Part 75

Wes was very nervous. The camera was being set up and they were waiting for the boys that wanted to audition to show up. Wes was nervous because he had never really been in charge like this. He'd never been the one to say: "You aren't good enough" or "You are what we need". He had never been in a position where he was able to ruin some guy's dream with one word. Benjamin, Samuel, Gabriel, Kevin and Cory had all told him that he would do great. They knew Wes was a nice guy, a great guy and the rest of the school knew it too… well not the freshmen but they soon would. Wes was sitting with Eric and Rob at the council table. The rest of the Warblers were gathered around as well and all eyes turned to Wes.

"Let them in", Wes said and Kim opened the doors. The freshmen that wanted to audition and some other students entered.

"Welcome", Wes said. "My name is Wes Montgomery and I'm the chairman of the Warblers' council. Dalton glee club doesn't have a director because the faculty trust us to be able to handle it ourselves. From this year forth we are going to record all auditions. For a few different purposes. 1) We want the seniors to be able to see how much they have evolved since freshman year. 2) We might change our minds or remember a certain audition and want to double check that we made the right choice. Or 3) Some other Warbler might disagree with us and can use the tapes to aid their cases. I hope everyone is okay with this." The auditioning boys nodded. "Good. To my right is Eric Everett and yes it's his twin sitting by the door. On my left is Robert Barton."

The freshmen waved shyly at the council members. Wes noticed that David was there. He smiled gently at the boy and at Blaine. He had seen both boys in the Dragon and they had both asked him a million questions about the Warblers. He had answered every question patiently.

"You will come in one by one and sing the song you want to audition with and the council will tell you if you're in or not", Wes continued. "It might happen that the council doesn't agree. For example I might want one of you to join while Rob and Eric don't. Then we'll ask the rest of the Warblers what they think."

"Why", a boy with dark and very gelled hair asked curiously. "There's two of them and one of you."

Wes smiled gently, but it was Eric that answered.

"The chairman has two votes", he explained. "But he also has the right to veto someone or something."

"Hear that", Wes said with a grin. "I'm almighty!" his attempt to ease the nervous tension worked and the freshmen laughed.

"Jokes aside it's time to begin", Rob said.

"Right right", Wes said and smiled. "So you all wait outside and we will call you in one by one okay?"

The freshmen nodded and left. Wes sighed in relief before taking a deep breath and sitting up straight again. He rolled his shoulders. It was time to start the show and he was nervous again. He looked around and everyone seemed ready. He nodded to Kim.

"Let the first one in", he said and Kim nodded.

"Yes sir", he said and the auditions started.

The auditions had been going on for a while and so far there hadn't been anyone that was what the Warblers looked for. There had been a few boys that were okay but their voices weren't strong enough. There were some that could be really good if they went to a voice coach but those boys refused to see that they needed it so they were denied because of it.

"God it's like last year all over again", Rob said. "No one that is good enough!"

"Who's next on the list Kim", Wes asked calmly.

"Um… Fred Connors", Kim said.

"Hey I know who that is", Eric and Brett said at the same time.

"Really", Rob asked.

"Yeah he lives in the Tiger and-"

"-he's a great singer and-"

"-he beat box better than any our other-"

"-beat boxers so he should-"

"-get in." They finished along with Wes and the others laughed.

"I thought Nate and Otto told you to stop hanging with the Everetts", Isaac said with a grin.

"Well they're not here so what they don't know can't hurt them", Wes said and winked. Everyone else laughed and Kim called in the boy they had been talking about. The boys from the White Tigers smiled at him because they'd all heard him practice his beat boxing skills. The boy had brown-blonde hair and brown eyes. He was still growing but Wes could already see that the boy was his height or just a bit taller. Well that couldn't be helped. Fred Connors had a happy smile on his face and his eyes were very kind and full of energy. But Wes was sure he could see a protective streak in them as well.

"Hi there", Fred said happily.

"Hello yourself", Wes said with a smile. "So you're Fred Connors?"

"Yep", Fred said with a kind smile. "Fred Connors singer and beat boxer. I must say I am looking forward to show my skills to all of you so much."

"Why", Eric asked with a cheeky grin. "Do you think you're good enough?"

"Well since you and Brett, wherever he is, told me so this morning; than yes I do."

Every Warbler laughed as the twins blushed. Wes winked at Fred and asked Juan to start the camera.

"So Fred what are you going to sing to us today?" Wes asked gently.

"Viva La Vida by Coldplay", Fred answered a bit shyly. "I um gonna sing a cappella if that's okay?"

"Of course", Wes said and smiled. "Take it away then."

Fred grinned and made himself ready by rolling his shoulders and making a quick warm up of his voice. He took a deep breath and began singing:

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Fred stopped singing and watched the guys in front of him. The guys at the council table. He knew of Rob Barton a bit because he was the quarterback of the Dalton Academy Condors and Fred had tried out for that team as well. He knew Eric Everett a bit from both of them living in the White Tiger and he had talked to him a few times. But Wes Montgomery was the one that worried Fred the most.

He didn't know the boy other than rumor way. Apparently he was the youngest Warbler chairman ever. Or at least in a very long time. But he was also captain of Dalton's martial arts team, the Dalton Academy Cassowaries and he was the chairman of the student council. The student council had gotten the nicknames the Unkindness and the Murder. That spooked Fred a little until a senior on the council explained why. Every team at Dalton was named after a bird and a group of ravens are sometimes called a murder or an unkindness. The student couldn't take the nickname Ravens because the book club was called that, so… they got called the Unkindness or the Murder. Which made Fred worry a bit, maybe they were mean and cruel. But he couldn't see any of that when he met Wes' gaze. His eyes shone with understanding, but understanding of what? Wes then turned to Rob.

"What do you say Barton", he asked and Rob made thumbs up. Wes turned to Eric but didn't get the time to ask.

"See we told ya he was great!" Eric shouted happily. Wes chuckled.

"I take that as a yes as well and there's a yes from me too so…" He got up and held his hand out. "Fred Connors welcome to the Warblers!"

Fred ran over and took Wes' hand and shook it happily.

"Thank you", he said with a grin. Wes winked at him and Fred grinned before taking a seat with some of the guys, that waved at him to come over. It was the other beat boxers of course.

"Well we have the same quota as last year", Alexander said happily and everyone except Fred laughed. "We'll explain later."

Then followed a long wait for anyone remotely good. But all of a sudden there was a frantic knock on the door and Wes cocked an eyebrow.

"What the hell?" he asked and then the door flew open and a boy with very gelled hair and hazel eyes ran inside.

"I'm sorry", he said. "I missed them call my name because I fell asleep because I couldn't sleep last night because I was so nervous about this because I really want to join you guys because you are all amazing and I love singing and dancing and performing and just anything that has to do with music and the performing arts and-"

"Whoa whoa kid take it easy", Wes said and got up. He walked over to the panicking kid and put a hand on his shoulder. "Take a few breathes and then tell us again why you barge in like this?"

The boy nodded and took a few deep breathes and started to explain. He was Blaine Anderson, one of the first to be called out. But he had fallen asleep while waiting for the auditions to start because he hadn't slept at all last night because he was so nervous about his audition. He loved everything that had to do with music and the performing arts. It was his life and he realized he'd missed his audition when he heard the guy at the door call out for someone named David Mitchell. He panicked and ran through the door before anyone could stop him because he really didn't mean to miss his turn. He really wanted to show the Warblers that he was great! Wes smiled gently.

"Kim", he asked. "Correct me if I'm wrong but we did have a Blaine Anderson on the list right?"

"Yes", Kim said and looked at the paper in his hands.

"Well then let's hear him perf-oof!"

Wes didn't get to finish because the boy in question hugged him so tightly it knocked the air right out of him.

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

Everyone laughed and Wes patted the boys back before trying to get out of his grip, but it was too tight.

"Does anyone have a crowbar", he asked and Rob laughed before walking up to them and with help from Howard and Logan he managed to pry the freshman off of their leader. The boy, Blaine was still grinning and practically bouncing on the spot. And before Wes even had the time to ask him questions Blaine started singing. Which had Juan panicking because he hadn't started the recording yet. He scrambled to do so while Blaine sang happily.

Here's the thing we started off friends
It was cool but it was all pretend
Yeah yeah
Since you been gone

Wes and the other council membmers shared a look and Wes felt a huge weight lift from his heart.

You dedicated you took the time
Wasn't long till I called you mine
Yeah Yeah
Since you been gone

And all you'd ever hear me say
Is how I pictured me with you
That's all you'd ever hear me say

But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
Im so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get
What I want
Since you been gone

Wes smirked. He had been right just seconds ago. This boy was lead singer material.

How can I put it? you put me on
I even fell for that stupid love song
Yeah yeah
Since you been gone

Wes nodded at Izaac and the boy started harmonizing with Blaine.

How come I never hear you say
I just wanna be with you
I guess you never felt that way

Blaine grinned and a few other Warblers joined in. Fred started beat boxing, showing off his own skills.

But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
Im so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get
I get what I want
Since you been gone

You had your chance you blew it
Out of sight, out of mind
Shut your mouth I just can't take it
Again and again and again and again

Since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
Im so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get
I get what I want
I can breathe for the first time
Im so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get (I get)
You should know (you should know)
That I get
I get what I want
Since you been gone
Since you been gone
Since you been gone

By the end all Warblers but the council had taken part of the performance and some even made up a dance routine. But the council sat stone faced. Wes did have to bit his lip to keep from laughing when Blaine jumped onto a table to be seen among the boys dancing around him. When the number ended Wes shook his head with a fond smile.

"Any objections to Mr. Anderson joining us?" he asked.

"Nope", Rob said and Eric shook his head.

"Well then Mr. Anderson I must-"

He was cut off when Eric clapped a hand over his mouth. He then put a pair of black sun glasses on himself and said with his best Agent Smith impression:

"Mr. Anderson. Welcome to the Warblers."

Wes swatted his hand away but everyone was already cheering.

After Blaine's audition David Mitchell entered. He gave Blaine a glare for wriggling his way in front of David like that. It was mostly because David had been so nervous and was completely ready to audition. But then this little gelled up rat pushed passed him and stole his audition. David was supposed to be the one to show the Warblers that he was the best applier there. But no that little rat from the Dragon, B something, stole that. Wes smiled at him and David felt a bit calmer but before Wes could speak David turned around and left the room. Wes blinked in confusion and everyone looked around in confusion.

"Yo Chipmunk wait for me!" Logan called and ran after David. Turned out Logan was his mentor and he ran after David. Wes decided to keep the auditions going until Logan brought David back. Wes knew David would come back.

David ran until he got to the entrance at the school. He sat down on the side of the fountain, elbows on his knees and chin resting in his hands. It wasn't fair. He had been ready and that stupid little twerp stole his audition. David had heard the other Warblers join in so what was his chances now? None. He had no chance getting in. He'd blow it and suck completely. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his back. He turned and saw his mentor Logan smile gently at him.

"Hey Chipmunk what's wrong", he asked. "Why did you run out on us like that?"

"I… wasn't ready", David lied.

"Dave you can lie to everyone else but not me and certainly not Wes. The kid may be one year my junior but hell he's perceptive. He picks up everything. I thought you said you wanted this more than anything. You told me that you were ready this morning."

"Well maybe I realized I wasn't ready just now!"

"Dave, Chipmunk I saw your face before that Blaine kid stormed in. You were ready. What's this about?"

David sighed and looked at his hands. He then felt Logan move from his side and felt another hand on his back. He turned his head and saw Wes sit there, smiling gently. Logan was standing a bit away from them.

"I know you don't want to tell Logan but you need to tell me", Wes said gently. "We're roomies David and I care about you."

"You've known me for a week…" David mumbled.

"So? Doesn't matter." Wes looked at him. "David I'm sorry."

"What?" David asked confused.

"I shouldn't have let Blaine nestle his way in front of you like that. It was your turn and I could see on your face that you were more than ready to kill it so to speak. But then Blaine burst through the door and got in front of you, just walked over you and I'm sorry that I helped him."

"Why did you?" David asked curiously.

"David I'm just a sophomore", Wes said and looked at him. "Before today I was the youngest guy in the group and I want to make a good impression on everyone that is auditioning. I want to be fair and give everyone their chance."

"So… you just wanted to be a nice guy?"

"Yes that's all it is. I know Blaine was great but he lack some things that I see you have."

"Like what?"

"Well for example he needs to work on his ego a bit. It's too big for such a small kid. And You can dance. You've showed me. Blaine is not as good as you."

"You really mean that?"

"Of course", Wes said and smiled. "Now come on, let's go back there and let you have your audition."

David smiled and nodded.

Getting back to the Warbler Hall Wes, Logan and David took their places and David's audition went on its way. David was a really great singer and he could also dance much better than most of the Warblers. He had no problems joining. The Warblers all liked him. Except for one jealous boy.

They didn't find anyone worth mentioning for a while. Most boys were bad and Wes felt bad for each rejection he gave. But there was one person he didn't feel bad at all about rejecting. There was a boy that came to them to audition every year since he started. He was a senior now. His name was Charles Sullivan. At first Wes thought that he might be related to Brad Sullivan, but he wasn't. Brad came from LA and this guy was born in Australia and they moved to Connecticut when he was two. Brad had told them so when asked after Charles' audition his sophomore year, Brad's senior year. As soon as his name was called out Wes' shoulders slumped. Eric and Rob patted his shoulders in a supporting way.

"We'll just say no again", Eric said.

"Yeah but knowing him he'll try to audition later… again", Rob said. Charles would find a member of the council every now and then and try to get a spot on the Warblers from them. Wes didn't know this. But he was not going to let this guy try again. As soon as the door closed and the guy started to introduce himself Wes got up.

"I veto you Charles", he said everyone stared at him.

"W-what?" Charles asked.

"I said I veto you", Wes said and walked over to the bookshelf and took the rule book. "It says here that as chairman I can veto any decision and I can also veto people auditioning if I already know that they will never make it. I know you won't make it this time either. Which means you will want to try again. But here's the thing. If I veto you, you can't audition for the Warblers ever again."

Wes looked at the shocked boy.

"Thank you but no thank you Charles", Wes said. "Not this time either."

Charles just gaped but was soon escorted out and when he was gone the Warblers, from the year before, cheered and Wes sunk into his chair. Sighing with relief. Rob and Eric tussled his hair fondly and Wes smiled. The three freshmen stared and Wes explained to them what I've just explained.

After Charles left there was a few boys left and last out was a young African-American boy with rather long hair. He had a big grin on his face and David smiled happily at him. Both of them were on the basketball team. The boy's name was Rock Thompson and he lived in the Black Tortoise.

"Hi", he said. "My name is Rock Thompson and I usually sing bass in choir but I can sing a bit higher also."

"Welcome Rock show us what you got", Rob said. And the guy did. He was a really great singer and he could dance a little. Turned out that he was the last freshman that was good enough to be in the Warblers. Which meant they had four new members and Wes knew that they also had something else… someone that had the voice of a future lead singer… if they could shrink his ego a bit. They didn't need a new Jesse St. James.

TBC Sorry for the long wait, again. I have a bit of problem to get my motivation going. BUT one thing... WHY DIDN'T ANYONE POINT OUT TO ME THAT I FORGOT TO WRITE ABOUT WES ON MY TUMBLR?!

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

wesandwarblers - Yes you are right about those boys ;) And thank you :D