Part 22

David was still holding on to Thad when they got to the hotel room. Jordan, Jeremiah, Jasper and Roger were at the hospital. Jordan had ordered the Warblers to get back to the hotel. He would tell them as soon as he heard anything. David was in the room he shared with Thad and Wes. Both boys were sitting on Wes' bed. David sat Indian style in the middle and had Thad sitting on his lap. Thad had his face buried in David's neck and David was holding on to him for dear life. He was also fighting his body, stupid hormones playing tricks on him when Thad sat like that.

"He's gotta be okay", Thad was whispering. "He just gotta."

"Jordan sounded calm when he called", David said rubbing Thad's back.

Jordan had called them and told them Wes was in surgery. David had hurriedly sent the message on. He called the boys in the room beside his, Thad and Wes'. Nick, sharing with Connor and Frank, had called quadruple J in the third room. Jeff had called Rock, who shared with Luke and Lewis, Lewis called up Fred, Max and Oliver and Fred called up Chris, Trent and Rasmus. All of them spreading the word on. Trent had also called up Kurt and Blaine. Roger and Jeremiah stayed with Jordan and Jasper in the last room of the floor.

"What if he dies", Thad asked. "He can't die David."

"He won't die", David assured his boy, yes Thad was his… he just didn't know it yet. And David first had to break him up with whoever Thad was with. As long as it wasn't Fred, Rock or Joseph because David knew those three could take him. But he also knew they were all straight. Then who was it that had Thad's heart? Was it even anyone in the Warblers? There was a knock on the door and David looked up.

"Come in", he called and the door opened. It was the other Warblers. David nodded for them to come in and they all sat all around the room. Everyone was crying or had been crying. The atmosphere was dark and sad. Lewis moved away from the others and sat down alone in a corner, hugging himself while burrying his face in his knees. He was sobbing quietly. To David's dismay Thad moved out of his arms and over to the corner where Lewis was sitting. Thad pulled Lewis close to him and Lewis clung to Thad crying. David looked at them in confusion. Thad leaned his head on Lewis' and rubbed the boy's back, while holding his other hand on the back of Lewis' head. Lewis was holding so tight to Thad's clothes that his knuckles turned white and Thad was soothing him with gentle whispers. What was going on? Was Thad and Lewis a thing? This was crazy! It couldn't be! David felt a hand on his shoulder and heard Rock's smooth voice in his ear.

"Not like that", Rock's deep calm voice said.

"Not like what", David whispered back.

"Lewis' story is the same as Thad's."

Rock moved back a bit and David snuck glances at the two boys in the corner. Lewis was small, had big eyes, was shy… and just like Thad sought comfort from those older or bigger than him. He came to think of regionals and nationals. Lewis had clung to Wes both times, very much like Thad did in the beginning and still did if he needed him. Come to think of it… all the freshmen always tried to be near Wes, they could trust him and they knew it… but did they feel they could trust the older Warblers?

David looked around the room and saw the freshmen, except for Lewis, sitting on their own. The other Warblers all sat in mixed ages. This wasn't right. That's not what Wes taught them the Warblers stood for. It had been a few months since Wes stalked in and demanded an explanation from them as to why they didn't treat the freshmen the way they had when Wes was there. It had been a bit better since… but now… when their strong leader was gone again… it was falling.

David sighed and got up from the bed and walked across the room. He plopped down among Max, Oliver, Connor and Rasmus. They all stared at him with big eyes. David rolled his eyes and pulled Max into a hug. Max blinked but then crumbled. He sniffled and hugged David back. David heard a squeak and turned his head slightly. Fred and Frank were crushing Connor in a double hug… which he seemed to enjoy. Nick walked over and pulled Oliver to him. Luke walked over and sat beside Rasmus, putting his arm around the freshman's shoulders. All Warblers paired up or ended up in groups. But they were all hugging and crying a bit. Rock left the room and returned, dragging Kurt and Blaine with him and he sat them down on Wes' bed and hugged them. All Warblers had to be together.

The room had been quiet for a bit, except for sniffles or sobs that escaped some of the Warblers now and then. Thad was still holding Lewis close to him as the boy cried. A few weeks back Thad had found the young boy in his room, crying. Thad had gone to check up on him since he hadn't showed up at Warblers' rehearsal and the other freshmen said they hadn't seen him all day. So Thad decided to check it out. Wes was very busy with his college studies today, no one had seen him at all and they respected him for taking some time to study. Thad had knocked on Lewis' door and stepped inside.

Thad heard nothing when he knocked but he shrugged and opened the door anyway. Lewis actually shared rooms with the Warbler Joseph, a sophomore. Joseph hadn't said anything about Lewis absence and Thad had the suspicion that the womanly perfume on Joseph's clothes and his absence from breakfast and the first class had something to do with it… if you believed John and Luke. Thad and made his way inside. The room was completely dark and Thad couldn't see anything.

"Lewis", he asked but got no answer. "Lewis?" He felt around for the light switch and then heard a sob.

"You in here buddy?" Thad asked. He closed the door behind him after finding the light switch. He flipped it and light came on in the room. Thad noticed the curtains being pulled over the window… and he noticed a boy in the corner near the bathroom. Thad hurried over and sat down beside him. Lewis sat with his knees pulled up and his face buried in them while he hugged himself. Thad put one arm around the younger boy. Lewis' head snapped up and Thad smiled.

"Why are you hiding in here Lewis", he asked.

"…" Lewis mumbled and buried his face in his knees again.

Thad cocked an eyebrow at that.

"Sorry kid", he said. "I didn't get that."

"You don't want to be near me", Lewis mumbled so low Thad only heard: "Don' wn nr me."

Thad narrowed his eyes and frowned as he tried to understand. The younger boy looked so terrified and miserable that it tore at his heart.

"You think I don't want to be near you", Thad asked after a bit. "Is that what you said?"

Lewis nodded.

"That's ridiculous!" Thad said. "Why on Earth wouldn't I want to be near you?"

"No one wants me", Lewis whispered but Thad only heard: "No wan's me…"

"No one wants you", Thad asked and Lewis nodded squeezing his eyes shut to keep his tears back. "Why do you think that Lewis?"

"I'm all alone", Lewis whispered and that Thad heard. He sighed. He felt… a deeper connection to this boy, deeper than with any of the others… even Wes. Thad also realized they were using the same words he and Wes did that time years ago. Thad pulled Lewis to him in a hug and Lewis gripped his blazer and clung to it.

"No you're not", Thad said gently rubbing the boy's head in a soothing way.

"Yes…" Lewis mumbled miserably sniffing as the tears started falling again. "Mum and dad didn't want me either."

"Their loss then", Thad said. "I want you."

"No…"

"Yes I do."

"No!" Lewis yelled and started to cry again. He tried to push Thad away from him but the older boy, being the same size as Lewis, refused to let go. He only hugged Lewis closer and after a bit. The younger boy stopped fighting and just cried. Thad hugged him and rubbed his back and after a bit… started to sing:

Be brave little one.
Make a wish for each sad little tear.
Hold your head up though no one is near
Someone's waiting for you.

Thad rocked Lewis back and forth, rubbing his back and the boy clung to him, afraid that it was just a dream. But it wasn't a dream, someone really was there for him. But for how long? Thad was a senior. He'd leave at the end of the school year.

Don't cry little one.
There'll be a smile where a frown used to be
You'll be part of the love that you see.
Someone's waiting for you.

Someone was waiting for him. Lewis knew it. Somewhere out there was a girl for him. He would always have Thad, he guessed and he would have Wes. That he knew. Everyone knew they could always count on Wes for help. I mean… why else would he be here?

Always keep a little prayer in your pocket
and you're sure to see the light.
Soon there'll be joy and happiness
and your little world will be bright

Have faith little one
'Til your hopes and your wishes come true.
You must try to be brave little one.
Someone's waiting to love you

Lewis had stopped crying, but was still hugging Thad. He sniffled and chuckled.

"Seriously", he said. "The Rescuers?"

"Blame Wes", Thad said with a grin. "This is all his fault."

"How did you know what I needed", Lewis asked looking up at him.

"Because", Thad said getting up, pulling Lewis with him. "We have gone through the same thing you and I. Come to think of it… most parts of our talk before were identical to my talk with Wes."

"Spooky."

"Yes… but needed. How are you feeling?"

"Better", Lewis sniffled wiping his eyes. "Thank you Thad."

"You can always count on me kid", Thad said and they left to go join the Warblers for dinner. Thad knew Lewis would be okay, after all… he'd turn out okay.

Thad was snapped back from his trip down memory lane by Jeff singing. Everyone turned to the blonde as he sang:

Come along
Will there be sunshine shinin'?
Will we find a silver linin'?
Come along
Sing a song
When today becomes tomorrow
Will we find joy or sorrow?
Sing a song

Lewis looked up at Thad and smiled, getting out of his arms and got up on his feet. (Lewis, Connor & Rasmus, Max & Oliver)

Is it wrong? - All heads snapped to Lewis.
To put all our hopes together
And wish for something better?
Is it wrong
To belong?
To face the future with another
Who means more than any other
Is to belong

Everyone stared at him, not knowing he even knew that song. Thad grinned and put his arm around Lewis' shoulder. But Lewis was a great tenor, but then to their shock Connor and Rasmus took over the song.

We'll paint the grey clouds
With pretty rainbow hues
And we'll brush the gloom away
And save it for a rainy day
Rainy day
Oh today!

Max and Oliver flew up and took over.

If troubles cast a shadow
And shadows makes the sun afraid to stay
But it's okay
'Cause there will be sunshine shinin'
And we'll find a silver linin' another day

Tomorrow is another day

How I wish you'll always stay

Tomorrow is another day

The other Warblers stared at the freshmen, it had been beautifully song and Rock started to laugh and then applauded them. The other Warblers followed suit. David whistled and laughed, but then his phone rang.

"Hello", he asked. Everyone looked at him because he was quiet for what felt like an eternity. "Okay… thanks Jordan. Yeah… we'll come by tomorrow. Yeah, tell him we said hi and that we love him."

He hung up and then turned to the Warblers, they were all looking at him.

"Wes is okay", he said and everyone cheered. "The surgery went well, the bullet only hit his collarbone and it shattered… that's why he passed out. The surgeon could repair the bone with no problem. Wes only needs to rest for a few weeks and his muscles were, remarkably enough, spared from almost any damage."

Everyone sighed in relief and was then overpowered by tiredness. They all just slept in that room. Tomorrow they'd go see Wes. The last thing David saw before falling asleep was Thad lying down beside him, putting his arms around him and cuddle close to him. David looked around, no one was watching, so with a happy grin he put his arms around Thad and pulled him close to his chest.

TBC