AN: Sorry I've been neglecting Bronwyn and company so long. When you're working on 3 stories at one time, it's difficult to force a chapter…so if it takes it a little while longer that's because my characters haven't decided what they're going to do just yet! They finally made up their minds…what do you think?

P.S. Just to clear something up, there will definitely NOT be a relationship between J.D. and Bronwyn…the Spence/Lucy drama was just too much drama.

AN: 12/20…just a few tweaks. Trying to include my old characters.

Chapter 2: Boot Camp

Bronwyn took a deep breath and let it out. She knew there some definite "safe" things to talk about with Ben. Plus, she thought to herself, it doesn't take that long to drive to our neighborhood from the school.

Ben was looking at her. Had he said something? Ben looked at her again and said, "You live at the corner of Shire Way and Calley?"

"Yup." Score one for Bronwyn, she answered a question! She felt braver and more confident. She scanned her head for any memories or facts she knew about Ben, other than the fact that he was a senior and he played quints. Say anything! Guys like compliments, don't they?

Bronwyn finally got out, "The quints look good this year." Just brilliant.

"Really?" his tone implied they did NOT look good so far.

Bronwyn really didn't know the first thing about how the quints were looking. She had been too focused on being a snare for the past couple of months, so she said, "Umm…yes."

"Thanks."

Many thoughts were going through Bronwyn's head, the most important of which was, If you make a good impression, you will not have to wait for Mom and Dad to leave practice every day. Bronwyn forced herself to sound, what she hoped was carefree and easy, "So, how was your summer?" How original.

Finally, Ben picked up the ball, "It was pretty cool. I went to the beach and worked as a lifeguard."

Bronwyn said, "I can tell." Score…that may have come across as a flirty comment! Her secret goal for the year was to convince everyone she was actually a cool girl who could play some kick ass snare.

Ben smiled, "Yeah, I must've kept Coppertone in business this summer with all the SPF I went through. What did you do?"

I will NOT bad mouth J.D. I will NOT bad mouth J.D. "I practiced a lot."

"Oh yeah, that's right, you're not old enough to work yet."

"I babysat." Good comeback.

"Yeah, well."

Fortunately at that moment, they pulled up at Bronwyn's place. She got out of the car, hoping that she had not made a complete fool of herself with the upperclassmen.

"Thanks Ben."

"Anytime."

Bronwyn closed the car door and was unsure if that "Anytime" meant he would be happy to be her escort for the next season. She watched his car drive away…hoping it wouldn't be the last time.

To: bassgirl117

From: BHSsnaregrl

RE: First practice

Hey Luce –

I had my first practice with the whole Battery. I think it's going to be a good season. Tony's still being a total asshole and everyone ese just kind of ignores me. Any suggestions? Have classes started for you yet? Have you moved in? Let me know!

B

P.S. Outcue: "That's one sticky wicket!"

To: BHSsnaregrl

From: bassgirl117

RE: Practice

I went ahead and moved in early (with Pam!)…I couldn't wait to get out and on my own. Things are weird with Wes…and I ran into two ex-people in my life on campus. Spence and Sam. Talk about bizarre. I'm not sure if I was ready to see them.

Anyway, it won't help things if you tell Tony off, because if you emasculate him in front of everyone, they will all be on his side. However, something tells me that Tony won't respond to you talking to him one on one. So, you gotta wait him out and hope that everyone figures out what a dork he's being and calls him on it. Good luck! Vent away!

Lucy

P.S. Outcue: "If we had any more midgets, we'd have an army."

Bronwyn finished reading Lucy's e-mail and looked over her things as she carefully packed for the upcoming week. Last year's band camp had been one of the most fun week's of her entire life and she was hoping this week would be the same. As much as she hated to be so shallow about everything, she would be lying if she didn't pack things carefully.

Bronwyn wasn't embarrassed to have her parents drive her up to band camp; she was, after all, just a sophomore after all. She remembered last year…she had made her parents drive her up early, she had been so excited to go, and Lucy pulled up with her friends…she thought she remembered beautiful Mandy driving an awesome convertible and Gina giggling in the passenger's seat. Bronwyn felt so young and inexperienced compared to the older girls. This year, however, there was something special about this band camp. Which had nothing really to do with the fact that she, Bronwyn was on the snare line. She was part of a six-person section in the band that was truly the heartbeat of the entire band. It was like automatic respect from anyone in the 250-person band. She wore it like a badge. Walking down the halls of the girls' dorm, she felt the stares, and smiled a smiled to herself. She always carried her drum sticks in her back pocket. Her friends were glad to know her and be associated with her – it elevated their status in their respective sections as well.

It was the first morning of band camp. Bronwyn had set extra alarm clocks; because there was no way she was going to miss her first early practice. Last year, as a member of the Pit, she just had to sit and watch the Battery line up, feeling like an idiot, but this year…this year, she proudly put on her snare drum and walked outside into the cool morning air. It was tradition in the Brookwood marching band that they all march to breakfast together…to the beats of the drum line. After Henry had warmed everyone up suffiently and the rest of the band had joined the drum line, J.D. had signaled for Spyder, one of the favorite cadences of everyone. Because of the small sidewalk, the snares had to break up and march in pairs. Being the shortest Bronwyn was at the back with Thomas. They were in front of the quints…of which Bronwyn was entirely grateful for. Bronwyn knew if Tony was behind her he would do his best to try and trip her. Bronwyn didn't want to fall with her snare on…she didn't think it would be pretty. She and Stewie were going to be above all that.

Finally, they had arrived at the dining hall. Another tradition was for the band to stand at attention until the "section of the day" was dismissed by the band director Mr. Izzo. That section got to go in even before the seniors. From there it went juniors, sophomores, and finally last, the poor freshman. Bronwyn and the snares stood at perfect attention waiting directly in front of Drew and Samantha, the other drum major. Bronwyn found it odd that Drew had stopped near the Line, she couldn't put her finger on it, but this year there was a stress between the Line and the Drum Majors that hadn't been there the year before.

Bronwyn also considered that last year Drew had almost always been no further than 5 feet away from any Auxiliary section. As Bronwyn looked straight ahead, practicing her mean drum line face, Drew caught her eye and winked at her. Bronwyn was so surprised she dropped her sticks, which clattered loudly on the pavement. J.D. looked back from the front of the Line, very pissed. This was not what he wanted for his section.

Thank God there's no talking at attention… Bronwyn made no move to pick up her sticks, but she saw Drew trying to hold back a laugh. Great…some impression I've made on him. Bronwyn didn't even want to think about the amount of pushups she was going to have to do.

Mr. Izzo called the Sousas first. No surprise there…he used to be one. Then the seniors broke. J.D. walked right over and got right in Bronwyn's face. He hissed at her, "You'll stand at attention through breakfast. Don't think I won't know if you don't."

Paul looked back at the younger girl and gave her a look of encouragement. Bronwyn took a deep breath. J.D. sure runs hot and cold, but I guess I knew he would test me sooner or later…

Flashback

Lucy was driving Bronwyn home after a game at the very end of the last season. She was singing along with the radio, when she turned the knob down and looked over at her younger passenger, "He's going to pull something next year."

Bronwyn looked confused, "Who are you talking about?"

Lucy rolled her eyes, "J.D."

Bronwyn said, "Seriously, why would J.D. want to test me?"

"You're going to make snare next season."

"Yeah right, Lucy."

"I am being totally serious. I've seen you play, you've got the chops."

"Ok, whatever."

"Well, I'm just saying, next year is going to be a totally different line. This year is a lot of fun because all the section leaders are cool like that and we've all been together forever."

"Well, that's great, are you saying next year's line is doomed?"

"No, I'm just saying, I've seen J.D. and I know his type. You're going to have to be ready for anything he's going to dish out. He's a guy's guy and isn't going to let some punk sophomore, especially a girl, let him wreck his line."

"You really think I'm going to make snare?"

"Why would I lie to you? You're the future of the drum line girls at Brookwood. You come from a long line of some very cool chicks, you know."

Bronwyn laughed, she still didn't really consider herself a true drum line girl, "I know."

Lucy sighed, "Just keep your fingers crossed that Paul gets Captain over J.D."

End flashback

Bronwyn didn't say anything, she just locked her green eyes on J.D.'s brown ones and didn't break the stare. She nodded slightly with her head. He put down his drum and walked inside. As he and Ben walked in, she thought she overheard Ben say, "Dude, don't you think you're being a little extreme?"

She didn't hear J.D.'s answer. She waited for the other years to be broke and dreaded when it was the sophomore's turn.

Mr. Izzo yelled out, "Class of 2010!"

Bronwyn waited and sure enough Tony and Steve were getting right in her face. With all of the Line leadership inside, there was little she was ever going to be able to do to prove her side of the story. Not that J.D. would listen anyway.

Tony was the first to start, "Day one Flueger, not really a good way to start things."

Bronwyn didn't respond, fortunately, she was at attention, and there was no talking at attention.

Steve looked on, while Tony kept it up, "Oh, that's right, you can't break attention. 'Cause if you do, I'll let J.D. know and we know how happy he'll be to hear."

Bronwyn thought to herself… When I'm Captain…I'm going to make your life miserable.

Steve and Tony went into the dining hall laughing. Bronwyn watched as everyone went into the dining hall. As early as it was, it was still warming up. Still, there was no way she was going to break attention until J.D. personally said it was ok. She waited and waited. Her back was cramping and she was desperate to move or stretch her legs. J.D. sure was taking his sweet time getting done with breakfast. Bronwyn felt like she had seen half the band walk by her and give her weird looks.

Drew walked out and looked at her strangely before saying, "You're dismissed…"

Bronwyn looked at him pleadingly. You're not the one that can break me…only my good for nothing Captain can do that! She knew if she said something that would be the exact moment J.D. walked out.

"What are you doing, Drew?" Speak of the devil.

"Trying to tell Bronwyn it's ok to break attention."

"That's my job, bro."

"You know I am the drum major, right?"

"And?"

"That means I lead the band."

"I am the Captain of the Drum Line."

Bronwyn suddenly pictured the guys unzipping their flies and measuring… She couldn't help it, she cracked a smile and almost bust out laughing.

J.D. looked at her, "Something funny, Flueger?"

She didn't answer.

J.D. looked directly at Drew, "You're dismissed, Flueger."

Bronwyn looked pleadingly at Drew and then walked off, rubbing her shoulders. She had lost her appetite.

AN: BTW, I really like this chapter -- it's my favorite I've written in a long time! So, how many of you have started competing? After you leave me a review, be sure to brag about your Line (or section!) Also, did you like the little Lucy homage? Do you want to hear more about her?