AN: As promised, this chapter is short, but contains marching (as the name implies).
First Practice Back
That Monday Phoenix and Ally both wore their checked socks to school on unplanned impulse. They laughed when they discovered their matching socks in band class.
For Phoenix, the school day dragged on endlessly, even more than the usual Monday. She had decided she was ready to go back to marching band practice starting today. Her excitement for the afternoon slowed the clocks down. Phoenix anxiously tapped out show music and cadences on her desk in Physics, AP Language, and Government. During band class she played has tenors with a renewed vigor. At last the final bell rang and it was time to get ready for rehearsal.
Phoenix and Ally picked up their Oakpine Band duffel bags from the band room and walked to the women's restroom to change into their shorts and tennis shoes. Then they filled up their water bottles in the cafeteria and went back to the band room to wolf down some Pop Tarts from the vending machines and get out their drums. Finally, fifteen minutes later Ally, Phoenix, and the rest of the battery marched to the familiar rehearsal site of the front parking lot while playing "Kadence with a K."
A few of the flutists danced to the cadence when the battery reached the parking lot. The drummers finished the cadence then put their drums down to join the stretching and physical warm up block. The band stretched and ran for fifteen minutes before Mr. Swotcher instructed them all to drink some water, pick up their instruments, and set up the first drill formation in the closer.
From Phoenix's point of view, the rehearsal went by in the blink of an eye, though it actually lasted three hours. All too soon it was time for the final run of the entire show. "Grab some water, and then set up the top of the show!" called Mr. Swotcher. The band cheered; rehearsal was almost over.
Phoenix enjoyed every moment of her first run of the show in over two weeks. Although she missed a few step-offs and direction changes here and there, her overall performance was good. When the run was over Brad asked her, "How does it feel to be back on the line?"
"Awesome!" Phoenix said with a grin.
In the drum room after Mr. Swotcher's final announcements of the day, Dan gathered the battery members together. "Phoenix," he said, "we made you a little something while you were in the hospital. Hope you like it."
Dan handed her a small, square object. It was a burned mix CD with their show music, some cadences, and a live recording of the drum solo. "Thank you guys so much!" Phoenix said. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I feel so special! I'm definitely listening to this on the way home." The other eleven drummers smiled sheepishly at Phoenix in their way of saying "We love you."