California Tenor Goddess by Angela Domingo
Disclaimer: None of these characters are real, but some have the personalities of some of my friends. If, in any manner, these characters resemble any real person, it is purely coincidental. Name of places have been changed for protection.
Chapter One
"Who's that coming this way?" Dave Blake, the senior drumline director of Holland Southeastern High School, asked the other four junior directors as he spied a girl dressed in baggy black jeans and a tight white tank top with a black dragon screen on the side slowly walking towards them. Dave noticed that a white ski-cap completely hid her hair and a pair of black sunglasses covered her eyes, and at times he was uncertain whether she was looking at him or not. One by one the other directors each met his gaze and shrugged from their place beside him on the bleachers. Dave sighed and was even more curious about this girl when he turned back and saw Neesha David, the senior second bass player, walking besides her, the exact opposite of the girl with her ebony skin, blue jeans, and a black tank. The girls gazed around at the wide expanse of the main gym and the drumline members that were slowly setting their equipment up on a rubber sheet spread across the gym floor, which was their marching field, before they reached the bleachers. When they reached the steps of the bleachers Neesha said something to the girl, gave her a hug, and turned to go towards the field where her bass sat on the floor. But as the girl turned to climb the steps Neesha turned towards Dave and flashed him a thumbs up sign and a smile, which Dave returned. He stood up as the girl was nearly to where he was sitting and held out a hand.
"Hey. I'm Dave Blake, the senior drumline director. And what might a new face like yours be doing at a drumline practice?" he asked he with a grin as she took his hand and shook it.
"My name is Angela Domingo, and I'd like to tryout for your drumline," she said and returned his smile, revealing straight white teeth. Even up close Dave noticed he couldn't see the color of her hair, or the color of the eyes that gazed at him from under her glasses.
"Well you've come to the right place. And at the right time," he said with a glance at his watch.
"We still have fifteen minutes left before practice begins. And maybe, if it is needed, we can hold over." He watched as a wide grin spread over Angela's face.
"You mean I can tryout now?" she asked, and Dave nodded in response.
"But before I do respond definitely yes, I would like to get counsel from the other four junior directors. Guys, come up here," Dave said and gestured to the other four men sitting beside him. They all stood up and stood on either side of him. Dave nodded at them to introduce themselves and to say their decision in the matter of letting her tryout. Two one the far ends of Dave stepped forward.
"I'm Gabe Hughes," the one on the left said.
"And I'm Chase Thorne. And both of us agree to you trying out," the other on the right echoed. They both in turn shook Angela's hand, and the other two stepped forward.
"Kurt. Kurt Avery," the guy to the right of Gabe said and shook Angela's hand as the last director stepped forward.
"And last but not least, I'm Leo Garrett, and we all agree to let you tryout," he said and gripped Angela's hand in a friendly handshake. The smile that broke out across her face out- measured the previous one.
"But first, Angela, I have a couple questions. The first being have you had any past marching experience?" Dave said as he turned back to her, watching her nod.
"You bet. At my old school, St. Alejandro of Anaheim, I was in the fall command and in winter drumline. I've played in each for five years; I started my sub-freshman year. Sub-freshman year I was in pit, then the rest of the four years, I was the first tenor. I beat out two seniors and a sophomore for the first part my freshman year, and stayed first ever since. After two years, at the end of my freshman winter drumline season, I earned the nickname the Tenor Goddess of the Water. And I finished my last fall season in the St. Alejandro Command in October before I moved here to good old Fishers Indiana," she said with a smile when she saw the raised eyebrows of shock and awe hidden in the directors' eyes.
"Hmmm. Very interesting indeed. I think you'll have to prove your Goddess title to us though. Hope you don't mind that it's in front of the whole drumline. And one last thing about yourself," he said and watched her raise and eyebrow that said proceed. "Why the nickname?"
"Oh, that. Because of this," she said and pulled off her ski-cap. The shock was now open on the directors' faces as they watched straight sapphire blue hair tumble down her back and settle there, and gazed at the matching natural sapphire eyes that appeared from behind the sunglasses as Angela took them off.
"Oh, and don't forget these," Angela said as she turned around and pulled her hair out of the way as she did. Now the directors' mouths hung open as they gazed at the outline of two intricate angel wings tattooed on either of her shoulder blades.
"Wow, now those are nice," Leo, whose own arms were adorned with tattoos, said with a whistle. Angela grinned and dropped her hair as she turned back around, stuffing her glasses into her ski cap as she shook her head to get the hair out of her eyes.
"Thanks. I think they were worth the pain," she said with a smile as Leo winked at her. Recovering from his shock Dave looked at Angela now with awe.
"So," he said clearing his throat," I take it you had a fall show right?"
"You bet," Angela said and Dave smiled.
"Do you remember the first song?" he asked and Angela nodded as she noticed the twinkle of Dave's gray eyes as he asked. "Good. I want you to play it for your audition."
"Great. All I need is a set of quints. You just want me to play right, no marching?" she asked as she put her hair behind her ears as Dave nodded.
"Alright, then it's set. I'll get you a set of quints for you to use for your tryout, and I'll call the drumline over. Then you'll perform. Okay?" he asked and Angela nodded.
"HEY DRUMLINE! OVER HERE NOW! WE'VE GOT AN AUDITION TO HOLD!" Gabe screamed to the drumline members from his perch beside Kurt.
"AND ELIJAH FAUST! BRING US YOUR QUINTS WHEN YOU COME OVER HERE!" Chase shouted after Kurt, and they all watched as the drumline members stopped what they were doing and began to run over to the bleachers. Angela stood and watched the pandemonium and noticed a guy about her height, if not a bit taller, with blond hair and her color eyes walking over with a set of quints at his hips, and set them down at the edge of the rubber mat.. As he passed her to go up into the bleachers he flashed her a smile, one that shone with interest in her, and she smiled back with one of her own. But her head was drawn away from him as Dave spoke to her.
"Okay Angela. Go on down and Elijah, the senior tenor player, will give you his quints to use, but after we introduce you to our drumline, okay?" Dave asked. Angela nodded, and the two began to walk to wards the floor in front of the bleachers. By that time the members had crawled up into the bleachers and had sat down, and as Angela passed she could spot some familiar faces, but most just eyed her with interest as she passed. Angela spotted Neesha in the crowd, her dark ebony skin standing out among the others' tans, and Neesha winked one of her matching ebony eyes and smiled a good luck smile to Angela as she watched her descend the stairs. Angela smiled back gratefully.
'Obviously they don't get a lot of people who just show up and tryout,' she thought to herself as she reached the floor with Dave. She stood beside him when he stopped, and put her hands at her hips as he began to speak.
"Alright, ladies and gents. We have a new face who would like to try out for our drumline. She's going to introduce herself, then we're gonna test her skills to see if she has what it takes. And now, HSE, here is senior Miss Angela Domingo, all the way from sunny Orange County, California!" Dave announced with a smile, then backed up and sat on the bleachers, giving her the floor. She stepped up to the floor in the very front of all the members.
And she gave a huge one of her sparkling white smiles.
"Hey y'all, how are you doing?" she asked, her eyes glittering, and she crowd shouted a couple different answers. Someone even asked how the weather was in Orange County.
"It's great and sunny, baby. And I miss it. Thanks for asking," she replied with a smile, and the crowd laughed.
"But anyway. Yes, as you all know by now, I'm Angela Domingo, and I came from St. Alejandro High School in Orange County, California. More specifically, Anaheim. I have been in the St. Alejandro Drumline for around five years. Well, I'm not obviously in completion of my fifth year since I'm here now, but it's close enough. I started my sub-freshman year in pit, but the rest of my four years I have been first tenor. To have acquired that part, I beat two seniors and a sophomore for it. Since then I have been first tenor, and I held that spot up until I left. Yeah, and I'm here to tryout today because drumline is like, my life. I couldn't stand not joining for even one season. At St. Alejandro our summer show was Metal, with a guitar excerpt from one of Black Sabbath's songs. I hope I have just as much fun with your shows as I used to with mine. I was so into my music that by the end of my freshman year I earned the nickname Tenor Goddess of the Water, for obvious reasons on the water part. But I'm here today to prove the Goddess part to you. And I hope you like my summer show," she said with a grin as everyone clapped, and the ones that knew her shouted encouraging things like, "Angela, you're hot!" and "That's right girl you kick some ass!!!"
"Alright, Miss Domingo, you're up," Dave said with an encouraging smile to her, and she nodded as she walked over to Elijah's quints. She reached them and pulled the harness up over her head, the five drums settling at her hips. She leaned back slightly to compensate for the weight, and ran her hands along the drums, remembering the power she had when she possessed them at St. Alejandro. She pulled out the familiar hard mallets, gripping them tightly as she only hoped that she could have that same power at this new school, in this alien drumline. And she was all alone out on the floor, with none of her familiar Anaheim players, and she breathed out a shaky breath as she tried to quell her fears and nervousness. She looked out into the crowd, and instantly her eyes were drawn to Elijah, all because he was watching her with such intensity that it was intriguing to her.
'Wait a second. I am the Tenor Goddess. What am I to be afraid of?' she asked herself as she began to twirl her sticks around in her hands, slowly at first, but she sped up to the tempo of the first movement. Angela began to feel the power that she was familiar to with her quints, the flames of her talent surging up and licking her hands and arms, all the way up into her sticks.
Her mallets came down in one explosive first note, and she began to play her old show, one that was so familiar to her that she didn't even look down after the first couple of notes, and she smiled. It was the first time in a while that she had played Metal. And she realized this would be the last time she played it for anyone in competition. It saddened her, but she smiled. She was looking forward to much more here in Fishers, at HSE. She smiled at the uncertainty of tomorrow, or the next day. She neared the end of the first movement, her body instantly going into the choreography that had been drilled into her brain during the summer, and she pretended her old tenors were with her as she brought out her sticks, pretending to slam them with Riven or Mike. The act of the choreography brought a saddened smile to her face, and tears to her eyes. She would miss Mike and Riven. And Dawn, Freak, and John. But she was here now. And she had to make this drumline. She had to. Then she finished the choreography with a spin, bringing her mallets down for one last time, playing to the end of the song. She hit the last note and crossed her arms, sticks pointing up; all in a split second. The tears came again as she realized it was over and Metal was no more. In surprise she looked up at the crowd of HSE as they burst into frenzied applause, shouts and whoops lacing the claps. Carefully she tucked Elijah's mallets back into his pouch, feeling the power begin to fade from her. And the feeling fully vanished when she took the harness and drums off, carefully setting them on the rubber beneath her. She began to walk back to the bleachers, and Dave walked towards her from his place in the stands as the drumline members piled back onto the floor to begin practice. Several said congratulations to her as they passed to return to their instruments. He reached her with an astounded smile on his face amidst the running members, and she stopped to face him.
"Miss Domingo, I believe we have our new tenor player of HSE," he said with a smile as he stuck out his hand, and she took it almost gratefully.
"Thank you so much for letting me try out. And for welcoming me," she said with a smile as big as his. He shook his head.
"It really is no big deal. I would have been stupid if I wouldn't have welcomed you. You're that good," he said with a smile. Hers grew wider.
"Thanks," she replied, and Dave nodded.
"You're very welcome. Since you don't have music, and you don't know the choreography, how about you just sit on the bleachers and observe so you can get the feel for the show? And I'll get you both of the things you need after practice if you just come and see me before you go," Dave asked.
"That's fine with me. I'll just come by after,," she said , and Dave nodded.
"Great. See you after practice in the office," he said and began to walk towards the floor to where the other directors were standing and chatting, and Angela began to walk towards the bleachers to sit down. But she stopped and turned around as Dave called her name.
"I think you've proved the Goddess title to everyone here, including me," he said with a wink and a smile, and she smiled back in response.
"I think so too," she replied, and Dave smiled at her one last time before he went to stand with the other directors to begin practice. She turned around and sat on the nearest bleacher seat, then realized she didn't have her cap and glasses. She was about to get up and get them when she saw someone coming towards her. It was Elijah.
"Hey. I think these are yours," he said and handed her cap and glasses to her. She smiled and looked up at him as she took them.
"Thanks a lot," she said and flashed him a dazzling smile. He nodded in response, smiled back equally wide, then began to walk towards the floor to get his quints. She caught him look back at her and she smiled. He returned her smile, and he turned back to pick up his quints. Angela watched him go and she leaned back, throwing her cap and glasses down onto the seat beside her, a smile on her face.
**********
After practice Angela walked down the hallways alone, swinging her cap and glasses back and forth in the air while she hummed Rhapsody In Blue by Gershwin, the HSE drumline's show for this year. It was a song that she knew well, from her years back at St. Alejandro.
She turned down into the main hallway leading to the auditorium, and walked down to the band hallway. Everyone had left except for Neesha, who, as the captain, had gone to the percussion storage room-which was in the band room- to check all the equipment and make sure all the instruments were stored away properly. Just for fun, when Angela reached the band locker room she went to her locker and opened it, pulling out her clarinet case. She opened it, put her instrument together, wet her reed, and began to play the opening clarinet solo to Rhapsody In Blue, from memory, as she walked to the band office to wait for Dave. Angela had played the song in Anaheim for band, and she had gotten the solo-being first chair in her top band- and had memorized it accordingly. As the notes once again washed into her mind, she walked slowly as she played the opening run, then even slower as the rhythm began to flourish into more notes at the mercy of her fingers. She rounded the corner of the band room to the office, and walked right in, since the door was open. She stopped playing- not even halfway through the opening solo- when she realized that she wasn't alone. Elijah was sitting on the floor, smiling up at her as she entered the room. Angela pulled her clarinet out of her mouth in embarrassment, her face turning bright pink as she did so.
"Sorry. I didn't think anyone else was here except me," she said with a smile, the color in her face receding as she smiled. Elijah shook his head, smiling a grin that matched hers.
"It's no problem. You know you're quite good. No one at this school I think can even attempt that solo in Wind Ensemble, well, except for Alana Peters," he replied. Angela nodded.
"Yes, I know she'd be able to tackle it. But I played it in band, so I have more of an advantage," she said as she leaned on the doorframe. Elijah's eyebrows went up in surprise.
"Wow. Anaheim must have some serious players in its bands," he said with a laugh. Angela smiled.
"We did. Too bad I'm not there anymore. I'd like to see who took my place once I left. There weren't many who could even hope of filling my spot" she replied as she stretched her arms, her biceps and triceps in her upper arm rippling as she did so, Elijah watching. He snapped out of his daydreaming when Angela looked at him.
"Well, we're being a little confident, now aren't we?" he asked, laughter in his eyes. Angela shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Nah. It's the truth. Not many people can be the best clarinet and tenor player in the state of California," she added. Elijah's mouth dropped open with a squeak.
"Jeez. I suppose you're in Wind Ensemble then, right? Come to think of it, I do remember seeing you yesterday. Man, Alana is going to have a run for her money soon. Did you start yesterday?" he asked. Angela shook her head as she replied.
"Nope. I've been here for a couple weeks, but I changed a couple of my classes. Like band. I got moved up, and I'm starting sixth period calc tomorrow," she said in answer to his question. She saw Elijah grin.
"You'll be in my calc class, providing you have Ms. Vincent," he said and watched Angela smile.
"Yeah, I do, and" she started, but coughed before finishing, "at least I'll know one person." Elijah nodded.
"Neesha's in my class too, so you'll know at least two," he said. Angela smiled.
"Thank God," she replied as she began to dig around in her pockets, realizing she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Finally she found what she was looking for, and brought out a bag of Sour Patch Kids from one of her huge pockets. Elijah laughed, and Angela grinned as she began to devour a whole handful.
"Hey, when you gotta eat you gotta eat," she said with a smile, and Elijah nodded in response.
"Amen to that," he replied with a laugh, and looked up as Dave walked in, smiling at the two of them.
"Hey kids. Hope I didn't keep ya long," he asked as he set a pile of papers and notebooks down on his desk, which was right next to the band directors'. Both Angela and Elijah shook their heads.
"Nope," they both replied at the same time, and they both looked at each other curiously and smiled. So did Dave.
"Well, Angela, let's get you taken care of first. Here are your warm- ups and music. Find a binder for it, okay?" Dave said handing Angela a decently large stack of papers. She took them gratefully, putting her cap and glasses on top of the stack as she cradled it to her chest.
"And I'll have to get someone to teach you all of the choreography," Dave said as he thought for a moment. Elijah shifted from where he was sitting.
"I'll teach her," he said almost quietly. Dave smiled and looked up in approval at his statement.
"Okay. So work out a time when you two can meet here or in the gym before practice and learn the choreography. Now for you, Elijah," Dave said turning to his desk and opening a drawer. Elijah stood up, stretching his back and arms. Angela watched as his whole back and arms rippled in a single fluid motion, his T-shirt lifting up slightly to reveal only a fraction of his well-defined abs. Elijah turned his head to look at her when she was staring, and she looked away as his eyes caught hers, embarrassed. She turned her face away slightly as the color began to seep through her face for the second time in twenty minutes. Dave didn't notice as he turned back around.
"And Mr. Faust, I believe this is yours," Dave said and handed Elijah a red portable CD Walkman. Elijah took it with a smile.
"Thanks for finding it and keeping it after practice for me," he said as Dave smiled.
"No problem. Just don't lose it again, because next time I might not stumble upon it like I did this time," Dave said sternly. Elijah nodded.
"Alright. Thanks Dave," he said as he began to walk out the door; and Angela spoke to Dave for the last time that night.
"Thanks again for everything Dave," she said, and Dave looked up at her from the desk he was leaning over and he smiled.
"You're very welcome. And again, welcome to HSE," he said, the smile lighting up his gray eyes. Angela nodded, returning the smile, and she left the band office, ready to go home. When she rounded the corner after putting away her clarinet she was surprised to see Elijah leaning against the wall, waiting for her.
"You waited," she said in surprise. Elijah shrugged.
"What, you think I wouldn't?" he asked softly, and Angela looked at him, and their eyes locked. The uneasy silence was broken when they heard Angela's name being called from behind them. They both turned around, looking away in the process, to see Neesha running towards them, the percussion storage door slamming shut behind her with an ear-splitting bang that rocked the band room. Dave shouted something incoherently at Neesha from the office as she ran by.
"I know! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she said as she ran by, not stopping. Elijah and Angela laughed, stifling the laughter with their hands. When Neesha caught up to them she smiled.
"Now what are y'all laughing at?" she asked mockingly. They both shook their heads.
"Nothing," they both said at the same time. Neesha looked at them strangely. Angela raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked, staring Neesha down. Neesha smiled a secretive smile as she looked at Elijah, then back at Angela.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm sure it's just a trick of mah imagination," Neesha replied as she flashed a smile and a wink at Angela. Angela smiled, knowing what she was thinking.
"Shut up Neesha," she said as they all began to walk towards the entrance.
"Hey girl, so you're coming and performing your coolness at the next practice?" Neesha asked. Angela nodded.
"You bet. And I'm happy!" Angela replied and broke into a strain of C-Walking, her feet moving gracefully across the floor even with her backpack on her back.
"Oh my God I can do so much better!" Elijah replied as he danced besides her, his feet moving in perfect time with hers. She looked at him in shock, then smiled and puffed out her bottom lip in a fake pout as she danced down the hallway, Elijah following. Neesha followed behind, a smile on her face. They all hit the lobby, dancing to the center of the drumline crowd that was gathered in the main lobby. Angela looked at Elijah, looking deep into his eyes as they danced.
"Dance-off," Angela whispered as she threw her backpack down, and Elijah followed suit by throwing his next to hers. The crowd cheered and formed a circle, giving them generous space. Angela stopped, giving Elijah the floor. Instantly he broke out his best moves, flashing his best b-boy colors as the crowed whooped and cheered as Elijah reached his climax in his show, and he stopped to give her the floor to Angela. He gazed at her from across the circle, sweat dripping from his face and down his neck, his chest heaving. Angela smiled at his attractiveness that he was blatantly showing to her. So she decided to show him hers.
She broke out her dance moves, starting it all with her feet. She started slowly at first, her feet moving simply, in a non-intricate pattern on the floor. Then she weaved in more and more steps until she practically had to jump to use them all, and then she added belly dancing into her steps. For her final climax she broke into the classic b-girl moves that she had learned in Anaheim, some old and some new, some well known and some native to Anaheim. She smiled when she was finished, her hair swaying gently with sweat as she stopped moving completely and wiped the sweat from her neck. The crowd cheered, and Elijah walked over to her, slapping her a high five. The crowd dissipated when Elijah finally looked at Angela again, facing her in the almost now empty lobby.
"That was really cool, although I probably looked really bad because I haven't broken out my b-boy moves in like forever," he said with a smile as he looked at her. They both looked at each other, but their gaze was broken when they heard Neesha shout to them.
"Hey y'all, that was so amazing. I haven't seen nothing like that since I've seen my older cousins have a dance-off," she said with a warm smile as she brought both of their backpacks over.
"Thanks Neesha. God I haven't done that in a while," Angela said as she took her backpack from Neesha, and Elijah took his, slinging it over his shoulder. Elijah looked at Angela.
"What inspired that?" he asked with a curious look and a smile on his face as he caught her eyes and she grinned back.
"I honestly have no idea," she replied with a laugh. Neesha looked at her with yet another warm smile.
"Girl, I ain't seen no white girl ever dance like that 'round here. Do all white girls and blacks alike dance like that in Cali?" Neesha asked with a laugh, Elijah and Angela joining in as she put her backpack on her right shoulder, shifting her weight on her feet as the three began to walk toward the lobby doors.
"Actually yea. It's kinda a cultural thing where we learned together from older people and then danced together for fun. We used to have dance offs all the time in people's backyards. But the best were the really spontaneous ones that happened on the streets or in odd moments," Angela replied. Elijah nodded.
"So that right there was one of those weird moments?" he asked playfully.
"Yes dork. Of course it was. Did you see it coming?" she said as she cast glance at Elijah to see him shake his head with a grin, "Thought so."
"So where you guys headed to?" Elijah asked as he opened the door and let the two through, the air instantly becoming warmer as they walked out. He opened the second door before Neesha answered.
"Well, tonight's my ride day-we alternate rides every day, so she'll drive me tomorrow-so I'm driving Angela home. We might go get a bite to eat on da way back. I'm starved from all dat practice," she said. Angela nodded absently, too caught up in smelling the scent of the honeysuckle that grew on the side of the road, its sweet tang drifting around the school parking lot. The spring breeze sprung up for a moment, then was gone as it dashed away into the night after curling around the three friends.
"Wow, what a nice night," Elijah said as they walked towards the parking lot, his still sweaty blond hair sweeping back from the breeze. Neesha and Angela both nodded in agreement. The three set out once they passed the curve of the first circle up to the side entrance of the school, an enjoyable silence surrounding them. They reached the last meridian before the row and rows of student parking spots started and stopped to face each other in a small circle.
"Well ladies, I better get going," Elijah said as he turned to face Neesha and Angela.
"Yea, us too. Especially if we want to get something to eat," Neesha said as she looked at Angela, who nodded in response.
"Yea. Elijah, thanks a bunch for um, getting my hat and helping me out tonight as best you could. It really sucks being new and alone sometimes," Angela said in return. Elijah smiled.
"It's no problem. I'm just glad I have some one to rock with now," he replied, and Angela returned the smile. She watched his grow wider, and an edge appeared in his grin that she couldn't quite get, but still made her turn a bit pink. She shrugged her backpack up her shoulder as the uneasy silence between them was cut by Neesha.
"Bye Elijah. See you in band tomorrow," she said, and Angela echoed, a secretive smile now tugging the corners of her own mouth. Elijah nodded.
"Later ladies," he said and turned to walk towards his car, flashing Angela a backward glance that made her smile, her face turning pink yet again.
"Angela, let's go girl!" Neesha said, and Angela turned around to see that Neesha was already walking towards her car on the opposite end of the parking lot, giving her a funny look. Angela began to jog toward her, having to sling her backpack farther up her shoulder as she ran. When Angela caught up to her, Neesha gave her a funny look.
"What was that all 'bout hon?" Neesha asked with a smile, already knowing the answer. Angela kicked a piece of gravel and avoided her eyes.
"Nothin'," she replied, a smile emerging in her voice. Neesha looked at her and shoved her playfully.
"Aww, come on! I even saw those huge sparks arching the air between you two! I shouldn't have even asked you what it was. I already knew!" Neesha said with a laugh. Angela laughed too, dancing a little as she did so.
"So what do you think of the little. attraction between us?" Angela asked. Neesha laughed a little.
"Hmm, girl what do I think of it. I think it cool! Elijah's never been able to find the right girl since eighth grade! Maybe you'd be the one honey," Neesha replied, taking out her keys as they neared her car. She hit the automatic unlock button. Her sleek silver Jetta's lights flickered in response as the doors opened.
"Hmm, interesting," Angela replied as Neesha opened the trunk and threw both their bags in. They both began to walk around to their sides of the car when Angela noticed the guy in the black Mercedes next to Neesha's car on her side. Her looked up at her as she walked by. His jet-black hair almost disappeared in the summer night's darkness, its glossiness apparent when he turned his head to look at her. It was feathery, and she could tell it was a perfect cut for him, even in the darkness. Some strands of hair fell over his bright, blazing emerald green eyes as he watched her, his mouth a soft curve in the shadows of his car. His only body movement was that of his hands, which slammed out a beat on his dashboard with the drumsticks that were clasped in his hands. Angela could hear Rob Zombie's "Never Gonna Stop" streaming from his CD player as his furiously beating hands moved to match the song's tempo. She smiled, twirling her hips a bit to the music as she opened her door and got in when she realized Neesha had started the car, looking back to see him still watching her. She pulled her feet in and shut the door, cocking her head as she realized the guy had turned off the music and had shifted gears. She soon heard X103, the local alternative station, pound from his speakers. Angela turned to Neesha.
"Who is that?" she asked releasing her breath, only then realizing she had been holding it. Neesha smiled at her.
"Oh him? The hottest guy besides Elijah in drumline. Maybe even in HSE. His name's Cal Sutherlind," she replied as she shifted gears and backed out of her spot. She switched to forward, and began to drive out of the parking lot.
"Wow, but no," Angela said as she stared out the review mirror as they drove out of the parking lot and into the street, only to see Cal's car go in the opposite direction, almost disappearing into the darkness, save the taillights of his car. Neesha smiled at her as they headed toward Steak N' Shake.
"Good choice, baby girl," Neesha replied as she switched on the radio and sped into the night.
**********
Behind them, Cal Sutherlind watched them go from his rearview mirror. He smiled as he pounded out the lyrics to the Exies' "My Goddess," and licked his lips at Angela's little movement. His green eyes flared as he laughed and turned a corner, vanishing into the now black night.
Disclaimer: None of these characters are real, but some have the personalities of some of my friends. If, in any manner, these characters resemble any real person, it is purely coincidental. Name of places have been changed for protection.
Chapter One
"Who's that coming this way?" Dave Blake, the senior drumline director of Holland Southeastern High School, asked the other four junior directors as he spied a girl dressed in baggy black jeans and a tight white tank top with a black dragon screen on the side slowly walking towards them. Dave noticed that a white ski-cap completely hid her hair and a pair of black sunglasses covered her eyes, and at times he was uncertain whether she was looking at him or not. One by one the other directors each met his gaze and shrugged from their place beside him on the bleachers. Dave sighed and was even more curious about this girl when he turned back and saw Neesha David, the senior second bass player, walking besides her, the exact opposite of the girl with her ebony skin, blue jeans, and a black tank. The girls gazed around at the wide expanse of the main gym and the drumline members that were slowly setting their equipment up on a rubber sheet spread across the gym floor, which was their marching field, before they reached the bleachers. When they reached the steps of the bleachers Neesha said something to the girl, gave her a hug, and turned to go towards the field where her bass sat on the floor. But as the girl turned to climb the steps Neesha turned towards Dave and flashed him a thumbs up sign and a smile, which Dave returned. He stood up as the girl was nearly to where he was sitting and held out a hand.
"Hey. I'm Dave Blake, the senior drumline director. And what might a new face like yours be doing at a drumline practice?" he asked he with a grin as she took his hand and shook it.
"My name is Angela Domingo, and I'd like to tryout for your drumline," she said and returned his smile, revealing straight white teeth. Even up close Dave noticed he couldn't see the color of her hair, or the color of the eyes that gazed at him from under her glasses.
"Well you've come to the right place. And at the right time," he said with a glance at his watch.
"We still have fifteen minutes left before practice begins. And maybe, if it is needed, we can hold over." He watched as a wide grin spread over Angela's face.
"You mean I can tryout now?" she asked, and Dave nodded in response.
"But before I do respond definitely yes, I would like to get counsel from the other four junior directors. Guys, come up here," Dave said and gestured to the other four men sitting beside him. They all stood up and stood on either side of him. Dave nodded at them to introduce themselves and to say their decision in the matter of letting her tryout. Two one the far ends of Dave stepped forward.
"I'm Gabe Hughes," the one on the left said.
"And I'm Chase Thorne. And both of us agree to you trying out," the other on the right echoed. They both in turn shook Angela's hand, and the other two stepped forward.
"Kurt. Kurt Avery," the guy to the right of Gabe said and shook Angela's hand as the last director stepped forward.
"And last but not least, I'm Leo Garrett, and we all agree to let you tryout," he said and gripped Angela's hand in a friendly handshake. The smile that broke out across her face out- measured the previous one.
"But first, Angela, I have a couple questions. The first being have you had any past marching experience?" Dave said as he turned back to her, watching her nod.
"You bet. At my old school, St. Alejandro of Anaheim, I was in the fall command and in winter drumline. I've played in each for five years; I started my sub-freshman year. Sub-freshman year I was in pit, then the rest of the four years, I was the first tenor. I beat out two seniors and a sophomore for the first part my freshman year, and stayed first ever since. After two years, at the end of my freshman winter drumline season, I earned the nickname the Tenor Goddess of the Water. And I finished my last fall season in the St. Alejandro Command in October before I moved here to good old Fishers Indiana," she said with a smile when she saw the raised eyebrows of shock and awe hidden in the directors' eyes.
"Hmmm. Very interesting indeed. I think you'll have to prove your Goddess title to us though. Hope you don't mind that it's in front of the whole drumline. And one last thing about yourself," he said and watched her raise and eyebrow that said proceed. "Why the nickname?"
"Oh, that. Because of this," she said and pulled off her ski-cap. The shock was now open on the directors' faces as they watched straight sapphire blue hair tumble down her back and settle there, and gazed at the matching natural sapphire eyes that appeared from behind the sunglasses as Angela took them off.
"Oh, and don't forget these," Angela said as she turned around and pulled her hair out of the way as she did. Now the directors' mouths hung open as they gazed at the outline of two intricate angel wings tattooed on either of her shoulder blades.
"Wow, now those are nice," Leo, whose own arms were adorned with tattoos, said with a whistle. Angela grinned and dropped her hair as she turned back around, stuffing her glasses into her ski cap as she shook her head to get the hair out of her eyes.
"Thanks. I think they were worth the pain," she said with a smile as Leo winked at her. Recovering from his shock Dave looked at Angela now with awe.
"So," he said clearing his throat," I take it you had a fall show right?"
"You bet," Angela said and Dave smiled.
"Do you remember the first song?" he asked and Angela nodded as she noticed the twinkle of Dave's gray eyes as he asked. "Good. I want you to play it for your audition."
"Great. All I need is a set of quints. You just want me to play right, no marching?" she asked as she put her hair behind her ears as Dave nodded.
"Alright, then it's set. I'll get you a set of quints for you to use for your tryout, and I'll call the drumline over. Then you'll perform. Okay?" he asked and Angela nodded.
"HEY DRUMLINE! OVER HERE NOW! WE'VE GOT AN AUDITION TO HOLD!" Gabe screamed to the drumline members from his perch beside Kurt.
"AND ELIJAH FAUST! BRING US YOUR QUINTS WHEN YOU COME OVER HERE!" Chase shouted after Kurt, and they all watched as the drumline members stopped what they were doing and began to run over to the bleachers. Angela stood and watched the pandemonium and noticed a guy about her height, if not a bit taller, with blond hair and her color eyes walking over with a set of quints at his hips, and set them down at the edge of the rubber mat.. As he passed her to go up into the bleachers he flashed her a smile, one that shone with interest in her, and she smiled back with one of her own. But her head was drawn away from him as Dave spoke to her.
"Okay Angela. Go on down and Elijah, the senior tenor player, will give you his quints to use, but after we introduce you to our drumline, okay?" Dave asked. Angela nodded, and the two began to walk to wards the floor in front of the bleachers. By that time the members had crawled up into the bleachers and had sat down, and as Angela passed she could spot some familiar faces, but most just eyed her with interest as she passed. Angela spotted Neesha in the crowd, her dark ebony skin standing out among the others' tans, and Neesha winked one of her matching ebony eyes and smiled a good luck smile to Angela as she watched her descend the stairs. Angela smiled back gratefully.
'Obviously they don't get a lot of people who just show up and tryout,' she thought to herself as she reached the floor with Dave. She stood beside him when he stopped, and put her hands at her hips as he began to speak.
"Alright, ladies and gents. We have a new face who would like to try out for our drumline. She's going to introduce herself, then we're gonna test her skills to see if she has what it takes. And now, HSE, here is senior Miss Angela Domingo, all the way from sunny Orange County, California!" Dave announced with a smile, then backed up and sat on the bleachers, giving her the floor. She stepped up to the floor in the very front of all the members.
And she gave a huge one of her sparkling white smiles.
"Hey y'all, how are you doing?" she asked, her eyes glittering, and she crowd shouted a couple different answers. Someone even asked how the weather was in Orange County.
"It's great and sunny, baby. And I miss it. Thanks for asking," she replied with a smile, and the crowd laughed.
"But anyway. Yes, as you all know by now, I'm Angela Domingo, and I came from St. Alejandro High School in Orange County, California. More specifically, Anaheim. I have been in the St. Alejandro Drumline for around five years. Well, I'm not obviously in completion of my fifth year since I'm here now, but it's close enough. I started my sub-freshman year in pit, but the rest of my four years I have been first tenor. To have acquired that part, I beat two seniors and a sophomore for it. Since then I have been first tenor, and I held that spot up until I left. Yeah, and I'm here to tryout today because drumline is like, my life. I couldn't stand not joining for even one season. At St. Alejandro our summer show was Metal, with a guitar excerpt from one of Black Sabbath's songs. I hope I have just as much fun with your shows as I used to with mine. I was so into my music that by the end of my freshman year I earned the nickname Tenor Goddess of the Water, for obvious reasons on the water part. But I'm here today to prove the Goddess part to you. And I hope you like my summer show," she said with a grin as everyone clapped, and the ones that knew her shouted encouraging things like, "Angela, you're hot!" and "That's right girl you kick some ass!!!"
"Alright, Miss Domingo, you're up," Dave said with an encouraging smile to her, and she nodded as she walked over to Elijah's quints. She reached them and pulled the harness up over her head, the five drums settling at her hips. She leaned back slightly to compensate for the weight, and ran her hands along the drums, remembering the power she had when she possessed them at St. Alejandro. She pulled out the familiar hard mallets, gripping them tightly as she only hoped that she could have that same power at this new school, in this alien drumline. And she was all alone out on the floor, with none of her familiar Anaheim players, and she breathed out a shaky breath as she tried to quell her fears and nervousness. She looked out into the crowd, and instantly her eyes were drawn to Elijah, all because he was watching her with such intensity that it was intriguing to her.
'Wait a second. I am the Tenor Goddess. What am I to be afraid of?' she asked herself as she began to twirl her sticks around in her hands, slowly at first, but she sped up to the tempo of the first movement. Angela began to feel the power that she was familiar to with her quints, the flames of her talent surging up and licking her hands and arms, all the way up into her sticks.
Her mallets came down in one explosive first note, and she began to play her old show, one that was so familiar to her that she didn't even look down after the first couple of notes, and she smiled. It was the first time in a while that she had played Metal. And she realized this would be the last time she played it for anyone in competition. It saddened her, but she smiled. She was looking forward to much more here in Fishers, at HSE. She smiled at the uncertainty of tomorrow, or the next day. She neared the end of the first movement, her body instantly going into the choreography that had been drilled into her brain during the summer, and she pretended her old tenors were with her as she brought out her sticks, pretending to slam them with Riven or Mike. The act of the choreography brought a saddened smile to her face, and tears to her eyes. She would miss Mike and Riven. And Dawn, Freak, and John. But she was here now. And she had to make this drumline. She had to. Then she finished the choreography with a spin, bringing her mallets down for one last time, playing to the end of the song. She hit the last note and crossed her arms, sticks pointing up; all in a split second. The tears came again as she realized it was over and Metal was no more. In surprise she looked up at the crowd of HSE as they burst into frenzied applause, shouts and whoops lacing the claps. Carefully she tucked Elijah's mallets back into his pouch, feeling the power begin to fade from her. And the feeling fully vanished when she took the harness and drums off, carefully setting them on the rubber beneath her. She began to walk back to the bleachers, and Dave walked towards her from his place in the stands as the drumline members piled back onto the floor to begin practice. Several said congratulations to her as they passed to return to their instruments. He reached her with an astounded smile on his face amidst the running members, and she stopped to face him.
"Miss Domingo, I believe we have our new tenor player of HSE," he said with a smile as he stuck out his hand, and she took it almost gratefully.
"Thank you so much for letting me try out. And for welcoming me," she said with a smile as big as his. He shook his head.
"It really is no big deal. I would have been stupid if I wouldn't have welcomed you. You're that good," he said with a smile. Hers grew wider.
"Thanks," she replied, and Dave nodded.
"You're very welcome. Since you don't have music, and you don't know the choreography, how about you just sit on the bleachers and observe so you can get the feel for the show? And I'll get you both of the things you need after practice if you just come and see me before you go," Dave asked.
"That's fine with me. I'll just come by after,," she said , and Dave nodded.
"Great. See you after practice in the office," he said and began to walk towards the floor to where the other directors were standing and chatting, and Angela began to walk towards the bleachers to sit down. But she stopped and turned around as Dave called her name.
"I think you've proved the Goddess title to everyone here, including me," he said with a wink and a smile, and she smiled back in response.
"I think so too," she replied, and Dave smiled at her one last time before he went to stand with the other directors to begin practice. She turned around and sat on the nearest bleacher seat, then realized she didn't have her cap and glasses. She was about to get up and get them when she saw someone coming towards her. It was Elijah.
"Hey. I think these are yours," he said and handed her cap and glasses to her. She smiled and looked up at him as she took them.
"Thanks a lot," she said and flashed him a dazzling smile. He nodded in response, smiled back equally wide, then began to walk towards the floor to get his quints. She caught him look back at her and she smiled. He returned her smile, and he turned back to pick up his quints. Angela watched him go and she leaned back, throwing her cap and glasses down onto the seat beside her, a smile on her face.
**********
After practice Angela walked down the hallways alone, swinging her cap and glasses back and forth in the air while she hummed Rhapsody In Blue by Gershwin, the HSE drumline's show for this year. It was a song that she knew well, from her years back at St. Alejandro.
She turned down into the main hallway leading to the auditorium, and walked down to the band hallway. Everyone had left except for Neesha, who, as the captain, had gone to the percussion storage room-which was in the band room- to check all the equipment and make sure all the instruments were stored away properly. Just for fun, when Angela reached the band locker room she went to her locker and opened it, pulling out her clarinet case. She opened it, put her instrument together, wet her reed, and began to play the opening clarinet solo to Rhapsody In Blue, from memory, as she walked to the band office to wait for Dave. Angela had played the song in Anaheim for band, and she had gotten the solo-being first chair in her top band- and had memorized it accordingly. As the notes once again washed into her mind, she walked slowly as she played the opening run, then even slower as the rhythm began to flourish into more notes at the mercy of her fingers. She rounded the corner of the band room to the office, and walked right in, since the door was open. She stopped playing- not even halfway through the opening solo- when she realized that she wasn't alone. Elijah was sitting on the floor, smiling up at her as she entered the room. Angela pulled her clarinet out of her mouth in embarrassment, her face turning bright pink as she did so.
"Sorry. I didn't think anyone else was here except me," she said with a smile, the color in her face receding as she smiled. Elijah shook his head, smiling a grin that matched hers.
"It's no problem. You know you're quite good. No one at this school I think can even attempt that solo in Wind Ensemble, well, except for Alana Peters," he replied. Angela nodded.
"Yes, I know she'd be able to tackle it. But I played it in band, so I have more of an advantage," she said as she leaned on the doorframe. Elijah's eyebrows went up in surprise.
"Wow. Anaheim must have some serious players in its bands," he said with a laugh. Angela smiled.
"We did. Too bad I'm not there anymore. I'd like to see who took my place once I left. There weren't many who could even hope of filling my spot" she replied as she stretched her arms, her biceps and triceps in her upper arm rippling as she did so, Elijah watching. He snapped out of his daydreaming when Angela looked at him.
"Well, we're being a little confident, now aren't we?" he asked, laughter in his eyes. Angela shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Nah. It's the truth. Not many people can be the best clarinet and tenor player in the state of California," she added. Elijah's mouth dropped open with a squeak.
"Jeez. I suppose you're in Wind Ensemble then, right? Come to think of it, I do remember seeing you yesterday. Man, Alana is going to have a run for her money soon. Did you start yesterday?" he asked. Angela shook her head as she replied.
"Nope. I've been here for a couple weeks, but I changed a couple of my classes. Like band. I got moved up, and I'm starting sixth period calc tomorrow," she said in answer to his question. She saw Elijah grin.
"You'll be in my calc class, providing you have Ms. Vincent," he said and watched Angela smile.
"Yeah, I do, and" she started, but coughed before finishing, "at least I'll know one person." Elijah nodded.
"Neesha's in my class too, so you'll know at least two," he said. Angela smiled.
"Thank God," she replied as she began to dig around in her pockets, realizing she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Finally she found what she was looking for, and brought out a bag of Sour Patch Kids from one of her huge pockets. Elijah laughed, and Angela grinned as she began to devour a whole handful.
"Hey, when you gotta eat you gotta eat," she said with a smile, and Elijah nodded in response.
"Amen to that," he replied with a laugh, and looked up as Dave walked in, smiling at the two of them.
"Hey kids. Hope I didn't keep ya long," he asked as he set a pile of papers and notebooks down on his desk, which was right next to the band directors'. Both Angela and Elijah shook their heads.
"Nope," they both replied at the same time, and they both looked at each other curiously and smiled. So did Dave.
"Well, Angela, let's get you taken care of first. Here are your warm- ups and music. Find a binder for it, okay?" Dave said handing Angela a decently large stack of papers. She took them gratefully, putting her cap and glasses on top of the stack as she cradled it to her chest.
"And I'll have to get someone to teach you all of the choreography," Dave said as he thought for a moment. Elijah shifted from where he was sitting.
"I'll teach her," he said almost quietly. Dave smiled and looked up in approval at his statement.
"Okay. So work out a time when you two can meet here or in the gym before practice and learn the choreography. Now for you, Elijah," Dave said turning to his desk and opening a drawer. Elijah stood up, stretching his back and arms. Angela watched as his whole back and arms rippled in a single fluid motion, his T-shirt lifting up slightly to reveal only a fraction of his well-defined abs. Elijah turned his head to look at her when she was staring, and she looked away as his eyes caught hers, embarrassed. She turned her face away slightly as the color began to seep through her face for the second time in twenty minutes. Dave didn't notice as he turned back around.
"And Mr. Faust, I believe this is yours," Dave said and handed Elijah a red portable CD Walkman. Elijah took it with a smile.
"Thanks for finding it and keeping it after practice for me," he said as Dave smiled.
"No problem. Just don't lose it again, because next time I might not stumble upon it like I did this time," Dave said sternly. Elijah nodded.
"Alright. Thanks Dave," he said as he began to walk out the door; and Angela spoke to Dave for the last time that night.
"Thanks again for everything Dave," she said, and Dave looked up at her from the desk he was leaning over and he smiled.
"You're very welcome. And again, welcome to HSE," he said, the smile lighting up his gray eyes. Angela nodded, returning the smile, and she left the band office, ready to go home. When she rounded the corner after putting away her clarinet she was surprised to see Elijah leaning against the wall, waiting for her.
"You waited," she said in surprise. Elijah shrugged.
"What, you think I wouldn't?" he asked softly, and Angela looked at him, and their eyes locked. The uneasy silence was broken when they heard Angela's name being called from behind them. They both turned around, looking away in the process, to see Neesha running towards them, the percussion storage door slamming shut behind her with an ear-splitting bang that rocked the band room. Dave shouted something incoherently at Neesha from the office as she ran by.
"I know! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she said as she ran by, not stopping. Elijah and Angela laughed, stifling the laughter with their hands. When Neesha caught up to them she smiled.
"Now what are y'all laughing at?" she asked mockingly. They both shook their heads.
"Nothing," they both said at the same time. Neesha looked at them strangely. Angela raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked, staring Neesha down. Neesha smiled a secretive smile as she looked at Elijah, then back at Angela.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm sure it's just a trick of mah imagination," Neesha replied as she flashed a smile and a wink at Angela. Angela smiled, knowing what she was thinking.
"Shut up Neesha," she said as they all began to walk towards the entrance.
"Hey girl, so you're coming and performing your coolness at the next practice?" Neesha asked. Angela nodded.
"You bet. And I'm happy!" Angela replied and broke into a strain of C-Walking, her feet moving gracefully across the floor even with her backpack on her back.
"Oh my God I can do so much better!" Elijah replied as he danced besides her, his feet moving in perfect time with hers. She looked at him in shock, then smiled and puffed out her bottom lip in a fake pout as she danced down the hallway, Elijah following. Neesha followed behind, a smile on her face. They all hit the lobby, dancing to the center of the drumline crowd that was gathered in the main lobby. Angela looked at Elijah, looking deep into his eyes as they danced.
"Dance-off," Angela whispered as she threw her backpack down, and Elijah followed suit by throwing his next to hers. The crowd cheered and formed a circle, giving them generous space. Angela stopped, giving Elijah the floor. Instantly he broke out his best moves, flashing his best b-boy colors as the crowed whooped and cheered as Elijah reached his climax in his show, and he stopped to give her the floor to Angela. He gazed at her from across the circle, sweat dripping from his face and down his neck, his chest heaving. Angela smiled at his attractiveness that he was blatantly showing to her. So she decided to show him hers.
She broke out her dance moves, starting it all with her feet. She started slowly at first, her feet moving simply, in a non-intricate pattern on the floor. Then she weaved in more and more steps until she practically had to jump to use them all, and then she added belly dancing into her steps. For her final climax she broke into the classic b-girl moves that she had learned in Anaheim, some old and some new, some well known and some native to Anaheim. She smiled when she was finished, her hair swaying gently with sweat as she stopped moving completely and wiped the sweat from her neck. The crowd cheered, and Elijah walked over to her, slapping her a high five. The crowd dissipated when Elijah finally looked at Angela again, facing her in the almost now empty lobby.
"That was really cool, although I probably looked really bad because I haven't broken out my b-boy moves in like forever," he said with a smile as he looked at her. They both looked at each other, but their gaze was broken when they heard Neesha shout to them.
"Hey y'all, that was so amazing. I haven't seen nothing like that since I've seen my older cousins have a dance-off," she said with a warm smile as she brought both of their backpacks over.
"Thanks Neesha. God I haven't done that in a while," Angela said as she took her backpack from Neesha, and Elijah took his, slinging it over his shoulder. Elijah looked at Angela.
"What inspired that?" he asked with a curious look and a smile on his face as he caught her eyes and she grinned back.
"I honestly have no idea," she replied with a laugh. Neesha looked at her with yet another warm smile.
"Girl, I ain't seen no white girl ever dance like that 'round here. Do all white girls and blacks alike dance like that in Cali?" Neesha asked with a laugh, Elijah and Angela joining in as she put her backpack on her right shoulder, shifting her weight on her feet as the three began to walk toward the lobby doors.
"Actually yea. It's kinda a cultural thing where we learned together from older people and then danced together for fun. We used to have dance offs all the time in people's backyards. But the best were the really spontaneous ones that happened on the streets or in odd moments," Angela replied. Elijah nodded.
"So that right there was one of those weird moments?" he asked playfully.
"Yes dork. Of course it was. Did you see it coming?" she said as she cast glance at Elijah to see him shake his head with a grin, "Thought so."
"So where you guys headed to?" Elijah asked as he opened the door and let the two through, the air instantly becoming warmer as they walked out. He opened the second door before Neesha answered.
"Well, tonight's my ride day-we alternate rides every day, so she'll drive me tomorrow-so I'm driving Angela home. We might go get a bite to eat on da way back. I'm starved from all dat practice," she said. Angela nodded absently, too caught up in smelling the scent of the honeysuckle that grew on the side of the road, its sweet tang drifting around the school parking lot. The spring breeze sprung up for a moment, then was gone as it dashed away into the night after curling around the three friends.
"Wow, what a nice night," Elijah said as they walked towards the parking lot, his still sweaty blond hair sweeping back from the breeze. Neesha and Angela both nodded in agreement. The three set out once they passed the curve of the first circle up to the side entrance of the school, an enjoyable silence surrounding them. They reached the last meridian before the row and rows of student parking spots started and stopped to face each other in a small circle.
"Well ladies, I better get going," Elijah said as he turned to face Neesha and Angela.
"Yea, us too. Especially if we want to get something to eat," Neesha said as she looked at Angela, who nodded in response.
"Yea. Elijah, thanks a bunch for um, getting my hat and helping me out tonight as best you could. It really sucks being new and alone sometimes," Angela said in return. Elijah smiled.
"It's no problem. I'm just glad I have some one to rock with now," he replied, and Angela returned the smile. She watched his grow wider, and an edge appeared in his grin that she couldn't quite get, but still made her turn a bit pink. She shrugged her backpack up her shoulder as the uneasy silence between them was cut by Neesha.
"Bye Elijah. See you in band tomorrow," she said, and Angela echoed, a secretive smile now tugging the corners of her own mouth. Elijah nodded.
"Later ladies," he said and turned to walk towards his car, flashing Angela a backward glance that made her smile, her face turning pink yet again.
"Angela, let's go girl!" Neesha said, and Angela turned around to see that Neesha was already walking towards her car on the opposite end of the parking lot, giving her a funny look. Angela began to jog toward her, having to sling her backpack farther up her shoulder as she ran. When Angela caught up to her, Neesha gave her a funny look.
"What was that all 'bout hon?" Neesha asked with a smile, already knowing the answer. Angela kicked a piece of gravel and avoided her eyes.
"Nothin'," she replied, a smile emerging in her voice. Neesha looked at her and shoved her playfully.
"Aww, come on! I even saw those huge sparks arching the air between you two! I shouldn't have even asked you what it was. I already knew!" Neesha said with a laugh. Angela laughed too, dancing a little as she did so.
"So what do you think of the little. attraction between us?" Angela asked. Neesha laughed a little.
"Hmm, girl what do I think of it. I think it cool! Elijah's never been able to find the right girl since eighth grade! Maybe you'd be the one honey," Neesha replied, taking out her keys as they neared her car. She hit the automatic unlock button. Her sleek silver Jetta's lights flickered in response as the doors opened.
"Hmm, interesting," Angela replied as Neesha opened the trunk and threw both their bags in. They both began to walk around to their sides of the car when Angela noticed the guy in the black Mercedes next to Neesha's car on her side. Her looked up at her as she walked by. His jet-black hair almost disappeared in the summer night's darkness, its glossiness apparent when he turned his head to look at her. It was feathery, and she could tell it was a perfect cut for him, even in the darkness. Some strands of hair fell over his bright, blazing emerald green eyes as he watched her, his mouth a soft curve in the shadows of his car. His only body movement was that of his hands, which slammed out a beat on his dashboard with the drumsticks that were clasped in his hands. Angela could hear Rob Zombie's "Never Gonna Stop" streaming from his CD player as his furiously beating hands moved to match the song's tempo. She smiled, twirling her hips a bit to the music as she opened her door and got in when she realized Neesha had started the car, looking back to see him still watching her. She pulled her feet in and shut the door, cocking her head as she realized the guy had turned off the music and had shifted gears. She soon heard X103, the local alternative station, pound from his speakers. Angela turned to Neesha.
"Who is that?" she asked releasing her breath, only then realizing she had been holding it. Neesha smiled at her.
"Oh him? The hottest guy besides Elijah in drumline. Maybe even in HSE. His name's Cal Sutherlind," she replied as she shifted gears and backed out of her spot. She switched to forward, and began to drive out of the parking lot.
"Wow, but no," Angela said as she stared out the review mirror as they drove out of the parking lot and into the street, only to see Cal's car go in the opposite direction, almost disappearing into the darkness, save the taillights of his car. Neesha smiled at her as they headed toward Steak N' Shake.
"Good choice, baby girl," Neesha replied as she switched on the radio and sped into the night.
**********
Behind them, Cal Sutherlind watched them go from his rearview mirror. He smiled as he pounded out the lyrics to the Exies' "My Goddess," and licked his lips at Angela's little movement. His green eyes flared as he laughed and turned a corner, vanishing into the now black night.