Part 12
Around 6 pm there was a knock at Wes' door. He put down the book he was reading and walked over. He wasn't dressed in uniform anymore. He wore the clothes Justin/Justine and Mitch had gotten him. It was light linen pants, black t-shirt and a red knitted sweater. He had black socks on and a black scarf around his neck, he'd just been outside after all. His room had an almost fireplace glow to it and it was warm and cozy. He opened the door and smiled.
"Principal Carmichael", he said happily.
"Hello there Wesley Merry Christmas", Carmichael said and smiled.
"Merry Christmas sir. What can I do for you?"
"Well it is more what I can do for you Wesley."
"Please sir, say Wes."
"Alright then, Wes would you like to come with me and find Jerry?"
"Sure sir", Wes said and closed his door, after turning off the lights and putting on a pair of shoes. Carmichael and he then walked down the hallway towards the staircase that led to the third floor where the juniors and seniors stayed. Wes ran up to Jerry's door, knocked and then headed inside.
"Jerry Principal Carmichael is here to see us", he said happily. Jerry looked up from the book he was reading and smiled but then both boys stared at each other. Jerry was dressed in light linen pants, black t-shirt and a red knitted sweater. He had black socks on and a black scarf around his neck, as if he'd just been outside and beside his bed stood a pair of shoes, matching the ones Wes had on his feet. The two boys looked at each other.
"Justine", they said and Carmichael stuck his head inside and saw the two identically dressed boys and chuckled.
"Mr. Gideon's work I guess", he asked and both boys nodded. "Well you two certainly look like family now. But come, it gets cold."
Jerry took a black jacket that he pulled over his knitted sweater, to look a little bit different from Wes. He closed his door and the three of them started to walk down the stairs and towards the door.
"Where are we going sir", Wes asked falling in beside Carmichael.
"To my personal quarters", Carmichael answered. "You two, the cook Nelly, two of the teachers, Newt, Logan one of our janitors and I are having our dinner there tonight. It feels so stupid eating in the teachers' lounge or the cafeteria, don't you think?"
"I agree sir", Jerry said and they walked on in silence and soon reached Carmichael's quarters. They were the first to arrive, other than the grownups and the cook smiled when she saw them.
"Oh Jerry the rumors I heard was right", she said and got up and hugged him. "You are staying."
"Uh… yeah Nelly", Jerry answered hugging the short plump woman back before hanging up his jacket.
"Heh did ya match your clothes on purpose boys", the janitor asked.
"No Mr. Simmons we did not. This is the work of Justine Gideon."
"I guessed as much."
Wes looked at the grownups and shook hands with all of them, introducing himself formally.
"My you are a sweetheart", the Spanish teacher, a young woman named Evita Gonzales said. "Abby wasn't wrong."
"Abby", Wes asked.
"Ms. Lincoln", Carmichael explained. "Come boys, sit, sit." He ushered the two boys to the two chairs on his left. The two boys from the Dragon sat down and they didn't have to wait long for the other two boys to appear. Both boys blushing as they noticed that they were the last to appear.
"Our little group is a little bit bigger this year", Carmichael said when they all sat around the table and when they had all gotten something to eat. "We welcome Jerry, Wes and Newt to our little group."
"Welcome", the others said smiling and they started to eat.
"I don't understand", Wes said to Carmichael and the man looked at him.
"What Wesley", he asked smiling.
"Why are you celebrating at Dalton sir", Wes asked. "Don't you have a family?"
Carmichael laughed.
"I do", he said. "But they live in England and Australia. I will go to them over New Years. I know there are boys that don't go home around Christmas, long distances as in Newt's case or they don't have anywhere to go like you and this year also Jerry. I can't just leave them here without having some sort of Christmas."
"That is very kind of you sir", Jerry said looking at Carmichael past Wes.
"Indeed", the second teacher, the home economics teacher Gordon Hale said.
"Yo Jerry", Logan said grinning. "I liked the performance in the auditorium before the others left. Who's idea was it to make a mash up of Feliz Navidad and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?"
Jerry looked at Wes who looked at him.
"Well I don't remember", Wes said. "You're the chairman. You should know Jerry."
"Yeah you should", Newt teased. "Come on Jonston. Who's idea was it?"
Jerry once again looked at Wes.
"Stop looking at me and answer their question", Wes 'scolded' him. "It is very rude of you."
The grownups laughed. They knew what Jerry meant and when the boy shook his head with a smile and put an arm around Wes fondly, they knew they were right.
"I don't remember all of a sudden", Jerry said and Wes looked satisfied. Carmichael laughed and patted him on the back.
"Hey Wes", Logan then said. "Is it true you beat the cr… ..ud out of Tyler the other day in the dojo?"
"Uh huh", Wes said happily. "He left his guard open for me. But I must admit it was fun watching his face when I managed to kick his helmet."
"But dude he's like twice your size!"
"I… um… jumped?"
Logan laughed and the dinner continued in the same friendly talk, afterwards they played some games before the boys retired to their dorms.
On the way there Jerry put his arm around Wes' shoulders.
"Let's share room", he said. "It feels odd when the dorm is so quiet."
"Are you scared Jerry?" Wes teased.
"Nope but I figured you might be."
"Nope I'm never scared. And besides you wanted to share a room so you must be the chicken." With that he darted away laughing. Jerry smiled fondly and took chase. He chased the boy all the way back to the Dragon. Jerry didn't catch the quick little boy until they reached the stairs. Wes had could take them two at a time but Jerry could take them four at a time. So when Wes reached his floor he squealed when he felt hands grip his waist.
"Oh ticklish are we", Jerry asked smirking.
"N-n-no", Wes giggled.
"Oh really so you won't mind if I do this then?" he started to tickle the boy and Wes squealed and tried to escape. Jerry only scooped him up so that he had a grip on him with one arm and could tickle him with his free hand. Wes squealed, laughed and tried to break free. Jerry only smiled and walked towards Wes' room. He opened the door and threw the boy onto the bed before pouncing on him and tickled every inch he could reach. Wes laughed and squealed so much tears went down his cheeks.
"I thought you said you weren't ticklish", Jerry said evilly and let his fingers dance over Wes' stomach and sides.
"S-s-stop it", Wes squeaked. "P-p-please!"
"Holler uncle."
"Uncle", Wes squealed. "Uncle, uncle, uncle!"
Jerry smiled and with one last tickle he sat up and Wes scrambled backwards, away from him and put a pillow between him and Jerry.
"Stay", he ordered and pointed at Jerry.
"In your room or just in this spot?" Jerry asked smiling. Wes smiled.
"If you want to sleep in here, sleep", he said and jumped off of the bed. "I'm gonna brush my teeth and get into my pajamas." He hurried into the bathroom and Jerry smiled before leaving the room. When Wes got back he saw that Jerry was there too, in his own pajamas and lying in Wes' bed, looking smugly at him.
"Hey!" Wes objected. "That's my bed. Where will I sleep?"
Jerry just held to covers up and Wes rolled his eyes before getting in beside him. He snuggled close to Jerry and Jerry put an arm around him and after he turned off the light, they were both fast asleep.
The next morning Wes woke up when a small sunbeam tickled his nose. He felt something warm around him and realized it was Jerry's arm. He grinned and snuggled close to the older boy and then looked out of the window… and grinned.
The sun may have disappeared behind some clouds… but it was snowing! It was already about 6 inches outside of what he could tell. He grinned and hurried up to the window and pushed it open. Jerry was still asleep… and snoring just a bit. Wes smirked evilly and took a handful of snow and crept over to the older boy. Jerry was lying on his stomach now and Wes smirked… and dropped the snow onto Jerry's neck and a bit down his shirt. With a shriek Jerry flew up and Wes laughed so much he dropped to the floor. Jerry jumped around trying to get the snow out and then he glared at Wes.
"What was that for", he demanded to know.
"See it as payback for you snapping at everyone", Wes said happily and Jerry's face softened a bit. He pulled the pajama jacket off and saw the snow fall to the ground. Wes only grinned innocently at him and Jerry laughed.
"Come on funny guy", he said and threw a shirt to Wes. Let's go to the Bean and get some breakfast."
"Yes!" Wes cheered and hurried to get dressed.
"Oh my boys!" Trixie shouted when she saw the two of them. Both of them were wet because of the snowing… and the snowball fight on the way there.
"Hi Ma Trixie", both boys said. They had been in quite often and yet she hadn't managed to get Wes' favorite.
"How are my boys doing", she said when they sat at a table. She joined them with her own cup of coffee and Jerry got his usual and Wes looked at the cup in front of him.
"We're fine", Jerry said. "It is really quiet at Dalton with all boys gone, well… except for Newt and Logan."
"Oh they were here earlier", Trixie said. "Logan said they would go around town and catch some fun. Now honey taste." The last she aimed at Wes. "I think I got it this time."
"What is it", Wes asked and raised the cup to his lips.
"Well it is hot chocolate of course, without whipped cream but with just a bit of cinnamon and vanilla in it. Do you like it?"
Wes drank and then grinned.
"I love it", he said. "Ma I think you just figured out my favorite!"
"Ha!" Trixie called and turned to the counter. "Nelson write that one down! And you owe me ten bucks!"
Wes and Jerry laughed and they continued their breakfast with Ma Trixie. She told them funny Christmas stories from the Bean and what she would be doing later that day. She told them of an ice skating rink by Westerville High. They could rent you skates if you didn't have your own. Jerry grinned because he loved skating.
"Let's go there", he said and looked at Wes.
"And have us get ourselves killed", Wes asked. "Thanks but no thanks."
"Oh don't be such a bore", Jerry said. "It will be fun. Do I need to tickle you into submission again?"
"Do I need to wake you up with a snowball again?"
Trixie laughed at them.
"You act so much as brothers today one could think you are really related", she said.
"Well we look alike", Wes said happily. "But I got the looks and intelligence and Jerry got the rest."
"Oh and why is that", Jerry asked.
"Well our 'parents' had to make a test run before they could perfect their next creation. Me."
Trixie laughed at the dumbstruck look Jerry was giving his younger friend and then Jerry shook his head.
"You've been hanging out too much Otthan", he said shaking his head. "Stop hanging out with them."
"Actually that's what Tommy told Lucas a few days before they left for home."
"Stop hanging out with the Bedfords then."
"But Lucas is my study buddy!"
"Stop hanging out with the Bedfords when there is more than one of them around."
"But what if Tommy needs help with homework too?"
"Then that is an exception."
"But what if Lucas and I are hanging out while Tommy study beside us?"
Jerry gave him a glare and Wes only cocked his head to the side, looking innocent. Trixie laughed.
"Jerry you can't win this debate", she said. "I think Lucas has rubbed off on the boy. Now I must return to work so that I can get home faster. Merry Christmas boys."
"Merry Christmas Ma", they called after her and then turned to each other.
"Come on", Jerry said putting enough money down for both of them. "Let's go skating." Wes rolled his eyes but followed.
"Stop laughing", Wes grumbled as he struggled to keep himself upright. Jerry was laughing like crazy because the boy couldn't be on his feet for two seconds without falling.
"I thought you were an martial artist", he teased. "Shouldn't you have better balance than this?"
"Shut up", Wes said holding on to a pole. He pulled himself up slowly. "I'm not used to this stuff."
"What stuff? Falling or standing up?"
"Shut it!"
Jerry only laughed and skated over to him and helped him stand.
"It is really easy Wes", he said. "You just have to feel the balance and each movement."
"Easy for you to say Mr. I've-been-skating-all-my-life", Wes muttered as they moved slowly over the ice. Jerry just smiled and they moved together, slowly so that Wes wouldn't fall. After a bit Wes started to get a hang of it and they glided around gracefully among all other friends and families on the ice.
They skated around trying to get the other one to fall over, but the more they skated the better Wes got at it so Jerry couldn't get hold of him as easily. But suddenly Wes gasped and stopped dead in his tracks. Jerry watched his friend's pale face and followed his line of sight. He saw a bunch of kids around Wes' age looking over at them smugly. Jerry turned to Wes.
"Wes what's wrong", he asked.
"It's them", Wes whispered. "The boys that… attacked me."
Jerry turned to the smug looking boys that were coming towards them now and he felt his blood boil. These were the jerks that had hurt Wes! That had hurt his little brother! Oh he was going to make them pay. He made to skate towards them but Wes grabbed hold of his arm.
"Please let's just go Jerry", he said. Jerry looked at his scared face and nodded but before they could skate off the other kids were there.
"Hey", the leader said, the boy Wes had stopped from bullying those other kids. "Look what we have here guys. It's our personal punching bag."
"Shut up", Wes spat, but Jerry could hear he sounded a bit scared.
"Make me loser."
"I'm not the one that can't see the difference between a boy and a punching bag."
"What ya say", the kid asked coming closer. Jerry stepped in between.
"Go the other way", he growled darkly and the kid smirked.
"Who's this loser", he asked Wes. "You're big brother?"
"Yes", Jerry spat. "And I'm giving you the advice to go the other way." Jerry glared at the kids behind the leader and a few of them trembled. It was not for nothing that Jerry was chairman. He was terrifying when angry… like now. But the leader and two more kids didn't seem to notice that.
"Oh yeah", the leader asked. "Whatcha gonna do Longshanks? Beat me up? Do that and I'll tell the security guards you attacked me. Ma friends will back me up."
Wes bit his lip in anger, how dare this kid threaten Jerry? Wes balled his hands into fists.
"We don't want any trouble", Jerry growled. "So go the other way or I'll call the security guard and tell them you keep threatening and bullying my little brother. And you guys are known for doing so and I think they'll believe me rather than you."
"Oh yeah", the leader snarled. "Watch me then." He was about to skate at Jerry to hit him or something when both Wes and Jerry felt someone move up beside or behind them.
"'Sup Jonston", Logan said putting his arm around Jerry's shoulders.
"Hi there Logan", Jerry answered while calmly crossing his arms. "Nothing much, just a small disagreement."
"Oh", Newt asked from behind Wes, holding a hand on the kid's shoulder. "What about?"
"Nothing really these boys were just leaving right", Jerry asked looking at them. The leaders lackeys took the hint and hurried off. They knew they wouldn't be able to handle three high school students and a kid. Their leader, wasn't that clever.
"You Dalton pricks won't hit a kid younger than you", he smirked. "So I can hit you and you won't move a muscle 'cause I'll call the police if you do telling them how you guys hit a little-"
He got no further because his feet were knocked out from underneath him and he fell onto the ice gasping in shock. Jerry, Newt and Logan stared at Wes that slowly stood up.
"Stupid skates", the kid grumbled. "They wouldn't keep me still when I tried to tie them…" Logan and Jerry started to laugh and Newt smiled. Wes had crouched down on the ice and spun around, kicking the other kid's skates with his own skate as he spun around and then getting up. He moved so fast it looked as if he had been trying to get a grip of the outstretched leg's skate. The leader sat up, glaring.
"You'll pay for that", he yelled.
"Is there a problem here", a security guard asked while skating over.
"Nope", Jerry said. "My brother here tried to tie his skate and by accident made Toby here fall over. Right guys?"
Logan, Wes and Newt nodded.
"That's not what happened", Toby, the leader, yelled. "He kicked me! Look his skate is… tied?" He looked at Wes' feet… the skate wasn't tied.
"Toby I told you before", the guard said. "Stop bothering the other skaters or get thrown out. Do you want me to call your parents?"
"No", Toby huffed and skated off. "I was going anyway." The guard skated off to and Logan grinned at Wes.
"Dude you're awesome", he said.
"For trying to tie my skate", Wes asked innocently.
"Exactly", the three older boys said, knowing exactly what had happened after all… and knowing that Wes knew as well.
The evening they spent eating dinner together with the grownups again and playing games, telling stories and just having fun together. They exchanged Secret Santa gifts and drank hot chocolate. Carmichael and Mr. Hale told them stories of their own time as Dalton students and the boys shrieked with laughter. Cook Nelly spoiled everyone with cookies and other sweets and the janitor told them ghost stories and other mysterious stories about Dalton and Westerville and when it was time to go to bed Jerry and Wes shared a bed again, this time Jerry's and they could both agree that this had been their best Christmas ever!
TBC
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