The Line (7 page)

Lucy put her head in her hands; this scenario was so not what she needed.

* * *

CHAPTER FIVE: FIRST GAME

Lucy could only sit and listen as the seniors plotted the most intimidating way to show up the South Washington drumline. The bass drummer knew Jerm would never admit to it, but she suspected it was more of a personal problem he had with Sam than something the entire Line needed to be involved with. It was too early in the season for South to have anything going on with their competitive indoor stuff, so these plans were based on Jerm’s ego more than anything else.

Finally, the lunch bell rang and the drummers got up to start fifth period – officially listed in everyone’s schedules as Advanced Percussion Techniques, but really Drumline 101. Nevada caught up with Lucy as they walked down the hall and tickled her from behind and the bass drummer was suddenly overcome with a wave of shyness. After liking him for so long, it was like she was in the middle of a dream that someone was going to rudely wake her up from. She tentatively looked up and smiled. Those twinkling hazel eyes were just too much.

Falling in step beside her, he asked, “So how about Saturday sometime?”

“Sounds great.”

“We’ll sort out the details closer to then.”

Lucy watched as Nevada walked down the hall and debated whether or not she should tell him about her other relationship, knowing if she told the truth he would probably never look at her the same way again. Pondering that particular dilemma, the percussive class period went by quickly. As the percussionists put away their instruments before the next bell rang, Jerm barked, “I need to see all upperclassmen after school today! Meet here and don’t be late.”

Lucy walked out of the band room and on to her next class, alone. She was in her own world walking down the hall when she felt someone take her hand. It was Nevada. Lucy, alone for so long, who had watched Mandy and Gina have countless boys escort them, squeezed Nevada’s hand. In the concrete walls of high school, it meant something to have someone hold your hand while walking to class. Especially if that someone was an attractive member of the senior class…

Another point for Nevada. Sam will never be able to do this.

After school, the drumline upperclassmen gathered in the percussion room. Nevada took a seat next to Lucy. Jerm announced, “So, every year, the competition with South gets more intense and this year I want to step things up.”

Adam said, “Yeah, yeah, you said that at lunch, but how is watching their rehearsal going to accomplish anything?”

The other guys nodded. Jerm, on the defensive, replied, “Well, I want them to know that we’re around, and we’re not backing down.”

Doug replied, “Uh, Jerm, I think they know that already. It’s no secret. We’ve traded first and second with them since anyone can remember.”

Jerm, pride wounded, asked, “Well, does anyone have a better idea?”

The room was silent.

If you were looking for one of those ‘risk’ things, this would be the moment.

Uh, hello? The risk thing was only about the whole romance thing in my life, not every single moment!

Lucy, surprising even herself, blurted out, “Infiltration!”

The guys all looked in her direction and laughed at her suggestion. Annoyed no one was taking his plan seriously, Jerm rolled his eyes and asked, “Lucy, what in the hell are you talking about?”

“Um, maybe Molly or I could date one of the guys on their Line.”

Lucy looked over to her fellow female percussionist for help, but Molly shrugged. The strawberry blonde Pit section leader had recently started seeing Nick, a goofy, but adorable Sousaphone player.

Jerm crossed his arms and asked, “And what exactly would that accomplish?”

I would get to date Sam and none of you would be the wiser…

Knowing the truth would be an unacceptable answered, Lucy started rambling, “Well…um, let’s say I started ‘fake’ dating one of the upperclassmen. We would have access to all their stuff. We could get copies of their music. I could go to their rehearsals without being obvious.”

“And what exactly would that accomplish?”

“Let’s say they do a really complicated lick, and then we could do a similarly complicated lick and then some. Knowing what they had could only benefit us, right?”

Jerm, as well as the rest of the seniors at the table, looked skeptical.

Molly, in the spirit of drumline girls sticking up for each other, tried a different approach, “Remember four years ago when Stomp was the big thing?”

Jerm reluctantly answered, “Yes.”

Molly continued, “Everyone did Stomp at the competitions. The big thing would have been to not do Stomp.”

Jerm saw where she was going.

Nevada crossed his arms and offered, “Um.
Problemo
. Wouldn’t these South Washington guys recognize us?”

Jerm started talking before Lucy had a chance to say anything, “Sam knows who I am, but the rest of them have no clue.”

Lucy asked hopefully, “So, we could give it a try?”

Jerm looked around the group, judging their expressions. He was the captain, but he wasn’t a total dictator. Nevada said quietly, “I’d just like to win because we’re the best Line.”

Others agreed with him. Quite honestly, at the end of the day, so did Lucy. Jerm said, “I’ll think about our options. That’s all for now. See you guys tomorrow in class. Snares, follow me.”

Everyone broke into sectionals. Lance drilled the basses, fine tuning their parts and ensuring they sounded like one massive drum instead of five separate instruments. Fortunately, the cymbals got done around the same time Lucy’s section did and she was pleasantly surprised when Nevada offered to walk her to her car, which she happily accepted.

The senior didn’t say anything when they got to Lucy’s car, but leaned in and gave her a soft, quick kiss filled with promises of things to come. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said softly, “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”

In a rare moment, the normally loquacious Lucy had literally been rendered speechless. Nevada kept grinning and turned to walk to his own car, calling out behind him, “I’ll call you later.”

Lucy drove home mostly happy but somewhat confused. In addition to Nevada’s surprise kiss (which was currently on automatic replay in her mind), she had a lot to consider. If Jerm decided to go ahead with her infiltration suggestions, would she even want to go through with “fake dating” Sam?

If Jerm decided to show up at South’s game, Sam would definitely learn the undeniable truth about her. So, that put a two-week limit on whatever was going on with Sam. Lucy knew there was no excuse she could give to get out of the prank. Was it possible to go incognito? In a group of guys, it wouldn’t be difficult to blend in and be one of them. Would Sam be able to recognize her from a distance? Or in a group?

When Lucy got home, she hopped online to check her e-mail. She wasn’t surprised when
snarejockey1
popped up on her computer screen.

snarejockey1:
How was your first day of school?

bassgirl17:
Pretty decent. U?

snarejockey1:
Can’t complain. It’s nice being a senior.

bassgirl17:
I can imagine.

snarejockey1:
So hey, when can I see you again? :)

Lucy nervously chewed her bottom lip. This Saturday was currently off limits, because she wasn’t sure what was going to happen with Nevada. How was she going to get out of this? Her parents were pretty strict when it came to going out on school nights – especially with all the practices she had during the week. Lucy also knew everyone in any marching band had practice after school Tuesday and Thursday.

bassgirl17:
Well, I’m busy Wednesday and I think I’m going to our football game on Friday. How about Tuesday or Thursday?

snarejockey1:
Hmm, no can do. I have band practice and work. How about a late night Friday rendezvous?

bassgirl17:
Sounds dangerous. ;)

snarejockey1:
Not really. I was thinking donuts.

Lucy smiled to herself. If there was one thing Sam was doing right, it was appealing to her sweet tooth.

bassgirl17:
How about we meet at the Krispy Kreme on Pleasant Hill around 10:30?

snarejockey1:
Unless the game goes into overtime, I’m there.

bassgirl17:
Can’t wait!

snarejockey1:
Me either.

Knowing she was getting herself further and further in trouble, Lucy signed off, wondering where her common sense had disappeared to.

The first week of the school year wound quickly itself to Friday. Lucy was so excited – it was her first night officially marching with The Battery and her second date with Sam! Continuing the tradition that had started their freshman year, Lucy went over to get ready with Mandy and Gina before the game. The bass drummer’s routine required a lot less time than the regimented makeup and hair of the Auxiliaries, still, it was a lot of fun to just hang out after a long week and gossip. Lucy sat patiently while Mandy French-braided her hair – weaving in black and green ribbons to match her marching uniform. Lucy looked on jealously as her friends donned their flashy and form fitting costumes knowing she would be donning black suspender pants and a green and white jacket to finish her own ensemble. Mandy filled Gina and Lucy in on how things were going with Jerm (good) and Lucy filled the girls in on her week with Nevada (very good). Gina’s flirtation with Jonathan was also progressing nicely.

Although Lucy tried to play it cool, since she had seen her name posted on the Battery list in the spring, Lucy had waited for this night in eager anticipation. She was going to march on the field. She was going to the stadium and play cadences. She was going to play cheesy songs in the stands.

As she walked into the percussion room, Lucy wished the girls a great first show and mentioned she would look for them during the third quarter. Camera in hand, ready to document her first game as a Battery member, the bass drummer walked in to a traditional sight – percussionists in various states of undress. Jerm was helping Adam wrap his sticks, Tom was tuning his tenors, underclassmen stood looking dazed at the scene. Lucy unzipped her uniform bag and smiled – the school colors actually came together for a decent uniform. Black pants, black shoes, and a green and white jacket. Section leaders wore a silver braid to show their rank. The drumline had fought desperately last year to forego the traditional Shako hat and replace it with a black beret. Lucy tucked her brown ponytail into hers and went outside to join the warm up.

After a decent warm up, the full marching band paraded down from the school to the field. As they ran through some of their popular cadences, Lucy grinned at the number of car alarms they set off, knowing it was the bass drums’ deep resonating sound that was the cause. Once at the stadium, even though her expectations were high, every thought and hope Lucy had for the evening was fulfilled. From playing the Star Spangled Banner to jamming in the stands, Lucy thoroughly enjoyed her first official evening on the Battery. The half time show was a little rough, but it was early in the season and there was a lot of time to work things out. For an added bonus – their football team won!

With all the excitement of the game, Lucy had almost forgotten she had a late night date with Sam. After returning her drum to the percussion room, Lucy quickly ducked into the bathroom and rushed to get out of her uniform and into something a little more glam than sweaty shorts and a tank top. As she walked back through the percussion room to collect her stuff, she was welcomed with catcalls and whistling from her section. Collecting her uniform, she waltzed out of the band room, and was surprised when Nevada caught up with her.

“Where are you headed tonight, smelling so good?” Nevada leaned over Lucy and breathed in over her recently perfumed neck.

Lucy had to suppress an involuntary reaction of goosebumps and answered casually, “Just hanging with the girls.” Wanting to change the subject she asked, “Where are you going?”

“WaHo. If you get lonely, come and find me. If not, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

She responded with a convincing smile on her face, “I can’t wait.”

* * *

CHAPTER SIX: MEETING THE ENEMY

Nevada’s attentions got Lucy’s mind racing as she drove. Within the space of a week the boy situation in her life had gone from basically nonexistent to almost out of control.