Part 17
The week continued to throw things against them. It turned out two of the songs they were doing were being done by two other choirs… one of them being the New Directions. That made the freshmen seethe in anger but Wes quickly killed that angry fire. He explained that the good job the Warblers did at regionals with well known music known from kids-movies had inspired the New Directions. So now Wes had three days to get two songs going, Nick was there helping him out, so that he could learn how to work out the harmonies and sheet music next year, his senior year. Nick was good at what he was doing, his only problem was that he had a hard time hearing differences between bass-harmonies. Wes patiently showed him how to do it. They were right now working on one of their songs when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in", Wes called and in came Kurt, Blaine and Mike.
"Oh so what do we have here", Nick said in a cold voice. The Warblers had all agree, after coaxing Wes and bribe him a lot, to act cold and angry with the New Directions as a joke after what they did.
"Looks to me that we have some spies", Wes said calmly and crossed his arms and turned to the boys. "Or should we say song-stealers."
"Wes", Blaine began. "Please we didn't know you were doing that song as well! You have to believe me! We didn't spy on you or steal from you!"
"Oh so when I found you in here a few weeks ago you didn't look through my sheet music to steal ideas", Wes asked cocking an eyebrow. Nick stared at him in shock and Blaine blushed a deep shade of red. Kurt and Mike were as well staring at him.
"Wes", Blaine complained. "You promised not to say anything!"
"And you promised you only wanted to burrow sheet music for Circle of Life so that New Directions could sing it at that primary school. But instead you stole our idea of using Hallelujah."
"I swear I had no idea!" Blaine was getting desperate now and Nick was enjoying the show. He never knew Wes was such a good actor.
"Sure you didn't", Wes spat, grinning on the inside. He had to admit that this was kinda fun.
"Wes you gotta believe me", Blaine begged grabbing hold of Wes' shoulders. "Please I had no idea you were gonna do Hallelujah when I suggested it to Schue!"
"And you want me to believe that", Wes asked and rose slowly. He then snorted and looked outside. Nick was smirking now and Mike and Kurt looked confused and scared.
"Yes", Blaine was getting desperate. "Wes you can't just-"
Wes just walked past him and out of the room. Behind him he left four confused boys.
"Uh Wes", Nick called and hurried to the door. He saw Wes walk hurriedly and then started to run. Nick looked at the others and then followed his leader.
"Wes!" He yelled. Other Warblers heard his shout and they noticed their coach run through the hallways… a look of pure fury on his face.
Wes ran down the hallways, he ran faster than he ever had before and his mind set on only one thing… stop that bastard. He slammed the doors of Dalton open and ran outside. He rounded the corner to the parking lot and lunged at an African-American with Asian features.
"Get your hands off of him!" Wes yelled as he slammed into Jerome Montgomery and pushed him off of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was on the ground, crying and bleeding. Wes and Jerome rolled over the concrete and Wes ended up on top. He was sitting on Jerome's chest pressing him down.
"Don't you dare touch him", Wes growled.
"Oh and what are you gonna do about it bastard", Jerome spat.
"I'll crush your head against the concrete should you even try to harm Miah again."
"And who says you have a say in anything I do Wesley", Jerome spat and Wes didn't get time to react when a leg was suddenly around his waist and a foot to his neck. Jerome used his legs to push and drag Wes sideways in one swift motion. The younger man had no time to react before his head met the concrete.
"WES!" Jeremiah screamed in fear as Wes hit the ground. Pain exploded in Wes' head and he lost all bearings. He felt a hand grab the back of his collard and his head was pulled up.
"How much good will you do if your brains are all over the concrete", Jerome growled and was about to slam Wes' head against the concrete.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" A few voices yelled and Wes felt the breathtaking grip on his collar disappear and he falls forward, his nose hit the ground with a crack but he could feel that it wasn't broken. He feels hands on his shoulder.
"Hey! Big Shot Warbler! Are you okay", a voice asked. He knew that voice. Strong and firm hands turned him over and he groaned as the world spun violently and dots danced in front of his eyes. When he could focus his gaze again he saw three shadows above him. Wes blinked and could now make out the shadows' features. One was blonde and had a pretty big mouth and the other was a girl… a Latina and the third was a boy in a wheelchair.
"Are you okay yo", the kid in the wheelchair asked. Wes knew his name, he really did… he just couldn't remember it right now.
"Ow", was all Wes could get out and tried to sit up.
"No", the Latina said gently but stern. "Stay down."
"Miah", Wes groaned.
"Was that an Asian insult", the blonde asked.
"No", Wes groaned. "Miah…"
"WES!" a scream and a young man were at his side. He was bruised and had cuts everywhere but he grabbed hold of Wes' hand.
"Hey Miah", Wes said feeling loopy. "You okay?"
"Yeah", Jeremiah said gently and sniffled. "Are you okay?"
"Oh I'm okay… my head's just really full of air… I feel like I'm floating."
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up and saw David talk into his phone, Wes snapped up something about an ambulance. Suddenly he felt really tired.
"Wake me when tha' 'bulance ge' 'ere", he spluttered groggily. "Imma gonna sleep a bi'…"
"No you don't", the Latina growled and shook his shoulders. "You are staying awake you hear me."
"I'm older… don' 'ave ta lisn…" Wes grumbled and was out. No matter how they tried he wouldn't open his eyes again. What had happened you wondered? Who was it that screamed at Jerome… and who was it that jumped Jerome?
The New Directions were hiding out in the parking lot. It had been Santana's idea to go and apologize to the Warbler for the situation they'd put them in. The arrangers had called Mr. Schue and told him that they had stopped the group known as the Dalton Academy Warblers from performing the same song the New Directions would perform.
Blaine had blanched in terror. He had seen the sheet music on Wes' desk but thought it was going to be used for the church concert the Warblers had been forced to do… after all principal Carmichael was not just going to forgive the Warblers for everything they did when Sebastian was boss. The Warblers had to perform in churches, nursing homes, primary and secondary schools, other high schools nearby and kindergartens… even malls. So Blaine hadn't thought of it being the Warblers' Nationals material. Santana had more or less forced the New Directions to go and ask the Warblers for forgiveness… because they had just done a Smythe.
"You guys go in", Rachel hissed to Kurt and Blaine. "You know the boys better than anyone… and Wes loves you."
"Yeah but if he's angry I don't wanna be near him", Blaine said, face pale. "Wes is really scary when he's angry…"
"Don't be such a chicken", Santana said. "Go inside!"
"I'll come if it'll help you", Mike offered and they left. The New Directions waited patiently.
They saw an African-American with Asian features walk out of the school towards the park behind the school. They all jumped when a car door slammed open nearby and another African-Asian-American stalked towards the other one. He was a grown man and he looked furious. The Dalton boy saw him and looked horrified. The man yelled something at him and the boy tried to run. But the man ran up to him and started to hit him.
New Directions were too shocked to do anything… when Puck, Sam and Finn decided to do something they didn't get the time. They stared in shock and awe as the Big Shot Warbler ran out of the school and flung himself at the man. They saw them tumble over the ground and the BSW yelled something at the man. They also saw the man's leg grab hold of the BSW and he was slammed into the concrete. Finn, Sam, Puck and Santana ran at the scene. They saw the Warblers, Blaine, Kurt and Mike come out of the school. Puck was closest to the man and the BSW.
"How much good will you do if your brains are all over the concrete", he heard the man growl and saw that he was about to slam BSW's head against the concrete.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" Puck, Santana and the Warblers yelled. Puck jumped the guy and with Finn, Mike, Fred and Rock's help he got him down on the ground. Some of the Warblers crowded around the other kid while the New Directions joined them. Artie wheeled over to Santana and Sam. The three of them were talking to the BSW.
"He okay", Puck asked Rock and nodded to the African-Asian-American kid. Rock looked over and saw that Thad, Roger and Trent were talking to him gently, while Jeremiah clung to Roger in fear.
"He'll be", Rock explained.
"What's the deal here", Finn asked. He was sitting on the man's legs, Fred was pressing down on the man's back, Puck and Rock held his arms and Mike was helping Finn with the legs.
"Long story short", Fred said. "The kid that got beaten up and this guy are brothers, their Wes' half-brothers. This douche we're 'sitting' on is a homophobe and the kid is gay."
"Wow", Mike said. "Tough luck."
"Ya think", Rock asked annoyed.
"WES!" the beaten kid suddenly screamed and flung his arms around the BSW. Puck noticed blood coming from the Asian's nose and that he looked kinda loopy… his eyes were kinda dull and unfocused. Puck guessed it had to do with that slam they witnessed and then how he fell to the ground when Puck grabbed the douche. It didn't take long for the Asian to blackout and soon the ambulance and cops came. The New Directions told them what they knew as did the Warblers and after that they were allowed to go to the hospital.
Wes woke up with a groan and felt pressure on his arm. He looked up and saw Jeremiah lean on him fast asleep. His cuts had been cleaned and so had his face. He looked okay, save the cuts and bruises. Wes smiled gently and looked around the room. All the Warblers were there… even Kurt and Blaine. He shook his head and sat up, with a wince. Jeremiah woke up and hugged him hurriedly. He told Wes that Jerome was being charged for assault and attempted murder. Wes was shocked but guessed it was because of the thing Jerome had growled when he was going to slam Wes' face to the ground. Wes knew that the guy had been drunk… he had been able to smell it on him. But it was still no excuse. Wes was also informed that he would have to stay in bed for a week… and that Nationals had been moved back a week as well because some pipes at the theater had burst. Wes didn't mind… it would give him some rest after all.
Soon Blaine and Kurt woke as well and they yet again pleaded with Wes… and the other Warblers to forgive them for taking their song.
"Blaine it's okay", Wes assured him. "It's just a song."
"That you were going to use for Nationals", Kurt pointed out.
"So", Wes said. "Our new program is much better than the last one… and has been approved by the way."
"Why are you suddenly so okay with it", Blaine asked. "You were all angry before."
"No", Wes snorted and then explained the joke the Warblers had been playing on Kurt, Blaine and Mike. "Sorry… we just had to do something… you did steal our idea after all."
"I didn't know-" Blaine began but stopped when he saw the gentle smile aimed at him. "Sorry…"
"Why do you keep apologizing", David asked and walked up to him. "We said it was okay."
"I just…" Blaine sighed and looked away. "Santana calls what we did pulling a Smythe."
The Warblers' eyes widened, even Jeremiah's, he knew the story after all. Kurt took Blaine's hand in his own.
"I just", Blaine began again. "I felt lousy because I ruined the chances my friends had… I know I know you guys know what I feel like because you did the same… but that doesn't make me feel any better. I didn't want to steal your song… I didn't want to be like him."
"Blaine", Wes said sharply and with an angry edge to his tone. Blaine turned to him in shock. Wes' face was stern and Blaine knew that whatever he said… Wes would not agree.
"Blaine", Wes said again. "You are not like Smythe. You 'stole' our song by accident… he tried to steal from you willingly. There is the big difference."
"But-"
"No buts", Wes said in his big brother voice. "Compare yourself to Smythe one more time and life as you know it will end. Have I made myself clear?"
Blaine blushed and looked at his feet.
"…" he mumbled.
"I can't hear you", Wes said sharply.
"Yes", Blaine hurriedly said. "S-"
"Say sorry one more time and I will kick you out of this room", Wes said and pointed at him warningly. Blaine shut his mouth with a plop and Kurt started to snigger… as did the other boys. Jeremiah was watching with interest. Not even Jordan, Jerome or their dad had that kind of power over anyone… not even their girlfriends/wives or kids in his father's case and Wes did this to teenage boys…
'Wow', Jeremiah thought. 'He should write books about raising teenage boys.'
The boys continued to talk for a few hours more before Wes more or less kicked them out so that he could get a much needed sleep. He was so tired after all the work of that week. First of all it was the entire Warbler planning, contacting hotels and such, then he had his college studies as well and he had to sub for two different classes as well. He was dead tired… the only reason Jerome had been allowed to surprise him like that he told them… though he knew it was because he had only kept one thing in mind at the time… crush Jerome.
Nothing more happened that week and soon it was off to New York, yet again host for Nationals. Wes was happy to be there with his friends and brothers. He even booked rooms at the same hotel the New Directions were staying at. The two groups celebrated together the evening before the competition. They ate a fabulous dinner and danced and just enjoyed themselves. A few other choirs joined in as well and all of them had a good time. Then Wes' phone rang. He waved at David and Thad as they called out to him. He then answered the phone and stepped outside.
Sometime fate has a sense of humor. As the music came to a stop, due to someone by mistake tripping over the plug, there was a crash from a glass outside the room. Mr. Schue and Fred had been standing the closest so they walked outside. They saw Wes stand, with glass all around his feet, his eyes big in shock and mouth agape. He was holding his phone to his ear and looked shocked. Fred walked up to him and gave his shoulder a gently shake. What happened then shocked both teacher and Dalton student. Because Wes' face broke out in a wide grin and he started to talk a thousand miles an hour. Fred and Schue looked at each other.
"Uh Wes", Fred asked but the older boy either didn't hear him or ignored him.
"Are you sure? You are not kidding me because if you are I am gonna kill you and revive you so that I can kill you again! They really said that? What? They can't be… but… Oh my God! Yes! Of course! Hell yes! Yes! Thank you! Thank you very much!" Wes said all this in one breath before hanging up and jumped into the air with a loud: "YAHOO!"
Fred grabbed hold of the back of his collar and pulled him backwards, into the room. Wes started coughing and Fred let go. The Warblers all hurried over.
"Wes, are you feeling okay", Jeremiah asked.
"Okay", Wes question. "I'm feeling better than okay Miah!" He was beaming like crazy again. "I'm feeling fucking fantastic!" He jumped into the air again fist pumping.
"Uh", Jeremiah looked confused.
"What brought all this on", Blaine asked.
"My teacher just called!" Wes' smile matched that of the Cheshire cat. "He had wonder… No awe… there's no word to describe it!"
"What did he say", Rachel asked.
"I've gotten offered a role on Broadway!" Wes shouted.
At first the room is completely quiet but then the Warblers, former as well, swarms their coach and pats his back and hugs him. The New Directions were in shock, Mr. Schue was smiling though. He knew Wes was talented and apparently someone else saw it too.
"This is awesome Wes!" Blaine shouted. "What musical?"
"Godspell", Wes said grinning. "The Broadway revival."
"Awesome", David said. "When does rehearsals start?"
"At the end of the school year", Wes explained. The freshmen, sophomore and junior Warblers looked at him sadly.
"Does this mean you for sure won't be with us next year", Lewis asked and Wes sighed and pulled the boy into a hug.
"Don't worry Lewis", he said. "I'll come visit when I'm free. But you guys have to stand on your own. I can't always be there you know."
"I know it's just…"
"Yeah I know the feeling", Rock told Lewis. "But things will turn out right."
"But this time we won't let anyone like Smythe rule us", Nick said. "By Wes' gavel I swear this." Wes rolled his eyes.
"Why do you keep calling that thing mine?" he asked in annoyance.
"It is yours", Fred said grinning. "You bought it when you got tired of that whistle you had at first."
"That whistle belonged to the former chairmen", Wes explained and grimaced. "I hated the shrill sound…"
"Well", Mr. Schue said and patted him on the back. "Congratulations Wes, but now I guess we need to put the kids to bed. We have an important day tomorrow."
"Yeah we do", Wes said and looked at the Warblers' chairman. "Nick."
"Yes sir", Nick said grinning and then turned to the Warblers. "Boys go to your rooms, sleep and be up by 7 tomorrow. Our rehearsal starts at 9 and the competition at 11. So march."
The boys all grinned and followed orders. Wes shook hands with Will before following the boys. Tomorrow would be a busy day.
The stage became dark and Kurt and Blaine were giddy with excitement of seeing what their friends would come up with this time. But when the curtain moved they were a bit confused. The Warblers were not in their normal uniforms. They had black trousers, black knee-high boots, black turtle neck sweatshirts and long black trenchcoats witht the Dalton D on their chests but without the traditional red ripping… but the trenchcoats also had hoods. The boys started to ooooh or aaaah and suddenly a voice started speaking… Wes' voice and the Warblers spread out to show their coach walking towards the stage edge.
"Long ago in the far way land of ancient Greece", he said and the ND grinned. "There was a golden age of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes. And greatest and strongest of all these heroes, was the mighty Hercules. But what is the measure of a true hero. Now that is what our story-"
"Will you listen to him", Jeff cut him off and ran up to the stage edge. "He's making the story sound like some Greek tragedy!" The audience laughed as Jeff 'collapsed' onto his knees with a dramatic sigh. Nick put his arm around Wes' shoulders.
"Lighten up dude", he said.
"We'll take it from here darling", Trent said, patting his coach's hand and Wes rolled his eyes and walked off of the stage with a:
"You go boys."
The boys started to hum again and Trent turned to the audience and the other boys made different low bum bum or dum dum noises.
"We are the Warblers", he said. "Gods of the arts and proclaimers of heroes."
"Heroes like Hercules", Nick said looking swooned.
"Honey you mean Hunkules!" Jeff said happily. "I'd like to make some sweet music of his-"
"Our story actually begins long before Hercules", Trent snapped at Jeff and cut him off and then he turned to the audience looking gentle again. "Many eons ago." The entire choir broke out in a: (Nick, Trent, Jeff, Warblers)
Yeah
Back when the world was new
The planet Earth was down on its luck
And everywhere gigantic brutes
called Titans ran amok
It was a nasty place
There was a mess
where ever you stepped
Where chaos reigned and
earthquakes and volcanoes never slept
"Whoo sing it buddy!" Jeff shouted and the Warblers broke out in a dance.
And then along came Zeus
He hurled his thunderbolt
He zapped
Locked those suckers in a vault
They're trapped
And on his own stopped
chaos in its tracks
And that's the gospel truth
The guy was too type A to just relax
And that's the world's first dish
Yeah baby!
Zeus tamed the globe
While still in his youth
Though, honey, it may seem imposs'ble
That's the gospel truth
On Mt. Olympus life was neat and
Smooth as sweet vermouth
Though, honey, it may seem imposs'ble
That's the gospel truth
Kurt laughed and cheered with the rest of the audience as the Warblers started to oooh, aah and yeah… but suddenly changed melody and the basses and some baritones were heard loudly doing "ah ah ah"… which sounded totally amazing by the way. Nick, Jeff and Trent stepped back into formation and David stepped forward as the boys sang backup in different harmonies of course. Kurt knew that he knew the song but he couldn't place it… until David started to sing with a really convincing French accent.
David:
Morning in Paris, the city awakes
To the bells of Notre Dame
The fisherman fishes, the bakerman bakes
To the bells of Notre Dame
To the big bells as loud as the thunder
To the little bells soft as a psalm
And some say the soul of the city's
The toll of the bells
The bells of Notre Dame
Dark was the night when our tale was begun
On the docks near Notre Dame
Blaine chuckled as Jeff started to cry as if he was a small child.
Thad:
"Shup it up, will you!"
Rock:
"We'll be spotted!"
Jeremiah:
"Hush, little one."
David:
Four frightened gypsies slid silently under
The docks near Notre Dame
Fred:
"Four guilders for safe passage into Paris"
David:
But a trap had been laid for the gypsies
And they gazed up in fear and alarm
At a figure whose clutches
Were iron as much as the bells
Thad:
"Judge Claude Frollo"
David:
Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells
Bells of Notre Dame
David and the Warblers held the last note and the lights went out and the audience looked confused and Kurt got worried, thinking something was wrong and he prayed that Wes hadn't forgotten the new rule about at least one song was supposed to have accompanied music to the singing. Just as the audience had started to applaud music came from the stage and the Warblers sang:
O Fortuna – "Oh my God they're doing O Fortuna", Rachel said in awe.
velut luna
statu variabilis
Kurt's jaw had dropped when the Warblers started to sing and the lights came on onstage again. The Warblers stood in a semicircle, the hoods were up on their trenchcoats and they looked so… awesome and scary at the same time.
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
"Oh my God", Blaine said as the boys sang. "Wes is a bloody genius!" Kurt and the rest of the New Directions couldn't help but agree. The Warblers were incredible. They made dramatic hand movements and miniature dance steps as they sang but it was all… very cool.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis,
obumbrata
et velata
michi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis
et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!
As the music died out the audience got on their feet cheering and clapping. The Warblers grinned and took their bow and left the stage. The audience cheered loudly and the New Directions were awestruck, Mr. Schue clapping slowly with his mouth wide open. He hadn't expected that. Kurt and Blaine were jumping up and down and Blaine noticed Jasper and Jordan in the audience. Jasper in police uniform and Jordan was just dressed in jeans and T-shirt. The two of them was standing, applauding, whistling and cheering louder than anyone around them. They were so proud of both of their brothers.
TBC