Marching Band: The Journey [EDITING]

3- Go football, right?

The stands were full and loud. Our side had a whole section dedicated to the huge band that we were. The area to our right, facing the field, which was three sections, was filled to the brim. There were cowbells, pom-poms, and signs dotted across the sea of people. The score of the football game was 24-0 in our favor. We as the band just finished our half-time show. And since we were on our best behavior, Mr. Austin is letting us have third quarter off. When I say I'm curious to do critique on that performance, it's because I'm excited about seeing our show so far.

Em decided to pull me from the stands to the concessions. I just wanted to see Tony because he's not on the field right now. She dragged me to the stands, and I followed only because she offered to buy me a drink and candy. After ordering a bag of M&Ms, stick of starburst, a pack of two Reese's, and a Coke for me, Em ordered herself a Sprite.

What? She said she'd buy me whatever I wanted since she dragged me along.

When we got back to the stands, I left Em to make her way up and I slowed along the fence. Just out of the cluster of black jerseys, I spot hit teal number 65. As his name starts to bubble out, he whips his head around in my direction as if sensing me. He shoots me his heart-warming smile and I already know he's confident about a win. I hold up the bag of M&Ms to taunt him. Tony's face contorts into a playful scowl. Before I can respond in my childish ways, his attention is pulled to Coach Rhodes. Judging from his hand signals, he wants Tony on the field. He shoots me a smile before jogging onto the field as he pulls on his helmet.

As the play begins, I make my way up to Em, watching the game out of the corner of my eye. When I reach her, she's deep in conversation with Arianna as Carson leans back onto her legs. I chuckle at the sight before sitting down next to her. She nods at me in acknowledgement as she continues talking to Ari. I look down at Carson who currently has his eyes closed. Even I had to admit he was good looking. He could pull off skinny jeans well for a guy and he looked cute with his glasses on.

The cheering of the crowd pulls my attention towards the game to see we just made a touchdown. From my spot high up in the stands, I can see Tony jumping around in joy for a minute before he and the rest of the team assumed their position for another play. I continue watching until Tony passes the ball over to Reese, the quarterback, before looking down in time to see Phillip making his way up the stands. He silently plops down next to me and judging from his brooding mood, he's upset.

"Okay, spill." I insist, turning my body to face him.

He sighs for a long time before finally looking me in the eye. "I forgot to tell her there was a game tonight and so she texted me but I couldn't respond because we were on the field and now I just feel bad that I wasn't there for her. I just love her so much, I don't want to loose her."

I sit there for a moment, trying to comprehend his rambling. When it finally settles in, I realize he's talking about his long-distance girlfriend, Haley. I gently swat his knee to get his attention since he went off in la-la-land.

"Just send her a really long text explaining why you couldn't text her back while you still have time. If she truly loves and trusts you, then she'll understand." I tell him as I take a quick glance at the clock. Four minutes until the fourth quarter, four minutes until we're back to our stiff uniforms. Four minutes until hell.

I turn back to Phillip only to find him at the top of the stands staring at his phone, the slight glow illuminating his face. Before going back to my seat, I toss a bye to Ari and Em. Carson follows me down since trumpets are in front of saxes.

-

The final buzzer rings, signaling our first win of the season. 44-0. As the band is filtering out of the stands to get back to school, the football team is cheering on the field after the losing team trots off. I slip out of the pushing wave and through the chain link fence. I'm immediately wrapped into a set of strong arms and, from the familiar scent of lavender and mint detergent, I know it's Tony. He's holding me against him so he can stuff his nose in my neck.