How to Tell Your Drum Major You Have a Stupendously Large Crush on Him
Chapter 6: What One Might Consider Traumatizing

A/N: I finally have the plot of this planned out. It's sad it took so long… I mean, I've known how I've wanted this to end, and the general gist of some of the upcoming events and their effects on the characters… but what these "events" might be, I had no clue until recently. So... what that means for y'all is that you can expect quicker chapter updates since I'll spend less time thinking and more time writing. Yay!


From my point of view, our half-time show went passably well. No one can expect to do perfect at the first game of the season, and with that in consideration, we weren't that bad. From that standpoint I began to look forward to the competitions to come, sure we could sweep a few awards, impress a few audiences. It was my senior year. It was going to be good, and nothing was going to stop that.

The football team won with the score of 21-14, and with that and the band's performance on the field in mind, we were all in good spirits as we left the stadium. From behind me came the drum cadence, and beyond that the cheers of the football fans. The band was dutifully silent, in step with the steady tempo set by the drummers.

As we approached the school and left behind the crowds, the sound of crickets and frogs overwhelmed us. The moon was full and the sky was cloudless. It was a beautiful night. Ryan called us to at ease, and I couldn't help but notice the way the moonlight subtly defined his cheekbones…

Oh no. I was not going to let myself think that. As that thought came about I began turning redder and redder, feeling shocked and yet pleased.

I was suddenly thankful no one could read my mind.


Before the night was over Ms. Havens reminded us of the Labor Day parade that Monday.

"You have all received a handout and heard this about fifty-six times, but I find myself every year having students ask questions at the last moment. So! What time do you need to be here at school -- for those of you who need to pick up large instruments, that is?"

The band was silent.

"Three?" someone tried hesitantly.

"Valiant guess, but it's noon. The janitors will only be here to unlock the school that morning… it's their holiday too. If you arrive past one, they'll be gone and it's tough luck. So be here on time! Remember, the parade begins at six that evening. We will all meet in front of the police station on Main Street at 5:30… is that clear?"


Labor Day dawned unseasonably hot and humid. As my mother jacked up the air conditioning I went and took a cold shower, thinking dryly that it with the parade that evening, I'd only have a few hours to feel clean.

I'd taken my saxophone home Friday night so I had no need to get to school at 12:00. Instead I sat at home, dreading the moment I'd have to go outside in the heat.

The band grudgingly swept into parade block that evening and stepped off at 6:01. During the rests in our patriotic number, I wondered idly about more than the temperature. Fine – I admit it. By that time, I had to acknowledge that I certainly felt something for Ryan.

That awkward conversation by the lockers… did it mean anything? Of course not, it was just talking. Right? I didn't know what to think of it. It was rather random when it came right down to it.

I watched a freshman ahead of me struggle with staying in step while guzzling from a water bottle. The band moms were passing them around, and when I received one, the water disappeared quickly.

From the side of the street came an obnoxious voice. "This one time, at band camp!" It wasn't a preposition, it was a statement.

"What happened in that movie doesn't even compare to our band camp!" someone muttered behind me. Everyone within earshot sniggered as the kid at the sideline stepped backwards, looking revolted.

Score one for the band, I thought.

As we wearily approached the end, the night cooled and the sun had begun to set. The heat was melting away. I felt like I was melting as well.

At the end Ms. Havens set us free and everyone took off in different directions.

"Hey, does anybody want to go see the fireworks with us?" Jackie called. Bradley was standing beside her and I hesitated, not wanting to feel like a third wheel.

She spotted me. "You're coming, you don't get a choice!" Bradley laughed. Very loudly.

I love Jacqueline as a friend, but… I had to admit, this was going to be a long night unless something changed.

But something did change.

"I'll come with you," a voice said behind me, "I've got nothing better to do." I turned and stared. It was Ryan.

From there we set off over a grassy hill to the field where the fireworks were being set off. Bradley said something to Jackie and she giggled madly. Ryan and I shared a glance. We were in this unfortunate situation together.

The field was populated with people of all ages. There were young families as well as older couples, and some teenagers as well. The first fireworks had already begun and a toddler began crying loudly.

"Well," Bradley gestured widely, "Where do we sit?"

I looked around and picked a spot nearly. "Let's go sit by those trees… my back is sore, I need to lean against something."

We all agreed and predictably, Jackie and Bradley took a tree to themselves. Feeling obscenely awkward, I took the tree next to them and Ryan settled down next to me.

"Now, don't you two start making out…" I warned.

Jackie and Bradley stopped in the middle of their conversation, both turning red, casting shifty grins at one another. She turned around and gave me a look that said plainly, You are dead – later. But a few seconds later they started back up where they left off.

"This is going to be awkward," I muttered. Ryan laughed, and I suddenly became aware of his arm against my arm.

I will not blush. I will not blush, I thought furiously.

"So uh…" he began bravely, "How were your first two days of school?"

I responded and gradually I noticed the ice being broken. It is extremely easy to talk to him, I found myself thinking. Our conversations carried us into dusk, the fireworks screaming overhead. The topics we discussed ranged wildly, beginning with neutral topics such as school and (I shudder to say this) the weather, and becoming more and more casual and relaxed. I didn't realize we'd been talking so long until my cell phone rang unexpectedly.

"Hello?" I answered it.

"Rhianna. Where are you?" It was my mother. "Wasn't the parade supposed to be done over an hour ago?"

"I'm at the fireworks, Mom."

"Oh. Well… I need you to come home and watch Peter while I run a few errands." Peter was my five-year old brother, an enthusiastic yet clumsy boy.

I sighed, but then realized I should probably stay on her good side. I didn't have the money for a Homecoming dress, and was most likely going to need to borrow from her. "Fine. I'll be back in a little bit."

We hung up and I realized the fireworks were ending as well.

"That worked out nicely," I commented.Ryan stood up and offered me a hand. I took it and he pulled me up too, so that I was suddenly standing, looking into his eyes, much closer than I thought was decent for 'just friends'. "Thanks," I said breathlessly.

"No problem."

Meanwhile Bradley and Jackie were doing some eye-gazing of their own. "No, just call me Brad," he was saying.

I had to turn around to smother a laugh.

"I had my dad park my car up on the other side of the woods," Ryan said, "I can give you all a ride to your cars at the police station if you want."

"That would be nice," responded Jackie.

"Sure," I said.

"Why not," agreed 'Brad'.

We all began heading towards the woods which divided the field from the road on the other side. It had served as a shortcut for the lazy for many years, and a small dirt pathwound throughit.

"That was fun," Jackie giggled. She and Bradley fell into step behind Ryan and I.

Upon entering the forest the noise of the crowd of people faded and the crickets took over, with the occasional bang of leftover fireworks sounding above us. It seemed rather dark. Ryan suddenly drew a deep breath. "Well, uh, Rhianna," he began, "I had fun tonight, and um… I was wondering… do you have a date for Homecoming?"

I drew a sharp breath and suddenly forgot about everything, everything but Ryan and I. The way he walked, matching stride with me, the way his face suddenly seemed to have gained some scarlet in the waning light, the way he seemed to be holding his breath…

A sharp crack resounded from somewhere in front of us. A final firecracker, I thought, except there was no wheeee of sound, no burst of light…

Whatever it was, it woke me from my brief reverie.

"No," I replied, "I don't."

He released the breath he'd been holding. "Do you – can you – would you –"

As he fumbled for words I watched the ground moving toward us, noticing a large log lying on the path before us. As we approached it I realized it wasn't a log after all, it was far too lumpy, and seemed to be wearing clothes…

I stopped suddenly and let out a high-pitched scream. Not wanting to see it anymore, I hastily stepped backwards, tripped over a tree root and fell.

Ryan caught me before I hit the ground, but not before I got a full glimpse of what was on the path ahead.

A man lay there, bleeding from the head.