Part 74

Wes had gotten back to Dalton a few days before the new school year started so he had a lot of time unpacking and getting prepared. It was very weird for him though because he was for the first time ever moved to another dorm room. He was sad that he wouldn't be rooming with Benjamin again but with a freshman instead. That's what he gathered by the sign on the door. It said:

David Mitchell – Freshman

Wesley Montgomery – Sophomore

He was sure Carmichael had done this on purpose, Wes was after all the student at Dalton who had been there the longest and younger kids had turned to him all the time at camp. They trusted him and maybe this guy he was sharing his room with would as well. Wes looked at his face in the mirror, making sure his uniform was in perfect shape. He looked at the gavel on his desk and bit his lip. When he first came here Jerry had been the one in charge, then Brad had been, followed by Austin and lastly Otto. But now he was the one in charge. And not only in the Warblers. Two days later he had been giving the seat as chairman of the student council. He was overwhelmed by the fact that students trusted him so much in this place.

He was the first person to arrive in the Warbler Hall and he looked around. The room hadn't changed on bit since his first time there. But he had. He knew he had. He just wished he could've seen it. He wished he could've seen himself as he was when he first stepped into this room. He had ended up here, when he got lost and he had found his way here. He had, not knowing it at the time, found his way home. He walked over to the piano and sat down. He remembered the song he'd played back then. He had time before the others showed. He started playing and soon sang:

Look at me
I will never pass for a perfect son
Or a perfect brother
Can it be
I'm not meant to play this part?
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself
I will never have my fam'ly's heart

Who is that boy I see
Staring straight
Back at me?
Why is my reflection someone
I don't know?
Who is that perfect son
It's not me though I've tried
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside

How I prayed
That a time will come
Where I can free myself
From their expectations
On that day
I'll discover someway to be myself
And to make my fam'ly proud

They want a docile lamb
No one knows who I am
Must there be a secret me
I'm forced to hide
Must I pretend that I'm someone else
For all time
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?

When he stopped playing and singing he was stunned to hear applauds and he spun around so fast on the stool that he fell off. He heard amused laughter and felt two pair of hands lift him up. He looked around and saw the Warblers. He grinned.

"Hi guys", he said. Eric and Brett Everett were holding him. "Aren't you supposed to be seniors?" He asked this since the seniors in the room were all wearing the same kind of uniform as the rest of the students.

"This is all your 'fault'", Isaac said, while using air quotes. "You know you and the student council got this change approved."

"Yeah we did do that", Wes said and grinned.

"And I heard you made it to the chairman seat there as well", Alexander Dumas said and grinned. "You've been a busy little bee haven't you?"

Wes stuck his tongue out at him and they all laughed. He gave Eric and Brett a hug before moving over to the council table with Eric. Rob was already there. The boys all took their seats.

"Okay I call this first Warbler meeting to order", Wes said and used the gavel. The boys all grinned.

"So much better than that stupid whistle", Rob said.

"It sure is", Wes said. "Okay guys there are two things I want to discuss today. The first one is the number we want to perform to try to get new members. Does anyone has any ideas?"

A few hands were raised. Wes nodded at Alexander.

"How about An Innocent Man?" he asked.

"It's a great song but it's a bit slow and sad don't you think", Wes asked and everyone agreed with him. The suggestions kept coming but they couldn't all agree to one song. Everyone liked most of the suggestions but some were just too complicated to do a cappella.

"Billy Joel songs", Rob asked Collin after this suggested some Billy Joel. "Are you crazy?"

"No", Collin said. "I just think we can pull it off."

"It's crazy", Logan said.

"You know what Logan", Wes said and looked at him.

"What", Logan asked and all eyes were on Wes.

"You may be wrong", Wes said and winked.

"Wait, wait, wait", Juan said with a grin. "Are you suggestion the song I think you are suggesting?"

Wes just smirked and leaned back. Everyone laughed and cheered. This would be awesome. Wes promised to start getting the sheet music ready but they had something else to discuss first.

"What is it Wes", Rob asked.

"Something hit me today when I entered this room", he said. "How many of you would like the have been able to see how your audition went and compare it to how you sing now?"

Everyone looked around and the majority raised their hands.

"I thought so too", Wes said and looked around. "Which is why I suggest that we from now on… video tape all auditions."

"What?!" "Are you crazy?" "Why?" "Do you think people will agree to that?"

Wes used the gavel, knocking it hard and everyone turned to him and he put it aside.

"I have good reasons for this suggestion", he said. "One: it will give Warblers who are losing confidence in their own abilities see how much they have evolved since their audition, the audition that made them Warblers in the first place. Two: If we have these auditions recorded and the council feel they have made a mistake they can go back and check the auditions easily and see if the decision was right or not. Three: Other Warblers can use the videos to point out that the council are wrong. Four: It will give an extra training so no one gets stage fright. Five: It will be fun to look back at that first audition before you graduate and be able to see what brought you into the Warblers… and show your kids that you too were nervous during your first audition."

The others looked at each other. What Wes said made sense. It was actually a really good idea and they all wished they could've seen how they had evolved during their years with the Warblers. Wes looked around.

"Who is for this suggestion", he asked and everyone raised their hands. "Against?" None. "Then it will be done from now on. Starting this year every audition will be filmed and saved for an archive."

"We can use the old cleaning closet", Rob said and pointed at it. "To store them in I mean."

"Good idea", Wes said and used the gavel. "Now let's get to work, we have a show to prepare for."

Everyone cheered and got to work. Wes had prepared the sheet music with Austin a long time ago for this song, so he didn't have to do that much and they could soon start rehearsing without any eavesdropping ears listening. That too was a plus for coming to school earlier than the rest of the students.

But having been at Dalton a week before the rest of the students, well some of them, spared Wes from one other thing. The big mass move-in. After introduction the freshmen along with the rest of the students were moving into their dorms. Wes had been at the introduction meeting under the role as student council president. He had explained how the freshmen could get onto the council. The seats were permanent unless the candidate misused his influence or missed a lot of meetings. Afterwards he and the rest of the student council met to make sure everything was in order for the nominations on Friday. After that Wes headed back to the Dragon. He used one of the secret entrances to get in without getting into the crowd. He saw everyone struggle to get up the stairs. He shook his head and sat down on a bench by the stairs and got his book out. He started reading. He paid no mind to the other students but he knew the drill. There was a lot of pushing since people tried to get through with their suitcases. But all of a sudden something hit his head. It was two books, some clothes and some bathroom attires.

"Ow!" he exclaimed. "What the heck?"

One of the books had landed on his lap and he picked it up. It was a book named The Redemption of Althalus. On the floor, the bench and on Wes were the clothes and other stuff.

"What the heck", he asked looking up towards the staircase again. "Oi! Whoever decided to bomb me with books should know that it bloody hurt!"

"Sorry", a panicked voice exclaimed and Wes looked up. It was a young African-American, a freshman. He was blushing and ran up to Wes. The guy bent down and started to get his things off of Wes.

"This is your stuff", Wes asked, but I already knew the answer. He held up a pair of socks and the boy snatched them from him, embarrassed.

"Yes", he mumbled and started to pack his stuff hurriedly. He nearly tore the offered book out of the Wes' hand and hurriedly left again. But Wes noticed that the kid had forgotten one of his uniforms. It was in the brown packages they all came in. On it was the name David Mitchell. Wes had to smile. So this was his roomy.

When the crowd had almost disappeared completely Wes headed upstairs and to his room, 215. When he got there he smiled when he noticed David looking through his wardrobe.

"You know", Wes said and David turned around in a hurry. "It is considered rude to snoop around other people's stuff."

The guy that Wes now knew for sure was David blushed and looked down.

"Sorry", he said. "W-what are you doing here?" As an answer he got a package thrown at him and he caught it.

"You forgot your uniform", Wes said smirking a little. "You will get more later on. You also forgot this", he handed David his copy of Regina's Song. "An Eddings-fan are we?"

"Yes", David mumbled. Wes grinned and walked in and flopped down on the second bed and started to roam through the bedside table. He was looking for the second book in the series he'd been reading and he knew he left it there this morning.

"Uh didn't you say snooping around is rude", David asked.

"Yes I did, but it's not snooping around when you look for your own stuff David."

"What? How do you know my name? Who the fuck are you?"

Wes smirked and got up and pointed at their door. There was a paper there and written on it was:

David Mitchell – Freshman
Wesley Montgomery – Sophomore

"That's what I'm doing here David", Wes said smiling.

"Oh shit, sorry", David blushed. "I didn't even notice that note I was-"

"Still embarrassed from dropping your stuff down on an unsuspecting sophomore?"

"Something like that…"

Wes chuckled and then there was a knock on the door and Wes noticed David gulp. It was understandable. Rob Barton was at the door and he was a big guy after all. Wes grinned and got up.

"Hi there Rob", he said.

"You ready", Rob asked.

"In two seconds", Wes said and tied his tie with one hand. "There… Oh! Rob this is David Mitchell my roomy for the year. David this is Robert Barton, senior and council member of the Warblers."

"The what?" David asked shaking Rob's hand.

"The Warblers", Wes grinned. "Now come on Rob, let's go rally the troops and then start the show."

"Show", David asked but both boys had already left. He decided to follow them and check out the Warblers.

David was confused because Wes and that Rob guy had headed to the cafeteria. David sat down with some other freshmen from the Dragon and watched as his roomy disappeared in the crowd. The dining hall was full since everyone was eating together today. David wondered if they always did. But they didn't. Wes had asked Carmichael to have all students eat together today so that they could pull off their little Warbler performance. They had decided to do another song instead of their original plan. They would save that to nationals. But it would work. Wes was going to give the signal, the signal being him getting up and jump onto his table and doing some almost flamenco like moves, courtesy of Alexander Dumas. When it was the noisiest in the room Wes jumped onto his table and started. Everyone stared at him and then Alexander and Brett joined in at their own tables. Everyone stared at them and when they stopped their flamenco claps and stomps it was quiet before the basses and beat boxes started their thing. The tenors joined in and Collin got up on a table and sang:

People keep on learnin'
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long

By now all the Warblers were on their feet all around the room and were dancing in beat to the music. It was mostly the two step they had invited earlier that day when Oliver had admitted that his leg was bothering him today.

Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground

Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long
Oh no

David gaped in awe as he watched what had to be the Warblers dance and sing their hearts out.

Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
'Cause it won't be too long
Oh no

Fred Connors grinned as he watched the beat boxers and basses rock it nearby him. He had to join in whatever club this was.

I'm so glad that he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach my highest ground

Rock Thompson grinned as he helped the Asian that had started all this up. The guy had made a vault off the table and had slipped on the wet floor. Rock had steadied him and the guy grinned at him before hurrying over to join his friends.

Till I reach my highest ground
No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no

Blaine Anderson bounced in his seat, well danced is a better word for it, as he watched these guys rock it to Stevie Wonder. Blaine loved it and even though he was still healing from the Sadie Hawkins attack he couldn't stop "dancing". He wanted to be one of these rock stars.

Till I reach my highest ground
Don't you let nobody bring you down
God is gonna show you higher ground

The whole room was cheering and nodding along to the music or "dancing" along with these guys that were like rock stars to the school, according to the freshmen. When the number everyone cheered. The boys singing had gathered by the door.

"Thank you", Wes called and grinned at the crowd. "We are the Dalton Academy Warblers and if you feel that singing and dancing is your call then we are the group for you. Auditions will be held Friday, know though that our priority are freshmen joining thank you."

The room cheered loudly and four students knew that they had to get into that group.

TBC Sorry for the long wait, again. But I have been a bit busy. Now happy new year to all of yous and I think I will be able to update faster now that I have gotten past Asian Camp. It's hard to write about that because I feel that Wes, Mike and Tina have already done everything :P

Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:

wesandwarblers - She was creepy alright... But luckily she was dealt with. She was already stalking him... kinda :P