Sasha woke up the next morning with a feeling of dread overpowering her. She had many things weighing upon her shoulders. She was in charge of the whole band, she really needed to break up with Mark, and she liked Charlie and knew that there was no chance of him liking her back. Even if he did, nothing would ever come of it, since he's asst. band director. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking Now how am I going to let Mark down easy? I guess there's really not a nice way to say you like someone else…Her thoughts were interrupted by her cat Mimi leaping onto her bed.

"Mimi, I'm trying to decide how to dump Mark. Any ideas?"

"Meeeow?"

"Oh, you're no help."

Sasha rolled out of bed, got dressed, ate a light breakfast, and headed once again off to band camp. She left early again in hopes that she would get to spend time with Charlie again like yesterday morning. However, when she arrived at the band hall, the only people who were there were Mr. Kendell and, you guessed it, Mark. Mr. Kendell was in his office working busily, and Mark was pacing around the room. He looked up at Sasha when she came in. Sasha thought, I guess this is as good a time as any…

"Sasha! I was hoping you'd be here. It's great to see you—

"Mark, can we talk?"

"Uh, sure… is it something serious? You know you can talk to me about anything."

"Yeah… um… well, you're not going to like it."

"I'm not?"

"No. You see… it's… I… well, what I'm trying to say is, I like someone else. I don't think we can go out anymore."

"But next week's our six month anniversary! How can you just… drop everything we had and start liking some other guy?"

"I'm really sorry, Mark…"

"Well… I'm really not happy about this at all… I thought you were better than that. I guess you aren't the girl I thought you were. Look, I'm gonna go… to the percussion room, work on some stuff… see ya 'round… or not."

Ouch Sasha thought to herself. Well, at least it's over. I can focus on—

"Hey early bird!"

"Oh Charlie—I mean, Mr. Fanson! Hi!" You're such a spaz, Sasha.

"Please, call me Charlie… since you're here, you think you could help me in the library?" You know, the library where it'll be just you and me… okay Charlie get a grip. You just need some extra help back there, don't get any ideas… you don't have a chance with her anyway.

"Sure!"

Charlie and Sasha went to the music library, where they filed various sheets of music in their proper places. There were still 45 more minutes until the other band students were scheduled to arrive. After a few minutes of silence, Charlie quietly broke the silence.

"I couldn't help but overhear the last part of your conversation with Mark. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just… it needed to end. I'm kind of relieved, actually."

Charlie nodded. "You know, I kind of am, too. I know it probably isn't proper for me to say this, but… you deserve better…" His voice trailed off, and he was afraid he had said too much and scared her.

"I think I deserve someone more like you, Charlie."