Chapter One
6:00 in the morning. The usual call of the owl and smell of dew on the football field lofted its way into the band room on the shoulders of a new year. "Rehearsal is hell." Stated Janie. Quite Bluntly to noone in particular, and in a broken return ofclapped her eery unison the guard responded with exaggerated sighs and yawns. "C'mon girls! Mr. Hall is waiting." Amanda hands with the beat of her voice like she always did. Amanda was perfect. Perfect body, perfect hair, perfect clothes. She was the drum major and "unofficial" senior color guard captain... since her little sister Kelsey was in the guard. Amanda spent every waking moment of the day making sure that Kelsey was just as snobby, rude and "perfect" as herself. She was one of those girls you'd say hi to in the hall... just to see if she would say it back. But anyways, the band room was full of girls and flags, muttering and milling about. "ATTENTION!" A loud voice boasted over the silence of the room. "Mr. Hall, we're ready." Amanda stood boldly in front of him. He didn't acknowledge her at all. "First rehearsal of the year girls... let's make it count." Mr. Hall turned sharply and made his way down the hall. Amanda's eyes followed him for awhile before they let go. Then, in confusion and excitement, Amanda sounded off a march and led the guard into the courtyard nearest the parking lot.
The band always seemed more cheery at the first rehearsal. Wide-eyed and hugging everyone (and everything) in sight. Laughing and smiling... and jazz running. OH! Did Janie hate it when they jazz ran for no reason...
Shawna, as she is introduced into the story can be explained very simply as someone that we all know. The girl who no girl can get along with and all the guys love. Nobody in the guard even bothered with her.
Shawna walked up and began watching Janie and following her. Janie tried not to notice the observing girl. She gathered her flags over her shoulder and heaved them onto the prop. Shawna was standing behind her. "So... You're are freshie huh?" Shawna asked as she looked across the lot. She stood and waited, perhaps for a welcoming hello on the footnote of such a hate-filled word... freshie... that is. Janie shook her head. Not even looking in her direction. "Do ya talk?" She asked Janie. Janie shot a look at Shawna that should have told her "back off, it's too early" but apparently, by the way the story goes on, it didn't. Janie redirected her attention to the bottom of her prop. The darn wheel was twisted again. Tash had warned her about that... She knelt down to straighten the wheel and right away Shawna started off. "Names Shawna. Im a junior. I don't like cold showers. Bugs creep me out. Don't mess with me. Don't talk about me behind my back. And don't call me a bitch. I hate that. I can and I will kick your ass. Now... I consider us friends now. So, I expect to see you after rehearsal. Mmmkay? Mmmmkay babe, toodles." And she walked away. She just told her life story and WALKED AWAY. She strutted on over next to Amanda and whispered something into her ear. They both turned their heads and waved at her. Janie laughed under her breath, bit her bottom lip and continued to work fervently on her ballad flag. She was almost done setting her weight when her cousin Natasha came from behind her and shook her shoulders. "Dammit Tash!" she let out. Natasha placed her hand over Janie's mouth. "Shhh!" She commanded. Natasha was like, the only girl that really understood her and helped her out. They could talk about anything. And honestly, the salvation of having someone to talk to in the guard, is... Pretty hard to explain. "Does Amanda know you're late?" Asked Janie. Natasha Smiled. "No... just... push... ok?" Janie placed her hands on the outside of the prop and began rolling it. Natasha walked sneakily behind it.
They were about half way to the parking lot when they were both suddenly jarred into the mornings reality. "Natasha Watson..." A voice said calmly, but in a tone that stated agitation. Natasha shook her head. She couldn't believe she'd been caught. "Uh- uh- uh- Amanda." Amanda was standing against the outside wall of the building right next to her with a smirk on her face. "You're late..."