I stared outside the bus window, panting from the heat. That was horrible. Half-way through the parade, I had done a horns-up at the beginning of a drum cadence, thinking it was time to play. At least I was hardly out of step the rest of the parade. I had really wanted to see the drumline's performance with the dance team, but of course, we were stuck marking time. Urg.
The bus arrived back at the school and we all piled out. I went for my flute case, dodging the other people, particularly those with bigger instruments than mine. I made it my general rule that the larger instruments come before me. I was, after all, just a flute player. I put my flute away and polished it before doing anything else, then I took off my uniform and put it away. I had the uniform managers inspect it before hanging it back in its spot.
After awhile the band room cleared out as people went home. Soon there were no more than 15 out of 150 left. One of them was none other than HIM. He was putting his cell phone in his pocket and getting ready to leave.
"Hey, Lucas!" I called to get his attention, feeling incredibly bold.
He looked up at me, the cutest look of questioning on his face. "Yeah?"
I couldn't help but smile as I asked, "You goin' to Homecoming tonight?" My heart fluttered gently in my chest, hope rising in me.
"Yeah...why?"
That caught me off-guard. "Oh, no reason. Just wanted to know if I could count on catching a glimpse of you. Guess I'll see ya there, then! Bye!" I practically sprinted out the door. My mom was there, thank goodness. I didn't want to have to face him again. I was such a hopeless dork.