Keeping in Line

by Courtney Brandt

  bassgirl17: Eww… Want to elaborate?

  redheadedsnare: Not really – its just typical girl stuff. Also, the show is a complete disaster. All the sections hate each other, and Drew hasn’t talked to me in weeks.

  bassgirl17: Dude…

  redheadedsnare: Don’t get me started.

  bassgirl17: Why not? There’s got to be a solution to at least one of these problems.

  redheadedsnare: …

  bassgirl17: No, seriously, I’m not getting offline until we’ve got something.

  redheadedsnare: I can’t scheme any more! Not after what happened last time…

  bassgirl17: This time will be different. Now, which do you think is the most realistic to fix?

  Bronwyn thought a moment, trying to decide how the season could still be salvaged. Whatever J.D. and the senior snares had discussed at their botched trip to Waffle House had not materialized into anything specific. Furthermore, still smarting from the bet J.D. had made against her, the sophomore was unsure if she really wanted to do anything to help the remainder of the marching season. However, deep down, she knew some of the blame was hers. But, how to fix things? She typed frantically, hoping Lucy could help.

  redheadedsnare: If I could just get Geoff and J.D. to get along, I think we might have a chance. If those two could get over themselves, maybe the band would start working together and then we won’t have a colossal fail on our hands at the competitions.

  bassgirl17: OK, how can you arrange for that?

  redheadedsnare: I can’t. They won’t talk to each other. Because of Pete, basically they won’t do anything together.

  bassgirl17: What if they didn’t know they were doing something together?

  redheadedsnare: How do you mean?

  bassgirl17: Come up with some activity that has them agree or work together. Just make sure they don’t know.

  redheadedsnare: Yeah, but seriously, what can one person actually do?

  bassgirl17: Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t one person basically responsible for all of this?

  redheadedsnare: Maybe.

  bassgirl17: Well, maybe you can be the one to fix it.

  redheadedsnare: Why me?

  bassgirl17: Why not you? Look, you don’t want to look back and regret not doing anything. I think more often, people regret why they did not do vs. what they did do.

  redheadedsnare: Call me pessimistic, but do you have an example?

  bassgirl17: Sure. Even though things with Drew didn’t end the way you wanted them to, you would’ve never gone on the date with him if you hadn’t tried. Do you really regret asking for his help?

  redheadedsnare: Fine, point made. I’ll think about it.

  Lucy’s comments forced Bronwyn to think about the season. On Sunday evening, the sophomore was getting ready for bed and listening to the radio, when she had a sudden burst of inspiration. She immediately called Pete and walked him through her idea. It didn’t take much to convince him to help. As part of the cause of the rift between the sections, Pete was eager to help where he could.

  The following morning, Bronwyn woke up feeling optimistic about the upcoming week. She was no closer to fixing things between herself and Drew, but damned if she hadn’t come up with the perfect solution to the division between the Brass and the Line. Bronwyn caught up with the senior, “Hey J.D.?”

  “What’s up, She-Captain?” He was using his new nickname for her, which Bronwyn supposed was a compliment.

  “I’ve got something for Friday.”

  “Really?”

  “Yup, something different. I worked it out over the weekend.” She dug into her backpack and pulled out the music she had hastily written for each section.

  J.D. looked intrigued as he reviewed the arrangement, “What do you call it?”

  Bronwyn shrugged and replied hesitantly, “Hollaback?”

  “I like it.”

  “Can we play it on Friday?”

  “What’s the rush?”

  “No reason, I just thought we could do something new. I think everyone can learn it at sectionals.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  The next afternoon was the Tuesday before the first competition of the season and the Brass and Line were no closer to solving their differences. Bronwyn knew she had to make her move soon. She and Pete had hastily arranged the music as best they could – Pete had found the Brass parts and Bronwyn had arranged the corresponding percussion section. Now came the tough part. At the last minute, Bronwyn decided she would be the one to talk to Geoff. He was a pivotal part of their plan and without his involvement, they wouldn’t have a chance.

  Pete asked, “So, what are you going to say?”

  “Think like a guy, Pete. Geoff won’t go along with this unless he thinks J.D. thinks he won’t.”

  “Huh?”

  Bronwyn smiled and said, “I go up to Geoff and tell him J.D. has been thinking of doing this new thing for Friday’s lunch, but doesn’t think the Brass are up to it. Now do you understand?”

  Pete nodded slowly and said, “Yes?”

  “Plus, I don’t remember you and Geoff being the best of friends right now.”

  “True.”

  “So, the best thing you can do for me right now is convince J.D. to play Hollaback on Friday.” Bronwyn nudged Pete in the direction of J.D. as she went in search of Geoff on the way down to the practice field. Finding the handsome brass Captain was easy enough. He was in the middle of drilling some of the trombones through a complicated section of the show. Approaching him was something different entirely. Without thinking through her options, she popped her drumstick on her snare head and watched as it went flying right to Geoff’s feet. He raised an eyebrow, but picked it up and walked over to her, calling back behind him, “Take five, guys.”

  He asked, “This yours?”

  Bronwyn smiled flirtatiously, “Oops, sorry about that.”

  Geoff turned to leave and awkwardly Bronwyn asked, “Umm…I have a question for you.”

  “Yeah?”

  It was now or never. “Well, I heard J.D. talking about this thing he wants to do for the Friday lunch period.”

  Geoff’s attention was piqued, “Yeah? What would that have to do with me?”

  “I heard he put together this new cadence, but it really needs a brass part.”

  The senior considered her comment for a beat and then said, “Forget it. You know where you can tell your Captain to put it.”

  “Yeah, that’s what he said you’d say,” Bronwyn turned and started walking away, “Too bad though.”

  3…2…1…

  “What is it?”

  Bronwyn turned back to Geoff and asked, “You’ve heard of the song Hollaback Girl, right?”

  Geoff nodded, “Yeah, it’s got a decent horn line.”

  “That’s the one! Anyway,” she dug the music out of her pocket, “Pete arranged the brass part, so at least you know he knows what he’s doing.”

  Geoff took the music and said, “We’ll see.”

  “Just one more thing. Let’s pretend we didn’t have this conversation. If you decide to do it, just show J.D. and the rest of the Line in the Commons during Friday’s lunch.”

  “Sounds like my kind of plan.”

  From across the field, Drew wondered exactly what that conversation had been about. The brass Captain and redheaded snare had been spending quite enough time together recently.

  Why should you care? You’re dating Christina, remember?

  I don’t care.

  Then why are you still staring?

  I’m not.

  Then why have you noticed?

  I haven’t.

  After conferring with Pete, Bronwyn kept her fingers crossed that things would come together on Friday. It was risking a lot, but something had to persuade these guys to get along again. Thursday’s practice showed promise, but by no means proved that the Forrest Hills Flyers marching band was going to win any particular captions at competition. In nee
d of something remotely optimistic, Bronwyn was happily surprised when Ben mentioned to her during practice, “We’re going to be taking Meredith home tonight…”

  Bronwyn, not one to stand in the way of anyone’s romance, said quickly, “I just remembered, I have to stay late and help Tony.”

  Ben looked like he didn’t quite believe her and said, “Sure…”

  Bronwyn nodded enthusiastically, “It’s true! You think I want to help Tony?”

  Ben smiled, “Okay, fine.”

  If Bronwyn’s plan was destined not to be a success on Friday, she was determined to go down looking good. She borrowed extensively from Megan and Meredith’s closets and decided on a flirty black skirt, white button up long sleeve shirt, and skinny tie. Fifth period came entirely too soon, and Bronwyn held her breath as the Line prepared to march into the Commons.

  J.D. looked at everyone and said, “So, we’re going to give Bronwyn’s Hollaback a try. Let’s march in with Spyder, then I’ll cue Hollaback.”

  Bronwyn released a large sigh of relief and met Pete’s happy look. Part One of the plan complete! As they marched into the Commons, Bronwyn could see some Brass members gathered where the Line usually parked and drummed. She looked over and grinned when she saw Geoff and some of the upperclassmen of the brass had their instruments in hand.

  The second J.D. prepped to count off for the new song, Geoff and the rest of the brass players stood up and began playing their parts of the music. The Line was too shocked to do anything but keep playing, and were even able to enhance their part when the cymbals quickly joined the snares. Geoff had gone further with the arrangement and was playing the vocal line as a solo. The students in the Commons area went crazy! Then, out of nowhere, the Varsity cheerleaders in the lunch period got up and started doing a routine along to the music. Bronwyn had no idea how the events had come together, but was excited beyond belief.

  Too soon, the song was over and the Line was marching back to the band room, with Geoff and the brass players following.

  Bronwyn held her breath as they all collected together.

  J.D. looked over at Geoff, tucked his sticks under his arm, and extended his hand, “Truce?”

  Geoff extended his own hand and the guys shook, “Truce.”

  The second they stopped shaking, everyone in the band room went ballistic. Bronwyn sat back and watched the two sections congratulate each other. For a part time schemer, she wasn’t too bad. Pete, surrounded by his former section, flashed her a quick smile. When Bronwyn made her way into the percussion room, Geoff and J.D. approached her.

  J.D. asked, “Bronwyn?”

  She answered tentatively, “Yes?”

  Geoff questioned, “Was this your idea?”

  She contemplated telling them it was Pete, but decided it was her turn to tell the truth, “Yup. All the way.”

  J.D. looked content, then asked, “But how did you get the cheerleaders to go for it?”

  Without a clue how to answer that question, Bronwyn just shrugged and answered, “A girl’s got to have her secrets.”

  J.D. smiled, “Well, we’ve decided we are going to do this next lunch and for the last lunch we want you to sing the actual vocals.”

  Bronwyn shook her head violently, “No way! I’m a drummer, not a singer.”

  J.D. laughed and said, “I thought you might say that, how about you and Geoff solo in front of all of us?”

  Bronwyn thought a moment, she’d earned a moment in the spotlight. She finally smiled and said, “Okay…”

  By the last lunch, there was a buzz in the lunchroom as the Line marched in. Apparently, word had gotten around that things were extra loud today. Bronwyn was slightly nervous at being at the front, but when she realized a) no one could hear her and b) were probably concentrating on the cheerleaders anyway, she started singing the lyrics. After a while she got caught up in the song and she and Geoff started improvising a crazy dance. Well, as much as two people could dance wearing drums and playing brass instruments could. For once, Bronwyn sighed with relief, her plans were more successful than even she could have imagined.

  * * *

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: With A Little Help From My Friends

  Bronwyn walked out of her house to catch her ride to the school that night with Ben. Unsurprisingly, the tenor player was still curious about what happened earlier in the day, “That was so bad ass. How did you pull it off?”

  By third lunch, Bronwyn had chalked it up to serendipity. She answered, “Just lucky, I guess.”

  “I heard Henry’s due back tonight.”

  “I’m sure he’ll have a lot to say,” she replied diplomatically. Bronwyn secretly questioned just how “cool” their instructor was going to be with J.D.’s decisions over the past couple of weeks. To return and find one member of the snare line had been replaced by a bass player, and that a brass musician was currently on the bass line would be strange information.

  What’s done is done…at this point it’s not like Henry can switch everything back.

  Rather than gossip about her section mate, Bronwyn had something much more important to ask, “So, how are things going with Meredith?”

  Ben looked pointedly at her.

  “What? You get to ask me personal stuff! Why can’t I ask you?”

  “Hasn’t she told you? I thought you two were supposed to be good friends.”

  “Well…I was kind of busy planning the whole Hollaback thing, so I didn’t get to talk to her as much as I usually do.”

  “I guess it’s going well.”

  “You guess?”

  “I mean, you can’t tell a lot from one car ride, B.”

  “Okay. Are you going to see her again?”

  “For your information, Miss Nosy, we’re going out on Sunday. Happy?”

  Bronwyn smiled, “Yes. Now see, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  As a response, Ben grumbled something under his breath.

  Like usual, Ben and Bronwyn arrived at the school much earlier than necessary and had plenty of time to goof around before warm ups. Bronwyn was treating herself to a pre-game Gatorade when she noticed Tony trying to get someone’s attention. She watched Dana giggle and follow Tony down a deserted hall.

  And here I thought he was actually capable of change…

  Meredith walked up to her friend and followed Bronwyn’s line of sight, “Do you think he knows she’s probably only after him because in her warped mind she thinks she can improve her chances to get on the Line?”

  Megan put her arm around Bronwyn and replied, “Well, that’s too bad, because she already pissed off its future Captain.”

  Bronwyn smiled at both girls, before linking arms with them and walking off to the band room, “What’s this I hear about you and Ben going out on Sunday?”

  Upon arriving in the percussion room, J.D. announced a mandatory meeting out in front of the school for all drumline members. The Line was silent as they gathered. Bronwyn hadn’t seen Henry in a while and wondered what he was going to say. J.D. was still alive, so that was a good start.

  Henry wasn’t usually much of a talker, but tonight it seemed he had a lot to say. He cleared his throat and began, “Hey guys. So, a few things to go over with you. When we started this season, I mentioned how much of the leadership graduated with last year’s class and how you would all have to step up your game. Now, I didn’t plan on being gone as long as I had to be. As this is my sixth season as instructor of this Line, I’ve seen a lot of talent come and go. I’ve also learned that as difficult a part I can write, or as much as we can practice, when it comes down to it, you are the ones playing the notes and the decisions you make, well, all of it adds up to be your Line. While I respect J.D. as Captain, would I have pulled the first bass to move up to snare? Probably not. But these are decisions we cannot reverse and must go forward with. So, as we go into competition tomorrow, just remember that in life we don’t always make the right decisions, but those of us who are smart enough, learn from our mistakes.”


  Bronwyn smiled to herself and wished she could be as diplomatic as Henry when it came to thoughts of J.D. or Dana. It also made her think about Drew – and not for the first time in the semester she wished she could go back in time and make the right choice – not to get involved in the first place. Bronwyn looked around and noticed the usually rambunctious Line was quiet, contemplating what Henry had just said.

  Henry smiled and continued, “Now that that’s out of the way, I’d like you all to know that while I was gone, I finished writing the Indoor show.”

  Everyone looked up eagerly.

  “Even though this has been in my head for a while, I’ve been holding off, but I think maybe you guys are the Line to do it. We’re doing selections from Holst’s Planets Suite. Be ready, because it’s going to take a lot of effort and practice to get it right.”

  The home game that evening marked a massive improvement in the band’s relations and its overall performance quality. Everyone was still buzzing about the Brass/Line ‘duet’ in the Commons that lunchtime and the sections were encouraged by the crowd to play an encore. Bronwyn reprised her role with Geoff and the cheerleaders came over to the band section to join in.

  To say the half-time show was the best run ever was an understatement. Even the crowd responded to the newly improved performance.

  From the stands, Mr. Izzo stared in bewilderment at his band. At Thursday’s rehearsal they hadn’t performed nearly this well. He shook his head. That was the crazy and sometimes magical thing about working with high school students – they could surprise you when you least expected it.

  As Drew slowly brought his hands down, he knew the show had been a success. From behind him, he heard the roar of the collected marching bands gathered for the Buccaneers Marching Classic.