Corey remained in the band room after class. True it was only third hour and everyone still had three to go but no one could really force themselves to leave their home. Even the tuba player didn't leave, though it was his lunch time. She was walking around and comforting people when someone they hadn't seen in weeks walked in.
"Tiffany!!!" screamed half the band, mobbing her in order to get a hug. She emerged from the group gasping for breath and staggered into Mr. M's office. Tiffany plopped into a chair and was followed by Corey. Mr. M entered.
"What's wrong?" came his worry filled tone as he sat in front of her.
"I don't know if I can stand being around those...those... pathetic excuses for human matter anymore. I mean all they do is slap each other, show off girls as trophies, talk about games and rip on the band. I can't stand aside and watch anymore." She broke into gut wrenching sobs. "I just don't understand how they could want to get rid of us entirely. What did we ever do to them besides bring more people to games? At least we win our competitions."
Corey knelt down to comfort her. "Did anyone see you come in?"
Sniffing and wiping her nose on the back of her hand Tiffany shook her head. "No they're all in class and I told them I was going home sick. Then Bubba kissed me and told me to make sure I'm at his game on Friday. I almost lost it right there."
"Tiffany look at me" Corey said in a calm matter. "Everything will be alright. We, we including all of the band, need you to stay where you are. We need a spy and your the only one close enough to anyone out there to get us the information we desire. Will you stay on the outside and keep reporting or do we need to find a replacement? I just need to know. It's up to you." With that she stood up straight and looked Tiffany in the eye. "Will you do it? For the band and all other de-banded towns everywhere?"
"I will" came the small reply. "Thanks Corey."
"Now" asked Mr. M, "what do you have for us today?"
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In the main part of the band room each section was in it's own area trying to decide what they, as a whole, could contribute. They were still in a state of shock and weren't thinking rationally. At one point Devinn, a percussionist, stood and screamed at the top of his lungs. " Why don't we just bomb the bastards? It will allow us to stay together."
Though the section leaders silently agreed that it would be easier they immediately moved to shut him up. "Devinn, Devinn!" yelled Noah "Snap out of it." But Devinn continued to look around, not seeing them in his current state.
Angelia smacked him. "Listen to Noah! He is your section leader. Pull yourself together and maybe then you can help us all get through this."
Johnny ran to the podium and jumped onto the surface. "Everyone listen up!" his deep voice caught everyone's attention. "I know your all scared and we are too, but we need to stick together and plan out what we're going to do. Don't you see? This is what they want. The football team and the school board want us to separate, and that's what we're doing right now. This is bigger than anything we've ever encountered before and each section can't tackle it on it's own. Now what we need to do is look at this as a whole band not as 'I'm a clarinet so I go here' or 'this is where my section leader is so I only listen to these rules.' We NEED to work together and we will do that."
Noah got up there behind Johnny and he got down. "Now," Noah addressed the band "We are probably going to have to stay in the band room for however long this war is going to last. I don't think it will be safe for us to sleep in the outside world because they may try to attach our band room while we are not here. So everyone is going to need to bring in a sleeping bag or bedding and a pillow. This floor does get pretty hard when your sleeping there."
He looked at Betsy and when she nodded he allowed her to replace him on the platform.
She started talking. "Next we need people to begin bringing in food. Try to make sure it doesn't need to be refrigerated because we won't really have anywhere to store it. Canned-"
She was interrupted when Jerry stood up. "Sorry Betsy but there is the room that we keep all of our fundraiser things in. That is a very large fridge. Can't we just use that?" He sat down.
"Excellent idea. I didn't think of that Jerry, well done. So now everything can be brought in. Still we also need things that can be stored in this actual room just in case they find our other food. Now everyone is probably going to want to bring in clothing so they can change. Also bring in your shower stuff, because, if you all recall, we just had that locker room added onto our band room because the football players and cheerleaders of visiting teams needed somewhere to go during half time. Little did the football team know that they were helping us. I think that's all. If you parents ask where your going with all the food and things tell them that the band the yearly food drive a little early because we want to have it all delivered by Christmas. Much love to you all and be sure you remember everything you've been told to bring." She stepped down.
Everyone in the band watched in awe as Betsy walked back over to her section. No one had ever heard he utter more than two sentences in a row, let alone a short speech. Just then every head whipped over to Mr. M's office as the door opened. Tiffany was the first to step out and with a little wave to the band she ran over and embraced Janet. Janet had tears in her eyes. "I'm so glad to see your not hurt Tiffany," she whispered.
Corey and Mr. M walked out of the office unnoticed. It was her turn to address the band.
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Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth for a really long time but things have been hectic. I won't make excuses though because I have also been lazy. Anyway I hope to update more frequently so keep an eye open. Love to my reviewers. Thanks.