Part 81
"I don't understand why we have to do this", David grumbled as he picked up pieces of glass. "It wasn't on purpose."
"No it was with a ball", Thad remarked dryly while trying to save some of the flowers.
"But still they didn't have to be so hard on us", Blaine said, he was unwinding the electrical cord of the vacuum cleaner.
"We ruined a window and a vase", Thad said. "After Wes told us to not throw the ball around in here."
"Shut u-OW!" Blaine had unwind the cord with a little bit more force than necessary and it whipped up and hit his forehead and eye. David, Thad and the other freshmen laughed while Blaine cursed and jumped around.
"Only you could do something like that", David said with a laugh and walked over to help Blaine get the vacuum cleaner ready. Blaine pouted. It wasn't fair. It wasn't even on purpose that they broke the vase and window but now he had to pay for it with an eye. That's what it felt like anyway. Thad smiled and walked up to him.
"Let me see", he said gently and Blaine moved his hand with a pout. Thad looked at the red area and smile. "It's nothing, your eye might get a little red the next few days though."
"What?!" Blaine exclaimed. "But we have sectionals tomorrow!"
"Guess you have to do it with an eye-patch", David teased. "Don't worry it will look good on you."
Blaine pouted and Thad gave him a hug.
"Don't worry about it you'll be fine", he said. "It's not like we're going to stand out much since we aren't singing lead."
Neither Blaine nor David had gotten the lead even thought they auditioned for it. Wes had told them it was because their voices didn't really fit with the arrangement. Blaine's voice was a bit to squeaky still when he tried for higher notes and David had a little problem getting into character. They needed to work on that a bit more for Wes' and the council's liking. David had already started but Blaine hadn't because he thought that the council was wrong. Now don't get mad at him he's just 15 and we all know what a pain in the ass teenagers can be.
While all this is going on Wes is having a video chat with Justine, Otto, Nathan and Jerry. They had already been talking for about two hours… well they had been talking and Wes just listened. He had a smile on his face though because Justine was teasing Nathan and he has no good replies to it. Wes was watching them with a smile. He was missing all of them.
"Okay kids break it up", Jerry said after a bit, but he was also smiling.
"Yes mama", Nathan and Justine answered and Jerry rolled his eyes.
"Soooo", Otto said. "How do you feel Wessy? Ready for the big moment?"
"I've been at competitions before Otto", Wes said. "I'll be there for more than you come to think about it."
"Yeah yeah yeah", Otto said. "But I'm telling you baby there's a big difference between being a soloist, a regular member, council member and chairman. Being a chairman at that thing is a much bigger deal and a much bigger job. Right Jerry?"
"Right", Jerry agreed. "Not only do you need to make sure you're ready. You have to make sure your soloists and team members are ready as well. Give them an extra boost of confidence and make sure everyone is ready to do it."
"And you have the best role model to ask for advice."
"Right. Justine what's Austin's number again?" Wes asked. Nathan and Justine laughed, Jerry smiled a little and Otto grumbled something that sounded like:
"Very funny Wesley."
"It wasn't meant to be funny, it's the truth", Wes said happily. Jerry and Otto started to object at once and Wes let them. That's when his phone rang. He looked at who it was and grinned.
"Later guys this is far more interesting", he said and closed the laptop. Not knowing that the other four started to discuss how rude he was and how they too were interesting. Wes didn't know this and turned over on his back and answered the phone.
"Hi Olive", he said and smiled happily. "What's up? Oh… oh really… okay. No no that's fine. Yeah I'm happy for you, you have to tell me all about it later okay? Oh yeah I understand… bye Olive."
He hung up, looked at his phone and threw it across the room in anger. He felt tears burn in his eyes and sunk down on the bed. He sobbed to himself, for a while but after his tears ran dry he collected himself. He had to be strong. He had to keep it together… he'd fall apart after regionals so when the freshmen Warblers entered his and David's room Wes was all smiles again and he'd hid his broken phone. Not tonight. Tomorrow.
The next day the Warblers were at Carmel High where the competition was going to be held this year. Wes knew that they probably wouldn't stand a chance against Vocal Adrenaline. The rumors said they didn't let their best performers graduate so that they could stay in the choir so that they would still be the best in the state… and the country. Wes was furious that Jesse had taken Vocal Adrenaline to national titles, but he didn't let it show.
Last year they had been civil to one another because they had been at Dalton and Wes had gotten through Jesse's thick skull and had explained to Vocal Adrenaline that if they did something that counted as bullying they would be removed from the school grounds. That threat didn't work here because now they were at Vocal Adrenaline's fighting grounds. He didn't want to give Jesse any chance to go after his little brothers. He wouldn't care if Jesse came after him, he could handle him. He'd proven that over and over. He got to face Jesse during the martial arts competitions and each time he kicked his ass. So he knew he could handle him, no worries. And it didn't take long for them to run into Jesse and his choir.
"Oh look it's the Dalton Academy Garbles", Jesse said and the Warblers had to stop walking since Vocal Adrenaline blocked their path.
"Garbles", Wes asked and crossed his arms. "Can't you do any better St. James?"
"It suits you", Jesse spat. "You're just a big jumble of confusion."
"Confusion?"
"Yes, because you have no idea what it is to be a great show choir." His friends grinned and cheered him on, Wes just looked at him tiredly.
"I thought it was about being able to sing, have a good time, enjoying the show, have fun and have a great team behind me", he said calmly. "But from what I've seen and heard you don't have that. I mean? How many of these clowns came to watch me kick your ass last week at that competition?"
Jesse's face reddened a little.
"Shut the fuck up pipsqueak", he growled.
"You know, you can't really call me that", Wes said and walked up to him.
"And why not", Jesse asked and stretched to look bigger and more imposing.
"A: We're the same height. B: We weigh the same, at least last week I don't know if you've been comfort eating to gain those extra kilograms. I mean… I can see where you had to remodel your pants."
"For your information my muscles have grown."
"Ah yes of course, your ass has grown from all the bruising it got when I kicked your ass."
The older Warblers cheered. Jesse gritted his teeth.
"Now listen here you loser", he spat at Wes.
"Between you and I Jesse I'm the winner. How many times have I kicked your ass already?"
"This is show choir Montgomery, not martial arts."
"But you are trash talking me the same way you do at martial arts. But I guess you're right this is show choir and we both know I've kicked your ass in that as well, don't we?"
"Who has the nationals titles?"
"You but who sings better than you when it's one on one?"
Jesse just growled and snapped his fingers. He and Vocal Adrenaline headed towards their green room, but Jesse turned and said:
"You know, our school mascot is a seal pup being eaten by a great white shark. You guys are the seal and we are the shark."
"But Jesse that implies that you are cannibals", Wes said sweetly.
"No it doesn't."
"Yes it does, you just said that you will eat us."
"Just shut up. You guys will be swallowed up whole!"
"Maybe that's why they call it junk food", Wes replied with a shrug. The freshmen stared at him when he was getting dirtier in his backtalk. Jesse got shocked as well, while the older Warblers were laughing so hard they had to hold their stomachs, some people around was trying to hide their mirth as well.
"S-shut up!" Jesse stuttered, red in the face.
"How do you want your meat balls", Wes asked. "Extra juicy or small?"
"S-shut it! I'm not gay!"
"Could've fooled me. Just look at that hair."
"Leave my hair out of this!"
"Your hair is a person?" Wes looked as if he was thinking. "Ah yes that makes sense with all the people you have eaten. Just where do you take the hair of your wig from? Up here or down here?" Wes first pointed at his hair and then at his more private parts, Jesse followed his pointing.
"Ah ha you looked!" Wes proclaimed, noticing it.
Jesse made a swing for him but Wes ducked and kneed him in the stomach. Then he just fixed his blazer, gripped Blaine and Thad's hands and dragged them towards their green room.
When all Warblers were inside Wes shut the door with a:
"I hate that guy."
"Well you handled that quite well buddy", Rob said and patted his back. "Otto and the others would be so proud of you."
"Oh they will be", Collin said cheerfully. "I recorded it and sent it to them!"
Wes blushed. Mark and Jerry would see that? Uh oh. The rest of the guys and Justine, especially Justine, would love to see that little verbal smack down but Mark and Jerry? Shit he was in trouble now. So when his phone started buzzing not much later he ignored it completely. Instead he started to get the boys through their warm ups. They listened through the PA system to the third choir competing with them and Vocal Adrenaline. They were good and even in their voices it sounded as if they had fun. Wes smiled and turned to his boys.
"Okay guys", he said. "We're out last today and I know we will rock it… even though we've had a few setbacks."
Yes they'd have a few setbacks. Poor Oliver. His artificial leg had broken because of an incident involving a staircase at the Tiger, a plastic pool, a mattress and a sea of plastic balls. Wes didn't know and he didn't want to know but it had EVERETT written all over it. He wouldn't get a new leg for about two months and he refused to be in a wheel chair. He had proclaimed that he had run around and danced around with crutches before and he could do it again. So they let him. Their dancing wasn't too advanced, mostly simple steps so that Oliver, who was a bit used to dance on crutches, and Howard and Peter could join. Howard had recently had to remove his appendix and was still recovering from the surgery and Peter had broken his leg when slipping on the wet floor in the main building… and slid down a staircase. But they were not getting benched. This surprised the five freshmen but Wes had explained it to him.
"In the Warblers we treat each other like brothers", he had told them. "You wouldn't just leave a brother behind because he got injured would you? Besides we are a group that welcomes everyone, everyone fits in, no matter if they're on crutches, hurt, tall, short, fat, thin, strong, weak, foreign, native, blonde, brunette, redhead, black haired, dark skin, white skin, olive skin… heck even a purple panda would be allowed to join the Warblers if it could sing or a piece of broccoli! We don't judges based on appearance and we let every single one of our members take part in a performance if they feel up to it. The guys have informed me that they do so we will and we won't blame them if we don't win, understood?"
The freshmen had understood and they made Wes proud. Now they were all huddled together in the green room, ready for the chairman's coaching talk. Wes took a deep breath.
"Like I said we had a few setbacks", he said. "But we won't let that hold us back or keep us from having fun now are we?"
"No!" The Warblers said.
"We might not be as acrobatic as Vocal Adrenaline but we have more soul in one person's pinky toe than they have in their entire choir!"
"Right!" Eric called.
"Amen to that!" Brett agreed and Wes smiled at them.
"So today when we go out there, we go out there to sing and have fun. Forget that this is a competition. Forget that the VA will probably have a few hecklers in there. Forget the judges. Forget the everyone in the audience except your friends and family. They only came here for one reason… and that's watching you perform. So… let's go out there and show them what the Dalton Academy Warblers can do… let's go out there… and show them what the Warblers are all about. And remember… put them in there", he put his hand into the show circle and the others did the same. "And remember… Once a Warbler…"
"Always a Warbler", they all cheered.
"Let's go!" Wes said and they broke the circle and headed for the door. Wes walked last so that he could lock the door so all their things were safe. When he turned to leave he noticed that Vocal Adrenaline's coach were standing there. She smiled at him.
"Impressive speech", she said.
"Thanks", Wes said and hurried past her. The woman smiled and wrote something down in her note pad below the headline: "Drafting?"
The stage was pitch black and the audience was waiting. Some of them just wanted it to be over already because they hadn't liked anything so far. Some thought sorry for the poor kids that would have to perform after Vocal Adrenaline. Some were eager to see the Warblers, family mostly, and some was just curious to what would come next. The lights came on all at once and the Warblers started with their backup harmonies. Alexander made a little dance intro before promptly falling to the floor, on purpose. The audience looked confused but then Logan started singing and all attention was on him.
Got a call from an old friend – He pointed at Alexander.
We used to be real close
Said he couldn't go on the American way
Closed the shop, sold the house
Bought a ticket to the West Coast
Now he gives them a stand-up routine in L.A.
I don't need you to worry for me cause I'm alright
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone
Well, you may be right
I may be crazy
Hey!
But it just might be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me
Well you may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right
The audience cheered because they all recognized the two songs that the Warblers had mashed together. When Logan finished the chorus he glared at Alexander and Alexander jumped up singing:
Remember how I found you there
Alone in your electric chair – He danced up to Logan and sang to him.
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled
You were lonely for a pal
I said take me as I am – He pointed at himself.
'Cause you might enjoy some madness for a while – Logan grinned.
Now think of all the years you tried to
Find someone to satisfy you – Alexander ran back and danced with half of the Warblers, it was easy steps, a bit of twist and old rock n' roll. The audience loved it.
I might be as crazy as you say
If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way
I never said you had to offer me a second chance
(Warblers: I never said you had to)
Alex: I never said I was a victim of circumstance
(Warblers: Of cirumstance)
Alex: I still belong, don't get me wrong
You can speak your mind
But not on my time
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone
Logan fondly rolled his eyes before making a ballet spin and taking over.
Logan: Now think of all the years I tried to
Find someone to satisfy me
You might be as crazy as you say
Alex: If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way
Both: But you may be right
I may be crazy
Hey!
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
Well you may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone
Hey!
Wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may Hell! be right
They ended their number and the audience cheered for them. They all took a bow before leaving the stage. Yet another amazing performance. Shelby Corcoran had been watching from the back and was now listening to the audience praising the Warblers.
"It was so amazing that they let those boys on crutches take part", a woman said.
"Yes and that they adapted their movements after those two", her husband replied.
"But wasn't there one of the boys with just one leg?" she heard someone ask. "It's very noble of them to let him join."
"He was there last year too", was the reply. "Some say he has an artificial leg."
Shelby listened and made her own judgment. The Warblers were talented but they wasted that a bit on their undying need of being friendly and noble. But maybe some of them still wanted more? Maybe some still wanted to win more than anything.
They didn't win and Wes could see that the freshmen were disappointed. But the seniors were handling that. They talked to the freshmen in private… well as private as you can be in a room filled with Warblers. Wes sat in a chair thinking everything through. There had been boos when Vocal Adrenaline was named the winners. They had deserved them and the win, Wes knew it. But still… It would've felt nice to wipe that smug look off of Jesse's face… In something other than martial arts. There was a knock on the door. Wes, whom sat closest to it, got up and opened. He recognized the woman he had seen in the hallway.
"Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"No, but I think I might be able to help you boys", she replied and stepped inside. All Warblers turned to her in confusion. She looked around at them. "I'm Shelby Corcoran."
"The coach of Vocal Adrenaline?" Wes asked. He'd studied his opponents so he knew all about them.
"Yes", she replied and turned to him.
"What does the coach of Vocal Ass-Wipes want with us?" Eric asked.
"Eric behave", Wes scolded half-heartedly. "But he has a point, what do you want?"
The woman smiled.
"A lot of you boys have exceptional talents", she said. "Some of you are still discovering yours." She glanced at the freshmen. "But I think that VA could help you expand on those."
"Out", Wes said.
"I wasn't finished."
"I don't care. Get the hell out of my green room before I throw you out with my bare hands!"
The woman cocked an eyebrow at him, but Wes stood his ground. He opened the door and pointed outside. She sighed and headed out the door.
"I'm always here if", she began but Wes closed the door in her face. Every single one of the Warblers stared at him in confusion. Wes looked at them.
"She was here to draft members", he said… and the angry comments aimed at the woman started to rain. Wes felt proud. None of his Warblers thought of leaving him… like Olivia had… and remembering that hurt him more than a ton of bricks ever would. He'd lost the girl he loved… to some British punk. And Wes hated him with a passion.
TBC Songs not mine. And hallescomet97, see I told you I could do it. And did the rest of you notice what I did there?
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