Ron looked over at Tori, her black hair shined in the hot sun, and dark blue eyes twinkled in laughter, why did I ever break up with her? He called the drumline over to the small area of the parking lot where there was shade from the trees. "Listen up drumline, we have just gotten our music from Patrick. I want us to learn it all today." Everyone groaned and Sam shouted, "That is ten pages of music!" "Look, I know it's a lot of work, but we have a game in two weeks. We have to move at a faster pace." Ron said, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
Tori silently cheered, because usually when they learned music, the drumline took their drums off. "Tor, you okay? I wish you would have stayed home." Grumbled Randy. She gently touched his arm, "Ran, I'm fine. Besides, like Ron said, we have a game in two weeks." Ron handed Tori the music for the snares, because she was center snare. "Why don't you take them over there," he said pointing to another shady area, "and I'll work with the Tenors and Basses." She nodded and beckoned the other snares to follow her.
Everyone went through the music and at the end of the day most of them had learned seven pages. "Okay, good work today but I expect the other three pages to be memorized tonight," Ron said. "So practice!" They grabbed their drums and headed inside. "Hey," Tori whispered to Randy as she saw Mr. Herman, her band director, go into his office, "Is it a requirement that all band directors be fat?" Randy laughed and Ron, who was behind her giggled slightly. "Ri, that's not very nice," Ron said, trying to frown but failing miserably. Tori bristled at her nickname; Ron had called her that when they were together. Tori packed away her drum and followed Randy outside of the band hall. They got into Randy's truck and headed to his house.
"Whew!" Randy said wiping his brow, "That was some practice!" Tori gaped, "We didn't even have our drums on!" He shuffled slightly, "Yeah well, it was hot." She shrugged, "I guess." "Hey why don't we order some chinese and watch Tommy Boy for tonight." Randy suggested. "What about your mom? Where is she." "Oh, did I forget to tell you? She is on a buiseness tip for a week."
Tori got the number for a small chinese place and ordered for take-out. With bursting stomachs of take-out, they settled on the couch to watch Tommy Boy. After the first thirty minutes they were asleep.
"Tor! Wake up we're going to be late for first period!" said Randy, while he struggled to pull a clean t-shirt on. She jumped from the couch, cursing as she tried to find some clean clothes. Ten minutes later they raced to school only to find that the bell had just rung. "Oh, Fudge Monkeys!" Tori cursed as they ran to the band hall.
They snuck through the double band hall doors, only to run into a very angry band director. "Do you two love being late? If I catch you two again that will be 75 push-ups, now go with Patrick to practice!" Tori winced at his yelling and silently walked over to where Patrick, Ron, and Lauren were standing. First period band, or first band as some like to call it, only had four percussionist. They were the best, the top of the drumline, and they were utterly bored while the band practiced stand tunes. So instead of practicing with the band Patrick asked the directors if the four could hang out with him in the second band hall.
Lauren smirked at Randy and Tori, "What did Mr. Herman say?" "Oh, the usual, he just tried to eat us again, I think he missed his morning snack." Randy replied sarcastically." Patrick smiled while Ron frowned. They sat at the table where everyone else was. "So, what are we doing?" "Just sitting here because the directors won't let us use the drums." Patrick said. "Honestly?" Randy asked, "Because I have some Pre-cal homework that I need to do."
The group sat in comfortable silence, talking and joking with one another. Ron looked at Tori, "Hey, I called your house last night, your dad said you weren't there." Tori's head snapped up and she asked in a small voice, "You...called my house?" "Yeah, so?" "N-nothing, umm," she stood up suddenly, "You know I think I'll go clean out my locker." She walked off, leaving a confused Ron and Patrick, and a worried Randy. "Randy, what's up?" asked Ron. Randy shook his head, "Not my story to tell, man." Patrick watched Tori walk away;the panic in her eyes scared him.
While Randy talked to Patrick, Ron snuck off to find Tori. He saw her, pacing in the locker rooms, an anxious expression on her face. "Tori, what's wrong?" He asked. She jumped and stuttered, "N-nothing, I'm just...uhhh...not feeling good." Ron got closer, "Maybe I can make you feel better." Grabbing her arms, Ron leaned in close and captured Tori in a passionate kiss. She resisted and tried to push him back when a shout interrupted them. "Tori!? Ron?!" screamed Sara, Ron's girlfriend and Tori's best friend. Sara ran away from the locker rooms in shock and Tori followed. "Wait, Sara," Tori said, grabbing her, but Sara whirled around and slapped her. Holding her cheek, Tori stared at Sara. "I...he tried to kiss me but..." "Tori, shut up!!! You're nothing but a stupid bitch! Go to hell you worthless peice of shit!" With that Sara stormed out of the band hall. Tears welled up in Tori's eyes and she ran out of the back exit of the band hall.
Patrick, who grew tired of talking and doing nothing, decided to go fix the drums outside. Tuning the heads on the bass drums always cheered him up in a weird sort of way. He was halfway between perfecting the fifth bass when he heard the doors open. A distressed Tori ran out and Patrick called her over, "Tori!" She looked at him wierdly but came over. "What is the matter?" Pat asked. "I...Ron...Sara," She muttered. Pat looked her straight in the eyes, "Tori, you can trust me." She slowly smiled and began to explain what happened. "So, he kissed you, but you didn't kiss him back?" He asked. "No, I don't like him that way anymore." Patrick didn't know why but he felt some pleasure in that fact. Get it out of your mind, she's a student, a really, really hot one, who you like to talk to. "Well all I can say is that you try and talk to Sara. She didn't mean the things she just said, it was out of anger and shock. Give her a few days to cool off and she'll see that you did nothing to hurt her." Tori smiled and gently touched his hand, "Thanks Pat." Her hand lingered for a few moments before falling to her side. "So...what are you doing out here?" "I'm tuning the bass drums." "Oh," she said, puzzled, "I didn't know you could tune bass drums." They then got into a lengthy conversation on basses before the tardy bell rang.
"Crap!" she said, "I'm going to be late!" "Wouldn't be the first time." Pat muttered. "Excuse me, Mr. Windpants." He pretended to be offended, "I like wearing windpants, they're so free." She blanched, "So did not need to here that. But really, if I get another Tardy, I'll get detention." Pat had an idea, "C'mon," he said, dragging her along. They snuck into the band hall office and Patrick grabbed a stack of blue tardy slips. "Sweet!" Tori said. He quickly wrote her a note. She smiled at him before leaving. What have I got myself into? He wondered as she left.