"ALEXIS! GET UP FOR SCHOOL NOW OR YOU'LL BE LATE!" Her mother's voice rang up the stairs.

Alex groaned. "Ok, ok." she muttered as she slipped out of bed.

School, she wasn't ready for it yet. It's been the first time since band camp that she was in an actual bed. She had compared her schedule with Mercedes and Kasey. She had Chem, Geometry, English, Spanish, Gym, Music, Art, Computer, History, and Band with Kasey, which meant every single period with him. With Mercedes she had Chem, English, Music, Art, Gym, and of course Band. Alex sighed as the bus pulled up and she got on. She couldn't wait afterschool. Marching band was the savior of her day.

Alex enter the school. It was still the same. Like it would change. Mercedes ran up to her and pulled her along the hall until they found their lockers. It was going to be a long day. Most of the day, she stayed with Kasey and Mercedes. Connor basically avoided her. She wouldn't blame him, either. At lunch, a whole bunch of them got a table. She noticed this school was another stereotypical school. You know, preps sit over here, nerds sit over there. They sat at the band geek table. Somebody even took time to inscribe "band geeks only" into the table. It was a long table with many seats. They sat in little groups of friends but most talked about this afternoon's practice.

"You know, competitions are a while from now but I think we will only get a 70," Kasey said.

"Nah. We can do better than that," Alex said.

Kasey scoffed. "You're new, I forgot."

Alex gave him a funny look.

"Let me explain," Mercedes said, "We usually don't score high even though we are a big band. Nobody tries. There is one person always bringin' us down."

"Ok. I'll make you a bet," Alex said.

"Sure. What is it?" Kasey asked.

"If we get a 75 or lower at any competition, I'll dye my hair any color you want. If we get at least a 79 or higher you dye your hair any color I want."

Kasey thought over it. "Sure," he said and they shook hands on it.

"You both are crazy," Mercedes said with a sigh.

"Not too crazy," Kasey replied with a grin.

Alex casually walked out to the field with Mercedes and Kasey. All of them had their instruments. They laid the instruments in the grass and plopped down. Kasey laid on his back watching the clouds go by as Mercedes did cartwheels, almost hittinga bass drum. Alex broke out with laughter. Mr. Clark soon headed towards the field.

"Get in Set 1 without your instruments! We're going to run through it really quick because some of you still need to do this!" he shouted.

Almost everyone groaned and stood up. Alex hurried out onto the field. The drill seemed like it took forever. Mr. Clark made them start from where ever they messed up but someone messed up almost everytime. Soon, he called them to get their instruments.

"It's only 4:00!" Kasey muttered.

"What!" Mercedes and Alex exclaimed in unision.

"Yeah...still have to 5:30," Kasey said with a sigh.

As most practices are, this was long and tiring. They each had to go in their own section to practice parts. Alex watched every section leader call their group. The tubas stood around her. They sat down on the ground and Alex ordered them to play. After a while, they were finished and sitting around. Tony took a younger tuba player, Kevin, and tied his shoelaces together. He couldn't get them undone. Everyone in the tubas except Kevin and Alex broke out laughing.

"TONY! You are such an asshole! You shouldn't have tied his shoes together," Alex shouted at him.

"Yeah...yeah...he wanted me to do that," Tony said.

Mr. Clark ordered them to get in Set 20 and Kevin hopped to his spot. The whole band cracked up with laughter, even Mr. Clark couldn't help but laugh. Mr. Clark put Kevin over his shoulder, which caused more laughter, and carried him back to the grass as a mallet player tried to untie his shoes.

Alex let out a yawn and climbed in her mom's van. Her mom looked at her from the driver's seat.

"How was school and practice?" Her mother asked.

"Ok...I guess for the first time this year..." Alex muttered.

"It will get better," He mom said.

"We'll see, we'll see," was all Alex could reply.

A/N: Another chapter! Ok, the offer is up now because I have to work everyone in. Thanks to all those who applied for the offer! The whole thing with the shoes actually did happen in my band but it was in the trumpet section. That is where I got the inspiration to write that part. R&R!