Chapter 2: Forgot that Stick

So second chapter is now up! I'll try to make Ian as believable as possible but I'm a girl and play flute so...
I actually like this story so I'll try to continue as much as possible.
A special thank you to Blueandgreen91 for being my first reviewer, if others could R&R (please?)
Disclaimer: my characters, my plot but DCI isn't mine so ya.

Ian's POV

Only the second week into the school year and I was already behind on homework. Honestly, why do all the teachers assign so much work? It's going to take forever to get off my summer schedule.

As I was waiting for the junior bell to ring I went to Mr. Frend's office to see what was the plan for today. And to just chat. I was feeling lonely ever since Brandon dropped out off band.

When I walked up to Mr. Frend's office I noticed Elizabeth was already in there. Trying be polite I sat against the office wall waiting for her to leave. I didn't mean to eves drop...

"But you went to a performing arts school right?" Mr. Frend said.

"Shhh! I don't want anyone to know that." Wait, what? She went to that private arts school? They only accept prodigies and even still only like one person gets in every year.

"Yes I went there. I was principal flute in band, piccolo in orchestra and second trumpet in jazz. In the alternate jazz band I played tenor but only sat second." Ok I've over heard way too much already but I just couldn't leave. If she was second trumpet then she must be good because they get all the solos. I just get high.

"Done! So I think we're all set. Go take a seat in the trumpet section, we're listening to a recording of our concert over the weekend so no instruments." Mr. Frend said.

Well that answers one of my questions. Just then Elizabeth came out of the office and gave me a why-are-you-down-there look and sat in the fourth trumpet seat. Standing up and walking into Mr. Frend's office, I'm not exactly sure what to say.

"How much do you hear?" Mr. Frend immediately inquires.

How did he know I was listening in? "Enough to know she was a prodigy." Honesty is the best policy with him.

"I thought so. Elizabeth, well I'm happy she's buddied with you. Can you watch over her and make sure she adjusts to public school? She's incredibly fragile right now and any wrong move will scar her. Wait for her to open up to you."

"Ok I'll try to watch her. Nikki is already taking a liking to her. She'll be safe in my group." I tried to respond.

"Good. Don't disappoint me. I think it's time start class. How about you?"

"Sure why not listen to criticism on my solos."

We both walked out into the band room to see the saxes attacking each other with chipped reeds. Why are saxophones so weird? I sat down on the opposite side of the trumpet row wishing I was closer to Elizabeth.

The hour seemed to drag on and I could not stop thinking about her. I remembered earlier today she literally ran into me twice with a lost and confused look on her face. I think she was in my Algebra class and sat in front of me in Chemistry. That's a perfect one-liner. But we have chemistry. And she's in band how perfect could this get? Yet one flaw. She plays flute. The section waging war against the entire brass. Their motto is 'We kick brass'. How terrible? Plus, earlier today I saw Cassie and her crew attack her. Something made me want to punch each one of those blondes.

Mr. Frend must had asked me a question because Derek, the second trumpet, punched me in the arm.

"What? The sound pyramid? I'm sharp again or maybe flat. Wait no sharp." Everyone laughed at me for my lame and strange answers. I even dared a look at Elizabeth and saw her fighting a smile.

"No, Ian. We wanted to know why all the trumpets managed to get two measures ahead."

"Because we can only count to four and it's a twenty measure rest?" I ventured a guess. I recall one of our songs being way off at the end of it.

"Ok that's an idea. Anyone else want to venture a guess?"

Elizabeth actually raised her hand. "Well you can constantly hear all the trumpets taking their breaths way too early and quite possibly the change in the melody wasn't accounted for." she said quietly.

Everyone was looking as though she was from a different planet. All, including me, had their mouth open. In response she put her head down in embarrassment. Closing my mouth, I wanted to be next to her and comfort her. Make all the student turn away immediately.

Mr. Frend then remembered how to form words. "Elizabeth I think you hit it right on the head. Can we all give her a round of applause?" Feebly everyone clapped causing Elizabeth to lift her head up with a slightly redden face.

"Okay, so tonight marching band rehearsal at 6:30. Meaning 6 o'clock at the latest. But save your chops we're going to try to learn the last movement this week. You can stay in the band room but you have to get me a cherry soda." Everyone laughed because it's a standing joke that BCHS tries to get people addicted to cherry soda.

The bell rang and everyone ran out the door. I walked over to my locker and grab my books when I saw Elizabeth following me around. Not sure what to do I got my books and trumpet, locked my locker nearly taking out Elizabeth with my case.

"Whoa, didn't see you there."

"Most people don't." She muttered. She then proceed to walk out of the band room to who knows where. I really need to brush up on my social skills.

Following her lead, I walked out of the band room went up three flights of stairs to the language part of the school. My locker was right next to Señora Chica's classroom so I checked to see if she was still in. Lucky for me she was here.

"Ian! Chico! ¿Comó está?"

"Eh mas o menos." I mumbled.

"Chico, what can I do for you?" in her motherly tone.

"Well I need to get a woman's point of view. There's this new girl and she's hiding a huge secret and I want to learn more about yet I always seem to be doing something wrong."

"Ok well she is new and it seems like Elizabeth will open up when she's ready." Why does everyone say that!

I felt so betrayed. How in the world did Chica know I was talking about Elizabeth? Well, she is the only new girl this week so that limits her options down. I quickly turned and walked out of the classroom but muttered a silent goodbye.

It was only 3:30 so I still had two hours to kill till before band begun. Wondering the halls I walked out onto the terra that the garden club uses. They know I like to come here after school; I got some waves from random people. There was this one spot in the corner of the terra where you can see all the property and for once, a school's grounds actually looked magnificent. That's my favorite spot in the entire world. But best part, this huge bush hides an entire person from the view of the rest of the school. Perfect for getting away.

As I was walking to my spot I hoped to see Elizabeth sitting there but once I walked around, no one was to be seen.

By the time marching band rolled around I was completely caught up on my homework. I think I solved every quadratic formula in the book, equalized all the atoms' electrons and conjugated each irregular verbs. I really needed some socializing.

As I sat in the farthest corner from the wall I could hear the flute section complaining about some lip gloss or something.

"Oh my god. Do you have one finger a different color than the rest?"

"Yes! This one's silver and the others are purple."

"You are so creative. I need to do mine but the stupid competition is this weekend."

"I know!" And some other stuff like that.

Can I change my request? I would like some male socialization. Which hopefully includes some DCI or jazz or anything. Maybe even soccer. I could tolerate some soccer.

As I went through the saves I've made as keeper in a past life, Mr. Frend called me to his office. Not sure what to expect, I began to imagine the worst some thing between the lines of switching trumpet solos and becoming section leader. The trumpet section is one section everyone agrees not to lead. Plus there's the 'bonus' of dating the current flute section leader of that week.

"Ian? Earth to Ian? Is there anyone up there?" Of course he has to pulls a tall

joke, I'm 5'11" almost 6 foot. So freakin' close.

"Yeah, never left."

"Ok well can I ask you a favor? Can you run to the office and get my mail? And the music, it should still be on the copier."

"Sure not problem-o." So much better than leading the trumpet section.

After I got the mail and music more people began to show up. I was so relived because Jenny, James and Nikki all arrived at the same time. Yes! I've been saved!

"Yo, yo homey." Nikki trying her gangster impression.

"How many times do I have to tell you. Gangsta ain't hip no more. What's chill?

White boy James that's what." We all laughed at him. James is our residential jokester.

"Ok..." Nikki said between laughing fits, "Because... Of that... I'll hang my hat forwards... And cease..." Grand pause, "Gangsta Nicka."

That too deserved a round of laughing. My friends are awesome. Saturday cannot come quick enough. Traveling marching band style gets interesting real fast.

"So you guys what do you think of the new girl, Eliz? Is she kool enough to hang with us?" Nikki said. And yes cool with a K. It's the new style we rock.

"I say yes. She can definitely chill with us." I offered maybe a little too quickly.

Everyone else mumbled words of approval. Just then I looked up and saw Elizabeth walk in. Some stupid drummer left a stick in the middle of the floor and Elizabeth tripped. Now I understand why her last school put her in pit. As she got up she managed to get a bloody knee and hand. Resulting in her quick departure of the band room. The flute section all laughed which caused everyone else to point and laugh. Both Nikki and Jenny ran after her leaving a laughing band room.