Part 4
Mark found the rest of the Warblers sitting in the choir room doing homework. The group sat divided into four groups. One was tackling geography, another languages, a third worked on history and the last whatever was left. The groups were rather big 7 boys in each group and when Mark joined somewhere they'd be 29… uh 28 boys and Just… no Justin was back and had left Justine in the wardrobe for the rest of the day. Jerry looked up from the history group when Mark entered and he raised an eyebrow.
"Well", he asked and everyone looked up and at Mark.
Mark rolled his eyes.
"How does he do that", he muttered and sat down between Brad and Austin. Right maybe I should at least introduce these Warblers by name. First name anyway because not all of them got second names yet.
We have the senior warblers:
Mark, Jerry, Scott, Bastian, Brad, Fredric and Richard.
Then we have the juniors:
Peter, Michael, Phillip, Charles, Lucas, Brad and Ethan.
We can't forget the sophomores:
Joseph, William, Roger, Matt, Austin, Justin/Justine, Reed, Malcolm and Tom
And last and youngest we have the freshmen:
Nathan, Otto, Julian, Mitch, Eric, Carl and John.
Yeah a lot of names don't worry you will always found them at the bottom. Now back to the story.
All these boys were watching Mark with interest.
"Wesley is asleep", he said calmly. "After Justine's rant he hurried back to his room to be alone for a bit."
"What did you do", Bastian asked curiously.
"Nothing. Just held him. I don't think anyone's ever done that before."
"Really", Jerry asked confused.
"Yeah."
"You got sent here because you're an ex-con! I got sent here to be hidden away so that my father can live on without shame! He sent me away from the day I was born! 8 years with his parents, posing as a cousin and then off to the other side of the nation and then off again! What did I do to deserve this? Is it a crime being born?"
Wesley's words still echoed through his mind, that and those sad eyes he had. Mark told them of his talk with Wesley and all boys looked troubled, even Lucas put his books aside.
"So what should we do about it", Otto asked. "We can't just let the kid spend all his time in that room. We need to get him to trust us."
"Yeah but how", Mitch asked. "You tried, Nathan tried, Jerry tried and Justine tried. Nothing seems to be working."
"We took for granted the kid has been used to people caring about him", Jerry said calmly. "We never thought he'd been abandon like this."
"What will happen at Christmas then", Charles asked worriedly.
"I guess we'll see when we come to it."
The boys looked between each other and Philip looked at Jerry.
"So what do we do now Jer", he asked. "We can't just let the kid walk around thinking he's unwanted."
"We're not", Jerry said standing up and at once had everyone's undivided attention. "I don't know about all of you but I noticed that our little kid has quite the voice to him."
A lot of affirmative murmurs were heard and Jerry smirked.
"I also witnessed him shining like the sun talking about music", he said. "And the Warblers."
"You want him to join", Lucas concluded. "That would be a first."
"But he's too young to join the Warblers", Nathan said.
"Yeah and we would break the rules if we brought him with us to competitions", Otto pointed out.
"Which I told him", Jerry explained. "But why not let him join at our other performances or just our practices? I think he'd enjoy that and we could help him."
Everyone seemed to agree to that and they decided to give the kid some space and then invite him to an audition. Well try to give him some space anyway.
The next day Wesley ate his breakfast in the cafeteria with all other boys. He wasn't as stared at today but boys still kept sending him odd glances. No one sat by him either and that hurt just a little. He knew he had himself to blame just slightly for that. He thought that he had been a crybaby since his arrival but he didn't know how to react. No one had ever shown him any interest before or kindness… not anything.
At his old private school no one wanted to be near him because he was the only Asian kid and the teachers told everyone why he was there all the time. That made him a target for taunting and no one wanted to be near him because if your family didn't want you near them there must be something wrong with you right?
Wesley had tried for so long to figure out what was wrong with him. Was it his size? Was it his name? Was it how he looked? He knew his half-siblings looked both Asian but with dark skin, their mother was African-American after all. But after a while he realized why… he was a sin. His dad had cheated on his wife with Wesley's mom and God punished him by Wesley being born. He was a walking sin, a bastard, a proof of unfaithfulness, a proof of broken vows and he was not loved by anyone.
That was when he stopped thinking God existed. If God existed Wesley wouldn't have been in this situation. He wouldn't be unloved, wouldn't be a walking sin, a walking shame or a walking bastard. He'd live with a family that loved him. He'd live with a mum and dad that loved him. Maybe he'd even have some brothers or sisters or both. It was just a fantasy, a beautiful distant fantasy. His reality wasn't like that.
He sniffled a little but had decided not to cry today… unless he hurt himself really bad or he just felt too sad again. He hated this school. He hated his dorm. He hated his room. He hated his father. He hated his stepmom. He hated his half-siblings. He hated his entire life.
He had tried to hate the boys that had talked to him. No… he couldn't really hate them because he didn't know them. But maybe he could dislike them? Laughter caught his attention and he turned his head and saw Alvaro and his group sitting by a table.
Alvaro. Yeah Wesley could dislike that guy. He had been mean. He looked around the room and saw Nathan and Otto. He tried really hard to dislike them but couldn't. They had tried to be nice to him… it just didn't work. He saw no trace of Justine and was happy because… he was afraid of her. When she flew up and started yelling he got scared and embarrassed because he got looked at more than before. That's why he ran. Her try to get people off of his back forced them onto it instead. He wondered slightly where Jerry and Mark could be.
"Good morning Wes", a voice said beside him and he jumped with a squeak. He turned and saw Jerry sit beside him eating his breakfast calmly.
"Sorry", Jerry said, he was wearing glasses today. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I-it's okay", Wesley mumbled.
'At least he answers to the pet-name Nathan or Otto gave him', Jerry thought. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm", Wesley mumbled and drank his juice. Mark sat down with them too and Jerry sniggered.
Mark was not a morning person and he looked like the living dead. Wesley watched him too. Mark's movements were slow and his eyes barely open, his hair tussled and he wasn't in full uniform. He had his pajama pants on and no shoes. Jerry sniggered and Wesley looked between him and Mark. Then Jerry had to hold his breath because little Wesley stood up and went around the table and felt on Mark's forehead. Jerry thought the kid was crazy! No one dared touching Mark in the mornings.
"What are you doing", Jerry asked curiously and just a tad scared.
"Just checking if he's sick", Wesley said and Mark opened his eyes a crack. "No one can look this horrid if he's alright."
Jerry blinked a few times.
"Or is he always a zombie come to life in the mornings", Wesley asked with an impassive look on his face. The kid was crazy. Yup no doubt about it. He was teasing Mark in the morning! The kid would die now. When Mark gripped Wesley's wrist Jerry rose, afraid something bad would happen. Everyone in the room looked their way, prepared to jump in if need be. But Mark only pulled the little boy close and had him sit in the chair beside.
"Sit, don' talk", Mark grumbled to him sternly. "Eat."
"Why should I listen to you", Wesley muttered.
"'m older…"
"But I can dress myself properly", Wesley teased and Jerry fell down in his chair. That's it, the kid would die now. He could see the headlines: UNDEAD GIANT MURDERES SWEET LITTLE BOY!
But then to Jerry and everyone else's surprise Mark started to laugh and then patted Wesley on the shoulder.
"Funny kid", he said and Wesley blushed slightly.
"Good morning boys", a voice said and everyone looked up and saw Ms. Lincoln stand in the door looking for him.
"Top of the morning to you Miss Lincoln", Alvaro said standing up smiling his most charming smile. "May I say you look as beautiful as ever this fine morning?"
Ms. Lincoln looked at him.
"Good morning Mr. Sanchez", she answered ignoring his smile and flirt.
"Are you looking for someone special Ms?" Alvaro said putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Yes."
"Well you've found me", Alvaro said wiggling his eyebrows. Ms. Lincoln looked at him and smiled.
"Tell me something Mr. Sanchez."
"I'd tell you anything you'd want to hear miss", he said grinning.
"Are you about 3 foot 11?"
"Uh… no", Alvaro looked confused.
"Then I'm not looking for you."
She walked away and Wesley sniggered at Alvaro's confused face and then he got up and hurried up to Ms. Lincoln.
"I'm around 3 foot 11", he said and grinned up at her. She smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come with me then", she said and they walked out of the room. Some of the boys were sniggering, Alvaro was glaring and Jerry was still trying to grasp that Mark hadn't killed the little boy. Maybe Wesley was a saint in disguise and not a demon as Justine had thought at first.
Wesley seemed to enjoy his studies. Ms. Lincoln noticed this and the boy was smart too and dedicated. He worked so dutifully that she wondered why he worked so hard. Maybe he felt the need to do good so that his father would accept him or see him?
Ms. Lincoln and everyone in the staff knew of Wesley's situation. How his father kept him away from him to not cause a scandal… and to make sure no one ever found out. He had explained that there would be in no contact and that he would pay for Wesley's staying at just one point and not at the start of the school year as all other parents.
Ms. Lincoln felt so sorry for the little boy. He had no idea what parental love was. He had never had it. But yet. He was so polite and smiled at her when he realized she was watching him. He asked for help a few times and listened with interest to everything she said.
She was happy to have been elected his teacher. He was such a sweetheart. She had had a little talk with the rest of the staff and they all agreed to try to keep an eye on him. They had all heard of the little scene in the cafeteria that involved a certain drag-queen. Justine wasn't a bad person… she just lacked a bit of tact.
"Excuse me Ms. Lincoln can I go for lunch now", Wesley asked and she smiled and let him go.
Wesley sat at a table alone in the cafeteria… but not for long. Alvaro sat down beside him.
"Yo small fry we need to talk", he said.
"No we don't", Wesley grumbled. "And my name is Wesley."
"Yeah yeah whatever", Alvaro said and waved with his hand. "Now you made a fool out of me yesterday and today."
"I didn't", Wesley spat. "You did that perfectly fine by yourself. Now leave me alone."
But Alvaro grabbed the hand with which Wesley was moving food into his mouth. Wesley glared at the older boy.
"Let go of me", he growled pulling to get his hand loose.
"No because you and I are having this chat… now." Alvaro rose and pulled Wesley with him roughly.
"Ow!" Wesley exclaimed but couldn't do anything as he was dragged out of the room. "Let go of me!"
But no one jumped in to defend him. That hurt a bit. The room was full of boys but no one helped. So maybe everything Mark, Jerry, Nathan, Otto and Justine had said wasn't true after all. Maybe everything they did wasn't for real… maybe he really was all alone. He got dragged out of the cafeteria feeling scared. He knew he'd get hurt now and no one cared about it. He was all alone and in danger.
"Oi!" Wesley raised his head. He knew that voice. He saw Nathan stalk towards them down the corridor looking furious.
"Let him go Alvaro", Nathan growled when he reached them.
"Nope", Alvaro said. "Because pip-squeak and I were gonna go and have a talk."
"No we weren't", Wesley spat trying to be brave.
"Shut it pipsqueak."
"Stop calling me that!"
"I only call it as I see it."
"And I do too jerk-face."
"Oi!"
"I only call it as I see it!" Wesley mocked and Alvaro tightened his grip on his arm. "Ow! You're hurting me! Let go!"
"Shut up!" Alvaro spat and shook him.
"Ow!" Wesley felt close to tears, he was that scared.
"Alvaro you're hurting him", Nathan yelled. "Let him go he's just a kid."
"A kid that made a fool out of me!" Alvaro yelled.
"You do that so good on your own", Wesley remarked trying to be brave again but Alvaro only tightened his grip on him and Wesley whimpered.
"Wes please be quiet", Nathan begged. "Alvaro let go of him."
"No", Alvaro said. "He's just a bit scared, nothing wrong with a little roughness at times."
"Let me go..." Wesley whispered.
"Wes please don't say anything more", Nathan begged kindly. "He'll only be rougher."
"Stupid older boys with I know better attitudes", Wesley grumbled but then only glared at the floor.
Nathan Newland was a happy and funny guy unless you angered him because then he got the temper of an angry bull. He was physical when angry and had no problem with punching people he thought deserved it… or insulted him for being gay. Yeah Nathan was gay and that's why he was sent to Dalton. His parents thought it would straighten him out, when it in real life worked the exact opposite. He was more safe with himself and confident in himself and his sexuality. He didn't let anyone bother him about it… even though he got physical and ended up in trouble for it.
Alvaro knew this. He knew what an angry Nathan Newland could do. He had been on the receiving end before. But he was not gonna let the jerk get away with it this time.
Alvaro Sanchez was a handsome boy, everybody knew that. He wasn't the smartest boy at Dalton but he was the hottest one, according to him. He wasn't a big sport star or in the Warblers or in any other group or team. He didn't need to because he was well-liked by everyone in his small group. A group that always had his back.
He is a Latino with dark eyes and dark hair. He is a big flirt that throws nasty comments at people he doesn't like. He flirts with everyone at the place and even though he is just a freshman everyone knows who he is. One could say that he is the male Santana Lopez… maybe they are related. Who knows…
"Look here Nate", he said. "I don't care if you care about this little shit that clearly doesn't have what it takes to grow hence his as tiny as a half-hobbit. But he mouthed back to me and I want to get the last word."
"About what", Wesley asked confused.
"About me not being a jerk-face", Alvaro growled. "I'm too hot for that."
Wesley looked confused.
"I don't see that", he said quietly and Nathan laughed and Alvaro stared. He then growled and twirled the kid around to face him.
"Now listen hear you chip-chop", Alvaro growled. "I know that you might think that you own this place but you don't because you are not wanted here… at all. Jerry and the fucking Warblers are just taking pity on you. They don't care. If they did they would've sit by you at breakfast or at lunch and they'd be here right now. Nathan's just half a man and Justin's not even that so they don't count. But you are as useless and unwanted as a tick!"
That seemed to hit home because the boy's angry eyes turned big and something seemed to snap within him and he looked… broken. Alvaro actually felt a little bit bad about that. But that was nothing compared to what Nathan was feeling.
How dared this fucking bastard treat Wesley like that! How dared he tell the kid no one cared about him or wanted him! For crying out loud Wesley was just a small kid dumped at a place where he knew no one and wasn't supposed to be!
"Take that back", Nathan growled and clenched his fist.
"What part", Alvaro said smugly and looked at him, pushing Wesley aside. The boy squeaked in pain as he hit the wall.
"The part about you being half a man", Alvaro went on ignoring that. "Or the part about Wesley here being a tick?"
Nathan growled and threw a punch. Alvaro dodged it and tried to run. Another thing about Alvaro Sanchez… he was all talk but no action. He talked a big game but was afraid to fight unless he had backup. But now he didn't. When he tried to run Nathan grabbed his collar and pulled him back. The boys stared to fight while Wesley watched with big horrified eyes.
"HEY!" a furious voice yelled and one of the coaches at Dalton and another teacher ran up and pulled the boys apart.
"Sanchez, Newland", the coach yelled. "What the hell is going on here?"
Both boys started talking at the same time and the coach started to yell at them, before gripping their arms and dragging them towards the principal's office. The other teacher turned to Wesley.
"Hurry to class boy", he said smiling kindly. "There's nothing more to see here."
Wesley nodded mutely and ran off.
"Strange kid…" the teacher mumbled and walked off.
Ms. Lincoln noticed the change in the boy. He was not the same happy eager boy she met before lunch. Now he seemed sad, lonely, broken and depressed. His eyes didn't shine with interest and he barely listened to her. Something had clearly happened during lunch but he didn't say a word… for the rest of the day.
When Wesley then was allowed to leave he hurried to the choir room and stuck his head in through the door. The Wallers… uh Wobbers… no maybe it was Webbers? Not important! Those boys from before weren't there. So he tip-toed inside and sat down by the piano and played some scales. He had a good music ear, his music teacher had told him that twice and yesterday Wesley had heard a song play down the hall and now he played it on the piano. It was a sad melody and he kinda liked it and the lyrics. He had a good memory and remembered them easily so he played and sang:
Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way in darkness
Who will be there for you
Comfort and care for you
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion
Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you
You've always known your heart was on its own
So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion
Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you
You've always known your heart was on its own
So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone
Learn to be lonely
Life can be lived life can be loved alone
As he sung tears started to leak down his cheeks because that was just how he felt. He felt lonely… he should know that he would always be lonely. He would never have anyone and especially not after today. Not when the Webbers found out that he'd gotten Nathan sent to the principal's office. They'd all be mad at him and shun him… he'd be all alone again. He sniffled as he continued to play the melody but then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. Nathan grinned down at him with a black-eye framing his dark eye. He looked odd, like a happy puppy.
"What are you doing Wes", he asked.
"Nothing…" Wesley mumbled. "Just playing…"
"And singing about loneliness."
"Mm…"
"Why?"
Wesley shrugged.
"Because", he said.
"Because isn't an answer buddy", Nathan said smiling. "So what was that about?"
"Nothing…"
"Okay keep your little secrets buddy I won't pressure ya."
There was a knock at the door.
"Oi Nate", Otto called poking his blonde head in through the door. "The Warblers are gonna go to the Bean."
"Coming", Nathan called and Wesley blushed. So it was the Warblers and not the Webbers.
"Stupid", Wesley mumbled.
"Huh", Nathan asked looking at him.
"Nothing", Wesley said. Nathan just laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Come on Wes", he said and pulled the kid up. "Let's get outta here."
Wesley got up, took his bag and trudged towards the door and was about to turn down the hallway to get back to his dorm when Nathan grabbed his arm.
"Not that way", he said grinning. "You're coming with us to the Lima Bean!"
"The what", Wesley asked with big eyes and Nathan took his hand.
"You'll see", he said and dragged Wesley with him down the hallway towards the entrance.
Jerry and Otto were waiting for him there. They raised their eyebrows when they noticed the black-eye but smiled when they saw Wesley. Jerry patted his shoulder and they headed outside for Jerry's car. Wesley sat in the back with Nathan and before they left he told Jerry he had curfew at 8. Jerry smiled and told him they'd be back before that. The boys didn't want to miss dinner after all.
Wesley walked into the Lima Bean with the other boys and felt out of place again. He saw that they seemed to be at a café and he wondered what was going on. Then he heard laughter and a tall woman with dark hair that had started to grey a bit was running up to them. Jerry stepped forward and she pulled him into a bone crushing hug.
"Jerry my boy how was your summer", she asked smiling broadly. "Did your aunt give birth yet?"
"She miscarried I'm afraid Ma Trixie", Jerry said and sighed.
"Oh I'm so sorry honey. Oh my all my boys are here!" She went on hugging nearly all the boys. A group of the Warblers looked at her in confusion.
"Oh you must be my new boys then", she said beaming at them and the boys looked at Mark and Jerry in confusion and Jerry laughed.
"Yes Ma", he said and put a hand on the shoulder of the boys closest to him. "This is Nathan, Otto, Julian, Mitch, Eric, Carl & John. Boys this is Trixie, owner of the Lima Bean and the official mother of the Dalton boys and the Warblers especially. Say good afternoon boys."
"Good afternoon", they all said and Wesley looked at them giggling behind his hand. Jerry was like a teacher that could drill the boys into doing what he wanted them to.
"Good", Jerry said. "We will want to order some-"
"Oh I know all your favorites Jerry honey", Ma Trixie interrupted him gently. "Now you new boys will have to let me guess what you like. I will find your favorites for sure!"
"Uh", Nathan said confused and she patted him on the cheek.
"Don't you worry dear I can see that you are a macchiato boy with a staff of cinnamon in it."
Nathan gaped in shock that clearly told everyone she had been right. Wesley giggled at the look on his face but then a shadow fell over him and he looked up. Ma Trixie was standing above him.
"Oh and who do we have here", Ma Trixie asked smiling gently at him. "Aren't you just a doll in those clothes? Are you a relative of Jerry's?"
Wesley only shook his head mutely. She smiled at him.
"So who are you then?" she asked and Wesley blushed and mumbled his name. She smiled and turned to Jerry.
"He is a shy one isn't he?" she asked.
"He's just not used to attention", Mark said shrugging. "Ma Trixie this is Wesley Montgomery. The newest student at Dalton Academy."
"Really", she asked and Wesley expected her to say something more but she just ruffled his hair. "Oh well I better get you something too… hm coffee is not for someone so young. So I'll try to figure out your favorite chocolate instead. You are 12 right?"
Wesley stared at her in shock and nodded, not knowing that Mark had stood behind him with two fingers crossed and two more held up so he made XII, 12 with Roman numbers. Ma Trixie kissed Wesley's cheek before hurrying off and the boys sat down around a few tables. Wesley found himself with Jerry, Mark, Nathan and Otto. Ma Trixie and her other waiters soon came with their orders. She put a cup of chocolate in front of Wesley and he sniffed at the smell and smiled. It smelt chocolate and whipped cream. He looked up at Ma Trixie.
"Not your favorite", she stated and he smiled sheepishly. "Don't worry Precious we'll figure it out."
She patted his cheek gently before walking off with the other orders. Jerry and Mark were watching Nathan critically while Otto was poking at his cheek just below the black-eye.
"Explain it to me how you got this", Otto said. "Did you walk into a door again?"
"No", Nathan snorted into his coffee. "I hit Alvaro and he hit me back."
Jerry and Mark groaned while Otto grinned.
"Sweet", he said. "What happened?"
"Alvaro was threatening to beat up a friend of mine", Nathan said and looked at Wesley who blushed and looked down into his cup. Otto and Mark didn't notice but Jerry did.
"Who", Otto asked. "Was it anyone I know? Please tell me he didn't go after Mitch again."
"Nope", Nathan said. "Someone smaller."
Wesley glared at him but Nathan only grinned.
"Small", Otto asked. "Who's smaller than Mitch? Is it even possible?"
Jerry face-palmed and Mark chuckled deeply.
"I heard that!" Mitch called over from his table and Nathan, Jerry and Mark started to laugh. Wesley chuckled a bit, feeling a bit embarrassed. Then Nathan turned to Otto.
"Yes it's possible", he said. "But sometimes you are thick Otto."
"Huh?" Otto asked confused and Wesley decided to put an end to his suffering.
"He went after me Otto", he mumbled and looked into his lap. "Nathan helped me… I'm sorry you got hurt."
"Meh don't sweat it", Nathan said. "I already got revenge planned out."
Wesley's head snapped up and he looked horrified.
"On Alvaro I mean!" Nathan hurriedly said. "You know… you could be of use. Are you in?"
Nathan held out his hand towards Wesley and Wesley looked at it. He could feel all eyes on him again. He was a bit afraid but then he sighed and took Nathan's hand.
"Okay", he whispered. Nathan and Otto grinned, Mark chuckled and Jerry groaned.
"Oh good God they're reproducing", he said and Wesley at ones felt that… maybe it was a bad idea to help Nathan.
TBC
Warblers Wes' first year:
Seniors – Mark, Jerry (chairman), Scott, Bastian, Brad, Fredric & Richard
Juniors – Peter, Michael, Philip (lead singer), Charles, Lucas, Brad(councilman)
& Ethan
Sophomores – Joseph, William, Roger, Matt, Austin (councilmember), Justin/Justine,
Reed, Malcolm & Tom
Freshmen – Nathan, Otto, Julian, Mitch, Eric, Carl & John – 29
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
Paula - Hugs back to you. And you are making me blush with all that praise.
Lissi47 - Well i'm happy you enjoy the backstorries and the OCs :)