Author Note: Hey guys, I'm sorry updating has been so lax lately. Check my profile if you actually want the really long version of all the drama. Again, I own no recognizable places, locations, or characters. Warning: Bieber bashing. Here it is- Chapter 7 of The City on a Hill!

Chapter 7: Warbler Practice/ Truth or Dare

When Kurt and Alan ran into Warbler Hall, there were a few other boys. They were all sitting quietly in the armchairs, glancing worriedly at Wes, who was stroking his gavel lovingly, testing the weight and pretending to throw it. When he catches sight of the two, Wes says,

"Nice of you to join us. Kurt, I get that you're a newbie, but be on time. Cynthia doesn't like tardy people. In fact, she often flies to their heads and has a lovely chat with their skulls. Alan, if you weren't with Kurt, you would have a gavel in your skull. Now, gentlemen, please take positions on either side of the door. Our friend Blaine is very late again, and it is unacceptable. Tackle him when he arrives and commence tickle torture."

Although Kurt had no idea what was going on, he sensed that it probably wasn't a good idea to disagree with Wes. This didn't seem like an uncommon occurrence, because everyone seemed to be grinning, rolling up their sleeves and getting ready.

The group of nine teenagers sits silently for about five minutes, until they hear footsteps running down the hall. They get ready to spring, and when Blaine runs through the open doors, it seems like a confetti bomb has exploded in the Warbler Hall. Blaine shrieks and curls into a ball, trying to avoid eighteen hands trying to get to his underarms, knees and feet. Kurt is slightly in the back, so he clearly sees the camaraderie between the boys. He sees Wes's firm teasing hands, smacking the gavel lightly against Blaine's knees any chance he gets. Kurt sees Alan heavy, thick hands pinning Blaine's torso to the floor. Tim, the tall, lanky ginger, is wrestling Blaine's shoes off to get to his feet, and the whole scenario is organized chaos. Kurt realizes that this must happen at least once a week, so he just sits back and laughs.

When Blaine catches his breath enough to tell the Warblers in no uncertain terms to "get the heck off him or he will have them all arrested for assault", the crowd dissipates lazily, everyone to his own chair or section of rug. Blaine just lies on the floor as he catches his breath. His shirt and blazer rode up during the attack, and Kurt hopes that Blaine doesn't notice that he has been staring at his torso for the past thirty seconds. Then, Kurt forces himself to focus on the three Council members.

The three older teenagers smile benevolently down at the group. Wes still holds Cynthia, Thad grins in silence, and David stares at the two, obviously disdainful, but not trying to show it. As the silence quickly becomes awkward, David says,

"Since we do not have enough members to really rehearse for anything, the Council decided that we would discuss new repertoire suggestions, and look at places for performing. Any suggestions?"

A million ideas run through Kurt's head, and he has an idea for a great performance. Gathering his courage, he begins to talk,

"I think we should do something from 'Phantom of the Opera'. 'Music of the night' would sound amazing as an acapella performance, and I think we have the right voices to sing it..." Noticing the skeptical glances, Kurt trails off, realizing that that would never happen. Thad clears his throat, and trying to be tactful, he begins

"While I think that is a great suggestion Kurt, I'm not quite sure that song is what the Warblers are best at. I'm all for expanding our horizons and challenging ourselves, and while that song choice would be unexpected, I'm still not sure..." Kurt knows what Thad is saying, but it's hard not to feel resentful when one just keeps getting shot down. Unable to concentrate, Kurt zones out for the rest of the discussion, only occasionally saying "yeah, sure" or "that sounds good" whenever anyone asks him what he thinks. Kurt remembers they decide to contact a few charities in the area, including a nursing home and a facility for special needs kids a few towns away. They also decide that more top 40's music is always appropriate, probably some boy band. Then Wes says something unexpected,

"Since we're done with business, I believe it is time for Truth or Dare. Once Kurt begins to focus, I can tell him that Truth or Dare is an honorable Warbler tradition, of which we all participate at any meeting where there is extra time. It is also a part of traditional sleepovers, and any Warbler party that continues past the time of ten-thirty at night. It is customary for us to go around in a circle, with each person being asked one question or completing one dare. Everyone, start moving chairs. Kurt, any questions?"

Kurt just shakes his head quietly, moves his chair to the side of the room, alongside the other boys, and sits down in the circle. The rain is still thrashing against the windows, but it doesn't seem as aggressive. It seems almost fearful of something outside with it.

Break Line!

Questions have gone almost all the way around the circle. A few boys are sitting in their underwear, cross legged and somehow seeming perfectly comfortable. Tim has his hands over his ears, shaking slightly from his turn a minute earlier. Blaine had decided that the classical music nerd should listen to a mash up of Justin Bieber's songs, which he randomly happened to have on his iPod. Kurt was suspicious, but Alan, who had noticed his confusion, explained that every Warbler who had an iPod was required to have a "torture playlist", fully stocked with Rebecca Black, the girls who sing "hot problems", and other Council-approved songs of torture. After about thirty seconds of Justin Bieber, Tim was biting his lips, trying to wait out the song. You could tell that this unique form of pain was well known to many of the Warblers, as they all winced in sympathy.

There were two people left before Kurt was due to go. His mind was racing, waiting, trying to figure out some way he could avoid going. It was going to be horrendously embarrassing. There were guys sitting in their freakin' underwear, for Louis Vuitton's sake. The Warblers had no filter. I mean, Blaine defaced his Katy Perry poster for one of these dares. However, Kurt also noticed that few of the boys chose a truth when their turn came. Kurt knew there was probably a reason for that, but he also knew he wasn't going to risk taking his clothes off for everyone in the room.

"Kurt, truth or dare?" Thad asked, a wide grin spreading across his face. Kurt realized he was probably blushing, but he managed to stammer out,

"Truth, I think."

"Okay. Anyone have a truth for Kurt?" Someone, Kurt wasn't looking at who, immediately spoke up-

"Why did you leave your old school, Kurt?"

Uh-oh.

Thanks for reading this chapter of The City on a Hill. This is the last chapter until July 21, but after that, there will be more chapters until early September, when school starts again. I will keep updataing as often as I can. I forgot to mention earlier that both Chapters 6 and 7 are un-beta-ed. When my beta gets back to me, I will replace these chapters.