I like this chapter only because it is a good memory. I hope you like it... It's a bit odd, but fun. This "Uh-Oh, Hot dog" is not related to the skit they do on a TV show every once in a while; this "Uh-Oh Hot dog" was made before the skits were ever done, so I didn't take it and the two things are not related.

Chapter Ten: Uh-Oh. Hot dog.

They were all cramped onto the bus, the aromas of fake leather, diesel fuel, and body oder creating a perfume Arianna like to call: . Well, she didn't have a name for it, but it smelled like summer.

The band had been so several parades so far, all of them disappointing. Far from being the first place Marah had promised, they had once more been last place in everything. Arianna loved to march, considering the heat and the stress and the politics. She had been hurt when Mr. Marah had ignored her when she opened her mouth to say something to him, but Elissa had seen the look of surprise Marah had on his face when Arianna managed to say hello to him before he turned away.

The parade they had just finished marching in was one of the best festivals around; the awards were coveted every year. The marching route was exhausting, easily one of the toughest parades around at nearly two and a half miles.

Arianna heard snippets of conversation as she got off the bus, smiling as the light breeze buffeted her fresh shirt and clean shorts. Her long, heavy hair was still back in it's severe braid and the wind cooled her face. Her flip-flops felt so good after her marching shoes. Arianna went and helped other band members who had not made it back to the bus, but instead had slumped to the ground, exhausted, gulping water. She sipped her own water and offered help to those who needed it. She was determined to prove to Marah, the band, and to herself that she could be the leader a majorette should be, even is she didn't have the whistle that year. Next year. It would be her year next year.

"Arianna, where have you been?'

"Oh, making sure everyone was okay. It was a long parade."

Elissa had changed into clothes just like Arianna, minus the ace bandage. Arianna couldn't help but smile a little when other bands saw her wrapped ankle and muttered among themselves. To march with an injury was pretty honorable to those who took the marching world seriously. Injuries had their limits, too, but for the most part, Arianna wore the bandage like a battle scar. It was the same injury to her right ankle that kept other bands from accepting her, due to Marah and his flapping mouth. Although an injury was a badge, it was also a liability and, no matter who you were in the marching world, if you had an injury, you were a risk to the program.

"Arianna, you should take off your wrap. The parade is done. Is it hurting you?"

"Not much. I'm going to leave it on for now so that, when the other directors see it and see me this year, they can kick themselves for not ignoring Marah's warnings when they see one of the best majorettes on the field next year, a wrap around her ankle. Where were you?"

"You are such a doofus... I was watching the other bands, seeing the salutes around the corner. I thought you would be up there, too."

"I needed to make sure everyone was alright."

"You shouldn't care so much."

"I don't. It's about being remembered next year when a new majorette is chosen."

"That's pretty cold, Arianna."

"If you look at it logically, it's not."

Elissa shuddered and tried to change the topic. She noticed Arianna was shaking a little, too, but not because of her ambition. She was weak from the parade, although her eyes looked alert and proud.

"Arianna, when was the last time you ate?"

Arianna blushed slightly.

"Damn it! What did I tell you about eating! You need to eat something before you march! Look, lets go get some food. I'm going to fatten you up before the next parade. They have hot dogs and water over there... I hope you like hot dogs."

Elissa sighed as she joined the line of other students, fighting to get on the bus. The crowd was especially cheerful because, for one of the first times ever, their band had won second place in their division. The stands had shook with the noise their school had made and that noise had not diminished much as Elissa fought her way to her seat. Shoving her marching bag and colorguard pole aside, Elissa saw Arianna huddled in the corner of the seat. Arianna didn't even move when the colorguard pole hit her in the head. She just groaned and Elissa, struggling to see in the dim light of the bus, sat next to her.

"Are you okay? After we won, you just kinda disappeared."

"Arianna groaned again.

"I take it that's a no."

Arianna nodded.

"What happened? Are you okay? Did I give you too much to eat? I only gave you two or three hot dogs."

Arianna lifted four fingers, looking green.

"Four hot dogs? Oh! I didn't want you to eat all of them! I just gave you what I thought you might have wanted..."

"Uh oh."

"Uh oh?" repeated Elissa, confused.

"Uh oh..." repeated Arianna, looking desperate, grappling for her marching band hat. Elissa's eyes grew big. She wouldn't, not Arianna... She wouldn't throw up in her marching hat and disgrace the band. (At least, that's how Elissa thought Arianna would put it if she could open her mouth without risk.)

"What's the matter with her?" asked the sousaphone player behind them, leaning over his seat to get a better look at Ari in the dark.

"Uh-oh, hot dog," said Arianna meekly.

The ride home that night was joyous, the whole band celebrating their second place win. All of the band members but Arianna, that was. Although her hat stayed dry and her stomach full, she made an oath to never eat hot dogs again.

And to this day, "Ari" still does not eat hot dogs unless she is really hungry! Review!