CHAPTER 1

"Why can't you just leave me alone, Elizabeth? Stop following me around like a lost puppy. I don't love you! I have never loved you!" Brent stood there yelling at me, flailing his arms, pointing, and putting his head into his hands. He finally had enough and walked out of the hotel lobby and back into the last banquet.

Confused? … I'll bring you to the beginning. Oh yeah! My name is Elizabeth Milton and I'm on the Elson High School Color Guard. I should warn you that this is an unusual story. This story is a memory that is unforgettable, probably because it changed my life. Now where were we? Oh yesss, the beginning…

Exactly one year earlier…

"Elizabeth Milton, you look stunning!" Janie, my best friend, came up behind me. Janine Alexander is a sophomore at Elson High and also on the Guard team with me. She is probably the most obsessed with boys than any person in the entire world.

"Thanks! You don't look too bad yourself. Trying to impress anyone? Maybe someone who plays trombone?"

She gave me that look, the kind of look that gives you the impression that they don't know what you are talking about it. We laughed for a while longer and then went into the banquet hall to find our seats. We found the guard table and quickly sat down. I began scanning the room, until my eyes settled on the one person who could make my day lighten like a thousand suns.

Cassie, another guardie, nudged me, "Scoping out Mr. Clarinet?"

I laughed, " No! I was just… you know… admiring the lovely décor." She looked at me curiously, "Okay! I was looking at … you know?"

"Enlighten me, Lizzy. He is about to become a senior and you will just be a …"

I interrupted, "… a sophomore. I know, I know. Brent is just different. I don't know how I can explain it, he just is." I was looking at him and then the dinner began to arrive. Brent was dressed nicely in a tux and was sitting with our drum major, as well as his sister and his friends.

Cassie laughed and I looked at her, " You are staring, Lizzy." She began to laugh and I just looked down at my dinner, embarrassed.

I couldn't help but look at him during the banquet. He was skinny, tall, and probably feeble but a man. I probably was the weirdest person in the whole room and he was the only guy to really accept me for who I was. I turned back my attention to our band directors, who were roasting our seniors, because they had just called up one of our own girls. I clapped and hooted and then became silent until the videos began. Our guard video was the last and almost everyone in the room was amazed at our winterguard show.

Our band director, Mr. Connelly, began to speak, "Now for the last video, we will present our theme for next years show!" The room became silent and lights dimmed as the video began. For five minutes, we watched and waited until finally the lights came on and our director was at the podium. " I am proud to present the theme for next year is… Drumline please … Summer of Love!" Everyone began cheering and hugging. The room was quickly filled with pressure and I was soon drowning in it. I left the room and went outside and into the courtyard. It felt good to be out here.

" Too crowded in there for you." I jumped and turned, surprised by the fact that I didn't hear the person come out. I quickly realized who it was and smiled, Brent.

" Just a little." I said and sat down at a table next to the fountain.

" It seems like you aren't happy about the show. Is it that bad?" He looked at me with those dazzling brown eyes.

" I like the show. I just felt suffocated in there. Why are you out here?" Had he followed me? Did he see me leave?

" I needed some air."

"Sometimes life has to just stop, so moments can be saved, That is the real reason I came out here. If I came out of the room, then it would feel like the moment was memorable."

"You are calmer right now."

"I know." I looked at the time on my phone and figured I had better leave. " I have to go. I'll see you at school." I quickly gathered my bag and headed to the front of the hotel to my mothers car. I got in and we headed home. To the place where Brent was my imaginary boyfriend and life seemed to be perfect.