Keeping in Line (20 page)

There’s only way you’re going to be able to prove this…

Bronwyn stood up, “Right now, Tony. You and me. Let’s drum.”

Tony looked wary for a moment before agreeing, “Fine.”

Neither looked at J.D. for approval. Bronwyn angrily grabbed Stewie and her carrier, while Tony did the same. By the time they exited the percussion room, J.D. had cleared a space in the middle of the band room. He told the two sophomores, “If you’re going to do this. You’re going to do it with drill.”

Bronwyn looked at the kitten heels she had put on that morning. Kicking them off, she said, “Fine by me!”

J.D. looked at both drummers, “On my count. The entire drum solo. Mark time, hut.”

He clicked off the notes. The pair marched the drill effortlessly and as they reached the end of the break, Bronwyn knew she had played a more precise show – complete with visuals and the audio phrase they had added at the end.

When they finished, Tony and Bronwyn looked at J.D.

J.D. said stoically, “Tony, laps and push-ups tomorrow afternoon. Pete, you too.”

Bronwyn resisted the urge to once again stick her tongue in Tony’s face. Then she sighed, realizing it wasn’t about playing better. The snare line was only as good as its weakest instrumentalist. Animosity in the section and across the band had earned the Flyers an overall fifth place finish – how hypocritical could she be? It was time to put her pride aside and deal with the situation.

Bronwyn was still questioning how to make things right as she walked down to the practice field the following afternoon. She saw Tony preparing for his run and felt guilty. Without thinking much through her actions, Bronwyn ran as fast as she could and joined him.

Tony looked at her strangely and said, “What are you doing?”

“What? I just felt like running.”

“You’re not helping the situation.”

As mad as Tony might have been, they ran in companionable silence the rest of the laps. Bronwyn’s mind wandered as she ran. Henry, true to his word, had passed out the Indoor show music and she was surprised at the skill level he had written. She hoped that they would be able to perform to his expectations. Looking across the field, she made eye contact with Geoff and quickly looked away. After the sleepover with her friends, she realized the best thing to do would be to finish the season as a strong player of the snare line and nothing more. A relationship seemed like the perfect way to complicate the acceptance she had worked so hard towards.

Given that Homecoming is a mere three weeks away, most girls would be chatting a potential date up rather than running next to some jerk when they didn’t have to.

I’m not most girls…

After an intensive week of rehearsals, Drew brought his hands down and the final "HUT!" was shouted back to him, echoing across the crowded stadium. He felt much better than he had a week ago. As his last competitive performance, he was proud of himself and the entire band – let the judges makes their own decisions, he knew it was the very best run of the show possible. If that wasn’t good enough, the band could still take pride in what they had achieved.

Once settled on the track, the Forrest Hills marching band could only wait patiently until the scores were tallied. The perfect version of a show was such an intangible thing to measure. To have every section come together, to have the chemistry just right, to build the energy, to engage the crowd, it wasn’t something that could be easily forced. Bronwyn was finally able to see what Mr. Izzo must have seen so many months ago. The potential of the show had always been there, but until tonight it had never come together. Would it be enough? She knew they were up against some particularly difficult competition. It seemed every band had brought their best game to the field that evening.

Unsurprisingly, the Forrest Hills band received all Superior ratings. Bronwyn held her breath as the captions were called. She was glad to hear some of the sections receive second and third place marks. When the announcer began calling the drum major caption, Bronwyn crossed her fingers. Even if she didn’t have a chance at a relationship with him, she still wanted Drew to be successful.

“In third place, Benedictine High School.”

“In second place, South Washington High School.”

Bronwyn held her breath. With all the great performances during the day, the award could go to a few of the schools present.

“In first place, Forrest Hills High School!”

After hearing the drum major caption award going to Drew, Samantha and Alex, Bronwyn beamed with pride as she looked at the field. Then immediately wished she hadn’t. She watched jealously as Christina give Drew a kiss on the cheek as he walked forward to receive his trophy. Luckily, Bronwyn’s envy was quickly replaced by anticipation. The Line’s category was next. She barely had time to hold her breath when the announcer said, “For High Percussion honors…in third place, Forrest Hills High School.”

Bronwyn shared a look with the rest of the drummers. They watched J.D. strut out across the field and accept the trophy. If he was dissatisfied with the placement, he didn’t let it show. Although Bronwyn was disappointed for the seniors, she felt third place was what they had earned…what they deserved after such a disruptive season. Maybe their book was more difficult than others, but their execution hadn’t been perfect. In the end, she knew the judges had made the correct decision.

Overall, the band placed third and were happy to do so. After everything that had happened during the season, a third place finish was one everyone could be proud of. Bronwyn also realized that if the band won every year, what would push them to be better next season? Sometimes the challenge was trying to do the best with what you had. Given the talent that had graduated previously, she was happy with the results.

In the wee hours of the morning, when the band finally pulled into the familiar Forrest Hills parking lot, Bronwyn walked back towards the school with Stewie in one hand and her carrier and uniform bag in the other, and suddenly found herself walking next to Drew.

“Congratulations,” she said softly, genuinely proud of his effort and leadership of the band.

“You too.”

“Thanks.”

“Bronwyn, I should tell you—”

He was cut off as Christina came around the corner and exclaimed, “There you are!”

The Guard Captain linked her arm through Drew's and she steered him in the opposite direction, leaving Bronwyn completely alone.

After safely putting Stewie away, Bronwyn met up with her friends and pretended to get caught up in their enthusiasm. She didn’t feel like going to Waffle House to celebrate with the Line, so she caught a ride to Krispy Kreme with Ben and Meredith. Bronwyn watched jealously as she walked out with the pair, when Ben took Meredith’s hand. Meredith said quietly, “B, I should tell you something.”

“What’s up?”

“I heard Drew asked Christina to Homecoming.”

Was that was he was going to tell me?

“Oh.”

“I just thought you should hear it from me.”

Bronwyn sighed and said, “Thanks.”

From across the parking lot, Drew watched the trio confused and a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Judging from the body language, there was no way Ben was involved with Bronwyn. The tenor player was super attentive to the other girl with them, and friendly, at best, to the sophomore snare.

Geoff joined him and congratulated Drew, “Great job tonight.”

“You too. I can’t believe, well, it doesn’t seem like it was our last.”

“I know. Where are you headed tonight to celebrate?”

Drew shrugged and said, “I’m not sure, probably wherever Christina and the Guard goes.”

The trumpet soloist shifted his instrument and asked, “Umm, Drew?”

“Yeah?”

“This is probably going to sound weird.”

The pit in Drew’s stomach grew even larger. Although he hadn’t specifically seen any interaction between Bronwyn and the kid who drove her home, he wasn’t blind. Ever since their little ‘jam’ in the Commons, Geoff and Bronwyn were practically all anyone could talk about. Although the potential pair was oblivious to all the band matchmakers, Drew assumed it was that everyone went a little crazy this close to Homecoming.

He finally answered, “Go ahead.”

“So, what was up with you and Bronwyn earlier this season?”

Drew chuckled and said, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“What does that mean?”

The drum major shook his head and answered honestly, “You know what? She’s too good for me. I don’t think I deserve a girl like Bronwyn Flueger.”

“So…?”

Drew knew his friend was a good guy, as much as it pained him to think about Bronwyn with someone else, at least Geoff was worthy. Drew replied sadly, “Go for it, man.”

* * *

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: I’ll Never Fall in Love, Again

After his conversation with Geoff, Drew was very thankful he had encouraged Christina to take her own car that morning. With his rationale and judgment thrown completely out of whack, the drum major decided it would be best to appeal to his brother. He pressed the speed dial button, and as soon as he heard the call connect, said, “Dude?”

“What’s up?”

“I think I screwed up.”

On the other end of the phone, Joe sighed, “What did you do?”

“I think I asked the wrong girl to Homecoming.”

“How is that even possible?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, obviously you do, because you’re telling me you have.”

“So, I can’t, um, un-ask someone?”

“Drew, you cannot reneg a Homecoming date. That’s like, an unspoken rule.”

Drew sighed, “It is?”

“Of course it is!”

“So what am I going to do?”

“You’d better go with the girl you already asked.”

“Damn it. I thought that’s what you were going to say.”

“Sorry dude. Anything else?”

“No.”

Drew hung up the phone, feeling miserable.

And here I thought I actually knew a thing or two about girls…

It would serve you right if Bronwyn goes with Geoff.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Young Musicians Clinic

Lucy,

Hey, so my parents aren’t so much buying the whole “visiting” you at college. What I did manage to come up with is that I want to attend an advanced percussion clinic (which is for real and on Saturday afternoon in the music school with a respectable clinician) and that I’ll just stay at your place for a night. Sound cool?

B

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Young Musicians Clinic

B,

No worries. So, if you can get your parents to drive you up on Saturday, I’ll bring you back on Sunday. Hopefully they’ll agree to that plan.

And say, isn’t it that time of year for certain people to be enjoying dances?

Luce

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Re: Young Musicians Clinic

Lucy,

I checked with my parents and they’re cool with the whole clinic/driving thing. So, I’ll see you in two weeks? I’m super looking forward to it!

About that whole dance thing? Well, it’s the same weekend as the clinic. The whole reason I’m coming up to see you is because I could CARE LESS.

B

Clicking “send,” Bronwyn hoped she would make it through the next two weeks. Maybe she hadn’t been so clued up on things last year, but this year she realized people were literally obsessed with the dance.

Maybe if I was going with someone I really liked, I would understand the feeling…

By the last practice before the Homecoming game, it seemed everyone in the band was pairing off. Bronwyn had been genuinely excited to learn Ben had asked Meredith, and in a kind of last minute effort, Tyler had decided to escort Megan “as friends.” Proving that everyone was going but her, she heard Tony was taking Dana.