The WRA Draft

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Sectionals

(That evening)

"I can't believe that May is already here," Denver commented as we gazed as the calendar in the band room.

"When do you leave for New York?" Tommy asked coming up behind us.

"May 20," I answered pointing to the date on the calendar.

"Wait, seriously?" Denver faced me.

"Yep. Seventeen days."

"That's literally three days after we perform."

"Yep."

"So, are you just staying in New York?"

"Yeah. Because of me, Toby, and Taylor, Mrs. Fay is going with us. She'll stay there with us until the rest of the class arrives."

"So she'll be going with us to the competition?" Denver guessed. Tommy crossed his arms like he was disappointed.

"She'll ride the plane with us, but will stay at the hotel while we all go to the contest," I explained. Tommy lightened up a little.

"Alright you nerds," Mr. Wires called us around. "here's the plan tonight. We finally have our eighth graders back," he jokingly glared at each of us individually. so we can actually work tonight! Don't worry, Tommy, you can have your girl back now."

"Oo la la!" Joel called out. Eliza cat-called. I rolled my eyes while Tommy scolded the two.

"Let's remember that Tommy is four years older than me!" I exclaimed to the kids. Mr. Wires laughed.

"Anyways, tonight, we're starting with sectionals. Mike has snares, Travis has tenors, and Daniel has bass drums. I'll be helping out the pit. We'll do that for about an hour, then meet up in the gym. From there, we'll just clean up the show."

"If that's even possible anymore," Denver murmured. I nudged him. He grinned at me.

"Two weeks, guys," Mr. Wires said. "We got two weeks until we perform as representatives of Iowa. And a week and three days before we actually leave for New York. I got a good feeling here."

We all split into our sections.

***

"Let's take a break, eh?" Daniel decided. I set my mallets on my drum and grabbed my water bottle. The Gray Room was at a hotter temperature than usual, so I sat next to the cracked open window that we had opened.

Denver sat down next to me. "Hey."

"Hey." I took a swig of my water.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired. I can't believe it's so close. The whole thing. It's just a big old piece of," I lowered my voice so Daniel couldn't hear. "shit."

Denver laughed. "True."

I thought back to the kiss that Denver planted on my cheek. I hadn't forgotten about it by any means. But why?

"Why did you kiss me?" I blurted. As soon as I said it, I regretted it. I tend to do that a lot these days.

Denver went quiet. I bit my lip, hoping that I hadn't ruined anything. Finally, he spoke. "I felt that you needed it. D-does that make sense?"

I shook my head. "Not really."

Denver played with the lid of his water bottle. "I-I've been thinking lately. A lot." Uh-oh. "You've been crazy busy and I haven't able to see you as much, you know. We used to walk out to the school together every day, now I'm lucky if I catch you at your locker. You're moving too fast, Olivia."