Toxic

Chapter One

The end of eighth grade. Within the next few weeks I will be starting my first day of high school marching band.

The final bell rang and I quickly grabbed my books, rushing out of my creepy math teachers class and down to the first floor.

I reached my locker grabbed what was left inside then went down to the band room to retrieve my flute.

I walked inside the nearly empty room and took one last look around. The shelves in the back was lined with trophies the highschool band had won in the past. I was so ready to be a part of that accomplishment.

I walked over to the storage room and found my cubby and took out my blue painted flute case. The light pastel blue color reminded me  of the day I got it painted:

I was sitting in the library during home room with my good friend Ariel. We would go down there everyday and just talk and laugh about incredibly stupid things. She was quite tall with dark blonde hair that went to the middle of her shoulders. She was really talented when it came to anything music related. She could play so many instruments.

She was talking to me about how she painted her flute case. I became really interested and asked if she could paint mine. So that weekend I gave her my flute and she painted it's case and even fixed a pad that had been broken for a couple years.

That Monday during band she handed me this beautifully painted pastel blue flute case. I thanked her for painting it and then thanked her again for fixing the pad when I put it together.

Anyway, I grabbed my flute and my folder and left the storage room. I saw my best friend Jenny and ran over to her.

"Hi." She says as she struggles to keep her balance. I was clinging on to her back nearly knocking her down.

"Hey. Are you still staying the night Friday?"

I got off her back and stood in front of her waiting for her answer.

"Yeah I think so."

We both immediately got excited for our little sleep over we'd been planning for about a month now.

I checked my phone and realized it was getting pretty late and I needed to go tell Joe goodbye.

I hugged her goodbye and ran out to the front of the school where everyone was waiting to leave. I looked around until I spotted him standing by the tree talking to his friends.

I ran over and hugged him from behind. He stumbled slightly but his six foot tall frame stayed put.

He turned around and smiled at me, pulling me around to the front of him. He slung his arm lazily around my shoulder and continued to talk to his friends.

"Joe I have to go."

I pushed his arm off of me and started to walk away. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back, quickly placing a kiss on my cheek.

I stood kinda shocked for a minute. He's never done that before. A smile landed on my face and I waved goodbye before walking home.

Marching band started within a few weeks and I was absolutely in love with it.

I had joined the color guard and was very happy with my choice. I got to dance and spin a six foot flag on the field.

The whole month of June I spent basically every day at the high school learning flag work to our school fight song and a patriotic type song to march in the annual Fourth of July parade.

We learned how to properly March and how to spin and walk at the same time. It was difficult at first I slowly I got the hang of it.

Soon enough it was time for the parade. I was really excited. We marched through town and everyone was cheering for us.

When the parade had ended and our band director dismissed us to enjoy the rest of the festival.

I found my friend T.J. and we decided to watch the fireworks together.

"So how's things with you and Joe?"

I looked away from him and just shook my head. He had become a bit controlling within the last two months. That and I barely see him anymore because of band practice.

"I don't know. He's just not been himself. He's controlling and I never see him anymore anyway. It's just kinda frustrating."

He nods acknowledging my statement and that he understands. I just lean into him some more and think about what to do.

"Maybe you should just end it with him. If you don't want to be in that situation then you just need to end it."

I look up at him and soak in his words. I guess that's my only option. I don't really want to be with someone who controls who I can and can't talk to and I would like to be able to see the person I'm in a relationship with a lot.

I nod my head agreeing with him. "I'll end it tomorrow."

I snuggled up next to T.J. and continued to watch the fireworks. It just felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.