"Sarah?"
Slam. Sarah dropped the instrument case she was trying to tie down to the back pf her pick-up truck. It was pouring rain and Sarah pushed her hair out of her face as she turned to face the voice.
"What Jared?"
"What's the matter?" Jared was getting drenched. And both of then knew that the last place he should be was in the pouring rain. "You seem really, really down."
"Well wouldn't you be pissed too, if you just dumped and were the reason why we just lost the competition?"
Sarah went back to tying the case. The cords didn't seem to want go over the case and kept snapping back. It was making her mad. Sarah picked up the cords and threw them down. She listened to the metal on metal clank before-
"Damn cord! F-ing A!" Sarah screamed as she ran her fingers through her hair. Her head was throbbing and she just wanted to leave. She sat down and leaned against the case. Her nose was running from the cold. She heard someone mumble something. She looked up to see that Jared was still standing there.
"Jared! Get inside. What the hell are you still doing her?"
"Its not you fault." He whispered just barely over the patter of the rain.
"Like hell it's not my fault. Kris would have been able to make that turn if I had just kept time correctly. We could have won. But the took over so many damn points for that, that we didn't even place," She banged her head on the case, over and over again. "I can't do anything. I can't keep a boyfriend. I can't be a good – or even a remotely okay – drum major. And I damn can't into college."
"You are an awesome drum major. And you got into college. Your letter came. I saw it." Jared replied. He still had yet to move from his position.
"No. I didn't get into college. I got weight-listed." Tears were starting to pour down Sarah's face, the salt mixing with the rain. "I'm going to leave high school as the girl who got average grades and was in band. But she still couldn't even get into a music school – even a crappy one."
"Things change, Sarah. It's going to happen. You're going to get a letter saying they have an opening. We're going to win the next competition. And I'm going to get better."
Sarah gave Jared a long look. All she wanted was for Jared to get better. "Jared. I swear on my life that you're going to get better. Your life's going to change. If I have anything to say about it."
"Yours is going to change first, Sarah. I know. I'm sure. Surer than sure. You feel better?" Sarah gulped and nodded her head. She wiped the tears quickly from her eyes. Jared gave her a smile. A sad smile. He turned and started to head back inside.
Sarah got up and leaned over the edge of her truck, "Jared. Wait!" Jared turned around and looked at her. Sarah's voiced crackled.
"Jared. I love you. I will always, and forever, love you."
"I love you too, Sarah." He sighed. The bags under his eyes seemed to be a shade darker than what they were before.
"You're my best friend. You were – are, are the best friend I, or anyone could have. I'm lucky. Super, super lucky."
Jared just nodded his head. Giving Sarah one last look, he walked back to his car.
---
Three days later, Sarah got a letter. Berklee School of Music had an opening for her. And the marching band earned top honor's at the next competition, with everyone there but one.
Jared was admitted to the hospital for kidney failure. He died two days later.