Part 59
The following Monday the boy's in Black Tortoise was awoken by a strange song they've never heard being sung and it wasn't that hard to tell who it was that was singing. Howard even shared a room with the culprit and Juan Fererra also knew who it was and he smiled slightly. The song wasn't bad it sounded really fun actually so he hurried towards the room where the sound came from. Howard grinned at his roommate as this sang and danced around:
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na
Today I've seen Jimmy Dean
Oh oh oh Jimmy Dean
Maybe it's hard to belive me
New kid in town
I saw him today
Make sure you really recive me
One of a kind the Hollywood way
Tell us what you've seen
Tell us what you've seen
Looks like an angel
Tell us what you mean
Tell us what you mean
He's Jimmy Dean oh oh oh
He's a blue jean boy
He's the real McCoy
But the best for sure
He's the boy next door
Saw him passing by
He looked up said hi
Today I've seen Jimmy Dean
Oh oh oh Jimmy Dean
If I could borrow his jacket
wear his pants or ride his car
you would be able to track it
The boy next door a moviestar
Tell us what you've seen
Tell us what you've seen
Looks like an angel
Tell us what you mean
Tell us what you mean
He's Jimmy Dean oh oh oh
He's a blue jean boy
He's the real McCoy
But the best for sure
He's the boy next door
Saw him passing by
He looked up said hi
Today I've seen Jimmy Dean
Oh oh oh Jimmy Dean
Howard and Juan laughed and gave Kim applauds. Kim took a bow and turned off the stereo he'd been singing along to. The reason for not only Kim's but every Warblers' stereo being on this early in the morning? Today they were going to choose numbers for sectionals. Every dorm was full of music from different rooms… except one.
Benjamin covered his head as Wes gasped after being slammed against the wall by Jesse. Benjamin wasn't done with Jesse's homework and when the older boy was about to hit him Wes pushed him back… and now he was on the receiving end of Jesse's wrath.
"Touch me again Montgomery and I'll end you", Jesse growled and pushed Wes to the floor roughly. Wes yelped and looked up at Jesse. But there was no fear in his eyes… only a glare. Jesse smirked and stalked out. Benjamin hurriedly helped Wes up.
"We gotta do something about that jerk", Wes growled.
"But what can we do? If we tell someone he's sure to kill us…" Benjamin said fear evident in his voice. "Wes he'll kill us."
"I know… but this can't go on."
"There's nothing we can do…"
"I know… I guess we just have to trust in Otto seeing things now that he was made prefect after Conrad was caught with weed…"
"You think Otto can handle something like that? Word around here is that he and that Nate are some kind of pranksters."
Wes smiled.
"They are, Jerry told me about the stuff they used to do when he was here… I don't think that'll change much but still… as far as I know Otto is a really cool guy. He's really sweet and caring."
"Aw you touch my heart baby", a voice said from the door and the freshmen looked up and saw Otto stand there with a grin.
"Hi Otto", they said.
"Hi squirts. Wes there's gonna be a Warbler meeting in about ten, so you better come with me."
"Okay", Wes said and turned to Benjamin. "I'll see you at class Ben okay?"
"Okay", Benjamin mumbled and Wes left with Otto. Benjamin remembered Toby's words… now that Wes was a Warbler they would never let go of him… ever.
"Okay guys settle down", Otto said and when that didn't work he blew in the whistle and everyone jumped and sat down. "Wow I'm starting to see the appeal in this thing." He turned towards the council table and was about to sit down when he stopped. He turned and looked at the chair and smirked.
"Nice try Nate", he said and put the pin on the table. "But this is me we're talking about."
"Aw man", Nathan said and the others laughed. Previous years Otto and Nathan had pranked the chairman by either putting a pin on their chair or doing something else. But Nathan would have a real problem pranking his partner in crime.
"Anyway", Otto said as he sat down. "The council talked this Sunday and we decided to give Jesse St. James the lead-"
"Pft like you could give it to anybody else", Jesse said and looked smug.
"-in one of the numbers", Otto finished as if Jesse hadn't said anything at all and when Jesse realized what he had said his smug grin disappeared.
"What?!" he yelled and flew up.
"We are thinking of giving the solo to a more… experienced Warbler. Which is why Wes is gonna sing solo at sectionals."
"WHAT?!" Jesse yelled at the top of his lungs at the same time that Wes said:
"Wait what huh?"
"How can you call this… this… pipsqueak, this unwanted lapdog for more experienced than me", Jesse yelled and got up. "I'm older!"
"But Wes has been here at Dalton and in the Warblers longer than you. He is the more experienced Warbler."
"But he's a fucking freshman!"
"And what's wrong with that", Nathan asked getting protective.
"He's the youngest and by rights should have the lowest position in the group! People will not want to see a Chinese freshman that barley reaches any heights to lead a song. They want sexy men not boys."
"Then we should replace you completely", Mitch spat and everyone stared at him.
"Excuse me?!" Jesse yelled at the smallest Warbler.
"You said it yourself. They want a man to run the show and you are not a man Jesse. Just a selfish and jealous little boy."
"Says the one that tried to do the ultimate selfish deed."
"Excuse me what-"
"Trying to kill yourself, really selfish if you ask me Magnuson."
When he said that half of the Warblers flew up in anger and the rest grabbed the ones flying up. The Wilkins twins hung on Nathan, getting him onto the floor to keep him from killing Jesse and Rob held on to both Otto and Eric's collars.
"Jesse!" Otto yelled furiously. "If you don't shut up and take your assigned part calmly I will kick you out of this club!"
"You won't do that and we both know it Johnson", Jesse said and looked smug. "You need me."
"We have Wes now so why should we need you?"
"I am more experienced singing in front of people. The dwarf may've been here longer than me but he hasn't performed as much. You all know I'm right. We can't give him a solo, he won't be able to take the pressure."
"He did last year at regionals", Eric growled.
"And that went so well."
"Hey!" Julian objected. "You also lead us during that competition!"
"So?"
"You can't blame Wes for us losing because you were leading just as much."
"Yes but I was amazing and he wasn't."
"No he was outstanding", Oliver spat.
"Shut up", Jesse told him.
"I would flung my leg at you but it isn't near heavy enough to make any damage."
"Will that count as a kick", Wes asked innocently and Oliver smiled at him and a few Warblers chuckled.
"Probably", Oliver said. "Do you think the soccer team would let me join?" The Warblers started to laugh and the hostile air just vanquished. They all started to joke around, laugh and just have fun. Otto though was amazed. Wes had just said one sentence and by doing so took the lead. Otto smiled, their little brother had taken after Jerry, Brad and Austin already. The meeting proceeded with them electing the songs to do. They said that Wes would sing a Disney song while Jesse sang something from the 80's. But during the whole meeting Jesse was brewing in anger and he was reading through the rule book and when the meeting was about to end he flew up with a:
"Ah ha!"
"What is it now Jesse", Otto asked tiredly.
"I challenge you for the post as chairman Otto", Jesse said and pointed at Otto.
"Excuse me?"
"According to the Warbler rule book a member of the Warblers that sees the chairman unfit to fulfill his duty they can challenge him and the chairman either have to directly resign, accept the challenge or refuse to do either."
"Then Otto refuses", Isaac said and look at Otto. "Right?"
But Otto didn't look as if he wanted to refuse and why would he? If he did Jesse could undermine him by calling him a weak leader that didn't dare to handle a crisis such as this. If someone challenged one of his decisions later on this person could point out that he was to cowardly to take a fight and that he had no arguments that were valid since he backed out of this.
"Eric", Otto snapped. "How does this thing work?"
Eric got out the council's copy of the Warblers' rulebook, it was newer.
"It says here that if someone challenges the chairman's decision the group vote, but if someone challenges the chairman's post the challenger and sitting chairman have to sing a song each and the Warblers decide who wins. Both of them have to sing either a cappella, with instruments they play themselves or to a CD." Eric put the book down and Wes snatched it to read through the part as well.
"So how is winner picked?" Otto asked and Wes looked up.
"Doesn't say in this one", Jesse pointed out.
"In this one it says that the Warblers together tell who's the winner by voting at the end", Wes read from the book and then closed it.
"Okay", Otto said. "Tomorrow we battle Jesse, I rather have this settled sooner than later."
"That's fine with me", Jesse smirked and left. Otto sighed and dismissed the meeting.
The following day Jesse set his plan into motion. He used his bullying to scare the sophomores and Wes. He would push them up against the wall and threat with bodily harm unless they voted for him. The sophomores agreed before he hurt them… Wes didn't. He just growled at Jesse and this punched him in the stomach before slamming him against his locker. The boys at Dalton had lockers, even the boarders so that didn't have to drag all of the books that they needed for one day all around the place. Wes agreed after the third slam and Jesse left. Wes just wished that the show off would come soon because he could not take this anymore.
As he walked around the school he noticed the fright in the freshmen and sophomores but he wasn't the only one. The older students had noticed but the underclassmen refused to tell what was going on. Even the student council tried to figure it out. Wes had volunteered to be one of the students from freshman year to attend the council, so he and a boy named Simon got the job for the freshmen. At meetings the seniors and juniors were trying to understand why all freshmen and sophomores seemed so uneasy. But no one said anything, not even when cornered alone.
Wes was the best one at lying but he took no pride in it. He was just so used to hiding his pain from the world that it had basically turned into a trait in his personality. The older boys on the council tried and I mean tried to make him crack but Wes just said nothing was wrong… it was just a bit intimidating at the school. The older boys didn't buy it because they knew how long he had been there. Wes knew that if he acted as if nothing at all was wrong, if he didn't act scared he would be looked upon as maybe the reason so he acted like the others and that was his true feelings. But at the same time he was thinking of ways to get rid of Jesse once and for all… but how?
The time for the Warbler duel soon came and the Warblers weren't the only ones watching. All boys at Dalton had heard about this and the Warbler Hall was full of spectators. Wes was holding on to the rulebook that belonged to the council. He didn't look at Jesse and he didn't dare to look at Otto because when Otto walked up to him to ask for a good luck hug Wes shook his head. He hadn't dared to look at Otto but he had heard the sadness and betrayal in Otto's voice. Maybe Otto knew. Otto did know. He know that Wes was going to vote for Jesse when this was over and that the kid was beating himself up over it. But still… it hurt.
"Okay", Otto said and got up. "Jesse you gave me this challenge so you will start us off." Otto removed the whistle from around his neck and threw it to Wes. The boy caught it and looked at Otto.
"Hang on to that for the moment Wes", Otto said. "Give it back to me after I win okay?"
Otto saw Wes' lips twitch and tremble as if he was either about to start crying or was trying to hold his laughter. But it was impossible to say. Jesse got up and got polite applauds from the people around. He gave Carl a CD to put in the boom box and then the music started. Everyone recognized it and quite a few brows furrowed and Wes looked like a storm cloud. Jesse started to sing:
I remember a time
When we were sublime
There was plenty of grace in the air
We'd plunder and pillage
And ransack a "village"
With nary a worry or care
Then along came this king
He pointed at Otto that nearly flew at him, but was held back by Rob.
With his soft-hearted dream
But he'll sell us out in the end
So rally the troops!
We were meant to re-group
And return to our roots once again!
Are you in or out?
Gotta know without a doubt
I'm the one you need for a victorious deed
I'm the best, success is guaranteed
Are you men or mice?
Take a slice of my advice!
You want a fearless leader, one that's strong and stout
Better vote for me
Are you in or out?
He looked around the group and smirked before he sang:
We used to be smart, yes
And not so talentless
In competitions, we were rough
We knew what we had
And glory was had
Then Otto brought this sensitive stuff!
This time it was the Everetts that needed to hold someone down… Nathan.
And we strayed from the path
Of our rigorous wrath
Now we're taking a bath in the dust!
But we'll reclaim our winnings
Our humble beginnings
In talent and me, you trust!
Jesse jumped onto a table and let his hand swipe in the air, motioning for all the Warblers.
Are you in or out?
Double-crossers or devout?
Put your faith in me
Pretty soon you'll see
I'm the prince of generosity
Are you foe or friend?
Here's the path I recommend
You want a ride to fame?
I've got the fastest route;
What's it gonna be?
You'll go performing in all the right places,
From Westerville and Lima to Pari'
Imagine the fear on their faces
When we show how great we can be
Jesse jumped off of the table and started to dance again.
Come along, boys!
Follow me!
Are you in or out?
If you're with me, give a shout
He got no shouts.
I'll lead you all the way
Into the glory days
We'll begin a life of fame that pays
Are you out or in?
Make your choice now, sink or swim!
You can stick with me, or stay behind and pout
What's it gonna be?
Consider carefully
Are you in or out?
Jesse finished his number and waited for the applauds. But the once he got was short and awkward, like the boys that did it were ashamed of doing it. He glared at Wes who didn't do anything. But when he met Jesse's glare he started to applaud like he meant it, with a big grin on his face and all the older boys in the room looked confused… or suspicious. They hadn't missed the glare after all. Then it was Otto's turn and he got up. He cracked his neck and Carl turned on his music. Otto took a breath before he started to sing:
When the earth was young
and the air was sweet
And the mountains kissed the sky
In the great beyond, with its many paths
Man and nature lived side by side
In this wilderness of danger and beauty
Lived three brothers, bonded by love
Their hearts full of joy
they ask now for guidance
Reaching out to the skies up above
The Warblers all grinned, who didn't love Brother Bear? Wes beamed at Otto and Otto felt his voice getting stronger.
Great Spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
with all you know
Show us that in your eyes
we are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain truly
brothers all the same
Otto walked among the Warblers as he sang and got high fives or hugs from them, even the sophomore but Otto only had one goal.
Give us wisdom to pass to each other
Give us strength so we understand
That the things we do
the choices we make
Give direction to all life's plans
Otto stood in front of Wes and smiled gently.
To look in wonder
at all we've been given
In a world that's not always as it seems
Every corner we turn
only leads to another
A journey ends, but another begins
Wes got up and threw his arms around Otto and they danced together, while hugging.
Great Spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
with all you know
Show us that in your eyes
we are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain truly
brothers all the same
Warblers (Otto leading):Great Spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
with all you know
Show us that in your eyes
we are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain truly
brothers all the same
All: Brothers all the same
All the Warblers cheered loudly, including the sophomores and Wes. Jesse waited until everyone was quiet down before he applauded himself, in a mocking way.
"So very sweet", he said. "Now can we decide on a winner."
"Yes", Otto said. "And-"
"The winner is Otto Johnson", Wes said and stood up. Everyone turned to stare at him.
"What?!" Jesse yelled and Wes opened the rulebook.
"A winner is decided", he read from it. "Judged by how many of the other Warblers/audience cheer for the singer. The one that gets the biggest cheers and/or laughter of joy wins." Wes smirked at Jesse. "And clearly that was Otto."
"That's not what you said yesterday!" Jesse yelled.
"No because then you…", he trailed off.
"Then", Nathan urged when Wes didn't continue. "Come on baby."
"Nothing", Wes said.
"Baby Warbler tell us."
"Nothing", Wes said and put the book on the table. "Otto won, Jesse lost oh look at the time! Hi Ben let's go to class!" Wes darted off and took Benjamin by the hand and dragged him out of the room to go to class. The other freshmen hurriedly followed.
"What on earth", Mitch said and scratched his head. "What is going on at this school?"
"Ask the freshmen", Julian said. "Oh wait we can because they ran off."
All eyes turned to the various sophomores around.
"Bye", Oliver said and the sophomores scattered. The seniors and juniors were left behind, worrying.
When school was over that day Wes was still musing about Jesse. Jesse St. James was a jerk everyone at Dalton knew that, what happened earlier that day and yesterday just helped proving it. He was a junior and halftime lead singer of the Warblers. But… he had a problem with fitting in and letting others shine from time to time. He was very egoistical and power hungry. Jesse was also a jerk because he bossed younger students around and threatened younger, clever, boys to do his homework. Jesse St. James was stupid. Wes knew thinking things like that was wrong but Jesse was stupid! He was mean as well, always shoving younger students out of his way if they didn't move out of the way on their own. Jesse also had a hobby… picking on Wes. Jesse had been picking on Wes since Jesse started at the school, in secret of course. The younger boy was trying his best to ignore him… he didn't want to leave Dalton after all. Which he would have to if he stopped ignoring Jesse because if he stopped that he would attack him… and get kicked out. Wes was walking towards his locker when he met a cute girl, a few years older than him he guessed. Wes walked up to her.
"Hi", he said. "Can I help you?"
"Yes maybe you can", she said smiling gently. "I'm looking for my boyfriend."
"Who", Wes asked. "Maybe I know him and can take you to him."
"Would you? Oh that's so sweet of you. What's your name cutie?"
Wes rolled his eyes. Hey he was fifteen! He was short yes and he knew his Asian features made him look even younger than he really was, but still!
"Wes Montgomery", he said smiling. "Nice to meet you."
"Oh you are too cute", the girl cooed thinking he was twelve or something Wes guessed. "I'm Nina Holland, like the country but I'm not as big."
Wes grinned. "Bet you're prettier though."
"Oh you're so sweet", she chuckled and hugged him close in a motherly way. Wes had to fight the urge to fake-gag.
"So", Wes asked her and she let him go. "Who are we looking for?"
"Jesse St. James", she said.
Wes mentally gagged but nodded and showed the girl to the dorms. When they got to the stairs to the junior/senior floor Wes asked her to hang back.
"Just let me make sure the prefect isn't around", Wes told her, he just didn't want Otto to see him because that would mean he'd ask him about earlier. Wes had avoided the older boys for a reason.
"He's really picky with rules and don't think girls should be up here", Wes lied, we all know that. I mean Otto being picky with rules? Pft.
"Okay", Nina said and Wes walked up the stairs. Jesse's door was close to the stairs so Wes could knock it and still be visible for Nina. Jesse opened the door and glared at Wes. He was still angry from what happened earlier and he didn't like being the laughing stock and at the end of one of Wes' schemes.
"What do you want you little shit", Jesse spat.
"Nice to see you too Jesse", Wes said coldly. "There's a girl looking for you."
"Pft yeah right", Jesse said smirking. "As if a little brat like you would help a girl here."
"I have. She says-"
"Get lost brat!" Jesse shouted and pushed Wes backwards so hard the younger boy tripped and hit the floor… hitting his head on the wall.
"Jesse!" Nina shrieked and rushed up the stairs and sunk down by Wes' side.
"Nina", Jesse asked in shock."What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you", she growled and then turned to Wes. "Are you okay sweetie?"
"I'm fine Nina", Wes said getting up, with her help. A few juniors and seniors were looking out of their rooms to see what was going on. Some freshmen and sophomores were watching from the foot of the stairs. They looked nervous and Wes knew why. Because if someone asked him now… he'd have to tell the truth. He couldn't lie to a nice girl… or all the seniors watching him.
"Has this happened a lot Wes", Nina asked.
"No", Wes said. "He uh never pushes me in the dorms."
"Shut it pipsqueak", Jesse growled. "Nina I never pu-"
"I saw you St. James", Nina spat at him.
"Wes", Otto asked worriedly from his and Nathan's room. "What do you mean he don't push you in the dorms?"
"He doesn't", Wes explained and looked at his feet. "But he does outside of the dorms."
"You lying little", Jesse growled but two seniors stepped in between him and Wes, one of them was Nathan and his eyes were shooting fire. It was no secret that the seniors were very protective over the freshmen… and especially Wes. They had been there when Wes first got there after all and they'd seen the broken child with their own eyes.
"It's not just me", Wes hurriedly said and Otto looked at him in confusion. "Jesse pushes around everyone younger than him! He forces some to do his homework so he can stay here and in the Warblers!"
Otto looked from Wes to the cluster of boys at the foot of the stairs.
"Is that true boys", he asked. The freshmen and sophomores all nodded or agreed in mumbling.
"I got the bruises to prove it", Benjamin said and a junior hurried down to him and looked at the boys back and stomach. There were bruises there. The junior checked the other boys. A few of them had bruises. Nina turned to Wes and gave him a stern look. Wes sighed and pulled up his shirt. She saw fading bruises on his back. She glared at Jesse and then slapped him across the face.
"We are over you jerk", she spat.
"Jesse", Otto said. "You're coming with me to the principal's office."
"They're lying", Jesse yelled. "They're all fucking little liars!"
"Shut it St. James", Nathan snarled and they grabbed Jesse's arms and dragged him towards the stairs. "You're gonna be outta here by nightfall. We don't take lightly on bullies ya know."
Jesse glared at Wes with hatred.
"I fucking hate you Montgomery!" he yelled. "This is all your fault! I'm gonna rip your head off! I'm gonna fucking kill you Rise-eater!"
Wes glared back at him but was suddenly hidden by two very tall seniors. They'd stepped between Jesse and Wes.
"Now you will be expelled", Otto growled and Jesse disappeared from the dorm. When he was gone all the younger boys of the dorm sighed in relief and Wes sat down on the stairs and buried his face in his hands. Otto looked around.
"Hey mentors", he said loudly. "All of you take care of your freshmen and seniors take care of the sophomores. Get the whole picture and then call me up, I'm heading for Carmichael's office." With that he headed out, patting Wes' back fondly as he went. Rob got out from his doorway and scooped Wes up, without protests and headed into his room. He set Wes down on the bed and sent out a mass text to the Warblers, excluding Nathan, Otto, Logan and Alexander.
Wes hadn't said a word and he hadn't looked up since Rob brought him into hi room. He didn't even look up when the other Warblers arrived and wondered what was going on. Rob told them to wait for everyone to return and soon Otto and Nathan also joined them along with Logan and Alexander. Otto pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Okay", he said. "Wes, Logan, Alex, Ollie, Juan, Peter, Howard and Collin… is there a reason you didn't tell us about what Jesse was doing?"
The sophomores looked at his feet.
"We…" Peter stuttered. "We were afraid of what Jesse would do if we said anything."
"Afraid of what", Carl asked.
"Jesse", Nathan explained. "Has been hurting the freshmen and sophomores physically, mentally and emotionally. He's been bullying them since last year. Why didn't you tell us?!" The last was an angry yell.
"We were scared", Collin said.
"Of Jesse", Rob asked and Collin nodded. "I am sorry to say this but I can understand why Wes, Juan and Ollie are afraid of him but hey the rest of you are all really tall and Jesse is not."
"Doesn't matter that he's tall", Howard said. "A punch still hurts."
"A shove as well", Peter said.
"And what he said did too…" Alexander spat. "Don't just blame this on us… why didn't you see anything?!"
"We noticed something was up but you just kept denying it", Kim said. "You can't blame this on us!"
"And you can't blame us", Juan said.
"Stop it!" Wes suddenly yelled and looked up. "Stop it! This is Jesse's fault, is the bullied boys' fault because they didn't say anything and it's the fault of the older boys because they didn't push it enough! We are all to blame here so just shut the fuck up!"
After saying his piece Wes returned to looking at his knees. He was feeling horrible. In one way he was happy Jesse was gone but Wes was feeling guilty. Not over Jesse being gone but because of all the boys that had expressed their worries last year… Like Austin and Joseph… and Justine. When she found out he lied to her she would never talk to him again.
He didn't want to lie to his brothers and sister but he did… he didn't deserve their love… he didn't deserve them. He really was a sin because he lied to those who loved him most. Man his grandparents were right all along… he would end up hurting everyone he loved. *SNAP* Wes jumped high into the air in fright. Someone had just snapped their fingers in front of his face and he hadn't known. His reflexes told him it was Jesse so he cowered his head. He felt a pair of soft hands grip his.
"Hey", Mitch said and Wes looked at him. "It's okay, just Nate being Nate."
Wes smiled slightly and Mitch pushed the bangs out of Wes' eyes.
"Hm", he said. "I need to cut your hair again."
Wes smiled softly and hugged Mitch. The older, yet smaller boy, just smiled and pulled Wes tightly to him, hugging him back.
"We understand okay baby", Mitch said softly. "All of us. Not just the boys here but all of us and Justine. Don't you worry."
Wes buried his face in Mitch's shoulder.
"We all understand", Mitch said and that hug ended in a big group hug with Wes and the sophomores in the middle. The only terror at Dalton was now gone.
TBC
Oh and if you go to my prophile you can find a link to my second trailer for this story ;) Or just go to YouTube and search for this:
Glee - Little Brother Wes (trailer2)
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