Kick Brass

1.

Adrian's POV

Deep breaths.. Positive thoughts..

Remember the day Dad took you to Texas to watch DCI finals for the first time...

Remember how you fell in love with the sound that fills up the whole football stadium...

I was only seven then, but that inspired me to play trumpet and I'm proud of how far I've come since. I can't even come to picture my life without it, music makes my life complete. As cheesy as it sounds, my trumpet might as well be the love of my life.

I look down at my case in my right hand and smile at my silly thoughts.

Anyway, I still can't believe that I'm standing here, with the slight chill of a November breeze running down my nice dark blue button up shirt I bought for the purpose of looking good for this moment (hey, gotta dress to impress right?) about to enter the door to go through the final audition step so I can join the best DCI band there is.

I see a larger blue sign that reads "BLUE DEVILS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS LIVE AUDITION" and I knew I was at the right place.

I enter 30 minutes early as I do for any other call time. I watch a few other people around me who look really nervous. I look away hoping it will not rub off on me. I stare at the tan wall of the audition building covered in awards and pictures in order to concentrate and finger along the audition pieces running through my head way too quickly as I wait for my name to be called.

I had to leave school early today to be here. I've never missed a day since junior high. But that's okay because this has been my dream for too long. And the time has finally arrived to determine whether or not I can make it come true.

I didn't practice every single night, drive 35 miles, and miss school to be rejected.

No.

That is not going to happen.

Focus Adrian, focus.

I have prepared myself for this day and there is no way in hell I will let it go wrong.

Alison's POV

6th period, Concert band.

I run into the band room seconds before the late bell.

As I finally get settled to set up my saxophone, I scan the room subtly as possible, trying not to make any awkward eye contact with anyone. We begin to warm up, but Adrian's seat is empty. I can't remember a day of not seeing him in his regular seat. First chair, that is. It's Adrian Lawrence we're talking about.

Where in the world could he be?

All of a sudden, Luna whispers not so subtly beside me, "Ali! Did you hear about Adrian?" as if she read my mind.

I look at our director to make sure he didn't hear her because I hate getting in trouble, no matter how many times she assures that we won't get caught talking. After making sure that he didn't hear us, I look back to her and ask, "No, where is he? Is he okay?" I probably sounded way too concerned. I need to keep my composure so I don't expose my irrational feelings of the guy.

Our conversation is put on hold, having to play warm up scales. I begin to think of all of the worst possible answers she could give me and I genuinely begin to get worried.

"Yeah. No, he's fine." She responds as soon as we stop playing. "I just heard from Emily right now that he went to go audition for the Blue Devils!! The freaking Blue Devils! Can you believe it?" She hides her head behind a music stand and I can tell she is trying her best to not freak out.