The Drum Major and the Clarinet

The Day we Met

I held my instrument close to my body, swiftly walking into the music wing of the school. My mom honked at me; I jerked my head around and waved to her; stumbling into the school.  I walked down the empty hall. This was only parade season; beginning of summer. 

I pushed myself through the doors of the band room. I went into shock with all the people there (only later finding out we were the smallest marching band). I gulped out of anxiety. I clenched my clarinet even tighter. I walked around a little bit, feeling awkward. I noticed a card game of Yu-gi-oh going on, I walked over and watched the game play out.

One of the teens noticed I was watching, and looked up at me. I inhaled sharply and swiftly walked away. I sat in the corner, trying to seclude myself from everyone. I sat there and watched everyone around me. A boy walked past me with blond hair, he starred at me with his blue eyes, and kept walking.

I sat alone for about 10 minutes, when out band director walked out. We all sat in an arch as we introduced ourselves. We started off with the color-guard, then it just went in a random order of percussionist, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and clarinets.

Eventually, the boy that walked past me introduced himself. "My name is Alex, I'm a senior, and I play clarinet."

 'A senior?' I asked myself in my head. ("I'm Lindsey, I'm a sophomore, and I play clarinet.") 'He looks more of a Sophomore or a junior.' I cause myself starring at the boy, unwillingly. I shook my head. 'Why the hell do I care? He's just another stepping stone in my life.'

I looked around and saw everyone starring at me, like I was crazy. The person next to me tapped my shoulder and asked me if I was going to introduce myself.

"Oh, right. I'm Sarah, I'm a freshman, and I play clarinet." I said shyly.

A girl with ginger hair stood up, I think her name was Lindsey. "Yes, another freshy clarinet player!" She exclaimed with excitement, drawing attention towards me.

'These damn band geeks.' I though in my head, putting an irritated look on my face.

I put my instrument together quickly as I looked through the music that our band director gave us. The song was entitled, Fire.

The boy named Alex walked up to me, as I looked down at my clarinet. He stood over me; I felt his shadow over me. Feeling insecure I sprang to my feet, holding my clarinet close to my body.

"Sorry, did I scare you?" He asked me, with his clarinet in one hand.

"What does it look like to you?" I asked forcefully.

Alex looked down on the ground, and picked up my music off the floor. He handed it to, and I snatched it from his hand. "Thanks."

"So how long have you played clarinet?" He asked me.

"Why do you care?" I asked walking away from him

He followed behind me. "Well since your a clarinet player, I want to get to know you."

"5 years; there." I walked away from him with that curt response.

I grabbed my music stand, and walked to where I was supposed to meet with the woodwinds. The Lindsey girl looked over at me and smiled.

"There's our freshy clarinet player." She said with a smile on her face.

Two taller boys stood with her, one with short brown hair, and glasses that covered his blue eyes. The other boy had long curly hair, and brown eyes. Both tall, they looked about 5 foot 9, or 10.

I placed my stand furthest away from them, soon to find Alex's hand on my shoulder. I jumped at his touch, and swiftly turned around to him. He grinned, and giggled slightly.