Inside the storage closet, Bill Baggins pulled out his notebook, trying to get his essay done for class before band started. "Okay," he muttered, and scribbled at the top of the sheet of notebook paper... "Concerning....band nerds."

As more students began coming into the band room, he began to write- "Band nerds have been playing and practicing down in the fourth room of the music hall for many years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the other groups of the school."

Outside, Freda walked into the band room with Samantha. Behind them were Mark and Paul, racing each other through the music hall like they did every morning.

"In fact, it has been remarked by some that a band nerd's only interest is in the instrument they play."

Sure enough, as he wrote, two band nerds, passed by the storage closet, arguing about which section was better.

"Totally untrue, as we are also interested in our section wars, secondary instruments and so forth..."

Freda pulled out both her flute and piccolo, and headed to her seat. Meanwhile in the percussion section, Mark and Paul were talking and joking with the brass players sitting in front of them.

"But where our hearts truly lie is in band room and our pieces. For all band nerds share a love of music...."

Two band nerds came through the doors, lugging a huge plastic bag full of party decorations behind them.

"You have NO idea how hard it was to get this up the stairs," one of them complained.

"Well let's start decorating!!!" Every band nerd ran up and began grabbing stuff out of the bag.

"This party is going to rock!" Paul said excitedly to Mark.

Bill looked at his essay. It's good, he thought, but it needs a finishing touch. He grinned...and then scrawled at the end, And sure...some people will think we're weird....but what can we say...WE'RE BAND NERDS AND PROUD OF IT!!!

Bill walked outside just as someone hung a sign over the door with the words – BAND NERDS ROCK!!! Everyone cheered, including Bill.

At the end of the period

Freda looked up from her band locker as the 10 minute bell rang to see Gary, her student mentor, walk through the door, singing his self composed test song.

"The test goes on forever more," he sang, "Down from the heading where it began. Now far ahead the test has gone and I must pass it if I can."

"You're late."

"A student mentor is never late, Freda, nor are they early. They arrive precisely when they mean to."

Freda raised an eyebrow quizzically while Gary tried to keep a straight face. Both started laughing and gave each other their special high-five.

"It's great to see you again, dude," she said, laughing.

"You didn't think I'd miss Bill's party, did you now?"

"So..." she asked, as they walked through the band room. "How's everything in the ninth grade. Tell me everything!!!"

"Everything," he asked, pretending to be surprised. "That's rather unusual for a seventh grader. Ninth grade goes on as usual, with way too much homework, tests, detentions."

"So," Gary said, as they passed the band nerds setting up, "I guess tonight's finally the long expected band party."

"You know Bill. He's practically got the whole place crazy. The whole band's been invited. He's up to something though."

"Oh is he..."Gary said secretively.

"Fine...keep your secrets. Before you came, we were very well thought of. Never did anything uncool. Actually, we still don't." she replied.

A group of band nerds clustered around Gary.

"Hey, are you smuggling fireworks again?"

"Last time, you almost set the band room on fire..."

"Yup," Gary replied, a little smugly and secretively. "I'm smuggling them again tonight." Pulling out a handful of party poppers, he threw them on the ground. They exploded, bringing cheers from the bandos.

"You sure know how to liven things up," Freda informed Gary, punching him lightly on the shoulder. "Glad you're back."

"Hey, so am I," Gary replied. "Catch ya later," he said, as she waved and walked off with a group of friends.

Gary walked over to a door at the end of the bandroom-the door to the storage closet where Bill always hid out- and knocked on it.

From inside the room, Bill yelled, "GO AWAY!!! I don't want any band members, solicitators, or annoying stalkers."

Gary rolled his eyes. "What about friends since 5th grade!?!"

Bill opened the door. "Oh..." he said, surprised, "Hey Gary. Come on in."

Gary walked in, only to hit a hanging cymbal, wincing. Rubbing his forhead, he muttered, "Guess I forgot how small this place is."

Carefully, he backed away from the hanging cymbal only to hit the drum set sitting in the corner. "Grrr...how do those band nerds do it?" he muttered.

Bill was on the other side of the room and completely unaware of his friend's situation. "Do ya want a Pepsi or a coke," he asked.

"Um...Pepsi," Gary replied, carefully making his way across the tiny room.

Bill handed Gary the can, and glared at the snack machine. "Sorry, our vending machine is understocked. We've been out of Cheese-its and gobstoppers for ages."

"No problem man," Gary said, "same thing in the ninth grade wing."

A knock came from outside the storage room. "Hey Bill," someone called, "did we have any homework for tonight?"

"NO." Turning to Gary, he muttered, "those band nerds never give me a moment's peace. I want to change homerooms and actually have somewhere quiet to get my homework done."

"So...I take it you mean to go through with your plan, then," Gary said, taking a gulp of soda.

"Yeah, all the arrangements are already made," Bill replied.

"You know...Freda kinda suspects something,"Gary pointed out. "You should tell her."

"Yeah...she'd probably want to come with me, but I know she still likes the band. You know..." Bill began, "Actually, I'm starting to feel tired, even though I don't look like it. Stretched, like a teen trying to keep a 4.0 and get into honor band at the same time. I need a break, a very long break. I WISH IT WERE SUMMER!!!"

"Um....don't we all???"

"Ahem," Bill said, calming down, "My point is, I need a break from band and I don't think I'll come back. That's the whole point, after all."

Later that night, Bill and Gary walked to the band room together.

"Seriously," Bill said, excitedly, "This party's going to be the talk of the school for weeks to come."

REVIEWS

Earmuffs- Thank you! I plan to finish all three books/movies/stories :D

Irethancalime37191- YES!!! DOWN WITH HOMEWORK!!! (which isn't exactly possible since I'm starting 8th grade tomorrow) Thanks, and keep reading

Alania - Thanks! I'll update as regularly as my schdule and school permits. lol

pirate-queen-of-sixteen - Thanks for catching that spelling. I'm glad you like my fic :)