I rolled out of bed the next morning with thoughts of the day ahead. It was hot and humid just like any other day in mid-August. But unlike the others, today was the first day of The Frosh High School Marching Band's Band Camp. I pulled on a spaghetti strap shirt and sophie shorts. Then I tied my shoes, pulled my hair into a ponytail, grabbed my clarinet and water, and rushed out the door. When I got to the high school, I ran into Jake, the quarterback of the varsity football team. He waved to me. I, gracefully as I am, stopped dead in my tracks. Finally, I got the strength to wave back. Oh my gawd... he's coming over here! I thought.

"Hey," he said, "what are you here for."

He, of course, was starting football practice. I wanted to lie. I wanted to tell him that I was here for cheerleading practice and that I couldn't wait to see him at the games. In the end, I just wanted him to think I was cool. I opened my mouth to lie.

"I'm here for marching band camp," I said in a rush. What? Brain! Why did you say that?! I thought biting my lower lip.

"You're in band?" Jake asked looking confused. "I thought you cheered."

"She does!" Jimmy yelled running up behind me. Where in the world did he come from? "She's hot! You should see her! But in the fall she marches with us and she's damn good at that too! Girl of many talents, our Miss. McAlister is!"

I stood there like stone absorbing Jimmy's comment while he stood there looking cool as a cucumber.

"Yes, I can see that. I'll see you around Allison." Jake said with a wink.

As soon as he was gone I turned to hug Jimmy who was now looked very pleased with himself.

"Come on you guys! We gotta get down to the field before the directors do!" Andrew yelled at us with a smile.

I stood at attention on the practice field as Lily and Ryan handed out drill sheets. I, for the second year in a row, was drill spot number 22. We spent the next 4 hours learning the first four pages of the drill. Tedious as it was, I felt very content on that field in the heat with sweat dripping down my neck. On Friday, the last day of the first week, Mr. Kester had some unexpected news.

"We're going to the parade," he said slowly.

"The parade?" chorused many voices. We never went to the parade. It didn't really have a name. Some people called it the Back-To-School Parade, but most people just called it The Parade. Basically, all the bands in the county marched, which was six. There were seven bands in the county but including Frost, but in our four years of existence, we hadn't gone yet. There were also a collection of different floats and the parade was always followed by a barbeque.

Mrs. McBride looked out at her uneasy looking marching band. "We stunk last year," she said with confidence. "I told you this is our year. We are going to show up at that parade and show what we got. Marching band's use this time to show off! Then people will come to the shows!" She paused for a moment and let all that sink in. "Understand rubber bands?"

The field was silent.

"Well we better get working on our parade marching!" Mr. Kester said proudly and lined us all up in rows of five to begin.

AN: Alright 3 chapters later I am finally going somewhere with this story... Next chapter: The Parade! Good Stuff! Sorry this one is so short. Next one will be longer. Please R&R! xoxo