Chapter 1: New Girl in Town

OK, this is my first fanfic. Just R&R and tell me what I need to improve.
Disclamer: Characters are mine, places are fictional and I do not own Cirque du Soleil.


Where is the band room. I thought as I ran into the school's gym. The guy back there said go through the gym and then what? Today was my first day as a sophomore at Baymont Community High School, and so far I've been lost every passing period, forgot my locker number and combination, so then I didn't have any of my books needed for class. Great first day.

"Wait. Excuse me. Mr. Something? Coach?" Trying to get this guys attention. "Excuse me! Can you point me in the right direction of the band room?"

"Uh ya sure, bandie. It's out these doors and follow the corridor to the end. It's the last room." Annoyingly he wheezed.

Me being desperate, completely ignored the sarcasm and sprinted to the band room. Crap I forgot to thank him. Hopefully I'll see him later.

Thank goodness for gym coaches because he got me to the band room before the late bell, or junior bell as the students call it here, rang. I actually brought my flute and piccolo with me today, because I would need some luck today.

The director, Mr. Frend, began roll call. I knew I would be somewhere in the middle since my last name start with a G. While I was waiting to hear my name, I looked around at my fellow classmates. There was an all girl flute section, about 12 total; an army of clarinets, a small number of saxes/oboes, a mostly male trumpet section with a few tough looking girls, and a large number of low brass.

The band director got to "Gort, Debbie." "Here!" I though that was a girls name but some guy in the low brass responded.

"Guiene, Elizabeth," the band director called.

I said "Here!" and everyone giggled around me. The band director decided to take notice of the sudden change in pitch in response and called me out.

"Ok so are you new or newly single?" Odd question to ask. From a band director.

"Umm both. Today is my first day." I said quietly.

Then director gave a dramatic sigh, "Ok so who doesn't have a buddy in this band?"

The response was crazy some people blurted out my name or theirs but finally a cocky trombonist said, "I shall claim her." But then got slapped by one of the flutes.

A shy voice said "I don't have anyone." I knew he was behind me so he had to be a trumpet player, and when I turned around I saw the guy who always gave me the easiest directions.

"Ok so Ian and Elizabeth. Are there any objections, reasons of my stupidity or etc.? No? Ok good."

I felt very confused. Happy that I had a "buddy" and knew who my direction-giver-guy was, yet still very confused on this whole ordeal.

At that point the band director gave up and let us have the last 20 minutes for free time. I saw my Ian sulk off to the corner with his trumpet and book bag. I too found some wall under the whiteboard and took my flute out to polish. Then I saw the welcoming committee come towards me, blonde hair for all.

"So it's Lizzy right?" Ick, Lizzy sounds young and naïve. Sorry but I hate that name.

"Uh Elizabeth. Elizabeth Guiene, flute and piccolo player."

"Alright Lizzy-noob-flute-player, we have some guidelines for you to follow, okay? First off stay away from the brass players, they hate our guts. Second, first flute and piccolo is my spot not some noob's. And third, your 'buddy' is only for morning call. Otherwise do not mingle with him. You do, social suicide follows. And could possibly result in section removal. Flute section rehearsal today after school!"

First day at a new school and the bitches already left their marks. I wished that at this school I could at least not piss off everyone in the same day. Then a short brown haired girl walks up and sits on the floor next to me. "Ugh I hate Cassie and her crew. They think the rule the band but quite honestly, they suck monkey balls." I had to laugh. Brown haired girl joined me.

"I'm Nikki. And a sophomore. You?" I faintly remember her sitting behind me in Chemistry.

"Um Elizabeth or Eliz either. I'm new, sophomore." I said.

"Oh ya, new girl ok. Well just to let you know I play trumpet so if your going to follow those air heads let me know and I'll leave."

"Wait no. I would rather make my own friends than told who I can and cannot talk to."

"Great finally found another independent girl! Hey here comes Jenny and James. l hang with Jenny and James, they're twin saxophones and Ian as well, he's my fellow trumpet."

Jenny, an averaged height blonde, and James, taller than Jenny brunette, walked up and sat in front of me facing away from the rest of the room.

"Hi, I'm Jenny, sophomore. This is my brother James also a fellow sophomore. How's your first day been?"

Finally, I found the nice people of this school, "Well so far I've been lost in-between every period and forgot my locker number and combo. But, I'm still alive, so its been okay." Everyone laughed at that.

"Oh wow I remember my first day. It was only last year. All the seniors made an effort to change all the room numbers and direct us in the opposite direction. This year the seniors stalked all the freshies." James recalled. He reminds me of the shy guy at school but secretly the crazy best friend.

I kept looking over at Ian, he too took out his trumpet and was cleaning it. I wanted to talk to him and see if I could bend this 'anti-brass rule'. I think he felt my stare because he looked up, I looked away blushing and he smiled and walked over to my little group of Nikki, Jenny, and James. I think the current conversation was on lunch meals and their greasy fries.

"You know it's bad when the lunch ladies are trying to fatten you up -Hey Ian- Yet the gym coaches put you through hell every single flippin' day." James complaining.

"Unless you opt. for double music. Then they let you get fat, enjoy music and can't put you through hell." Ian responded smart-alecky.

"Don't tell us. We are all still jealous of you." Nikki said "Hey Eliz, what period do you have gym?"

"I don't have gym listed on my schedule. I do have jazz band next and then my day is over."

"Ok how the hell did you get into jazz band? There's a 3 year wait list if your lucky. And what instrument do you play? We don't do jazz flute." Jenny ranted.

"I play tenor sax and trumpet." From that I got a high five from everyone but Jenny who was pouting. James plays tenor but Jenny plays alto.

"Hey, I've got jazz band too. I know we need a fourth trumpet ever since Brandon dropped out. He was such a good player but, I got first so it all works out." Ian said.

"Great, I can't wait." And see more of you, "I'm still rookie on my trumpet but managed to get second at my old school."

"Hey what school did you go to?" Nikki asked

Crap shouldn't have mentioned my old school, "Well it's one... that's in the area..."

I think they got the message that I didn't want people to know about my past. It's not too bad, just the people there sucked. So my dad got a new, and better, job and we moved 10 miles north into BCHS schooling zone. Just missed the first day of school by a week.

"So what's our marching band show?" I ask trying to change the subject.

"Oh, our show is La Nouba from Cirque du Soleil. You'll probably be in the pit. We've got three out of the four movements done yet have a competition Saturday. We are so screwed" Nikki said. I'm starting to get the vibe that she's the person that probably brought everyone together.

Everyone jumped in the conversation arguing that we weren't ready to face the rams? I assume that's our rivals. Something like the Richmond Rams

The bell rang and all the students that weren't in jazz left. I forgot my trumpet at home so I went to go talked to Mr. Frend.

"Um Mr. Frend?"

"Yes? What can I do for you..."

"Elizabeth."

"Ah yes, new girl." Is that my new name or something?

"Ok then. I was wondering what instrument you like me to play?"

"Well, what instruments do know how to play?"

"Flute's my primary and piccolo also. Then there's tenor sax, trumpet and clarinet." I said trying really hard not to brag.

"Wow, I've never heard of a student playing that many instruments. But you went to a performing arts school right?"

"Shhh! I don't want anyone to know that." As I check where the other students are. In a quieter voice, "Yes I went there. I was principal flute in band, piccolo in orchestra and second trumpet in jazz. In the alternate jazz band I played tenor but only sat second."

"Wow that again is amazing. How about trumpet. You would have to be fourth until semester reauditions. But we could use somebody like you."

"Fourth is perfect I really don't want to stand out. Also what am I going to do for marching band? My last school put me in the pit, probably afraid I would fall and damage myself marching." I am extremely accident prone.

"Pit would be fine. We're almost done with the show but we have a competition Saturday. How about vibes? I think we could convince Maggie to share."

"Perfect. I would have to borrow some mallets though."

"Done! So I think we're all set. Go take a seat in the trumpet section, we're listening to a recording of our concert over the weekend so no instruments."

"Perfect." Life is actually going in the right direction for a change. As I walk out of Mr. Frend's office I spot Ian crouching near the door. Giving him a weird look I walk to the end of the third row where the fourth trumpet sat. The junior bell rang to signal the last period of the day. I could finally take a deep breath.