Reconnect: The Story of an old flame

Part 17: Now and Then

July 2002- last day of bandcamp

"It's been a great couple of weeks and I'm convinced we're going to have a great marching season. We are really proud of all the hard work you've put in." Mr. Michaels, our band director, was giving his last speech of the summer. Of course that meant next to nothing, he was known to give little speeches after every practice. 

I stood absentmindedly, not really paying attention. After this, I was going home to change and then meeting up with my friends for dinner. It was my 16th birthday and I had my heart set on a new skateboard. 

"What time did you say again?" Gaby whispered as the band director went on. 

"7:30." I whispered. 

"Okay... one last time before we go." I heard Mr. Michaels say and was caught off guard. 

"What are we doing?" I asked nervously before I saw them turn to face the snare drummers.

"Fight song." Amy whispered. I turned to Jake who was shaking his head. He'd noticed that I was lost but I just smiled and held up my cymbal. 

"Focus." He said. "It's not over yet."

"Sorry." I mumbled. 

"It was my fault. I was asking about something later." Gaby said, beginning to talk over the music. We had all gotten into the habit of doing that when it was an easy song we didn't have to think about. 

"Oh yeah, what time?" Patty asked loudly. 

"7:30." Gaby yelled back. 

"For what?"  Bobby asked, he was a freshman who Patty was now holding the cymbal for. 

"Dinner." Patty said loudly. 

"Dinner?" Bobby repeated. 

"yes, for her birthday." Patty added, unnecessarily. My eyes widened and I shook my head. 

"It's your birthday?" I barely heard the question as I turned to Jake. 

"Yeah." I muttered. 

"How old are you?" He asked.

"16." I said simply. 

".... day." He said. 

"What?" I yelled out. 

"Happy Birthday." the words sounded as the music died down. 

A few heads turned. 

"Thank you." I said softly, turning back towards the front. 

"is there a birthday?" Mr. Michaels asked, turning to his assistant. "I don't have one on the calendar."

I sighed. I'd purposely avoided giving out that information for two years... and now Patty had given it away. Birthday congratulations always made me uncomfortable.  I looked around, hoping no one heard who said Happy birthday to who.

"So, whose birthday is it?" Mr. Pine called from across the room. 

"Sara's!" Jake called out, making me turn to him wide eyed. 

"Why?" I asked and he laughed. 

"Because- now we can sing happy birthday to you." He said brightly. I knew in that moment he did it on purpose because he knew it would annoy me.

"Come on Sara, you know the rules... get up here so we can sing to you." Mr. Michaels called. 

For a second I didn't move and then with a little resignation, I made my way to the front, where I was directed to stand at the podium.