Part 27
Tonight was the night, the night most students dreaded… parent night. All of the Warblers were nervous. Some because they just didn't know how their family would embarrass them, some because they knew their parents didn't know how to show love and some were nervous because they didn't want their parents to find something or another out. Nathan Newland was one of those boys. His parents had sent him to Dalton to get straightened out… well obviously it hadn't worked since he was dating Mitch and was happy about it. But he was afraid of how his parents, especially his dad, would treat Mitch and himself. Nathan knew Mitch's parents were okay with who their son was and they loved Nathan as well. But Nathan's parents weren't like that at all.
'Still it could be worse', he thought as he tidied up his uniform again, waiting for his family to arrive. 'I could have Wes' parents. Poor kid, why do I complain about my people when he doesn't even have them?'
He jumped high when a hand took his and he turned and saw Mitch smile at him. Mitch was lucky. His parents loved him no matter what he did. Nathan's parents would heard about all mischief he'd gotten into so far and it was a lot… they'd hear about all his fights with Alvaro the previous year and they'd give him hell about Mitch.
"What are you thinking of", Mitch asked as they looked out over the grounds of Dalton. Some families had already arrived and Nathan smiled when he saw Alvaro hoist a kid up and hugging him. Alvaro's family was consisting of himself, his mom and dad and two brothers, both younger. The older of the two was hugging Alvaro tightly while their parents looked at them all with pride.
"That I wished I had Alvaro's family instead of mine", Nathan mumbled. "Or yours… my parents are gonna kill me for being what I am."
"Who you are Nate", Mitch said and gently took his hand. "You're not a what, you're a who."
"If my parents only felt that way."
"It's their problem. Remember that everyone here loves you and if your parents don't it's their loss. Wouldn't you rather have me than being 'straight' and miserable?"
"Babe I'd even have the ugliest guy in the world than being straight."
"So what's the problem?"
"I'm just scared that my dad will do something to hurt you…"
"He wouldn't dare. I may be small but I can bite, hit and kick."
Nathan chuckled and pulled him into a tight hug. That's when they heard someone clear their throat and they turned and saw a man and a woman. Nathan's parents.
"Mom! Dad", Nathan exclaimed and let go of Mitch. "This is uh… this is…"
"I'm Mitch Magnuson", Mitch hurriedly said and smiled. "I'm a good friend of Nate's. He was a bit worried that you wouldn't come so he needed a comforting hug."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Magnuson", Mrs. Newland said sourly. "Nathan darling how are you? Are you still having that… problem?"
"Uh… yes mom", Nathan said and blushed.
"I thought they'd knock it out of you by now", Mr. Newland said and looked angry. "What kind of school is this anyway?"
"Dear it has just been little over a year", Mrs. Newland said. "Give it some time and you'll see that he'll be straightened out in no time. So Mitch what are you here for?"
"Just attending school ma'am", Mitch said. "Dalton has the best education in the country and my parents want me to excel in whatever area I find fit."
"And for the moment that is?"
"Music and history ma'am."
"How interesting. Tell me are you planning on studying history?"
"As a matter of fact I am ma'am."
"Geek", Nathan teased and his mother gave him a disapproving look. "Forgive me mom, it is just a thing between the two of us. Shall I show you around the campus? Where do you want to start?"
"Your dorm dear", his mother answer. "I must see how my son is living. I take it you are having a single room?"
"No I share one with my best friend Otto Johnson, I will introduce you later."
"And is he having the same problem as you?"
"No ma'am."
"Good", Mr. Newland answer. "Let's go then. Will you accompany us Mr. Magnuson?"
"My parents will arrive later so if it is okay with you sir", Mitch say.
"Well come along then boys", Mrs. Newland said."Show us around."
"This way", Nathan said and grabbed Mitch's arm and pulled him towards the dorms.
Lucas and Tom Bedford were showing their parents and their sisters around the school. Their grades and behavior had already been analyzed and everything was perfect… as always and their parents were proud. Their sons weren't as happy though. Their parent went on and on about their perfect attendance and perfect grades and behavior. Lucas prayed for a distraction… and it came. There was a crash when they entered the dorms and Lucas, being the dorm prefect, went into full prefect mood.
"Pardon me", he said and hurried into the kitchen and saw Otto stare at all the dishes he had tipped down onto the floor. Lucas cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Is there a reason as to why you decided that the floor was the perfect place for the dishes Otto", he asked.
"I was looking for something and hit the pile and it fell", Otto grumbled.
"What were you looking for", Lucas asked and walked over with a broom and started to help Otto clean up the mess.
"Something to bribe Wes with so that I can get him to meet my family", Otto muttered. "He's still not keen on the idea and keeps walking around the school alone. I thought you said you'd figure something out!"
"I've been trying", Lucas defended himself. "But I don't know what to do. I talked to Carmichael and he said not to worry… but I can't help it. The kid needs help."
"He is driving me crazy", Otto said. "He keeps giving excuses for staying away from me… and it is pretty darn good excuses too! It's all your fault Bedford! He uses words that are only in your vocabulary!"
"Oh?"
"Yes! I told him to come with me and meet some parents and he said… and I quote: 'I do not desire to be an infringement in such a delicate and holy fête as a family Thanksgiving dinner. It is most inappropriate for me to intrude at such an event. Pardon me for being so rude but it is only the truth.' You have got to stop teaching him weird words!"
Lucas chuckled.
"The boy has a silver tongue", he said and got rid of the shards on the floor. "I told him as much the first time I really talked to him at that bus-stop."
"We gotta do something!"
"I am trying to figure out what to do. I have spread the word amongst the Warblers and everyone is willing to try to find him a table and family to join for the day."
"As long as it's not Nathan's homophobic bunch… did you hear what they told him over the phone yesterday?"
"That they hoped that he was straightened or do you mean the part about him quitting the Warblers since it is not a manly thing to sing and dance?"
"Both… How can he stand those people?"
"Lucas", they heard Mrs. Bedford call.
"I understand him completely", Lucas grumbled. Made sure his uniform was in perfect condition and then walked out of the kitchen to rejoin his family. Otto shook his head at that.
Kim walked around with his dad, showing him around and they were talking in Swedish. Which caused many a head to turn and stare at them. They both ignored that and kept on talking. Now since I know not all of you understand the language that is my first I will have it written in English. See I can be nice too! I'm not only evil!
"So this is the math-classroom and math in this country is such damn hard in comparison to what we did at home", Kim said calmly.
"I can understand that", his father said and chuckled. "But at least you have a far bigger understanding for European history than most of your classmates?"
"Yeah… those that aren't from other European countries that is", Kim grumbled.
"Kim", his father said and put a hand on his shoulder. "Look I really am sorry to have moved s out here without even ask for your content on the whole thing. I am sorry Kim."
"It's okay dad", Kim said. "I admit that I was pissed off, no that was nothing against about the way I felt. I didn't think it was fair, not fair at all. You just dropped the bomb on me a week before we were about to move to the US. I live with you for a little bit and then you send me off to attend some damn private school! I did not want to do it. I knew I'd be mocked for being a foreigner. I didn't want to be here! I didn't want to be American. I'm not American and the way the kids in our neighborhood… and at this school… told me that they didn't want me to be American either. Kids here looked at me oddly and spoke very slow so that I would understand or they spoke with a fake Germanish accent to tease me and at first I didn't care… but then I did. The guys on the Warbler's council practically told everyone that arguing about me was unnecessary… I thought they surely meant that I was unnecessary because my English wasn't perfect."
"Kim-"
"Dad I'm not finished", Kim interrupted. "I felt like that for quite a while. But then I met these two guys, Lucas and Wes and they showed me that kids here are actually quite cool, they're okay with me not being an American. They like me anyway and think I'm okay. I have got a bunch of friends and I'm actually happy for the first time in my school-life… thanks dad. Thanks for moving us here."
Mr. Johansson smiled and pulled his son into a tight hug and held him close. Kim ignored that people were looking at them a bit confused and hugged his dad back. When they parted they continued to walk and his dad asked:
"Any funny stories you can give me?"
"Well… my first week here two guys 'chased' me through one of the common rooms."
"What?"
"You know how we Swedes are about private spaces?"
"Yes we like to keep a bit of a distance between us and the ones we are talking to."
"Well the boys at this school is not like that…"
Mr. Johansson chuckled.
"So what happened", he asked.
"I was talking to these guys Nathan and Otto and I felt that they were standing way too close to me… I mean Nate's and my toes were touching and Otto's shoulder was touching mine as well, he was standing beside me. So I took a step back to get some space and they followed. I took another step back and they followed again. We came half-way through the common room before Nate lost it and asked: 'What the hell are you doing?!' 'You're standing too close' I answered and they stared at me as if I was crazy. I made a 'ring' around me to show them my personals space… everyone else thought it was hilarious."
Mr. Johansson laughed and patted his son's shoulder.
Now I bet you guys think that is just a made up story but it actually happened to yours truly when I was living in a student dorm (corridor) with a few exchange students. Swede's are a bit… reserved I can admit and since I was only 19 at the time I was not used to talk to really bubbly outgoing exchange students… that were standing way too close for comfort. I am sure you have all heard the stereotype about Swedes being shy. Well we aren't really shy just reserved and like to have private space. So if Kim comes off as a nervous or shy character… he isn't really. He's just acting Swedish.
The father and son continued down the hallway and met one of Kim's teachers… his teacher in English.
"I must say Mr. Johansson", the man said. "That Kim is a very talented when it comes to languages. He picks up the little things really fast. Now when he arrived at the beginning of the school year his grammar was somewhat of a catastrophe for someone his age but now it is really good."
"Well excuse us for not being from the country", Mr. Johansson said sarcastically. "Is there something else?"
"Yes um… some parents have been asking me why you are not… how to say it… nicely dressed sir."
Mr. Johansson looked at his jeans and sweater and trainers.
"Why not", he asked. "It's the clothes I always wear."
"Yes but sir it is Thanksgiving", the teacher said blushing slightly.
"So? We don't celebrate Thanksgiving. It doesn't mean anything to us… at all."
"But… but…"
"I was planning on taking my son out for dinner, for just the two of us. Is that okay?"
"But sir family night-"
"I think you can manage without the two of us, right?" He put his arm around Kim's shoulders. Kim laughed as his dad lead him out of the school.
Right now Mitch wished he could be with them because being alone with Nate's dad was not something he enjoyed. Mrs. Newland wanted to see the kitchen and common rooms of the dorm while Mr. Newland wanted to inspect the room that Nathan shared with Otto. Mitch had to agree… the room was actually clean for once and that was a miracle.
"So this is my son's room", Mr. Newland asked.
"Yes sir."
"Not many pictures."
"No sir."
"Why?"
"Well… no disrespect but your son doesn't really know how to use a hammer or pins sir."
Mr. Newland snorted.
"That boy", he said. "He has a good head on his shoulders but is lousy when it comes to using his hands."
"Oh he can use them alright", Mitch mumbled.
"What was that", Mr. Newland asked since he didn't hear.
"Oh I just said that you got that right sir", Mitch said and blushed.
"Hmpf." Mr. Newland scoffed and looked around the room. Mitch looked out the door to see if he could see Nathan or Otto come so that he could leave this scary man. When he did that Mr. Newland took his opportunity to open the drawer on the bedside table. His eyes darkened in anger because at the top was a picture that had been hurriedly thrown in. A picture of his son kissing another boy, the very same boy that was in this room with him. He growled slightly and put it back but noted something sticking out from underneath Nathan's pillow. He took the paper and turned it over… it was another picture of his son. Holding hands and kissing the very same boy from the other photo. The same boy that was in this room… right now.
"Sir", Mitch asked and the man twirled around and Mitch saw the picture in his hand. "Oh…"
"Explain this to me", the man said darkly. "Why are you kissing my son?"
"It was… I…"
"Don't lie to me boy!"
"Because I love him!" Mitch squeaked out and the man's eyes darkened.
"What?"
"Sorry but it's true sir… I love your son and he loves me."
"I sent him here to get straightened out! Not finding some… some fag to sleep around with!"
"This is not a 'straight-camp' sir… it's a high school where everyone are treated equally, with just the same kind of respect and you should do well to remember that or you will be lead from the premises. Sir I do not mean to be rude but you are an ass. Your son loves me and he loves you and your wife very much… but you are trying to change him into something he is not and he will suffer from that… sir do you really want that."
"I want my son to be normal."
"He is normal. I am normal. Everyone is normal. It's nothing wrong with being gay."
"God says-"
"He says a lot of things", Mitch cut in. "But Jesus never said anything about gay-people… and that's a fact sir."
"How dare you?!"
"How dare you sir?"
"Get out of my sight!"
"I will, gladly."
Mitch turned and marched up to the door.
"And stay away from my son", Mr. Newland added.
"No."
"Do it or I will force him to transfer schools."
Mitch looked horrified.
"You can't", he said. "He loves it here! All of his friends are here!"
"Then I guess you better do as I say or else he will be transfered and… I might hurt you also."
Mr. Newland marched up to him and Mitch trembled in fright. The man was much bigger than him. The man scoffed.
"I see the appeal though", he said. "You have huge eyes, a petite frame, really beautiful hair, smooth skin, a soft voice and some would call you cute. My guess is that he likes you because you look so much as a girl."
"I do not!" Mitch objected and then cringed when the man put his hands on either side of him. He looked up at the man that was now smirking at him.
"You will stay away from my son", he said. "Do you hear me? He is not to be victim of my disease."
"What?"
Mitch's eyes widened in fear as the man grabbed hold of his shoulders and hate-kissed him on the lips, trying to get his tongue into Mitch's mouth, but Mitch didn't respond. He pushed on the big man but it was futile. When the man needed to breathe he moved back with a smirk. Mitch was looking horrified.
"See", the man said and put his hand on Mitch's cheek. "It is a disease that is far from normal. It makes you sick. Do I make myself clear?"
Mitch nodded and slowly headed for the door. He was about to open it when Otto did just that and he stared at his friend. He could see that he was really upset.
"What's the matter Mitch", he asked.
"N-nothing", Mitch stuttered and saw Otto's parents. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."
"Hello Mitch dear", Mrs. Johnson said and smiled. "How are you?"
"Fine ma'am… excuse me but I have to go and meet my parents."
"Of course dear." She smiled at him and he hurried past them, but before the door closed Otto grabbed Mitch's hand. The smaller boy turned to him and Otto gave him a worried look. Mitch just smiled.
"I'm fine", he said and hurried off. But Otto knew that was a lie. He saw how upset Mitch was and when he looked into his room he figured out why. Mr. Newland was tearing a picture of Mitch and Nathan to pieces.
"Hey!" Otto objected and stalked over. "You can't do that! What did you do to Mitch? What did you say to him?!"
"Otto", his father said. "Behave."
"You saw his face dad! He was clearly upset and this jerk is tearing apart pictures of Nate and Mitch!"
"What?!" Mrs. Johnson exclaimed and stared at the man. "Mister what are you doing?"
"It is none of your business madam", Mr. Newland said.
Wes was walking around the school yard when he saw a small teen sit on a bench with his head in his hands looking frustrated and upset. Wes carefully moved over to him and put a hand on his arm. The teen jumped and Wes recognized Mitch and saw the tears on his face. Mitch hurriedly wiped them off and offered a watery smile.
"Hi Wes", he said. "What's up?"
The younger teen didn't answer. He just put his arms around Mitch and hugged him tight to him. Mitch was still for about two seconds before breaking down and hugging the younger teen tight, seeking comfort from him. Wes rubbed his back and started singing softly:
Come along
Will there be sunshine shinin'
Will we find a silver linin'
Come along
Sing a song
When today becomes tomorrow
We'll we find joy or sorrow
Sing a song
Is it wrong
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
We'll paint the gray coulds
With pretty rainbow hues
And we'll brush the gloom away
And save it for a rainy day
Rainy day, oh today
If troubles cast a shadow
And shadows make the sun afraid to stay
But it's okay
'Cause there'll be sunshine shinin'
And we'll find a silver linin'
Another day
Tomorrow is another day
How I hope you'll always stay
Tomorrow is another day
Mitch sniffled again but held the younger boy a little less tight. Wes saw Nathan and Otto run around a bit away and fished something out of his pocket and groaned. It was Brad's whistle. Wes put it to his lips and blew. Mitch jumped in fright and every head on the grounds turned to them. Otto and Nathan recognized them and sprinted over.
When they got there Nathan practically tackled his boyfriend in a tight hug and Otto put a hand on Mitch's shoulder. He looked at Wes who just shrugged, telling Otto Wes had no idea of what was going on. But Nathan and Otto did. Mr. Newland had told them everything that had happened… and after getting punched by Mr. Johnson he was removed from the school along with his wife.
Nathan and Otto had met Mitch's parents and Otto's parents told them everything that was going on. Mr. Magnuson had called the cops at once and Nathan knew his dad would never get out of that… spot of trouble. Mr. Magnuson was one of the best lawyers in the United States. He was as good as in jail already… which made Nathan feel extremely happy and gleeful.
Otto looked up from the hugging duo and noticed that Wes was gone. He looked in every possible direction but saw no sign of the kid. He scratched his head and texted some of the Warblers to keep their eyes open for him, what was the kid doing all by himself anyway? And what had he been doing so far?
TBC Okay I had to break the chapter into at least two parts... it was getting too big... and I'm not done yet. So which Warbler do you think should have two moms? Who do you want to see more of?
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
Lissi47 - Hehehe Then you will kinda love the epilogue because I intend having Wes and the Warblers from his first year sing Whistle to Jerry's honor. Saw the Warbler performance of that song on youtube and the first thing I thought was: Oh my God that's Jerry's song!