The Line (26 page)

Lucy’s heart went out to Molly, but if Lucy knew anything, she knew it would only give her that much more determination for the next year to totally kick some Pit ass. Lucy was an example of the difficulty of being Pit member – the section leaders were forever "graduating" their best players to the Battery and always having to teach the next generation of drummers how to be normal members of the Line.

“For cymbals, the award goes to Forrest Hills’s cymbal line!”

Almost before the award was given out, Forrest Hills’s name was on everyone’s lips. Consistently Forrest Hills was pushing the envelope for cymbal visuals and technique –

it seemed no one could touch them. Nevada went out to accept the award and held it aloft for all his cymbal players to see. Lucy held her breath, basses were next.

“For best bass line, the award goes to Forrest Hills high school!”

Lucy, Nathan, Mark, and Jared jumped out of their seats into a simultaneous group hug. Lance walked over to accept the trophy and looked up to salute his section.

“Next we have tenors, and tonight the trophy goes to Swiss County high school!”

The Swiss tenor line was very seasoned and made up of all seniors. The FHHS quints didn’t take their ‘loss’ too badly. Everyone knew they would be back next year with a strong showing.

“Finally, we have the snares, the award goes to…” The announcer fumbled with the paper and continued, “Well it looks like we have a first here. There is a tie. Would the representatives from the Forrest Hills and South Washington snare lines please come up to accept their awards?”

Sam and Jerm eyed each other, but walked forward to accept the trophies.

“That concludes the Indoor competition for this year. Thank you to all our competitors on a wonderful job and congratulations to Forrest Hills for their first place win.”

Just like that, it was over. Armed with cameras, the Forrest Hills drumline swarmed the marked basketball court. Lucy and the rest of the basses gathered around Lance, looking at their trophy. After posing for pictures, Lucy felt a tap on her shoulder, and glanced up to see Sam. Remembering her manners, she said, “Congratulations!”

“You, too. Best bass line – not bad for an oboist.”

Lucy nudged Sam playfully and said, “Shh – don’t blow my cover! You know how these guys get around woodwinds.”

Sam placed an arm around her shoulder and said, “I don’t care what you are, as long as you’re mine.”

Lucy had no answer, except to smile and wonder how she got so lucky. Following their drumlines, as they walked towards parking lot, Sam commented, “Just so you know, Jerm and I decided to officially bury the hatchet tonight – our Lines are all going to meet up at WaHo once we all get home tonight.”

“That’s great!”

In the cool evening air, they turned to say their goodbyes. Members of both drumlines passed by them. Lucy expected comments, but none came. Keeping Sam’s hand in hers, she said, “I guess we’re just regular high school students now, huh?”

“You, Lucy Karate, will never be a regular high school student.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The combined force of Forrest Hills and South Washington drumlines took over the local Waffle House that night. After placing her order, Lucy began to get nervous when she realized both Nevada and Sam were missing from the restaurant. She leaned over and asked Molly, “Have you seen Nevada?”

“Sorry, I haven’t seen him since we got here.”

Lucy nervously chewed her fingernails and kept her eyes on the front door. She looked away for two seconds and was laughing at one of Tom’s jokes, when she glanced at the door and took a sharp breath. Molly, sitting next to her, followed Lucy’s eyes to the door. With identical bloody noses and smiles on their faces, Nevada and Sam walked in together. The rest of the drummers were so involved in their conversation and celebration they didn’t even notice. Sam slid in next to Lucy at her booth.

Unsure at what had transpired, she asked, “Do I want to know what happened?”

Sam picked a french fry off a nearby plate and commented, “We finally settled our differences.”

Molly quipped, “At least you didn’t use wasabi.”

“Are you okay?”

Sam gently blotted his nose, and answered, “Nothing a little ice won’t fix.”

“You would think that after three years of being around you guys, I would learn a thing or two about you, but no, I can honestly say I have no clue how your brains work.”

“Just kiss it and make it better,” Sam grinned.

Lucy shrugged and leaned over to comply.

During Homeroom on Monday, Lucy was only just coming down from the high the weekend had produced. Although she was sad the season was over, looking back, it had definitely been an interesting one. She was suddenly aware her teacher was calling her name, “Lucy Karate? I have your Homecoming pictures, dear.”

Walking up and retrieving the pictures, Lucy tore open the envelope and grinned at her and Nevada’s happy smiles, committing the images to memory and then tucking the pictures deep into her messenger bag. They were memories of an unforgettable season. Lucy pulled out her calendar…

How many days until the next season starts?

* * *

Lucy’s adventures don’t stop here! You can continue reading about Lucy Karate’s senior season in
A Fine Line
– which is also available in print or digital copy. Further adventures of the Forrest Hills drum line can also be found in
Keeping in Line
and
The Line Up
, also available in print or online.

And…because you are so awesome, dear reader, please keep reading for some of the minor scenes I wrote which did not make the cut for the main novel. These are a collection of deleted scenes which I couldn’t figure out where to put, 100 word challenges, or wrote as character development at a later date.

* * *

Complicated (Nevada)

Whether because of lack of eligible parties or just bad timing, there hadn’t been dating within the Forrest Hills drumline. To do so, would just be…complicated.

Still, there was no denying the growing flirtation between himself and the second bass drummer. Was she worth the risk? Was it worth the potential complications that could arise? The looks from the other drummers?

Usually it was easy for him…if he wanted to date someone, he asked her out. But this time, the situation was much more complex. Or was it? Couldn't two people from the same section be happy dating one another…?

* * *

Boredom (Lucy)

“It’s your own fault you lost,” Lucy gloated.

“Hmph.”

The junior and her two best friends sat in the long shadows provided by first bass drummer, Mark, who was standing and sweating in the hot sun.

During the last drill practice, the two basses quickly grew bored while the attention was focused on the low brass. They developed a game that involved fancy tricks and tosses with their mallets – one would build on the other's routine, until Mark had forgotten a step and lost. The loser had to stand at attention and shade the other.

“Can I move now?”

“Nope.”

* * *

Boundaries

bassgirl17:
So, you're seriously not going to tell me?

Cartwright213:
No. As I've told you on numerous occasions, knowing who the other one was would totally defeat the purpose of our whole relationship. Things change when you know who you're talking to. What if I was really some old dude?

bassgirl17:
Then I'd still want to know.

Cartwright213:
Tough luck, kiddo.

bassgirl17:
…

Cartwright213:
I'm not budging.

bassgirl17:
Can we make a pact, that like, if we're still talking in 5 years or whatever, then we’ll trade names?

Cartwright213:
Maybe we could…

bassgirl17:
I guess I can live with that.

* * *

Echoes (Lucy)

Henry had told us to tape up our drums so they wouldn’t echo throughout the cavernous gym. I tried to remember this happening last year, but couldn't. So much had happened – it was difficult to recall what had even happened the previous week.

The rest of my section was in a good mood as we carefully cut and measured the right amount of cloth to tape to the surface of our drums. We joked about what would best muffle the sounds – ranging everything from boxer shorts to maxi pads…no doubt echoing a long line of suggestions from previous drummers.

* * *

Accuracy (Molly)

Molly looked over her 8th graders. Having just been promoted to Pit section leader a few days previously, she was trying to remember all the things from her first two seasons that she wanted to improve on.

The kids, not yet disciplined in the ways of the competitive drum line, were whispering and joking with each other. Many of them, thinking that they were badass drummers, were upset of being placed in the front line. Their mallet skills weren't that great, and a few couldn't even read music.

Molly took a deep breath, and said calmly, “Let's start at the beginning. The first lesson is about accuracy. You need to know how to correctly use a mallet, or any of Auxiliary equipment. You may think you know, but you don't…”

On her way to her newly acquired bass line position, Lucy Karate passed by and smiled.

* * *

Dangerous Territory

In the wee hours of the morning, the seniors from the FHHS drum line snuck into the front yard of their Instructor, armed with an economy pack of toilet paper.

As they silently rolled, Jerm whispered, “So, you and Lucy?”

“Looks that way.”

“Be careful.”

Nevada stopped for a minute and commented, “I think I can handle myself.” As he added another roll to the yard, he asked, “Why, know something I don’t?”

“It's… Just watch yourself – things could get complicated.”

“I'll take that into consideration.”

Jerm moved away, leaving Nevada to wonder what the hell was going on.

* * *

Ring (Tom and Lucy)

They approach the Josten’s representatives in the middle of a busy lunchroom on a rainy Tuesday, standing a familiar distance from each other.

She allows him to take the decorative bag, and as they walk back to their table, in the middle of their classmates, he sweeps down on one leg, pulls out the royal blue ring box and offers tiny bit of jewelry to her, a gift. The conversations around them come to a sudden stop, and the bustling room soon follows in silence. Everyone focuses on the pair.

She squeals in delight as he slides the silver band on her delicate hand and is swept up in a giant hug. The large room thunders with applause.

“How was school today?” her boyfriend asks a few hours later.

“The usual, Tom proposed. I accepted,” she replies, a genuine smile on her face.

* * *

“
I’m handsome even when I sleep?” (Lucy)

“Would you just shut up?” Lucy was at her absolute wits end. She looked longingly at the Pit, and wished to be back in it…to escape Mark and his never ending annoying thoughts, comments, and observations. Today, he had decided to pass the time during the early evening practice by intentionally ‘mishearing’ everything his section mate said.

“Sorry, Luce, did you ask if I needed a top up? I’d love some more Gatorade if you're going that way.”

“I'm going to kill you in your sleep…” The second bass drummer muttered as she walked away.

“I'm handsome even when I sleep? I always knew you were hot for me…”

Grimacing, Lucy passed basses three, four, and five and Jared commented, “You know, if you didn't say anything, he wouldn't be able to keep this up.”

“But – I – ARGH!”

* * *

“
There's no place like home.” (Lucy)

It was one of those very cold November nights. I had ‘gifted’ my bass to one of the underclassmen for a song, and Fred wasn't on the podium, giving us a rare chance to see each other in the stands. Tucking his short black Drum Major cape around us, we huddled together while the rest of the band shimmied and danced to ‘Hey Baby.’ It was hard to believe we were already juniors and only had one year left to be a part of all this.