Wes smiled at his teammate’s confidence. He wasn’t nervous about the game, and knew that the Flyers probably wouldn’t even need his extra points or field goals. The British transfer student was worried about what the Coach was going to do after he didn’t show for the traditional halftime locker room pep talk.
The bass Lieutenant walked to the band room already in uniform, which was a little out of the ordinary, but no one really seemed to notice. She saw that Tom’s quints and carrier were gone and assumed he was already outside in the warm up half-arc. She grabbed her own carrier and instrument and headed outside, barely able to keep the grin off her face.
The band marched down to the field and Lucy again wondered why her gaze returned to where the football players warming up. Feeling protected by her uniform, Lucy took full advantage of being incognito.
Like he would even know what section of the band to look at…
Sheesh, give him some credit. He did kick a hole in your drum.
Yeah, but who wants to look at a bunch of polyester when the Auxiliaries are around.
For not the first time in marching career, Lucy desperately wished she could march a game in one of the form fitting Guard or Majorette uniforms.
You’re kind of getting your wish tonight…
Lucy smiled, thinking of the cute dress that was currently sticking to her under her uniform.
So what? It’s not like he’s going to see the performance.
From across the field, green eyes behind a football helmet were darting over to the marching band…and especially at the drumline. Wes smiled, noting how the uniform made Lucy look positively tiny when lined up to the rest of the Line.
She’s going to be so surprised…
You’re risking a lot.
So what? It’s not like I actually give a crap about this kind of football. My season doesn’t really start until the spring.
True.
Plus, I’m practically their only kicker. What’s Coach going to do about it?
As the buzzer sounded for the end of the first half, Bronwyn helped the other Front Line members wheel the different mallet instruments into place. She was all set and waiting for the show to start when she noticed a football player on the track. Squinting her eyes, she thought she recognized the hot senior that everyone was talking about. He smiled at her and murmured softly, “Don’t tell anyone I was here, okay?”
Bronwyn could only nod mutely.
On the far side of the field, Lucy and Tom planned on staying as far apart from each other until the last possible moment, not wanting to give anything away. With the band in place, Tom looked at Lucy, and nodding, they each took off their drums and quickly started peeling off their uniforms. The rest of the bass line and most of the quints started whistling and cheering, watching their section mates strip down. The young cymbals’ eyes almost popped out of their head.
It’s not like they can see anything…
Lucy had made sure to get a pair of cute bloomers to wear under her dress.
Billy, further ahead with the snares, turned around at the commotion, and seeing Tom and Lucy pulling off their clothes asked, “What in the HELL are you guys doing?”
Tom was already pulling on his quints back on, “You’ll see.”
Lucy was glad to be rid of her sweltering uniform. She pulled off the tape on her shoes to reveal two tone saddle shoes. Tom was wearing his black and white Doc Martens. The section was instantly quieted when Fred blew the whistle and the Forrest Hills Marching Band took the field.
Still wearing his uniform, Wes knew he was completely out of place and was waiting for one of the assistant coaches to come and drag him back to the locker room, but the moment never came. He had watched the marching band gather on the far side of the field and wondered where Lucy was in the group. Suddenly, there were three short bursts of a whistle and then a single drum beat. Wes wished he had taken a seat far up near the top of the grandstands – from his view on the track he was never going to be able to see the whole show.
Too late now. Better enjoy what you can.
With the opener complete and the second song about to begin, Tom and Lucy peeled out of formation, threw their instruments on the sidelines and began their swing dance routine to the sounds of “Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing).” The look on Drew’s face from the Drum major podium was priceless. Lucy and Tom easily went through their choreographed steps and the large crowd began cheering wildly. Lucy was having the time of her life when she locked eyes with one very confused football player standing on the sidelines. Her heart started pounding in her chest.
What in the hell is Wes doing here?
Somehow, mostly through Tom’s strong lead, Lucy managed to finish the routine. As the song came to an end and Tom and Lucy finished with a tricky aerial stunt, the crowd went crazy. Tom dipped Lucy in an elaborate way and then they frantically, completely out of breath, grabbed and threw their drums back on to scramble back to their set.
Trying to regain his breath, Tom managed to say, “That was awesome!”
At that moment, Lucy didn’t care what the punishment was; dancing in front of almost the entire school to the sounds of the best live band in the county was worth any amount of detention. Strangely, her thoughts drifted not back to her amazing performance, but instead, to what exactly a certain fully dressed football player was doing on the sidelines during the show.
Drew, who had been directing the piece, was probably the only person on the whole field who was not smiling as he climbed down the Drum major podium. He looked at Bronwyn and practically growled, “Did you have any idea?”
Bronwyn, who hadn’t turned around during the entire song, looked confused, “About what?”
Drew shrugged angrily, “Check with Lucy during third quarter.”
With that, he marched off, leaving one very confused freshman.
The halftime show finished with a flourish and the Line started up a rousing cadence to march off the field – mostly to cover up the conversation that was taking place between its members. As the percussionists had been the closest to Lucy and Tom’s performance, they each had an opinion. The cadence ended and the Line put their instruments back in the stands. On the track, Mr. Izzo took one look at Lucy and Tom and strictly motioned them both to follow him. With many years of experience of working with high school students, Mr. Izzo was usually a level person, but when he did get mad, he did the whole “controlled rage radiating off in waves” intimidation thing pretty well.
Nervously, the pair followed their band director to the far side of the field, a good distance away from anyone in their band. The wonderful feelings Lucy had on the field quickly dissipated.
Mr. Izzo looked at them sternly and asked, “Would either of you like to tell me what exactly that was?”
Tom, with his quick wit, replied, “We thought we could improve the show.”
Lucy elbowed her friend sharply and added, “It was just once, that’s all. It was some sort of misguided senior prank, sir.”
Mr. Izzo looked off at the rest of the band, goofing off as they visited the concession stand, and said, “I wish you would’ve come to me first.”
Tom asked, “Why?”
“I think it’s a, uh, well, actually, a great idea and if you had come to me, we could’ve done more to work it into the show.”
Lucy and Tom were quiet as Mr. Izzo continued, “You know you should both be given detention—”
“But?” Tom started to interrupt the band director.
“Let me finish. I think what you two have done is actually…I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but, it’s actually a nice addition. I know a lot of bands have done the Big Band thing before, but I think your ‘performance’ is something that will really set this show apart. Now, on Tuesday, I’d like to find a way to more seamlessly fit it into the show. The whole running up and being out of breath thing just isn’t going to cut it. What do you say?”
Tom and Lucy looked at each other, before L
ucy said, “We’d be happy to.”
Tom asked, “Is that all, sir?”
Mr. Izzo let out a deep sigh, wondering if he was doing the right thing, “Yes.”
Lucy and Tom weren’t the only ones getting a strange reception. After the show, Wes decided it was probably best if he just stayed down at the field, rather than risk getting caught on his way back to the locker room. Wes had been amazed by the halftime show and could easily see why it took up most of Lucy’s time and energy. What he hadn’t expected was the dancing element. Watching Lucy swing dance had definitely set off jealous twinge in Wes’s system. As his teammates made their way back down to the field, the Flyers kicker was surprised when none of them commented on his locker room absenteeism. He thought he had completely escaped any notice, when the Coach approached him. Wes didn’t trust the look in his eye.
In low tones, Coach asked him, “Would you like to explain where you’ve been for the past half hour?”
Wes shrugged and answered, “Not really.”
“You’re going to pay for this little stunt on Monday – just giving you fair warning.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I run this team and when I ask my players to come to the locker room, it is not a request. Are we understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching his Coach walk away, Wes smiled to himself and went over to start stretching his legs.
In the stands, Lucy and Tom were treated like A-List celebrities. Not one member of the band had seen their performance coming and no one expected that two of the craziest members of the Drumline were actually such great dancers.
Gina asked, “When did you put that together?”
Lucy smiled, “Actually, Tom took a swing dance class over the summer. When we started learning the show, it was just a crazy idea Tom had. We’ve been practicing for about two weeks.”
Mandy asked, “What did Izzo say?”
“That’s the weird thing. He wants to incorporate us into the show.”
“Really?!” The girls asked at the same time.
“I thought we were totally going to get in trouble, but he thinks that it’s going to be unique or something.”
Mandy said, “That’s awesome!”
Lucy stood up to go back to the Line, “All I know is – no more polyester!”
In great spirits, Lucy went out to her car that night, not only had all she and Tom’s hard work paid off, but they were going to keep performing! It was like her senior year was turning out more amazing than she could’ve ever imagined. In all the excitement (including an encore performance of the routine in the band room), Lucy had completely forgotten a certain football player had also witnessed the performance that evening….
The next morning, when Lucy went out to retrieve something from her car, she spotted Wes in the garage. An extra cute, fitted black t-shirt and basketball shorts, hair still wet from the shower Wes was reminded that he had actually seen her marching (and dancing) the night before.
“Morning.”
“Congratulations on a great show.”
“Thanks,” Lucy said rather lamely.
Wes turned around and began walking the other direction.
Lucy ran a frustrated hand through her hair and called out, “I’m sorry. I should tell you that I appreciate you watching the show. What did you think?”
Wes made some vague gesture with his hands, “I didn’t think there would be…dancing.”
Lucy smiled, “Yeah, that was kind of a late addition by me and Tom.”
“You guys are good.”
“Thanks.”
Lucy was embarrassed at how completely awkward the conversation was getting.
“I—”
Whatever Wes was going to say was cut off by Lucy’s phone. She looked at it and saw it was Sam. Her eyes softened, and she said, “I have to take this call. Thanks again for being there.”
* * *
CHAPTER NINE: Transitions
Wes walked into the garage, scuffing his black and white trainers on the pavement. He had never really had this particular problem before. With all the girls back home, it seemed all he had to do was he look in their general direction and that was usually all it took. Furthermore, the majority of American girls fell in the same category. In fact, it had been even easier because of the whole accent thing. But with Lucy…
What did you think was going to happen? Just because you watched her at a game you would somehow be magically part of her world?
Possibly…
She’s had her own thing long before you ever came on the scene and no amount of glorious British accent is going to change that.
Maybe my gesture wasn’t big enough.
What are you talking about? The moment’s over. It’s passed. Move on.
I could take dance lessons.
Listen to yourself! Has she given you anything to indicate that she actually likes you?
Wes knew what the answer to that was.
Then get over it and move on. The ship has sailed.
Lucy was torn as she walked away from Wes. The look of disappointment on his face was not one that she wanted to see again any time soon.
Was that all because I didn’t talk to him?
Concentrate. Remember that you were just speaking with Wes Mallinson – God’s gift to women at FHHS. I’m sure your walking away from him did not cause a moment of disappointment in his world. Plus, remember that guy on the phone with you right now? The guy that you hung up on last time you talked?
Yes?
Talk to him – you owe it to the both of you.
“Hey, Sam,” Lucy said quietly.
“Hey, Luce. How was the game? Did you guys pull the stunt off?”
See, this is what boyfriends and girlfriends talk about. Normal things. Sharing information. Small talk and conversation.
“It was pretty much awesome. I’m going to try and upload the show with our new ‘addition’ so you can see it.”
“That would be great.”
Lucy continued, “And you’ll never believe this! Izzo’s going to include our part in the show permanently.”
“Really? Wow – that’s great!”
Even though they were miles apart, the following silence was palpable. Lucy took a deep breath and said in a more wavering voice than she meant to use, “So, I’m sorry about the other day. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Lucy—”
“I mean, I was totally jumping to conclusions without even giving you time to talk.”
“The thing is…”
“The thing is what?”
“Okay, so I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
“What are you talking about?”
Sam sighed deeply into the phone, “The whole honesty thing.”
Lucy could see Sam through the phone, raking a hand through his dark hair. He continued, “I wish there was some way I could see you.”
Like a bolt of lightning, Lucy realized there was a way. Without thinking much further, she said, “There is.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we need to do this the right way – in person.”
Neither of them had to question what exactly “this” was. Lucy had seen Mandy and Gina enough break ups to know that this relationship deserved the right kind of time and energy and anything less than seeing Sam in person was just going to further complicate things. From the moment Sam had talked to her in the theater last year to the time they were at now, she wanted good memories and not months of dragging things out to their inevitable end.
Lucy did some quick calculations in her head, “Where are you going to be this afternoon?”
“Why?”
“Just tell me.”
“I’ll be around. Call my cell.”
Hanging up, Lucy looked at her phone for a moment before she started dialing, “Mandy? Hey…I need a big favor.”
Lucy really didn’t know what she was doing as she started her car and began driving. It wasn’
t that she never broke the rules or anything, but this was a little extreme. She had told her parents that she was spending the night with Mandy, who was the only one who knew that she was really driving to State. There was something in Sam’s voice that Lucy had to see about in person or else she knew she would never be able to let it go. She didn’t feel like wasting her entire senior year carrying a torch for something that wasn’t happening – always wondering what was really happening to Sam on campus…turning into a jealous, whiny girlfriend. Lucy didn’t want to be that girl. Plus, she had to admit, that if she was going to pursue things with a certain football player that had been invading her thoughts on a more frequent basis that she wanted to do so with a clean slate. If she wanted to pursue things…
“You’re one in a million, Lucy Karate.”
“Thanks.” A stray tear slipped down Lucy’s face.
Her official ex-boyfriend kissed Lucy softly on the lips before pulling back and telling her, “Don’t be a stranger. Let me know how things go this season.”
“I will.”
Lucy drove back on Sunday actually in better spirits than she imagined she would be in. It was like even though she was already well into her senior season, that she had a new start and a fresh beginning. She thought about the past twenty-four hours and how completely random they had been. While she had gotten the whole jittery stomach thing when she first saw Sam, it was for different reasons than she usually had. There had been reminiscing of old times and inside jokes and with Sam’s roommate mysteriously missing, she had actually enjoyed one last night with her former boyfriend.
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