Part 15
Wes stood with his bag at the big parking lot where other families were gathered. He stood there alone while everyone around him had their parents with them or just one parent. There were a lot of kids in different ages, both boys and girls and that made him a bit nervous, because at his old school it was the girls who had been the meanest to him.
He was also worried since everyone around him spoke different Asian languages. His grandparents had spoken Chinese and to him as well, teaching him. But he hadn't spoken it in so long that he barely remembered anything. A woman with a dark t-shirt with the camp's logo stepped out from a big cabin and she smiled. She walked up to different groups, asked about names and age and then set the kids on their ways to various cabins. The woman then got to him.
"Hi there buddy", she said. "Why are you standing here on your lonesome? Where are your parents? I need to talk to them."
'Oh great', Wes thought. 'Now they'll send me back to Dalton because I don't have parents. Well I can continue spending the summer reading all my books, drawing and working with music… while I guard stuff. Trixie will like it because it'll mean I can come to the Bean again.'
Wes had spent his summer, so far, at Dalton where he did what he just thought about. Carmichael wasn't at the school but had given Wes enough money to last him until Asian Camp. Some of the staff stayed at the school but stayed out of his way. Wes stayed at the Dragon or went to the Bean. He had to buy his own food of course but he didn't mind. He didn't mind doing his own laundry either. He thought of it as a great experience until he would have his own apartment.
"Hello", the woman said smiling. "Can you hear me?"
Wes jumped a bit.
"Sorry", he muttered.
"It's okay, so where are your parents dear?"
"They're not here", Wes answered and looked away.
"Not here? But they should be here. We have a rule here that the parents sign in and sign out all kids so that we know that no one is missing or is forgotten."
"Well my parents clearly didn't get the memo", Wes nearly spat. The woman put a hand on his shoulder.
"Look honey I can see that you're upset about it, but I promise that they do care about you", she said.
"Yeah right", Wes muttered.
"They do, I swear it. After all you are a good looking and seem to be a smart boy, how old are you?"
"13."
"I see, well I promise that they will be really proud of you coming here all on your own and they'll be here to pick you up when camp's finished."
"I don't really believe that", Wes muttered to himself.
"Come with me", the woman said and nodded towards a house that had the word administration painted above the door. Wes rolled his eyes but followed her holding a tight grip on his bag. He felt kids looking at him but ignored it… until someone ran into him and he fell over.
"Sorry", a boy around his age said and helped Wes getting up. "Bye!"
"C-come back here M-Mike!" an Asian girl yelled and ran after the boy that had run into Wes. She darted past Wes so close that he nearly fell again. The woman that was leading him chuckled.
"Are you okay honey", she asked.
"Yeah…" Wes muttered. "Just peachy." He shouldered his bag a little bit higher and followed the woman into the building. There were only desks in there and a few grownups doing paperwork. The woman lead Wes over to a door that said 'camp director' and knocked on the door.
"Enter", a female voice called from within and Wes followed the woman inside. "Lisa what's up?"
"Um Nina there is this kid here who's parents didn't show", Lisa said and motioned for Wes to go over to the desk so he did.
"Again?" Nina said and sighed. "There is always at least one kid who's parents doesn't show up. So what's your name darling?" Nina started to look through a book, where she had names and numbers to all the kids' parents if anything should happen.
"Wes Montgomery", Wes said and Nina started to look through the pages… and then froze.
"Oh", she said. "Right um… okay…"
"Nina", he co-worker asked. "Is something wrong?"
"What… oh! No no no. Lisa this is the boy from Dalton Academy."
"Oh my God I'm so sorry", Lisa said and turned to Wes. "And here I was just talking about how they would be here to pick you up. I am so sorry I didn't know you were the orphaned boy!"
"Um…" Wes was shocked but then saw Nina nod. "Yeah… um that's me… the orphaned kid."
"I'm so sorry I'll-"
"Lisa", Nina cut in. "Go outside and calm down a bit, nothing bad happened. Just go and continue welcoming parents and get the kids into their cabins okay?"
"Yes of course", Lisa said and blushed. "I'm sorry once again." Then she left and Wes turned to Nina.
"Orphaned?" he asked.
"Carmichael told me about your situation sweetheart", Nina said and stood up from her chair. "Not everyone here would understand so we agreed to you being orphaned so that no questions would rise about where your parents are, who they are and so on. It could be dangerous for you."
"Dangerous for me?"
"I know who your dad is, he is a very rich and famous man. People might want to kidnap you so to keep you safe you are now Wes Montgomery, 13 year old orphan from Westerville Ohio. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am", Wes said. "Um… can I leave now?"
"Of course", Nina said. "You'll be rooming with five other boys in the cabin named Copernicus."
"Great", Wes said and hurried outside.
When he got to Copernicus he heard laughter from inside and he pushed the door open and saw five boys around his age and younger laugh at a young man around 18. He was on the floor trying to get out of a net. Wes cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh look our last roomy", one of the boys cheered happily. "Hi!"
"Hi", Wes said and put his bag on the empty bed. "Um… what's going on here?"
"Get me out of this thing will you?" the 18 year-old yelled.
"Ryan was just victim for a prank", a boy said and grinned. "He was trying to boss us around and we threw that old fishing net on him! We caught a big fish!"
"An ugly one if you ask me", the boy that seemed to be oldest said and crossed his arms smugly.
"Theo, Johnny, Mike, Andy and Zack get me out of this thing now!" the 18 year old, Ryan, yelled.
"Why", the youngest looking boy said happily.
"Well you should get him out of there before his skin gets pierced by the old rusty fishing hooks", Wes said calmly and started to unpack his bag.
"Hooks", Ryan exclaimed and turned so he could lock eyes with Wes.
"Yeah I see them at the back of that thing", Wes said and looked dead serious. "He could get sick and die if he gets stuck on one of those. What would your parents say?"
The youngest two boys squeaked in terror and helped Ryan out of the net, careful not to hurt themselves. Ryan took the net and made it into a bundle before he turned to look at the five culprits.
"You five won't get deserts tonight", Ryan growled and then turned towards the door. "You must be Wes then."
"Yes", Wes said and looked at the boy.
"I'm Ryan and I will be in charge of you six, now unpack and get to know these five idiots and then meet me by the lake for camp introductions in 15."
"Of course", Wes said and the older boy left. He then turned to the other five. They were looking at him curiously. "What?"
"You're new here right", the oldest looking boy said.
"Yes."
"That explains why you wanted to help Ryan", said a boy that looked really familiar but Wes couldn't place him. "Ryan's an ass and we play pranks on him because everyone at the camp thinks so! He was a jerk when he was a camper and now as a councilor as well! I'm Mike Chang by the way."
"Wes Montgomery", Wes said and the two shook hands. "Have we met before?"
"I'm not sure", Mike said. "I mean you look familiar…"
"Mikey!" an angry voice shouted from outside.
"Hide me!" Mike exclaimed and hid underneath inside the big chest by the foot of Wes' bed. A small Asian girl stormed in glaring daggers at each boy.
"W-where is h-he", she asked stomping her foot.
"He went that way", Wes said calmly and pointed at an open window. "If you hurry you can catch him before he finds a hiding place."
"T-thanks", the girl said and ran outside again. Wes knocked on the chest and Mike got out of it.
"Thanks", he said. "Tina hates me for hitting her with a water balloon earlier and she is dangerous when angry."
"Oh yes", the oldest boy said.
"Totally." "Uh huh." "Terrifying." The other three said.
"I see", Wes said and cocked an eyebrow. "So… who are you?"
"I'm Andy", the oldest boy said. "I'm 15 and 'leader' of this cabin got it?"
"I'm Zack", the youngest said. "I'm 7!"
"I'm Theo and I'm 9."
"I'm Johnny and I'm 12."
"Mike's 12 too soon", Zack said happily. "How old are you Wes?"
"13", Wes said calmly and put away the last of his stuff. "What's it like here?"
"Oh it's really fun", Mike said happily. "We get to take trips out on the lake and go hiking in the woods and mountains. We get to tent outside and just play and have fun."
"But we have a few classes as well", Johnny spoke up. "We get taught in the performing arts, science, cooking and lots and lots more!"
"So Will where you from", Andy asked and dropped onto his bed and put his hands behind his neck.
"Here and there", Wes answered and looked out the window. "And it's Wes."
"You're a vagabond", Zack asked with big eyes. "Cool!"
"I guess you could say that", Wes said with a grin. "Now let's get down to the fire and get the whole thing over with."
"Okay!" the youngest boys cheered and hurried towards the door.
"Wait", Andy called and they stopped. "I'm the boss so I say when we go and we won't go yet."
Wes rolled his eyes and headed for the door.
"Come on", he told the youngest boys. "We'll be late otherwise, you need to show me around a bit first." Zack happily grabbed his arm and pulled him out, intending to show Wes as much as he could in the five minutes they had left before they were to be at the lake.
"Hey!" Andy called after them. But they ignored him. Andy turned to Mike and Johnny. "Who the hell does that kid think he is? I'm the one telling you guys what to do and not do! Not him!"
"Whatever", Johnny said and hurried out, Mike followed. Andy cursed before he decided to read a comic and come down late to the campfire. He'd been there so many times before he knew everything already.
"Hi", the tiny girl from before said as she sat down beside Wes. "I'm T-Tina who're y-you?"
"I'm Wes", Wes answered with a smile, ignoring Zack and Theo that were talking about everything they had done over the summer so far. "I think your boyfriend ran me over when I arrived."
"Mike's n-not my n-boyfriend", Tina huffed. "He's just my f-friend. We c-come from the same small t-town."
"Oh I see", Wes said and smiled. "So are you as old as he is or younger?"
"I'm t-twelve as well."
"Yo Montgomery", Andy said dropping down on Wes' other side, ignoring that he nearly sat on Zack. "I see you've met the S-Stutter."
"D-Don't call me t-that", Tina said and glared at him.
"W-why n-not?" Andy asked and smirked.
"Because I'll totally hit your face in if you do", Wes growled angrily at the boy and Wes felt someone stand beside him.
"Leave Tina alone Andy", Mike said and glared at the older boy. "Go sit with a girl or something."
"Oh like you Mikey?"
"No like the ones your own age", Wes spat. "But of course they wouldn't want to sit with you if they realize you only have confidence enough to sit beside kids younger than you."
"Shut up", Andy spat but he moved and Mike sat where he'd been sitting before.
"That was fantastic", Mike told Wes with a big grin. "How did you know what to tell him to make him move?"
"In my school everyone is bigger than me", Wes said, his voice cracking a bit because he was in the voice change phase. "So I have to rely on my quick mouth to get them away from me."
"Your voice sounds funny", Zack giggled. "It's all squeaky."
"I'm in what they call puberty", Wes explained. His voice had started changing a few days into summer vacation, he was early he knew that but didn't give a damn. "My voice drops… it happens to everyone. My teacher said it happens to girls too but not as much."
"That's so cool!"
Wes rolled his eyes but smiled then Nina blew in a freaking whistle and he turned towards the tiny stage that had been built so that everyone could see her. Wes glared at the whistle with hatred, the sound wasn't as bad as the one Brad was now the owner of. He had tried to get the thing but Brad was cleverer at keeping it from him than Jerry was. Jerry… it was his idea to send him here and Wes still missed him so much. They talked over phone and e-mailed each other. Jerry was happy with his life so far but had told him he'd be happier to be at Dalton next year as well.
"Welcome everybody", Nina said happily. "To a new year of Asian Camp!" The kids cheered happily, Wes just clapped his hands along with the others.
"It's great to see so many familiar faces", Nina said. "And some new as well! I hope that all of you old-timers will have as fun as you always have and that you rookies will realize how much fun it is here! You are all going to get schedules for your days here and you will be having classes with kids your own age but other activities can be mixed. Your cabin supervisor will hand you your schedules tomorrow at breakfast. Boys are not to be in the girls' cabins after curfew and girls are not to be in the boys' cabins after curfew. Other than that you can come and go as you want. We have something here for everyone. So let's have a fun night with singing and playing games and roasting marshmallows! And welcome to Asian Camp!"
The kids cheered and Wes smiled a bit.
"Does anyone want to start us off with a song", Nina asked and held up a guitar. "We let anyone who wants perform for the rest and no one is going to be mean to you if something goes wrong."
No one moved and Wes sighed, he knew Nina would urge until someone caved in and rather than having to have some of the "popular" boys or girls do it he decided to do it himself. He stood up and Mike and Tina gaped at him.
"What are you doing", Mike hissed. "The populars will kill you!"
"I don't care", Wes whispered back.
"We got a volunteer", Nina said happily "And one of our rookies at that." Wes rolled his eyes but headed over to the stage and got up.
"My, my you don't waste time Wes", Nina said happily. "Let's give a big welcome to Wes Montgomery!"
The crowd applauded politely and Wes took the guitar offered to him. Otto had taught him how to play a few songs on guitar so Wes sighed and started playing.
Da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away – Wes felt how he was stared at and he could see the kids closest to him grin.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away
And breakaway
Some of the girls and boys started to sing along with him. (Wes, all)
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway
Wes played the final chord and the audience cheered. Wes nodded at them before putting the guitar down and walking back to his place by Mike and Tina.
"You w-where so g-good", Tina said smiling.
"Thank you Tina", Wes said and smiled at her.
"B-but the p-popular kids w-won't like i-it."
"I couldn't care less", Wes said happily. "At my school no one really cares about popularity, everyone is equal."
"I wish our school could be like that", Mike said. "And this camp." A girl that was also a teenager and by the looks of it, popular took the stage next, glaring at Wes. When she sang Wes had to sit on his hands to keep from putting his fingers in his ears. Zack and Theo didn't have that kind of problem, they covered their ears anyway. Wes could feel Andy glare at them so he turned his head and glared back at him. Andy looked away first.
After a few more performances Nina asked the kids if anyone wanted to play football or soccer. Mike looked eager and pulled on Wes' arm.
"Come on", he said. "Let's play football!"
"Thanks but I've never really liked football", Wes said and smiled at Mike's horrified look.
"What?!"
"I like soccer though…"
"Yay!" Zack and Theo cheered. "Play with us!"
"Of course Wes said with a small smile.
"C-can I p-play t-too", Tina asked.
"Sure the more the merrier."
"But… she's a girl", Theo pointed out.
"So what", Wes asked him. "You're smaller than she is and you can play."
Theo and Zack looked deep in thought.
"Okay!" they said and the group left, Mike followed too. He also wanted to play. They met a few other kids that wanted to play. Those boys were from the same cabin but since Wes' cabin was missing two boys they agreed that the other team had to have one boy on the sidelines and Tina replaces one of the boys in Wes' cabin. The game was fun, none of them were a start player but none of them were bad either. They were just playing for fun. Wes was the oldest kid there so he acted as referee also. It turned out he could be trusted as such when he gave Mike a warning and judged really fair. He was taking after Jerry in that case.
After the game they spent the evening by the fire with all other kids. They talked, played games, roasted marshmallows and just had fun. When the youngest kids got tired they got helped to their cabins by their friends or by councilors. Wes knew that Zack was asleep when the kid was leaning heavily on him. He chuckled and looked to his right and saw that Mike and Tina were tired too.
"Come on", he said and nudged Mike. "Let's get Tina and ourselves to bed."
Mike nodded and stood up, offering his hand to Tina. She took it and they walked her to her cabin, she was resting her head on Mike's shoulder all the way. They told her good night before she shut her cabin door and then walked towards their own. Wes was giving Zack a piggyback ride all the way while steering Mike gently by the arm. Wes was tired too he realized when they got to their cabin. After they got Zack into bed Wes and Mike said goodnight and then both went to their own beds… falling asleep just as their heads hit their pillows.
Wes first lesson turned out to be a course in martial arts and he had to smirk. The poor teacher didn't know who he had in his midst. Wes had been the best at his old school and was up against bigger and older boys at Dalton all the time. He could beat a few of them too. In his group was kids between 13 and 14, all in all there were about 15 kids in the group.
"I'm Bobby", the kid next to him whispered. "You're one of the rookies right?"
"Yeah", Wes said. "My name's Wes."
"Welcome to Asian Camp."
"Thanks."
They grinned at each other and then listened to their teacher telling them about various martial arts techniques. When he said he needed a volunteer to show a move at Wes volunteered and everyone stared at him. Everyone knew this teacher was crazy and could hurt students at time. Wes just smiled and stood in front of the man. They bowed at each other and the coach came at him. Wes performed a kick that knocked the man off of his feet. The man sat up and grinned.
"Wow!" he said. "Do that again!"
Wes and the man had a small sparring match going on and the other kids cheered for Wes. Wes was aware of some kids peeking in through the windows or the door, he saw Andy there and saw one thing on his face… and that was jealousy.
Later that day, during lunch Wes sat with the kids in his class and they talked happily about their day so far. Then everything quitted down when a group of kids entered. They were between 15 and 16 years old.
"Those are the oldest kids here", Bobby whispered. "Which means they are the elite here… they are the cool kids."
"I don't see anything cool with being 15 or 16", Wes said calmly and ate his lunch.
"They sing the best and play the sports best", a girl said. "The girls are the prettiest here and the boys the strongest and cutest."
"No", Wes said. "I don't think so."
"Be careful dude", a boy said. "Or they'll make you their number one target after the Stutter."
"If you are talking about my friend Tina I suggest you stop calling her that", Wes said and pointed at him with his chopsticks. The boy held his hands up.
"Why", a girl asked. "She's just scared right?"
"No", Wes said. "That's not why she stutters. If you had any brains at all you'd know it's something you can't control."
"Yeah", another girl said. "Scientists doesn't even know why some people stutter! They don't stutter when they sing though… I wonder why…"
"I don't know", Wes said. "But stop teasing her."
"Okay, okay", the boy that had called Tina the Stutter said and continued to eat. Wes felt something hit his head and turned around. He saw Mike grin at him from the table behind him. Wes knew Mike had heard everything. Wes winked at him and then continued to eat. This would be fun he figured.
TBC
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
Guest (chapter 14) - Happy you like the story... and that I wasn't the only one that cried ;) And of course I couldn't just end it there. There is MUCH more to go.
Paula - Ojsan blev ditt hjärta lidande? ;) Ursäkta för det :)
Lissi47 - I am happy you love the story :D Yeah about Blaine... thing is when i wrote Big Brother Wes I didn't know he was a sophomore :S so in this universe Blaine is a junior (as is Tina). I'll see where I end, I was planning to end it when Wes meets David but now people want it to go on a bit logner... so we'll see ;) Sorry for the long update wait.
Mollie - You'll have to wait and see ;) And I made Wes your favorite character? Wow I'm amazed ;)