Authoress's Note: I am so sorry that it took me so long to update, especially with such a crappy chapter! I've been dealing with drama in real life, and I didn't want that to bleed over to the story. Well, here's the necessary chapter... hopefully I'll get to interesting plot things again.

Lily sat cross-legged on the ground, arms in a matching position. "Such a fun break from marching this is, alone in the band room with you." She snarled at Noah.

"Come on, Lily. You heard Mr. Jonathan. We have to start getting along." Noah sighed.

"No, we don't. We just have to stop fighting." Lily scoffed, turning away from Noah.

And what a fine job of that we're doing… Noah thought, sighing. Let's try a different tactic.

Without warning, Noah plopped down next to his best friend. "Remember our first band camp?"

Lily giggled. "You mean back in ninth grade, when I thought guys had cooties?" she suggested.

"You did not!" Noah laughed. "You just thought we were all plotting to kill you."

"I like cooties better. Makes me seem less psychotic." Lily smirked, turning back towards Noah.

"Yeah, well remember the drum major then?"

"You mean Kevin? Of course I do! He was pretty danged hot. I think every girl in band wanted in his pants." Lily chuckled. "And a few guys, too."

"Some things never change." Noah sighed. "Well, I'm glad guys aren't crushing on me."

"That you know of!" Lily giggled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Noah glared.

"Nothing, just that you'd be in good shape if you were gay." Lily grinned.

"Oh dear God…" Noah groaned, praying Lily didn't start…

"That'd be okay! I mean 'cuz hey, I'd like you anyway!"

Yup. She started singing, serenading Noah in a voice even Paula Abdul would criticize.

"I am not gay!"

"If you WERE gay." Lily laughed, finishing up the quote.

"Ugggh." Noah groaned.

"Come on, have a little fun. You always look like you have a stick up your ass lately." Lily punched Noah lightly in the arm.

"Fine, fine. But you know… I wish so many girls didn't have a crush on me. And guys, apparently. I bet you half the band fantasized that they had given me this hickey." Noah frowned.

"Probably did. Most of the band would probably kill me if they knew, too."

"Yeah… Why did we do it?" Noah frowned, biting his lower lip.

"Because we're both stubborn and wanted to prove the other person wrong?" Lily suggested.

"I know that. I mean, why did you give that as a way for me to prove you wrong?" Noah asked.

"So that you could prove me wrong? It was kind of spur of the moment."

"You sure you're not one of the million girls who want in my pants?" Noah chuckled.

"Ew, most definitely not! You're not that attractive."

"What do you mean? I think I am quite hot." Noah laughed again, striking a super model pose.

"Well for one, I'm taken." Lily said nervously, biting her lower lip.

"Yeah, I know, by Jason." Noah chuckled.

"No, by… someone else…" Lily swallowed, a lump forming in her throat.

"What, is Jason your coverup? You have a secret boyfriend your mom wouldn't approve of?" Noah grinned.

"Um… yeah. He's totally hot… dropped out of high school, though… and he's um… way older than me. Lives two states away." Lily lied. Damnit why can't I tell him?

"Ooh, scandalous!" Noah giggled girlishly. "Tell me more!"

Thankfully, Debora came back out with Leah in tow.

"Ya turn, Mr. Noah." She grinned, fiddling with the tape measure. "Y'all gals can handle yourselves, raht?"

"Yes ma'am." Lily stiffened, nodding.

"Good. Mr. Noah, go in there and disrobe. Leave ya underwear, on."

"Yes ma'am." Noah nodded, wandering into the practice room. Ha, how ironic… the gay man going into the closet…

- - - -

"So, Lily." Leah started, keeping a stiff upper lip.

"Yes, Leah?" Lily answered, equally as cold.

"Do you know how Noah got that hickey?"

"I have no idea. Didn't he say he hit his bedpost?"

"Yes, but I'm not that dumb. I think he got together with some tramp in the band."

"Some tramp, eh? What a wonderful band captain you are, accusing some female so." Lily gulped, trying to keep anger out of her voice.

"But who else could it be?"

"I haven't a clue." Lily gulped again.

"Ah, well. I suppose if it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. You know, he broke up with me this morning. I think he has found himself somebody else." Leah explained, barely choking back tears.

"Is that so? Well, I'm certain he's not dumping you for somebody else." Lily tried to be reassuring, but failed.

"I suppose." Leah nodded. The pair sat in silence until Debora wandered out again with a blushing Noah.

"Miss Lily, please come here." Debora directed, sweeping a hand towards the practice room.

"Yes ma'am."

- - - -

"Noah, can we please talk?" Leah asked.

"About what?" Noah asked back, confused.

"About us! I mean… God! Why are we 'taking a break'?" Leah groaned, using air quotes.

"Because… I don't want us to go way too fast… We're high schoolers, babe! We're too young to think about forever!" Noah half-said, half-yelled.

"If this was the 1500s, we'd be married with three kids by now!" Leah whined.

"Thank God this isn't the 1500s, because I aim to get a nice, long education before I marry you or anyone else." Noah grunted. "End of discussion, please."

"It's that slutty freshman, isn't it? Cassie or Capone or whatever her name is?" Leah screamed.

"What? No! I'm not interested in any girl other than you, but I still think this break is the best idea." Noah yelled.

"You're a damned liar, Noah! I know that's a hickey, not some damned bruise! Who the hell gave you that?" Leah screamed louder than a murder victim.

"IT IS A BRUISE!" Noah yelled, before walking out of the band room.

"Liar…" Leah whispered to Noah's back.

- - - -

*hums "If You Were Gay"* Hahaha. Lily totally has my sense of humor. I know, technically all the characters are my creations and a mother shouldn't play favorites, but... just don't tell Leah. She might get jealous, and we can all see how she gets when she gets jealous. Mwahaha. So, when this band camp is finally over, I'm going to have a Q&A chapter. No spoilers or plot questions, mostly because I'm making this whole thing up as I go... But if you want to ask something like "What does Noah like so much about Jason?" or "OHEMGEE LILY AND BELI IT TOTALLY RHYMES WAS THAT PLANNED?", go ahead. Leave them in a review or a message to me.