A/n: Hey this is my first Marching band fic. It's currently a four part series, but things may change as I write more.This sotry is based off ficitonal character, btu some experiences and traditions have been inspired by the NBT Marching Band All schools and band names are fictional.

Out of Step
By: Sweetest Melody

Full Summary: Kerry just finished her freshamn year in high school, as a member of the Marching Dragons, the Northeaster Region Group VI Open Champions. But when Kerry moves, she is forced to leave the Dragons behind for a band that couldn't be more different. Can Kerry cope with being a Marching Marauder and still be true to herself?

Chapter 1: Good-bye Dragons

Kerry McConnoly slipped off her freshly dry-cleaned marching band uniform, and felt her eyes tearing up.

"Oh don't!" her best friend JB mused. JB Rattalmore was the most stoic girl at Raritan High, and hated when emotional Kerry welled up.

"This is the last time I'm ever going to wear this uniform JB. It's sad."

"Of course it is, but you don't need to cry here. Enjoy the band party and I promise you, me, Jams, and Franklin, will have our own pity party later… just not here."

"I know," Kerry sighed, but did not shed another tear. She took her off her dinkles and her white nylon gloves, and shoved them both in her marching band bag.

"Hey babe," James Bradshaw, or Jams as he was known amongst his friends, said as he put his arm around Kerry.

"Oh stop it," Kerry shrugged him off and went back to folding up her uniform.

"K's in need of a cheering up. My house tonight? Sound good boys?" JB asked.

"Whatever you say, Jill," Franklin Louin replied. He was always messing with JB, whose real name Jillian. He was in love with her, and the only person not to notice was JB.

"Oh stop it," Jams shoved Franklin lightly. Jams was gay, but only Kerry, JB, and Franklin knew so. While Franklin was undoubtedly straight, he didn't care that his best guy friend was gay.

"Hurry it up, will you K? I'm hungry!" Franklin asserted.

"Oh come on Franklin, you know that as well as I do, that Frosh always get served last," Kerry defended and continued folding her uniform. She picked up the jacket, and saw the green sash glitter in the sun that shined through the window. There was a large white "R" near the left shoulder, and "Raritan Dragons" was embroidered on the right sleeve.

"Oh come on K, you know you'll always be a Dragon," Jams attempted.

"Yeah maybe in my heart, but if I do marching band next year, I'll be whatever that school is." Kerry quickly zipped up her garment bag and made her way to the Garment closet. One of the Band Parents was in there with a clip-board.

"Name?" She asked. "And the grade you just finished?"

"James Bradshaw," Jams replied. "Ninth." Another band parent took the uniform and placed it on a rack. The clip-board mother checked off a name and looked at JB.

"Jillian Rattalmore, ninth." JB repeated. She handed her Garment back to the uniform mother and stood back by Jams.

"Franklin Louin. Tenth grade," Franklin said and followed in suit with Jams and JB. Franklin's garment bag was put on another rack, different from JB and Jams.

Finally the clip-board mother looked at Kerry. "Kerry McConnoly," she answered. "Ninth." The uniform mother took the garment bag and made to hang it on freshmen rack. "But I'm not going to be here next year."

"Oh, dear, was marching band too rough on you?" the clip-board mother asked as she made a note.

"I'm moving."

"Ah, I see. Where to?"

Kerry made a face. "To New Jersey," she muttered

"To where?"

"New Jersey," Kerry said clearly.

"New Jersey? Oh, what town?"

"North Riverview."

"Oh really? I grew up in South Riverview. It's quite lovely down there. I'm sure you'll love it out there."

"Me too," Kerry grimaced as she made her way to JB, Franklin and Jams.

"Come on, K, let's go get some food," Franklin suggested. Kerry nodded, on the verge of tears once again.

The four friends got in line for food and chatted casually about the previous marching band season. Once they had gotten their food, they made their way to the "freshmen" section of the room. Although Franklin was a sophomore, he had grown up in the same neighborhood as Jams and JB. The three were best friends since before they could all walk. Kerry was added to the trio when she met JB in kindergarten, and they had been a quartet ever since.

"Hey K!" Simon Arlow exclaimed as he made his way over to them. Simon had been her Lieutenant during the marching band season, but Kerry had known him since she was little. He was close friends with her only brother, Andrew, and the McConnoly and Arlows lived down the street from one another. Simon and Andrew had both been seniors and had graduated last week. "I just wanted to tell you that you did a great job this season. RHS Marching Dragons are going to be losing an amazing trumpeter."

"Thanks Simon."

"But on the plus side, you're living only fifteen minutes from RU, so you'll get to see me and Drew all the time."

"Oh yeah, like that's going to make her feel better," Franklin muttered.

"What was that Louin?" Simon snapped. Franklin played trumpet, but had never gotten on well with their section leader.

"Nothing, Arlow, nothing at all."

"Simon, Franklin, stop!" JB demanded. "None of this is going to make K feel better."

"Attention all!" bellowed Andrew McConnoly, the first in charge drum major. "Lunch has ended and the awards ceremony is about to commence. Please file into the auditorium. You have five minutes." Drew caught Kerry's eye and gave her a brotherly smile before heading into the auditorium.

"I better go, K. My last job as section leader, you know. I'll see you later." Simon gave her a quick hug and ran off after Andrew.

"I should go find my section," Jams stated and headed off to find the alto saxophones.

"I'll catch you guys later," JB said, easing her way over to the other trombone players.

"Hey JB?" Kerry called after her.

"Yes, K?" JB called back.

"Thanks." With a smile, Kerry turned to Franklin, and the two friends went to find their section.

"Hey Kerry," Junior Ascia Jamison said as Kerry slid into the seat beside her. Ascia was bound to be lieutenant of the trumpets next year.

"Hey Ascia," Kerry responded as Franklin fell into the seat beside her.

"So when do you leave?" Ascia asked.

"On Friday."

"Attention all students," the band director Mr. Morten roared in his stern voice. "I would like to congratulate you on such an excellent season. Raritan High School Marching Dragons are now the defending Northeastern Region Champions, so the pressure is on more than ever…"

"We should go out to eat Raliegh's before you leave. You know a girls day out, with you, me, JB, Lillian, Val, Ash, Cassie, and anyone else you want to invite." Ascia whispered.

"Does Jams count?" Kerry murmured back. Ascia stifled her laughter. "I can't wait." Kerry smiled.

"I would like to first acknowledge the seniors who have led this band and experience many of its ups and downs. Jason Aelon, Simon Arlow…" Kerry zoned out and thought of her house in North Riverview. It was a fair bit smaller than her home in Raritan, but it was cute and quant. Kerry was unsure of how she would cope with moving away from all of her friends, JB in particular. She was her best friend, and Kerry was scared to not have her beside her. But JB had already promised to have her brother Derek drive her, Jams, and Franklin down for a few days before the lot left for band camp.

"And now for the moment you've all been waiting for. Our future lieutenants and drum majors," Mr. Morten exclaimed. Kerry snapped back into attention. "Our lieutenants are…"

"Its all you, Ascia," Kerry whispered.

"Shhh," Ascia hushed, her nerves becoming apparent.

"Our former Trumpet Lieutenant, Mr. Simon Arlow," Mr. Morten said after a while, and Simon walked up on stage. He handed over the lieutenant emblem that decorated their uniform jackets. "Miss Ascia Jamison."

"Told you so," Kerry murmured as Ascia stood up. She smiled down at Kerry and went up on stage.

"Thank you Mr. Morten," Ascia said in her most composed voice, but Kerry knew she was screaming inside. Ascia took her emblem and returned to her seat beside Kerry.

"Congratulations," she muttered.

"Thank you," Ascia squeaked as quite as possible. Several of the saxophones in front of her turned around and gave her a disapproving look, but Ascia just smiled and shrugged them off.

"And finally, I have one final award, or well it's not so much of an award as an acknowledgement. Miss Kerry McConnoly, would you please come up here." Kerry slipped past Ascia and several other trumpets and made her way up on the stage.

"Miss McConnoly was a freshman this past year and I believe she was a future drum major. But the McConnoly's are moving this summer and will not return for our upcoming season. Where are you moving to again? New Hampshire?"

"New Jersey, sir."

"Ah New Jersey. They are gaining one terrific trumpet player. And since you will not be here your senior year, I have a present for you." Mr. Morten handed Kerry a box, but the young freshman had already guessed what it was. Inside the small box was a small emblem, like the ones worn on their marching band jackets, which went on their varsity jacket-like jackets. Everyone in the band received one, and could choose to add extra things on it. Kerry had her name embroidered, her graduation year, and Northeastern Champions '04 – '05. And now she had an emblem.

"Thank you, Mr. Morten," Kerry said enthusiastically.

"Good luck, Miss McConnoly with whatever your future holds." He held out his hand and Kerry shook it. With a smile on her face, Kerry returned to her seat and listened to Mr. Morten ramble on about their new show that Kerry unfortunately would not be a part of.

In what felt like an eternity later, Kerry and Andrew made their way to Andrew's car. "Say good-bye to Raritan, K," He brother said as they drove away "'Cause it's off to New Jersey we go."

Please review. Thanks, Sweetest Melody