Even if no one reads this, Im still going to update because I have nothing better to do, Im sorry.
Ruby looked out the big glass doors and sighed. It was still raining. She walked back into the band room. Around her was sitting Michelle Horner, Joe Batello, Tori Wilkins, and Mike Littlehail (Yes Aria's older brother).
"still raining…" Ruby said.
"It is?" Michelle said rolling her eyes.
"Did anyone else show up yet?" Mike asked, leaning over his concert tuba.
Ruby shook her head.
Joe shrugged, and then nodded. "You guys wanna play some more then?"
They all nodded.
"One… Two… One, Two, ready, and…" Tori said, drumstick poised over the edge of the desk she sat at. The band office filled with the the music from Explocion. They even had all the major sections, Michelle on snare, Tori (usually a quad player) playing the snare part, Ruby on Clarinet, Joe on Trumpet and Mike on Tuba.
After the piece they were all smiling.
"I did it!" Ruby cried, finally having memorized the music and have it done completely by memory. Joe hugged her.
Michelle was also smiling content, finally have perfected the snare part.
Tori was smiling. Tori never stopped smiling. Most of the band didn't think it was possible, except the drumline of course, who has heard her bark a few times and now knows not to mess with their drum captain. "Nice job guys"
A head poked in the door, "guys?" it was Nate. "Band got canceled due to rain."
"WHAT?!" Michelle asked, color rising in her cheeks as she stood. Nate ducked out the door and closed it. "Doug NEVER cancels band!" she screamed, eye brows coming together.
"Except, when it's pouring rain and it's our third practice, the newbies aren't very good yet… give them time!" Mike said, walking over and putting his arms on Michelle's shoulders. He smiled at her and, gave her a hug. She huffed and nodded.
"HEY!" Ruby piped up, "I'm a freshman!" Ruby piped up.
"Yes, But Ruby, you joined the band in fifth grade, and started playing in seventh, which makes you either a junior or a senior, pick one" Mike said smiling.
She laughed.
"speaking of which, I think it's throw the freshman in the mud time…" Joe said grinning.
"NO!" Ruby squeaked, laughing as Joe came and scooped her up. She was laughing to the point of near tears as he ran from the school into the rain. He twirled her around, laughing as she clung to his shirt.
"Put me down!" she cried, laughing.
Tori, Mike, and Michelle came running. They all smiled.
"Come on… put her down Joe" Mike said, grinning.
"Aww, but throw the freshman in the mud time is my favorite time." He said smiling.
"JOE!" Ruby squeaked, laughing.
"Come on Joe, you don't want to scar the freshman for life!" Michelle called.
"Yeah Joe" Tori called.
Joe set Ruby back on her feet. "Don't you want to be thrown in the mud?" he asked, looking at her. She threw her arms around him. "Joe, you're the closest thing to a big brother I've ever had." She said, tears, suddenly filling her eyes. "I don't want you to leave this year."
Joe didn't know what to say. He put his arms around the tall freshman (still not very tall compared to him) and patted her hair softly. "It'll be okay Ruby, I'll come back… I promise"
Tori had walked slowly from the door, she put her arms around the two of them, "We all will" she whispered, as Michelle and Mike walked over from the door. They all hugged each other in silent remembrance of times past, both good and bad.
Joe was the first to break the silence as he slowly lifted up Ruby's chin, her teardrops mixing with the rain on her soft face. "You're coming over my house after this, let's go tackle each other on the football field. It's gonna be nothing but all mud!" he exclaimed, grinning.
"I'm in," Ruby said laughing.
"And me" Tori said smiling.
"and us." Mike and Michelle said together.
They all took off through the rain, sprinting toward the football field, and smiling.