The Line (12 page)

After a rousing performance from one of the local college marching bands, an announcement came over the loudspeakers, “Would representatives of the competing marching bands kindly take the field?”

The drum majors, captains, and lieutenants from each section took the field. For some bands this was a small gathering – maybe five people. For the Forrest Hills Flyers there was a Brass captain and two lieutenants, a Woodwind captain and two lieutenants, one drumline captain and one (or more) of his four lieutenants, a Dance Line captain, a Color Guard captain, and a Majorette captain as well as the drum majors. They had to line up a few people deep to make room for all the bands on the field.

The announcers first went through the smaller bands and their results. When it came to the 5A division, the Forrest Hills band stood at attention. It was their way of showing respect for the other schools in the division.

From the track, Lucy was proud to hear the Forrest Hills band receive all Superior ratings and wasn’t surprised to hear when South Washington did the same. Before announcing the overall top band, the judges first awarded the caption trophies. Trophies were given in every category: Brass, Woodwinds, Auxiliaries, Percussion and Best Overall or Sweepstakes finish. It seemed like forever until the High Percussion honors were given. The announcer was speaking and everyone on the Line was quiet, “For 3rd place Percussion honors, with a score of 90.52, Swiss County High School!”

Lucy watched as the South County drummers celebrated the award.

The announcer continued, “Folks, I want to let you know the difference between first and second place this year is incredibly close.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, if you were on either South’s or Forrest Hills’s percussion sections, this was nothing new. The announcer made the same speech virtually every year. In fact, in the past five years the combined differences between the two lines probably didn’t add up to one point.

“With a score of 92.76….the South Washington High School percussion ensemble receives second place honors.”

Lucy and the rest of the Line started jumping up and down, but her eyes and heart were drawn to the field. She watched as Sam went out to receive the award, knowing how difficult it must be with Jerm and the rest of the Forrest Hills drumline were about to receive the first place trophy.

“With a score of 92.9…the Forrest Hills High School percussion ensemble receives this year’s High Percussion ensemble. Captain, please step forward to receive your trophy.”

Jerm cockily strutted out and took the trophy from the event organizers, lifting it high over his head.

“Now, we come to the overall band awards.”

Lucy had edged her way over to near where Mandy was standing and took her friend’s hand. As feature twirler, Gina was on the field with the rest of the band leadership.

“In third place, Meadowvale High School!”

A section of the crowd went crazy. The South and Forrest Hills marching band members all held a collective breath.

“In second place…Forrest Hills High School!”

The Forrest Hills Flyers were happy, but not nearly as happy as they would’ve been had they been able to bring home the very large Sweepstakes place trophy.

“And finally, your new Hill County Marching Band Classic Champions…South Washington High School!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and the South band rushed the field. Lucy remembered her freshman year when it had been her band doing the same thing. Although second place at such a large competition was nothing to be sad about, the walk back to the buses was a little defeated. The questions were on everyone’s mind: what could I have done differently? Was I the one who lost it for us? The drumline didn’t want to rub it in everyone’s faces they had individually won as a section and kept quiet, knowing they could celebrate privately on the bus.

After a “Great job, you should be proud and we’ll get em’ next week” speech from Mr. Izzo, the marching band prepared for the long drive home. After the various sections listened to the judges’ tapes in school on Monday, the section leaders would know what to concentrate on – there was always some room for improvement and next weekend, they certainly wanted to be the ones to return home with a first place trophy and the Sweepstakes prize.

As subdued as the Line was in front of the band, as soon as they got on the bus the entire section went crazy. The trophy got passed around the bus and everyone took turns using their keys or whatever was handy to scratch their initials in it.

Jerm asked Nevada, “Did you see the look on Sam’s face?”

Lucy couldn’t help but defend her “other” boyfriend and found herself instantly responding to her captain’s question, “I couldn’t tell much from the field, but I think he looked like he respected the judge’s decision. It’s not like he flicked you off or anything.”

Nevada and Jerm both gave the bass drummer a weird look. Jerm asked Lucy, “You know this is the guy that called you a bitch, right?”

“Allegedly called me a bitch. It could have been someone else.”

Jerm rolled his eyes and said, “Well, anyway I’m glad we kicked South’s ass.”

Lucy couldn’t help herself, and commented, “Really Jerm, it was like some tenths of a point we beat them by, it’s not exactly ‘kicking their ass.’”

Adam, who had been listening, interrupted, “Just who’s Line on you on anyway?”

“Ours, of course. I’m just saying there’s no reason to gloat. You guys saw them out there tonight. If anything, we’re going to have to work that much harder to beat them at the Indoor competitions.”

Lucy didn’t mean to, but she had brought down the excitement level of the bus considerably and decided belatedly it was probably better if she just kept her mouth shut. She slunk back in her seat and thought about what had happened. She was elated her Line had won, but wondered how it would be seeing Sam tomorrow. She didn’t want to gloat, because if the situation was reversed, as it easily could be, she would want him to go easy on her.

Nevada nudged her and asked, “What’s up, Ms. Quiet?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how great it was out there on the field tonight.”

Nevada nodded in agreement, and then said, “You know, Homecoming is only two weeks away. Next week a competition, but the week after that, we’ll get to have a good time away from the field.”

“You won’t even recognize me. My dress is that awesome.”

Earlier in the summer Lucy had stumbled across what she had dubbed the Rene Russo dress. It looked very similar to the dress Rene had worn in the Thomas Crown Affair, except it was shorter. Lucy knew she was going to turn some heads with it. After all, she was in great shape from all the marching, had an overall toned look courtesy of her big bass drum, and was tanned from all of the after school practices.

Nevada sized her up in a very seductive way and then promptly ruined the moment by asking, “So, are you going to South’s Homecoming too?”

Lucy answered almost honestly, “Yes, actually I am.”

With the captain of South’s drumline…

Nevada grumpily turned away and crossed his arms, “I wish you would just make up your mind already.”

In the past week or two, Nevada had become increasingly unhappy with the fact she was dating someone else and was constantly pressuring Lucy to exclusively date him and not the mystery man from South.

“I seriously wish you wouldn’t pressure me. I’ve told you, if you wanted to date someone else you could. We’re not exclusive.”

Nevada was a guy, and he had, like most drummers, a lot of pride. He replied, “Maybe I will.”

This conversation was not the way Lucy wanted things to go. She was so happy with the arrangement she had, and even though she knew it was unfair, had hoped it would last a few weeks longer. Strangely, the thought of Nevada dating someone else wasn’t as terrible as she thought it would be. However, Lucy was a drummer too, and just as proud, so she answered, “Maybe you should.”

They didn’t say anything to each other the entire drive home.

After putting her bass drum away, Lucy looked for Nevada, but there was no sign of him. Maybe their conversation was an indication this whole crazy ride was about to end. Lucy tried to remind herself of the fun weeks leading up to now, but the situation was getting entirely too stressful.

The following afternoon Lucy was still in a foul mood. She had imagined going to the Homecomings with the great guys she was dating and having a kick ass time at both. As she drove over to his house, Lucy hoped Sam wasn’t in a bad mood from the loss to Forrest Hills. Sam met her at the door and led her downstairs to his basement.

Lucy said neutrally, “I couldn’t believe how close our scores were.”

“Yeah.”

“I wonder what our tapes will say.”

“I don’t know.”

Lucy wasn’t sure where to go next. Obviously, Sam was in a bad mood.

“Lucy, it was really tough seeing you yesterday with Nevada.”

Lucy let out a sigh of relief; she thought it was the competition was bringing him down, and asked, “Yeah?”

“I thought I could handle you dating someone else, but now I’m not sure if I can.”

Lucy didn’t say anything. She had been dreading this day, but knew it wasn’t fair to either of them. Being exclusive was kind of an all or nothing thing. Sam took her hands and said, “So, I know I’m not the easier decision, but I think you and I really have something. I don’t want to just see you one day a week. I want to be your full time boyfriend. Even if we can’t ride on the bus together or hang out at school, I don’t want you doing those things with anyone else but me. I don't want to give you a time limit to make your decision, but you've had over a month of dating both of us to figure it out. So, hopefully soon you will, because I don't want to have to make the decision easy for you."

Lucy nodded, and, needing some space, said quietly, “I’ll have to think about it. Listen Sam, I have to go home and catch up on all the studying I didn’t do yesterday.”

The South senior nodded and watched her leave. Lucy was halfway up the stairs, when Sam crossed the room and swept Lucy into a passionate kiss. He kissed her soundly for a few minutes before letting her go, saying huskily, “I hope that helps you make your decision.”

* * *

CHAPTER ELEVEN: MIND MADE UP

Lucy stumbled out to her car, breathless from Sam’s kisses.

A girl should get a warning before a kiss like that!

The boy can kiss, but I don’t think it’s entirely fair to base who you chose on who can kiss the best.

So, how about a new solution, how about I drop out of school and transferring to somewhere where no one knows me?

Wah, wah! Listen to yourself, you have your choice of two hot boys and you’re getting all melodramatic about it.

Thinking she might feel better if she wrote out her feelings, Lucy got home and pulled out her diary.

Dear Diary,

AHHHHHH! Looking back through the entries in this thing I remember myself from last year and how all I wanted in the whole world was a boyfriend. I wished and wished and look where it got me. I really only just wanted one. Just one boyfriend to take me to Homecoming and bring me flowers and all that crap. Just one boyfriend to hold my hand and call me at night and tell me I was beautiful.

But what did I get? Two!!

I know, poor me, but now it’s time to make the decision and I simply don’t want to do it. I really just want to keep my life on hold. They are so different, Sam and Nevada. After wanting Nevada for so long, I won’t lie that I thought it was going to be different dating him. It’s not that he’s still the super hottie that he always was, it’s just there’s more of a connection with Sam. But how can that be? I only get to see him for a few precious hours a week. He’s always sending me cute messages and when we are together it’s just indescribable. Why can’t I like Nevada more?!?!? I liked him for SO LONG. What’s wrong with me? Everyone tells me how cute we look together, but honestly, I don’t know…

The worst part is I can’t even bring any help in. I am desperate for another opinion but don’t trust the girls not to tell someone. Who would they tell me to choose? Nevada? Sam? Neither? They don’t know Sam like I do. f they think Nevada and I are happy, I just wish they could see me and Sam together.

Lucy looked at the page and put her pen down. She wanted so badly to make the easy decision. But her heart was leaning in another direction altogether. Sam had liked her as herself (or mostly herself) from the first time he met her. Something had clicked that day in the theater. She continued writing.

With Nevada, I’ve been right in front of him for two years. What changed to make him like me? Or was it just the fact he was just between girlfriends at the beginning of the season and I was the convenient option? Yes, we have chemistry, but is that enough? And is it more chemistry than I have with Sam? And if I do choose Sam, how will the fallout of breaking up with Nevada affect me and the rest of the Line?