A Fine Line (9 page)

“Yes, sir.”

Watching his Coach walk away, Wes smiled to himself and went over to start stretching his legs.

In the stands, Lucy and Tom were treated like A-List celebrities. Not one member of the band had seen their performance coming and no one expected that two of the craziest members of the Drumline were actually such great dancers.

Gina asked, “When did you put that together?”

Lucy smiled, “Actually, Tom took a swing dance class over the summer. When we started learning the show, it was just a crazy idea Tom had. We’ve been practicing for about two weeks.”

Mandy asked, “What did Izzo say?”

“That’s the weird thing. He wants to incorporate us into the show.”

“Really?!” The girls asked at the same time.

“I thought we were totally going to get in trouble, but he thinks that it’s going to be unique or something.”

Mandy said, “That’s awesome!”

Lucy stood up to go back to the Line, “All I know is – no more polyester!”

In great spirits, Lucy went out to her car that night, not only had all she and Tom’s hard work paid off, but they were going to keep performing! It was like her senior year was turning out more amazing than she could’ve ever imagined. In all the excitement (including an encore performance of the routine in the band room), Lucy had completely forgotten a certain football player had also witnessed the performance that evening….

The next morning, when Lucy went out to retrieve something from her car, she spotted Wes in the garage. An extra cute, fitted black t-shirt and basketball shorts, hair still wet from the shower Wes was reminded that he had actually seen her marching (and dancing) the night before.

“Morning.”

“Congratulations on a great show.”

“Thanks,” Lucy said rather lamely.

Wes turned around and began walking the other direction.

Lucy ran a frustrated hand through her hair and called out, “I’m sorry. I should tell you that I appreciate you watching the show. What did you think?”

Wes made some vague gesture with his hands, “I didn’t think there would be…dancing.”

Lucy smiled, “Yeah, that was kind of a late addition by me and Tom.”

“You guys are good.”

“Thanks.”

Lucy was embarrassed at how completely awkward the conversation was getting.

“I—”

Whatever Wes was going to say was cut off by Lucy’s phone. She looked at it and saw it was Sam. Her eyes softened, and she said, “I have to take this call. Thanks again for being there.”

* * *

CHAPTER NINE: Transitions

Wes walked into the garage, scuffing his black and white trainers on the pavement. He had never really had this particular problem before. With all the girls back home, it seemed all he had to do was he look in their general direction and that was usually all it took. Furthermore, the majority of American girls fell in the same category. In fact, it had been even easier because of the whole accent thing. But with Lucy…

What did you think was going to happen? Just because you watched her at a game you would somehow be magically part of her world?

Possibly…

She’s had her own thing long before you ever came on the scene and no amount of glorious British accent is going to change that.

Maybe my gesture wasn’t big enough.

What are you talking about? The moment’s over. It’s passed. Move on.

I could take dance lessons.

Listen to yourself! Has she given you anything to indicate that she actually likes you?

Wes knew what the answer to that was.

Then get over it and move on. The ship has sailed.

Lucy was torn as she walked away from Wes. The look of disappointment on his face was not one that she wanted to see again any time soon.

Was that all because I didn’t talk to him?

Concentrate. Remember that you were just speaking with Wes Mallinson – God’s gift to women at FHHS. I’m sure your walking away from him did not cause a moment of disappointment in his world. Plus, remember that guy on the phone with you right now? The guy that you hung up on last time you talked?

Yes?

Talk to him – you owe it to the both of you.

“Hey, Sam,” Lucy said quietly.

“Hey, Luce. How was the game? Did you guys pull the stunt off?”

See, this is what boyfriends and girlfriends talk about. Normal things. Sharing information. Small talk and conversation.

“It was pretty much awesome. I’m going to try and upload the show with our new ‘addition’ so you can see it.”

“That would be great.”

Lucy continued, “And you’ll never believe this! Izzo’s going to include our part in the show permanently.”

“Really? Wow – that’s great!”

Even though they were miles apart, the following silence was palpable. Lucy took a deep breath and said in a more wavering voice than she meant to use, “So, I’m sorry about the other day. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Lucy—”

“I mean, I was totally jumping to conclusions without even giving you time to talk.”

“The thing is…”

“The thing is what?”

“Okay, so I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”

“What are you talking about?”

Sam sighed deeply into the phone, “The whole honesty thing.”

Lucy could see Sam through the phone, raking a hand through his dark hair. He continued, “I wish there was some way I could see you.”

Like a bolt of lightning, Lucy realized there was a way. Without thinking much further, she said, “There is.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, we need to do this the right way – in person.”

Neither of them had to question what exactly “this” was. Lucy had seen Mandy and Gina enough break ups to know that this relationship deserved the right kind of time and energy and anything less than seeing Sam in person was just going to further complicate things. From the moment Sam had talked to her in the theater last year to the time they were at now, she wanted good memories and not months of dragging things out to their inevitable end.

Lucy did some quick calculations in her head, “Where are you going to be this afternoon?”

“Why?”

“Just tell me.”

“I’ll be around. Call my cell.”

Hanging up, Lucy looked at her phone for a moment before she started dialing, “Mandy? Hey…I need a big favor.”

Lucy really didn’t know what she was doing as she started her car and began driving. It wasn’t that she never broke the rules or anything, but this was a little extreme. She had told her parents that she was spending the night with Mandy, who was the only one who knew that she was really driving to State. There was something in Sam’s voice that Lucy had to see about in person or else she knew she would never be able to let it go. She didn’t feel like wasting her entire senior year carrying a torch for something that wasn’t happening – always wondering what was really happening to Sam on campus…turning into a jealous, whiny girlfriend. Lucy didn’t want to be that girl. Plus, she had to admit, that if she was going to pursue things with a certain football player that had been invading her thoughts on a more frequent basis that she wanted to do so with a clean slate.
If she wanted to pursue things…

“You’re one in a million, Lucy Karate.”

“Thanks.” A stray tear slipped down Lucy’s face.

Her official ex-boyfriend kissed Lucy softly on the lips before pulling back and telling her, “Don’t be a stranger. Let me know how things go this season.”

“I will.”

Lucy drove back on Sunday actually in better spirits than she imagined she would be in. It was like even though she was already well into her senior season, that she had a new start and a fresh beginning. She thought about the past twenty-four hours and how completely random they had been. While she had gotten the whole jittery stomach thing when she first saw Sam, it was for different reasons than she usually had. There had been reminiscing of old times and inside jokes and with Sam’s roommate mysteriously missing, she had actually enjoyed one last night with her former boyfriend.

Lucy walked to practice on Tuesday in optimistic spirits. Everyone was crowded around the director’s podium. Lucy whispered to Gina, “What’s going on?”

Gina whispered back, “I don’t know, Izzo’s got some important announcement or something.”

Mr. Izzo addressed the band, “Well, I’m sure you all noticed the new addition to the show on Friday…”

He is so not going to play it off like he was a part of this…is he?

He is.

Lucy looked over and rolled her eyes at Tom, who understood the gesture.

You have to admit, it’s better than getting detention.

That’s true.

“…I didn’t tell all of you because I wasn’t sure I wanted to go forward with things, but now that I’ve seen the crowd’s reaction, I want to officially include Tom and Lucy’s choreography into the halftime show. I think it will give us an edge at some of the competitions.”

There was a small round of applause and murmurs of approval through the crowd.

“Furthermore, I’d like to announce I’ve decided that we are going to attend the Lincoln County Marching Band Invitational. As some of you seniors can remember, this competition is far enough away that we will be incorporating it into an overnight trip. We will be passing out permission slips and information after practice.”

With that announcement a cheer went through the band. The seniors had been doing their best to pass along the traditions and legends of the overnight band trip. It wasn’t that the band never went on trips, it just made the competition that much more intense. Lucy remembered back to her freshman year and how outstanding the show had been. Mr. Izzo only took the band on overnight trips when he thought they had a chance to compete against the biggest and most talented bands.

Tom had joined Lucy, “No pressure on us, huh?”

Lucy swallowed as the enormity of the situation hit her. It was one thing to show boat in front of an excited football crowd, but it was another thing entirely to dance at a major marching band competition – especially with judges directly on the field.

Mr. Izzo finished up, “Okay, gang, let’s all get into the set at the end of the first song. I worked the drill over the weekend to make Tom and Lucy’s transition easier.”

Lucy and Tom picked up their drums and began making their way across the field. Lucy nudged Tom as they walked near Drew, and whispered, “We really should apologize to him.”

Tom shot Lucy a look, but shrugged, “Fine.”

Lucy walked quickly to join Drew. She smiled at the junior, “We wanted to tell you.”

Tom walked on Drew’s other side and agreed, “Sorry, dude, it’s just that if we were going to get in trouble or anything we didn’t want you to go down with us.”

Drew shrugged tersely. He hadn’t interacted that much with the crazy seniors (that was Fred’s department) and had no idea how to respond to them.

Lucy began giggling, “But your face was priceless!”

Tom did an overdramatic impression of Drew’s expression from Friday night that sent Lucy gales of laughter. Drew didn’t say anything as he went over to the Drum major podium. Lucy wiped a tear from her eye, “Awww…you don’t think I offended him, do you?”

As an answer, Tom continued making the surprised Drew face as they made it to the closing set of the first song.

Drew was grumbling as he reached the podium, thinking of a number of witty phrases he could’ve used.

“You okay?” a shy voice interrupted his thoughts.

Drew looked over and saw Bronwyn had a concerned look on her face.

Why can’t everyone on the Line be like her?

“Yeah, I’m cool. Thanks for asking.” With that he hefted himself up onto the podium.

* * *

CHAPTER TEN: What Tangled Webs We Weave

Lucy picked up her permission slip and information on her way out of practice that afternoon and threw it in the back of her car, where it settled with the other accoutrement that was collecting daily: changes in music from Henry, drill for the show, a growing pile of senior announcements, college catalogues, transcripts, and homework. The practice had been particularly brutal, because in addition to running around with a giant bass drum, Lucy was now using entirely different muscles for dancing.

And don’t forget the drop.

As if I could…

During the last run through of the halftime performance, Tom had dropped his dance partner during the one of their major aerial stunts and Lucy had hit the ground. Hard. On her ass. Hard enough the entire Line stopped what they were doing and crowded around. J.D., entrepreneurial lad that he was, immediately started taking bets on any number of categories, including: How big would the bruise be? What colors would appear? How many days it would last? And, her personal favorite, how long it would be until Tom dropped her again? As J.D. was kind enough to offer 10% of any money collected, Lucy saw no real problem with the situation.