts."
"Hey Science is an art." Sebastian said. "As is Music."
The teacher came by.
"Barry, you're late again." he scolded. "That's ten lates already."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins."
Mr. Collins shook his head. "Back in my school, every four lates you get subjected to four hours of kitchen duty."
"And that sucks." Sebastian chimed. "You have no idea how many students are there in one campus and most of the time they leave all the dishes from breakfast and dinner to be done at night for detention and late comers."
Mr. Collins' eyebrow raised "How do you know…"
"Sebastian Smythe." Sebastian held out his hand to the teacher. "Head Warbler."
"I'm Mr. Dean Collins, Head Warbler of 2000" he said shaking Sebastian's hand. "I thought…"
"It's complicated." Both Barry and Sebastian said. "Sebastian is visiting for the next two weeks, do you mind if he stays around?"
"Of course, not." He chimed. "A brother is always welcomed here."
"So what's this I hear about a performance?" Sebastian asked.
"The three science schools around Central City have a little competition every year started by the drama departments. To help keep the students well balanced." Mr. Collins said. "Last year it was to create their own play. This year it's musicals. One number from well known Broadway musicals."
"And the musical of your choice?"
"Chicago."
"No offence, sir." Sebastian said. "But isn't that a little risky? The performances from that particular musical has a lot of big numbers. That has a lot of professional like dancing."
"These kids can do it." he insisted. "But the students aren't as motivated."
"Do you mind if I watch?"
"Of course not." He said. "An input might benefit."
"Alright." Sebastian said looking for a seat in the middle of the front row.
"Okay guys, let's have one run," Mr. Collins said and murmured."and please make it good."
Mr. Collins though was an adult was slightly embarrassed and afraid of what Sebastian might say.
The students performed "All That Jazz." But they weren't in sync. Some of the more potential dancers were standing at the back. The most of the boys were extremely uncomfortable dancing back up for one girl in the middle of the stage. Who seemed to try to grind herself on to the boys.
The end of the song looked like a relief to most of the cast.
"So?"
Sebastian was in full Warbler Captain mode. "It wasn't bad."
Mr. Collins released a sigh.
"But it wasn't good." Sebastian said. "Song choice doesn't fit the characters and it doesn't really reflect the talent that you have in this team."
"Mr. Chang said the same thing." One of the girls chimed.
"Do you mind if I make a suggestion?"
"Not at all." Mr. Collins said.
Sebastian climbed on the stage and looked at everyone.
"There is one song, that would be perfect." Sebastian said looking at everyone with a smirk. "Cell Block Tango."
The girls started to murmur excitedly and the boys were confused.
"Cell Block Tango?" Mr. Collins asked. "That is one of the biggest performance in the whole musical."
Some of the boys looked nervous, the girls were still excited. Barry was looking at me curiously.
"Seb, are you sure about this?" he asked.
Sebastian gave him a smirk. Then looked at Mr. Collins.
"Do you trust me?"
"Should I?" Mr. Collins asked
"Well I did get Warblers to graduate from the infamous Warbler two step."
The lead stepped forward. "Actually, Mr. Collins. I say we give it a try. You always talked highly about the Warblers. If he's the head Warbler now, he must be good. I mean, what can we loose?"
"And if he's the head of an all boy's show choir, he must be good." One of the other girls said.
"So?"
Mr. Collins looked like he was seriously considering it. The other girls were looking at him with pleading eyes. Especially those who Sebastian noted were pretty good.
"One week."
Sebastian had a smile in his face. "Don't worry, this is going to be awesome."
~()~
The next day Sebastian came into the auditorium thirty minutes before call time. He wore his lacrosse singlet from Dalton and a pair of sweats. He had the radio on with Cell Block Tango playing he was envisioning the whole performance. Dancing at some verses.
"So Sebastian, long time no see."
Sebastian snapped out of it and found Clair standing at one of the wings.
"Clair!" Sebastian hugged his old best friend. "What are you doing here?"
"I go here." she said. "So, Dalton Academy huh?"
"Yeah." Sebastian said sheepishly. "After everything that happened…"
"It's alright." she said. "So you're helping our little rag tag team of performers try to win the little inter school competition."
"Yeah." Sebastian said.
"Are you up for the challenge?"
"Of course." Sebastian said. "The question is are you? I've been known to be a slave driver."
"I can handle anything." She said with a large smirk rivaling Sebastian's "You look like you're starting on the choreography."
"Of course, but the cell block tango isn't complete without any girls." Sebastian said. "Are you up for the challenge."
"Of course, I am."
With Sebastian's instruction, with ten minutes, he and Clair managed to do the first verse of the Cell Block Tango.
The rest of the performers started to enter and they were mesmerized at the pair that was dancing across the stage.
They watch as Sebastian support Clair's weight without toppling over as she jumped on his back in dance. He lifted her by the waist as she pretended to pull the kill him with a scarf. Then they danced tango across the stage.
Barry watched as his brother danced his heart out and of course he couldn't help listen to the girl's talking about him.
"I didn't know Barry had a twin."
"I know right? And he's a hottie." One of them said. "I mean did you see those muscles."
"And he could sing."
"I want to ask him out."
"Go try, I heard he's here for about two weeks. Even for that short time he's really good arm candy."
Barry couldn't help chuckle. If only they knew.
The boys were a bit intimidated by the dancing they were doing.
"Do you think he'd make us do that?" one of the boys asked nervously. "I don't think I can dance like that."
"What about me?" one of the boys who Barry knew was also gay said. "I don't think I can dance with a girl. They just make me uncomfortable."
"You tell him." Barry chimed. "He'll understand."
"Rumor has it that he's a bit of a slave driver." He said. "That's how the Warblers were good. I don't think he'd let me just sit it out."
"Trust me." Barry said. "He'd understand."
Sebastian whistled loudly. Catching the attention of all the performers.
"Okay everyone, up on stage. Ladies two lines facing the audience." Sebastian said. "Boys, in front of the girls."
The girls eagerly followed his instructions. While the boys were a bit more reluctant to follow someone their own age. "Everyone take a seat."
Barry then understood how Sebastian could become the Captain. He stood in front of everyone with a confidence that was almost intimidating. Like he knew what he was doing.
"So I am Sebastian Smythe." He introduced himself. "Before anything, I must warn everyone, I want you all to give me your all. I won't tolerate any slacking. But if you have a problem, please address it to me. I do not want anyone getting hurt."
"I am going to assume you are all familiar with the Cell Block Tango."
The boys all shook their heads while most of the girls knew. or at least were familiar.
"Okay, so for today, we'll be assigning roles. Ladies please spread out." Sebastian said. "So everyone stand up, boys please take two step forward then face the girls."
Sebastian paced between the girls. Some of them giggled which Sebastian paid no mind. He grabbed Clair's hand and brought her beside Michael, a basketball player that was manipulated by Mr. Collins to join.
Carson who was looking nervously at what was happening.
"Bas." Barry called. He motioned for Sebastian to come over. Barry whispered into Sebastian's ear. And Sebastian nodded then went over to Carson.
"Are you alright?" he asked him. "You have anything you're not comfortable with?"
"Uh, I'm not so comfortable in dancing especially those that require partnering up." Carson whispered.
"It's okay." Sebastian said "I won't let you do something you're uncomfortable with. So what I want you to do…"
Carson's posture immediately relaxed. And he smiled "Okay."
Sebastian then proceeded to pair the girls to the rest of the boys. Sebastian paired Mara the well known dancers to one of the boys who actually volunteered to join. Simon was known to have done ballet even with the passion of science. He was a performer.
It wasn't long until each of the boys had a partner. Some of the girls were a bit downcast those that went chosen. But Sebastian wasn't done.
"So, remember your partners." Sebastian said. "But we wouldn't be doing the partner dances until Monday, Tomorrow, ladies please be ready in workout clothes and scan the lyrics of the song. Boys, I will see you on Monday."
"Wait so tomorrow, we'd be with you here without the boys?" one of the girls asked curious.
"Yes." Sebastian said the girls giggled but Barry and Clair couldn't help chuckle.
"Alright that's all for today." Sebastian said. "Dismissed.
~()~
Sebastian was there again in the auditorium thirty minutes before call time. And instead of being greeted with about half the girls.
"Hello ladies." Sebastian greeted courteously
"Hi, Sebastian." They said with a smile. Then they started to introduce themselves.
"So what are we doing, today?" Mara asked. "Why wouldn't we need the boys?"
"We are going to concentrate on the most important in this little play, is the synchronization and the power of voices. Since this concentrates more on you girls than the boys, I thought it would be more effective if we let the boys off for a while."
"So you're going to teach couple dancing with just you?"
"No, for now we're doing the group number and the singing." Sebastian said. the ladies filled in auditorium and they started.
Sebastian called them all on stage, his demeanor turned a whole three sixty. From the 'hotter' brother of Barry to the Captain of the Warblers.
"Alright, ladies. I want three things from this song. I want anger, energy, and most importantly. I want sexy" he said standing in front of them all the ladies were caught off guard. Sebastian steps beside the radio and his finger is on the play button. "I want you to sing"
After the first run, Sebastian wasn't very impressed with their performance, and was pretty blunt to say his discontent.
Only after he snapped did the ladies see that it wasn't all fun and games. They were shock to find that he wasn't anything like Mr. Collins. So they were soon giving it their all, but not without a little scare.
Over all the rehearsal had been productive, the ladies learned the steps to the group number. Althought it needs a little polishing it was good enough. Or at least that's what Sebastian thought.
"So the rehearsal was pretty productive." Clair said as they walked back to the neighborhood. Clair lived a few blocks after the West's house so they went home together. "Though I think you scared half the girls."
"They underestimated me." Sebastian said with a chuckle. "Besides, this is not as productive as what we were subjected to before."
"It's a lot better than the one Mr. Collins had us do." Clair admitted. "And since we did that in one day, it's impressive. It just needs a bit of polishing."
"A lot of polishing."
"We have a week Seb." Clair reminded. "It'll be great."
"I hope so. It would be such a waste to scare a whole group of girls if we aren't able to impress Mr. Collins." Sebastian said.
"I swear some of those girls seemed more attracted the more you scared them." Clair said. "If only they knew."
"And destroy their little dreams?" Sebastian asked with a smirk. "That would be terrible. We should probably tell them after the performance, wouldn't want them distracted."
When Sebastian got home, Barry was sitting on the dining room table.
"Girls are weird." He said flopping himself down on the seat across Barry while putting down his bag on the floor. "These are the days I am happy that I go to an all boy's school."
Barry just chuckled. "And yet you still volunteered."
Sebastian shrugged. "I couldn't have my little brother be embarrassed on stage dancing back up for a star who seemed to love to grind herself on anyone with the male anatomy."
~()~
When the week came up, the teens performed in front of Mr. Collins and a few of the staff from the faculty. They managed to pull it off with a bang. Which surprised the faculty.
They gave a standing ovation which brought big smiles on the faces of the students.
"You out did yourself, Dean." Mr. Garcia complemented. "I honestly didn't know that these kids were this talented."
"As much as I would love to take credit," Mr. Collins said. "I didn't do this."
"Then who did?"
"Guys, where's Sebastian?"
"You called?" Sebastian said with a smirk in his face as he stood in front of the faculty.
"You managed to orchestrate this?" the other drama teacher said clearly impressed.
"Yes, ma'am." Sebastian said.
"You look familiar." One of the teachers said. "By any chance do you have…"
"A twin." Sebastian said. "Yeah, only I'm not as smart."
"You got that right." Barry said with a teasing look. As the rest of the teens came down from the stage.
"So, Mr. Collins. Do you think we're good enough to win?"
The teens were all looking at him expectantly. As did the teachers.
"Yes," he said "I believe we can win this."
The students smiled and were congratulating each other.
"So, it seems that the next generation of Warblers is getting an upgrade from the infamous two step."
"Of course." Sebastian said. "I'm sure Thad and the other Warblers would be proud to know that a veteran Warbler thought so."
"Who's Thad?" Clair asked "Your boyfriend?"
That caught the other girls attention.
"No." Sebastian said and some of the girls sighed but Sebastian couldn't help mess with them. "He isn't my type."
He winked at Barry who chuckled under his breath.
~()~
After Sebastian's visit to Central City that Christmas, it took a bit longer before the two met again. Sebastian's family went on a long business trip to check on his mama's family business after his grandfather's passing. Sebastian then started to take interest in law. So he spends most of his summer with his dad observing and asking all the questions he could in preparation for college.
Senior year was hectic for Sebastian. With Hunter in charge with his almost military grade discipline during Warbler practice. So the two barely had time to talk.
Though, Barry made it a point to come over to for Sectionals. He was going to visit his brother in one of the rooms where they were preparing. He stood at the doorway where he found a group of boys in a familiar uniform.
Hunter spotted Barry on the doorway.
"Sebastian, what are you doing out of uniform, we go on in a few minutes I thought you went to fix your hair."
"I'm not Sebastian." Barry said which caused half the Warblers to raise their eyebrow. While Thad just hid his chuckle at the back.
"Quit playing games, Smythe. We're on in a few..."
"Thad, how much of that crap did you dump on my head?" Sebastian asked coming into the room from the other door. "I had to rinse half of it off or I'd be going on stage with stone for hair. Seriously."
He looked at the Warblers who looked at him wide eyed. "What?"
"Barry's here." Thad said.
"Really?" Sebastian asked slightly excited. "How did you know."
"I was standing by the doorway."
Sebastian turned and smiled at his brother then greeted him with a hug. "What are you…"
"Your mama invited me over for thanksgiving with her cousin at your place. And of course to watch you perform."
"You have a twin?" Nick asked flabbergasted. "So there's two of you."
"I think that's what having a twin means."
"I think he meant there are two six feet tall teenagers with a sharp tongue." Jeff said.
"No, that's just him." Barry said.
"Yeah, he's a lot nicer, a bit of a pushover really." Sebastian said with a chuckle as Barry slapped him behind the head.
"And you're a big bully."
"I know, but you love me either way."
"True."
"As much as I would love to continue this get to know each other phase, we have a competition to win," Hunter said. "I'm sure, we can all meet Sebastian's brother tomorrow."
"Of course." Nick said. "But one last question, how did we not know about you? Why aren't you at Dalton?"
"Because this guy is a science genius." Sebastian said proudly. "And he got into one of the best science high schools back when we were thirteen."
"What happened to you?" Jeff teased causing most of the other Warblers to laugh knowing how clueless Sebastian can be in science.
"Haha, really funny." Sebastian said. "Now don't we have a performance to win?"
~()~
Sooo Imma end it here. :D
Next Chapter: Family
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