A Fine Line (21 page)

Sensing the upperclassmen was anything but fine, Bronwyn wanted to push the envelope, but also wanted to respect Lucy’s privacy. She replied, “It’s nice. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Sure, Bronwyn, the guy I liked wrecked not only my reputation, but also those of my two best friends, and on top of that I’m terrified about what Izzo’s going to do as a result of my silly plot for revenge.

Lucy answered bitterly, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Bronwyn’s eyes widened. Lucy sighed and continued, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“That’s okay. I know I need to get tougher skin.”

Instead of doing the sympathetic girl thing, Lucy agreed with Bronwyn, “You really do. I mean, let’s face it, you’re really talented, maybe even skilled enough to lead the Line one day.”

Bronwyn’s eyes were still big and she asked, “You really think so?”

“Come on, B, you’re the whole package. You’ve got the mallet thing down as well as the sticking. Who’s going to argue with that?”

Never in her wildest imagination had Bronwyn dreamed of being Forrest Hills’ drumline Captain. Bronwyn commented, “I don’t think they’ll listen to me.”

Lucy crossed her arms, “They will if you make them.” Seeing Bronwyn’s reaction she continued, “Look, I’ve watched you, you’re like Molly’s junior Lieutenant and you’re only a freshman. People come to you to learn a part and with questions because they know you’re not going to go all ‘cocky drummer’ on them. You have some unconscious leadership thing going on already.”

Bronwyn thought about the other people in the freshman class, “Yeah, but I know there’s going to be competition.”

Lucy faked surprise and said sarcastically, “Competition? On a Line? Bronwyn, dear, you must be kidding. Seriously though, think about it. At least think about snare for next year. That will set you up to be in position.”

Bronwyn gulped. As far as she knew, a snare placement was usually reserved for those percussionists who had been on the Line for at least two years and had some Battery experience. J.D. had caused a minor sensation by transferring directly into a coveted snare spot. So the redhead changed the subject, holding up a dress and saying, “I’m going to try this on now.”

Across town, Wes was also avoiding the dance. He was wondering how, in the span of a few weeks, his life had gone from the highest high to the lowest low. By leaving the game early and with no explanation, he was sure Coach was going to be really angry with him. And while Lucy’s prank hurt his male pride, he actually couldn’t blame her…too much. He could only be happy that the team hadn’t heard the announcement. As far as he was concerned, things with Lucy were, unfortunately, done. He idly wondered if he would ever find a girl who fit so perfectly in his arms like she did…

Lucy walked into school on Monday feeling completely apathetic. The entire Wes flirtation and ensuing explosion after had left her emotionally spent and ready to graduate early. She didn’t care what anyone thought of her. She only cared about making the best of her last competitions with the Line. The end of her high school marching career was so close now it was practically tangible. She wondered exactly what Mr. Izzo was going to do. He sounded pretty serious on Friday night. She hoped the weekend had given the band director a chance to chill out about the whole situation.

As Lucy cautiously walked into the band room, there was still a faint hum of energy present. With the best prank by a senior class (somewhere around the fourth quarter the seniors started taking credit for the Homecoming stunt) in recent history, and the dance on Saturday night, the band students were all in heightened good moods. The bass drummer didn’t mind that everyone was sharing the credit, because it also meant that they were helping to share the blame.

For most of her marching band experience, Lucy had been a good girl. After all, she was a woodwind transplant to the most rowdy of sections. No one would ever suspect an oboe player of trying to turn not only the drummers, but also the entire band, to do something wrong.

For now, no one in the band was speaking up. For now. Lucy knew that could change any moment. Over the season, she had made friends in many sections, but there was always the possibility someone’s conscience could change. However, when she saw the matching grins on Gina and Mandy’s faces, everything that had been risked became totally worth it. The frowns and angry looks the girls had permanently over the past two weeks were gone. Lucy sat down next to her friends with a big smile on her face, “So I want to know everything about Homecoming…”

That same day after lunch, Mr. Izzo walked into the 5th period class. It was strange, because the band director almost never made an appearance during the percussionists’ class time. With Homecoming behind them, it was as if a light switch had been turned on and the drummers were all in full force preparation for the first Indoor drumline competition which was now only two weeks away. It took Mr. Izzo a few moments to even be noticed, because everyone was so intent on getting the equipment to the gym.

He cleared his throat loudly and addressed them, “I’ve thought a lot over the weekend and come to a decision regarding the ‘prank’ on Friday evening. Until someone in the band comes forward with who was responsible for the incident, the drumline will NOT be attending the Indoor competition. Since the entire band is so insistent on acting as a whole, maybe this will make everyone think differently. I leave it up to you.”

With that, he walked into his office and closed the door. There was silence in the band room.

Billy motioned his head to the gym, “What is everyone waiting for? We’re wasting practice time.”

All eyes were on Billy, but no one questioned the Captain. They made their way into the gym and started rehearsing.

At Waffle House after practice that afternoon, the majority of the Line gathered. Their normally jovial and fun expressions replaced by serious and somber looks.

Lucy had been thinking her options over since Izzo had dropped the bomb. She crossed her arms, “Guys, I am going to turn myself in.”

J.D. immediately made the obvious statement, “We can’t march Indoor without a second bass.”

James volunteered, “Could we call his bluff?”

Billy answered, “And if he’s not bluffing? Then we’re all SOL.”

Molly added, “Plus, I’m not sure he’s going to buy the fact that you alone were in charge of convincing the ENTIRE band to go along with that stunt.”

Lucy stated flatly, “I don’t think Izzo really cares as long as someone goes down for this. Since it was my idea, then I should be the one to take the blame.”

Molly snapped her fingers, “I have an idea. What if we all go in and confess? That way, we’re still telling the truth, but what’s he going to do?”

Lucy considered the idea, “So, by everyone? You mean…the entire band?”

Molly shrugged, “Well, I don’t know if we have to go that far, but what do the seniors in this band have to lose now that competition is over?”

Lucy knew some of her band friends, especially those that weren’t seniors might have a problem with the plan, “Well, I wouldn’t expect everyone to, I mean, the juniors might be worried about how it will affect Izzo’s opinion of them for next year when it comes time to decide Lieutenant and Captains.”

There was a tense moment as J.D. and Lance both looked at each other. Lance said, “I don’t care about that.”

J.D. quickly chimed in, “Me either.”

Billy said, “Well, let’s get a feel for what the other seniors think tomorrow at practice. And I would still like to consider calling his bluff. Plus, I still haven’t spoken to Henry about what happened.”

Henry, intensely disciplined Instructor that he was, had practically been yelled at by the Line seniors to take the past Friday night off. Their Instructor had unwillingly agreed and Lucy wondered what he would think about their predicament.

He’d probably think we were getting exactly what we deserved…

A week later, Lucy wandered through the halls and wondered how Wes’s life had been affected by the stunt. Through Jewel, she knew he had been benched for two games as punishment for leaving the Homecoming game early. She had only glimpsed her former crush briefly a few times since that fateful Friday night. Through the grapevine, she had heard that the stunt seemed to have the opposite affect on the female population that she would’ve wished – girls now seemed intent on finding out if the rumor was true. Lucy gritted her teeth.

Let them find out, I don’t care.

Are you sure about that?

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Lucy’s pride still did care.

The days slipped by and got ever closer to the Saturday of the first Indoor competition. After much discussion between all section leaders and the drum majors, the mostly senior group decided it would be best to call Izzo’s bluff. If needed, they would all go and confess, but until then, they didn’t want to risk getting in trouble over nothing.

“After all,” Gina said, “He hasn’t mentioned it again since that day.”

Her statement was true, since his announcement to the Line; the band director had let word of mouth spread the news. He had definitely left things in the marching band’s court. So, after the away game on the Friday before the competition, the drummers left their drums, cases, and carriers in the equipment truck…with the exception of Tom, who claimed he needed to do a few last minute tweaks to his solo. Henry, wanting to keep his job for the next season, had decided that it would be best if he stayed silent about the entire situation. Mr. Izzo had already questioned the percussion Instructor and while Henry had gotten the entire story from his percussionists, he played the “no comment” card to the band director. He did, however, plead that his Line not be punished for the act of one person.

Mr. Izzo had answered him almost immediately, “Until that person comes forward, then I see no reason to change my mind.”

The Forrest Hills percussionists showed up early the next morning, as per the schedule. The equipment trucks were exactly where they had been left only ten hours prior. The drummers waited patiently for the buses and equipment truck drivers to make an appearance. They were scheduled to leave at 9AM. At 8:45, Lucy began to get nervous. By 9AM she was terrified.

She whispered, “They’re not coming.”

As the minutes ticked by, the drummers grew more and more livid. There was no way of getting all their locked equipment to the competition school in time for the Preliminary competitions. Sure, they could haul some of the instruments, but no one had a car large enough to haul a grand marimba. Henry tried to get hold of Mr. Izzo, but either Mr. Izzo wasn’t answering his calls or had lost his phone. The individual competitors, Tom, Billy, Molly and J.D., looked especially crushed. At 9:30, Billy rounded up the individuals, stating, “I don’t care. We’re going. Hopefully, we’ll make it there and can borrow someone’s equipment. Molly, do you have your mallets?”

She nodded.

Tom, the only drummer whose equipment was not packed away, lugged his quints to his mini-van, shaking his head and saying quietly, “I can’t believe he actually went through with it.”

As they watched the Individual competitors drive away, Henry whistled to get everyone’s attention, “Okay. So, this officially sucks, but you know I always say that once you make a decision you have to stick with it. I’m going to go and check out the competition. I’ll bring my camera and anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome to catch a ride.”

A few people shuffled in Henry’s direction. The wind had been thoroughly taken out of the sails of the Forrest Hills Drumline. Lucy knew she would not be a welcome attendee at the competition. Plus, she had more than a few calls to make if they were going to be able to compete next weekend. As if the bass drummer didn’t feel horrible enough that the entire predicament was her fault, she looked over at Bronwyn and was further upset. The little redhead looked positively crushed.

Lucy slung an arm around the freshman, “I’m so sorry.”

* * *

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: There’s No I in Team

Charged with nervous energy, Lucy returned home in defeat and disbelief to spend the majority of her Saturday on the phone. The plan was simple. On Monday, during each of the seniors’ band class, they would go to Mr. Izzo’s office and say the exact same thing: “Mr. Izzo, I was the one who convinced everyone to participate in the prank. I apologize for my actions. Please do not let the drumline or any other members of this band suffer for my behavior.”

With her cell phone battery almost dead, the bass drummer made one last call to Molly, and was happily surprised to hear that the only competing members of the Forrest Hills Drumline had done very well. Billy and Tom had won their captions, and Molly and J.D. had each received third place. Furthermore, Captains of the present competitors had sought out Billy to let him know how pissed they were that his Line wasn’t there. It wasn’t the same to compete when one of the major competitors was absent. Lucy informed the Pit Lieutenant of the plans for Monday and Molly promised to pass the message along to the quartet.

Lucy smiled and told her friend, “Have a good time celebrating tonight! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”