Mr. Popular

Focused on Band

"Okay everyone try that part again but shorter and softer," the director says

I put my mouthpiece in my mouth and watch as he counts us into the starting measure. I take a deep breath and begin playing the music. I get lost playing the eigths and quarter notes. This was my only escape from Harry and Elaine's meanness.

"Okay that was better! Your dismissed!" the director yells

I cut of my playing and start putting my saxophone back into the case. I snap it shut and stand up and start to walk to the door.

"Oh Miss Fonley can I have a minute?" the director asks

I nod and walk over to where he is standing in his office door.

"Yes Mr. Rich?" I ask

"I just wanted to talk to you. How do you feel having a solo for the concert next month?" he asks

"Me?" I ask dumbstruck

"Yes you. Your brilliant and I want you to solo," he says

"Thanks. Yeah Ill solo," I say

"Okay here's the music," he says handing me the sheet

"Thank you sir," I say walking out of the room

I feel the smile form on my face as I make my way back to my dorm. Band is my last class of the day. I get to the dorm and walk inside.

"Oh miss band geek is back from her class," I hear a voice say

I look over and see Harry sitting on my bed.

"What are doing here? On my bed no less," I scoff

"I'm waiting for Eleanor to get back Louis had to make a few errands so I'm stuck here," he says

"Yeah ever heard about waiting outside?" I ask setting up my music stand

"Its to sunny for my liking. Whatcha doing?" he asks

"I'm going to practice my solo if its really any of your business," I say

"Oh great play quietly I have sensitive ears to high pitched noises," he says

"Oh you mean like this?" I ask smiling.

He gives me a weird questioning look and I take a deep breath and play my highest note. Now if you guys play the alto saxophone you'll know that high f on it is really high pitched and if played carelessly annoying.

He slams his hands over his ears and yells "Oh shut up and practice already!"

I simply cut the note off and smile simply at him. He rolls his eyes and I start playing the solo. Its slow but beautiful low and mysterious. I like these kinds of solos.

I look out of the corner of my eye and see Harry looking tiredly / dreamily at me swaying to the music. I smile while playing and do the greatest crescendo I've ever done. Harry's eyes get bigger and the song comes to an end.

I casually stop playing and grab a pencil marking the notes I messed up on.

"I didn't realise you were that good," Harry says

"Well why else do you think I got a band scholarship?" I ask

He just shuts his mouth after that and I practice the parts I had trouble at.

"Do I hear my roommate practicing?" Eleanor asks walking into the room

"Yes you do," I say "But I'm done sorry,"

"Oh dangit!" she says

"Shes amazing," Harry says

"Oh! Harry I didn't see you there!" Eleanor says

"Yeah I'm here Louis should be here in a bit," Harry says

"Kk thanks for telling me," she says

I put my saxophone away and put the case into the closet and sit at my desk working on my homework.

"Are all these awards for band?" Harry asks

I turn around and see him looking at my shelf full of trophies and ribbons from my band competitions.

"Yeah solos and honor bands stuff like that," I say

"Impressive," he says

I nod and turn back to my homework. Trying to avoid the awkwardness between Harry and I. Eleanor please hurry in the shower!

"Molly I just want to apologise for being such a dick to you in high school," Harry says

I turn around in my chair and look at him.

"Your apologising?" I ask

"Yeah, I always thought you were just a nobody and now I see you and you've made this big accomplashment all with that thing," he says pointing to my closet

"With my closet?" I ask

"No with your instrument," he says

I nod and look at him.

"Why did it take you this long to apologise?" I ask

"Because I didn't know how to tell you after all I did to you," he says

"Well it didn't seem so hard for you now," I say

"Because I realised something and I need to apologise," he says

"What'd you realise?" I ask

"That I like you," he says "Molly will you go out with me tonight?"

I look at him and feel my eyes bulging out. He looks at me and the smile falls from his face. He abruptly stands up and leaves the room. You know I still don't know how he got in the dorm.

"Hey where'd Harry go?" Eleanor asks walking into the room.

I slowly turn my chair to her and she takes the look on my face in and she slowly walks over to my chair.

"Molly? Molly what happened?" she asks. Her wet hair dripping into my eyes

"Harry just ummmmm-" I say

"Molly-" she starts until shes cut off

"Hey guys! Eleanor are you ready?" Louis asks walking into the room

Eleanor looks away from me and turns towards him.

"Yeah lets go," she says walking over to him

She takes one last look towards me as they walk out of the room and the door closes. I shake my head and stand up. I grab my saxophone and start playing it. Its the only way I can clear my head.