A Fine Line (14 page)

Finally, it’s our turn.

Mandy and Gina joined on either side of Lucy and the girls held hands, waiting to hear their names and sections’ scores called.

When it was all said and done twenty minutes later, there was something very gratifying about sweeping the captions and going home with the very large Sweepstakes trophy. Lucy looked to the sidelines, and beamed with pride at her section. It didn’t matter what next weekend held, for tonight, it was simply enough that they were the best.

The percussionists gathered to listen to the judge’s tapes on Monday.

“—clean that last lick a little tenors…and well, what’s this? Bass 2 and Tenor 1 are dancing? A little gimmicky, but let’s see what you can do.”

Tom and Lucy looked at each other, smiling. They heard cheers on the tape from where their big stunts and moves came in.

“I’ll cut you some slack since it’s the dance feature and the rest of you are just riding cymbals. I mean, what are the two of you really missing? And hey, what do you know? Drummers can dance. Great job, you two. Now get back to those drums.”

Lucy hoped this was a good sign. She hadn’t been sure exactly what Henry was really thinking about their whole non-drumming part of the show, but if the judges seemed to go for it, there was no reason to take it out.

After the tapes finished, Henry stood up and said, “Alright guys, I know a lot of you have been asking about what we’re going to do for the Indoor show this year and the more I thought about it, the more I thought how great our field show would be indoors.”

There were murmurs of agreement in the band room.

“I’m not trying to get out of writing new music or anything, but I really think if we beef up some of our licks and add some serious drill, that we’ll really be on to something. I know that eventually every Line or band eventually does a Big Band show, so this is our year to show everyone how Forrest Hills does things.”

Smiles broke out across the members of the Line.

Henry continued, “So, concentrate this week on the competition and I’ll pass out the arrangements for the Indoor show in a week.”

Buoyed by Henry’s inspiring words, Lucy caught up with Wes after 5th period that same day. She didn’t want to admit it, but a small part of her had missed seeing him over the weekend…and the past two weeks. As much as she was stressing what had happened on his and Molly’s date, she still couldn’t deny the way her heart skipped when he was close.

“How’s it going?” she asked brightly.

“Good.”

“So, I heard you might want to see Molly again?”

Wes wished he had a universal remote so that he could rewind and listen to the tone in Lucy’s voice again…go over every nuance and try to understand if she was asking because a) she felt some sort of insane pressure to have her matchmaking scheme work out b) she genuinely wanted them to get together and was therefore asking like an good friend would or c) was somehow secretly hoping that he would NOT ask Molly out for a second date. Before moving to the States, he thought he knew girls…

He realized that Lucy was waiting for an answer, “Umm, I was thinking about it.”

“Well, you know the Homecoming dance is coming up.”

Wes really wasn’t sure what the big deal was with this formal dance thing, “So?”

Lucy’s mouth opened and closed. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going with that statement either. She managed to respond, “Nothing, I was merely commenting that Homecoming is coming up, I just thought you should know.”

Wes looked at her strangely.

“I have to go.”

Lucy backpedaled quickly and walked around the corner and into her AP English class. The look on her face must’ve alerted Gina and Mandy that something was up.

“What gives, Luce?”

Lucy stared blankly at the blackboard, “I used to think I knew what I was doing.”

Gina and Mandy shared a look. They had seen the writing on the wall for some time. Lucy’s friends had realized that, in their current boyfriend filled lives, they had been paying less attention than usual to the girl who was kind of responsible for their happiness.

Gina asked, “Are you talking about your crush on Wes?”

Lucy’s green eyes widened and she looked at both friends who were smiling at her.

Mandy replied, “I know we’ve been busy, but we still couldn’t call ourselves your friends if we didn’t recognize your obvious feelings for Forrest Hills’s hottest football player.”

“But I’ve messed everything up!” Lucy said forlornly.

“How?”

“I set him up with Molly. They already went on a date.”

Mandy and Gina shared another look before Mandy asked, “Why exactly did you do that, Luce?”

“I don’t know. All the couples I had set up had worked out so great and Molly’s so cool that I really didn’t think—”

Gina held up her hand and questioned, “Does she really like him?”

“Maybe…I don’t know.”

Mandy asked the obvious, “Have you asked her about it?”

Lucy scribbled angrily on her notebook, “What am I going to do? Just go up to her and be all, ‘Hey, remember how I set you up on this unbelievably romantic date? Well, it just so happens that I really like the guy I set you up with and pushed you towards. So, if you could just be a buddy and not see him anymore that would be great. By the way, while we’re having this fake conversation, can you give me your blessing to date him because I have a raging crush on him that refuses to die?’”

Gina shook her head, “Well, Luce, maybe that’s not the best approach, but you’re going to have to tell her about it soon or you’ll end up totally resenting her…and him.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it.”

Their conversation was cut off by the sound of the bell. Mandy whispered as class began, “Anyway, cheer up, in case you’ve forgotten, we’re going to an overnight competition this weekend where anything can happen.”

Lucy felt more optimism than she had in a long time. She asked, “You promise?”

Mandy nodded, “I promise.”

* * *

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Road Trip

The night before the biggest competition of her marching career, it wasn’t the show or the notes that kept Lucy awake far into the night; it was the Wes/Molly situation. She didn’t want to think about it, but it just kept popping into her mind, causing her to toss and turn for hours.

How do I get myself into these situations?

Hours later, to say Lucy Karate wasn’t having a good morning was a massive understatement. She had woken up late and was scrambling to get to the school on time. Flying through traffic lights and hoping desperately that she packed every part of her uniform; she was cursing and sweating when she pulled into the parking lot – glad to see that the buses were still out front. Running on four hours sleep was not the best way to go into a major competition, but that’s why Red Bull was created. As Lucy snuck into the school, she was surprised to see that the band had already lined up in the Commons and was standing at attention.

Mr. Izzo was finishing his traditional pre-competition pep talk, “…so, I know that we’re going against some of the better bands in the region, but I don’t think that should have any impact on our playing. I know we’re doing a show that many judges have seen before, but the reason why we’re going is because all the elements make this show different and unique. Concentrate on your playing, on the notes, on the drill and I think that Forrest Hills High School Marching Band is going to take a lot of people by surprise!”

Cheers went up through the band. They were ready to make this day theirs.

After Mr. Izzo finished announcements, Lucy quickly explained herself to her section, then found Gina and Mandy and began walking out to the bus, relieved to finally be on her way. It looked like the day was finally taking a turn for the best, when one of the head band parents, the evil Mrs. Wyatt, came up to her.

“Lucy, dear, I need to speak with you a moment.”

Lucy shrugged, walked over and with gritted teeth, asked, “Yes?”

“Well, I’m sorry to tell you, it seems as though I don’t have your signed permission slip for this trip.”

Lucy instantly faked surprise and managed to answer, “Really? I turned it in last week.”

At least I hope I did…

“No dear, I’m sorry, but you didn’t and school rules specifically state that no student can leave the premises without strict permission from their parents or guardians.”

“But…I’m – Tom and I are the feature!”

“I know and I’m so sorry I didn’t catch this earlier…”

I’ll bet you are…

You know that this is your own fault; a) you never should’ve made fun of her daughter b) you should’ve turned in the permission slip and c) you know she’s been looking to get you for months!

Late last season, one of her cymbal buddies had been made a fool by Mrs. Wyatt’s perfect daughter. Lucy had quickly and viciously retaliated, sending out the obvious message, don’t mess with the Line. Sandra, of course, had gone to her mother and the elder Wyatt, the worst kind of band parent, had been looking for a way to get back at Lucy for the entire season.

Lucy growled, “I’m sure you are.”

Mrs. Wyatt narrowed her eyes, “If you can get your parents to sign…”

Then Lucy’s heart dropped in her stomach. The Karate clan was going out of state today to take Craig to a soccer tournament.

“They can give you verbal permission.”

She replied with a sweet smile, “No dear, it has to be written. You know, for legal purposes and everything.”

“So, you’re telling me that I can’t get on a bus until you have my parents signature?”

Just fake it.

I was already planning on it, but I can’t very well do that in front of her, can I?

Mrs. Wyatt answered, “Yes, dear, and because of the late notice, please do not think that I won’t follow up and call your parents to make sure they signed it directly.”

Lucy’s heart sank a little further. There was no way she was going to miss this competition on some sort of lame technicality!

Buck up, drumline girls don’t give up that easily. You still have hours until you need to be on that field.

Gathering up her uniform, Lucy took off running towards the parking lot, calling out behind her, “I’ll be there! Don’t perform without me!”

Although she wanted to cry, Lucy dug out her keys and jumped in her car, all while dialing her parents on the phone. Unfortunately, they already had over an hour on the road.

“Mom?”

“Yes, Lucy?” her mom instantly sounded concerned.

“Will you lie for me?”

“That depends.”

Lucy smiled and started filling her mom in on the story, “…so, you see if you can just say I got your signature, then everything will be kosher and I’ll get to compete, the band won’t totally be let down, and my senior year won’t be a complete disaster.”

“Fine, I will lie to Mrs. Wyatt, but only because I absolutely can’t stand her either. Next time, Lucy, please be more responsible.”

“Thanks Mom, I will, you’re the best!”

“Do you know how to get to the competition?”

“I’m going to swing by the house for the directions. I’m pretty sure I can catch up to the buses.”

“Whatever you do, do not speed.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

“Then call us to let us know when you get there safely.”

“I will, and tell Craig good luck.”

“Same to you!”

Lucy hung up the phone, smiling, and forever grateful she had such cool and understanding parents. She pulled into the Karate residence and sprinted upstairs to get directions to the band competition. Once they printed out and she called Tom to inform him of her whereabouts and plans, Lucy walked out to the car, put the keys in the ignition and turned the key.

RRRRR-RRRR.

Lucy’s heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath and tried again.

RRRRR-RRRRR.

She tried again and again, but the car absolutely would not start. Tears began streaming down her cheeks.

“Why?”

Snap out of it. You haven’t even begun to exhaust your options. Open that phone and start calling.

Everyone in this phonebook is IN THE BAND!! They are on a bus and therefore, incapable of taking me to the competition. Suddenly, there was a knock on her window and Lucy screamed. She looked up and getting out of the car, asked, “Wes? What are you doing here?”

“It’s my last Saturday to look after the house. Your mom showed me where the key was.” He looked more closely at her, “Are you okay?”

Lucy got out of the car and began pacing nervously around her driveway, “Okay? Am I okay?! Let’s see, the biggest competition of my marching career is already going on and I am nowhere near being able to get to it. My car’s broken down, my parents are in another state by now, and I’m going to let a lot of people down if I’m not on the road, oh, about five minutes ago.”