Part 79
A few days went by and Wes could seen a change in the freshmen Warblers, mostly in Fred and Rock. The two would try to talk to Thad and let him sit beside them in classes. They were trying to get to know him. Blaine and David did too but they still had a hard time believing Thad had really been through such bad things that Wes claimed he had. It wasn't possible right? The world wasn't really that cruel to just one person… right?
It was Saturday and the Warblers were all hanging out at the mall. They were not wearing uniform but they all had their blazers with them. They had been at Kim's place rehearsing a number for sectionals and his dad and stepmom said they needed the blazer for the look to look complete. They all also agreed that without the black blazers or trench coats the Warblers looked better when they moved. Sure the seniors had always looked great. But it had separated them onstage. Collin was going to lead them through their performance and he was doing a great job. The dancing wasn't that advanced though and it annoyed David. They basically just did some side step and snapped their fingers. They did some small moves as well. He was gonna ask Wes about it. He had seen some of the boys dance at a few parties and most guys were good, Wes included. So why didn't the Warblers dance more?
"Okay guys", Wes said and the Warblers all gathered around him. "Eric, Brett, Rob and I are heading for the music store to get some sheet music and blank papers for sheet music. Where is everyone else going and where do you guys wanna meet up?"
"We were planning to go Christmas shopping", Howard said and the other juniors nodded.
"Already", Isaac asked.
"Saves a lot of money", Collin said with a grin.
"I usually do all mine on Black Friday", Alexander said. "But this will be fun thing."
"Okay", Wes said and turned to the freshmen and Isaac.
"I'll go and keep an eye on the juniors", Isaac said and the group walked off.
"We're going to the arcade", Fred said with a grin and the sophomores all left, except Thad… that is… until Rock and Fred ran back and grabbed his arms and dragged him with them.
"We'll meet you at the smoothie bar when we're done!" Rob called after them and the Warblers all went their different ways.
David and Blaine watched Thad interact with Fred and Rock. Fred was complimenting the boy's gaming skills, keeping a hand resting on his neck gently. David felt something intensify inside him when he saw that. David had known for a long time that he was bisexual. But he had never fallen for a boy before and he wasn't really sure which one he was falling for. Was it Fred with his gorgeous muscular body or Thad? He had absolutely no idea because whenever he felt the jealousy he felt now… Thad and Fred were together. Rock was a good buddy and was talking to the other two happily. Blaine was by David's side, watching the trio as well. At least that's what David thought. He turned and noticed Blaine look at something with narrowed eyes. David followed his gaze and saw five boys talk and point into the arcade. Right at Thad and the other two. David put a hand on Blaine's shoulder.
"They've been watching us since we got here", Blaine whispered back. "Especially the trio."
"Any old classmates of Fred, Rock or Thad?" David asked.
"I don't know."
"Should we ask them?"
"The guys or the trio?"
"I don't…" David began but trailed off as Thad left the other two when his phone rang. He walked outside of the arcade to answer it. David noticed. One of those guys had a phone to his ear. David and Blaine watched as Thad walked around the corner and those guys followed.
"Come on", Blaine said and hurried after them. David nodded and followed. Fred and Rock noticed them run and hurried after them as well.
When they got around the corner they stopped. Thad was being pushed back and forth between the other boys. They'd taken his bag and blazer and were looking through it as well.
"Lookie here guys", the leader said. "Harewood's got a lot of cash on him."
"S-stop it", Thad whimpered in fear.
"Nah we are just having some fun and then we'll all go out for cherry smoothies Harewood. All for you."
"No stop it please", Thad begged. But the guys didn't stop and it made David's blood boil. These must be the jerks Wes told them about. But before he could act Blaine had already stormed into the fray. He punched one of the guys that were for the moment holding Thad.
"He said stop!" Blaine yelled angrily and pushed Thad behind him gently. The guys glared at him.
"Lookie here fellas", the leader said. "Thaddy has gotten himself a boyfriend!"
"I'm not his boyfriend!" Blaine yelled. "But I'm his friend!"
"And he's not alone in that feeling", David said and stepped forward as well. "Get out of here or I'll break your nose!"
"You? You look like a toothpick!"
"Then maybe you wanna tango with me", Fred stated as he and Rock stepped forward. The leader snorted and cracked his knuckles. He'd gladly "tango" with Fred.
"No problem", he said and shrugged off his jacket. Fred curled his hands into fists and made himself ready. The guy came at him but nothing more. Because out of nowhere Rob Barton appeared and grabbed the boy by the collar of his t-shirt.
"Bad move", he said and the leader stared at him.
"Let me go you asshole!" he yelled. Then he heard a yelp as one of his friends got knocked to the floor. Said boy looked up at Logan.
"You big fucker… where the hell did you come from?" he asked.
"Attacking people from behind is cowardly", Logan said. The leader looked at Rob.
"Let go of me fucker!" he yelled.
"No", Rob said. "You see… when you messed with these guys you made three mistakes."
"One", Kim said and stepped in front of the freshmen. "You picked on Dalton freshmen."
"Two", the Everetts said and did the same. "You messed with Dalton Academy Warblers."
"And three", Wes said and the freshmen noticed all of their older members standing in front of or around them. "You thought they were here alone."
"I know you", a boy said and pointed at Wes and then ran. David, Blaine and the other freshmen stared at Wes. Wes cocked an eyebrow.
"My reputation precedes me", he said and turned to the other bullies. "Booh!" he said and they all scrambled. Even the guy Rob was holding tried to run. Rob let him go and the bully leader kept tripping over his feet. The Warblers all laughed and Wes put an arm around Fred's shoulders.
"Let's get back to Dalton", he said and the freshmen all nodded. They all found an older Warblers by their side and Thad squeaked when Rob scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder. Blaine met the same treatment from his mentor Alexander Dumas.
Back at Dalton they gathered in the Warbler Hall and started explaining what happened. Thad told them about his bullies, he gave everyone the full story and when they heard it some looked ready to kill. David and Blaine being two of them. They sat on each side of Thad and wrapped their arms around his shoulders. Wes smiled proudly. But Oliver Webber looked around. Thad had been honest… so he guessed he should be too.
"Okay guys", he said and all eyes turned on him. "Well mostly the freshmen. I bet you all wonder why our dance numbers are never… advances. Like you might have expected from a show choir."
"I wondered", David admitted. "Is it because you guys can't? I'll gladly help teaching you."
The older boys laughed.
"Hey I mean it!" David objected. "I'm good even."
"That's not why we laugh Chipmunk", Logan said and patted his shoulder. "Truth is-"
"Truth is that all of us can dance", Oliver cut off. "Some are even amazing dancers, really talented and all that stuff. But we don't dance too advanced and fast because of me."
"You need help practicing", David offered and Oliver chuckled gently. Fred was the only freshman that had an idea of what was going on. After all, he was living in the White Tiger so he had seen the rails and had been told about a boy with an artificial leg living there. Oliver gave David a gentle smile.
"It's very kind of you to offer David but I have to decline", he said. "I fear it would be a waste of time."
"Of course not! Practice makes perfect!"
Oliver smiled again.
"I'm sure it does but you see… I only have a left foot."
David, Thad, Rock and Blaine looked at his feet.
"But you have two shoes", Blaine said and tilted his curly head to the side. Oliver smiled and pulled his pant leg up. Thad gaped, Rock's eyes widened and Blaine and David looked sheepish.
"You have an artificial leg", Fred stated and Oliver nodded. "For how long?"
"Freshman year… so I'm not really… adapted to do all that amazing stuff I'm sure you can all do", Oliver admitted.
"What happened?" David asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
"Not at all David. There was an accident the summer before I started at Dalton. My parents and I were in a car crash and one thing led to another and now I'm legless."
"But we love you anyway", the twins said happily and Oliver smiled.
"This is what the Warblers is all about right", a quiet voice asked and all eyes turned to Thad. "Accepting everyone no matter what they've been through right? Acceptance and always being there."
"Right you are squirt", Rob said calmly.
"Really?" Rock asked.
"Really", Wes said. "You can ask the Warblers for help with just about anything. Trust me these guys, well some, are really good at giving advices about girls or boys. Also about everything between heaven and the bottom of the ocean."
"But how?" Blaine asked. "Isn't it hard."
"At first it feels a bit weird to trust someone else so completely", Collin admitted. "But after a while it just feels right. We're not just a show choir guys. We're family… and we don't keep secrets from each other."
No one noticed Wes twitch at that as if he'd gotten a chock. He bit his lip. He hadn't told the juniors or the freshmen the truth. They didn't know about his past. But if he told the freshmen they would treat him differently. They needed to think he had the same sort of troubles with family like everyone else… but the juniors deserved to know.
"What if we can't do that", Rock asked and Wes woke from his thoughts. "Can you explain how you do it?"
The older boys looked at one another and then all eyes turned to Wes and he rolled his eyes.
"Always me", he said and walked over to the piano. He sat down and started playing before singing:
There's nothing complicated about the way we live
We're all here for each other,
Wes & Older boys: happy to give
Wes: Proud of who we are
Humbled beneath the stars
We've everything we need
The moon, the sun
There is more than enough here for everyone
All we have we share
And all of us we care, so come on
Older Warblers: Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
We're happy giving and taking to the
friends we're making
There's nothing we won't do
While they sang the chorus they pulled the freshmen to their feet to dance and sing with them.
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is our festival, you know and best of all
We're happy to share it all
Thad and Blaine hurried up to Wes and sat on either side of him and he smiled at them.
Wes: There's a bond between us, nobody can explain
It's a celebration of life,
and seeing friends again
I'd be there for you
I know you'd be there for me too...
so come on
All: Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
We're happy giving and taking to the
friends we're making
There's nothing we won't do
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is our festival, you know and best of all
We're happy to share it all
Wes: Remembering loved ones departed
Seniors: Someone dear to your heart
Wes: Finding love, and planning a future
Juniors: Telling stories and laughing with friends
Older Warblers: Precious moments you'll never forget
Blaine: This has to be the most beautiful
The most peaceful place I've ever been to
David: It's nothing like I've ever seen before
Then all eyes turned to Thad as a new voice they didn't recognized sang:
Thad:When I think of how far I've come,
I can't believe it...and yet I see it
In them I see family
I see the way we used to be
Rock: Come on...
All: Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
We're happy giving and taking to the
friends we're making
There's nothing we won't do
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is our festival, you know and best of all
We're happy to share it all
We're here to share it all
Everyone laughed and Wes hugged Thad close and looked up at the other boys, everyone was grinning.
"I always thought four freshmen is a little too little", he teased and everyone laughed. Thad had finally found real friends and a group where he belonged.
The Warblers were about to go their different ways for lunch or other things. But Wes called the juniors back. He needed to talk to them. The seniors smiled at him in a reassuring way and then left with the freshmen. When the doors closed Wes bit his lip and ran a hand through his hair.
"What's up Wes", Collin asked as the juniors sat down. Wes sighed.
"I haven't… been honest with you guys", he said. "And especially not Collin, Logan and Alexander."
Said boys looked at each other in confusion and then Wes. Oliver already knew what it was about but he didn't really know the full story. Wes took a deep breath and started his tale. He started from the beginning. About how he was dumped at his grandparents' house. Hidden and abused… sent away. He told them about how his own family hated him and hid him as far away from them as they could… how he never left Dalton… how he'd never have a home. That he didn't have a family. All the while the juniors listened and looked shocked. Not angry or hurt. Just shocked. They had a hard time believing their strong little brother faced all that shit his whole life. Wes told them of Asian Camp and why he had been afraid of telling the juniors. He thought they would look at him differently if they knew. Oliver smiled and hugged him close. They could never see him different. He was their little brother and he always would be. Biological family or no biological family.
"Exactly", Collin said. "And you just sang it yourself. We are your family Wes. Never forget that."
"Group hug!" Howard called and they all hugged.
"We promise not to tell the runts", Oliver said. "You have to do that yourself. When you're ready. Just like with us."
Wes nodded and smiled. He was sure they were a little hurt by the lack of trust but he was sure they all would get over it. The Warblers always forgive and forget, surely they would do it this time. But he was wrong. The juniors weren't angry or hurt. They understood. The secret Wes had kept was his after all and they had no right to know before he told them. But that he told them showed them all that Wes really did trust them. And loved them. No how can you be angry about something like that?
TBC Song not mine
Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:
wesandwarblers - Nah just young and confused. They are just jealous.