Chapter 3
The bus came to a rather screechy stop. Its occupants all rose from their seats in a wavelike motion. It had started raining and the deep roar of thunder could be heard in the distance. Connor and Murphy both took one last glance out the foggy windows, stretched, and rose from their seats a few seconds after everyone else. The bus door hissed as it sprung open and Connor, Murphy, and the rest of the people on the bus streamed out.
The brothers headed to the door, paces perfectly synchronized with each other. They headed through the double doors that lead into the back hallway, and split when they reached a branching hallway to the left. Connor kept his pace and headed down the ramp on the branching hall. Murphy headed into the auditorium, where the seventh graders had to wait until the first bell of the day (known to the MacManus brothers as "hell's bell").
Connor continued down the hall towards the band room when suddenly, a thin figure wearing a shirt with sleeves much too long for its already long arms exited the band room, staring at the floor in contemplation, heading straight for Connor. The figure slowly raised its head, showing Connor that it was Rocco, him and Murphy's best friend since first grade. "Hey, Connor," Rocco muttered, looking up at his friend.
"Hey," he answered. "Yeh know, yeh really should start buying clothes that fit you, Roc."
Rocco turned around and began to follow Connor into the band room. "Ah, don't give me that crap," Rocco answered half playfully, half serious. "You know how mom is with clothes and shit."
"Actually, no I don't. I'm sorry."
They continued towards the band room where Connor put his trumpet up, and headed out. Rocco paused for a moment, then ran to catch up with his friend. "Oh, Connor! I just remembered something! We have band practice after school today."
"Connor looked up at the ceiling, obviously consulting his internal calendar. "Oh, shit, yer right! Oh, man...hey, could Murph and I get a ride home with you this evening? Since we got practice, and because I sorta want to avoid Ma this evening..."
"Sure you can have a ride, but what's up with your Mom?"
"Long story."
Connor and Rocco turned and headed out of the band room and toward the auditorium.
