Ok, so if this is the second time you're reading this, i'm really sorry! my computer was acting up and i couldn't do anything. so now i will provide you with the proper seperations and will try to label all the shifts. thanks for reading and reviewing and i hope you enjoy!
Jordan
Marching just wasn't the same without Lily. Everyone could tell that. She had given them all a certain sense of joy and happiness even though the sun was out to kill them. The work wasn't nearly as hard, nor bad with her bright smile there. The moral of the band had gone down. Not only was Lily gone, but Hannah as well. The two were always together helping the entire band with anything they needed. They didn't get much done that day. They were too worried. I even noticed it. I was worried too even though I had seen her with my own eyes. The distraught eyes, pale and scared, pale skin. Even then her smile had stayed bright. What is wrong with me? Needless to say, we got nothing done. Every brake it was always 'I heard this' and 'She did that'. The end of the day, I was exhausted from explaining the truth.
Lily
I carefully got out of my mom's car, on loan until we could get anther one for me. The pain was still there, but I could handle it. The doctor had said me and the girl in the other car were both lucky. The injuries could have been so much worse. The bruises had turned a horrible green blue as the skin underneath began to heal. I still couldn't remember the accident, but I saw pictures and was thankful I had survived without anything serious.
I reached into the back to grab my water jug, purse, and lunch. Next thing I knew I had a crowd of people surrounding me and my car. Questions bombarded me from left and right, making my head pound in frustration. Hannah was at my side leading me towards the band hall. The mob followed, keeping up with the questions. I was glad to hear the voice that got all those people away, even if it made my head a little worse.
"That's it people. Leave her alone. We have some marching to do!" Jordan boomed out.
Everyone grumblingly complied, grabbing their needed supplies and heading out. I smiled my thanks to Jordan. He never even acknowledged it. I placed my things in my locker and headed out with Hannah.
"So, that was pretty nice of him." Hannah cooed as we squinted against the hot summer sun.
"Well, yeah. But he just did it to be nice." I explained.
"Yeah right. He did it for you and that's the truth." Hannah huffed. We set our jugs down and started stretching.
We set our jugs down and started stretching. Jordan called out the different stretches as we got lost in our own thoughts. Mine mainly wandered down the road of what if. What if Hannah was right and he really did like me? I tried not to think a bout it, but it was hard not too. I'm a very hopeful person and I can think the best in any situation. Trying to ignore the pain every move I made caused, I finished stretching. At least this will help me get better soon, I told myself before joining Hannah.
We headed out for our run. The hot, unrelenting sun beat down and my sore muscles ached in protest as I tried to keep up my regular pace. Hannah started panting beside me. For some reason, the sight of her, her hair sweaty and her side heaving in and out, made me break out in laughter. I couldn't stop. I kept laughing at the sorry sight, making my sides hurt. Jordan started coming around the corner. He saw me heaving with something, and slowed down. His face was etched in concern. Hannah had stopped too, her sides heaving in laughter as well. She saw Jordan approaching and we both burst into a fresh batch of giggles.
Jordan
I saw her struggling to breath. She just stopped and keeled over. I was so worried something was wrong from the accident. It had been a few days, and the docs had said she was fine, but it didn't stop me from worrying. I edged closer, the sounds of their laughter finally reaching my ears. I slowed down, just to make sure.
"Hey guys. Everything ok?"
"Hey-hahahaha- Jordan. Sorry. I just cou-hahaha-couldn't help it. Hannah looked so funny. I just broke out in laughter." Lily haltingly explained.
"I don't know why I stopped. Lily just got me laughing." Hannah chimed in.
The sun glinted off Lily's sunglasses. I knew the eyes behind it would be sparkling and full of the same laughter she was enjoying now. For some reason, the scene was funny to me too. I relaxed for the moment and laughed with them. It felt good and the two girls made it even better. After a minute or two we got back on track. It felt good to relax for a bit.
I might have to try this more often. I haven't laughed like this since Shirley and I were together.
Well, aren't we happy?
Yes, I am. I forgot what it was to laugh.
That's because you thought you could only laugh with her.
Be quite.
I'm just saying.
I looked over at Lily and Hannah. They both had the biggest smiles on their faces despite what had happened. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Lily was smiling at me. Maybe...
Lily
I clapped my hands loudly, the echoes bouncing all around. The freshmen flutes kept their gazes ahead as they had been taught. The sun was really hot today. It was the first day since my accident and of course it's a scorcher. The girls stopped their marching calling the 'one,two, halt' they had been taught. Liz swayed a little, then steadied herself. I kept them at attention. Just a bit longer.
"At ease." My voice called. The relief in the girls was very noticeable.
Liz began to sway again, her small thin body gently dropped to the right. I ran over to her, despite the pain in my muscles and caught her before she hit the ground. No small feat, let me tell you.
Mr. Stewart and Jordan ran over to us. I had my jug of water ready for Liz when she would wake up, there to help me from fainting because of the accident.. I cradled her in my lap, hoping she would wake soon. Her eyes fluttered open. I sighed with relief, but guilt quickly consumed me. I should have taken a water break sooner. She started to get up fast, when I pushed her down.
"Whoa, honey. Take it easy. You don't want to faint again. Here, sip some water." I held my jug for her. She gulped greedily at the water. " You ok?" I asked when she was done. She nodded.
"Talk to me honey. I can't hear your head rattle." I joked. That got a snicker.
"I'm fine. I just need some water." Her voice was thin and weak.
"Ok, come on, we'll go sit on the curb and rest. I'll help you." We slowly got up, my motherly concern showing through as I held her up the entire way to the curb.
"Hey, Rach! Take over for me!" I told the junior as Liz and I started out.
"No prob." With that, she lead the girls back to working.
Jordan helped me to get Liz over to the curb, his face a mask of neutrality. I sat Liz down, making sure she was ok. I handed her her water jug and had almost started out when I felt Jordan pulling on my wrist.
"You need to rest too. It's too hot out here and I don't need you fainting." His tone as serious, but joking.
"I'll be fine. I've fainted before and I know the sings in my own body."
"No, I want to you to rest."
"Not until my flutes do." I flinched reflexively as he yelled across the parking lot.
"Flutes and horns! Break time!" I heard the yells form the people who had taken over for us as the groups were dismissed. "Happy?"
"Very."
I sat down on the curb, careful not to touch the hot concrete with my bare skin. I basked in the sun which seemed to hate us so, lazily stretching my legs out and leaning back on my hands. It felt good to do this. Jordan did the same, relaxing for one of the first times since I had known him. Well, in high school that is. The sun was temporarily blocked by a brave little cloud, it's white fluffiness refreshing and sweet. I sighed a contented sigh.
"What's wrong?" Jordan asked.
"That was content, not pain. Trust me you'll know the difference." I laughed.
"Haha. I hope so. You finish Tess?"
"Almost. I don't get a few of the questions. The whole story just makes me want to cry, ya know?"
"Yeah, well, it's supposed to be sad..."
At this moment, Mr. Stewart interrupted the conversation. We saw him walk over, a tall guy next to him had never seen before following. He was tall(obviously), dark curly black waved over his head, a few unruly curls escaping the confines of the others and falling into his twinkling blue eyes. He was handsome, muscular. Since we hadn't gotten instruments out here yet, we didn't really know what he played. He sauntered up by Stewie as he introduced us.
"Hey, guys, this is Nate Scott. He just moved here from, oh sorry, where again?" The old director turned to Nate who was obviously familiar with this.
"Scarborough." His voice was thick and deep, dreamy could describe it accurately.
"Right, Scarborough. He plays the trombone and is a senior. Help him out if you can. Nate, these are some of our other seniors, Lily and Jordan. Lily is the librarian and head of the flutes, Jordan the drum major and head of horns. All right, get to it!" Stewie exclaimed, clapping poor Nate on the back. He walked off back to the cool band hall. Stupid director gets to go inside the AC. Oh, I wish....
"Hi, Nate Scott. Nice to meet you." He held out his hand, I took it and pulled myself up, knowing that hadn't been his intention. He looked surprised for a few seconds, but then saw my smile.
"Lily Williams. Nice to meet you too. Sorry, I needed a hand up. Seems you get in one little accident and everyone thinks your some china doll." I joked. Nate smiled at the joke, knowing what I meant.
"You were in an accident?" Concern laced his voice.
"Yeah, on Wednesday. It's cool. I got my drugs so it's all good." Nate smiled again. Jordan joined us in standing up.
"Jordan Smith. Nice to meet you."
"Same, man. So how are things this season?"
"Pretty good. We got a good group of freshmen this year and last year we got to area."
"How long you been in band?" I asked.
"Oh, since 6th grade. You?"
"Same" Jordan and I answered at the same time. I looked over at him and chuckled.
We heard the dismissal yell, thinking nothing of it as we continued to chat. I heard the slap of Converse on concrete, then something slammed into my left side, knocking me off balance. Hannah hung off my side, her blonde hair swinging in front of her. We broke into a fit of giggles.
"Remember what I said about the china doll? Well, everyone does except this girl." I laughed to Nate.
"Who's this?" Hannah asked, still hanging of me.
"New kid. Senior. Name's Nate." I filled her in.
"Hi. Nate Scott." He offered his hand.
Hannah untangled herself from me and took Nate's hand. I noticed the blush creeping up her neck. She was shy, but she liked him. This was good. This was very good. Now she can get over that jerk ex of hers. My heart screamed in joy!
"Hannah Ryder. Nice to meet you." She lowered her lashes coyly,smiling up at him, not noticing the effect she had on Nate.
I glanced over at Jordan. He raised his eyebrows at me in a sign of interest. I silently laughed with him as we came to the same conclusion in our minds. I love marching.
Jordan
So, the new kid was pretty cool, I'll give him that. But the way Lily noticed him made me a little scared. What if she liked him? Nah, Hannah liked him. Nate just had that charm about him. He was pretty good on the trombone. Might even steal Jake's solo this year. I surveyed the band hall, seeing whispered conversations going on. Lily and Hannah's were usually telepathic, but you could still tell they were talking. In fact, they were right now. I rolled my eyes at Lily when she saw me looking at her. She sarcastically mimed laughing. Stewie came back from his office, score in hand.
"Ok, guys, from the top."
The entire ensemble stood up to "march in place". They turned their stands over to help with the memorization of the music. I raised my hands to conduct. It was cool knowing I was the one to give the orders. I smiled at the thought, looking around. I saw Lily in the corner of my eyes. She looked pale. Really pale. Her eyes started to roll in the back of her head. I jumped down from the chair I was on, rushing over to her. I caught her before she hit the floor. Unfortunately, the unexpected weight threw me off balance making us both tumble to the ground. The scent of her shampoo drifted over me.
Hannah and Nate rushed over to me and Lily. She wasn't coming around. I gently hit her cheek, a red mark marring it. Her eyes fluttered open. They took in me, Hannah, Nate...she was ok. Lily slowly started to get up, the entire band around her.
"I'm fine guys. I'm fine. You don't need to worry." Lily said to the anxious crowd.
"You sure Lils? Why don't you just rest?" I offered as she tried to stand up.
"No, we gotta keep going. I'm fine, Jordan."
"No, you're not. Sit down and rest. The band won't completely fail without you Lily." She sighed, getting woozy and swaying a bit. "Sit down, now Lily."
"Maybe for a bit..." She trailed off.
"Honey, sit down. I'll get your water." Hannah's face was a mask of fear, anxiety. Nate was just as concerned for his new friend. He followed Hannah to Lily's locker, helping her with the jug. They made their way back, somberly. I made sure Lily drank some of the water, despite her protests. She was so stubborn.
Lily
I don't know what happened to me. One minute I was fine the next, I was in Jordan's arms. Funny I should be saying that, right? In Jordan's arms. But I was. I really was. I had fainted, inside nonetheless! Not outside, inside! I was so humiliated and embarrassed. Who faints inside? I could see how worried Hannah, Nate, the band were. I really needed to stop doing this.
"I'm fine now, really." I tried to reassure them after everyone had fussed about me. I drank almost all of my water, eaten a few crackers(outside in the hall of course). I was fine. Hannah sat next to me in the hall. Practice had been over for a few minutes already, so I was in no rush.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, love. I need to go get Nate some music. I'm fine." I told her getting up.
"Ok." I pulled her up to follow me in to the band hall.
I went through the heavy metal door, putting my weight into it. The library was right off the main door, on the right. It was small with a few tables, a copy machine, and filing cabinets that held all the music. I went over to the stack of sheet music, searching for the trombone part Nate needed. I began humming one of my favorite songs, swaying to the beat of Micheal Buble. I set aside the parts I was looking for, still searching for that one piece that alluded me.
"Well, I'd say you are recovering nicely." A smooth voice said behind me. Jordan.
"Huh?!" I jumped in the air, clearly startled. He laughed. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. Um, yeah. I do feel better."
"Good. You scared us today."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to."
I kept looking through the music, trying to distract myself from the fact that he was talking to me. The big rolling door on the other end of the band hall was open to air the place out a little(it really stank of dried sweat and attempts to cover it up). The warm afternoon summer sun shone behind Jordan. I felt my heart beat a little quicker, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
"AHA! Muhahaha." I loudly exclaimed as I pulled the last of the music I had to find out of the stack of music. Jordan laughed. "What?"
"Nothing. Just you...being you."
"Is Nate still here?"
"Yeah, outside in the band hall."
"Ok. Um, thanks. For today."
"No problem. Just don't do it again Monday. I don't think the band can take the drama."
"Neither can I." We laughed for a moment.
"I'll see you Monday. Bye Lils."
"Bye." I returned as we both headed out of the library. I flicked of the lights, grabbing the music on the way out. "Here you go." Nate took the offered music glancing over it.
"Thanks. Might try out for the solo."
"Well good luck."
"Um, can I ask you something?" Nate was nervous. I could tell.
"Yeah, sweetheart."
"How well do you know Hannah?" He stumbled over the simple sentence, making himself blush.
"She's my best friend, so I'd say pretty well. Why?" A sly smile spread across my face.
"Oh, no reason. I just wanted to know is all. She seems like the kind of person that you'd want to get to know. "
"Right... she is! Well, a bit of advice. She's pretty shy around cute guys and, hate to break it to you, but you're pretty cute. If she doesn't open up immediately, just have patience. She'll come around."
"Um, thanks. I think." He said, the blush even brighter now.
"Welcome. If you have any questions, here's my number. I have unlimited text and free minutes after 7 if you want to talk." I proceeded to write my number on his hand with the pen in my hair. It was regrettably the only thing holding my hair up, so it fell in a tumble of copper and honey around my face and shoulders.
"Thanks. Wow, you've got long hair." Nate said astonished.
"Thanks....I think." We laughed. I headed over to my locker, grabbed my stuff and headed home.
I saw the red lines that made up the numbers on alarm clock on my bed side table. 1:24. The time didn't register in my mind for minute. Then, it hit me.
"Ahhh!! I'm late!" I screeched as I jumped out of my bed.
I looked around for a clean pair of shorts, the afternoon sun streaming through my rose colored curtains, bathing the room in a soft, romantic glow. After a few seconds, I remembered today was Saturday. With a groan, I lay back down on my bed, tempted to pull the sheet over my head and attempt to go back to sleep. But, no. I had to get up. I walked not the living room, and over to the kitchen. I pulled a cup out of the cupboard and filled it with fresh, iced tea. I took a sip, heading back into the living room and grabbing the remote. I saw a movie I had been wanting to watch was on and settled back to watch it.
The day passed leisurely by. Later in the evening, I took out my laptop and signed on to AIM. Hannah was on. I let out a small squeal in excitement. I started an IM with her.
rosie91: hello!
aryaowl: hey
rosie91: so, what did you think about nate yesterday?
aryaowl: ohhhh!!! he was soooo cute!
aryaowl: why?
rosie91: he was asking about you is all
aryaowl: what do you mean?
rosie91: he just wanted to see how well I knew you. I think he likes you!
aryaowl: no, he couldnt.
rosie91: yes he can and he does! I saw the way he was blushing about you! You weren't there when I told him about you!
aryaowl: well, he is a total hunk and those eyes...
rosie91: you could get lost in them
aryaowl: -sigh-
rosie91: well...
aryaowl: I have to go help with supper. I'll talk tomorrow. Bye!
rosie91: bye!