Part 13

Not much happened at Dalton after that. The New Years Eve Jerry and Wes spent with Logan and Newt and the last of the staff at Dalton. Carmichael had left for Down Under so he was missing. But they still had an awesome time.

When all other boys came back things got back to normal and nothing really happened. But in February the boys in the Warblers were found trying to hide from the smallest Warbler at Dalton, why? Well it was two days until Wes' 13th birthday and they had a party to plan.

They wouldn't have known it if it wasn't for Justine and Mitch helping decorating the boy's room and Justine had watched Wes' calendar and seen that he'd put a ring around the 9th of February. She had wondered about it and had, with some help from the school's resident hacker, gotten into the computer system and checked Wes' information. The date turned out to be his birthday. So now they were all hiding from him, it was 9 pm so Wes wasn't allowed outside, Carmichael still held his curfew at 8. So the Warblers were sitting in the Lima Bean. They had pushed their usual tables together and were now sitting at one big table.

"Okay", Jerry said, his whistle hung around his neck, just in case. "The first thing we have to think off his how to get Wes away from the choir room while we make sure everything is okay for the party."

"I'll handle that", Justine said smiling happily and pushing some of her long hair over her shoulder.

"No shopping", Mitch teased his best friend. "It will keep you occupied the whole day."

"That's why you are going with them", Jerry said sternly. "To make sure they don't spend all day at the mall… I don't think Wes would appreciate that very much."

"Well", Mark spoke up. "Who are going to attend this party?"

"Well all of us in the Warblers of course", Philip said.

"No exceptions", Jerry said without looking up from the paper he was writing on.

"And maybe some guys from the Dragon?" Otto asked. "You know all guys there are protective over their mascot."

"Stop calling him our mascot", Nathan scolded him. "You know he hate that."

"But he is our littlest resident!"

"He's not a mascot."

"Okay, okay…"

"So what more do we need Jerry", Julian asked.

"Well", Jerry said. "We need drinks, strictly no alcohol, something to eat and a cake."

"Oh and Alvaro", Mitch said and they all looked at him. "What, he's one of Wes' friends!"

The others just shook their heads but Jerry wrote down Alvaro's name.

"So what are we giving the little runt", Austin said with affection and the boys looked at each other and then Jerry.

"Uh", he said so they all turned to Justine and Mitch.

"What are you looking at us for", they asked.

"You're the resident shopping gurus", Nathan explained as Trixie and another waiter came over with their normal drinks. "That's why!"

"But how should we know what to give a boy", Justine said and huffed.

"I feel insulted", Mitch said and looked at her. "Of course I know what to give a boy."

"Say video-game and I will skin you", she threatened and pointed at his face. Jerry found himself wondering why the two of them weren't dating, it certainly looked like it. But he knew Mitch was with Nathan and that both boys loved each other one hell of a lot.

"I was thinking more of the stuff this boy is interested in", Mitch said and gently slapped her hand aside. "Like music, books or martial arts stuff. He could always use some more 'civilian' clothes, records, games or just funny stuff."

"Are we talking about Wesley here my sweets", Trixie asked and put a hand on Jerry's shoulder.

"Wes", all the Warblers corrected and she smiled.

"Well are you?" she asked and they all nodded… in perfect sync.

"We're trying to figure out a birthd-", Charlie began but Trixie cut him off.

"It's my tiniest baby's birthday?!" she nearly shrieked. "Why was I not informed?"

"Uh", Jerry said and she glared at him. "We um… found out just recently? Ow!" she had slapped him on the head with her tray. The others sniggered and she bopped the three boys closest to her with the tray.

"Don't laugh at other's misfortune", she told them and then looked sternly and Jerry again. "So what are you planning to do? Where will this party be held? What kind of food are you having? I hope for your Justine and you boys' sake that there will be no alcohol. How about the cake? Will all his friends be there? Well answer me!"

"We", Jerry began.

"When is his birthday", Trixie cut in.

"In two days, the ninth", Mark answered.

"The shop is closed then", Trixie said. "You are going to have the party hear, I will wipe up a few cakes, cookies and something more foodish, you boys will handle the music I trust you know what everyone can enjoy. Make sure that Carmichael is here and the boys from the Dragon that are available, Alvaro too of course, Nathan don't give me that look, drinks I can fix."

"But", Jerry tried.

"It won't cost you anything dear."

"But-"

"Oh don't worry about Carmichael and his stupid curfew. We will have him here to keep an eye on things."

"But-"

"And for gifts, go in groups tomorrow so he won't suspect anything. You can buy whatever you think you'd buy for a boy his age. He turns 13 right?"

"Yes but-"

"Good deary, now none of you buy anything that has to do with sex, he is still too young for that. Make some funny music number for him, I think he'd enjoy that. How about that song you keep singing Justine? Something about being a family."

"But-"

"And to keep him out of the loop you just carry on like usual."

"Trxie-"

"That way he won't suspect a thing and I don't think he will care. I take it he didn't tell you about his birthday?"

"Will you just-"

"So, Jerry-bear you and Lucas and Alvaro just help him with his homework as usual and come down here around 5 pm and everything will be done and ready!"

"Ma!" Jerry cried indignant, while pointing at her with his pen.

"Okay? Good sweethearts. See you then." She patted Jerry on the cheek and stormed off with the other waiter that was giggling like crazy.

"Nelson stop acting like a school girl!" they heard Trixie scold before she disappeared into the kitchen.

The Warblers looked at Jerry. He was frozen in position, he was still pointing with his pen, but this time into thin air. All the Warblers started to giggle, snigger, laugh or guffaw at the whole thing. Mark patted Jerry on the back and with a shudder Jerry lowered his arm and looked at the laughing, giggling, sniggering and guffawing boys around him.

"What just happened", he asked.

"I think mommy just told us what to do", Mark said.

"Mommy's word is law and we better follow it", Lucas said and nodded while smiling. "Looks like you've met your superior Jerry."

"Superiess", Justine teased and the table laughed again and Jerry just rolled his eyes.

Two days later found the study group in the library as usual. Jerry was working on a big essay, Lucas a science report, Alvaro was working with math and Wes… well none of them knew what he was doing. He's pencil moved fast at times, slow at times and sometimes it didn't move at all. The older boys tried to get a look on what he was doing but he refused to let them see. Jerry decided to let it be, Alvaro decided to sneak a peek later but Lucas… he simply grabbed the pad Wes was drawing on and pulled it away from him. He waited until Wes held his pencil at a distance of course.

"Hey!" Wes objected and Lucas only smirked and turned the pad towards him… and gaped. On the paper was a pencil drawing of Jerry… and it looked exactly like him!

"Give that back", Wes said and tried to snatch it back. Lucas just leaned back, he was sitting opposite Wes, so Wes didn't reach. He flipped the pages and saw various members of the Warblers or the Dragon being drawn, there was also a portrait of Alvaro there. There was also a drawing of Ms. Lincoln, one of Carmichael and a few showing the school. It was mostly outside drawings or hallways, the Warbler Hall or the auditorium, the library or the gym and so on.

"Wow", Lucas said. "This is amazing!" Alvaro got up from his place beside Wes and rounded the table while Jerry leaned over to watch too. Both boys looked amazed.

"Wow", Alvaro said and grinned when he looked up. "If all this singing shit doesn't work out for you, you could always become an artist."

"Give me that", Wes spat and pulled the pad back and put it into his bag. "I'm not that good."

"Yes you are", Jerry said smiling at him. "But why are you drawing and not doing your homework?"

Wes shrugged and looked at his lap.

"Wes", all three boys said sternly. They knew that meant he was hiding something or hurting inside. Wes bit his lip and then sighed.

"I just… needed to think that's all", he said. "I can't concentrate on my homework right now…"

"Why?" Jerry asked.

"It's just… it's this day."

"What about it", Lucas asked closing his books, he knew it was Wes' birthday and hoped the boy would tell them about it.

"I… well… it was this date I was… sent away to my first boarding school", Wes mumbled and the boys stared at him in shock. His 'family' sent him away on his birthday? Could they be any meaner?!

"But", Wes continued and sighed, Jerry noticed Lucas get a text. "It's also my…" Wes didn't continue.

"It's your what", Alvaro asked 'curiously'. "Don't leave me hanging here shrimp."

Wes sent him a withering glare and then sighed.

"It's nothing", he said and started to pack his stuff into his bag. "Just forget about it."

"No", Jerry said and grabbed him by the wrist, stopping him from putting his stuff away. "Wes please tell us, we worry about you you know."

"You don't say", Wes said and rolled his eyes.

"Oi enough with that attitude."

"Yes Mama."

Jerry narrowed his eyes and Lucas and Alvaro sniggered, he glared at them.

"This is all your fault", he said and they laughed. Wes pulled loose.

"You know what", Lucas said and started to pack his stuff too. "Let's go to the Bean."

"Yeah", Alvaro said and followed suit. "Let's, God knows I need a coffee."

"I thought it was closed today", Wes said getting up.

"It isn't", Jerry cut in. "Trixie told us she changed the date."

"Well… you guys go then. I don't really feel up to it. I'll just go back to my room and read something."

"Oh no you're coming with", Alvaro told him. "I need someone sane to talk to."

"Hey!" Jerry and Lucas objected.

"What, it's the truth!"

Wes chuckled.

"No but thanks", he said and started to walk away. Lucas smirked somewhat evilly.

"Come with or I'll tell Jerry what you did to his beloved whistle", he said and the effect was instant. Wes froze and turned around, big-eyed and pale-faced.

"You wouldn't", he said in fear.

"Try me", Lucas smirked. Jerry on the other hand was in slight terror looking through his bag for his whistle and when it was gone he's face darkened.

"Wes Montgomery what did you do this time?!" He yelled and looked up.

"You know what the Bean sounds really interesting", Wes said grinning sheepishly. "Last one there is a rotten egg!" He ran.

"Get back here Wesley!" Jerry shouted and took off after him. Lucas and Alvaro hurried after them too. They saw Wes disappear around a corner in the hallway.

"Wesley!" Jerry shouted.

"You know", Alvaro remarked. "He's fast for a shrimp."

Jerry was about to go after Wes when they grabbed him.

"Oh calm down Jerry", Lucas said smiling. "We got him to the Bean, mission accomplished."

"What", Jerry growled and turned to Lucas. "Did he do to my whistle?"

"You'd have to ask him", Lucas said and started to walk… really fast. "I only saw him take it."

"And didn't stop him", Jerry asked, his temper rising again. Alvaro wisely enough started to walk like Lucas… fast.

"Of course not", Lucas said and smirked. "I wanted to see how long it would take you to find it this time."

"Lucas!" Jerry shouted and ran at them. Alvaro and Lucas ran as well, but in the other direction.

"Are you sure he won't kill me", Wes whispered to Lucas, holding onto his arm, hiding behind him. Jerry kept glaring hatefully at him, even though Alvaro was doing his best to calm him down. Lucas had also been, but nothing seemed to work.

"He won't kill you", Lucas said. "Not when he sees how happy all of the others are for realizing you got it away from him… again. Is this your best hiding place yet?"

"I think so."

"I'm gonna kill you Wesley", Jerry growled.

"Oh come off it", Lucas said. "You won't kill him. You know he always hides it so you find it sooner or later. Do you really think Wes would hide it so you won't get it back?"

"Yes", Jerry and Wes said. Jerry glared at the kid who only grinned sheepishly.

"Okay it's no secret he hates that thing (we all do)", Lucas continued as they neared the Bean. "But you always find it right?"

"Yes", Jerry muttered while he sent a text.

"So what makes you think you won't find it this time?"

"He's getting better at it! His last hiding place was terrible!"

"His last hiding place was really entertaining."

"He hid it in Mr. Rudolph's desk drawer!" Jerry yelled. "The man thought I was going to cheat on his test!"

"How did you get it in there anyway", Alvaro asked Wes with a smile.

"No special way", Wes mumbled. 'Thank you Principal Carmichael.'

Alvaro and Lucas laughed while Jerry continued to fume. They got to the Bean and Wes hesitated. The windows were all dark and there was a not on the door saying that it was closed.

"See I told you it was closed", he said and glared at them.

"Are you sure", Alvaro said and nodded at the door. "Try the door."

"No… it's locked."

"Please try the door", Lucas said and Wes slowly walked up to it and pulled on the handle. The door opened. He looked at them suspiciously but one angry look from Jerry had him nearly run inside. The boys all got in and the place was pitch-black.

"Why is it so dark in here", Wes asked. The lights came on and everyone in the room shouted:

"SURPRISE!"

Wes just stood there and gaped as he saw all his friends and some grownups that he knew cared about him stood there underneath a banderol that said: "Happy Birthday Wes!" No one had ever done this for him before! He gaped and turned to the three boys behind him.

"You knew about this", he accused and Lucas laughed. Alvaro only grinned and bent down, gripped Wes around the middle and carried him further into the room.

"Come on shrimp", he said as he did this. "Time to get your party started!"

"Hey put me down!" Wes objected but he was smiling and Alvaro put him down amongst all the people and Wes got attacked with birthday-hugs from left and right and he was so overwhelmed that he nearly fainted.

"Oi sweethearts give the little one some air", Trixie ordered and Wes felt someone help him over to a chair. "Are you okay baby?"

Wes only stared at her and then the boys in front of him.
"You did this", he asked. "All this… for me?" they all nodded. "Why?"

"Why?!" Otto asked aghast. "Because you're little-"

"Otto", Mark warned.

"-brother that's why!"

"But", Wes looked utterly confused. "How did you-"

"Justine and her charms", Mitch said happily. "Now let's be traditional people."

Wes didn't understand until the Warblers, the other Dalton boys he could count as friends, Carmichael and Trixie and her staff stood around him and started to sing Happy Birthday. Wes blushed as they sang but Trixie walked over and just hugged him to her. Jerry still looked a bit miffed and Nathan noticed.

"Yo Lucas", he asked nudging the other boy when the song was over. "Why is Jerry looking so sour?"

Lucas smirked.

"Wes hid his whistle again", he said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Sweet!" Charlie cheered and got a death glare. Carmichael only laughed at the whole thing. Wes grinned innocently at Jerry and gave him his best puppy-eyes, asking for forgiveness. Jerry looked away, but it was too late. He'd seen them which meant he was doomed. He sighed and walked over to Wes with a smile on his face and hugged the little boy close.

"You are one wicked little kid did you know that", he asked.

"Yes you tell me that whenever I get rid of that horrid boomerang", Wes said.

"Boomerang", Mark asked.

"His stupid whistle keeps coming back!"

"This time as well?" Philip wondered curiously.

"I hope not."

"Oh you better hope so", Jerry said and pointed a warning finger at him. Justine sauntered over to him and tied a bow around his finger with a bit of red velvet string. Jerry stared at the neat little thing and then her. She only smiled and patted him on the cheek.

"There, there dear don't take it so hard", she said. "Now baby", the last she aimed at
Wes. "Let's get you some presents." Justine wasn't dressed in uniform, like the rest. She was wearing a pink short dress with a 50's feel to it, white knee high stiletto-boots and small white gloves.

"No", Wes said. "You shouldn't-"

"Too late!" Tom Bedford, Lucas brother, said happily and the sophomores moved from where they were standing and Wes saw all the gifts he'd gotten. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief while he gaped. Carmichael laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"There, there son", he said. "See I told you there are people that care about you. Now let's see what you got from the charming lady." He smiled at Justine and she walked over to the table and picked out a green box with a gold ribbon. She linked her arm to Mitch and dragged him with her.

"This is from the two of us", she said happily and handed Wes the box. He opened it carefully and smiled. It was a scarf in red and navy blue, Dalton colors. But it was long.

"So you can grove into it", Justine said happily. "We don't want you to forget us."

"Justine no one could forget you even if they tried", Wes said and hugged both of them. The gift giving went on. The Warblers had all bought presents in duos, making it easier for them all. The other Dalton boys hadn't bought anything but them being there was just enough and Alvaro had bought one together with his new best friends Otto and Nathan.

"What is this", Wes asked as he held up the gift he'd gotten from Mark and Jerry, Mark had bought it. It was a cylinder that was pretty big.

"Open it", Mark said.

"How?"

"Twist the top and pull it off."

Wes nodded and did as he said and opened the cylinder.

"Cool!" he said when he saw what it was. "Professional drawing pencils!"

"You like to draw", Bastian asked shocked, he was something of an artist himself.

"Dude the kid is talented!" Alvaro said. "Here!"

"No!" Wes objected but it was too late. Alvaro had thrown his sketch pad to Bastian and the boys nearby him crowded around him. They all stared at the great drawings and Wes sunk down in his chair, blushing.

"These are amazing!" Austin said. "This look just like Mark in the mornings!"

"Let me see", Mark said and gently took the pad. "I do not look like this! This look like a zombie."

"It's you", all boys and Carmichael said. Wes was red as a tomato in the face and he muttered about it being bad stuff.

"It's not bad stuff", Carmichael told him. "Wes you don't give yourself enough credit son. These drawings are marvelous, fantastic even. How did you learn to do this?"

"On my own", Wes mumbled. "There wasn't much to do at my old school…"

"So you learned to play piano and draw all by yourself?"

"Yes…" he wiped at his eyes. "Sorry it's just…"

Carmichael put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Other kids made fun of you for drawing", Bastian concluded and Wes stared at him. "Yeah I know what it's like buddy."

"You draw too", Nathan asked him.

"Of course… here", Bastian fished a pad out of his bag and handed it to Wes. "Check 'em out."

Wes did and a grin found its way onto his face.

"Wow these are amazing!" he said. "Look at these sunsets!"

"Well those were the drawings that got me into art school."

"Sweet dude" his best friends told him and everyone grinned.

"I can teach you some if you want", Bastian offered Wes as the kid gave him his pad back and Wes grinned happily.

"How did you know Shorty likes to draw", Lucas asked Mark.

"I've seen him draw in the morning or when no one is looking", Mark said with a shrug.

"Who wants some cake?" Trixie sang happily as she walked over. She had a huge cake with her that had 13 candles. Wes got to blow out the candles and wish for something, he didn't tell anyone but he didn't wish for anything. He already had everything he wanted. Mark was standing behind him with his hands on Wes' shoulders and Wes felt the support from the bigger boy. He felt the love from all of his friends… no from his family and he grinned.

"This candle in the middle is strange", Trixie said as she cut the cake into pieces and handed them out. "It didn't burn like the others nor did it shrink." She handed the plate to Jerry who took hold of the candle and licked of the cream and then… his eyes widened. He looked at the thing in his hand and pulled off the wick.

"Wes Montgomery!" he shouted and the boy paled. "What the hell did you do to my whistle?!"

"Aw man", Wes groaned. "He found it!"

"Damn straight I did! Now what did you do to it?!"

"Huh?"

"It doesn't work! See!" Jerry blew but no sound came out.

"Wohoo!" Nathan cheered. "The wicked thing is dead!"

"Maybe some cream is just stuck in it", Justine supplied. "Give it one big blow Jerry!"

"No!" the others called but Jerry did and sure enough some piece of cake flew out and a shrill note echoed around.

"Aw man", Wes groaned. "I got to find a better hiding place."

"Oh no you don't", Jerry said and put the whistle in his chest pocket before he continued to eat his cake. But Wes saw it sticking up a bit and with a smirk walked over to Jerry.

"Thanks for not killing me Jerry", he said and hugged the older boy around the neck. Jerry smiled and ruffled his hair. Wes walked back to his place and flashed the little whistle to the boys closest to him and they started to snigger. But Jerry wasn't so easily fooled he walked over and snatched it back. Wes glared at the cursed thing and muttered:

"To the next time."

TBC

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Paula - Glad att du gillart ;)