Part 77

Thad woke up the next morning and the first thing he noticed was that someone was holding him. Why was someone holding him? Hugging him? He didn't even know anyone at this school. He turned around to look at the boy beside him and his eyes widened. This was Wes Montgomery. Thad suddenly remembered what had happened the day before and he blushed. He hadn't meant to break down on the school's most popular student. Wes would surely think he was pathetic.

"Are you going to stop staring and go back to sleep or do I have to force you?" a voice suddenly asked and Thad jumped when he realized that Wes was actually looking at him. Looking and smiling. Thad blushed and looked away.

"Sorry", he whispered but then felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned his head. Wes was still smiling at him. But now he was sitting up as well.

"Don't apologize", Wes said gently. "Something tells me you're not that used to affection."

"It shows that clearly?" Thad asked and tried to joke. Wes gave him a look and he blushed again. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize", Wes said and got up. He was going to leave him now, Thad knew that and he felt sad. Wes was the first person in the school to try and befriend him… to even talk to him and now he was leaving. He almost jumped when he felt two hands atop of his own. He looked up and saw Wes squat in front of him. Wes smiled gently at him.

"I'm not leaving you", he said. "You will have a shower, put on a clean uniform and then you will come with me to my room so I can do the same. After that you and I will go and have breakfast together and I'll walk you to class. The next few days I will be your shadow until you feel safe at this school."

Thad blinked in confusion. Before he got up and headed for the bathroom, taking underwear and a clean uniform with you. He turned to Wes in the door.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked.

"Because that's what this school is about", Wes said. "Helping each other. When I came here I had lots of help getting settled and I want you to have that too. So shake a lg. We have classes after all."

Thad smiled a tiny smile.

"Thank you", he said and hurried into the bathroom.

David rubbed his aching jaw. He hadn't seen that last punch coming last night. He and Blaine had gone to the Dalton fight club to let out some steam. It was mostly about homework stress and annoyance with other students or something like that. But for David it was a bit more. It was about Wes looking at him with such disapproval that he just wanted to punch him. Wes didn't know him. What right did he have to judge him? David wanted to punch that disappointed look off of his face… which was why he went with Blaine last night. If the older boys from the Dragon, who were in the Warblers, didn't know about the fight club David wasn't going to tell them. But the older boys kept eyeing him, Blaine and other freshmen and some sophomores from the Dragon. David guessed they were suspicious about the wounds. He heard the one named Logan whisper to Alexander:

"Is there a new Jesse?"

"I don't think so", Alexander answered.

Jesse? Who the hell was Jesse? But his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Wes. The older boys all greeted him happily as did Fred and Rock. David and Blaine didn't look at him. Both were afraid he'd figure out what was wrong. They hadn't known him for long but they both knew that Wes knew things. Like if he was a mind reader and he knew when anyone left or entered a room! It was creepy. Then both freshmen noticed the boy at Wes' side.

"Guys this is Thad", Wes explained and the small boy sat beside him.

"Hi", the older boys said. The freshmen felt guilty because they knew who this boy was… and what Wes had asked them to do.

"Hi", Rock said and tried to smile in a friendly way, but it felt a bit forced. Fred grinned happily when the little brunette by Wes' side looked up at them.

"Hi", Thad whispered quietly. Wes put an arm around his shoulders for support and Thad leaned into him.

Kim thought it was both weird and cute to see Wes look after that new student. It reminded Kim about how the older boys treated Wes when Kim started at Dalton. Wes would lean into Lucas, most at the time, while Lucas kept an arm around him to support him and give him comfort. Come to think of it… they all had done it, except Jesse. And they were still doing it from time to time. Wes didn't need it now but they all still did it from time to time. Kim knew that he and the twins did. It was a habit. It was a habit to want to protect Wes but… Wes didn't need it anymore. Wes was the protector now.

'And', Kim thought with a smile. 'He is doing a great job so far.'

When Isaac first laid eyes on Thad Harewood he saw a version of himself. A scared, lonely and outcast boy. Isaac still remembered how he felt when he got to Dalton. He didn't feel like he had a friend in the whole world. He had felt lonely and outcast and like crap. This little boy beside Wes seemed to think the same thing. But Isaac could see that just like he had… this boy, Thad, was starting to realize that he wasn't exactly as lonely as he thought.

Rob felt a strange sense of pride while watching Wes interact with the scared new Dragon student. Rob knew he was just feeling proud because he was Wes' mentor last year and now the boy was acting like a mentor. Rob took some credit for it and he didn't feel ashamed about it at all. He smiled and winked at the Everetts.

The Everetts were looking both happy… and jealous. If now Wes was going to look after this kid it would mean he would have even less time to spend with them! They reeled that thought back in quickly. Because they realized they were starting to sound like Otto and Nathan during the Everetts' first year at Dalton. They were never going to be that bad. Nope. Not ever. Never. Never never never never never. Well maybe a little.

"Come on kiddo", Wes said and patted Thad's shoulder. "Classes start in five minutes."

Thad nodded and got up. Wes wrapped an arm around his shoulder and they walked out together. The other Warblers followed so they walked in a big group towards their classes. Everyone was talking. Except Thad, he just kept his eyes on his feet, only looking up to look at Wes if he spoke to him. Many of the older Warblers were troubled about it and especially about the fact that the freshmen didn't seem to know what was going on. They didn't seem to realize Thad was even there. The older Warblers now understood why Wes was taking the freshman under his wing. No one in his grade saw him. Juan Ferrera suddenly jumped onto the staircase railing and started walking upwards it singing:

You're beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
Oh no
You're beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring you down
Oh no
So don't you bring me down today

"What are you doing", Howard asked with a grin.

"Having some fun before classes start", Juan replied.

"You're gonna fall down and break your neck", Isaac remarked dryly.

"I will not I am in full control whoa!"

Rob and Collin grabbed him before he fell.

"What was that", Collin asked.

"Stuff it", Juan said but kept walking on the rail, holding Collin's hand. Wes looked at Thad who was watching in awe. Thad was not used to see people stopping other from falling. He wasn't used to what happened next either. Peter tripped on the steps and groaned. He was about to go up when Oliver and Alexander offered their hands. Peter took them with a grin and they pulled him up. Thad's wide eyes registered with Wes and he held him a little closer. Soon they reached Thad's first class and Wes held him back a bit.

"I'll meet you here after class okay", he asked and Thad nodded and hurried inside. Rock and Blaine had the same lesson so they followed him. Wes waved goodbye to the Warblers and ran up to meet with Benjamin, Samuel, Gabriel, Kevin and Cory. They were waving to him from the stairs. David watched him go. How many friends did this guy have?

Thad sighed when the class ended. Everyone ran out the door to get to their next classes. Not even the boys from his own dorm stopped to wait for him. Not even that smiling boy from breakfast. Thad thought his name was Roger or maybe Rick. Thad sighed and got up and took his things. The teacher called him up front and he walked up to her. She smiled and handed him his catching up essay back. Highest grade. Thad smiled and walked out, sighing.

"Congrats", a voice said beside him and he jumped in fright. He looked to his right and calmed down when he saw it was Wes.

"For getting highest marks", Wes said and nodded with his head in the direction of Thad's next class. How Wes knew what classes he had was beyond him but he was happy to have Wes there. While they walk Wes informed him about shortcuts and ways to make the orientation between classes much easier. He was sure the seniors and staff members that always showed freshmen around showed them the hardest ways to go just to have a laugh. Thad didn't speak. He let Wes talk. Wes figured that's what the boy needed at the moment. Like he had done in the beginning. He'd been content with Otthan's constant rambling… well for the first five minutes.

Thad had to admit that being Wes' shadow was both fun and very scary. Seeing Wes go into different roles was amazing though. Wes was playful outside of classrooms but still had a 'hurt my friends and die' sort of air around him. But in two places he changed completely and became a serious leader type. That was at the student council meeting and the Warblers rehearsal he dragged Thad along to that day. At first it looked as if some boys in both groups were about to object, but one glance from Wes and they shut their traps. Thad had never, ever, met someone so powerful. Wes didn't even have to speak to make his point heard. Thad was in awe.

After Warblers' rehearsal Wes brought Thad to a special place. The Lima Bean. Thad looked around to see if someone that was out to get him was there. He saw no one. No one would dare if Wes was around. He pressed close to Wes and Wes smiled. Then a woman walked up to them.

"Hello sweetheart", she said and hugged Wes. "And who is this?"

"Ma this is Thad", Wes explained. "Thad this is Ma Trixie the mother of the Dalton boys."

"And especially my Warblers", she said.

"Hi", Thad said shyly.

"Oh my you are a quiet one", she said kindly. "Reminds me of someone I know." Wes rolled his eyes but Thad didn't notice.

"You two have a seat and I'll bring you some coffee and cherry pie", Ma Trixie said.

"No cherry pie Ma", Wes said.

"And why not Wesley? You usually eat a lot of it. Or are you on one of those stupid diets your coach keep putting you boys on? If that's the case he shouldn't be eating it himself!" The last she called to the martial arts coach who was sitting at a table eating a big piece of cherry pie. He blushed so much he matched the cherries.

"No Ma nothing like that", Wes said and tried to calm her down. "Thad's allergic Ma… deadly."

"Oh my goodness", Ma said and Thad looked at his feet in shame. But then to his surprise Ma Trixie pulled him into a tight hug and asked for forgiveness for her carelessness. Thad stared at Wes but Wes' focus was on something else. Blaine and David. They'd hurried out as soon as they saw Thad and Wes there. Wes would deal with them later. Right now he was spending time with Thad.

Wes spent all day with Thad, helping him with homework and just helping him get settled. But after dinner Thad wanted to have a rest, his traumatic experience still taking its toll on him and Wes decided to take care of some other business. He walked to his dorm where David and Blaine were playing video games. They were so into it that they didn't notice Wes lock the door behind it and lean against it. He had taken the control to the TV and they hadn't even noticed that. He turned off the TV.

"What the", David asked and looked around, as did Blaine and soon both saw Wes.

"We need to talk", the older boy said.

"Save it", Blaine said. "We already know what you're going to say."

"And that is?"

"That you are disappointed in the two of us for not getting to know the new kid", David said and got up. "But did you ever stop and think that we might not dare approach him because we are new to the school too? We also have troubles and need to handle them first before we can handle someone else's trouble?"

"Yeah", Blaine said. "I've been through shit too but that doesn't seem to matter as much as the new kid." Wes cocked an eyebrow at that.

"I got beaten up at the Sadie Hawkins Dance because I went with my friend, male friend", Blaine continued. "We were the only openly gay kids at the school and they beat us up at the dance because we went together. I broke my arm and a few ribs but my friend broke a leg, both arms and almost all ribs because he tried to defend me! Then they left so I had to call the ambulance myself and the paramedics were nice but not the doctor! He basically said we deserved to get hurt! My dad loves me but doesn't know how to act around me! My brother doesn't know me! My mom loves me, she sent me here but still… she sent me away!"

"So is that why you started the fight club?" Wes asked and both boys stared at him. "I get your reason Blaine so what's yours." He looked at David. But David was just gaping. None of them had told Wes and as far as they know no one else had.

"How did-" David began.

"You both watch Fight Club every weekend", Wes cut in. "You have bruises all over. There is no bullying going on here. Believe me I check regularly. There's no sign of it. And believe me I know the signs. You will stop that fight club now."

"No", both boys said.

"Oh believe me you will or you will face the consequences."

"What are you gonna do", Blaine asked. "Tell on us?!"

"No", Wes said and walked to his desk and looked through the desk drawers.

"Then why would we stop?" David asked.

"Because if you don't I will go to that fight club and kick all of your asses into next week. Believe me I can do it."

"I believe that when I see it", Blaine spat.

"Suit yourselves", Wes said and headed for the door. "Oh and Blaine?"

"What?"

"Did your bullies force you to drink something you have a deadly allergy to and leave you?"

"No", Blaine said.

"Then don't judge Thad."

"Why do you keep protecting him?!"

"Because in his whole life he's had no one to protect him", Wes said and threw his national gold medal in Tae Kwando to Blaine. "And let that be a hint." With that he walked out and Blaine looked at the medal. How bad could a beating from Wes be? Blaine was a boxer so… he could take him. Right?

TBC Wes will do some ass kicking next time ;)

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

wesandwarblers - Yes he is in the same grade because when I wrote Big Brother Wes season 3 of Glee hadn't reached me yet so I had no idea Blaine was all of a sudden younger than Kurt (which I still think is total bull)