Jean made his way up to the boring-looking, brick building that stood away from the high school. The sun was barely peaking over the building, as it was only seven in the morning. But, Jean felt himself wide-awake, full of nerves and excitement.
He was finally a freshman, in high school, and joining the marching band was at the top of his list. He had seen the band in action last year at the football games, and he was blown away.
Their movements were precise, everyone stepping together on time with the beat. Their horns and drums angled up and to the audience at the perfect degree. There was a perfect balance between the woodwinds and the drumline, the brass and the pit. The notes seemed to just flow forth to create a mesmerizing sound that captivated everyone.
So of course, it made sense when they got a one at their marching competition and first at area. Jean remembered the disappointment he felt when they didn't make it past state.
This year will be different, though. He wanted to help ensure that the band this year would make it to nationals this year.
Okay, so he was a little ambitious.
Jean twirled his drumsticks thoughtfully. He had practiced marching all summer with his uncle, who used to be in the drumline (a snare drum no less!) back in his day. His timing with different tempos were near perfect, his turns were also spot on, and his body was always angled towards the audience. He wouldn't be the one to cost points at competition.
He rapped his drumsticks against his leg. He had high hopes, which was stupid as a freshman and a sophomore, to be a snare this year. Jean knew he shouldn't wish for anything more than a cymbal player. Maybe he would even be so unlucky as to not even march and be in the pit.
Jean frowned. No, he was going to march this year. He had to march this year. He didn't want to play on the sideline, even if there was nothing wrong with being in the pit. He sighed, no snare until at least junior year…
Jean finally made it to the door and frowned. For an art elective, he expected the building to be a little more…spirited. It was the band hall after all.
Jean yanked open the door and an explosion of voices met his ears. He walked in and smiled. Now that was more like it.
The entire hall looked like a tornado of marching uniforms and sheet music hit it. There were stands and chairs scattered everywhere. And extremely large green, blue, and white banners and posters with the mascot, they were the Eagles, splattered on them. Most of them said, "Go Eagles!" But, there was the occasional "You can't cage the Eagles!" or "We have the Winning Wings!"
Jean looked over to the back of the hall and recognized a familiar baldhead. "Connie!"
The trumpet player turned around and walked up to Jean, "Hey, man, ready for camp?"
Jean clasped his hand, and they did the handshake/bro hug. Jean smiled widely, "Hell, yeah! I'm so ready for the season to start already."
"How can you be thinking about marching? I'm already ready for lunch!"
Jean turned around and saw his other friend, the sax player, Sasha.
Jean rolled his eyes, "Hey, Sasha. Didn't you just eat breakfast?"
She gave him a blank look. "So?"
"Freshman!"
About thirty or so heads turned around to see a short man standing on a chair with a bored expression on his face.
He nodded, "Now that I have you little sh-"
"Levi," a tone said warningly.
The short guy, Levi, sighed. "Now that I have your attention, introductions should be made. I am Levi, and I am the assistant drum major this year." He pointed to a tall blonde talking to an old bald man with a large mustache, "That's Erwin. He's the head drum major."
Levi looked over everyone and sighed again. "Not much this year, huh?"
"Come on, Levi. Be a little more heart warming!"
A girl with glasses and her brown hair pulled up pushed Levi off the chair and jumped on. "Hey everyone!" she called out, waving enthusiastically. "I am Hanji, president of the band. I hope you're ready to have a good time this year."
Levi grunted.
Hanji ignored him. "We're going to split you up with your section leaders in a bit. They will be your go-to man for the rest of the year." She looked at her list. "So let me introduce them really quick.
"Petra over here," she pointed to a small girl with a wide smile on her face, "Is the flute's section leader.
"Auruo," a guy standing beside Petra with a smirk, similar to Levi's, on his face, "Is the clarinet's leader.
"Gunther," another tall guy with a slight frown set on his lips, "Is the sax leader.
"I am the trumpet's section leader," Hanji smiled widely, and Jean suddenly felt bad for Connie.
She pointed to a dude with slightly narrowed eyes and blonde hair, "This is Mike and he's with the trombones.
"Ness over there," a guy standing off to the side with a white bandana covering his head, "Will lead the French horns.
"Hannes," a tall blonde, who nodded his head in acknowledgement, "will be in charge of the baritones."
Jean started bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was becoming anxious. Percussion was always announced last, but why the hell was Hanji talking so damn slow?
"Kitts," Hanji prattled on, waving offhandedly to a nervous-looking guy in the back, "Will lead the tubas.
"Rico," Jean perked up. Drumline? A small girl with a bored expression jerked her head. "Will be in charge of the entire pit."
Jean sighed. This is it, his section leader. The asshole that he'll have to put up with all year…
"And finally, Marco, is in charge of drumline."
…is really fucking cute.
Jean felt his breath catch at the sight of the freckled boy waving to the group of freshman with a smile spread across his face. He had black hair, which parted in the middle, and wore a simple green t-shirt and black basketball shorts. From what Jean could see, the dude had freckles everywhere.
Jean felt something jab sharply against his ribs, "Shit!"
The entire band turned to look at him. Jean ducked his head quickly, face burning red from embarrassment. He turned his head and looked over to see Connie and Sasha trying to muffle their laughter. "What the hell man?" Jean whispered fiercely.
Connie looked at him, "You were staring off into space and your face was turning red. I wanted to make sure you were breathing."
"Alright! Meet up with your section leaders now!"
Jean grunted, "I'll see you assholes later." Jean walked over to Marco, his legs becoming weak. Come on Jean. You don't even know Marco yet.
Jean stood next to a smaller, black-haired boy with wide green eyes. Marco smiled at the two of them, "Looks like you're all that we have this year. That's great, we already have a full drumline."
The green-eyed boy frowned, "What?"
Marco looked at him. "What, what? Who are you?" somehow, coming from Marco, the question sounded kind.
"I'm Eren," green eyes answered, "Aren't you a sophomore?"
Jean felt his eyes widen. A sophomore? No way…
Marco laughed, a light sound that sent butterflies crashing around in Jean's stomach. "Yeah, I am. I play the snare."
"That's amazing!" Jean couldn't stop himself. A sophomore and he was already section leader and a snare player?
Marco rubbed the back of his neck, and Jean noticed his freckled cheeks turn red, "Yeah, I know it's a little weird, but Pixis said I deserved it so…"
Marco shook his head and gave Jean a smile. "And you are…?"
Jean mentally slapped himself. Dumbass. "I'm Jean."
"Jean. Well, welcome, you two, to the drumline. I'm sorry to say that you'll be playing cymbals for the season, or at least until you can march properly." Marco looked at both of them for a bit, "Can either one of you march?"
Eren shook his head, "I was on a cast all summer. Couldn't practice even if I wanted to."
Marco nodded thoughtfully. His brown eyes landed on Jean. "And you, Jean?"
Jean felt his throat tighten. "I don't know how to march," he blurted, before he could stop himself.
What the actual fuck? He shouldn't have said that! He should have played it cool, showed off his great marching skills to Marco.
Marco smiled softly at him. He looked over his shoulder, "Hey Reiner! Come here!"
A tall, buff looking blonde walked over to them, grinning, "What do ya need, Marco?"
"Reiner here is one of the best marchers in the drumline. He's plays bass drum," he explained to Jean and Eren. Both of them only nodded.
Marco smiled and looked back to Reiner, "I need you to teach Eren, here, how to march." Marco pulled Eren towards Reiner. His green eyes were wide. Jean didn't blame him. Reiner looked like he could lift six bass drums.
Reiner smiled and threw his arm around Eren's shoulders, playfully, "You got it chief."
Marco nodded and allowed Reiner to talk to Eren. Jean was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, avoiding the Marco's soft brown eyes. Great, first day of summer camp and he had already made a fool of himself. He'll probably be forced with someone who was scarier than Reiner.
"Jean."
Jean looked up at Marco. Marco shot him a wide smile, "Don't worry; Reiner's one of the best. But, he isn't the best. I'll be teaching you how to march."
Jean nodded, holding back the sudden onslaught of excitement he was feeling. Holy shit! Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
"Alright band!" Jean turned and saw the tall blonde, Erwin, by the band hall's doors. "Let's teach the freshman how to line up properly. We'll be handing out sets once we get to the practice field."
Marco nudged Jean's shoulder with his own, and Jean suddenly noticed Marco was half a head taller than him. "Let's go, you'll be lining up behind me for a while."
Jean nodded and they joined the entire band outside.
So this was something submitted to thisismouseface by jeanhorschtein on tumblr! (Great blogs if you ask me!) I love love love this au idea because I was in marching band in high school and I know how it can get and how the relationships can bloom within a band. Brings back good memories...
So this will be an ongoing story. I know I shouldn't be trying to do so many stories at once (Flying, Dreams and Nightmares, Something Out of a Book and now this one) but I think I can manage if I only manage my time. Besides...each one has a different tone set to it and I actually noticed that I write each story according to my mood. So...yeah.
So, I'm going to get my other story up...which is already three chapters deep. Yup. Leave a comment or favorite. Thanks you lovely people!
Happy reading!