Part 76

Rock had been the last boy to audition for the Warblers, which meant that they had four new boys joining them. The new Warblers got to ask a few questions before they closed the meeting. Wes declared that before they parted for the evening the newbies should be introduced to the most holy place for any Warbler. At Wes' suggestions all older Warblers smirked and the freshmen got worried. Wes only patted David's shoulder and nodded towards the door.

"Let's go", he said.

David, Rock, Fred and Blaine walked into the Lima Bean with the other boys and felt out of place again. The older Warblers all seemed to be rather tight and knew each other really well. So the four freshmen felt a bit out of place and now they'd been taken to some sacred place that confused the freshmen but amused the older ones. The freshmen saw that they seemed to be at a café and they wondered what was going on. Then they heard laughter and a tall woman with dark hair that had started to grey a bit was running up to them. Wes stepped forward and she pulled him into a bone crushing hug.

"Wes my baby how was your summer", she asked smiling broadly. "Did everything go smoothly at camp?"

"Most of it did Ma", Wes said with a sigh.

"I'm so sorry honey. Oh my all my boys are here!" She went on hugging nearly all the boys. But the freshmen stared at her in confusion.

"Oh you must be my new boys then", she said beaming at them and the boys looked at Wes in confusion. Wes laughed happily. They had the same look every freshman (except him) had at the first official Warbler Lima Bean School Start Party.

"Yes Ma", he said and put a hand on the shoulder of the boys closest to him. "This is Fred, Rock, David and Blaine. Boys this is Trixie, owner of the Lima Bean and the official mother of the Dalton boys and the Warblers especially. Say good day boys."

"Good day", they all said and the others laughed. Even now, at his first try, Wes was like a teacher that could drill the boys into doing what he wanted them to.

"Good", Wes said. "We will want to order some-"

"Oh I know all your favorites honey you should know that by now", Ma Trixie interrupted him gently. "Now you new boys will have to let me guess what you like. I will find your favorites for sure!"

"Uh", Blaine said confused and she patted him on the cheek.

"Don't you worry dear I can see that you are a boy who likes his medium drip."

Blaine gaped in shock. Wes just patted her back and the older boys laughed.

"Yeah Ma is freaky like that", Kim said. "Ow!" She had swatted him.

"Instead of standing there making fun of me make yourself useful and play that funny Swedish song you sang the other day", she scolded. She walked off and the Warblers headed for their tables. All but Kim who headed to the piano.

"If she knew what it was about she wouldn't want me to sing it", he grumbled and sat down by the piano. All eyes were on him and he started playing the piano and was soon singing along.

Hejsan Rune här är vi
Ullas far och Ullas mor
Vi gick ändå här förbi
Här där ni bor

Så vi gjorde ett försök
Och klev på för att få reda på
Genom detta vårt besök
Vad du är för en gök?

Vem i helvete är du?
Som är gift med henne nu
När beskedet nådde stugan
Tänkte både jag och frugan:
Har vår dotter blivit väck?
Köpa grisen i en säck?
Därför måste du förstå
Att vi hälsar på

Alla svärföräldrar vet
Att dom ej står högt i kurs
Fast dom kommer med paket
Ropar man usch!

Ändå köpte vi en nätt
Liten sak till heminredningen
Om den inte alls känns rätt
Kan man byta den lätt

Vem i helvete är du?
Du förstår man undrar ju
Man har bilden klar och tydlig
Av sin svärson, snygg och prydlig
Så det blev en stor surpris
När hon köpte säck med gris
Men det här skall nog bli bra
Herman heter jag

Dom gick runt och inspekterade
Rune skärpte sig och konverserade
Men när dom annonserade
Att dom skulle gå
Vände Herman sig mot Rune
Och brast ut en gång till:

Vem i helvete är du?
Vi är främlingar ännu
Men vår dotter står oss nära
Hon är kärast bland dom kära
Eftersom hon är din fru
Blir vi tvungna att från nu
När nu allt är som det ä'
Tycka om dig mä!

The Warblers cheered loudly, even though they had no idea of what had just been sung. The freshmen turned to their older members.

"What language was that?" Blaine asked.

"Swedish", Juan explained calmly. "Kim's from Sweden. He moved here for his freshman year and he does this sometimes."

"We have no idea of what he's singing", Howard said. "For all we know he could be singing that we are all freaks or something."

All eyes turned to the Swede and the Warblers grinned. There was a red haired girl there talking to Kim and by the shocked look on Kim's face he hadn't expected it. Especially not since they both seemed to be talking Swedish. Wes smiled. Kim seemed taken by this girl already and since breaking up with Daisy Kim hadn't really dated anyone. It made Wes happy to see Kim finding someone new now. He wasn't the only one, he could see Ma Trixie smiling fondly at the scene as well. Wes returned to talk with the other Warblers. Trying to get the new ones.

Later in the evening, before curfew of course, Wes was returning to the Dragon with Blaine and David on either side of him. The trio were talking about everything and anything. But Wes noticed Blaine look a bit nervous. Wes noticed that he had fading cuts and bruises on his hands, neck and face. The shorter boy kept looking between them nervously. After a bit David's patience ran dry.

"What", he snapped and Blaine jumped high and clutched onto Wes' arm. Wes gave David a stern look because Blaine was clearly afraid. David just shrugged.

"You okay B", Wes asked gently and looked at the frightened freshman.

"Y-yeah… um… no…" Blaine had realized early on that you couldn't lie to Wes. For some reason he just knew things. Like now. Blaine could see in his eyes that Wes knew something was up. Blaine bit his lip but didn't let go of Wes' arm.

"Wes", he said quietly. "Can I talk to you when we get back to the Dragon?" Wes smiled in reply and nodded. David didn't look too pleased but Wes ignored him completely. He even lead Blaine to his and David's room before David could object. David wasn't happy about it, Blaine noticed but Wes either didn't or just plainly ignored it. He sat Blaine down on his bed and put an arm around the younger boy, holding him close.

"What's up Blaine?" he asked. Blaine sighed and rested his head on Wes' shoulder. He had only known the guy for about a day but he still felt more comfortable with him than he did with his older brother Cooper. Wes just had this air around him that screamed safe and caring. Blaine sighed.

"There's a zero policy to bullying here right?" he asked.

"Yes", Wes answered calmly.

"Is… it enforced?"

"Yes", Wes replied again. "I've seen guys getting expelled for harassing other students." He didn't clarify. It wasn't really Blaine's business to know that Jesse got expelled for abusive behavior and those guys that tried to rape Mitch and that gave him a beating. Blaine bit his lip.

"Are… um guys accepting here", he asked and Wes cocked an eyebrow at him.

"With risk of sounding like a broken record", he said. "Yes." Blaine bit his lip again.
"Even if someone is gay", he asked and Wes chuckled. Blaine felt his blood run cold. Did Wes chuckle because gay guys were treated badly? Did he laugh because it was stupid for Blaine to assume this school was unlike any other he'd ever gone to? Was he actually an ass? Wes smiled at Blaine.

"Blaine", he said. "Everyone is the same here, no matter what or who they are. It's pretty simple. The equation goes like this: you attend Dalton plus being gay equals no one cares."

"You really mean it?" Blaine asked with big eyes.

"Let's see", Wes said. "We have a few gay guys in the Warblers and there's a lot of them at the school. No one cares. Last year there were two seniors that had been dating since freshman year. They stayed together through thick and thin. I'm great friends with them. Everyone at Dalton are good guys."

Blaine threw David a look, the same look David were throwing him. Wes sighed and slapped both boys. They stared at him.

"Get over it", Wes told both of them. "Blaine's a better singer. David's the better dancer. Learn from each other instead of hating each other. We don't need another Jesse St. Fucking James."

"Who?" Blaine asked.

"A guy everyone in this dorm hates don't worry about it", Wes waved away the remark. "You two have to at least get along or it will be noticeable in our performances. And if we lose because everyone can pick up on your hostility against each other I will personally kick your asses all around the school. Understood?"

"Yes", the younger boys squeaked. Wes smiled and turned to his desk. He had homework to do after all.

A few weeks went by and Wes noticed something. Blaine and David had become great friends but there was something going on. The bruises and scratches Blaine had when joining the Warblers had faded a long time ago… but Blaine and also David kept showing up with bruises. Alarm bells went off in Wes' mind. Was there a bully at Dalton? He was going to figure it out. He had the other members of the Warblers and the student council and the martial art team keep an eye out for that and on David and Blaine. Wes wouldn't be surprised if he got his answers soon, but the answers he got was surprising… and worrisome. But he didn't get time to deal with it because he was called into Carmichael's office. The man smiled gently at Wes.

"Don't look so troubled son", he said and Wes cocked an eyebrow. "I called you in here because I need to ask the student council president a favor."

"What would that be sir", Wes asked. Carmichael got up. He walked to the big window and looked outside.

"We are getting a new student, a transfer", he explained.

"I see", Wes said. "But sir what does that have to do with me?"

"Wesley this boy… he nearly died at his last school."

Wes' eyes widened. A boy had almost died? All he could think of was Mitch's suicide attempt and that boy Elliot that had committed suicide. Carmichael noticed the horror and worry on Wes' face and in his eyes.

"He did not try to kill himself Wesley", Carmichael said calmly. Wes stared at him. "And no, someone didn't try to kill him."

"But… then how did he nearly die?"

Carmichael sighed heavily.

"The boy has a severe allergy towards cherries. He could die if he eats them. The boy has also been badly bullied. His bullies thought he just didn't like cherries and forced cherry milkshake down his throat and poured some over his head. The school was 15 minutes from the hospital so he survived. But his parents are moving him to Dalton."

"I see", Wes said calmly. "Which grade?"

"Freshman", Carmichael explained. "I want you to make sure the freshmen understand the severity of this situation, but leave out the part about dying please."

"So you basically want me to tell them that there is a new transfer student who's been badly bullied and that they should be nice to him?"

"Yes", Carmichael said and smiled. "It's clear to me that the students listen to you. You are in power position in three places at this school, so they respect you. I also think that they are a bit scared."

"Scared? Of me?" Wes was in shock.

"Wes you are a sophomore but still you are the captain of the martial arts team, student council president and chairman of the Warblers. That's a bit intimidating for younger students. But it makes them trust and listen to you as well. You are just a year older than them, so you know how they feel. Can you please do this for me?"

Wes smiled and nodded. He'd do anything for Carmichael. The principal smiled and called out over the PA system that the freshmen were to gather in the auditorium. Wes smiled at him before leaving.

Wes had held the little speech and told the younger boys to keep an eye on the new boy and befriend him. Wes even made sure all boys in the Dragon got told as well to welcome the new boy with open arms. But Wes didn't know why… but no one did as he had asked them to. The new boy, Thaddeus Harewood, came to Dalton and Wes' heart melted. He'd never seen someone so small or lost looking. Not in years anyway. Not since his first year at Dalton.

Wes had wanted to approach the guy himself but the teachers had told the older boys that for the first few days or weeks the freshmen should be the ones to befriend the new boy. But… no one did. Wes felt both angry and disappointed at the freshmen. He had asked Blaine and David about the new boy but they always just shrugged and said they hadn't had time to speak to him.

Wes was furious and after the boy's first two weeks at Dalton Wes had enough. If no one else was going to befriend the boy he would do it himself. That senior had been the first to give Wes a helping hand so many years ago now and Wes was sure that the boy's kindness had actually started the emotional change in Wes. It had helped him trust people at this school… brought him to the Warblers. Maybe he could pay the guy back by helping Thad.

So that day Wes said goodbye to David after lunch and left to find Thad. He hadn't gone far until he found the boy. He had seen him around after all. Now the small boy was walking alone in the school. Wes froze in his steps. For a few seconds he wasn't watching Thad. He was watching himself a few years ago. A person that felt completely left out and all alone in the world. No one to turn to. Feeling neglected. Feeling like he was on the outside looking in. Feeling completely unwanted and invisible. But Wes wasn't. And Thad wasn't going to be for much longer. Wes was shaken from his frozen state when he noticed that Thad was about to fall down the stairs.

"Watch out!" he called and flew forward. He put one arm around Thad's stomach and one around his torso, stopping the fall. Wes noticed how Thad opened his eyes, they were big with terror and Wes pulled the freshman close so that he could find his footing. When he was sure Thad found it he let go and the boy turned to him. The boy had wide eyes, probably from shock, just like Wes. They stood there for a bit, just looking at each other. Then Wes smiled and ruffled Thad's fluffy hair.

"God kid you scared me half to death", he said and bent down and picked up Thad's and his own books. He handed Thad's books to him. Thad took them with shaking hands and the Wes smiled kindly.

"I'm Wes Montgomery", he said politely. "You're the new boy, Thad Harewood right?"

Thad nodded mutely. Wes smiled gently. He chuckled when the boy stared at him and seemed to zoon out. Wes figured out why. There were lots of rumors going around the school about him. After all… he was the first sophomore to ever be student council president, captain of a sports team and leader of the Warblers all at once.

"You okay Thad", Wes asked but got no response. He smiled and snapped his fingers in front of the boy's eyes. Thad jumped in shock.

"Hi", Wes said grinning. "Where did you go?"

"I-I-I d-didn't…" Thad stuttered and tensed up when Wes put an arm around his shoulders and started to lead him down the staircase.

"So how do you like Dalton Thad", Wes asked kindly. "Is everyone nice to you?"

Wes didn't get an answer because suddenly the younger boy just took off… just as the bell rang and students filled the hallway. Wes lost the kid in the sea of boys. He got greetings from many of them as he tried to make his way through. When he finally did there was no trace at all after the short freshman. Wes sighed and set out to find him. Screw his classes, this was far more important.

Wes had been looking everywhere and was on his way back to his dorm when he heard quiet sobbing coming from a classroom. He tiptoed over and looked inside. He didn't see anything or anyone and was about to go when he heard the sad sobs again. He walked into the classroom and started to look around. He found the crier underneath the window, it was a small teenager in a Dalton uniform. Wes knew who it was. He sighed and walked over and sat down beside the boy. He put a hand on his shoulder and Thad's head jerked up. His eyes were red and puffy and he had tearstains going down his cheeks. Wes smiled at him.

"Why did you run Thad", he asked.

"…"

Wes cocked an eyebrow at that.

"Sorry kid", he said. "I didn't get that."

"You don't want to be near me", Thad mumbled so low Wes only heard: "Don' wn nr me."

Wes narrowed his eyes and frowned as he tried to understand. The younger boy looked so terrified and miserable that it tore at Wes' heart. He saw himself in that face.

"You think I don't want to be near you", Wes asked after a bit. "Is that what you said?"

Thad nodded.

"That's ridiculous!" Wes said. "Why on Earth wouldn't I want to be near you?"

"No one wants me", Thad whispered but Wes only heard: "No wan's me…"

"No one wants you", Wes asked and Thad nodded squeezing his eyes shut to keep his tears back. "Why do you think that Thad?"

"I'm all alone", Thad whispered and that Wes heard. He sighed. He'd been looking for the boy all day and this was what he was afraid of, that Thad would feel unwanted.

"No you're not", Wes said gently.

"Yes…" Thad mumbled miserably sniffing as the tears started falling again. "Mum and dad didn't want me either."

"Their loss then", Wes said. "I want you."

"No…"

"Yes I do."

"No!" Thad yelled and started to cry again. He was about to run off again but Wes grabbed hold of him and pulled him down so that he was sitting on Wes' lap. The boy was not getting away this time, Wes wasn't going to lose him a second time that day. Thad trashed around a bit but Wes held on. After a bit Thad started to stop fighting and just cried. Wes started to run a hand through Thad's hair in a gentle way and Thad stopped fighting completely then and leaned into the touch. Wes smiled and continued with what he was doing, rubbing Thad's back as well and that broke it. Thad clung to Wes as he cried his heart out. Between the sobs Thad told Wes about his life and why he transferred schools. Wes' jaw tensed when he heard how Thad nearly got killed and promised the gods, God or whatever was out there that he'd help keep Thad safe. Wes already knew it all, but hearing it from the boy in question made he even more furious. He wondered how often this poor boy got a hug. When did someone ever just hug him? The way Thad clung to him like his life depended on it told Wes that it wasn't often enough. Wes wondered when anyone had ever just held the small boy.

Thad fell asleep in his arms and Wes got up, carrying him to the Dragon. Thad was in a room alone, two doors down from Wes and David. Wes ignored the horrified, confused and shocked glances he got as he walked down the hall. The freshmen recognized Thad and David followed Wes down the corridor. When they got to Thad's door David opened it and Wes got inside, kicking the door shut behind him… and straight in David's face. Wes put Thad down on his bed and then lied down next to him holding him close and safe in his arms. Thad whimpered and Wes guessed it was a nightmare so he started to sing softly:

Little birdie in the tree
Aim for the sky and always have a dream
Don't be afraid just hold on tight
With my help things you will take flight.
I promise you I will always stay
Little birdie come my way

Raise your voice now sing for me
Be who you were meant to be
Little birdie come my way
We'll be friends forever more
Don't cry what are tears for?
Little birdie,
Little birdie come my way

Thad relaxed a bit in his arms and Wes stayed there until he fell asleep as well. Promising that forever look out for this one. To help him. To be his big brother.

TBC Did you see what I did there? Anyone?

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

wesandwarblers - Seriously? Honey have you read Big Brother Wes? If you have you should know the question on the question about Thad's age :P