A/N-This is completely different than anything else I've ever written. It's edgy, dark, and I absolutely love it.

Accidental

Prologue

There are things that drift away like our endless, numbered days
Autumn blew the quilt right off the perfect bed she made
And she's chosen to believe in the hymns her mother sings
Sunday pulls its children from their piles of fallen leaves

Passing Afternoon-Iron and Wine

In music, accidentals change the theory of a piece. For a short or long stretch of beats, the phrase is altered by the raising or lowering of pitches. For the musicians playing, sudden accidentals are a source of major annoyance. They are infuriating to the sight reader or to the beginner, to the experienced player or the band director without a clue.

In life, accidentals are often times cursed upon as unwelcomed changes to an established routine. Whatever the story, changes are greeted most frequently as dreaded disruptions or the end of an era. The story of change and the accidents that we make in our lives shape them into the lives we carry on into adulthood.

I am an accidental drum major. I was not supposed to be in this position. There was another, far better than I could ever hope to be, who should be standing here over this band. This band, this ragtag bunch of drama filled, angst ridden teens, which somehow came together after this to form a unit that could compete with the best. I know I'm not who they want in this position. I know they still are hurt. I am still hurt. It aches every single day; every beat I conduct, every cue I give. It kills me to be here, and not her.

The November sky is brisk and unforgiving. The lights shine on me; the way they beam down from the top of the stadium to me is like a hand descending from heaven. It's nighttime, finally. I'm standing on this podium waiting for my own nerves to shake me off. For four years, I have dreamed of this moment, but I didn't expect to have it this way. I always wanted this spot, since my first band camp, when I witnessed the respect and responsibility the drum major had. I wanted, needed, ached for the position. When it came time, at the end of my junior year, I went out for it. I practiced constantly. I conducted while listening to my favorite songs, I went on the internet and watched countless DCI drum majors; I did everything asked of me and more.

I was not chosen.

But here I am, leading my band. With every downbeat I give, I also give my heart and soul to this band.

I am an accidental drum major. And this is my story.

A/N-Reviews? I'd like your input =)