Here we go with the first chapter of Arianna's, Elissa's, and Allie's freshman year! This is sort of a prequel to For The Love Of Music. It was supposed to have the same title, too, but, I had to call it something else. So, I just added on! I really wrote most of this late at night, so excuse me if it doesn't sound very well thought out. Things start to sound the same to me after I read something a few times, so you might think differently.
Chapter One: First Hometown Parade.
Arianna jumped a mile when Elissa poked her in her side, none too gently. Elissa laughed as her friend jumped to the side with a screech of surprise and pain.
"Elissa! I told you not to do that ! I don't like it and you know it!"
"Oh, come on Ari!"
Arianna had to smile in spite of herself, rubbing her side and picking up the band hat she had dropped Elissa winked and did a drop spin with a color guard flag she found leaning against a wall. The plain white flag, stitched up and dirty, was unfortunately one of their parade flags.
"Well, I should get out there and grab the rest of my uniform. We march out in about a half an hour."
Arianna watched Elissa nod and place the flag back where she had found it.
"See ya later, girl," Elissa said, walking off.
Arianna walked out of the school, into the sunlight. It was their last parade of the year, the hometown parade, and Arianna was thrilled. The summer sun was setting behind the school, casting shadows across the pavement. This was what Arianna loved the most: the quiet before the parade. Arianna walked into the shade and shook her hair out of her eyes. She spotted where she had put her bag before entering the school to find Elissa. With a light hearted skip, she retrieved it from the front of the parking lot. Why she had put it there instead of just taking it in with her was beyond Arianna, but she heaved the heavy bag off the ground, putting the strap over her shoulder. Arianna smiled as she looked up at the hazy clouds, accented orange and red by the setting sun.
The smile faded, though, when she realized someone was watching her.
He had not been there before, when Arianna had first entered the school, helping Elissa carry in all her things for that night's sleepover at Allie's house. Sitting on the cold concrete platform that held the support pillars of the school entrance, his legs dangling over the edge. His hair was corn silk blond, his skin pale, almost sickly. The man couldn't have been more than twenty five years old, although he looked just like a high school student, an exchange student, perhaps. He was slight of build and not very tall. Half of him was covered in shadow from the building and his attention was turned toward Arianna.
She had froze when she saw him looking at her, half scared, half embarrassed. Why had she not seen him when she walked out of the building? What had blinded her? She was aware he was looking at her and she raised her eyes to meet his.
If she was frozen before, she was struck by lightening now. His eyes were piercing blue and held her gaze with such intensity Arianna didn't want to look away. As she slowly walked back toward the building, Arianna stared at the man, and, until she entered the building, she kept looking at him and he at her. As soon as he disappeared from her sight, Arianna made a mad dash for the band room, calling for Elissa, uniform bag dragging along behind her.
"I'm right here! Arianna! Calm down!"
Elissa was shocked to see her friend in complete disarray, a wild look in her face. As Arianna raced up to Elisa, she dropped her band bag, leaving it lay in the hallway.
"A man! Outside! He was... he was...
"Elissa raised an eyebrow, throughly confused and frustrated. Seeing this look on her friend's face, and not finding the words she needed, Ariana gave up.
"I didn't think so... What is going on?"
"Elissa. Just listen to me! The man outside... He's so-"
Arianna stumbled over her tongue again. Elissa gave up and walked away, calling over her shoulder, "When you get a grip, I'll be with the color guard."
Arianna bowed her head, sighing. Sweeping hair from her face, she spotted her uniform bag where she had dropped it. Suddenly, she saw herself back outside, staring into the shadowed blue eyes. Another jolt ran though her. Frustrated, she simply pushed the bag over with her foot, moving it out of the hallway.
Whoever that man was, Arianna didn't have a good feeling about him.
There we are! The first chapter. I really didn't know how to write this one because the way "Ari" and this man truly met was a little more dramatic, but I didn't want to write it how it was... Review, please! Thank you!