At measure nine, Hannah Wood sighed. Sixteenth notes? How in the world did Ms. Larson expect her to handle those?
Unfolding the three pages, she knew in her heart she would never learn it in time. The concert was in four months, and it was impossible, unless…
Unless she cut WorldSnap.
Hannah hated WorldSnap, as did the majority of the Aurora Middle School student body. She never paid any attention to it, instead socializing with her best friends Mo and Kevin, both of whom played alto sax. It was a student-geared television program that filmed young teens throughout the world. Nobody in her class watched it, and now that she thought about it, the teacher probably wouldn't notice if she left to go practice.
Ms. Larson cut the band off. "Can I hear snares at measure 3?"
Hannah turned to Mo. "Does this look hard?" she mouthed.
He nodded.
"Okay, now everybody, first eight measures."
Neither oboe nor saxophone played. Hannah mouthed her question to Kevin, who vehemently agreed.
The conversation was cut short as all instruments joined for measure 9, second go-round. After an exciting eight-measure fanfare, the intercom buzzed as third period ended.
On the way to art, Hannah popped the question. "Whaddaya guys think we skip WorldSnap and come practice this piece?"
She could tell Kevin was interested, but the latter was a good, law-abiding student and would never.
Mo was less hooked. "Maybe. If it looks like we wouldn't learn it otherwise."
Eric Wright dropped his binder. Math papers clouded the hallway. "Let me help you," Kevin said, bending down to pick them up.
Then he whispered, "Hard piece, eh?"
"You better believe it!"
The kids scurried into class as fourth hour began, but the seeds of an idea had been sown.