Let's Do This

August Band Camp

The past few months of my life has been the best months of my life.

In my high school, there are four bands; Concert 1, Concert 2, Symphonic, Wind Ensemble, Concert 2 being the worst, Wind Ensemble being the best.

Freshmen are RARELY in Symphonic and in W.E. and I happened to get into Symphonic, (last chair though...) and Niko made 4th chair W.E.! So Niko got placed 4th chair out of the 22 flutes in our school. Which is hard since EVERY FLUTE PLAYER is INSANELY GOOD (besides me, hehe).

I found out that Nate is a jerk (real life plot twist! Thank goodness I found out before I could have a crush), and I ended up having a crush on a tuba player in my grade, which may be weird since tubas and flutes are complete opposites.

Now it's August the 1st, meaning... hardcore camp! Well...that's what the upperclassmen told me.

I walked in my high school holding my flute case and one gallon water jug wondering what will happen for the rest of the month.

Soon after, a speaker blared in everyone's ear to get their attention.

"Hey guys, I know it's been a long summer," It was the brass instructors voice, "but now we have to focus. This is August camp, you ready?!" He yelled and the whole band erupted into cheers. The cheering died down when the section leaders started to shout commands and we had to get work done.

~

"And set!" My section leader Rose yelled out as soon as we got into our spots outside.

"Hit!" We replied back yelling as loud as we can going into set position. Instantly rising our hands in front of our faces with the right one in a fist, left one covering the right, making both of our arms connecting in a right angle, along with our elbows in a right angle.

"Too slow! Again!" She had yelled at a freshman's face, but we knew she was talking to all of us. "And set!"

"Hit!" We replied again making repetition worth it.

"Make everything better than the last! We are not going to be a weak section! And set!" She yelled at Niko this time. We did this again, and again, and again. Too many times to count, but every time better.

She looked at right at me. "If one person misses this, we're all doing 25 push ups and the person who messes up will have to watch everyone do it." Her eyes scanned the section. "And set!"

No one missed it out of the 22 flutes we have.

"Better, again!"

~

We stumbled into the cafeteria drenched in our sweat.

"Too hard..." Anthony said and we all knew he was talking about practice.

"This sucks..." Niko replied.

"Uh.." I started. "Am I the only who actually likes this?" I stated and suddenly all of my friends eyes were on me as if I killed someone. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "she's crazy".

"Okay guys, did you seriously think marching band is easy?" I stated suddenly forget about the sweat rolling on my back. "I'm seriously pumped up for this season!" I said enthusiastically. I shrank back into my seat after their replies.

Their replies were just blank stares.

"I guess you guys just never noticed how awesome marching band is yet..." I muttered to myself as I pulled out my sandwich.

~

Lunch ended and I skipped outside energized and ready for more.

Then the light hit me and I went back inside accidentally skipping into an all too familiar face. More specifically, my crush, a tuba player.

"Sorry sorry sorry sorry..." I said looking worried. I looked up at Jacob face and saw him just watching me for a second.

A moment later he smiled his nerdy smile. "Hey Grace, it's okay. Bye."He said and he turned to leave.

Once I heard the door close I sighed and waited a moment before I went outside again as I heard a whistle.

"You don't like him..." I reminded myself not caring if I seem crazy. "Guys only give you distractions. Band camp is where distractions are off limits".

I heard the blaring metronome turn on forgot every that just had happened and jogged to my section ready for practice.