Out of Touch

First Movement: And Enter the Viola

6:30am. Time to wake up for school. My basement bedroom is warm. I get out of bed, pushing my brother out of his own. He doesn't fall, which I'm kind of glad for. I go to the bathroom first, using it and putting in my contacts. I hate my glasses. I look terrible in them. I would never want to be caught dead in those.

I go back to the basement, getting ready. It's the first day of my junior year. I'm sure it's going to go the same as every other year, but I try to remain hopeful with this one. I put on the khakis that make my butt look good, my maroon shirt and my black and white flannel.

I grab something to eat upstairs in the kitchen. I realize quickly I've forgotten one thing. I go downstairs for my tuba mouthpiece. It's sitting on the edge of my keyboard, which happens to be next to my accordion.

'I see my life in terms of music.' This is how I like to live my life. I live, breathe, and feel music. I've been playing for as long as I can remember, dabbering a bit many instruments. My life has become music by my own choice.

I can't use other mouthpieces which is why I need my own. Mine is coated in silver, since I happen to be allergic to nickel. The music life is a complicated one.

I head back upstairs quickly, tripping over my bassoon. I don't know why it's laying on the floor. I don't have time right now to pick it up. I have to get to school before Ben does.

I grab my tuba and my binder. Binder in my hands, tuba on my arm. This is my routine. I have to beat Ben. Ben is one year my senior. I guess though, this year he's an actual senior. But this kid has the intellect of a four year old. He has some musical talent but he's an asshole. I can't let him beat me at every turn because his talent may be slightly superior to mine. I will master Orpheus in the Underworld and show him that I AM BETTER.

I need to calm down.

I start the morning in the band room, surrounded by my band friends: absolutely no one. The only things in here are blank stands, empty chairs, and the remnants of band camp. I kind of miss band camp. Oh well, I'll get to marching band practice this week.

I pull out my sheet music. Orpheus in the Underworld. Everyone is going to hate this piece pretty soon. I've given myself the extra challenge. I'm playing the Contrabass part.

I don't have my music. Damn it.

I get up on the chair, running over to my locker. The sheet music I have copied is still there. I grab it and go back, agile like a cat. I pick up my lovely tuba. We love the tuba. We hate the sousaphone. My sousaphone is bent so much it might as well be dead. It's three notes sharp.I try to play an F sharp, it comes out as an A flat. It's disgusting.

I practice my heart out. It's not good enough yet but if I keep practicing, I will be. People start to file in. The others just kind of stay quiet, eating their breakfasts or talking quietly. Everything is great until 7:15.

That's when Ben comes in. Ruining everything.

I set my tuba down. I run off to my little group of bandies that I write bandfiction with. Only Lynn, An, and Jacob are here this early. I let them read my newest Jarc fiction.

"Morning beautiful," I grin at Jacob.

"Oh good morning." He smiles at me.

Good. I've made someone smile today.

"I've been counting down the days until today because I know I would get to see you again."

"Oh, have you? You never have to miss me for very long. I'll always be around when you need me."

I look up at the clock. 7:25. My Luna will be here soon. I go over to the orchestra room. There are my orch-dorks. Tim, Alicia, and Destiny. Tim plays cello. I like cello. Out of all the string instruments, it sounds the prettiest with its solemn but hallow wails. Speaking of beautiful, Alicia is the most flawless person I know. She has perfect skin and a lovely face. Her hair is long and always somewhat curled. She's beautifully talented as well. She's modest and it's one of her greatest features. Destiny, her fashion sense and her sass are always on fleek. She always knows how to do her hair just right. We have word battles because her words are always better than mine. Tim always has the greatest comeback for everything everyone says. He's mostly quiet, just waiting for that moment to crack wise. He's one of my most conservative friends, although not in a bad way. I enjoy these people.