We've had many practices for band and I've gotten back into the swing of things. It was the night of the first football game and I was nervous. We were doing the last two songs. That meant the guard feature. Since I was the only guard they have a trio between me and two instrumentalists. I don't know who. We are dancing together. They wanted to leave it a surprise and in the second movement it goes south where some of the band pretends to try and take me. It's an angles versus demons show. Half of the band being angles and the other half being demons and me. Well in basically a human. They're fighting for me and I have to fight the demons off. We all met in the auditorium after we were in uniform and I had my hair and makeup done. The way you could distinguish the angels and demons was by their plumes and their capes. Angles were white plumes and gold capes while the demons had black plumes and red capes. My outfit was a red and white dress. My hair was pulled back off my face and straightened. My makeup was red lipstick, black eyeliner, light eyeshadow, and a bunch of glitter. I looked pretty good, besides the visible scars on my wrists. I brought my jacket with me to the auditorium and put a bit of makeup to try and hide the scars while in the stands and for touch ups into my jacket pocket. I sat with Julian and the band directors gave the normal speeches and we lined up in the parking lot and marched over. When we got to the band stands Mrs.Cole brought me aside.
"How are you feeling Rose?"
"I'm okay."
"Okay well know that we all love and want you here," She said.
"I'm not leaving anytime soon. I promise."
"Good now go up with the band. You can sit wherever since you're the only guard member."
"Thanks."
I went up to the trumpet section and say next to Julian.
"Jules I need your help."
"With what?"
I pulled my makeup to cover my scars.
"Can you hold these while I apply it to cover the old scars And the ones that sent me to the hospital?"
"Sure."
I handed him the makeup and I applied it to my wrists. It looked normal.
"Thanks," I said grabbing my makeup and putting it back in my pocket.
He hugged me.
"Please don't do that ever again."
"I'm not planning on it anytime soon."
"Good. We may not have talked since freshman year because you drifted away from everyone but you're still my best friend. I can't lose-"
"X" the drum majors yelled. They started playing the pep tune when our team got the field goal. After they played we sat down.
"Like I was saying I can't lose you again."
"I promise you I won't do anything.".
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Halftime
"You may take the field in your halftime performance."
The music started and I began to dance and as planned two pairs of hands grabbed me and pulled me back. They pulled me to the center of the "demon" band members and they all continued playing. One of the "Angel" band members ran over to try and save me. He tossed his hat to a trumpet player and ran towards the group. Then he moved back as if the music was pushing him back. I moved around trying to get out of them. My equipment was at my feet and they moved out as I did my rifle work. I caught everything and went into the flag work flawlessly. I got of of the group and headed towards my end drill which was a giant prop stage where in the next movement I dance with two of the band members as they try to get me to join a side. I met the angelic looking one on stage. His hair was in his face and he looked amazing.
"You ready Rose?" He whispered as the song ended. It as Julian. The next song started and we did our dance like rehearsed but it was different because it was with the actual people. He hopped down to "fight "the demon band member who came to get me. They had sabers and I had my white and red flag. At the end I was supposed to drop down to seem dead and the crowd went wild. I heard Matt and Stefan cheering me on. I loved the feeling.
"Yeahhhhh go Rose!!!" Matt yelled.
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End of the third quarter
"Rose do you remember how to do the funk?"
Julian said as the drum line started playing. I shook my head no.
"I'll teach you it. Clap up and down four times each then just follow me"
I followed him and it was a lot of fun. By the end of the game our team won. It was more fun than I remember. When we got to the band room I went to get changed in the orchestra instrument room so I was alone. I pulled on a tank top and leggings and walked out to find the band looking at me. Julian came up and hugged me and the band followed his lead.
"We all need you here. See how many people care about you."
"Hey band, meet your new prop manager Matt." Mrs.Cole said. The band cheered and it was amazing.
