Marching Band: The Journey [EDITING]

10 - Confessions and Smash Bros

"Practices have gotten a whole lot easier since I've been here." Diana comments as we leave practice. Tony usually gives me rides home on Tuesdays, but I texted him that I would get a ride from Diana.

"You come every year, what are you talking about?" I ask, looking up from my phone. Tony was 'whining' in a cute way that I was ditching him. I ignored his texts for now as we climb in Diana's truck.

"But still, I remember my freshman year when Austin made us apologize double time for messing up a part twice. You guys can mess up ten times and get nothing except a smart remark." Diana returns, turning onto the road. "You guys want food? Subway or Taco Bell?"

"Taco Bell." We say in unison, looking at her with the look of 'are you crazy for even asking us that?'.

After we went through the drive-thru, Diana dropped me off at home. As they drove away, I heard Em laughing at something she said. I ate my food in peace since my mom left early for work. Once I finished, I heard a honk from outside as I threw away my trash. Before I could even make it to the door, it burst open and Tony came barging in.

"Well since you ignored my texts, I decided to come here so you can't ignore my face." He says, going into the kitchen to grab a can of soda before plopping down on the couch.

"So you're just going to spend the night?" I ask, not minding his actions. I'm used to this since I do the same thing at his house.

"Pretty much. My parents think I'm at Reese's so they're cool." Tony responds, turning on the TV. FRIENDS blasts the room and he instantly turns it all the way down.

"Well I'm going to take a shower, try not to make a mess." I tell him, starting up the stairs.

The TV cuts off and he's already at the foot of the stairs. "I could help make a mess in your shower with you."

-

"Yo, sup Diana!" Tony called when we entered the band hall. His arm was around my shoulders and the crowd of freshmen and sophomores parted as we passed. She was chilling at the end of the hall with Em, Carson, Rielle, and Hezikiah.

"Tony. Ange." She said, sending a nod his way and giving me a side hug.

"My legs hurts so much." I complained, slumping down on the ground. Everyone around started mumbling in agreement, thinking I was talking about marching band camp. Tony was chuckling. I turn to him before mouthing, "I blame you."

At this point, he bursts out laughing and everyone is looking at him with the weirdest look while I sit there and massage my legs. Diana catches on because soon she's laughing at me, then cringing after a moment. Phillip walks up to the confused group before slumping to the ground next to me. I gently elbow his arm to get his attention, but he just grunts before hanging his head lower. Probably got in a fight with his sisters or is feeling bad about missing a text from Haley.

"I never want to know about that again." Diana tells me before standing up. "I better get going. Got to check in with my Captain, but I was hoping I could see Austin."

"You might want to leave now. He doesn't get here until later, but Ferrior gets here around this time." Em says, glancing at the back door for her.

"I'm leaving out that way anyway. Talk to you guys later." She says farewell before leaving. Once she's gone, we all go back to normal conversations.

-

Since I had my work for Mrs. Umbridge done already, her class was easy today. Professor Snape was chill about me not having the conclusion of my paper done and gave me an extension, which I was so thankful for. Tony, Phillip, Em and I went out for lunch again since we all had study hall after. This time, Tony offered to help Austin with band students, and Phillip just wanted to chill out of school since he did have a fight with his sisters. So Tony went back to school after lunch, and Em and I dropped Phillip off at my house to chill since he couldn't go home. We drove to a park by her house to chill and finish our food.

"So, Carson said something on the way home from the beach weekend and I meant to ask you about it." I mention, finishing off a chicken tender. A delicious sip of sweet tea would help wash it down.

"What did he say?" She asks, not really caring as she finished off a milkshake from Chick-Fil-A.

"He implied that you, um... that you fucked." I say nonchalantly. Em started choking on the cherry she was eating. "Ohmigod Em, stop choking on round things!" That caused her to choke more.

"Did he seriously?!" She asks with a crazed look.

"Well he said something about you being 'tired from last night' so I could only guess." When I mentioned this she blushed like crazy as she ducked her head. Jackpot. "So... what happened?"

She was silent for a good five minutes, the only sound in the park the squeaking of the swing she was on. I was leaning against one of the poles that held up the swing-set, waiting patiently for her to spill. And she did. "Okay, yes, we did. I didn't say anything about it because I don't know what to say about it. It was my first time, what is there to say?! He was really sweet about it, even when I was extremely awkward. And I was awkward. To cover up to any silences, I quoted vines. That's how weird I was! But he was so gentle about everything and... UGH! Why does he have to be perfect?!"

"I wouldn't worry too much, everything will become familiar the more you do it." I tell her, patting her shoulder before checking the time on my phone. 1:53. "Come on, we've got to go get Phillip to drive him home."

-

After dropping Phillip off at his house, we went to her house. Diana was going to be there with Matthew, a friend of her's and Kaycie's from high school. He was first chair Wind Ensemble and Section Leader his junior year. After high school, he went into college. So by now, he's a sophomore. When we showed up, all three were playing Smash Bros. Basically the house was full of yelling.

"What have we walked in to?" I ask, stopping to get a Dr. Pepper. It's like Diana knew because she yelled for me to get her one.

"I don't even question it anymore." Em said, shaking her head as she sunk into the couch adjacent to the TV. Her phone pinged and in an instant, she was giggling. Carson.

"So, who's winning?" I ask, glancing at the screen before looking at the three wild children. Kaycie was on the other couch, her legs curled under her body. Diana was sitting on the edge of the same couch, looking serious as fudge. Matthew was standing in front of the TV, his game face on. That's probably why they were yelling, most likely for Matthew to move.

"Me, obviously." Matthew calls, backing away from the TV as he just won a round. Diana and Kaycie both groan in unison. Kaycie threw her controller onto the couch.

"I seriously don't know why we're friends anymore. Why do I let you come over all the time?" Kaycie asks, staring at Matthew in disbelief. Diana snorts, as do I where I almost spit my drink. She takes a sip of her own drink and wiggles her eyebrows over her drink can.

"Because-" Matthew starts.

"Okay, guys. I have to run some errands and I'll be back to make dinner. If not, you're on your own." Em and Kaycie's mom says before leaving, cutting off Matthew on her way.

"Bye mom!" Diana yells out

"Bye." Everyone else calls out in unison.

Once she's gone, Matthew turns to Kaycie with the straightest face. "You don't invite me, I just show up. And eat your food. Mainly your mac and cheese."

With the seriousness he had on his face and the silliest statement he just said, I couldn't help but laugh. Everyone else had the same reaction. Kaycie and Em fell on the floor, Diana was leaning back with her hand clutching her stomach, and I was silently laughing. I couldn't see much since my eyes were squinted in humor. Matthew had a triumphant smile on his face as he sat on the floor.

~~~

Hola girls and guys!

Em and Carson, gettin' it on!

~Lotus