Part 69
Wes looked up at Kim with a big grin on his face. Kim smiled at Wes too. His eyes were shining in a way they hadn't for quite some time. Wes hugged him tightly again and Alvaro walked up to them.
"Coffee", he said and the two boys nodded and walked with him to the Dalton coffee shop. There they sat at a table and started to just talk casually about this and that. Alvaro and Wes told Kim about the various shenanigans of the Warblers and talked of and showed him pictures of their musical. Kim had seen the pictures before but he enjoyed just talking to them. But after a while Alvaro couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Why did you come back", he asked and Kim looked at the now empty coffee cup in his hands.
"I wanted to come home", he said softly.
"I thought this wasn't home", Wes said and looked at him searchingly. "You said Sweden was home. That you were homesick and missed it."
"I miss Sweden every day", Kim said and looked at them with a smile. "But Dalton is where my heart is."
Alvaro snorted and Wes grinned happily and leaned over to hug Kim again. Kim hugged him back happily. None of following boys would be there years later when a familiar thing was said during a somewhat similar situation.
"Did you figure it out by yourself Blondie", Alvaro asked.
"No", Kim said. "I had some help. My sweet cousin knocked some sense into me. Literally."
"Emma?" Wes asked and Kim nodded and Alvaro shuddered.
"Kim your cousin is a monster", he said but then smiled. "But I'm glad she got through to you."
"Well she broke the hard shell around my head and someone else got the straw into me and sucked out realization". Wes and Alvaro stared at him in confusion. Kim cocked an eyebrow.
"Because I'm a coconut", he said but the two boys still stared at him. "You people don't say that idiots are coconuts?"
The two Americans looked at each other.
"Swedes", they said.
"Hey!" Kim objected and they started laughing and Kim smiled slightly. "Coconuts."
"Well then we're the coconut club", Wes said happily and hugged Kim again. "Do the other Warblers know you're here?"
Kim shook his head.
"Howard might get a bit of a shock though", he said and smirked. "When he gets back to his room and sees all the boxes."
"So you really are moving back", Alvaro asked happily.
"Really", Kim said. "I guess I just needed a little break."
"Well we're glad to have you back", Wes said happily. "Now let's go show the rest of the guys that you are!"
Kim laughed.
"Sure", he said. "Where are they?"
"Where do you think", Alvaro asked.
At the Lima Bean the Warblers were all in a funk. Regionals was around the corner and without Kim it didn't feel right to perform. It felt like someone had taken a vital part from them. They usually felt this way before the first school assembly of the year when the graduates were gone. But never before had any of this boys felt it before a competition. They were also all wondering what they had done wrong. What did they do to push Kim away? Their hearts told them nothing but their heads weren't satisfied with that answer. Nathan let his head drop onto the table he was sitting at with a bang. Ma Trixie noticed their sadness and walked over. She put her hand on Nathan's back.
"What's wrong babies", she said and looked at her sad looking boys. "Tell Mama."
"Can't", Nathan said into the table, which muffled his voice a bit. "Jerry's not here."
"Ha ha ha", Trixie said. "Then tell your Ma what's the matter."
"We're gonna lose Ma", Otto said, his head was also on the table. "We're not gonna win at regionals."
"And why not?" she put her hands on her hips.
"Because we don't feel like performing without Kim", Howard said.
"We haven't even chosen numbers to perform yet", Eric Everett said.
"We got nothing and regionals is three weeks away!" Rob said and kicked a chair angrily. "Ow!"
Ma had slapped him up the head.
"Don't you go ruining my shop because you are a bit blue", she scolded. "Now what would your older brothers say if they could see you like this?"
No one answered and she looked around.
"Where's Wesley", she asked. She and Carmichael were the only ones allowed to call him that without Wes feeling that they insulted him.
"He's back at Dalton with Alvaro trying to figure out a number we can lose with", Nathan said. "Ow!" Ma slapped him.
"You boys are not going to lose", she said. "I won't let you."
"Ma we're up against Vocal Acheataline!" Otto objected.
"Who?"
"Vocal Adrenaline but they always cheat."
"They do not", Mitch objected. "They are rude and mean but they are good Otto."
"Bah! We're better."
"Exactly so go out there and show the world", Ma said. "I know my boys can give it all and if they don't win who cares? There's always next year…"
"Not for all of us", Otto grumbled.
"Oh come off it", she said sternly. "What's that you're always saying? Once a Warbler Always a Warbler?"
"Yes", the boys grumbled.
"So", she said and smiled at them. "If you don't win this year and next year the Warblers win… you seniors will have won too. You have helped form the winners. Honestly when the Warblers win nationals all former Warblers will have won. The older ones helped shaping the younger ones. So… when my babies win so will all of them."
The Warblers smiled at him.
"Now", she said. "I might not be able to do magic or get Kim to come back. But let me bake you boys some triple chocolate chip cookies."
"Thanks Ma", they all said and she walked away. When she was gone they all sighed. They were all just sitting there, not paying attention to their surroundings. So they didn't notice Alvaro sit down nearby or Wes walk up to them with a guitar in hand.
"Hey guys I think I found a song for us to sing", he said happily.
"That's great Wes", Otto said without enthusiasm.
"I can play it for you!"
"Sure whatever…"
Wes rolled his eyes.
"Honestly I don't get why you are so sad", he said. Before anyone could snap at him he started to play. No one thought of the second guitar playing with his. Wes grinned and sang happily:
In the summernight, when the moon shines bright,
Feeling love forever,
And the heat is on, when the daylight's gone,
Still happy together.
The Warblers smiled a bit because it was a nice song.
There's just one more thing i'd like to add,
She's the greatest love I've ever had.
Wes & Kim: Fly on the wings of love,
"I know that voice", Howard said and turned around and grinned widely. Some of the others followed his gaze and grinned as well. A few got up as well.
Fly baby fly,
Reaching the stars above,
Touching the sky.
Wes: And as time goes by, there's a lot to try,
And I'm feeling lucky.
In the softest sand, smiling hand in hand,
Love is all around me.
Kim: There's just one more thing I'd like to add,
"I know that voice", Nathan repeated said and all Warblers now looked up.
She's the greatest love I've ever had.
"KIM!" Many voices shouted and Kim laughed and looked at Wes.
Wes & Kim: Fly on the wings of love,
Fly baby fly,
Reaching the stars above,
Touching the sky.
Kim: Smuk som et stjerneskud,
Som tiden går,
Smukkere ser hun ud,
År efter år
Both: Fly on the wings of love,
Fly baby fly,
Reaching the stars above,
Touching the sky.
When they had stopped singing Kim hurriedly put his guitar down because as soon as he was done… he got tackled in a massive hug. Wes grinned happily and sat by a table. The Warblers were back and this time, there was no stopping them.
Except… their principal. The Warblers were rehearsing the last time before next day's competition that was held at Dalton. The boys were going to do Fly On the Wings Of Love and Wes had finally made them agree on doing some Lion King but that's when Principal Carmichael entered.
"Hello boys", he said.
"Hello sir", everyone said and he smiled.
"Boys I am here to ask a favor of you", he said. Otto cocked an eyebrow and Carmichael told them what he wanted. One of the teachers had lost her son recently and she was really upset. Her son's favorite songs were Puff the Magic Dragon and I Stand Alone.
"So it would mean the world to me and the school if you would honor her baby boy by singing those songs tomorrow."
"But sir", Eric objected. "We don't have time to get the music done! And the choreography!"
"Both songs are slow songs. There is no need for choreography."
"Sir it's", Otto said and got up. "I…"
"Otto I know that winning means a lot to you boys", Carmichael said. "But the Warblers isn't all about winning."
"It's doing what's right", Wes said and everyone turned to him. "It's doing what's right and looking after your own. Not only Warblers but everyone at the school."
"Exactly Wesley", Carmichael said and smiled. "I can clear it with the competition and tell them that the list you sent in was the wrong one, my fault of course."
The Warblers looked at each other. Before they turned to Otto. He was the leader. It would be his call. But could they really just throw aside everything they've worked for? Their Lion King medley was flawless and so was their other song. They had put in so much work. But… a woman had lost her son and needed some sort of comfort, something to help her move past it. The Warblers could give her that. Otto looked around the room, everyone was watching him. He caught Wes' gaze. The younger boy inclined his head just slightly. Otto smiled.
"We'll do it", he said. Carmichael smiled.
"I knew you would", he said. "I am very proud of all of you."
He walked out of the room and Otto turned to Wes.
"Warbler Wes", he said. "Please help me get the harmonies to sound amazing tomorrow."
Wes smirked and twirled a pen around.
"Where's the sheet music", he said with a wicked grin.
The Warblers were all gathered backstage, getting ready for the competition. They were not going to sit in the audience. As the school hosting the event the Dalton Academy Warblers felt an obligation to help the other teams find their way and to just be nice and welcoming. But that turned out to be really hard when Jesse St. James and Vocal Adrenaline walked in through the door.
"Oh what do we have here", Jesse said and smirked as he crossed his arms. "A little chicken coop."
The people behind him laughed and started to make chicken noises. Otto cocked an eyebrow, not impressed.
"How can we be the chickens when you are the ones sounding like them?" he asked. The VA stopped doing those noises and the Warblers laughed at their confused faces… and Jesse's angry one. Jesse took a step forward, trying to be scary. But Wes stepped forward with a smug smile on his face and with his arms crossed. Jesse stopped in front of him.
"Out of my way shrimp", Jesse growled.
"No", Wes said. "This is our school and we don't tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind. So if your choir does anything that can remotely pass as any of it you will be escorted off of the school grounds and locked out of Dalton."
"But then we can't perform!" a girl yelled.
"Guess you have to leave walkover then", Wes said calmly and looked at the choir in front of him. "So… friendly?"
Jesse looked at the rest of his choir.
"Fine", he spat and they walked towards their greenroom. Wes got pats on the back and the Warblers headed to sit in the audience to watch the performances.
The first choir that was up wasn't really that impressive. They had basic dance moves and some f them sang off key. But they were having fun and the Warblers cheered for them. Because that's what this competition was all about. Having fun. But then… it was time for Vocal Adrenaline. The music started and the performance started. Wes and the others had no love for Jesse but seeing him up there, performing like that. They had to admit that he and the entire choir was good. The judges looked very impressed as well.
"We don't have a chance", Isaac whispered to Wes.
"I know, but we never went into this regionals to win", Wes said. "We came to help a woman in need, to help her move on so we will do that."
"Carmichael gave me a flashdrive to use during the performance", Otto told them in a hushed tone. "Pictures of the woman and her son. The judges will most likely hate it."
"But we don't care", Rob said calmly. "We aren't doing this for them."
"Exactly", Otto said and smiled at the boys around him. The VA finished. The Warblers gave polite applauds and the choir walked off the stage.
"And now from our very own Dalton Academy", Principal Carmichael said as the emcee of this competition. "The Warblers."
"Let's go", Otto said and while their school cheered loudly for them they all got up and walked onto the stage. They stood in a long line and the curtains behind them were pulled aside to reveal a huge screen. The Warblers first performed Puff the Magic Dragon and pictures flew across the screen and the teacher saw them and gasped. She felt tears starting to fall. Were the Warblers really doing this for her? They sang one of her sons favorite songs and showed everyone pictures of him. The boy had died when he was five years old. The Warblers didn't move and the judges didn't look impressed but their schoolmates did. Then the next number started and the Warblers only made oooh noises at first. Wes looked around and then sang:
I know the sound of each rock and stone
And I embrace what others fear
You are not to roam in this forgotten place
Just the likes of me are welcome here
Everything breathes and I know each breath
For me it means life
For others it's death
It's perfectly balanced
Perfectly planned
More than enough for this man
Before the chorus the Warblers made stomping noises and started with the real backup harmonies. They then started to "dance". This was the first time they did the side-step. The school cheered because it sounded amazing and the rest of the crowd joined in.
Wes: Like every tree stands on its own
Reaching for the sky I stand alone
I share my world with no one else
All by myself
I stand alone
Then Logan stepped forward and performed something that like a yodel or just something sung in Celtic. It was hard to tell.
Wes: I've seen your world with these very eyes
Don't come any closer, don't even try
I've felt all the pain and heard all the lies
But in my world there's no compromise
Like every tree stands on its own
Reaching for the sky I stand alone
I share my world with no one else
All by myself I stand alone
All by myself I stand alone
All by myself I stand alone
The Warblers all sang the last line together but in different harmonies and held it before stopping in perfect sync. The audience cheered loudly, but the boy didn't dare look at the judges. Or Jesse because they knew he'd be looking smug. But the woman they did this for. She was smiling at them, with such gratitude and love in her eyes that it made everything worth it.
The Warblers didn't win, they didn't even come in second. They finished last because the judges thought what they did was an unprofessional thing. A desperate attempt to try to win votes. The Warblers couldn't care less. Their teacher had given all of them big hugs, the school loved them, the audience loved them and Carmichael told them how proud he was of them. So instead of moping and being sad the boys were going to celebrate. But suddenly Kim jumped up.
"Holy fuck I forgot!" he yelled.
"Forgot what?" Nathan asked.
"I was going to watch ESC today and call Emma and tell her what I thought!"
"Well we can all watch it", Otto said. "I'm sure it will be fun."
Kim grinned and they all gathered in Kim and Howard's room to watch the competition. For those who you that don't know what ESC is it stands for Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurovision Song Contest is a song competition held among many of the active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), it takes place once every year.
Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and radio and each country then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. You can't vote for your own country. The contest has been broadcast every year since 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. It is also one of the most watched non-sporting events in the world, with audience figures having been quoted in recent years as anything between 100 million and 600 million internationally. Eurovision has also been broadcast outside Europe to such places as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela despite the fact that they do not compete. Since 2000, the contest has also been broadcast over the internet, with more than 74,000 people in almost 140 countries having watched the 2006 edition online.
Artists whose international careers were directly launched into the spotlight following their participation at Eurovision include Domenico Modugno, who came third with the song "Nel blu dipinto di blu" in 1958, ABBA, who won the contest for Sweden in 1974 with "Waterloo", Celine Dion, who won for Switzerland in 1988 with "Ne partez pas sans moi",the Spaniard Julio Iglesias, who has sold over 300 million records worldwide, and Bucks Fizz, who won in 1981 for the UK with "Making Your Mind Up". And yes I copied the info from Wikipedia because I'm lazy.
As they watched some performances made them confused. Like Bosnia & Herzegovina's song. But it also made them laugh. They didn't understand a word but it was still funny. Actually there were lots of songs sung in languages they didn't understand but they were good anyway.
"Iceland is best so far", Wes said at a point. "I kinda cheer for them."
"Shouldn't we cheer for Sweden?" Nathan asked.
"No way in hell", Kim said. "And you'll soon know why…"
They watched for a bit more and all boys loved the pirates from Latvia and after Latvia… it was Sweden's turn and they all stared.
"Uh Kim", Howard said. "Why is that woman looking like an evil cat-alien?"
"She is sickly skinny", Wes added.
"Yeah and her boobs are too big for her body", Eric Anderson said.
"Because she had some kind of depression and only won because of who she is", Kim grumbled. He told them the woman had once won the whole competition for Sweden and that's why she won in Sweden again this year. Just like a woman named Carola a few years prior.
"But at least Charlotte can sing", Kim said and smiled. "Carola can't sing anymore."
They watched a bit more and then when it was Ukraine's turn Mitch gasped.
"Oh no same dress!" he said. "She has the same dress as Charlotte!"
"Media went crazy apparently", Kim said. "It's just a dress. Ow!" Mitch had hit him. In his and Justine's world there was no such thing as… "just a dress". The competition continued and when France and Spain's numbers were on everyone just gaped. Especially when it was Spain. There was nothing else they could do.
"Norway for the win!" the Warblers later cheered as the voting started. They were all wanted Norway to win, as did Kim. They teased him about only doing it because it was a neighboring country. Kim just flipped them off and soon… they all groaned. The Americans a bit louder than Kim. Russia won.
TBC So so so so so so sorry for the long wait but this has been a very rough week for me. Tuesday marked the one year past since my sister lost her horse. Wednesday marks the three years since my niece was born with cancer, passing nine months later. Thursday marked the one year since my beloved grandma died. Friday was the date a friend to the family died. So you see... rough week. my little sister calls it Hell Week.
Oh and if you love "my" Warblers as much as I do please read the story Mama And Papa. It has all of them, almost, in it but a bit different ;)
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
Guest - Happy you liked it :D And ouch that sounds like a painful tradition :S