Wednesday night practices were famous at Frost. Unlike like our other practices, on Tuesday and Thursday, Wednesday practices were held in the evening from 6:30 to 9. It was very exciting because we got to practice the show on the football field under the lights instead of in the parking lot. Everyone was looking forward to it. It was the second one of the year. Plus, McBride said she had some big new which made everyone even more anxious. I walked down to the field with Lola. She was telling me about Jimmy who finally asked her out. So she had Jimmy, Scarlet had Sean, and I was dateless. Again. I wouldn't have felt so bad if homecoming wasn't coming up. It wasn't too bad last year because none of us had dates so we just talked a few guy friends into going and we went as a group. This year I was feeling a little awkward. I thought it was about time I got a boyfriend. I did have until October 17th to get a homecoming date though... However, there were more important matters at hand. I hadn't told anyone about the cheerleading competition. I wasn't sure what was holding me back but I thought it was best to not say anything until I figured out was I was going to do.

When we got to the field we all stood at attention in our block waiting for direction. Mr. Kester stepped out on the field and spoke.

"The show is good." He said firmly. That could have meant about 50 million different things. "But this show, ladies and gentlemen, is not about sets. It is about the movement between the sets. This is Paris Sketches, not Paris Pictures. Sketches are the light movements of the brush on the paper bringing the true meaning of the art to life. You're pictures are wonderful. But the judges don't have drill charts in front of them. So if you stink up the pictures but your intervals, lines, and marching style is perfect, no one will care. This isn't to say you can have bad pictures but today you will focus on your marching style. Today you will bring the colors of Paris to life!"

After an hour of marching, I think we brought out the colors of Paris to Mr. Kester liking. It was then that Mrs. McBride called us all in to stand around the drum major podium for the "big news."

"As you all know, our performance at the parade was spectacular." She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "One of the judges was so pleased with our performance that he came to our practice yesterday. He spoke to with me earlier today and commented on how well we are doing so early in the season. It's like a new band this year. He said...." Her voice slowed down and she took a deep breath, "he said that he could pull a few strings and get us into the Band of America marching festival in New Jersey on October 9."

The field was silent of a fraction of a section before everyone started talking at once. What and honor this was. Would we be good enough? Was our show jazzy enough? No one could believe it. A thousand thoughts were running through my mind at the same time. It was all just too perfect. McBride called the band to attention, promised details soon, and then allowed us to go. I walked back to the band room alone, still deep in the thought. Suddenly, all my excitement flushed out of my body. October 9th... That was the day of the NCS competition... This could get ugly.

AN: Two short chapters this time. I hope you all liked them. There won't be any up-dates for a while because I'm going out of town. But I'll be writing and I'll put up a nice long chapter when I get back. R&R! xoxo