“At this point I don’t really care.”
“Let me think about it.”
Lucy didn’t want to admit that part of her was crushed that he hadn’t jumped at the chance. She turned up the radio and watched the world go by and began to relax. Sitting with Wes, driving on this beautiful Saturday afternoon, seemed completely natural. Then she looked at the time, trying to calculate how much longer it would take them to get there and started fidgeting.
“What seems to be the problem now?”
Lucy winced at his tone, but reminded herself that he was definitely going beyond the call of duty, “Well, we’re getting close and I think I’m supposed to be in uniform when we get there and I haven’t changed yet…so…”
“Just pop in the back seat…I promise I won’t look.”
Much.
Wes was momentarily taken aback when Lucy punched his shoulder.
“What was that for?” Wes asked innocently.
“You think I’m in an all guy section and don’t know what that last look meant? What kind of idiot do you take me for?”
“Well, consider a few peeks payment for this trip,” Wes said flirtatiously.
“Fine.”
Lucy launched herself into the back of Wes’s tiny car and tried her best to change into her bedazzled dress without revealing everything to the driver.
Well, I might ‘accidentally’ give him something to look at…
Wes pulled down his sunglasses, turned up the radio and began humming to himself, glancing back about every thirty seconds and grinning.
“Hope you enjoyed the show,” Lucy commented as she climbed back into the front seat a few minutes later.
“I certainly did,” he replied.
There was a weird moment between them, when Lucy squealed, “We’re here!”
Wes couldn’t believe the sheer number of buses, equipment trucks, and people that had gathered. He also couldn’t believe the fun road trip with Lucy was about to end. It seemed like they had just gotten started.
Lucy babbled nervously, “So, if you want to stay, just give me a call and I’ll give you the information where we’re staying and all that.”
Wes paused before answering, “I’ll watch – on one condition.”
Lucy’s interest was piqued, and she asked, “What’s that?”
“Join me on the football field.”
“For what? A game? I don’t think Coach would appreciate that.”
“Please, I’m talking about a lesson in what your country refers to as ‘soccer.’”
“You know, my brother does play the game.”
“Do you?”
“No.”
“Then, a trade. I’ll stay today, and you get a lesson on the best sport in the world next week.”
“You’re on.”
Before either participant had time to question whether or not they were actually setting up what could be considered a date, Lucy’s phone rang. She picked it up, recognizing the number and asked, “Where are you guys? Okay, I think I see that. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Stop here!”
Lucy closed her phone, unsure of what to do next.
What are you waiting for?
“So, thanks for driving me.” With the kick from her conscious, Lucy leaned over to kiss Wes on the cheek, when he had to suddenly stop the car for a passing Guard member. Lucy’s friendly peck ended up square on the masculine mouth she had been dreaming about for the past six weeks. The intense and passionate make out session that instantly followed was a continuation of what had almost happened a few weeks ago in her driveway. Wes’s hand slid behind Lucy’s neck and he brought her in close. As he ran his tongue over her lips, Lucy’s world momentarily stopped – she forgot all about Molly and the competition that was going on outside her window. Somehow finding herself halfway on Wes’s lap, the pair was interrupted when Lucy’s phone started trilling. Looking down breathlessly, she said, “Crap, that’s Tom!”
Like a shooting star, she was gone.
So she finally kisses you and her response is ‘Crap, that’s Tom.’ Nice one, mate.
* * *
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Take Your Breath Away
While Wes was stuck pondering what the words “crap, that’s Tom” could possibly mean, Lucy walked breathlessly away from the car in utter and total shock. As she passed through the sequins and polyester, all she could think of were Wes’s lips on hers. Almost unconsciously, she ran her fingers over her lips and was not surprised how plump her mouth was. She put her hands up to her face to try and cool down her flushed cheeks, but nothing could control the fact that her heart was currently slamming inside her chest. She allowed herself a few minutes more of basking in the glow of Wes’s affection, before deciding to let the reality of the situation hit her.
What am I going to tell Molly?
Well, was that a one time thing or do you want it to happen again?
What do you think?
Then you’d better discuss things with Wes before you both go to Molly.
Somewhat breathless himself, Wes watched Lucy walk away in her cute swing dress and for the briefest moment considered driving back home.
As if I could stay away…
Good call. Spending the night with three high school girls? They’ll make you a legend back at school.
It’s not going to be like that…I just want to spend time with Lucy.
Wes parked the car and looked for a good spot to watch the competition. He had never imagined anything like this in his entire life. He had no idea that marching bands could compete against one another or that this many bands even existed. Already, he could feel himself getting wrapped up in the excitement of the day.
Bronwyn was worriedly looking through the crowd for Lucy. Her big blue grey eyes scanned the nearby bands, but she couldn’t find her favorite Battery member anywhere.
“What seems to be the problem, Bronwyn?”
Bronwyn turned around and saw Drew looking at her. Her cheeks instantly flushed. She responded, “I’m looking for Lucy. She still hasn’t shown up.”
Drew sighed deeply, “I heard about what happened.”
Bronwyn gritted her teeth, “She’ll make it. I know she will.”
In a natural move, Drew reached over and briefly touched Bronwyn’s shoulder for reassurance. Unfortunately, there was no time to consider what his gesture meant as both the Drum major and the freshman Pit member sighted Lucy at the same time. Bronwyn looked closely at her friend’s face and was surprised. The redhead had expected Lucy to be frustrated or royally pissed off, but she looked anything but that.
There was no denying the smug and satisfied look on the bass Lieutenant’s face and Bronwyn was instantly wondering who had put it there. As Lucy walked over to where the percussionists were gathering, Drew wandered away, idly wondering if he would ever be able to inspire such a look from a girl.
Attempting to block out all images of Wes (or what had taken place in his car), Lucy hurriedly tried to snap herself back to reality and scrambled to where the Forrest Hills drumline was already unloading the contents to the equipment truck. As she walked up, everyone started clapping. Lucy dropped a quick and saucy curtsy in her bedazzled skirt, then quickly squared her shoulders and marched over to where the band parents were talking to Mr. Izzo. She tapped Mrs. Wyatt on the shoulder, handing the chaperone a piece of paper, “Here’s your,” she paused to hold back an inappropriate word, “form. My parent’s cell phone number is on it. The Line needs me.”
With that she turned on her heel and strolled back over to her section.
Tom commented, “So glad you decided to join us, Ms. Karate.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, but didn’t mind when Tom swept her up in a big hug. He whispered in her ear, “You had me worried.”
She looked up and said, “You didn’t trust I’d find my favorite quint player?”
“Hey, I did. I’m just saying that you cut it close.”
Mark piped up, “Sorry to interrupt this lit
tle love fest or whatever, but I don’t think you have to worry about Mrs. Wyatt messing with the Line again.”
“What did you guys do?” Lucy asked while attaching her carrier to her bass drum.
“Why don’t you ask my girlfriend?” Mark motioned to Lucy’s best friends.
Lucy turned around and saw Gina and Mandy with identical smiles on their faces, “What did you girls do?”
“Well, it’s not really us so much, I mean it was an effort put forth by your entire section. We just added the words.”
Mark went out on to proudly sing the Line’s newest cadence, created on the bus ride over, entitled, “Mrs. Wyatt is a Bitch.”
The verbal cues in the song, provided by Gina and Mandy were less than flattering to the band parent and by the end Lucy’s sides hurt from laughing so much. She wiped a tear from her eye and told her friends, “Thank you.”
After a group hug, Gina asked, “What took you so long to get here?”
Lucy’s cheeks immediately went red, “What do you mean?”
Mandy started scrutinizing her friend, “What do you mean ‘what do you mean’? Did something happen this afternoon?”
Lucy’s fingers went to her lips and she pulled her friends away from the percussionists listening ears, “We need to talk.”
“Spill it, Lucy.”
“I just made out with Wes!!”
Gina looked at her, “What? When?”
“After I went to the house to get directions, my car wouldn’t start, so he gave me a ride up to the competition.”
Mandy sighed with a dreamy smile on her face, “A regular knight in shining armor.”
Gina commented, “Some knight.”
The girls walked into a nearby restroom and Lucy looked in the mirror. She was positively glowing. Her lips were puffy, her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were bright.
I wonder if Wes looks the same way…
You’ll see him later tonight and you can check in then. Maybe your girls want to know that Mr. Mallinson is going to visit.
Lucy bit her lip and announced, “So, girls, there comes a time in everyone’s life…”
While Lucy was examining herself in the mirror, Wes was continuing his stroll around the campus. Lost in his thoughts, he was surprised when he literally ran into Molly.
“Um, hi there.” Wes raked a nervous hand through his hair.
“Wes? Hey, what are you doing here?” Molly twirled her own hair nervously.
“Well, Lucy’s car broke down and she needed a ride up…”
“Oh, so are you going to stay and watch the show?” Molly asked awkwardly.
“Um, I was thinking about it.”
Then I’m going to sneak into Lucy’s room and spend the night with her, what do you think about that?
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Wes couldn’t tell if Molly’s tone was expectant or hopeful or something else entirely. As they had really only been on one date, that didn’t necessarily constitute a relationship, but the situation was borderline stressful. In the high school universe, one date usually meant the intention of something more. So, making out with a girl’s friend in your car after even one date with said girl’s friend could potentially lead to a major conflict. Wes tried to end the conversation before he said something that really got him in trouble, “So, I guess I’ll see you on Monday.”
Molly smiled, “Well, if you get a chance to watch, come say hi after we’re done.”
“I will.”
“So, what do you think?”
Mandy and Gina looked at each other, and the same devilish smiles that had been on their faces earlier, appeared again.
Mandy commented, “You realize if we get away with this, we will be Flyers legends?”
Lucy responded, “The way I figure is that with the competitions already over, the only person who has something to lose is me, but I really don’t think we’ll be caught.”
Gina nodded and said, “Then, welcome Mr. Mallinson! Let Operation Union Jack commence!”
Caught up with the exciting plans for the evening, Lucy forgot to ask her friends advice regarding Molly.
A few minutes later, Henry gathered all his drummers and addressed them, “Well, gang, it’s been a great four seasons with you seniors and I hope that we end tonight on a high note. I know some of the other Instructors here and I don’t want to get your hopes up, but think we have a real chance at surprising a few people. If our licks are clean and our drill is tight, then Billy might be walking out to accept the High Percussion trophy before the evening is out.”
He paused, and Lucy looked around, wondering how it seemed that just yesterday she had been nervously awaiting her first competition as a member of the front line. Henry continued, “I guess I’m also feeling a little nostalgic tonight because you are the first class that I’ve seen come up from freshman and make it all the way to seniors. I’m very proud of every single one of you and I know we’re going to go out there today and show them how the Forrest Hills drumline gets things done!”
A cheer went up and the Line marched down to the field. So excited by earlier events with Wes and Henry’s rousing speech, it didn’t occur to Lucy that this was her very last competition with the entire band. She was too wrapped up in joking, laughing, and simply being a part of her section. Although Forrest Hills was used to marching out last or at the very least, second to last, at this competition they were slotted in the fifth to last position. It didn’t have to be mentioned that the band had to make an impact that would last for four more performances or that every judge had seen a Big Band show before.
The announcer came on over the loudspeaker, “Please help me welcome the Forrest Hills High School Marching Flyers! The band is under the direction of…”
With that, Fred and Drew gave the command to march out onto the field. Once in place, and at perfect attention, Lucy felt familiar chills running down her arms. Her green eyes scanned and locked on certain images that would stay with her long after the season was over.
Fred, looking confident and ready in his Drum major uniform.
Mandy, tall and proud – her flag locked and ready, fluttering gracefully in the breeze.
Gina, in her sparkling feature twirler uniform, a vague look of concentration in her eyes.
Tom, with a cocky grin and non-marching uniform sticking out from the rest of his section.
Her bass line, standing at perfect attention with matching intense expressions on their faces.
Wes looked down from the stands at the gathered Forrest Hills marching band. He was going to watch the show from the perfect vantage point – in the middle of the crowded bleachers towards the top. With the tap from a snare drum, the Flyers marched out. Wes found he was holding his breath in anticipation. He couldn’t really tell the difference between the bands, but he was learning what he should start to look for.
The announcer finished his announcements for the band and said stoically, “Drum majors, is your band ready to take the field for competition?”
Fred and Drew slowly clapped and brought the band to attention, “Band, ten hut!”
“HUT!!!!”
Every person in the band responded in unison and the single word echoed through the stadium. Drew and Fred completed their salute and Fred walked over to the podium. There was silence on the field. Fred lifted his hands and a collective breath was drawn by the wind players. When Fred’s hands came down signaling the first down beat – one – the show took off. The melodies poured out of the band members’ instruments. Drill was precisely followed.
Lucy was so focused on the performance that suddenly it was time for her and Tom’s solo choreography. She quickly took off her bass drum and let the music and Tom’s lead take her away. Not expecting anything like what was happening on the field, the audience members went crazy. When Lucy’s feet left the ground for their first aerial stunt, the crowd went even wilder and by the time Tom lowered her in a dip at the end of the song, everyone in the stands was on their
feet. With matching smiles, Lucy quickly curtsied and Tom bowed for the judges, then they were both off and running and throwing on their drums and quickly, but in step, marching to get back to their sections.
By the end of the performance, Wes realized his feet had been tapping along with the sounds of the big band music. As the Forrest Hills marching band made their way off the field and into the stands, he fought his way down to congratulate…
Who? Molly or Lucy?
Both?
The group was quickly seated and quiet, as the next band was about to perform. Lucy was whispering to the basses about the show when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a familiar face smiling at her.
“Enjoy the show?” she asked.
* * *
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Room 312
Wes locked his eyes on Lucy’s and replied, “I liked it fine.”
It was a very intense answer for such a simple question. Neither Wes nor Lucy really needed words for the emotions they were trying to convey.
Mark, sitting next to Lucy and very aware of her moods, smirked and found himself biting back an inappropriate comment, happy to see his section leader had finally found someone she could be this weirdly romantic with – even if it was a football player.
Lucy patted a small piece of concrete next to her and Wes wordlessly fit in between the basses. There were many things Lucy wanted to talk about with Wes, but none of them were appropriate conversation for in front of her section. On the field, the competing band was called to attention and everyone in the Forrest Hills band went quiet. Lucy was glad for a moment to catch her thoughts.
Thank goodness Molly’s not here…
Like any good Front Line section leader, Molly was overseeing the safe transport of the instruments back to the equipment truck. Throughout the performance, Lucy’s entire being was focused on Wes sitting next to her. She had always been a little tense around him, but since their intense kiss, she felt like she might burst if he actually touched her. At the end of the show, the band clapped enthusiastically.
A Fine Line Page 11