My Section Leader's Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Why me?" I put a hand on my hip.

"Excuse me?" Jackson steps closer to me and I have to wait a few seconds for my brain to calm down, God he smells good.

"Well I'm just saying, I'm in the middle of the arc and it just makes a little more sense to start at the end, don't you think?"

Jackson looks pissed. Oh well.

"Look just play the damn songs, alright?" He steps back and I fight the urge to reach out for him.

"Whatever." I throw my music on the ground and wait for him to count me off.

After playing through every single song we have, Jackson moves on. Hallelujah. The rest of the sectional passes by with a bunch of people not knowing their music, but it's fine because Mr. Smith will take care of it. *insert eye roll here*

"Okay everyone work on what you don't know, that's it." Jackson runs a hand through his hair and walks away.

"Dat ass doe" Catie whispers and I smack her arm. Just because that's exactly what I was thinking doesn't mean she should say it.

We link arms and walk out to the field together. "Hey Patrick!" I smile at another trumpet player as we pass.

"Oh hey Emily, how are you?! I feel like we never talk you know? It's really important for everyone to get along!"

I smile and keep walking. Patrick is super sweet, but he can be a little exhausting sometimes.

Catie and I get into our spots and wait to start.

"That's it, I'm sitting!" Catie says and the whistle blows as soon as her butt hits the ground. "Tell me again why I joined band?"

I start to make a funny remark, but it gets caught in my throat as Jackson and Kyle walk by. "I'm starting to wonder that myself." I mumble and pull Catie to her feet.

***
After practice we have to push the scaffolding back, which is a big, yellow thing that Mr. Smith and the drum majors stand on. Thank goodness we have Robby!

"That was a good practice don't you think? We are definitely ready for the next football game!" Patrick is in the middle of talking my ear off and I wonder why I can't just like him. It would be so much easier.

"Yeah we are pretty good." I half smile at him, wishing he was Jackson.

"Hey so can I text you sometime?"

Oh god. He's blushing oh no. "Of course!" I smile and thank goodness we're back at the school. "See you later!"

"Catie! Fern!" I run to catch up to my friends. "Patrick is gonna 'text me sometime'" I roll my eyes and hold up my finger quotes.

"Ooh get it girl!" Fern laughs and I give her the look.

"This is good!" Catie nods her head vigorously.  "If you're texting Patrick you won't think of Jackson."

"Yeah I guess you're right. I don't know, we'll see." I shrug and move a little faster. "Hey I'll see you guys Friday at the game, it's gonna be great!" I smile and go to my moms car.