AN: Sorry this took so long to get out! I had trouble getting it just right. Then suddenly it grew a mind of it's own and before I knew it the chapter was done! Well, I hope you enjoy it! Review please!

Chapter Three

Uncle Alba decided we would spend the first part of rehearsals this year focusing on fundamentals since our marching and maneuvering scores hadn't always been the best the previous season. So the first two hours of rehearsal were spent doing mind-numbing marching drills. The only good part was that he let the upperclassmen do a drill down afterwards. Nate and I were the last two standing and I could hear the rest of the band making bets on who would win. I let out a laugh and stared intently at the drum major as he yelled out the commands. Noticing Nate wasn't even hesitating in his movements, I started yelling my responses louder in an attempt to rattle him. Eventually it got to him, and he turned the wrong way. I threw up my arms and cheered as half the band groaned, obviously having lost their bet.

"That's not fair, she was screaming in my ear," he whined. I laughed.

"I don't remember any rule about how loud you could be. Get over it hot shot," Uncle Alba said with a smirk. I stuck my tongue out at Nate before giving a couple nearby clarinets high-fives.

Not long after, we had our first water break. I hurried over to my water, hoping to avoid Nate. I knew the drill down had distracted him from my encounter with Kevin earlier, but I didn't want to push my luck. I really didn't want to explain how I knew Kevin. He would tease me like crazy. Plus, we had never really had many serious conversations and I didn't feel comfortable opening up to anyone besides Cora, Ann, and my uncle.

Luckily a guard girl approached him with a flirty smile as he was headed toward me and he was completely distracted. I had just let out a sigh of relief when Cora and Ann plopped down on either side of me with excited looks on their faces.

"Have you seen the new drummer?" Cora asked dramatically. Obviously they had missed my little episode earlier.

"He is so hot!" Ann exclaimed.

"Those curls!" Cora squealed.

"Those pouty lips," Ann said with a dreamy sigh.

"That cute little nose."

"His arms are amazing. They're strong, but not disgustingly huge. You have to love drummers."

"His skin looks so smooth, too. I bet he moisturizes." I rolled my eyes as they continued to debate whether or not he moisturized.

"I wonder what color his eyes are?" Cora asked suddenly.

"Hazel," I replied automatically. I clapped my hand over my mouth and prepared myself for their reactions.

"What?!" they both yelled loudly before attacking me with questions about how I knew.

"Is everything okay over here?" I heard an amused voice ask. Cora and Ann went silent as we looked up to see Kevin standing there with a smirk. I let out a little sigh at temporarily being saved from explaining.

"Just peachy," I said sarcastically. Kevin chuckled before turning his gaze to Cora and Ann.

"You must be Kyla's friends. I'm Kevin," he said with a warm smile.

"This is my cousin Cora and our friend Ann," I explained, pointing to each.

"Cora, you're the director's daughter aren't you?" he asked. She nodded. He was about to say something else when we heard Mike yelling Kevin's name. Kevin looked up as Mike waved him over.

"Well, the line calls. I'll see you later Kyla," he said before jogging towards his section.

"Oh. My. Gosh. Cora do you see…?" Ann trailed off, still watching Kevin's retreating form.

"You mean his butt? Duh! How can you miss that piece of perfection?" she asked. I buried my face in my hands. How could I possibly be related to her? They shared a little squeal before turning to me.

"Spill. Now." Cora said, looking eerily like her dad when Nate and Chris have gone one joke too far.

"He's the guy from the theater I was telling you about." They stared at me, obviously expecting more.

"And he just waltzes up here like you see each other everyday? What's up with that?" Ann asked. I sighed.

"He came up to me as we were walking out. I asked him why he never told me he was in band and he just smirked and said I had never told him I was in band either. That's when stupid Mike called him back. I swear if that guy keeps this tight of a leash on Kevin all season he's going to die," I said with a glare in Mike's general direction. Cora and Ann simply smiled at me.

"What?" I asked. They both attacked me with hugs.

"You like a boy enough to flirt with him and threaten someone. We're so proud!" Ann exclaimed. I shrugged them off.

"Who said anything about flirting?" I asked innocently. Cora rolled her eyes.

"Don't give me that crap. You two were totally flirting," she said, bumping my shoulder. I sighed.

"What does it matter? Even if he did like me, having a boyfriend is a bad idea."

"What? What are you talking about?" Ann asked, obviously confused.

"Hello? Did we suddenly forget what my home life is like? It's screwed up, and so am I. It would be nice to get away from home more often, but he'd want to pick me up for dates and meet my father. I can't let him do that. He'd start wondering why and when he found out he would freak and dump me. I can't go through that. So just let it go," I said bitterly as we heard the whistle. I put my water away and walked back to the trumpet section before they could say anything.

When I got in place, Chris must have noticed a change in my attitude because he was looking at me warily. I sighed again. I had to stop thinking about home. I tried my best to smile at him, but I could tell he didn't buy it. Uncle Alba began talking and I was suddenly grateful for the distraction. I could still feel Chris as well as my friends staring at me as if I was going to explode. I sighed for what seemed like the millionth time.

This was going to be a long rehearsal.

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