Like You Mean It

9. Hayden

The awards ceremony started in five minutes, but I didn't see Cam anywhere. I hadn't seen him since I went to warm up. I had no clue where he went but I just had to see him. I put on the best performance of my life and honestly, it's because of him. Him and his dumb grin and big laugh and really kissable lips. His cute hair, freckled face, and annoying tendency to be right. His stupid dimples. His stupid smirk, that stupid endearing and drop dead gorgeous smirk that lit up his face after every solo and decent quip.

He finally sat down with Valley a minute before the awards started. I wanted to go say something, but I knew Jonesy wouldn't want me away from the band during awards. He looked off though. I didn't know what was wrong, but something seemed off. He looked shaken, taken aback by something. Had something happened? Was he ok?

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for attending the New Hampshire Music Opening Competition for the 2023-24 season. We will now be announcing and awarding the bands from today's performances. In 8th place, with a score of 54.3, the Hampton Falls Divers!" Clapping and relief.

"In 7th place, with a score of 56.3, the Keene High Lions!" Clapping and relief.

"In 6th place, with a score of 58.9, the Dublin Marchin' Irish!" Clapping and relief.

"In 5th place, with a score of 64.6, the Holy Cross Academy Gladiators." Clapping and relief.

"In 4th place, with a score of 65.1, Derryfield Regional's Marching Middies!" Clapping and relief.

"In 3rd place, with a score of 65.4, the Franklin Pierce Patriots!" Clapping and tension.

It was us or Valley. It was down to us or Valley. Our two sections were dead quiet. You could cut the air with a knife, everyone held their breath.

"In 2nd place, with a score of 69.4, the Lovell High Knight Band!" We cheered.

I looked over to see Valley stand up in anticipation, Cam looked over and grinned at me. He clapped and mouthed "Nice job!"

"And in first place, your winning team for this opening competition. With a score of 70.6, the Merrimack Valley Fightin' Titans!" The announcer cheered.

Valley went crazy. And so did we. We only lost by 1.2 points, which was marginally better than our 3.5 gap last year. We were catching up.

"And now for the judge's awards. For the best marching technique, Franklin Pierce! For the best visuals, Merrimack Valley! For the best musicianship, Lovell High!" We all freaked, I was shaking Max by the shoulders as they jumped up and down.

"And finally, the soloist award, which goes to the soloist who showed the best mastership of all three skills, marching, performance, and musicianship. This year's soloist award goes to..." I hope it's David. His solo in Star Wars sounded fantastic, "Cameron Miller on the tenor quads from Merrimack Valley!"

I looked over to Cam. He looked completely shocked, "Cam!" I exclaimed, running towards him.

I wasn't even thinking, I just pushed past Max and headed straight for him. Tackling him into a hug and kissing him hard in front of both of our bands, without a care in the world. They all knew now, and I was perfectly fine with that as long as I got to keep kissing him.

He was grinning from ear to ear with his adorable dimples, "Oh my god!" He exclaimed.

"Best soloist in the state!" I grinned, picking him up and spinning him.

"Hayden, oh my god!" He exclaimed with a laugh, holding onto me for dear life, "Put me down before you drop me!"

I pulled him closer to me, relishing in the electricity under my skin when I held him, "I won't drop you!" I promised.

He grinned, "Jesus Christ, my mom is going to have a fit."

"Well yeah, you're bringing home one big ass trophy." I grinned, setting him back down.

Neither of us could stop smiling, "And this concludes our New Hampshire Music Opener Competition of 2023. A big thank you and congratulations to all bands who have competed today, and we hope to see you next week in Manchester for the Battle of Elm Street!" The announcer exclaimed.

"Valley, to the buses!" Someone called.

"Lovell, let's go!" Another person called.

I kissed Cam one last time, "I'm so proud of you." I grinned.

"Thank you." He smiled.

I was actually proud of him. I hadn't even kissed him to keep up the act. I had just kissed him because I wanted to kiss him, and I was proud of him. I was happy for him. I didn't even really care that Valley beat us. I just cared that Cam had won a soloist award.

Shit. Shit. This was getting too real, wasn't it?

Was this getting in the way of me performing? No. No shit, this was getting way too real.