Marching Band: The Journey [EDITING]

1 - Last Day of Camp

"Okay, guys. Keep up the good work!" I exclaim to my favorite section, the saxophones. Although I can't stand the flutes, I'm glad I became woodwind captain because now I get to work with my two best friends. I pat Gavin, the saxophone section leader, on the shoulder before skipping over to the clarinets.

"Squeeze your cores, come on guys. Arianna, you as a senior should be able to do this no problem!" My best friend yells at her section as they backwards march.

I smile at her before sneaking up behind her. "'Sup, weirdo. How're they coming?"

"They're not terrible, but we were definitely better when we were freshman." Emmaleigh comments. She turns back to her section with a scowl. "Did I call you down from attention? Yeah, I thought not. Everyone apologize."

Her scowl deepened as half of them groaned. Arianna, a friend of ours, who was used to push-ups by now, dropped and did them. When she was done, she went to get water as the rest of the section finished. I left Em alone with her furrowed brow. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her boyfriend, the trumpet section leader, looking at her with worry etched onto his face. As I made my way over to the flutes, they were working on toe-roll. With their usual quiet voices, I could barely hear them count. Right when they finished I picked up my pace.

"Come on, flutes. You can be louder than that." I shouted, walking over to stand next to my other best friend. Phillip looked tired and judging from his terrible posture, he just wanted to go home.

"Just because your section won the 'Loudest' contest doesn't mean we would be just as loud." Phillip said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, you remember our freshman year. You weren't that bad." I say, shooting him a smile.

The squealing of the microphone shrilled across the field before Rielle, our drum major, spoke.

"Everyone has been working so hard, your leaders have come together to get everyone pizza! Make sure you bring in all trash and pit equipment. Congrats for a great run on your last practice before school starts Monday. Don't forget, we have a game Thursday!"

With that, everyone started gathering their stuff. I went over to the sign by the bus entrance to make sure everyone had trash on their way in and to lift the chain when people with pit equipment went by. Emmaleigh ended up staying with me. Phillip went straight inside, chugging a water bottle the whole way. Once everything was in, Rielle, Em, and I walked inside together. When we got to the band room, it was cleared of people. Most had already left to the cafeteria for pizza. I grabbed my bag while Em put away her instrument and Rielle tucked away her stand. On our way to the band room, I saw a familiar pick-up truck roll up outside. I squealed in delight before running out.

When Tony climbed out of his truck, the smile on my face grew. I dropped my bag and jumped up to hug him, wrapping my legs around his waist. His arms wrapped around me to catch me, squeezing me. My nose was tucked into his neck, enjoying the smell of his cologne.

"It's great to see you too, babe." He muttered against my shoulder.

I chuckled at him before dropping down. Once my feet hit the cement, Tony slung an arm over my shoulders. At this point in our relationship, we didn't care about each other's sweat. He's seen me after marching and I've seen him after football.

"We have pizza inside if you want to come in for a slice." I offered as we made our way back to the school. On the way, he lent down and picked up my bag, carrying it instead of giving it to me. What a gentleman. Cue the swooning.

"I could eat." Was all he said before he looked down at me. He was a considerable four inches taller than me. When we got to the cafeteria, he kissed the top of my head before going to get us both pizza.