Part 97
That would turn out to be one of Wes' best summers. He had lots of fun with his friends after the Gidiaz wedding. He did e-mail and text with Mike and Tina, asking them for forgiveness for not being able to attend Asian Camp this year due to a family wedding. They understood and would miss him of course. But Wes had the time of his life. They went to Philly to attend Bastian's gallery show. They went all over the country to visit former Warblers and their families. All in all it was the summer of a life time. The only set back had been Julia having to move so they had to break up. Wes had been sad of course but they had promised to stay pen pals and friends. For some reason he found it easier to be pen pals with Julia than with Olivia. Maybe because he had madly, truly deeply loved Olivia? He didn't know but he was not gonna dwell on that now. He had a whole new school year to look forward to, with its ups and downs. Wes was a junior now and that made something inside him tingle. He was an upperclassman now. No longer the youngest at Dalton by a long shot. No longer among the youngest. No longer a small fry. He was one of the big boys now and he'd be damned if he didn't act like it.
The first day back at Dalton was always a mess. People were everywhere trying to find their rooms. Wes was lucky. He came back earlier than anyone else so he could move in his things without much of a hassle. He had found out that he was rooming with a senior named George Huntington. He was a member of the soccer (real football) team and practiced like… always. He sounded rough and cold when he talked but Wes knew from experience that the guy was as dangerous and mean as a church mouse. He just seemed that way.
Wes didn't mind sharing a dorm with the guy, it suited him just fine. Unless George forbid him for having little brothers over… then there would be trouble. But Wes couldn't picture George objecting to it, not in the slightest. Dalton boys stick together after all.
Since Wes was a junior he along with the other juniors and seniors had the top floor of the Dragon. Those who had been juniors last year got to stay in the same rooms they had the year before so right now Wes and the seniors of the Dragon were standing on the top floor looking down on the mess of boys at the bottom, the boys trying to figure out where to go. Logan had been made dorm prefect this year so he slid down the railings to the bottom floor and gave a whistle. Everything stopped and they all turned to look at him. Wes cocked his head to the side. This was a first. No prefect had ever done that. Logan cracked his knuckles and started organizing the move. He did it like a real pro. Wes wondered for a moment if Logan had been holding out on them about his skills. He looked like one of those people that controlled everything at the same time at an airport. He pointed, gave directions and sorted through papers all in one go.
"Oi seniors and Wessy boy", he yelled. "Come down here and help carrying stuff would you?"
Wes grinned and headed down to help carrying stuff. He grinned when he saw Benjamin and Thad talking on the second floor. He wondered if he should interrupt the couple but decided against it when he saw a somewhat annoyed David looking in their direction as well. Wes grabbed his arm and pulled him down with him, along with Blaine. Both looked confused but then grinned when they saw who it was. Blaine even jumped onto his back, hugging him tightly. Wes chuckled and walked over to Logan.
"Three Warblers reporting for duty sir", Wes said and Logan laughed. He gave Wes and Blaine a quick hug before telling them what to do. The trio nodded and set to work. While they helped a few guys move in the trio talked about what they'd done during summer.
"I wish I could've been to that wedding", Blaine said and sighed. "It would've been awesome to meet ex-Warblers from that far back!"
"You met the most of them at midsummer", Wes pointed out as they walked downstairs for a few new boxes.
"I know but that wedding sounds awesome!"
Wes smiled fondly and then stopped. He stared ahead to a spot where he saw a young man with dark hair disappear around the corner. Wes' friends had continued walking without noticing his sudden stop. When they noticed they turned around and saw their friend stand and stare into space.
"Wes?" David called but got no reaction. "Yo!" Still nothing. Truth was that Wes was stuck in his own thoughts, well his own memory.
His worst memory was from a stormy night where he was locked into a closet, his dad, stepmom and siblings had arrived unexpectedly so his grandfather just grabbed him by the arm and locked him into the best place he found… a closet on the top floor. There was a window so Wes could see the lightning and hear the rain… he felt too close to it and was horrified. He still hated small, closed spaces and knew he'd probably freak out if he got locked up somewhere at the school. He was awoken from his thoughts by a shrill sound echoing through his room.
"AAAAH!" he screamed in terror and covered his ears. "Brad!" He twirled around and saw the short older boy stand in the door. Brad was brown-haired, with blue eyes and ivory skin which looked even whiter when he was dressed in the black Dalton senior uniform. He was wearing the trench coat because of the chilly wind that had picked up outside.
"Hey kid what's up", he asked grinning… and pocketing the cursed silver whistle.
"Not much… unpacking my stuff", Wes said with a shrug. "What are you doing in the Dragon? I thought you lived in the birdhouse."
"Stop calling it birdhouse", Brad said with a small smile. "You know as well as me that it's called Vermilion Bird... Vermilion or the Bird for short."
"Yeah but I don't want to go around calling your dorm for a color", Wes teased and Brad smiled and walked over to him. Giving him a hug.
"It's nice to see you again kid", he said as Wes hugged him back. "You've grown!"
"Soon I'm as tall as you", Wes teased.
"Hey I may just be 165 cm but you won't reach that height… ever!"
"I grew about 2.5 decimeters this summer… don't you think I can outgrow you?"
"Never", Brad said and hugged him again. "I gotta get back to the Bird. Carmichael made me dorm prefect! I must make sure all the kids get settled in alright! See ya at Warbler rehearsals later today!"
"Is anyone even here?" Wes called after him.
"A few", Brad called back and was soon gone.
They all jumped when a shrill sound was heard and they covered their ears. Wes then sent a death glare at the council table where Brad and Austin were seated. Brad was now in the middle seat… having Jerry's whistle in his mouth still.
"Yo dude do you even know where that thing's been", Matt shouted at him.
"In Jerry's mouth", Otto asked.
"In a cake, in a drawer, in a box, in a potted plant, in a toothbrush stand", Wes started counting on his fingers.
"Don't worry", Brad said smirking. "I put it in the dishwasher." Everyone laughed. "And I rubbed that wound-cleaning-alcohol-thingie on it to get rid of the germs."
"Well Wes will soon get rid of it", Austin said. "Let me know when you do so I can start the party."
"Ha!" Brad said. "Never! Jerry might've let him get it but I won't."
"Ooooh sounds like a challenge", Wes said and grinned.
"Bring it on squirt."
"Consider it brought."
"You can't just let him go", Wes shouted at Brad. "He's good!"
"Yeah but he doesn't sing in English", Austin said. "And his accent and grammar isn't the best."
"Of course it's not the best he's lived his entire life in Sweden for fuck's sake!"
"Wes mind your language", Brad warned.
"When you start minding that broken ears of yours!" Wes walked to the door and threw it open.
"Wesley", Brad barked and Wes stopped and turned to him, giving him a death glare.
"Cute", he said. "Really cute." And then he walked out of the room slamming the door shut. Brad blinked in confusion.
He tried again but got the same result. With the thing still in his mouth he looked down and saw that he was having a ball-point pen in his mouth. He spit it out, took the chain off of him and stared at the thing lying in his hand. He growled and Austin and Joseph looked at him in confusion, but then saw the pen. Joseph smiled, while Austin broke out laughing. Brad looked around the room. He saw Wes lean on the wall next to the table where Lucas, Michael, Matt and William were sitting. Wes was smirking at him before he winked. Brad flew up with a:
"MONTGOMERY!"
Everyone turned to look at him and they all looked confused, save Wes. Brad held the pen up.
"What is this", the senior growled.
"A pen", Wes said innocently.
"Seriously Brad you must know that by now", Charles said with a grin. Brad grabbed hold of the chain and held it up so that the pen dangled from it.
"Does anyone know what this is", he asked coldly.
"It's a pen on a silver chain", Otto said looking confused.
"It is", Brad said through gritted teeth. "But it is supposed to be a whistle."
At first there was no sound at all and then all the Warblers from the year before started laughing and Michael gave Wes a high five. Brad kept glaring at the kid who was only smirking.
"That got your attention didn't it", Wes said and crossed his arms.
"What do you want Wes", Brad said with a tired sigh and ran a hand over his face.
"I thought you'd never ask", Wes said happily.
"Just get on with it."
Wes jumped onto the table next to Lucas.
"I call for a Warbler duel and if my team wins Kim's joining the Warblers", he said and Brad looked at him cocking an eyebrow.
"What is a Warbler duel", Philip asked and looked at the oldest Warblers in the room, but none of them knew.
"Any Warbler can challenge the chairman's decision about who is and not is to join the group. This is done by a Warbler duel", Wes explained happily. "Jerry told me. He said that if a Warbler feels that the chairman is completely wrong he can challenge him… well actually challenge his lead singer and another singer. Kim and I challenge Philip and whoever he wants to sing with… Philip has to do his best." The last he added because he knew Philip wanted Kim in. But Philip was a competitor. He loved to win so he would give it his all.
"Fine", Brad spat and sat down, throwing his pen aside. "You and the Swede against PP and Jesse."
"Wait a minute", Brad said when he heard that and snatched it from her. He pulled the stick out and saw that it wasn't really lipstick… it was his whistle.
"Aw damn it", Wes said. "Uh oh." Brad had turned red and was shaking with rage. "Um bye!" Wes called and ran out.
"Next solo goes to the guy that brings me that kid alive!" Brad yelled and pointed after Wes. All the Warblers smirked and took off… well nearly everyone. Wes heard them coming and squeaked before running as fast as he could to find the perfect hiding place because he knew that if he just kept running… it would only by a matter of mintues before he was caught.
"Wow just wait until I tell the guys!" another voice said and Brad turned and saw Wes sit in one of the chairs in the corner… which he hadn't noticed before because he'd had his back turned. The little Asian was smirking.
"Not a word from you do you understand", Brad warned him. "That is my little secret."
"Aw come on it's an amazing magic trick!" Wes said happily and stood up.
"Wow", Hanna said with a grin. "I'd never thought I'd see the day when there is a highschooler that's shorter than Brad."
"Hey!" Brad objected.
"You haven't met the Warblers have you", Wes asked and smirked.
"Oh you be quiet", Brad told him.
"Why?" Wes asked and cocked his head to the side. "I'm the shortest and have no problem with that. So why is your height a problem? You're taller than me and Mitch and Justin after… no wait Justin outgrew you during the summer."
Brad just sighed and gave him a look, while his sisters giggled behind him, his mother smiled and his father laughed.
"Brad dear", his mother said. "Who is this young man?"
"A nuisance", Brad grumbled to himself.
"I heard that!" Wes objected and walked over to Brad's family. "I'm Wes Montgomery ma'am. I'm a friend of your son's."
"Oh", Mrs. Sullivan said and shook his hand. "Say how many years have you been here?"
"This is my second year", Wes said.
"Ah so you are in Brad's grade then?"
"Uh", Wes began but Brad cut in.
"No mom", he said and hurried up to them, putting his hands on Wes' shoulders. "Wes is in 7th grade."
"Then… why is he here?" Brad's dad asked. He was an alumni of Dalton after all.
"I couldn't stay at my old school", Wes only said. "So for the moment I'm here."
"I see… well where is your family?"
"Orphaned", Wes lied thinking back of the summer. "But that's alright, I mean I'm used to it." He looked at his watch. "Oh man I'm late for meeting Lucas… bye nice to meet you!"
"Hi Brad", he said to the head Warbler.
"Hm", Brad asked and looked up and Wes whispered something into his ear and Brad chuckled.
"Okay fine", he said and got up. Wes grinned wide and hurried back to the table and Brad walked over. The twins also grinned. Otto noticed Brad put his hand on Wes' back as he looked at whatever they were watching. Brad pointed at something and said something they couldn't hear and Wes took a pencil and did something on that paper.
"First the twins and now Brad", Nathan asked. "What's going on?!"
"Babe take it easy", Mitch told him. "Maybe it's some kind of project."
Nathan just glared at the table and especially whenever Wes laughed at something.
Wes had gotten new sketchpads and pencils from Tom Bedford, Lucas' brother and now there was only one gift left. It was Brad's and he opened it. When he did he smiled and held up Judas Priest's latest CD and when he held it up they saw him frown.
"What's wrong", Wes said with a way too innocent tone in his voice and a way too innocent smile on his face. Austin walked up to Brad and looked at what he was watching and he grinned.
"Good one Wes", he said.
"What", the others asked.
"There's a note here that says that Brad can find his whistle if he perform a little magic in here."
The Everetts smirked and Wes grinned innocently at Brad. Brad sighed before turning to the fire place and rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll kill you for this", he said and walked into the fire place and started to roam around. Wes looked at the twins and they both smirked.
"Ah ha!" they all heard Brad call. "Here it is. Good try Wes, but next time don't hang it from a thread." Wes and the twins looked smugly at each other and the Warblers looked at the fireplace in anticipation. There was a snap sound heard from the chimney… and then a scream… and a grey cloud came out of the fireplace. The Warblers stared and then Brad came out… black and grey from ashes and sooth. The Warblers started to laugh.
"WESLEY!" Brad screamed and turned to the place where Wes had been sitting. Only to finding the spot empty. Even the twins looked amazed at the sight.
"Just you wait Montgomery", Brad yelled. "After Christmas break… I will get you!"
"SURPRISE!" the Warblers called happily and some of his friends from the Dragon. Trixie was there as well as Carmichael. Wes turned to Brad.
"You lied", he said.
"Of course", Brad said and ruffled Wes' hair. "We had to keep you from finding out of course."
Brad smiled and shook his head so his dark hair would get out of his blue eyes.
"I am gonna study politics at Princeton", he said.
"You are not rooming with me", Charles spoke up. "I've heard the stories Sullivan!"
"Hey I'm not that bad!" Brad objected, his ivory skin tainted pink and everyone laughed. "You should see me second-cousin Nick's room. He's two years younger than Wes but his room always looks like a room of a seven year old!"
"The whistle is yours now", Brad said and moved the chain from his neck and put it around Austin's. "Please keep it away from Wes."
Austin laughed and looked down at his chest.
"That will be harder than I thought", he said and held up the empty chain. "He's already one step ahead of me."
The room erupted in laughter and Brad stared at the chain and then turned his burning gaze towards the Warblers. They were laughing hysterically, but Wes had disappeared from view. Otto and Roger had let him down from his perch so he could easily hide. Brad sighed and took the mike:
"Wesley just you wait until I can get my hands on you!" he barked and everyone laughed again.
Brad Sullivan had asked Otto about the whistle and when Otto couldn't find it Brad hugged Wes… before he slung the younger, but now just as tall as himself, boy over his shoulder so that Jerry and Otto could search him. This brought hysterical laughter from Wes as he got tickled. But they didn't find the whistle so Wes had to be released.
That evening Wes was all alone at Dalton. But he didn't let that stop him. He walked to the Warbler Hall, with his laptop. He also brought the whistle and that gavel he had found with principal Carmichael. Wes put the gavel in the middle of council table and took the whistle in his hand. He started up a vide conversation with four people in the conversation, five with Wes himself. He also pressed record. The answers came straight away. It was Jerry Jonston, Brady Raymond, Austin Diaz and Otto Johnson. Wes at on the table grinning and twirling the whistle around in his hand.
"Hi bro", Brad said. "Heard you made chairman so I guess the war will be over from now on."
"True…" Wes said.
"And you can't win", Jerry said. "You can't hide it from yourself."
"Also true."
"Which means the whistle will win the years to come", Otto said happily.
"False", Wes said.
"Why is that buddy", Austin asked.
"So glad you asked", Wes said. "You see I'm gonna make this day the end of this battle and make me the ultimate winner of this war."
"How", Jerry asked.
"I am so glad that you asked", Wes said happily and jumped off the table. He put the whistle down on it, well a plastic tray so he wouldn't damage the table. Then he took the gavel and grinned wickedly.
"Wesley", Jerry warned.
Wes just smirked and raised the gavel.
"NO!" Brad, Otto and Jerry screamed as Wes brought the gavel down with a loud bang… onto the whistle. The head became flat and it got crooked… useless. Jerry, Brad and Otto stared in horror. Wes turned to the camera.
"I win", he said and cut the feed.
"Ow!" Wes exclaimed when something hit him hard in the head. He rubbed his head and looked around. He saw a ball lying at his feet and opposite him was David, grinning innocently.
"Finally something that got your attention", David said with a grin before running off. Wes growled and took chase. The mystery would have to wait for a while, he had a few boys to kill first. Laughter rang out through the Dragon signaling that a new year had started at Dalton.
And a new year meant new Warblers. Which meant they had to plan for their "troop-rallying-performance" as well as auditions. So as soon as all Warblers had unpacked their stuff they met in the Warbler Hall with Wes alone at the council table. He looked really annoyed and the Warblers in attendance grinned at him.
"Okay this is seriously messed up", Wes said and got up. "How are we supposed to be a council with just me at the table!?" The Warblers laughed.
"Maybe we should keep it that way", Collin teased. "Now maybe you'll finally have your way and force us to sing songs from the Lion King."
"We'd rock it and you know it", Wes grumbled and crossed his arms. The Warblers laughed again. "But seriously guys… I need someone with me here!" He pointed at the table and groaned in annoyance. The boys in the room just laughed again. Then Wes smirked.
"Since no one is volunteering", he said and they stopped laughing. "It will fall upon he Warbler rule book to decide who will be joining me on the council."
The Warblers stared at each other. The rule book could decide that? How? What evil scheme was Wes cooking up now? Or was it going to be humiliating? Wes got up and walked to the spot where the rule book was. He opened it up and started reading.
"If there are no volunteers for the council", he read aloud. "It falls upon the Warbler seniors to lead the team."
"Hey wait just a minute!" Peter started to object but Wes ignored him.
"If none of them volunteer it falls upon the oldest Warblers to lead the team and-"
"Wait!" Howard said and hurriedly got up. "Okay okay. I don't really want to be on the council but Wes is right. We need someone there. I have a suggestion…" He looked at his fellow Warblers. "I can volunteer to be part of the council until sectionals."
"Why until then?" Blaine asked.
"Because I wanna audition for solos", Howard said and grinned happily. "But up until then I have no trouble being part of the council. Come on Wes can you agree to that?"
Wes looked around. The auditions would be soon and they were in desperate need of someone on the council. With Howard on the council it would still mean they had three votes since Wes as the chairman had two. Wes had always thought that was a ridiculous rule and would change that when he could, according to the rule book he had to be the principal to change that… well he could always start teaching after his music career was over, yes Wes already knew what he was going to be when he grew up. Wes looked around the room.
"I can agree to that but I still want one more person on the council and I really don't feel comfortable forcing someone due to rules", he said and closed the book. "Come on you guys. One more that can stay until sectionals. It will give the rest of you time to think about if you can handle a council position."
They all looked at each other and then Oliver raised his hand. Wes grinned happily. It was decided. Howard and Oliver would be on the council until sectionals or longer if they decided to change their minds.
"Good", Wes said and the three sat down at the table. "Now all we need is the impromptu performance planned out and we can call it a night. Why the school year starts on a Friday I will never understand…"
The boys laughed and sat down to figure out what songs to use. Wes smiled while looking at his sheet music. He'd heard the door open and someone quietly slip in.
"Glad you could join us Thad, was the plane late or did Benjamin need some time with you?" he said and looked up. Thad blushed tomato red and hurriedly sat down beside Rock and Fred. The Warlbers just sniggered. Wes winked at Thad and smiled gently. Thad smiled back happily, showing he wasn't angry. Wes was probably right though, Thad's plane must've been late. I mean would cute innocent little Thad really doing something dirty with his boyfriend while the Warblers had a meeting? Of course not! *wink wink*
Frank Connors was so excited he was practically bouncing off the walls! He was at Dalton! He was at the same school as his awesome big brother once again! And once again his big brother was happy to have him there! Fred had talked so much about the school that Frank couldn't wait for his last year of Middle School to end so that he could start at Dalton as well. He was especially excited about the various sports teams and the Warblers of course!
His brother and himself had always had a singing duo and their family at least said they were great. And Fred had said that the Warblers were great! He'd heard so many stories about them they were like real life rock stars to him! He was really curious about their leader. Fred had explained to him about the council and that they were led by a sophomore last year. Seriously? A sophomore!? What kind of dude was that if he could get to rule instead of a junior or a senior!? Frank couldn't wait to meet the dude! He was so excited.
He was living in the White Tiger, same dorm as his brother. He knew they had two members of the Warblers staying there, his brother was one and the senior Oliver Webber as well. Frank knew of the buys artificial leg which made him sure that the Warblers were even cooler than anyone thought. They let Oliver be part of the team and they adapted their shows after his abilities to keep up. That was so frickin' cool!
Right now Frank was sitting in the cafeteria with the other White Tiger freshmen. He sat between guy named James Smith and a gay guy named Trent Rivers. Yes Frank knew he was gay and that was cool with him. Here he had someone that actually understood girls and could help with pretty much everything from clothes to girl troubles! Frank had bonded with the guy at once because Trent and he shared a room. Trent was really sassy and Frank thought he was hilarious and all kinds of awesome. While the trio sat there talking about their new school a strange sounded started. At first Frank thought there was a bee in the room or something but then he realized it was a guy humming. The guy humming was suddenly joined by a bunch of guys humming. The teachers in the room all grinned and a blonde tall guy suddenly jumped onto a table.
Blonde: I closed my eyes
Drew back the curtain to see for certain
What I thought I knew
Far Far away
Someone was weeping
But the world was sleeping
Any Dream Will Do
I wore my coat
With golden lining
Bright colors shining
Wonderful and New
And in the East
The Dawn was breaking
And the world was waking
Any Dream Will Do
When the blonde sang his lines two short guys, tenors judged by their voices, echoed him. Frank, who loved Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, knew they were singing the children's lines.
A Crash of Drums
A Flash of Light
My Golden Coat flew out of sight
Blonde & Latino: The Colors faded into darkness
I was left alone
The soloing duo high fived and the Latino took over the verse.
Latino: May I return
To the beginning
The light is dimming
And the dream is too
The World and I
We are still waiting
Still hesitating
Any Dream Will Do
A crash of Drums
A Flash of Light
My golden coat throughout a site
Blonde & Latino: The colors faded into darkness
I was left alone
Warblers: May I return
to the Beginning
The light is dimming
And the Dream is too
The World and I
We are still waiting
Still hesitating
Any Dream Will Do
The cafeteria cheered, some boys even got to their feet cheering loudly for them, whistling. The teachers were applauding as well. The blonde and the Latino held out their hands. An Asian guy grabbed their forearms and they pulled him onto the table. The sophomores and the upper classmen cheered loudly. Frank realized how that must be. Strange he thought the guy would be huge judged by how Fred talked about him but the guy was a shrimp!
"Thank you", the Asian called. "Thank you! We are the glee club of Dalton. The Warblers!"
The boys of Dalton cheered and the Asian smiled.
"We are in the need of new voices", the Asian continued. "So if you feel that the Warblers is where you belong well… then come and audition tomorrow morning! Auditions are held in the Warbler Hall. I hope to see as many of you freshies there as possible!"the guy grinned and jumped off the table. The Warblers disappeared.
"I'm totally joining", Trent said happily. "And that Asian guy? Steaming hot."
"Hey Frankie wasn't that your big brother doing the bass and beat boxing?" James asked and Frank nodded happily. "You wanna join too?"
"Hell yeah!" Frank said. "Just trust me, the Warblers won't get enough of our trio!"
"Trio?" James asked.
"Oh you're joining with us darling", Trent said and patted the stunned boy's cheek.
"But I don't even know if I can sing!"
"Oh honey trust me the way you sang in the shower the whole Tiger knows you can sing."
James blushed and Frank laughed so much he actually fell off his chair. Yep this was gonna be a great year.
When Wes woke up the following day he knew the first thing he was going to do was finding the kid that he was supposed to mentoring. Wes felt a bit ashamed that he hadn't had time for the boy yet. Well he was going to redeem himself today. He got up, took a shower and got dressed. He fixed his hair, grabbed his bag and headed down the stairs. But when he got to the second floor he dropped his bag and started running because he could smell something. Something he hadn't smelt since Otto tried to make popcorn in a basket… he could smell fire. Yep his day was gonna start out great.
TBC You know... I never thought this was gonna happen but the plot bunny attacked me this week. So... I think a few more chapters are in the making. Don't rush me though, it's easy does it. :P
I'm so happy so many of you seem to like the story so much :'D
Btw can anyone guess (halley you're disqualified because we've talked about this ;) ) who it was Wessy boy saw in the Dragon? Anyone?