58). "What we do in life echoes in eternity." (freshman Lucy, pre-Mistletoe)

Freshman Lucy Karate was so nervous, her teeth were literally clattering. It was the worst case of nerves she could ever remember.

It was her first Indoor competition, minutes before they would take the court for prelims. The Line had rehearsed enough that she knew her hands would be able to go through the motions, but was afraid of what her mind would do.

Rush the tempo…

Play during a rest…

Strike the wrong notes…

They were in the staging area, closely clumped together in the vaguely damp hallway near the gym. Lucy's hands were on one side of the marimba, but she couldn't stop them from shaking. The Brookwood percussionists listened to the muffled beats and notes on the other side of the wall. South Washington was playing, and they wanted to hear their rivals.

Lucy, on the other hand, only wanted not to throw up.

"Nervous?" Cameron asked.

Now I am…

"Ummm…" Lucy was incapable of forming an actual word, especially this close to her season long crush.

"You'll be fine."

"Will I?"

"Just remember, what we do in life echoes in eternity."

She blinked a moment and replied, "And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

The answer was the whispered, "No, it's supposed to make you remember you are a member of the Brookwood drum line."

The applause thundered on the other side of the wall. South Washington had finished and it was their turn to play. Calmness set over Lucy, and she finally understood what all the attitude was about. Confidence replaced her nerves and she smiled at the upperclassmen.

"I am."

AN: For a new goal, I'd like to try and work in a few quotes to one short. We'll see…