Part 36
The rest of the summer went by in a flash and everyone had so much fun, especially Mike, Wes and Tina. They spent every waken moment together, well when they didn't have class. They even taught each other different things. Tina and Mike showed Wes how to dance. Wes helped Tina with her singing. Mike taught his friends about football. Wes taught Mike and Tina a bit about drawing and Tina taught the boys how to dress to impress… well her and a few other people but they let her at it. They had so much fun that when it became time to say goodbye to Asian Camp the three didn't want to split.
"I know", Mike said as they were in the parking lot waiting for Mike's parents and Jerry and Wes' ride. Jerry was sitting beside Wes with an arm around his shoulders in a brotherly way.
"What", Tina said and Mike got his phone out.
"We live in Lima Ti-Ti and Wei lives in Westerville", Mike continued. "It's not too far apart so we can come visit!"
"Will your parents allow that", Wes asked. "It's two hours between at least."
"Maybe not all the time but… sometimes?"
"Why don't we just exchange numbers and e-mail as a start", Tina supplied. "Then we can figure something out Mai."
Jerry snorted at the nicknames but the other two boys just nodded eagerly and they exchanged numbers and e-mails happily. Soon Mike's parents arrived and Wes hugged Mike and Tina goodbye.
"Take care Wei and we'll see you soon!" Tina said happily as he hugged him.
"By Ti-Ti", Wes said and then hugged Mike happily.
"Bye Wei", he said.
"Bye Mai", Wes answered and waved as the two of the got into Mr. Chang's car and drove off. Wes felt a bit sad so Jerry pulled him close.
"You okay", he asked and Wes nodded.
"Yeah", he said and waved at Chris who was waving both arms to get his attention, he wanted to say goodbye too. A wave was enough for both of them and Chris jumped into his mom's car. Jerry chuckled and hugged Wes closely to him.
"What where those nicknames about", he asked and Wes laughed.
"We had a lecture about Asian culture and names and stuff", he explained. "Mike started it, he wanted to make Tina's name sound more Asian."
Jerry only snorted. He knew how Mike looked at Tina, even though Wes and Tina missed it. Jerry could see in the future that the two of them would probably date, Mike and Tina that is. He just saw the connection.
"When do you have to go back", Wes asked feeling sad.
"After dropping you off sadly", Jerry sighed and held Wes just a little bit closer. "But I'll promise to be in touch."
"I'll miss you", Wes mumbled and felt very sad.
"I'll miss you too kiddo… so much." Jerry ran his fingers through the boy's hair. Wes had grown over the summer and was now 162 centimeters or something. He was still short but not too short. He'd might even be tall for boys his own age… well at least some.
"Promise to be careful in China", Wes said and looked up at him. "We all worry about you when you are so far away."
"Of course I will kiddo", Jerry said and hugged him tight. "And you take care of yourself here. Don't let anyone mess with you."
"Of course", Wes said. "I'd like to see them try."
"Good boy."
"I'm not a dog!"
Jerry just laughed and then they heard a car honk its horn as it drove up to them. From the window on the passenger seat a familiar brown-haired head appeared.
"Anyone called for a ride?" the boy called.
"Nathan!" Wes exclaimed happily and ran up to the car and Nathan crawled out the window and hugged the Asian to him. Jerry laughed and walked over and noticed that not only was Nathan there, Otto was driving and Mitch was in the back.
"What are you all doing here", Jerry asked as he and Wes got into the backseat with Mitch.
"You'll see", Otto said happily. "Next stop the airport."
"What?"
Wes whistled innocently and Jerry gave him a look, but the boy just looked innocent… a little too innocent.
At the airport Jerry got another surprise. All the Warblers from his senior year was there and they were all smiling and waving. Justine ran up to Jerry and hugged him tight, she was dressed in a traditional Chinese outfit, looking really amazing. Jerry chuckled as he hugged her back. They all talked for a bit and told each other of their summer. Wes squeaked at one part because Mark had picked him up from the ground to ruffle his hair and squeeze the living daylights out of him. When he was let down other boys ruffled his hair.
"Look at you", Frederic teased. "You've grown! You'll fit right in now!"
Wes just rolled his eyes. But then… then it was time. Time to say goodbye. Jerry looked about to cry and held his arms open. Wes ran over to him and threw his arms around his neck, fighting the angry tears that were about to spill over. Jerry stood up straight holding onto the boy that clung to him as well and Jerry started crying too. Mark smiled sadly as did all the other Warblers.
"You promise to write me okay", Jerry told his little brother and Wes nodded, too sad to even speak. "It's gonna be just fine buddy. I'll be fine. You'll meet new friends hopefully meet a better girl than that horrible Becca thing!" Wes sniffled but chuckled at the same time and Jerry tried to stop his own tears.
"Jerry", Mark said and Jerry put Wes down and then hugged all the other boys, not an eye was dry.
"Promise to be careful out there", Justine said being the last to hug him. "We don't want to get news about you being murdered… that goes for you to Mr. Connors!" Mark just snorted.
"With Jerry's good grace he'll fall of the Chinese Wall before he gets killed by some ninjas", Wes said and the Warblers, except Jerry, laughed. He turned to the younger Asian with a glare.
"What", Wes asked 'innocently'.
"You are unbelievable", Jerry said and the other Warblers laughed. "Where did you get that witty tongue of yours from?"
Wes shrugged. "How should I know, I don't know my 'family'. But don't think these are my only weapon Jonston", he pointed at his eyes. He then did some 'fake' martial arts moves. "I got a bigger arsenal than that."
"And don't we know it", Mark said hugging Wes from behind. Jerry sighed.
"I guess this is it lads", he said.
"Group hug on Jonston!" Nathan shouted and the Warblers all hugged their leader and Jerry laughed. Wes and Mark were closest to him and hugged him the hardest. When the hug ended Jerry gave all other boys one quick hug and then he hugged Wes close, running his fingers through the boys hair.
"You take care of yourself now okay kiddo", he said and Wes nodded mutely. "Don't let anyone step on you."
"They wouldn't dare", Otto cut in. "We won't let them!"
"And Wes won't let them", Justine piped up. "He's turned into quite the little ninja Jerry."
Jerry chuckled at that.
"I believe you", he told her and ruffled Wes' hair again.
"You better", Wes mumbled and Jerry hugged him tight again.
"Love you kiddo", Jerry said softly.
"Love you too", Wes said back and let go of Jerry, Mark pulled him into a hug and Jerry smiled at all his brothers and his sister.
"Don't forget me okay guys?" he said and started to slowly walk backwards towards the gate.
"How could we forget someone as handsome as you?" Justine asked with a cheeky grin.
"Don't you mean crazy", Wes asked and the Warblers laughed.
"Okay that's it", Jerry said, ran up to Wes, grabbed hold of him and started to tickle him. Wes started laughing hysterically.
"He Jerry you ain't got all day", Mark sighed. Jerry sighed too and put Wes down and pulled him into a hug.
"You be good alright", he said and pointed at Wes as he backed away. "Don't let anyone mess with you."
"I promise", Wes said and felt hands on his shoulders, knowing it was Mark.
"Guys and Justine you'll keep an eye on him alright?" Jerry said with a choked up voice.
"Of course Jer", Mark said in a voice thick with sadness and pulled Wes into a backwards hug.
"Don't let anyone hurt him or boss him around Nitcho", Jerry called to Nathan, Otto and Mitch.
"Wouldn't dream of it", Mitch called.
"Be good Wes", Jerry called and turned his back to them. "I'll see you all around. See you later!"
"See you later!" the group called and Wes leaned on Mark sniffling slightly, Mark just held him. They watched the airplane take off before they headed back to Dalton. There they said goodbye to the boys that were heading for college. The rest of them headed to their dorm rooms. But they agreed to meet up in the Warbler hall later.
But when they got there they heard someone was already in there. Music was playing and when the person started to sing they all knew who it was.
När du är trött, du vill fly
Och oron viskar att din dag skall aldrig gry - "That sounds like Bridge Over Troubled Water", Otto said and with a smile Austin opened the doors and they found Kim by the boom box singing.
Jag är hos dig, känn handen kring din hand.
Var stilla, var ej rädd.
Som en bro över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
Som en bro över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
Wes ran up to the Swede and hugged him happily. Kim smiled and hugged him back before continuing his song, the Warblers sat down all around them.
När skuggan faller kall, där du går fram
Och när fågeln inte längre syns och solen dör
Jag tänder ljus, jag tänder himlens ljus.
Var trygg och tro på mig.
Som en bro över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
Som en bro över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
During the instrumental parts the junior and senior Warblers hugged Kim one by one before he started the last verse.
Styr mot havet nu, segla bort.
Nu är din korta stund, det liv du väntar på.
Följ vågens väg, se djupen skrämmer ej, nej.
Jag är ju här hos dig.
Som en båt över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
Som en båt över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig
Som en båt över mörka vatten skall jag bära dig!
The Warblers all cheered loudly for Kim and he grinned before hugging Wes tight to him again. The Warblers were back for a new year at Dalton… boy what a dramatic year it would turn into.
TBC Sorry for EXTREME shortness but I had NO ideas for Asian Camp :S Wanna know what Kim sang translated to English? Well then... go to YouTube and search for "Warblers - Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water" and you'll find a video I made with this song by the singer Kim usually sing songs by ;)
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
Sarah - I'm happy you liked them.
Guest - Well Jerry is Wes' role-model and hero ;)