Thanks for the wonderful reviews for my first chapter! What a great way to start things out.
One good question from Somewei, What (if anything) does J.D. stand for?
Answer: Actually yes, I got inspiration from my favorite show, Scrubs, in which the title character is named "John Dorian" hence J.D. Character names are a lot of fun for me. I have a list of a bunch of names I can't wait to use.
And kudos to clarinetbandgeek07, for figuring out that the first scene of this story was also a scene in Keeping in Line. I'm going to try and incorporate all Bronwyn's flashbacks as reality in this story.
AN: Going first person for a little bit here…
I do own the characters.
Chapter 2: The Guy
Dear Diary,
I can't believe my senior year is here. Well, almost here. For all purposes, tomorrow is the beginning of senior year. Tomorrow is the first day of band camp. It just doesn't seem real. You wait and wait and wait and then suddenly you're a senior and it's your last season. I'm really sorry that I have to say good bye to summer, because this one has been a total blast…and it's also been keeping me busy. I realize that my last entry in this thing was graduation for the Class of 06. Whoops!
It was sad to say goodbye to the seniors…and one senior especially. Of course, you can't flip through this thing and not realize the name "Brent" means a lot to me. Will it continue to? That kind of remains to be seen. We're in a very weird place relationshipwise. Is that even a word? Anyway, he left for school yesterday. No State or anywhere within a fifty mile radius for him. He's attending SCAD. I know, it sounds like a disease, but it's actually Savannah College of Art and Design, which makes sense for him since he's an aspiring artist and all. I want to be happy for him, but it still sucks to be left behind. At the moment, I just feel kind of empty. I guess I'm lucky that I have marching band to keep me busy and keep my mind off things.
As hopeful as I am that we're going to stay together forever, I'm glad we're both approaching this thing as realistically as possible. Long distance relationships are tough. There's a lot of trust issues and missing each other and missing out. Before you write me off as completely devoid of romantic feelings, Brent and I have decided to be "special friends," which basically means when he's in town we still get boyfriend/girlfriend privileges. Am I setting myself up for a roller coaster of emotions? Probably. On the other hand, it's not like there's anyone I'm going to be falling to the arms of any time soon. In fact, I'm trying for just the opposite. After my success with the strangely happy couple of Gina and Mike, I'm going to be playing a bit of Cupid as we head to band camp. I have some definite couples in mind.
Furthermore, in case
I didn't mention it, I am officially a Lieutenant on the Drum Line.
After everything was said and done, so far Mike has actually stuck
to his guns about accepting me as Lieutenant. I'm already dreaming
about going out on the field for competitions and on the court for
Indoor! I can't wait! I know I have Gina to thank for his new and improved attittude.
Mandy and I worked at the pizza place again. It was a struggle to waste our pre-senior hours, but we're all saving for an awesome Spring Break trip. Not sure though, my funds may have to go towards an emergency trip to see Brent.
Anyway, as we head into band camp, I think about my friends and where we all started four years ago, as scrawny naïve freshman and now Mandy is one of the Captains of the Guard, a job she is taking very seriously. Gina is in charge of the majorettes (who are mixing it up with rifles this year, BTW). Fred is still Drum Major and everyone is pumped about our show this year. That's right, we're (finally) doing a Big Band show including Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing), Bei Mir Mis Du Shoen, and It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing). (AN: I love swing dancing!) Can you say bass drum awesomeness? We got a sneak peek of the book Henry wrote and it is the bomb! The drum break is, as always, nice and long with plenty of time to show off our mad chops.
Also, one last thing before I have to go really finish packing. I have a project this season and her name is Bronwyn Flueger. Our third girl is soooooooo shy. My heart totally goes out to her. I think it may be too much to try and find her a boyfriend, but it's never to early to start building some confidence. Who knows? She may be the future Captain of this Line.
Lates,
Lucy
Lucy closed her diary and went to actually start packing.
Although Mark had offered a spot in his mini-van, Lucy had opted to ride up to band camp in Mandy's convertible. They had come a long way since the awkwardness of last season and Lucy wasn't about to mess things up. Plus, she had to start planting a few romantic seeds in Mandy's pretty head. Lucy was still considering if her friend would be a better fit with James or Fred. The girls joked the entire way up and schemed a few pranks to play on the freshies in their respective sections. The Auxiliaries were notorious for their "hazing" and Lucy's best friends weren't about to not continue the tradition.
Gina looked in the back seat and commented, "I just hope we packed enough shaving cream."
The bass drummer's last band camp did not disappoint in any way. By talent night, she was extremely exhausted, but in the best way possible. The half-time show was well on its way to being learned and the Line had already memorized a lot of the music. If everything came together, the band had a great chance at sweeping captions come competition time.
However, the realities of October seemed far away at this moment. Currently, she, Lisa, and Bronwyn were standing backstage, going over last minute preparations for their skit. Lucy and Lisa had decided to include Bronwyn during pre-band camp. The young redhead looked like she was going to hyperventilate.
Lucy looked at her, "You don't have to do this."
Lisa added, "But you should, because you look beautiful!"
Bronwyn said timidly, "I can do it."
Lucy rewarded her with a wink and a smile and handed her the homemade sash and glittering Burger King crown.
She looked over at Lisa, "You ready?"
"You bet."
The ladies of the Brookwood Drum Line sauntered on stage in floor length evening gowns, complete with elbow length gloves. Lucy was wearing her Prom dress, a navy empire waisted creation in satin and an elegant updo. Lisa wore a beautiful pink Princess dress and both girls had coaxed Bronwyn into an emerald green dress that really set off her red hair.
Waiting for the catcalls and applause to die down, Lisa addressed the entire band, "Well, ladies and gentleman, we need your help."
Lucy picked up the dialogue, "See, every year there's 'The Guy' in the Drum Line. They come from a prestigious pedigree; I think many of you can remember Will, Brad, and Spence. He's the guy, usually a senior, that everyone falls in love with and crushes on. Now, this is where you come in. As we're in the same section just a little too close to the action, we're going to have each of our senior guys up, ask them a few questions and then have you vote by applause."
The senior (male) drummers looked completely shocked. Lucy and Lisa had been working on this project all summer and had been serious about keeping it under wraps.
Lisa extended her hand gracefully, "James, if you would like to join us?"
James was a good sport and winked at the crowd, joining his fellow seniors on stage.
Lisa asked, "The first question we'll be asking each of the contestants is we'd like you to describe your perfect date."
Lucy and Lisa switched it up, asking the guys humorous and romantic questions as if it was some weird version of Blind Date.
Lucy and Lisa agreed to save the best for last. Lucy addressed the crowd, who was now totally getting into the skit, "Last, but certainly not least, is my good friend and quint Lieutenant, Mark Finnegan!"
Mark strutted on stage in his khaki cargo short, wifebeater, and visor: a typical drummer ensemble for band camp.
Lucy asked, "You know the question Mark, what would you do on your perfect date?"
Mark grabbed the mic and began speaking suavely, "I'd pick up my lovely date, with her favorite flowers in hand of course, then we would get on a private jet and head for New York City to take in a show. I'd have her home by curfew and no date is complete without a kiss!"
Channeling Adrian Brody from the Oscars, Mark swept Lucy up into a melodramatic kiss onstage, complete with a dramatic dip. The band went wild. Lucy, who had never actually kissed Mark, was too shocked to do anything but play along for the crowd and kissed him right back. He was no Brent, but it was still fun to be the center of attention like this.
Lisa raised her eyebrows, "Private jet?"
Breathlessly, Lucy told the crowd, "If we can now begin the voting process. Remember, please cheer loudly for who you think is the next 'Guy.'"
It was no surprise when Mark was voted the "Guy" of the Line. Bronwyn walked over and presented Mark with his sash and crown, which he immediately put on and took a celebratory lap around the stage.
Lisa ended things by saying, "And don't forget next year – you have to decide between Mike and Paul!"
Lucy, Lisa, the male seniors and Bronwyn all were in hysterics as they walked off the stage.
Barry smiled, "I totally did not see that coming."
Lucy was punching Mark, "What was that for? You've got to warn a girl before you do something like that!"
Ewan was nudging Mark, "I totally wish I had thought of that!"
Mark just smiled, "Hey – it worked, didn't it?"
Nick asked, "Is there something Brent should know about?"
Lucy rolled her eyes and said honestly, "Me? Mark? C'mon, that was just for fun! It was like kissing my brother."
The second to last night of band camp was Toga Night for the seniors. Lucy smiled as she got dressed, remembering all the former upperclassmen that had come before her. She, Mandy and Gina had searched far and wide for the perfect sheets to make their togas out of. At a local thrift store they had managed to find Strawberry Shortcake (for strawberry blonde Mandy, of course), pastel purple for Gina (her favorite color) and humorous "I didn't wet the bed!" sheets for Lucy. They completed their stylish ensembles with fitting footwear, Adidas flip flops for Lucy, sequined flip flops for Gina and Birkenstocks for Mandy. On their heads, senior head wear – Burger King Crowns. Each class had a different restaurant hat to represent themselves. The gold crowns were a sign you were a member of the reigning class.
During this night, activities centered around giving out humorous captions to each member of the senior class.
Mr. Izzo would give a little speech about each senior and then give the award. Lucy smiled when she realized he could only be talking about her, "Everywhere I look she is hanging around not one, but many young men. Not that she can help it, as the majority of her section is made up of them and she has proven that she is just as tough as any of them. So, it is with great pride that I give Lieutenant Lucy Karate, "Honorary Dude" status."
Lucy proudly received her caption, which the band parents had placed on a plastic top hat.
Friday night was the dance and Lucy's plans were coming to fruition. She had been nudging James in Mandy's direction for some time and was happy to see James would be escorting her friend to the dance. Gina, who was still surprising Lucy by dating Mike, seemed content to attend the dance with her first bass boyfriend.
Lucy looked wistfully at her friends as they chatted happily about their "dates" for the evening. Lucy remembered last year when she had kept her fingers crossed that Brent would ask her for a dance and had been over the moon when he actually did. Lucy smiled as she remembered how excited she had been by a singular slow dance. It hadn't been long after that when she had met Sam and the utter chaos of her junior year had started.
Having already dressed up one night during the week, Lucy didn't feel like putting a lot of effort into her clothes for the evening. There's no one to impress anyway…
She decided to walk outside, calling behind her, "I'll see you girls over there."
On the steps of the girls dorm, she spotted Bronwyn and took a seat next to her, "Are you going to the dance?"
Bronwyn shrugged.
Lucy decided to try a different approach, "Thanks for your help the other night."
"It was nothing."
"How was your first week at band camp?"
"It was fine."
"Do you like the show?"
Bronwyn brightened, "Yeah, it's awesome."
"Henry can write a pretty challenging book," Lucy continued, "So, Lisa says you're a star drummer."
Bronwyn shrugged, "I'm decent."
"Any boys you like?"
At that moment, Drew and Mark walked by, each with a Dance Line newbie on his arm and Bronwyn blushed. She sighed, "No."
Lucy smiled, "Me either."
By Saturday morning, Lucy figured she had gotten a combined total of about 25 hours of sleep for the week, but it didn't matter. She got a familiar rush of adrenaline when Barry tapped out the beat and the band lined up in the opening set. All the hours and sweating were worth something.
AN: The real life Lisa and I actually did this skit (minus the kiss, of course)! Also, I have to know, did all of you have "The Guy" in your bands?
PS I will be trying my best to incorporate more "band" elements into the story, but I have an entire season to do that, so just be patient.
