The Welcoming Committee

No, this was not the end of a grand era of middle school. No, he was not going to step into those double doors and face a monstrosity called Band Camp. And for some reason, he didn't think it was going to be much like the movie anyway.

"Are you a freshman?" asked a boy with shaggy brown hair and a beard, "I hope you know the band room is in the basement. Standing out here isn't going to do you any good."

No, he was not going to let an upperclassmen push him around just because he was new, "Okay..thanks…" but being nice was probably the best.

"So what's your name?" asked the bearded youth walking towards the door, the younger boy followed, "I'm Jeffery, but everyone calls me Panama."

"Panama? Why's that?"

"Because I missed two days of band camp my freshman year because my family was vacationing in Panama. I kind of like it," the boy smiled as the two made their way down to the echoing hallway which was painted with an awful half finished mural of Mozart and what looked like Bob Marley smoking a doobie, "And your name?"

"I'm Asher."

"What do you play?"

"Baritone."

"That's going to suck, have you ever played a marching baritone?"

"No?"

"Well, I suggest you start pumping iron my friend, the kids who play it now always get scolded for their chicken arms," the boy laughed.

It couldn't really be that bad. There's no way a marching baritone would be that bad to carry. Asher blocked the thought out of his mind, "What do you play?"

Panama laughed, "Nothing. I'm the drum major."

"Drum major?"

Panama stopped at the door to the band room, "It's a fancy word for saying that I control what you guys do. I'm quite the gracious leader, but if you want a nice drum major, I suggest you talk to my subordinate Will."

Asher wasn't sure what to think, "Okay," was all he said as he walked into the band room and took a seat in the back.

The room began to file up very quickly all filled with people Asher didn't know. He was able to spot out the woodwinds without a doubt—always loud. Then the low brass players who walked in and just sat in their seats—and then there were the drummers, the most intelligent people of the band. Asher spotted one with curly brown hair as he walked in to the room like he owned the place and ran right back out yelling "Shit! I just locked my keys in the car!"

Soon everyone got to their seats, it was nearing 9AM and Asher had a whole other 12 hours to get through. At first it seemed ridiculous to him that he would have to go to band camp from 9AM to 9PM the first week and from noon to 9PM the next. It was almost ridiculous to him. He couldn't deal with it.

Panama got up to the directors podium and blew the whistle very hard, Asher was surprised by the sheer volume and brute force that one simple whistle could produce, "Alright guys! Take your seats. It's time to start band camp!"

Some people rushed to their seats while the others went on their own time, Asher didn't realize how large the band was, there was just enough seats for everyone, but the room was packed.

"To start everything off, I'm pleased to announce that we are two people away from being a Group Five band, so good job recruiting everyone!"

Everyone cheered. What the hell was a Group Five? Asher looked around for someone who would be willing to explained, but Panama began again before he could figure out anything, "And for those of you who didn't attend any of the earlier summer rehearsals, which was a disappointing few," Asher sunk into his chair, he didn't know about any summer rehearsals, "Our show for this year is 'The Empire'"

A collective, sarcastic 'Oooo' from the crowd erupted

"I know, I know, we digress—the show is going to be difficult this year. And I plan on us taking the highest score we can get, preferably above a 90 so that us seniors can leave this band Open. We are the Marching Knights, and we will kick ass," Panama waited for everything to sink in, "And now, I would like to introduce your Junior Drum Major, Mr. Will Easton."

A boy with a rag of blonde hair smiled and everyone cheered loudly, "Hey guys, let's have a good band camp."

So, he was the nice one. A taller, older man, presumably the band director walked into the room and silently shooed Panama off of the podium, he stood up, "Alright, I'm going to make this quick and painless. I'm Mr. Worth your band director and I expect great things from all of you kids. Even you freshman. We're going to break off into sections for," he glanced down at his watch, "Ten minutes and meet outside on the parking lot to learn basics! Stay hydrated, don't whine because we all know it's hot, and wear sunscreen."

And with that, the band teacher left and Panama shouted, "Alright guys, you heard him!"

Now, realistically speaking a room with 101 people trying to figure out what section they belonged to was not going to work when everyone was shouting over everyone else. Asher stood up and looked around, trying to figure out where he belonged until he saw a blonde girl yelling, "Low Brass! Get over here!"

Making his way over quickly, Asher stood near the girl, "Freshman?" she asked although she already knew, "Welcome to the club, what's your name?"

"Asher."

"I'm Annette, I play tuba. You?"

Oh, shit. "Baritone."

Annette laughed, "Congradulations, the baritones in this section are—wonderful."

"Are you talking about me?" asked a boy with oversized glasses but an excellent sense of style. Asher couldn't make sense of his outfit, "I'm Sampson, not Sam, Sampson. There's four of us. You, me, James Hidalgo and Sammie."

Alright, Asher was going to get this down, "Got it."

Annette called over a boy, "This is Tomas, our foreign friend who also plays tuba and," she pointed to a crowd of six others, "Those losers are the trombone players, they just want their own section."

"Got it."

Annette paused, "Oh! I'm your section leader. If you have any problems just come to me, kay?"

"Are their any other freshman?"

Annette smiled, "Yeah, she plays baritone too."

"Another one!" Sampson said quickly.

Annette smiled, "She's my little sister. I convinced her to join, and believe me I'll kick all of you asses if you try to do anything to her."

"You have a sister?!" Sampson exclaimed.

Annette rolled her eyes, "Welcome to the Marching Knights, Asher."

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I'm open to anything.